My father is the main character, but the female leads want to kill me.

Lin Ran had just stood up when Lin Hongjia bumped into her, gently patted her head, and said softly, "Why did you come here looking so disheveled?"

"How dare you say that? It's been half a year, half a year, and there's still no news. I was even thinking of asking my family to help look for her... You... you're a bad person, a damn bastard, I'll beat you to death!" Lin Hongjia's eyes were red, and she was on the verge of tears as she waved her small fists and punched Lin Ran hard.

Lin Ran knew that his sudden and quiet departure for half a year would cause great concern for both Lin Hongjia and Lin Chong, something he had overlooked.

"Alright, alright, I'm back now, aren't I? I was just trapped in some ancient ruins and it took me quite a while to get out," Lin Ran said with a smile.

"What, ancient ruins?"

Lin Hongjia quickly looked up at Lin Ran with concern, her voice trembling slightly as she spoke: "Why did you go to a place like that by yourself? Do you know how dangerous those places are? You got out this time by luck, but what about next time? And the time after that? Don't you know people will worry about you? Are you under some kind of curse? I'll check you out when we get back!"

"Don't be so nervous. It's just an ancient relic, not a deadly one. It's just that I'm a bit slow and wasted a lot of time trying to pass that trial!" Lin Ran pulled Lin Hongjia down to sit and recounted his experience like a story. Of course, she kept Meng Qing's existence a secret. If she knew about Meng Qing, this little girl would probably explode!

"It's actually the legacy of the Azure Spirit Sword Saint! This was one of the most famous ancient powerhouses back then. You obtained his legacy, no wonder you've changed so much since you came back, becoming much younger and more powerful..."

Lin Hongjia's face was flushed. She didn't say anything more, but Lin Ran was even more charming and handsome in her eyes after his return. However, she was still angry about his disappearance for half a year. She couldn't abandon her principles just because he was handsome.

"I also feel younger. By the way, where's Xiao Chong? Doesn't he know I'm back?" Lin Ran asked, a little puzzled.

Mentioning Lin Chong, Lin Hongjia's expression froze. As if she had thought of something, she looked at Lin Ran with resentment, glanced around to make sure no one was there, and then said angrily, "Why did you have to play matchmaker like that? You know I only have brotherly feelings for Lin Chong, and you know I like you. Not only did you make Lin Chong pursue me, but you also told him that I was leaving before my coming-of-age ceremony. Do you know how I've been these past six months?"

If you hadn't pointed that out back then, you wouldn't be in this mess today, right?

"I don't care, you have to resolve this matter immediately. It's all your fault, you bear the main responsibility."

Enraged, Lin Hongjia even grabbed Lin Ran's clothes and shook her violently. Speaking of this, she couldn't help but feel furious, and her words came out to Lin Ran like a string of beans.

For the past six months, she has tried every possible way to tactfully reject Lin Chong's advances. But this is also the brother who has grown up with her. She directly rejected him, saying, "I don't like you, I like your father!"

She could imagine the incredibly explosive scene, and she didn't dare gamble on what the consequences would be. Since Lin Ran was the one who caused this mess, then Lin Ran should handle it.

Lin Ran listened to Lin Hongjia's words and remained silent for a long time. She sighed softly and said, "I used to think that your feelings for me might be out of attachment rather than romantic love, but you... sigh, never mind, I'll talk to Xiao Chong about it later."

Seeing Lin Ran like this, Lin Hongjia softened. He took Lin Ran's hand and said in a slightly coquettish tone, "I'm not trying to make things difficult for you, but this matter can't be taken lightly. If Lin Chong's feelings take root in his heart, wouldn't you be putting a green hat on yourself?"

"What are you thinking, girl? Who taught you to say such things!" Lin Ran was almost furious with Lin Hongjia's words. She flicked Lin Hongjia's forehead hard. How could such a lewd word as "wearing a green hat" come out of the mouth of a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl!

The latter clutched her forehead, wincing in pain as she looked at Lin Ran, wrinkling her little nose, and said firmly, "I don't care, I'm sticking with you for life. If you push me to someone else, once I become strong... I... I'll even beat you up!"

"Oh, you really are my little devil..."

Lin Ran pressed her forehead against her head, which was buzzing.

He didn't expect that as soon as he got back today, Lin Hongjia would throw such a difficult problem at him. Was it because he was too soft-hearted in disciplining her, or was she just going through a rebellious phase?

8①④⑨ ling ③Qi Bar

It wasn't appropriate to stay in the council hall for too long and discuss these matters. Lin Ran still had some pride; if word got out, the entire city of Linshan would probably be cursing him as a beast tomorrow.

He hadn't even said anything when he brought Lin Hongjia back to his own courtyard, but the girl snorted, rolled her eyes at him, and slammed the door shut behind her when she got back to her room.

Lin Ran glanced at the wooden door; it was almost falling over from that sudden force.

"How did this brat turn out like this?"

Lin Ran shook his head with a wry smile; he didn't intend to offer any more advice.

He knew Jia'er's personality all too well. Once she made up her mind, nothing could change it. Don't be fooled by her gentle and weak appearance; when she gets stubborn, she's as fierce as a bull. Her personality is much wilder than her outwardly refined demeanor suggests.

Lin Ran walked towards Lin Chong's room. He saw that candles were lit in Lin Chong's room, so he went up and knocked on the wooden door, calling out, "It's me, Lin Ran! Xiao Chong, may I come in?"

The door in front of him opened quickly, and Lin Chong looked at Lin Ran standing in the doorway with a face full of surprise, his voice rising a few notches: "Father, when did you come back!"

"Not long, just today!" Lin Ran smiled, looking at Lin Chong who was shirtless, wearing shorts, with books on the table, seemingly studying. She patted Lin Chong's arm and laughed, "Looks like you haven't missed your daily cultivation. You're in good shape!"

"Hehe, I practice the boxing techniques my father taught me several times a day!" Lin Chong scratched his head and said shyly.

"Diligent practice is a good thing, sit down!"

Lin Ran entered the room, closing the door behind her. She sat down at the table, poured herself a cup of tea, and looking at the books Lin Chong was reading, she couldn't help but ask, "Are these all martial arts techniques borrowed from the family?"

“Yes, Father!” Lin Chong picked up the book in his hand and explained to Lin Ran, “Because I don’t have many ways to fight, I’ve been choosing a few martial arts techniques that are suitable for me to practice recently.”

"It's my fault for delaying your cultivation, Father. I didn't give you the cultivation techniques in time, which has prevented you from advancing in your realm!" Lin Ran knew that he had delayed Lin Chong for half a year, which was enough time for him to improve significantly.

"Father, it's alright. If it weren't for you, I probably wouldn't have broken through to the Daoist realm so quickly. Taking half a year off is good; it allows me to solidify my foundation!" Lin Chong quickly explained, afraid that his father might feel guilty for delaying him. In his eyes, his father, Lin Ran, was the best father on the entire continent.

"Haha, I know you're trying to put my mind at ease, but it's alright. Your father has prepared a great gift for you. After today, you can continue your cultivation at the Daoist Realm, and you won't need to cultivate these trashy martial arts anymore!" Lin Ran kept him in suspense for a moment, and then, under Lin Chong's expectant gaze, handed him the scroll of the Azure Spirit Sword Saint.

"what is this?"

Looking at the exquisite jade scroll in his hand, Lin Chong raised his head and asked Lin Ran.

Lin Ran didn't explain, but told Lin Chong to put the scroll close to his forehead and use it, and he would know.

Because Lin Chong's soul was still relatively weak, it would take him quite a while to absorb and digest such a massive amount of information. Lin Ran was not in a hurry, and drank his tea while waiting for Lin Chong to digest the scroll.

After regaining his senses, Lin Chong opened his eyes, his hands trembling, and his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement: "Father, is this...is this real? Such a skill, such a legacy, is actually meant for me?"

"Silly son, of course this is for you. Otherwise, what would I have worked so hard for half a year for? And this Azure Spirit Sword is for you too." Lin Ran smiled and handed the Azure Spirit Sword to Lin Chong.

Lin Chong, his hands trembling, took the long sword. Curious, he drew it from its sheath. Even a single glance was enough to feel the sharp, menacing aura emanating from it. He dared not look at it for long and quickly hid it back in its sheath.

But Lin Chong's face was full of excitement, and his eyes even stung a little, as if he wanted to cry. He never expected that his father's six months away from home were actually spent finding martial arts techniques for him, and that upon his return he would leave him with divine weapons, martial arts techniques, and all the knowledge he had gained.

"I'll give you this sword for now, but I still suggest you use it only when you're able to. Keep it safe!" Lin Ran said with a smile.

"Yes, father!"

Lin Chong carefully wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes and placed the Qingling Sword directly inside his bed, just like a child who would hide his good things in his own private little space.

……

Chapter 40: I'll Come to Marry You on auspicious Seven-Colored Clouds (Please Read Further)

After chatting with Lin Chong about the trivial matters of the past six months, Lin Ran felt that he should get to the point. Just as Jia'er said, this matter really needed to be discussed sooner rather than later, before feelings had taken deep root.

As for Jia'er, Lin Ran gave up on her. Although he didn't know when Jia'er had fallen for him, it must have been a long time ago. If that stubbornness of hers had been channeled into cultivation, she would have already become a Great Emperor.

"Cough cough..." Lin Ran coughed a few times, then suddenly changed the subject to Lin Hongjia, saying, "Xiao Chong, I heard from Jia'er that you've been sparring with her and going shopping with her for the past six months. Is that true?"

"Ah, Father, you just got back, and Jia'er already told you all this?" Lin Chong looked a little dejected at this point, lowered his head, and said with a wry smile, "Father, actually I feel that Jia'er doesn't really like me. No matter what reason I give, she rejects me. Although she is very tactful, I can tell that Jia'er doesn't seem to have those feelings for me."

Lin Ran didn't expect Lin Chong to have figured it out. But then again, it's been more than half a year, and Jia'er has been trying every means to refuse him. If he still couldn't figure it out, he would really be a complete fool. Now that his son brought it up, he could take the opportunity to make a fuss.

"This is indeed Father's fault!" Lin Ran sighed, patted Lin Chong's shoulder, and said, "Father ignored Jia'er's feelings and insisted on putting you two together. Jia'er told me that she only sees you as her brother, and she is also troubled by your pursuit, but she doesn't know how to refuse."

"I just sent this old man to tell you, Xiao Chong, don't take it too seriously. What's wrong with a man failing to win a woman's heart? He still has to get back up and live his life!"

"Father, do you think Jia'er doesn't have any feelings for me because I'm not strong enough? Is it because I haven't tried hard enough?" Lin Chong suddenly raised his little face and asked Lin Ran in confusion.

"I understand Jia'er's personality; she's not that kind of girl. Love between a man and a woman can't be forced. It's all about fate. Just because Jia'er doesn't like you doesn't mean some girl in the future won't like you either."

Xiao Chong, when you go out into the world, you will see princesses, saintesses of some holy land, fairies, and the chosen ones of ancient races.

"Girls of all kinds and backgrounds, in such a vast forest, Xiao Chong, are you still worried about not finding a girl who likes you? But if you want those girls to fall in love with you, you still have to work hard and dare to fight, understand? Xiao Chong!" Lin Ran said earnestly.

It's okay if the main female lead goes astray, there are other female leads to support her, so it's impossible for them all to go astray. At the very least, those close female friends can also become female leads!

Most importantly, Xiao Chong must persist in his cultivation. He cannot stop cultivating diligently just because the female lead has gone astray. This time, he not only obtained the Azure Spirit Sword Manual ahead of schedule, but it also contains many insights and experiences from the Azure Spirit Sword Saint, along with the divine weapon, the Azure Spirit Sword.

Although we don't know its level, the fact that it contains a sword spirit means it's definitely not an ordinary item. These are things that Lin Chong didn't get his hands on in the original story. Now that he's brought back the Azure Spirit Sword Manual as well, Lin Chong's growth rate will definitely be even faster!

"I understand, Father!" After hearing Lin Ran's words, Lin Chong seemed to have suddenly realized something. The confusion in his eyes disappeared, and his eyes became bright and piercing. His face was full of confidence and radiance. He clenched his fist and said firmly, "Father, I know you want me to stop delaying my cultivation because of these matters between men and women, right?"

I'm sorry, Father. I will definitely work harder in my cultivation from now on. I've already made up my mind.

After my coming-of-age ceremony, I will go to the capital to participate in the selection competition for the five major academies, enter the five major academies for training, and then... from that time on, I will make my name, Lin Chong, famous throughout the entire Nine Provinces!

Lin Ran:?

Seeing Lin Chong's expression that said, "Women will only affect my cultivation," Lin Ran couldn't help but recall what he had just said. Was that...right? Was he really that extreme?

Is his silly son going to become a monk? If so, wouldn't he have to start all over again with a new account? He didn't want to die out his lineage!

Lin Ran was still thinking of trying to salvage the situation, but Lin Chong was eager to start practicing the Azure Spirit Sword Technique. Lin Ran felt embarrassed to disturb him. It was like his son had just gotten a copy of the "Five-Year College Entrance Examination, Three-Year Simulation" book and couldn't wait to start practicing. He couldn't very well tell his son not to practice, could he?

After exiting the room and closing the door, Lin Ran saw that the brat's door across the way suddenly opened a crack, and a small head peeked out, its eyes darting left and right alertly. Then it beckoned to Lin Ran, signaling him to come over quickly, looking just like a little devil.

Lin Ran glanced at Lin Chong's room and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that Lin Chong had already started practicing the Azure Spirit Sword Technique. She walked to Lin Hongjia's door and was pulled inside by Lin Hongjia. The door slammed shut with a "bang".

Inside the room, Lin Hongjia held Lin Ran's hand, her eyes, as clear as autumn water, looking at Lin Ran with great anticipation, and asked, "Did it work?"

Seeing Lin Hongjia's expectant look, Lin Ran felt very strange.

In the original novel, Lin Hongjia and Lin Chong are a couple, but due to some unknown reason, Lin Hongjia doesn't like Lin Chong and instead falls for him. He had just been advising Lin Chong to let go of his feelings for Lin Hongjia, only to be dragged into a room by this little devil and asked if he had succeeded. It's just like a scene from a doujinshi...

Lin Ran nodded and said, "I just told Xiao Chong that he also sensed that you didn't like him, so he gave up."

"Oh, really? Then I can be with you from now on, right?" Lin Hongjia excitedly threw herself into Lin Ran's arms, tilting her little head up to look at Lin Ran.

Lin Ran nearly fainted from anger at these words. She quickly distanced herself from Jia'er, tapped the girl on the head, and said seriously, "I only helped you correct the mistakes I made before, but I didn't say I wanted to be with you, you brat. If I were really with you, I would be condemned by everyone, and your father would probably want to kill me!"

He knew all about Jia'er's father's strength; he could crush him with a single finger.

"He dares?!"

Lin Hongjia's expression turned icy, and he said in a cold voice, "If he dares to do that, he should kill me first!"

Damn it?

Lin Ran's eyes widened in shock. Hearing Jia'er's words, he was almost terrified. Was she really that filial?

Lin Ran quickly pulled Lin Hongjia to sit down at the table. Looking at Lin Hongjia's stern face, she said softly, "Jia'er, let's be sincere with each other. Can you tell me what you like about me?"

Lin Hongjia turned her head away, not daring to meet Lin Ran's gaze. Her face flushed instantly, even her fair ears blushed slightly, and she whispered, "I won't tell you..."

Lin Ran:......

This little devil, one minute she's incredibly bold, the next she's as thin-skinned as paper.

Lin Ran thought about it carefully. He had taken care of Lin Hongjia from childhood to adulthood. Had he done anything extraordinary? It seemed not.

Unable to come up with a solution no matter how hard she tried, Lin Ran said, "Jia'er, how about this? Maybe your feelings for me right now aren't romantic. When you grow up, become more mature, experience more things, and meet all sorts of people, then you can tell me your feelings, okay?"

This was a plan Lin Ran came up with. Perhaps when Jia'er returned to her clan, the Celestial Clan, with its many handsome men, beautiful women, and geniuses, with Jia'er's strength, status, and talent, she would have plenty of suitors. After a while, maybe she wouldn't have any feelings for this middle-aged, greasy man?

To everyone's surprise, Lin Hongjia snorted, rolled her eyes at Lin Ran, and said angrily, "Do you think I'm stupid? Can't you see you're stalling for time? You have to give me an answer no matter what!"

"I remember you once said that I was a princess and you weren't a prince. Well, let me tell you now, I don't care whether you're some bullshit prince or not, and I'm not going to be a princess anymore. So, can we be together?"

Lin Hongjia stared at Lin Ran with her stubborn gaze, making Lin Ran tremble involuntarily. He even wanted to look away, and he dared not look into Lin Hongjia's eyes.

In the quiet room, a cool breeze blew in through the window, rustling the open book by the bedside. Lin Ran looked at Lin Hongjia, who was looking extremely serious.