V2c14: Lin Tian’s Two Major Principles for Wooing Girls!
The Lin Family.
In the council hall, those taking part in the deliberation were members of the Lin family. Their faces were heavy. The oppressive atmosphere hung over them like a flood, making it difficult to breathe.
Lin Nantian sat at the head of the table, holding a cup of tea that had long since gone cold, though he did not drink.
“Family Head Lin, Chen Lin has joined forces with the Nangong Family and several minor aristocratic houses. They are determined to destroy our family this time!” an elder sighed.
Ever since Lin Mo returned to the Azure Spirit Sect to handle his withdrawal, rumors had spread that he was practicing demonic arts.
The Lin Family had been in dire straits for over a year. Rumors ran rampant outside, with many suspecting the family still harbored demonic cultivators.
Even though every Lin had been tested with the Demonic Stone to prove their innocence, outsiders still believed the family secretly retained demonic energy.
Despite the lack of concrete evidence, many saw that the Lin Family had produced a devil who harmed fellow disciples. That belief brought all trade for the family to a complete halt.
The Chen Family and the Nangong Family, who already bore grudges against the Lins, seized the opportunity to stir trouble over Lin Mo’s cultivation, extending their claws further toward the clan.
Lin Nantian was troubled by the situation.
The Third Elder cautiously suggested, “Family Head, perhaps we could feign expelling Lin Mo from the family for now?”
Hearing that, Lin Nantian glared fiercely. “Feign? I think you genuinely want to.”
The Second Elder spoke plainly, “It’s not that I genuinely want to, but right now every problem centers on Lin Mo.”
“Moreover, everyone at the Azure Spirit Sect saw Lin Mo practicing demonic arts. No matter how much we believe in him, what good does that do?”
“Besides, with Lin Mo gone, how can we, the Lin Family…”
Lin Nantian frowned and snapped, “If we expel Lin Mo from the family, wouldn’t that be tantamount to admitting he cultivates demonic arts?”
“That would only bring more trouble on us.”
“The only thing we can do now is maintain our stance, trust Lin Mo, and not fall into disarray.”
The Third Elder agreed, “Indeed — our family has no other way out; we can only trust Lin Mo.”
All the elders had seen what Lin Mo had done for the family. Over the past year, every Lin had benefited: their strength and living standards had improved because of Lin Mo’s deeds.
The Lin Family had attracted many Golden Core True Lords. Lin Nantian himself had broken through to the Spirit Severing realm. Lin Zhan had reached the Nascent Soul realm. The three elders were at the Great Perfection of Nascent Soul, on the verge of Spirit Severing.
For these reasons, the family insisted on continuing to trust Lin Mo. The Third Elder had no choice but to stand with them. The meeting ended.
“Zhan’er, you seem troubled,” Lin Nantian said after everyone left, approaching Lin Zhan.
He noticed that Lin Zhan had not defended Mo’er during the meeting and had seemed lost in thought the whole time.
Lin Zhan shook his head. “It’s nothing. Father, I’m just worried about Mo’er.”
No father could be ignorant of his son’s heart. If Lin Zhan were simply worried for Lin Mo’s safety, he wouldn’t have remained silent throughout the family meeting. Lin Nantian asked quietly, “Zhan’er, does Mo’er have other secrets?”
Lin Zhan swallowed, hesitated a few seconds, and then seemed to shake his head. “No.”
Seeing this, Lin Nantian grew more convinced of his suspicion, but he didn’t press further. “Zhan’er, as long as you are aware — I am old and cannot manage the family alone. No matter what, I stand with you and Mo’er.”
Lin Zhan was deeply moved.
After Lin Nantian left, Lin Zhan returned to his room. Gu Ningxin, anxious, rushed up to him as he opened the door. “Husband, how did the family meeting go?”
Lin Zhan gently patted his wife’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. Everyone still believes in Mo’er.”
“But…” Gu Ningxin lowered her eyes. “Mo’er… was still harmed by me.”
“Don’t think too much. Bloodline issues aren’t something you can control,” Lin Zhan said softly. “Besides, people’s judgments are flawed. Defining good and bad solely by race is too narrow-minded.”
He added, “And aren’t I fortunate to have a gentle and virtuous wife?”
Gu Ningxin felt a surge of warmth, but she still voiced her concern. “Even though I purified the human demonic energy in myself and replaced it with human blood, it doesn’t change the fact that my race is still demonic.”
“Demons carry half-demonic bloodlines and are highly susceptible to negative emotions, which can lead to demonic possession.”
At this point she wondered what Lin Mo had encountered at the Azure Spirit Sect.
As his parents, they understood their son’s personality. From the moment Lin Mo volunteered to withdraw from the sect, she had suspected he was having a difficult time there. If it wasn’t utter disappointment, why would three years of deep affection be severed so easily?
Lin Zhan was puzzled. “True Lord Yuehua also seemed to have fallen to demonic possession. Could it be her influence?”
The couple had only met Yuehua during the disciple-acceptance ceremony. For the following thirteen years they had had no interaction. Every time they sought Yuehua to request apprenticeship or to check on their son’s master, she was always in seclusion or preparing for seclusion. This left the couple speechless.
Gu Ningxin shook her head. “I don’t know, but I heard Yuehua didn’t become a human-demon; she achieved demonic transformation.”
Lin Zhan asked, “Can humans also achieve demonic transformation?”
Gu Ningxin nodded. “Cultivating demonic arts is easy; achieving demonic transformation is as difficult as ascending to heaven. Under normal circumstances, humans can’t become demons through ordinary effort. The conditions are extremely strict. Even with a complete exchange of demon flesh and blood, without powerful obsession and negative emotions it’s impossible.”
Lin Zhan then asked, “If humans can become demons, then why… Ningxin, couldn’t you completely become human?”
Gu Ningxin countered, “Haven’t you noticed one thing?”
Lin Zhan scratched his head. “What thing?”
Gu Ningxin explained, “In this world, humans can turn into demons, ghosts, or even monsters (Yao), and eventually cultivate into Immortals. But other races cannot transform into humans. Although humans are born frail, they have infinite possibilities — almost like this world’s darlings.”
Lin Zhan’s eyes widened. “Humans can turn into monsters? Could it be a monster, then?”
Gu Ningxin playfully swatted Lin Zhan’s head. “You’re silly! Take the most common example: if someone dies but their soul doesn’t leave the body and they become a zombie, that’s a Corpse Monster.”
Hearing that, Lin Zhan realized, “Oh, right! Then why is that?”
“How should I know?” Gu Ningxin rolled her eyes. “Who are you asking? Right now, the important thing is how to find Mo’er.” She touched the ring on her finger.
If she used the ring, she could call on the Demon Race’s power to locate Lin Mo. But doing so would fully expose her identity. Lin Zhan didn’t know the ring’s function.
He said, “The family hasn’t reached a desperate point yet. The Xia family still supports us in secret.”
Gu Ningxin stated the core problem: “But even if we find Mo’er, unless the issue of his demonic cultivation is cleared up, the family’s problems won’t be solved.”
Lin Zhan felt a headache coming on. “We’ll deal with everything after we find Mo’er.”
—
In the Lin family courtyard, most of the younger generation had gathered. In addition to Lin family members, two others were present.
“Miss Susu, you were there, right? Did Uncle Mo really cultivate the demonic path?” Lin Tian asked the question on everyone’s minds.
Yin Susu became the focus of attention. Surrounded by so many eyes, she said firmly, “No. I did not see it.”
Since the Sect Tournament, she had followed Lin Mo’s instructions and brought Gu Zhi back to the Lin family. The family had been kind to her over the past year; they even shared their monthly cultivation resources with her.
Although she had seen demonic energy on her senior brother, she understood the family’s situation. Admitting what she saw would only cause panic and a greater crisis. Besides, she believed her senior brother could not be a demonic cultivator. Even if he cultivated the demonic path, he would not harm his fellow disciples.
“I trust Senior Brother’s character!” Yin Susu declared.
Lin Tian chuckled. “Okay! Since Miss Susu is so certain, I’m more interested in something else.”
Yin Susu looked at him. “What is it?”
Lin Tian’s eyes lit up. “Miss Susu, is your relationship with Uncle Mo very close? He suffered so much to protect you and bring you back! He even made a Nascent Soul Realm pill for you. You must hold a special place in Uncle Mo’s heart!”
Yin Susu was puzzled by the question, which sparked the younger generation’s curiosity, especially Lin Qingqing, whose heart pounded with anticipation.
Yin Susu’s face mixed tears and laughter; she didn’t catch Lin Tian’s hidden meaning. “You mean Senior Brother Shen and me. We are fellow disciples of the same master. Senior Brother Lin is a pill master — he made one especially for me and Senior Sister Shen.”
“Besides, my relationship with Senior Brother is very good.”
Hearing this, many of the juniors thought the same as Lin Tian: they were among those Lin Mo had saved.
Lin Tian gave a thumbs-up from afar. “As expected of Uncle Mo! He’s always so righteous!”
Lin Qingqing felt bubbling jealousy and wondered if she should have followed Uncle Mo as well.
Then Yin Susu’s next words shattered their speculations.
“At Azure Bamboo Peak, Senior Brother, Senior Sister Shen, and I are like siblings — our relationship is naturally good.”
Lin Tian blurted, “What? You mean ‘like siblings’?” His shocked question stunned Yin Susu.
Brother and sister?
Did they think her relationship with her senior brother was… that kind of relationship?
Yin Susu flushed. “Senior Brother only regards me as his little sister…”
Lin Tian interrupted, “So you regard Uncle Mo as your brother?”
Yin Susu frantically shook her head, nervous. “I don’t have any other thoughts…”
Lin Tian pressed on, “If you don’t have other thoughts, then what thoughts do you have?”
Just as Yin Susu was about to speak, Lin Qingqing yanked Lin Tian into a corner. “Why are you asking so many questions?”
Lin Tian, whose neck was being pulled, struggled. “Ow, Sister Qingqing, if you don’t let me ask more, how will I know if I can pursue Miss Susu?”
Lin Qingqing blinked. “You want to pursue Miss Susu?”
Lin Tian grumbled, “Duh! When I tried to pursue you before, you didn’t give me a chance. Am I not allowed to pursue anyone else now? Besides, I have two great principles for pursuing someone!”
Lin Qingqing looked at him with contempt. “You — the guy who hired ruffians to harass Old Woman Liu, hoping to be a hero and failing — you have principles?”
Lin Tian’s face flushed. “Sister Qingqing, that was just youthful foolishness. Besides, there’s nothing wrong with older women! You have to know, older women have lost maidenly shyness. They’re mature; they care; they understand men better; they…”
Lin Qingqing’s face turned red as she kicked Lin Tian in the stomach. “Don’t spout that filthy nonsense here!”
Lin Tian clutched his stomach, wincing. “Can’t you be gentler? You almost kicked my butt open!”
Lin Qingqing put her hands on her hips. “Stop talking nonsense! Tell me, what are your principles?”
Lin Tian straightened. “I now have two great principles for pursuing women!”
“—One: I don’t touch women who like Uncle Mo.”
“—Two: I don’t touch women whom Uncle Mo likes.”
He’d thought long about this. These two rules were crucial if he wanted to keep a good relationship with Lin Mo. Besides, his Uncle Mo was a man who could reject Xia He — a proper gentleman! Not every beautiful woman could like him, right?
So, in Lin Tian’s view, he could pursue any woman who didn’t like Lin Mo, and any woman Lin Mo didn’t like. He could even ask Lin Mo for advice on how to pursue them. In this roundabout way, Lin Tian felt that as long as he followed these two principles, all the women in the world were his — a beautiful thought!
Lin Qingqing was speechless. “Your principles… are actually quite good!”
Lin Tian beamed. “Right? Sister Qingqing falls into the former category, so… my life is more important; I definitely won’t set my sights on you.”
Lin Qingqing felt he deserved another beating.
“Lin Nantian, you traitor! Today we will wash your Lin family with blood!”
At that moment, over a hundred figures appeared above the Lin family. The leaders were Chen Sheng, Patriarch of the Chen family, and Nangong Bisheng, Patriarch of the Nangong family.
Lin Nantian led the three elders and all Lin family members of Golden Core stage and above into the sky.
Chen Sheng scoffed, “Defeated dogs! You dare make trouble for my Lin family again?”
Chen Sheng, furious, retorted, “We are here today representing the righteous path to wipe out your Lin family! How can you call this ‘making trouble’?”
Lin Nantian sneered, “Representing the righteous path? Do you have the credentials for that?”
Chen Sheng gestured respectfully at Nangong Bisheng. “I don’t have the credentials, but the Nangong Patriarch’s people do.”
Nangong Bisheng presented a middle-aged man from behind him. “This is the Law Enforcement Elder of the Mysterious Bright Hall.”
The man stepped forward. Instantly, a powerful pressure enveloped the Lin family.
Lin Nantian’s expression turned grave. “Soul Transformation… Realm.”
Nangong Bisheng said coldly, “At least you, old man, have some discerning eyes.”
Lin Nantian frowned. “Nangong Patriarch, how have we offended you? Why have you been hounding my family?”
Nangong Bisheng said, “Your family has offended me. Do you remember the Demon Race Secret Realm? Lin Mo gravely injured my son, Nangong Xu.”
“At the time I thought it was just my son’s weakness, but now that Lin Mo’s demon cultivation is public knowledge, our family will settle this score with yours!”
Chen Sheng added, “My son also died tragically by Lin Mo’s hand. I’m certain Lin Mo had fallen to the demonic path when he killed my son. We must collect this debt from your Lin family!”
Lin Nantian inwardly cursed Chen Sheng’s shamelessness. Chen Huai’s death had resulted from his own murderous intent toward Lin Mo while seeking Xia He, the Xia family’s eldest daughter. Now Chen Sheng came to make excuses.
Yet Lin Nantian was powerless to refute the accusation. In matters of demonic cultivation, blame always weighed heaviest.
Now, facing the joint attack of the Nangong and Chen families, several rogue cultivators, and an elder from the Mysterious Bright Hall, even with the Xia family’s help the Lin family likely couldn’t escape this calamity.
Nangong Bisheng declared, “Lin Mo’s demon cultivation is now public knowledge! Your family insists on protecting him, thereby making enemies of the entire righteous path. Today we demand your Lin family vanish from this world!”
“If you want to fight, fight! Why so many words?”
Lin Nantian, having lived many years, knew well the hypocrisy of these self-proclaimed righteous people. The Chen and Nangong families used the banner of “exterminating demons and defending the Dao” to divide the Lin family’s resources. Any further defense seemed futile.
Gu Ningxin watched the battle turn against them and thought, It seems I can only use the ring’s power. She prepared to withdraw from the Lin family to use the ring from outside. If the family used the ring’s power openly, it would confirm collusion with the Demon Race. Using the ring would likely mean she couldn’t return to the family.
Seeing her husband’s grim expression in the sky, Gu Ningxin steeled herself. Just as she was about to break the ring’s seal, a large hand pressed down on hers.
A familiar voice whispered in her ear, “Mother, what are you doing?”
