Chapter 494: Patriarch Wu’s Shock
After instructing Li Tian to take down the patriarchs of the Three Great Clans within three days, Lin Yun continued playing the part of a foppish young master while diligently cultivating. In the utter chaos of Wind City, Lin Yun had somehow become the most relaxed person of all.
Just one day into the three-day period, Patriarch He unexpectedly came to the Bai Family residence looking for Lin Yun. Hearing from a Maid that Patriarch He had arrived, Lin Yun murmured to himself, "What’s he doing here?"
Instructing the Maid to show Patriarch He in, Lin Yun saw him arrive in the small courtyard shortly after. Accompanying Patriarch He was the same old butler from the He Family.
Leading Patriarch He to the pavilion in the courtyard, Lin Yun poured him a cup of tea and asked with a smile, "Patriarch He, is there a reason for your visit today?"
Hearing Lin Yun’s question, Patriarch He thought for a moment before asking somewhat hesitantly, "Young Master Lin, have you lost your trust in me?"
"Hm? What do you mean by that, Patriarch He?" Lin Yun asked, confused.
Hearing Lin Yun’s words, Patriarch He agonized for a long moment before finally blurting out everything on his mind.
"Young Master Lin, I know you came to Wind City on orders from Palace Master Luo, but I’m not privy to the details of your mission. Over the past two days, Li Tian hasn’t shown any unusual behavior, but he hasn’t said a single word to me about your affairs, Young Master Lin. And... and since he left the He Family estate yesterday, he hasn’t returned. He hasn’t told me what I need to do either. It just made me feel that maybe you... Young Master Lin..."
After hearing Patriarch He’s words, Lin Yun understood. ’So the guy figured something was off on his own.’ He sized up the anxious-looking patriarch, then glanced nonchalantly at the old butler.
Seeing Lin Yun remain silent, Patriarch He assumed that he had truly lost his trust and hurriedly explained, "Young Master Lin, I can swear it! From the day I chose to follow you, I have never once thought of betraying you. You must believe me on this, Young Master Lin!"
Seeing how anxious Patriarch He was, Lin Yun smiled faintly and reassured him, "Patriarch He, you’re overthinking things. I haven’t lost my trust in you. It’s just not your time to act yet. When the moment comes, I will naturally give you your instructions."
At Lin Yun’s reassurance, Patriarch He’s expression finally softened. Since aligning himself with Lin Yun, Patriarch He had, one could say, gotten a taste of the benefits. He knew that with Lin Yun’s backing, the He Family was certain to prosper. That was why he was so terrified now—terrified that Lin Yun would just kick him to the curb.
After staying for half an hour, Patriarch He finally cast aside his worries. As he was leaving, he repeatedly promised that he would do his utmost to serve Lin Yun.
After seeing Patriarch He off, Lin Yun didn’t give the matter much thought. ’It won’t be long before I can expose the mole in the He Family anyway.’ All Lin Yun lacked now was the right opportunity.
With no need to worry about other matters, Lin Yun returned to his room and resumed his cultivation. As for Li Tian, he was currently in the study of the Wu Family’s patriarch.
He had walked into the Wu Family estate openly and had even been respectfully invited into the patriarch’s personal study. One must remember, Patriarch Wu was a Ninth Layer Primordial Ocean Realm Martial Artist, while Li Tian was merely at the Third Layer of the Primordial Ocean Realm.
However, you would understand everything upon seeing the woman standing behind Li Tian. Wasn’t this the very same concubine Patriarch Wu had just recently taken?
At this moment, Li Tian was sprawled nonchalantly in the chair that belonged to Patriarch Wu. As for the patriarch’s concubine, she stood respectfully behind Li Tian.
"You must find this very strange, Patriarch Wu," Li Tian said with a light chuckle, looking at the patriarch.
"Who are you? How do you know?" Patriarch Wu asked nervously upon hearing Li Tian’s words. ’Li Tian actually knows about my collusion with that mysterious organization and even claims to have evidence! If word of this reaches the Flawless Palace, the Wu Family will be utterly ruined!’
Pointing to the woman behind him, Li Tian said with a smile, "Patriarch Wu, your concubine... was arranged for you by me."
Li Tian’s voice was calm, but to Patriarch Wu’s ears, it was like a clap of thunder. ’The concubine I’m madly in love with was actually a deliberate plant by Li Tian?’
Standing frozen in place, Patriarch Wu couldn’t believe it. ’The woman sleeping beside me every night was actually planted by someone else, all to monitor my every move.’
"There’s no need to be so surprised, Patriarch Wu. I’ve placed informants around everyone I find suspicious. For instance, the younger brother of the Li Family’s patriarch, the adopted son of the Zhao Family’s patriarch..." Li Tian said faintly.
Hearing this, Patriarch Wu looked at Li Tian in utter terror. ’How is that possible? The Li Family, the Zhao Family... those are the clans that secretly pledged allegiance to that mysterious organization, the three clans that Li Tian has now confirmed.’
"You..." Looking at Li Tian’s calm expression, Patriarch Wu felt as if he were a woman stripped bare before this young man, with no secrets left to hide.
’Moreover, the two people Li Tian mentioned—the younger brother of Patriarch Li and the adopted son of Patriarch Zhao—are the people they trust most! How could men like that possibly be bought by the young man standing before me?’
After the initial shock, deep suspicion grew in Patriarch Wu’s heart. He said to Li Tian in disbelief, "Impossible. How could you have bought the two people you mentioned? They’ve been by Patriarch Li’s and Patriarch Zhao’s side since they were children."
Hearing Patriarch Wu’s words, Li Tian smiled faintly and shook his head slightly. "Who told you I bought them? They submitted to me willingly."
’Submit?’ Hearing this, Patriarch Wu was even more incredulous. He immediately retorted, "Impossible! What could you possibly give them? Why would they submit to you?"
Looking at the completely broken Patriarch Wu, Li Tian rose to his feet, slowly walked up to him, and said, word by word, "I can give them the position of patriarch."
Hearing Li Tian’s words, Patriarch Wu collapsed onto the floor. At this point, if he still couldn’t figure it out, then he had truly wasted all his years.
The younger brother of Patriarch Li, the adopted son of Patriarch Zhao—both of them were the closest in line to the position of patriarch. If anything were to happen to the heads of their respective clans, the position would very likely fall to them.
As long as Li Tian had the power to help them secure the patriarch’s seat, it wasn’t impossible that they would submit to him. After all, everyone has desires, and what Li Tian did was, quite simply, fulfill them.
Looking at Li Tian, Patriarch Wu realized that it wasn’t just the organization behind him that was steadily infiltrating the great clans of Wind City. The young man before him was doing the exact same thing—and Li Tian’s methods and schemes were even more meticulous and ruthless than those of the organization.
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