Divine Emperor Demon Emperor

Witnessing such an event would leave anyone in a foul mood. The members of the Ji Family were innocent. This outcome was solely because Patriarch Ji had been deceived by his own son.

Some might wonder why Lin Yun didn’t intervene to save the Ji Family, and whether his inaction meant he was too cold-blooded.

But that wasn’t the case. If one thought about it carefully, the entire tragedy was caused by Patriarch Ji believing his son’s lies.

As the saying goes, one can survive disasters from heaven, but not the consequences of one’s own actions. Every cause has its effect—this is the cycle of fate, an immutable truth. Lin Yun not wiping out the entire Ji Family was already his greatest concession. As for their final fate, that was no longer his concern. After all, Lin Yun was no savior on a mission to rescue the world from its suffering.

Having heard news of Lin Yun’s return from somewhere, the former Guard Commander of the Ji Family hurried to the courtyard gate. Before even stepping inside, he dropped directly to his knees.

"Young Master Lin, this lowly one acted first and reported later. I beg for Young Master Lin’s forgiveness," the man said respectfully from his kneeling position.

Lin Yun looked at the Ji Family’s Guard Commander—or rather, the future patriarch of the Ji Family.

Lin Yun had underestimated this man’s shrewdness. He understood perfectly well that even though he had killed members of the Ji Family, whether or not he could successfully take over depended entirely on Lin Yun’s attitude.

If Lin Yun was displeased with his actions, he could slaughter every last member of the Ji Family and still never be able to claim it for himself.

Staring at him for a long moment, Lin Yun finally said coolly, "The life and death of the Ji Family is none of my business. That’s your affair. However, I have a piece of advice for you: always leave a way out for others and preserve a final shred of your conscience. If you don’t have to be utterly ruthless, then show some leniency. Now, go."

With that, Lin Yun waved his hand, dismissing him.

Hearing Lin Yun’s words, the man understood. Lin Yun’s stance was one of non-interference and indifference. He wouldn’t care about the final outcome.

The man performed a deep bow to Lin Yun and said respectfully, "Thank you for your guidance, Young Master Lin. This lowly one will take his leave."

The affairs of the Ji Family had nothing to do with him. He had only executed those two last night because their actions were simply inhuman.

Paying no more mind to the events unfolding within the Ji Family, Lin Yun and the others emerged from their rooms the next morning. After a night of "cleansing," the Ji Family had likely changed hands completely.

Seeing that Lin Yun and the others were out of their rooms, a Maid respectfully served them breakfast and tea.

Sitting in the courtyard, Lin Yun and the three women, including Lu Bingning, chatted idly while enjoying an exquisite breakfast.

"Brother Lin Yun, do you think Wei Yunhang will come today?" Mo Qingliu asked, looking at Lin Yun and blinking her big eyes.

"He will. And he’ll come in person," Lin Yun replied with a faint, confident smile.

Just as the words left Lin Yun’s mouth, a Ji Family Maid walked in and announced respectfully, "Young Master Lin, the Head Disciple of Taiqing Academy, Wei Yunhang, is here to see you."

Hearing the Maid’s report, Lin Yun and the three women exchanged a smile. ’Speak of the devil.’

"You all wait here. Since Brother Wei has come, I should naturally go out and greet him." With a small smile, Lin Yun didn’t have the Maid bring Wei Yunhang in; instead, he went out to welcome him personally.

In the Ji Family’s main hall, Wei Yunhang was waiting on a chair when Lin Yun’s laughter suddenly drifted in from outside. "Brother Wei, you honor me too much! You could have just sent a servant to call for me. How could I trouble you to come in person?"

As he spoke, Lin Yun strode into the hall.

"Brother Lin Yun, I am truly ashamed. Last night, you were nearly harmed by those villains. So today, I’ve come especially to offer you my apologies," Wei Yunhang said, a look of remorse on his face.

After exchanging some pleasantries, the two sat down. Lin Yun did not take the host’s seat, as this was not his home.

Far from blaming Lin Yun for forcing his way into the Wei Family’s residence last night, Wei Yunhang took all the responsibility upon himself. Of course, Lin Yun did the same.

"Brother Lin Yun, I truly feel guilty. If you hadn’t already brought those two to justice last night, I would have made them wish for death," Wei Yunhang said.

"Brother Wei, you’re being too kind. I’m the one who feels bad about forcing my way into the Wei Family’s home last night," Lin Yun replied.

They beat around the bush for a full quarter of an hour, and in the end, the events of the previous night were brushed aside as if they had never happened. Wei Yunhang showed no intention of holding Lin Yun accountable.

They chatted until noon, at which point Wei Yunhang suggested they head to Taiqing Academy first, promising that he and Lin Yun would drink until they dropped that evening.

Calling for Lu Bingning and the other two women, Lin Yun’s group went to the Beast City outside of Fire City, where they boarded Wei Yunhang’s Cyan Cloud Crane and flew directly toward Taiqing Academy.

From the moment they met, Wei Yunhang never once mentioned his father, nor did he bring up the angry words his father had directed at Lin Yun the night before.

Taiqing Academy was not far from Fire City. Just as the Flawless Palace was located in a place called the Flawless Waters, the area where Taiqing Academy resided was known to the world as the Taiqing Grassland.

After flying for several dozen li out from Fire City, a boundless grassland appeared before their eyes.

Just moments before, there had been rolling mountain ranges, but as if crossing an invisible line, the scenery completely changed. The endless expanse of grassland was a refreshing and uplifting sight.

"Brother Lin Yun, how does this Taiqing Grassland compare to the Flawless Waters?" Wei Yunhang asked with a smile, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with Lin Yun on the Cyan Cloud Crane’s back. Behind them, the three women chattered away.

"Brother Wei, how does a Divine Dragon compare to a Phoenix?" Lin Yun retorted with a question of his own instead of answering.

Hearing this, Wei Yunhang burst into laughter. "Haha, Brother Lin Yun, you truly are...!"

After two hours of idle chatter and flight, a cluster of buildings came into Lin Yun’s view.

This was Taiqing Academy. Compared to the Flawless Palace, the architecture of Taiqing Academy gave Lin Yun the impression of a single word: green.

The sprawling complex appeared even larger than the Flawless Palace, but the buildings of Taiqing Academy had one defining feature: every single one was only a single story tall. Furthermore, the structures had an ancient feel to them, with green plants growing on their roofs and walls.

That was why the impression Taiqing Academy gave Lin Yun could be summed up in that one word: green.

"My Taiqing Academy pursues the principle of following one’s heart, just like these plants climbing the eaves. Perhaps others might find it strange, thinking the eaves of a house are no place for plants to grow, but this is quite common here at Taiqing Academy. This is what it means to follow one’s heart..." As the Cyan Cloud Crane slowly descended onto Taiqing Academy’s main plaza, Wei Yunhang explained some of the academy’s philosophy while everyone hopped off the crane.

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