Lin Fang stood tall, his piercing gaze sweeping across the council hall as he addressed everyone present. His long black hair cascaded down his back, and the loose white robe he wore fluttered gently in the breeze wafting through the open doors. The air seemed to grow heavy with the weight of his words as he began to speak, his voice steady but carrying an undeniable edge.
"What Mother Mei said is actually correct," Lin Fang started, his tone calm but firm. "What happened to me was my own foolishness—my failure to consult my mother or anyone else before acting rashly. I allowed myself to fall into the trap set by that piece of filth, Zhao Ming. I don't even fully understand the situation yet, but he exploited my inner turmoil and the grief I felt after losing my father."
He paused, his eyes darkening as he continued, "He told me that my fiancée, Cai Yuxin, betrayed me and is now with him. In my anger and despair, I acted without thinking. When I tried to attack him, it wasn't Zhao Ming who retaliated. It was my teacher—the person I trusted—who stopped me and destroyed my cultivation."
The room fell into a stunned silence, his words cutting through the air like a blade. Lin Fang's voice grew sharper, tinged with a bitterness that revealed the depth of his pain. "I don't know the full truth behind any of this. Why would Cai Yuxin betray me? Our engagement was just months away. Did her family ever approach us to cancel it? Is Zhao Ming lying about the situation, or is the Cai family treating us like fools, thinking they can do as they please without formally breaking the engagement?"
He clenched his fists, his voice rising slightly as he questioned, "And why did my teacher attack me? What reason could she have had to cripple me—her own disciple? These are the questions you should be investigating. Until we uncover the truth behind these events, any talk of justice or dignity is premature."
Lin Fang's gaze swept over the room again, lingering on each elder before he added with a scoff, "Let's be real here. Our family's reputation wasn't built on greatness or noble deeds like in the past—it was now built on me. I was the prodigy everyone looked up to, the reason our clan had any standing at all among the commoners. Without me, what legacy does the Lin Clan have left now?"
He crossed his arms, his expression cold and unyielding. "So before you start preaching about saving the family's face, focus on achieving something worthy of respect. Investigate the truth behind what happened to me, and then maybe—just maybe—you'll have the right to talk about honor and dignity."
His words struck the room like a thunderclap, leaving the council members speechless. The council hall fell into an oppressive silence, Lin Fang's words lingering like a sharp blade cutting through their pride. Each elder and member sat motionless, their faces a mix of shock, shame, and unease. No one dared to speak, for fear of igniting further ire or exposing their own weaknesses.
Lin Fang, observing their silence, gave a small nod of satisfaction. Without another word, he turned on his heel and strode out of the council hall, his loose white robe swaying with each confident step.
Yue followed closely behind him, her eyes wide with surprise and admiration. The young master she knew was no longer the same. The respectful, somewhat humble boy was gone, replaced by someone exuding an air of dominance and arrogance—a kind of arrogance that, strangely enough, felt earned.
As they walked, Yue found her thoughts swirling. She replayed his words in her mind. Though he spoke with disdain, the truth in his statements was undeniable. The Lin Clan had long since lost its former glory. Their reputation within Red Leaf City wasn't built on power or influence anymore—it rested solely on Lin Fang's shoulders. His prodigious talent had been their only beacon of pride, their sole claim to relevance.
'He's not wrong,' she admitted to herself reluctantly. 'The Lin Clan really is nothing more than a hollow shell of what it used to be. If not for him, people wouldn't even remember us.'
Yue's gaze lingered on Lin Fang's back as they walked through the hallways. His strides were purposeful, his posture commanding, and his aura far more imposing than she had ever seen before. 'He's changed,' she thought, her awe deepening. 'The way he carries himself, the way he speaks—it's as if he's an entirely different person.'
After Lin Fang had disappeared completely from view, the oppressive silence in the council hall lifted slightly. The members collectively sighed, their tension ebbing away like a receding tide. Lin Yanxli, who had remained composed throughout the ordeal, finally broke the quiet.
Her voice was calm but commanding, "Now that you've heard from Lin Fang himself what he expects, I trust you all understand the course of action. Begin by investigating the matters he raised. Verify whether Zhao Ming's claims were false or ture, and if so, formally confront the Cai family. Ask them why Cai Yuxin has not come forward to meet with Lin Fang until now even though the engagement still standing."
She paused, her sharp gaze sweeping across the gathered members. "Next, look into Lin Fang's teacher and the reason behind her actions. Why would a trusted mentor go so far as to destroy her disciple's cultivation? Invite the Chen family to a meeting—they will provide answers, one way or another."
Lin Yanxli's tone grew firmer, brooking no argument. "Once these investigations are complete and evidence has been gathered, we will reconvene to decide on the appropriate actions. I expect results within three days at most. This is not a request—it is an order."
The weight of her words pressed down on the council members, leaving no room for dissent. "The council for today is dismissed. Attend to your respective duties and ensure these tasks are prioritized."
With that, Lin Yanxli rose from her seat, her bearing as dignified as ever. The elders and other members exchanged glances before bowing slightly and dispersing, their faces a mix of unease and determination.