jdhmnovel Chapter 736 Lin Wei Takes Charge: The New Head of the Lin Family After the Baptism of Blood and Fire
Chapter 736 Lin Wei Takes Charge: The New Head of the Lin Family After the Baptism of Blood and Fire
The setting sun, like blood, illuminated the ruins and devastation of the Lin family's main residence. The air was thick with the stench of blood and the smell of gunpowder; a brutal battle of revenge had just ended. Lin Xiaotian and his son Lin Yunan, once the most powerful and arrogant members of the Lin family's main branch, were now cold corpses, along with their four most trusted elders, all of whom had been killed. This revenge, meticulously planned by Lin Wei and secretly assisted by Lin Muxue, had swiftly and decisively destroyed the corrupt forces entrenched at the heart of the Lin family's main branch.
However, the collapse of the old order often leaves behind a power vacuum and a sense of unease. With the deaths of Lin Xiaotian and his son, and the extermination of the four elders, the main branch of the Lin family was instantly plunged into a state of leaderlessness. The surviving members, whether they were ordinary, trembling members, scheming leaders of collateral branches, or ambitious individuals who had temporarily lost power in the power struggles but were now stirring with restless ambition, all turned their attention to the core of the Lin family's power—the main hall. Who would become the new leader? What would become of the Lin family's future? Fear, confusion, anticipation, calculation… a complex mix of emotions intertwined and fermented in the hearts of the surviving members.
Just as people were restless and discussing, two figures, like stars suddenly shining in the darkness, slowly walked towards the solemn yet somewhat dilapidated main hall of the Lin family.
Leading the way was Lin Wei. Her attire today was vastly different from her usual style. Gone was her understated, practical outfit; instead, she donned a highly distinctive garment—the priestess's cross-patterned leather armor. This armor, tanned from the hide of some unknown beast, possessed a deep, dark purple hue. Intricate and sacred cross patterns were outlined with silver thread, the patterns subtly shimmering with light, exuding an ancient and mysterious aura. The armor clung to her shapely figure, accentuating her feminine curves while maintaining a sense of strength and power. The cross pendant swayed slightly at her chest, seemingly imbued with an inviolable majesty. Her face remained aloof, her eyes calm and unwavering, as if the bloodshed and chaos before her were irrelevant. Yet, beneath that calm lay a composed and sharp composure, a sense of absolute control.
Following closely behind was Lin Muxue. Having survived a life-or-death ordeal and a phoenix-like rebirth, her temperament had undergone a subtle yet profound change. Her former naivety and fragility had been tempered into a restrained resilience and composure. She also wore leather armor, but a completely different style from Lin Wei's—five-pointed star leather armor. Also made of dark leather, it was embroidered with five-pointed stars that shimmered with a faint golden light, each point sharp and full of power, giving it a more dynamic and sharp overall style. This set of leather armor seemed to resonate exceptionally well with the newfound power within her, subtly radiating a vibrant vitality and formidable fighting strength. Her gaze was clear and unwavering as she stayed close to Lin Wei, both a sister and her most steadfast supporter and protector.
The appearance of Lin Wei and Lin Muxue immediately attracted the attention of everyone inside and outside the main hall.
"That's... Lin Wei? Isn't she from a collateral branch of the family? How dare she come here?"
"And Lin Muxue! She...wasn't she already dead? How could she..."
"What are they wearing? That leather armor... it has such a unique feel to it!"
"What are they trying to do? The Lin family is in chaos right now, and their appearance at this time..."
Whispers rose like a tide, as surprised, doubtful, wary, and even some malicious scrutinizing gazes were cast upon the two sisters who had suddenly entered a power vacuum. Some of Lin Xiaotian and his son's former subordinates or loyal followers even had a hint of resentment and hostility in their eyes, but they dared not make any rash moves for the time being, intimidated by the ferocity of the previous battle and the unclear situation at hand.
Ignoring the surrounding whispers and stares, Lin Wei walked steadily to the center of the main hall, stopping in front of the spot that originally belonged to Lin Xiaotian. Lin Muxue followed slightly behind, standing a short distance to her side, her gaze sharp as she scanned everyone present, an invisible pressure quietly spreading out.
The noisy main hall miraculously quieted down quickly under the powerful aura of the two women. All eyes were focused on Lin Wei, awaiting her next words.
Lin Wei slowly raised her hand, signaling everyone to be quiet. Her voice was cold, yet possessed a strange penetrating power, clearly reaching everyone's ears: "Fellow members of the Lin clan's main lineage, I know you have just experienced a drastic upheaval, and your hearts are filled with questions, fear, and unease. Lin Xiaotian, his son Lin Yunan, and the four elders who aided and abetted the evildoers have been executed. Their crimes are countless: colluding with external enemies, persecuting their own clan, seizing power, and wreaking havoc on the family. Their deaths today are deserved, the price they pay for their greed and cruelty!"
Her words were forceful and directly pointed out the crimes of Lin Xiaotian and his son, also heralding the end of the old era.
A stir ran through the crowd. Some nodded in agreement, clearly dissatisfied with the rule of Lin Xiaotian and his son; others wore complex expressions, seemingly mourning the passing of the power center or weighing their future stance.
"Now, the main branch is leaderless, and people are filled with anxiety," Lin Wei continued, her gaze slowly sweeping over everyone present. "A family cannot be without a leader for even a day; otherwise, beset by internal and external troubles, the Lin family will be in grave danger!"
These words resonated with everyone. Indeed, the Lin family had just experienced internal strife and suffered a severe blow. If a strong leader didn't step forward to stabilize the situation, they might disintegrate even before external enemies attacked.
"So, what do you want?" A slightly aged but still powerful voice rang out. The speaker was an elderly man with white hair and beard, a highly respected elder of the Lin family's main branch. Although he rarely interfered in worldly affairs, he still held considerable prestige within the clan. He looked at Lin Wei, his eyes filled with scrutiny and a barely perceptible expectation. "Lin Wei, although you are of Lin family blood, you are ultimately from a collateral branch. Now that the main branch is in turmoil, you've brought... brought the 'resurrected' Lin Muxue here. What is your intention?"
His words represented the sentiments of many. Lin Wei's status as a member of a collateral branch of the family, and the bizarre "resurrection" of Lin Muxue, were both questions that were on the surface.
Meeting the old man's gaze, Lin Wei said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Elder, that's a good question. I've come here today not to take advantage of the situation, nor for my own selfish desires. I'm here for the continuation of the Lin family, to give an explanation to all the clansmen who have suffered persecution from Lin Xiaotian and his son, and to lead the Lin family out of its predicament and restore its glory!"
Her voice wasn't loud, but it was full of power and infectiousness, which stirred the hearts of many clansmen who had initially harbored doubts.
"Easier said than done!" A burly, middle-aged man with a fierce expression sneered. He was one of Lin Xiaotian's confidants. Although he had luckily escaped the previous battle, he immediately jumped out when he saw Lin Wei trying to seize power. "Lin Wei, what right do you, a woman from a collateral branch, have to talk about leading the Lin family? Although Patriarch Lin Xiaotian has unfortunately passed away, there are many people in the main branch who are more senior and stronger than you! It's not your turn!"
"Oh? Is that so?" Lin Wei's lips curled into a cold smile. "Then, who do you think is qualified? Is it you, Elder Zhao?"
Elder Zhao, whose name was called, stiffened. Although he was quite powerful and had some influence in the main branch, he didn't consider himself qualified to be the head of the family, much less capable of subduing everyone. He shouted, his voice trembling with fear, "At least not you! What credentials do you have? What strength do you possess? Just you and a Lin Muxue whose identity is unknown?"
"Certificates? Strength?" Lin Wei nodded slowly. "Alright, I'll show you whether I'm qualified!"
As she finished speaking, she slowly raised her right hand, palm facing upward. The next moment, a completely black token, intricately engraved with dragon patterns and exuding an ancient and majestic aura, appeared in her hand. On the front of the token was a powerful and vigorous character: "Lin"!
"The Patriarch's Order!"
"That's the patriarch's order! How did it end up in her hands?"
"The legendary Patriarch's Decree, symbolizing the highest power in the Lin family! Lin Xiaotian always said the Patriarch's Decree was lost, so it turns out..."
Exclamations of surprise rose and fell! The appearance of the Patriarch's Token was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples! In the Lin family, the symbolic significance of the Patriarch's Token even surpassed bloodline and seniority; possessing the Patriarch's Token, to some extent, represented legitimacy!
Elder Zhao's face turned deathly pale instantly, his lips trembling, unable to utter a word. Those who had been observing or were about to act were also stunned. The appearance of the patriarch's decree instantly stirred their minds, causing them to reassess Lin Wei's importance.
But some people were still unwilling to give up, whispering among themselves, "So what if you have the patriarch's token? If you're not strong enough, you still can't hold the fort..."
Lin Wei seemed to hear their discussion, and her eyes narrowed. The next moment, a vast and powerful aura, like a sleeping dragon awakening, suddenly erupted from her body!
It was an unfathomable pressure, like a mountain descending or a tsunami sweeping across, instantly enveloping the entire main hall! The air seemed to thicken, and the clansmen with lower cultivation levels were directly crushed by this aura, their faces turning pale, their breathing becoming difficult, and some even wanting to kneel down! Even the elder and Elder Zhao from before had their expressions change drastically, their eyes filled with shock and disbelief!
"This...this is...the Heavenly Realm! And...and it's the Great Perfection of the Heavenly Realm!!" The elder exclaimed in shock, his eyes filled with horror. He himself was only at the mid-stage of the Heavenly Realm, yet he felt a strong sense of suffocation in the face of this Great Perfection of the Heavenly Realm!
The entire main hall was deathly silent! Everyone was stunned by the strength Lin Wei had displayed! The Great Perfection of the Heavenly Realm! What terrifying cultivation level! No one in the entire Lin family, including the deceased Lin Xiaotian and the four elders, had reached such a level! Lin Wei was actually a Great Perfection of the Heavenly Realm expert?!
(Author's note: In order not to attract too much attention, she concealed her strength and actual realm. In fact, this was the realm that Lin Muxue had already reached. After Lin Muxue was resurrected, her realm was raised to the Great Perfection of the Heavenly Realm. Therefore, Lin Wei was showing the realm that Lin Muxue could reach, so that the two sisters could switch identities and act as substitutes in the future.)
Lin Wei didn't let this oppressive aura last too long. After everyone had fully felt her strength, she slowly withdrew her aura. But that brief burst of power had already left an indelible impression on everyone's minds.
Strength! Unmatched strength! Plus the family head's decree, a symbol of power! These two things, like two mountains, weighed heavily on the heads of all those who harbored illusions or dissent.
Elder Zhao's face turned ashen, and he collapsed to the ground, unable to utter another word of provocation. Those who had initially wanted to compete and see what would happen now lowered their heads, their eyes filled with awe and helplessness. They knew they had no chance. Facing a powerful expert at the Great Perfection of the Heavenly Realm who held the Clan Head's Token and whose strength was unfathomable, any resistance would be futile.
The scrutinizing look in the eyes of the elder had been completely replaced by excitement and relief. He stepped forward shakily and bowed deeply to Lin Wei: "Old...this old minister Lin Zhong pays respects to the new patriarch! The patriarch's decree is here. With your exceptional strength, Miss Lin Wei...no, the new patriarch! You are truly a blessing to our Lin family! This old minister is sincerely convinced!"
With the elders taking the lead, the others dared not hesitate any longer.
"We pay our respects to the new head of the household!"
"I am willing to obey the new head of the family's commands!"
"We swear to serve the new head of the family to the death!"
Inside and outside the main hall, the surviving members of the Lin clan knelt down, bowing deeply to Lin Wei. Their voices were unified and filled with reverence. The previous chaos, confusion, and scheming vanished before absolute power and the patriarch's decree symbolizing legitimacy.
Lin Wei looked at the kneeling clansmen, her face still expressionless, but she breathed a slight sigh of relief. Taking over the main branch without bloodshed—this first step had finally been successful.