Lin Mingshan slipped away and descended the mountain.
He mulled it over for a while before heading in a specific direction.
He was going to see the man in charge of all the Fifth Branch’s affairs—his father.
Top-tier powerhouses in the True Gang Realm like Uncle Jiu wouldn’t concern themselves with managing the affairs of their own branch.
"Mingshan, what brings you here?"
Lin Shoutao was reviewing his branch’s income for the month, which he would then submit to the clan in exchange for Contribution Points to be distributed to the members of his branch.
"Dad, I’ve come to tell you some good news. Lin Yan from the Third Branch defeated Jian Sheng on the Combat Platform and defended the Lin Family’s honor."
"The Lin Family’s honor?"
Lin Shoutao chuckled. Jian Sheng defeating the clan’s younger members wasn’t a major issue in the eyes of the elders.
At most, it just meant the Lin Family’s younger generation of sword users was inferior to him. But there were so many weapons in Martial Arts, and the Lin Family didn’t exclusively cultivate the Sword Dao.
Besides the sword, there was the saber, the spear, the halberd, the staff...
"Who is this Lin Yan? The name sounds unfamiliar."
"He came from a branch family last year. He was at the Third-Time of Skin Smoothing when he arrived, and now he’s already at the Blood Exchange Second Transformation."
Lin Shoutao smiled faintly. "From the Third-Time of Skin Smoothing to the Blood Exchange Second Transformation, that cultivation speed is quite decent. It seems the Third Branch has found a good prospect from a branch family this time. It will help make up for the Third Branch’s small numbers. That Jian Sheng is at the Blood Exchange First Transformation. Did Lin Yan win by relying on the advantage of his higher Realm?"
Given Jian Sheng’s temperament, he was the type who might attempt a Reverse Attack, challenging a Blood Exchange Second Transformation while only at the First Transformation. That must be how Lin Yan won. Nothing to be too surprised about.
"Dad, you’re mistaken. Lin Yan also suppressed his Realm to the Blood Exchange First Transformation and only used the Blood Gang of a First Transformation cultivator. But he completely dominated Jian Sheng from start to finish. And he has also comprehended two Perfect Level Sword Intents."
Hearing his father’s misunderstanding, Lin Mingshan quickly recounted what had happened on the Combat Platform.
This time, Lin Shoutao’s expression turned serious. "Did he comprehend them after joining the clan?"
"Yes. Uncle Shouwang said afterward that Lin Yan comprehended the Sword Intent of the Flowing Cloud Thirteen Techniques and the Rain-Covering Swordsmanship."
"The Third Branch has produced a Sword Dao prodigy! This is wonderful news!"
Lin Shoutao’s voice rose. As a member of the Lin Clan, he was naturally happy to see more and more geniuses appearing in the clan.
"You should go tell your Uncle Jiu about this. I imagine he’ll be very interested in Lin Yan."
"I just saw Uncle Jiu. The reason I came to tell you, Dad, is because Lin Yan had a minor conflict with our Fifth Branch a few days ago."
"Explain in detail."
Lin Shoutao’s expression hardened. He knew his son’s personality well; if it were truly a minor conflict, he wouldn’t have made a special trip to tell him about it.
"Not long ago, a clan member from one of our Fifth Branch’s subordinate families, Lin Xiao, took on the task of supervising the fishery, but he was scared off by Lin Yan..."
Lin Mingshan didn’t dare to hide anything and explained the situation in great detail.
"I’m afraid the truth of the matter isn’t that simple. If he were just performing his normal duties, the Bai Family would have treated Lin Xiao like a guest of honor. They certainly wouldn’t have gone and asked Lin Yan to intervene. There must be something shady going on here. Did you investigate it thoroughly?"
"N-No."
Lin Mingshan looked a little embarrassed. He really hadn’t investigated. In his eyes, regardless of what grudge existed between Lin Xiao and the Bai Family, the fact that Lin Yan had directly forced Lin Xiao away was a sign of disrespect to the Fifth Branch.
"You damn fool."
Lin Shoutao raised a large hand, and a loud SMACK echoed from the back of Lin Mingshan’s head.
"Stop learning from the Fourth Branch. No matter what happens, you must investigate thoroughly before drawing conclusions. That Lin Yan comes from a branch family. Do you think he wouldn’t know that chasing Lin Xiao away would displease our Fifth Branch? Why would he do such a thing unless he had an extreme reason?"
"I... I know I was wrong. That’s why I came here specifically to apologize to you, Dad."
Rubbing the back of his head, Lin Mingshan grimaced in pain. "I’ll go investigate this right now and see what’s really going on."
"Wait!"
Seeing his son about to flee, Lin Shoutao stopped him, his expression extremely serious. "Mingshan, you could have guessed there was more to the story from the beginning. You just didn’t take Lin Yan seriously because he came from a Third Branch family. You were too arrogant to investigate. And now that you’ve discovered his potential, you want to find out the truth... Being arrogant before and obsequious after is not the way of a gentleman."
Lin Mingshan lowered his head and fell silent.
"Of course, your father isn’t demanding you become a perfect gentleman. But in our Fifth Branch, Mingxi is following your Uncle Jiu’s path. Among the next generation, the only ones who can take over my position are you and Mingyang. If the authority to manage our branch’s affairs is truly handed over to you, how many people in the Fifth Branch will be looking to you for guidance in the future? If you harbor such a snobbish attitude, the people under you will only be even more so. What will the Fifth Branch become then?"
Lin Shoutao paused, then spat out two words: "Mercenary snobs."
Hearing this, Lin Mingshan’s whole body trembled. He lowered his head. "I was wrong, Father."
"Go on. Handle this matter properly."
「Third Branch.」
Lin Minghai and Lin Mingchen were chatting in the Lake Heart Pavilion when they spotted Lin Yan by the lake.
"Lin Yan, you’re back?"
Lin Minghai called out. Lin Yan, who had been about to return to his own courtyard, heard the shout and walked toward the Lake Heart Pavilion.
"Weren’t you over at the East River? What’s this... Did some clueless Water Bandits offend you again? You came back personally to call for reinforcements this time?"
"Brother Hai, don’t joke around."
The corner of Lin Yan’s mouth twitched. "I came back this time because I heard an outsider was challenging all the sword-wielding members of our Lin Family."
"Yes, that’s right. The man’s name is Jian Sheng. He’s the disciple of a friend of Uncle Jiu’s. His talent in the Sword Dao is extremely high. So far, no one in the clan has been able to defeat him in the way of the sword."

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