Heroes Return

“Brother, I think as long as we can be together and live happily, that’s enough,” Lin Wan said. “That’s what family is. We should be happy together, right? That’s what family is all about! So don’t worry about Second Brother’s situation. Just do what you think is right.”

"Do I think this is the right way?" Lin Jie asked.

“Yeah, brother!” Lin Wan said, “I don’t consider second brother to be our family. Although we share the same blood and have the same face, in my heart, only brother will always be my family. Second brother isn’t family at all. Brother was someone who would risk his life to protect us. But what about second brother? He’s only thinking about how to hurt his own family! I don’t have that kind of brother!!!”

"Can I take this as you being angry that Ying Nanda planned to hurt your favorite Onii-chan today?" Lin Jie had barely finished speaking when Lin Wan punched him in the chest again. Of course, it wasn't very powerful.

He pressed his fist against Lin Jie's chest and said, "Brother, I just hope you won't consider this from the perspective that Second Brother is our family! If you do that, you'll feel guilty no matter what you do, right? So, brother, don't treat him like family. That person isn't worth you worrying about."

"Thank you, little sister." Lin Jie looked at Lin Wan with some gratitude.

"Brother is brother! This kind of complicated thinking isn't how a goofball like you should be. I think you should just do what you always do." Lin Wan said to Lin Jie, "I know you're strong, brother. So, whether you decide to uphold your own sense of justice or choose to protect your blood ties for Mom and Dad, as a family, Mu Mu and I will support you!"

“That’s true! I think I know what I should do.” Lin Jie looked at Lin Wan and said, “Thank you.”

“I’m your sister. There’s no need to thank me,” Lin Wan said.

"Actually, I think instead of using so many words to comfort me, you would give me a hug or a lap pillow instead! Also, someone as wise and capable as me is not a fool."

"Go back to sleep! Once this is over, we'll go back to H City together! Forget about this so-called family."

"Ah."

-------------Chapter Dividing Line---------------

Lin Jie slept soundly that night, but some people did not sleep.

In a high-rise building, the room on the top floor was Lin Ying's room. In a dimly lit small room on the top floor, Lin Qian was lying in a health capsule.

The two men were discussing something; they were Lin Yingnan and Lin Shunren.

"Ying Nan, how is Lin Qian's physical condition adjusting?" Lin Shunren asked. "She's our trump card that will be put to use tomorrow, so we must make sure nothing goes wrong."

"Don't worry," Lin Yingnan said, "Are our people all ready?"

"Everything is ready," Lin Shunren said. "The biggest variable now is probably your twin brother, Lin Jie. So we must find a way to deal with that trouble tomorrow."

"Don't worry," Lin Yingnan said again. "Tomorrow, let Lin Qian take the initiative and kill Lin Jie. No matter how strong Lin Jie is, he won't be able to defeat this trump card this time."

“That’s right,” Lin Shunren said. “Our ancestor always believed that strength comes from personal training, but he didn’t realize that in this era, wisdom has long surpassed everything else. Tomorrow, we will let our ancestor know that it’s time to hand over the future of the family to us, who have mastered this new technology.”

"Hmph." Lin Yingnan snorted coldly: "Tomorrow, I will completely defeat Lin Jie."

"By the way, what should we do about Evolution Company?" Lin Shunren asked. "Although those guys are highly trustworthy in business, they are people we must be wary of."

“I understand that very well,” Lin Yingna replied. “That’s precisely why we need to resolve the family troubles as quickly as possible.”

“Then let’s proceed with tomorrow’s plan,” Lin Shunren said. “That old fox Lin Shuntian thought he could slow us down, but he never expected that our plan would not only not be slowed down, but could actually be carried out ahead of schedule.”

“Tomorrow is the day for a change for our Lin family,” Lin Yingnan said. “And I have more than one card to play.”

"What did you say?" Lin Shunren said as if he had just realized something, "Even that plan succeeded?"

"It didn't work. That thing is very difficult to control, so I don't plan to use it unless absolutely necessary."

"So that's how it is."

Meanwhile, in another building, the Lin brothers, Lin Shuntian and Lin Shundi, were also having a conversation.

"Third Brother, what should we do next?" Lin Shundi asked. "We've all been tricked by that Lin Jie. It seems he must have some ulterior motive!"

“Shundi, we don’t have time to deal with Lin Jie’s plans right now,” Lin Shuntian said. “If I’m not mistaken, Shunren and that kid will definitely make their move tomorrow.”

"Third Brother, how do you know they will definitely make a move?" Lin Shundi asked.

"What a joke," Lin Shuntian said. "Did you see that kid Lin Jie's fight with Ying Nan today?"

“How could I not have seen it?” Lin Shundi said. “Weren’t we together at the time? Come to think of it, Lin Jie beat his brother like an adult beating a child.”

“Isn’t hitting us just like an adult beating a child?” Lin Shuntian said. “That’s not the point. The point is that he actually took out so many divine weapons! Especially the Wood Spirit Sword and Earth Spirit Sword, their value is of great importance!”

"Third Brother, what's so important about the Five Elements Spirit Sword?" Lin Shun asked.

“You just won’t do your research on historical materials!” Lin Shuntian said. “In ancient times, a large number of ferocious beasts wreaked havoc on the human world, and many people became food for these ancient monsters. However, those powerful monsters were sealed away by wise people in a hidden place where dragon veins converge. Do you know what the core of the array that sealed and refined the evil spirits is?”

"I don't know." Lin Shundi shook his head.

“It’s the Xuanyuan Ancient Sword!” Lin Shuntian exclaimed. “That’s the true sword of the Human Emperor!”

"What!" Upon hearing Lin Shuntian's words, Lin Shundi was greatly surprised: "Wait, wasn't the Five Spirit Sword forged by a great swordsman of the Tang Dynasty?"

"Because at that time, a remarkable person found the location of the array's core," Lin Shuntian said. "That remarkable person sensed a powerful, ferocious aura there, so he didn't do anything about the array's core. However, that remarkable person discovered that a large portion of the recorded ferocious beasts in the array had already been refined, and the remaining ones were on the verge of death. Therefore, he believed that after a hundred years, when all those ferocious beasts had died in the array, the Xuanyuan Ancient Sword within the array's core could be retrieved. Thus, he found the renowned swordsmith Zhang Yajiu and forged five spirit swords, hoping that a person destined by heaven in the future would be able to retrieve the Xuanyuan Sword using these five spirit swords."

"Third Brother, are you saying that the legendary Xuanyuan Ancient Sword is located among the five spirit swords?" Lin Shundi said, "That kid actually obtained three of them? But judging from how readily he handed them over to the family, he probably doesn't know about the five spirit swords."

“Lin Jie naturally wouldn’t know,” Lin Shuntian said. “These things are rarely recorded even among the ancient clans. Back then, I had to put in a lot of effort to find out about these things.”

"So that's how it is," Lin Shundi said. "But what does this have to do with Shunren and the others making their move tomorrow?"

"Is there even a question?" Lin Shuntian said, "Lin Jie is already so powerful, and he has also retrieved three spirit swords. It won't be long before he is highly valued by the ancestor! Don't forget what happened at Shunshan back then. Do you think he won't try to deal with Shunren then? And if Shunren wants to keep his position, he will definitely make a move."

“But we don’t necessarily have to do it tomorrow!” Lin Shundi said.

"Of course, the key point is that I also received a message," Lin Shuntian said, "It seems that Shunren and the others' secret plan has succeeded!"

"What did you say!" Lin Shundi said in surprise.

“Yes,” Lin Shuntian said, “so they will definitely make their move tomorrow.”

"Then what do we do?"

"Is there even a need to ask? Since they are the rebels, then of course we are the heroes who have exonerated them. Go and contact the other families now, and tell them that we have agreed to their demands. Tell them to be prepared tomorrow! We'll give them a taste of the Xuanwu Gate Incident."

“I understand, brother,” Lin Shundi said. “But they can’t bring in a lot of people.”

“We need to figure this out too,” Lin Shuntian said. “Damn it, everything has become complicated since that guy named Lin Jie arrived.”

Just then, an email suddenly appeared on Lin Shuntian's computer desk.

……

After a night, when Lin Jie was woken up, he saw Lin Bai by his bedside. The latter was smiling at Lin Jie.

"What are you trying to do?" Lin Jie asked Lin Bai, "Why are you looking at me like I'm gay?"

"I'm here to wake you up," Lin Bai said to Lin Jie. "Miss Lin Wan and the others are already waiting downstairs."

"Oh right, I almost forgot, today is that Lin family gathering, isn't it?" Lin Jie slapped his forehead and said, "Alright, I'll get dressed and then I'll go with you."

As Lin Jie spoke, he began to put on his clothes.

Lin Jie then left the room with Lin Bai. After reuniting with his sisters, everyone followed Lin Jie into the mountains.

Along the way, hovercars or shuttles could be seen flying overhead from time to time.

“Those are people from other families who came to observe the ceremony,” Lin Bai explained to Lin Jie. “People like us from our own clans have to follow the rules and walk there.”

"Damn it! We're not even from the Lin family!" Lin Jie said unhappily, "At least give us a hovercar."

"Hmph." Zhu Xian'er snorted coldly and said, "Do you really want to ride on that kind of trash that has no defense at all? I can cut all that trash down with one sword."

"Hey! Those things aren't for chopping!" Lin Jie said unhappily.

"My sister said that you can cut down anything you want," Lin Mumu said, skipping over. "Brother, there are so many pretty flowers over there! Shall we go take a look?"

"Mumu, we're going to an event now, so you can't run around!" Lin Wan said to Mumu. "When we get back, I'll take you to the amusement park, okay?"

"Okay!" Lin Mumu nodded.

The group continued walking and talking for about two hours before the view opened up before them. There, in the center of the open space, was a simple, ancient-looking altar.

By this time, the square was filled with all sorts of people.

Lin Jie could see that Lin Changping and the others were talking to some people at that moment.

"Beside the clan leader are the clan leaders of the Feng, Shan, and Lei families," Lin Bai said. "That very beautiful woman must be from the Guanggun Temple, right? The ones around Lin Waiwai are all small families that are vassals of our Lin family. Although they are also ancient families, their strength and status are incomparable to our Lin family."

Lin Bai introduced everyone present to Lin Jie and the others. Lin Jie was surprised to find that many official figures, usually only seen in the news, were also there. This included the heads of the Dong and Ouyang families.

Both family heads were sizing up Lin Jie with their eyes at this moment.

"Isn't this Brother Lin Jie?" A seductive voice suddenly appeared in Lin Jie's ear, and then a beautiful woman leaned close to him: "We meet again."

"Don't touch me! You damn transvestite! Go find some couples, don't bother with a single dog like me." Lin Jie said to the unscrupulous master who had suddenly appeared beside him.

"How annoying! I just heard you were in the limelight in the family yesterday and was planning to congratulate you, but I didn't expect you to be so cold." The unscrupulous master immediately put on a pitiful look.

-------------Chapter Dividing Line---------------

"They've come to congratulate you," the unscrupulous master said to Lin Jie. "But I didn't expect you to know such a profound sword technique as 'One Sword Cold Light.' Hehe, after the clan gathering, would you be interested in staying at the Bachelor Temple with me for a while? I think you have a connection with Buddhism."

"Fate my ass!" Lin Jie said, looking at the unscrupulous master's cute face. "Speaking of which, aren't you a monk? Why are you dressed like this? It's not just for something as pointless as seducing couples to break up, is it?"

"It's all to seduce couples into breaking up," the unscrupulous master said. "And I was genuinely just bored."

"Alright, but let's forget about the Bachelor Temple." Lin Jie rejected the unscrupulous master and said, "I still feel like I have opportunities to pick up girls, so it's not like I absolutely have to join the Bachelor Temple yet."

"That's a real pity," the unscrupulous master said. "But I reckon you'll visit the Bachelor Temple sooner or later, after all, you have a connection with Buddhism."

While the two were talking, the Lin family patriarch suddenly appeared on the altar.

"Thank you all for coming to witness the Lin family's clan gathering." The Lin family patriarch's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears: "Now, all members of the Lin family should come to the altar."

As the Lin family patriarch finished speaking, the people in the square split into two groups. One group consisted of the Lin family's clan members, who all stood respectfully in front of the altar according to their seniority and status. Several hundred of them formed a square formation in front of the altar. Meanwhile, the other people who came to observe the ceremony were all pushed to the outer edge of the altar to watch the ceremony quietly.

At this time, Lin Jie and Master Wuliang retreated to the outer perimeter of the altar.

"Noon has arrived! The ceremony begins," said the Lin family patriarch. He then raised his hands, making a gesture as if separating them. As he completed this gesture, all the Lin family members present bowed before the altar. At this moment, many onlookers gasped in surprise.

As the Lin family patriarch spread his arms to the sides, everyone clearly saw that the few white clouds floating in the sky seemed to have been casually brushed aside by the Lin family patriarch and quickly drifted to both sides.

"I never imagined this old bastard's cultivation had progressed to this level." Master Wuliang smiled and said to Lin Jie, "Do you think if you hit this old bastard in the buttocks right now, he'd still be so calm and strutting around like that?"

"..." Upon hearing the unscrupulous master's words, Lin Jie couldn't help but recall the image of the Lin family patriarch being sodomized. Seeing the Lin family patriarch waving his hand to part the clouds on the altar now felt incredibly strange.

"We appeal to Heaven! The entire Lin family is performing this grand sacrificial ceremony! May Heaven bless our Lin family with prosperity and abundance for generations to come. We offer this generous tribute to Heaven and Earth!" As soon as the Lin family patriarch finished speaking, all the Lin family members began to kowtow to the altar. Instantly, a large number of valuable offerings on the altar began to burn simultaneously.

Surprisingly, the smoke from the offerings during the sacrificial ceremony all rose straight into the sky. Lin Jie and the others could clearly feel the wind blowing, but the smoke from the altar remained completely unaffected.

"Bring me the brush!" the Lin family patriarch shouted to the crowd. As soon as he finished speaking, a huge two-meter-long brush was carried to the altar by the crowd.

The ancestor took the brush with one hand, the tip lightly touching the wisps of smoke. Then he began to wield it, and everyone clearly saw the smoke in the sky dance along with the tip of the brush. When the ancestor stopped writing, two large characters drawn from the smoke appeared in the sky: "Announce to Heaven."

The Lin clan members below also bowed down.