Chapter 79: A Counterattack in Desperation
Not long after Lin Ershier left, the Lin family received some news.
"You're saying Cen Xiangnan was stabbed?" said Lin Fengbin, the eldest son of the Lin family and the one who held true authority.
Lin Fengbin, with his handsome appearance, sat dignified in the tent. His face was somewhat gloomy, illuminated by the flickering firelight.
Lin Ershier nodded with unease. "I heard it from the maid. She admitted her mistake and quickly changed her words."
The young man's gaze grew heavy. "Lin Qingzhi didn't deceive me."
Lin Ershier was shocked. "Has Lin Qingzhi actually come to seek refuge with us? Is he still alive?"
"He's dead," replied Lin Fengbin.
Lin Ershier hesitated. "Big brother, if we kill Lin Qingzhi, won't we be playing into the Cen family's hands?"
Lin Fengbin ignored her, and instead played with the teacup in his hand, clearly lost in thought.
Feeling awkward, Lin Ershier was about to continue talking. However, after seeing his expression darken, she choked her words down and retreated from the room.
She felt like her older brother had changed significantly, though she didn't have concrete evidence why she felt so. As such, she intuitively felt scared to the point where she didn't dare to get close to him like she had in the past.
Lin Ershier's heart sank.
The Lin family had decided to destroy the Cen family. In fact, this decision had only been made a few days ago.
When she looked back at all that had happened in the past few days, all that Lin Ershier felt was confusion.
It had all happened so quickly. Out of nowhere they became allies with the rebel demon forces, and attacked the Cen family. Not only was the Cen family caught off guard by this unexpected development, even Lin Ershier, a member of the Lin family, was also thrown off guard.
Even if the group of rebels from the demon clan hadn't seized power yet, what good would it bring to the Lin family if they did? The only plausible conclusion was the reputation of the Lin family in the cultivation world being completely ruined from the alliance.
Even she understood the consequences, so it wouldn't make sense for her older brother not to see it, right?
As for Lin Qingzhi...
Inside a tent of the Lin family.
"Just because I know the secret of your Lin family, you want to kill me?"
The young man's eyes narrowed and his face twisted in anger.
He had never expected that after his attack against Cen Xiangnan, when he switched sides and joined the Lin family, Lin Fengbin would have him bound up right away!
Up till a moment ago, they had been treating him hospitably, letting him sit down and rest, but suddenly they wanted to kill him.
Using someone and then discarding them, what a betrayal!
Lin Wu looked coldly at him and said, "Last time, when you cheated our brothers, I didn't settle the score with you. Now, killing you is letting you off easy."
Lin Qingzhi, this cunning and crafty person, had thought he could play games with both the Lin family and the Cen family, but it clearly didn't work.
Perhaps realizing that escape was futile, the young man suddenly burst into laughter, his face clouded with gloom. "It must be because Lin Fengbin knows."
It must be because...he knows...
There was no doubt about it. He definitely knew; Lin Fengbin had discovered his secret.
Who would have thought that the Lin family's influential figure would turn out to be...
*
Not long after releasing Lin Ershier, Qiao Wan headed straight for Shichun Hall.
With Cen Xiangnan injured and the Cen family leaderless, chaos ensued as expected.
But as Qiao Wan walked all the way over, she saw that the disciples of Four Spirits all had cold and serious faces, clearly ready for action, and apparently unaffected.
When she stepped over the threshold, she immediately found Cen Qingyou sitting at the table, writing and drawing.
Cen Qingjia sat on the side, discussing something with a few of Cen Xiangnan's trusted followers.
Despite being suddenly burdened with such a heavy load on his shoulders, the young man showed no signs of weakness or nervousness.
When he looked up and saw her, he gave a gentle smile and said, "Xin Yi , you're back."
Qiao Wan said, "I have already released the necessary information. What do you plan to do now?"
Cen Qingyou replied, "After laying low for so many days, we have already gathered enough information about the Lin family's strengths and weaknesses."
"My father has been waiting and not taking action, but now that he's injured, it's the perfect time to fight back."
Qiao Wan glanced at the young man in the candlelight.
The young boy had thin eyebrows and narrow eyes, like a shining piece of hidden jade. The ornament on his forehead swayed gently with the wind.
As Qiao Wan watched him, she was suddenly struck with a strange and absurd thought.
When Cen Qingyou heard that his own father was stabbed, he had been overly calm. Not to mention, his words seemed to imply that all the obstacles in his way had been cleared away.
Cen Qingyou thought for a moment and continued, "If Lin Ershier really brings the message to Lin Fengbin , he will definitely not miss this opportunity to attack while the Cen family is in chaos."
"He will surely gather his troops and try to completely destroy the Cen family."
Qiao Wan asked, "But don't you and the Second Young Master also exist?"
Cen Qingyou shook his head.
The Eldest Young Master, Cen Qingjia, was too old-fashioned and steadfast in his ways.
Cen Qingyou may have learned from the Venerable One, Miaofa, but his young age meant he was inexperienced and not as decisive. Not to mention, he was known in Qizawa Province for lacking a strong personality.
At least to outsiders, it seemed that neither of the two sons were capable of taking on more important responsibilities.
"There is definitely a risk in mobilizing troops, but if we want to win, we cannot avoid the risk."
Lin Fengbin wouldn't simply let go of such a tempting opportunity.
"The Lin family sees that I am in power now, and being young, they may develop a sense of arrogance and contempt," Cen Qingyou slowly said, "As expected, Lin Fengbin will most likely launch a surprise attack tonight."
Qiao Wan also dwelled on the matter for a moment, and felt that Cen Qingyou's was reasonable.
Although Cen Xiangnan had been stabbed, this could be the best opportunity for the Cen family to turn from the defensive into the offensive. If the current situation dragged on, the Cen residence would only be drained of resources and ultimately trapped.
After organizing her thoughts for a while, Qiao Wan expressed her understanding, "So what do you plan to do?"
"I have already arranged ambushes with the disciples from the Four Spirits, we only await Lin Fengbin's arrival to ensnare him."
Then, at that time, the prey would become the hunter.
"However, I still need your help, Xin Yi ."
Qiao Wan had a bit of an idea in her mind, "What help do you need?"
When the time comes, the Lin family will surely mobilize all their forces, leaving their rear defenseless. I need you and the other disciples of the Four Spirits to go around to their rear and burn down their main camp, cutting off their reinforcements and retreat. Cen Qingyou spoke confidently, saying, "After that, there is no need to stay and fight. Hurry back to provide assistance, with one group coming from the front and another from the rear, we will surround them completely."
After hearing Cen Qingyou's plans, Qiao Wan blinked in shock. The young man hadn't hesitated in seizing this opportunity of his own father's death to quickly take command of the army and devise a battle plan. It was merely that Qiao Wan found it a bit strange by just how calm he was. It was almost as if Cen Qingyou had already anticipated and prepared for everything.
That night, Cen Qingyou led the other disciples of the Four Spirits to set up an ambush. Qiao Wan, Xiao Boyang, and Pei Chunzheng were divided into three groups and infiltrated the rear of the Lin family, launching a surprise attack. By catching them off guard during the attack and having fewer people during the retreat, it would be easier to escape. Finally, they would regroup and provide support to Shichun Hall.
When Qiao Wan walked out of Shichun Hall, she could still hear the intermittent discussions.
"The Bamboo Wind Path is narrow, let's ambush here."
"... And then we can arrange the beast tamers here for long-range attacks."
"We should also set up an arrow formation here."
Cen Xiangnan getting stabbed was not a setback but rather an opportunity for the Cen family. After enduring and hiding for so long, it was now time to fight back!
Even if this opportunity was essentially using the father as a stepping stone.
Having come this far, it truly was a tragic story.
As soon as they received the order, Cen Qingyou quickly sent them a bunch of... clothes.
Xuanwu Thirty-Two touched his head in confusion, "Clothes?"
Pei Chunzheng reached out and flipped through them.
The clothes looked familiar. The sleeves and hem had been embroidered with the Lin family crest. They had likely been stripped from the enemy corpses during the previous attacks, when they were defeated one by one.
Considering the recent string of sudden attacks launched at different times and locations, one thing was clear.
Cen Qingyou was gradually revealing his intentions.
They first use the "Counterattack Squad" to harass and sabotage, restraining the Lin family's attack, preparing for the future decisive battle.
Xiao Boyang looked through the clothes and his expression changed a few times: "We'll disguise ourselves as disciples of the Lin family, infiltrate their camp, and when the fighting starts, it will be difficult to distinguish friend from foe. We can catch them off guard."
There wasn't enough time in a day to arrange all these things.
"That means Cen Qingyou has been plotting from the very beginning."
Baihu Ershisan was speechless: "Second Young Master, you figured it out so early?"
The disciples of the Four Spirits looked at each other in surprise. They never expected that the Second Young Master, who usually appeared gentle and a bit feminine, would be so cunning.
Seems unlikely.
Qiao Wan took off her outer shirt first and put on the clothes: "Stop talking nonsense, put on your clothes."
After putting on their clothes, everyone packed up and prepared to set off.
Before leaving, Mu Xiaoxiao specially brought a few jars of wine to cheer them on.
The girl was dressed differently than usual, wearing a bright red outfit. Her black hair was tied in a ponytail, giving her a confident look.
Despite everything that had happened, the girl continued to smile gently and innocently.
This made some of the disciples of the Four Spirits feel a bit embarrassed.
They say you shouldn't hit someone who smiles at you, especially if it's a beautiful woman. Even the toughest guy couldn't help but awkwardly thank her.
Qiao Wan didn't go to drink, she sat on the ground and looked at the moon.
Baihu Ershisan sat down next to her and sighed, "If we win this battle today, we'll be able to go out. We've been trapped for so many days."
"Xin Yi, what do you plan to do after we go out?"
Caught off guard by the question, Qiao Wan was momentarily stunned. She suddenly realized that she hadn't actually thought about what to do after all these days.
She had only been focused on restoring her meridians, but she hadn't really thought about what she would do once they were healed.
Baihu Ershisan laid down on the ground, with broad shoulders and long legs, propping up his restless long legs. He felt a bit sad: "After I go out, I want to go to Spring Breeze Tower for a drink. I haven't visited Sanniang's business in so many days, I wonder if she's angry with me."
The man wasn't particularly handsome, but there was a strong and rough quality about him, and when he smiled, it had a hint of gunpowder and gravel.
Baihu Ershisan grinned: "If you haven't decided yet, after this battle, I'll take you out for a drink."
"Bring everyone along."
"We're brothers," the man raised his hand and patted Qiao Wan's shoulder, sighing, "We should drink together."
Brothers...
They were the first group of brothers she met after leaving the mountain.
Qiao Wan turned her head and looked at the "Four Spirits" men around her, unable to help but smile: "Alright."
Cold Mountain Yard.
Listening to the woman's gentle instructions, Xiu Quan silently closed his collar. After a while, he finally looked at the woman in the candlelight.
"Madam, when the troubles at home are resolved, would you like to... go out and take a look?"
He also noticed the apricot-colored sword on the wall.
Perhaps the woman in front of him would also like to go out for a walk.
Mrs. Cen seemed surprised by his words and hesitated for a moment, politely declining: "Let's leave the future for later, the household still needs me now."
The woman in the candlelight had smooth and delicate skin, just like her personality - gentle and without any temper.
Xiu Quan fell silent for a while, staring at the woman in front of him without blinking: "Madam, you live like a dog."
Xiu Quan's words were not malicious.
Yaoxiu are naturally sensitive, they just express what they feel openly.
The young man's eyes, usually gentle and moist, seemed to possess a bewitching power at that moment.
He himself was originally a dog, so it was unreasonable to compare himself to others and insult them.
Mrs. Cen obviously thought of this too, but she didn't get angry. Instead, she smiled and let it pass.
Is it a dog?
The woman tilted her head and wondered.
In her whole life, she felt like she had been living like a dog.
Meanwhile, Qiao Wan and Baihu Ershisan were casually chatting. When the time came, everyone became serious and prepared themselves. With a wave of the hand, they set off!
Just as Cen Qingyou had predicted, after weighing the pros and cons, Lin Fengbin couldn't resist the temptation. He led the majority of the troops and planned to take advantage of this opportunity to conquer Shichun Hall.
At this moment, the Lin family's main camp was poorly defended, which was the perfect chance for an attack.
The small assault team split into three groups and quietly circled around the back of the Lin family's main stronghold, Lingering Spring Garden, under the cover of darkness.
Unexpectedly, a patrol team of disciples happened to come around the corner.
Seeing their situation, they were startled and asked, "What are you doing here?"
With a silent exchange of glances, everyone whispered, "Attack."
In an instant, the sword was unsheathed!
The patrolling disciples were momentarily stunned, but quickly reacted.
"Enemy attack!"
"Alert! We are under attack!!"
As the remaining disciples from the Lin family who were guarding the rear shouted with all their might, before they could finish their call, a flash of sword light swiftly descended like gentle, cool snowflakes on their skin, delicately severing their throats.
Pei Chunzheng, with lowered eyes, retrieved the Snow Fright Sword.
As the sword light flashed, the disciples of the Four Spirits rushed forward from behind!
In just a brief moment, several bodies lay on the ground.
Whether they could turn the tide of battle depended on today.
Everyone exchanged glances, their eyes revealing the same conviction!
With determination and strength, they split up and entered the Lingering Spring Garden!
...
After a while, chaos erupted within the Lingering Spring Garden.
Upon hearing the commotion in the garden, Lin Wu gritted his teeth and declared, "Damn, they've indeed arrived."
Lin Fengbin clearly thought that the Cen family might take advantage of the situation and send troops to attack the main rear area. He specifically left Lin Wu, another man from the Lin family, and some Lin family disciples to stay behind. Although they were initially caught off guard, it didn't take long for the remaining Lin family disciples to quickly regroup and counterattack!
However, the enemy was slippery like an eel, dividing themselves and constantly changing tactics. They even put on the attire of the Lin family disciples. In the darkness, it was difficult to make a move for a while.
Xiao Boyang, a man who didn't ask for money for his spells, took the lead, followed closely by the flurry of sword and knife shadows raining down!
Talismans and sword lights were flying up and down.
Qiao Wan wielded two iron hammers, swinging them tirelessly, shattering the assault in front of her.
While the fierce battle was raging in the main rear area, the front-line battlefield was not idle either.
At the moment when the Lin family led their troops to attack Shichun Hall, ambushes suddenly emerged from all directions, from the sky to the ground!
Just as they had just fought their way out of the narrow bloodstained path of the Bamboo Wind Path, without even catching their breath, they saw spirit beasts rushing towards them in the distance.
Even though the Lin family was prepared for and expected it, they were heavily trapped by these never-ending ambushes.
"Good, good, young lad."
Lin Fengbin, with blood wiped off his face, calmly examined the young man who walked through the flames of war. It was clear from the situation, there was nothing left to misunderstand, and he smiled with a twisted mouth.
"I underestimated you. It seems this was planned from the beginning."
Indeed, his calculations were correct.
Even his own father being stabbed was orchestrated by Cen Qingyou himself.
Those who achieve great things are not bothered by trivial matters. With great compassion, they seek to save the world and help those in need. Sacrificing a few people to solve the current problem of the Cen family is nothing.
Cen Qingyou remained calm.
He arranged for the human skin drum to be placed in the meditation room, and Cen Xiangnan only went to Cold Mountain Yard because of his repeated requests in these past few days.
As soon as Cen Xiangnan laid eyes on Lin Qingzhi, he would surely rage and try to take him away. Lin Qingzhi had a deep hatred for Cen Xiangnan and would never let him go easily.
Using Lin Qingzhi's knife, Cen Xiangnan tried to seize power and with the influence of the Lin family, he planned to kill Lin Qingzhi.
Cen Qingyou's plan for today was to borrow Cen Xiangnan's words to let his own mother see his true character.
In the past few days, Four Spirits disciples were quietly organized, and the truth about the Lin family was investigated, all for today's counterattack.
"Lin Qingzhi may be ruthless, but not as ruthless as you, the second brother."
"But you are still too young and made a mistake in your strategy."
Lin Fengbin sneered, then waved the Eclipse Lance. A faint red light and a subtle hint of demonic energy quickly emerged in his eyes.
The young man had a string of Buddhist prayer beads on his wrist, a Bodhi decoration on his forehead, dressed in white, and his expression remained unchanged. In the reflection of the firelight, his dark eyes seemed to have a touch of green.
He raised his hand, and the prayer beads made a clanking sound, revealing a golden cicada Buddhist pattern in mid-air.
The delicate cicada wings spread, as it soared into the sky!
In Lingering Spring Garden, fires burned all around, crowds surged in, and the shouts echoed throughout.
The garden, once filled with blooming flowers, suddenly turned into a battlefield soaked in blood.
Realizing the situation, the disciples of the Lin family quickly formed their battle formations, led by an army of monsters.
Most of the monsters had already been taken away by Lin Fengbin, but the remaining ones, although few, should not be underestimated. These monsters lacked intelligence and were perfect cannon fodder, designed to attract enemy fire and provide cover for their own side.
Under the protection of the monsters, the Lin family disciples summoned their magical treasures one after another.
Swords and weapons clashed in mid-air, illuminating the entire sky as if it were daytime.
This surprise attack aimed for a quick victory.
The assault teams gritted their teeth and unleashed their own special skills.
In an instant, blood and flesh splattered. Clouds of bloody mist erupted one after another!
"The main force is in Shichun Hall," gasped Baihu Ershisan in the midst of the battle, then shouted, "If we can't handle a small number of enemies here, then we are weaklings!"
"Charge!"
In a little while, Shichun Hall will still need reinforcements! This battle cannot be delayed!
The disciples of Four Spirits fought so hard that their eyes turned red!
Attack! Fight your way out!
Today's battle can only end in victory, not defeat!
If we win, the Lingering Spring Garden will finally be free from trouble!
But if we lose, the entire Lingering Spring Garden will be left with nowhere to go!
We can only fight, attack, raid, and overpower!
...
After a moment, the deafening sounds of battle in Lingering Spring Garden slowly subsided.
"Let's go!" Baihu Ershisan smiled and waved his hand. "Let's head to Shichun Hall! We can have dumplings at Shichun Hall!"
Without even having time to catch their breath or assess the casualties, Qiao Wan and the others quickly regrouped the remaining troops and hurriedly rode towards Shichun Hall.
Just as they were about to step out of Lingering Spring Garden, the ground suddenly rumbled and shook violently.
Xiao Boyang's face turned pale. "What is that?!"
What was causing all this commotion?!
"Let's go!" Baihu Ershisan, unaware of the danger, took the lead with a bloodied face and a bright smile.
A huge shadow suddenly fell behind. Qiao Wan's eyes widened and she shouted, "Run!"
What appeared behind them was... a monster...
No, monster wasn't an accurate word for it.
Rather, it was a magical beast.
It was a magical beast that was as tall as three people, with a wide open mouth dripping with blood.
