thedancenovel Chapter 297 294: Visitors from Xuanwu Mountain
Chapter 297 294: Visitors from Xuanwu Mountain
At this moment, Xia Country Imperial City.
The night was deep, yet the Ying Family's Ancient Mansion in North City was brightly lit.
The first seven days after Mrs. Ying Sr.'s passing had just concluded, and the entire mansion was still draped in white mourning, not yet cleaned up.
Ying Wenyuan, with a gaunt face, was kneeling silently before the memorial tablet, tossing paper money into the fire basin.
"Wenyuan, you've been fasting for so many days. Do you know how much that pains me?"
Shen Yueli, wearing a half-golden mask, approached, gesturing for Ah Fu and others to leave.
She only whispered with sorrow once the footsteps faded into the distance, squatting beside Ying Wenyuan.
"You're still blaming me for not saving Mom's life, aren't you?"
Shen Yueli choked with a bitter smile.
"Yes, I bear great responsibility, but Mom also sacrificed herself to take the blame for the Ying and Shen Families' sake!"
"Wenyuan, it's all Lin Fan's fault. Don't torture yourself more with his mistakes!"
"...I blame no one but myself for my repeated mistakes that led to this irreparable state."
Without turning his head, Ying Wenyuan shook his head with a numb expression.
His tone, as if toward a stranger, made Shen Yueli's eyes twitch, her heart ache.
She could already feel it.
Ying Wenyuan's attitude towards her grew increasingly cold, no longer the obedient submission from before.
And all of this was caused by that damn Lin Fan!
"Wenyuan, the Immortal Master of Xuanwu Mountain will be here soon. No matter what you think, I need Lin Fan dead to avenge Mom!"
In a flash of anger, Shen Yueli rose, leaving the mourning hall with a grim face.
Lin Fan, no matter where you flee, you cannot escape Xuanwu Mountain's pursuit.
I will definitely bring your head to Lin Suxin's grave, so you mother and son can reunite properly!
Arriving at the old mansion's entrance, Shen Yueli gazed at the dark sky, her eyes filled with venom.
"Madam, they've arrived, those who went to greet them have returned!"
Moments later, the sound of a car stopping came from outside the alley.
Excited, Ah Fu hurried over to report.
"Quick, notify everyone to gather and welcome the Immortal Master's arrival!"
Shen Yueli's expression tightened, swiftly giving orders.
Soon, everyone in the old mansion lined up neatly, waiting at the gate.
"Thank you, Immortal Master, for coming from afar to protect my Ying family!"
A beautiful woman with long flowing hair, dressed in a wide blue robe, walked in with hands behind her back.
Her ethereal presence, with eyes forward, exuded an air of aloofness.
"No need for words; I already know the matter. Where is Lin Fan now?"
Her cold phoenix eyes interrupted Shen Yueli's flattering, asking directly.
"I... I only know he left the Imperial City a few days ago, but I don't know where he went."
Shen Yueli's face turned pale, managing an awkward smile.
The woman's voice was soft and sweet.
Yet the cold oppressive aura around her was incredibly daunting.
As if a massive stone pressing upon one's chest, leaving limbs icy and breaths laborious.
"Hmph, fortunately, the Sect was already prepared."
The woman, discontented, followed Shen Yueli into the hall, sitting at the head position.
Gazing at Ying Wenyuan's numb kneeling before the memorial, her eyes immediately darkened.
"Who is he, why does he not come to greet me?"
"Reporting to the Immortal Master, he is Ying Wenyuan, my husband and the Family Head of the Ying family... His mother, Mrs. Ying Sr. just passed away, and Wenyuan is still in grief, fasting for many days."
Shen Yueli quickly explained.
"According to what you said earlier, Lin Fan is a renegade of the Ying family, why was he not eliminated sooner?"
The woman's demeanor slightly softened, ignoring Ying Wenyuan, instead frowning at Shen Yueli.
"He, he faked his death and escaped with Lin Suxin, deceiving another Immortal Master from the Sect, that's how he's managed to survive till now."
Shen Yueli, full of grief and indignation, immediately threw away her crutches and tremulously knelt down.
"Moreover, Lin Fan has regained his strength, even my father Shen Changlong, a Qi Condensation Grandmaster, couldn't deal with him, leaving us to rely on the Sect's mercy!"
"Daring to interfere with Xuanwu Mountain's operations beneath the mountain, Lin Fan definitely deserves death... You may rise."
The woman nodded, taking out a specially-made phone, dialing a specific number.
Moments later, she raised her eyebrows, a cruel smile playing at her lips.
"Ultimately, just a mortal, unable to escape our Hidden Sect's celestial net... I have found him."
"Immortal Master, this is half of my Ying family's wealth, hoping you will accept it with a smile!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Yueli was both surprised and pleased.
She quickly presented the prepared bank card, offering it to the woman with both hands.
"Not necessary, just submit it together with this year's tribute. I will stay at your residence for a night and immediately pursue him tomorrow, to execute Lin Fan!"
The woman shook her head, not accepting the bank card, then stood and walked towards the backyard.
"Wait, I, my Ying family willingly abandons the pursuit of Lin Fan!"
At that instant.
Ying Wenyuan suddenly rose, blocking the woman's path.
His face contorted with painful struggle, rasping out with difficulty.
"Wenyuan, are you crazy! Lin Fan has harmed our family this badly, and yet you still show mercy to him!"
Shen Yueli was at a loss.
Immediately consumed with fury, her entire body trembled, her eyes reddened.
"Yueli, when will vengeance end? Suxin is already dead, and my mom is gone... Continuing this fratricide, this family will truly fall apart!"
Ying Wenyuan's eyes grew moist, shaking his head painfully.
"What's going on, have you not settled among yourselves, intending for me to waste a trip?"
Seeing this, the woman's expression turned cold, asking with considerable displeasure.
"No, no, no, it's my husband being momentarily confused, hoping for the Immortal Master's understanding, I will persuade him!"
Shen Yueli jumped in fright, frantically signaling Ying Wenyuan.
"Hmph, since the Sect agreed to intervene, there's no retracting the decision; whether Lin Fan is dead or alive, he must die."
The woman snorted disdainfully, then under Ah Fu's attentive guidance, headed to the backyard guest room to rest.
Only Ying Wenyuan and Shen Yueli were left standing inside the vacant mourning hall, glaring at each other with resentment.
"Ying Wenyuan, I don't care if you find it hard to let go of your family ties with Lin Fan, but he caused me to be disfigured and made me Shen Yueli the laughingstock of the entire Imperial Capital; I absolutely won't allow him to live!"
Shen Yueli's expression was icy as she stepped up to Ying Wenyuan, her demeanor transforming as if she had turned into someone else.
"You have nothing left now, just a Family Head of the Ying family in name only. To hold this family together, you must listen to me."
This once-confidence-laden man before her.
Now, he seemed completely dispirited, as if he had aged more than a decade.
Feeling an unexplainable disgust in her heart, Shen Yueli coldly spoke, then left Ying Wenyuan alone.
"Mom, did you see that? Even she has started to despise me... hehe, wrong, we were all wrong..."
Thud!
The footsteps outside the door faded away.
Ying Wenyuan was engulfed with bitterness as he knelt beneath the spirit tablet, head bowed, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Immortal Master, may I ask your honored name?"
At this moment, in front of the guest room door in the backyard.
Uncle Qian bent his back, blocking the woman's path.
"Is there a need for something?"
The woman turned her phoenix eyes, expressionless as she asked in return.
"My goddaughter, Long Ling, was chosen by Immortal Master Qinglan seven years ago and sent to your sect's Fire Refining Thunder Pond, but I have heard no news of her since."
Uncle Qian cupped his hands in respect, bowing earnestly.
"I just wish to inquire about Lingling's condition, and hope the Immortal Master will pardon my fault."
"You are Long Ling's foster father?"
The woman's expression softened slightly as she nodded.
"My name is Xuan Zhu. Long Ling has performed well, having endured the erosion of the Thunder Pond. If she survives the final body refining stage, she might have the chance to become an inner disciple of our Xuanwu Mountain."
"Thank you, Immortal Master Xuan Zhu... As for our young master Lin Fan, he is honestly not a villain; if..."
Uncle Qian's face showed complexity as he hesitated before continuing.
"You want to plead for Lin Fan? It's impossible. Seven years ago, his mother Lin Suxin dared to deceive our Xuanwu Mountain, and he must pay the price for it."
The woman who identified as Xuan Zhu narrowed her eyes, turning away with a flick of her sleeve, leaving no room for negotiation.
Uncle Qian was left standing stiffly outside the closed room door, sighing silently as he departed.
He felt the subtle fluctuations of energy within Xuan Zhu's body.
Surely, she is a Martial Artist with extremely high cultivation, unfathomably deep.
Whether Lin Fan can escape this calamity once found is unknown.
"Young Master, may Lady Suxin's spirit in heaven bless you to turn danger into safety."
Uncle Qian glanced towards the horizon, blending into the night with his hands behind his back.
Meanwhile.
On the illuminated Prison Island of Domatra.
"Boy, you've got guts, but let's see if your body can endure the trouble."
Leaving the peripheral sandy area, Lin Fan was escorted by Saintess Xue He into a luxuriously decorated chamber.
The surroundings were quaint and traditional, clearly the Holy Poison Sect's long-managed base.
Thud!
The woman shoved Lin Fan onto the plush bed, biting her red lips and giggling playfully.
Immediately after, she casually undid her collar and cuffs.
Her robe slipped to the ground, revealing a snow-white, magnificent figure.
Under the suggestive hue of the orange-yellow light, that fiery body emitted an ivory glow.
Her figure was temptingly curvaceous.
Lin Fan felt his throat dry, his whole body beginning to heat uncontrollably.
Could it be, tonight, I am really going to lose myself here?
"Holy Daughter, no need to rush, why don't we sit down first and talk about life?"
Lin Fan subtly exhaled, suppressing his feelings, solemnly suggesting.
He tried hard not to let his gaze fall on the woman's key areas, pretending to enjoy the scenery.
"Oh, quite shy, aren't we? You weren't behaving like this just now."
Xue He revealed an intrigued smile, sitting closely beside Lin Fan.
The woman's fragrant scent wafted over, making Lin Fan's entire body stiffen, and his mouth dry out even more.
"Afraid I'll treat you poorly? See this, it's the Jade Token of the island guardian. Satisfy me today, and I'll let you have this token to walk across the island freely."
Xue He grabbed a specially crafted jade token from the table, teasingly waving it in front of Lin Fan's eyes.
Her voice was languid as she leaned her head on Lin Fan's shoulder like a cat, giggling seductively.
"Well, what are we waiting for? The spring night is short; let brother serve you properly."
Lin Fan's eyes twitched, and he immediately grinned, hugging Xue He's fiery body, pressing down upon her.
"Chuckling, you were saying I was impatient earlier, yet you're more impatient than me!"
Xue He flirted with her eyes, giving Lin Fan a playful glare, while reaching her white arms into Lin Fan's embrace.
The next moment, a hint of confusion appeared between her brows.
She shivered slightly, tilted her head, and sank into a deep slumber.
"I'm afraid I can't hold back; sorry to Youwei and the others..."
Lin Fan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, pulling out the silver needle inserted into the back of her head.
After a brief hesitation, he steeled himself and applied the needle to Xue He's body again.
In an instant, her slender and round legs intertwined and rubbed.
Her expression seemed both painful and joyous, as if she had entered some wonderful realm.
The partly opened red lips emitted a faintly intoxicating and breathtaking low moan.
"You play on your own; I have matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave."
Having done all this, Lin Fan licked his cracked lips, grabbed the jade token, and departed decisively.
Moments later, a flushed-faced Xue He suddenly opened her eyes.
Her eyes, moist and bright, stared in the direction of Lin Fan's departure, with a faint smile.
"What a heartless handsome man, how could he leave me behind and run away... Hmph, the needle technique was amazing but ineffective against me."
Feeling the anomaly within her, she blushed and spat lightly.
Immediately dressing, she quietly followed suit.