The Blade-Wielding Legend

Chapter 1593 - 809: When the Tree Falls, the Monkeys Scatter (Part 2)

"Alright, take care, senior."

Without wasting any words, Li Yan and the others bade farewell to Shi Laonian and hastily made their way back to Hangzhou...

.........

At the same time, Sha Lifei, Fatty Lin, and others finally arrived at the Yu Hang Lin Family’s Old Mansion.

In the twilight of the East Street in Yu Hang County, the Lin Mansion stood silent like an aging giant beast.

The three-yard-wide bluestone gate towered, with ridge swallowing all the beams, and a dusty plaque of Golden Rattan Wood hung above the entrance.

The words "Jiangsu and Zhejiang Salt Iron First House" had been eroded by wind and frost, losing its sharp edges.

Wang Daoxuan had yet to respond, his face somewhat pale.

From a distance, he gazed at it, a flicker of color in his eyes, "The mansion sits at the Ziwu axis, Dragon and Tiger embracing, excellent Fengshui! But, alas..."

Sha Lifei, feeling only the grandeur of the mansion but unable to discern the peculiarities, curiously asked, "Daoist, what’s the explanation?"

Wang Daoxuan pointed into the distance, "Look, the main hall has five rooms with seven structures, a gable roof poised like a crouching tortoise, with the side rooms lying beneath the claws of Azure Dragon and White Tiger. If my guess is correct, the backyard should have rock piles forming Xuanwu as a backing, topped with a hundred-year-old monk-pine that should be lush and umbrella-shaped."

"Moreover, the Southeast Xun Position three-tier octagonal library is not constructed haphazardly. Its flying eaves spread like goose wings. If my guess is right, there should be a bronze Kui Star holding a pen pointing to the sky inside, subtly complementing the ’Purple Qi from the East’ literary position."

"Daoist has great skills!"

Unable to contain himself, Fatty Lin gave a thumbs up, "The arrangement in my home is exactly as you described."

Kuai Dayou asked, "What does Daoist mean by ’alas’?"

Wang Daoxuan shook his head, "Fengshui nurtures people, and people nurture Fengshui."

"In the years when the Lin Family was prosperous, surely every day servants swept and cleaned like clouds, the kitchen fires never ceased day and night, living waters never stopped flowing, yang energy was abundant like a furnace. But now... the place is deserted, yin energy flourishes. Even with fairy holes, it requires human vitality to warm and nurture it."

As they spoke, the crowd looked up.

They saw the last golden-red ray of the setting sun sweep over the roof, stretching the shadow of the ridge into ghostly claws.

The once luxurious mansion, its walls outside the gate corners were now covered in moss, with wild grass growing uncontrolled.

Occasionally, passersby on the street avoided it, seemingly fearing to provoke bad luck.

Fatty Lin crossed the threshold of his long-separated home, the sight causing his nose to tingle with emotion.

The vermilion gate still bore remnants of government seals, while the courtyard vegetation was withering.

The once numerous servants were long gone, not even tidying up the mess left from the government seizure.

Soon, noises erupted from inside.

Hearing this, they immediately rushed into the inner courtyard.

In the central hall of the inner courtyard, a medicinal scent permeated, Fatty Lin’s parents lay on bamboo couches, faces as pale as gold paper, several elder relatives huddled in chairs shivering.

Outside, a throng surrounded them, shouting arrogantly:

"Lin Wancai! Your family hasn’t cleaned up the mess of collaborating with demons! Hand over the salt introduction if you know what’s good for you!"

They were a dozen hooligans, clustering around a few men in fine clothes.

One of them brandished a land deed, sneering coldly:

"This mansion is collateral for debt! Brothers, move!"

"Move your ancestor!" A sudden angry shout erupted from the rooftop.

Fatty Lin’s eyes turned red, he rushed up directly, pulling out a Flintlock from his waist and aiming it at the opponent’s head.

"Lin Changde, you bastard, what do you want to do?!"

"You... how did you come back?"

The leading man in fine clothes was initially shocked, and then looking at the firearm on his forehead, swallowed hard.

Although visibly afraid, he gritted his teeth and said:

"Lin Yu, you brat don’t mess around!"

"Your family consorted with demons, the Lin Family fleet is completely broken up, our shares..."

"Bastard!"

Fatty Lin, usually valuing harmony, now full of rage, slapped him hard across the face and cursed angrily, "Lin Changde, you inept dog, were it not for my father taking pity that your branch had nothing to eat, how would he have given you those shares for free?"

"Besides, at most a few hundred taels, and you think you can come and scavenge?"

"Hmph!"

"What about adding ours too?"

A few men in luxurious outfits beside him also started clamoring.

"Fine, fine..."

Fatty Lin chuckled angrily, "I originally intended to leave you all a way out, but never mind, count it as my meddling!"

On the way here, he had said he would tighten and consolidate, allowing the clan to have a stable livelihood.

Unexpectedly, as they entered, they saw this scene.

"What are you waiting for? Fight!"

Sha Lifei rolled up his sleeves and followed Kuai Dayou, charging forward and beating the group until they wailed like ghosts, throwing them out like trash.

After a busy moment, the Lin Family’s old house finally fell silent.

"Father."

Fatty Lin hurried forward to check the situation, inquiring about the cause, which nearly brought him to tears.

It was resolved over there in Jinling, the Lin Family was acquitted, and his parents along with several elderly clan members were released.

Although released from the prison, having been overly frightened, they were gaunt and bedridden.

The aged elders, now even more dispirited after this ordeal.

What was more hateful was the distant relatives who, like vultures, rushed in when the Lin Family encountered hardships, causing trouble every day.

Making business decline and causing worry among people.

It’s said that it’s good to cool under a big tree, thus the family rose.

But if the tree falls and the monkeys scatter, not only did they run away clear, but they also thought of dividing the remaining fruit amid the chaos.

Especially these distant relatives, who usually drained the blood, now wanted to strip the bones and marrow.

"Young Master, thank goodness you are back."

A loyal old servant of the Lin Family wiped his tears, "Otherwise, I’m afraid the Lin Family couldn’t even keep this ancestral home!"

Sha Lifei chewed on a stem, humming, "Just a few scoundrels, rest assured, no one will dare cause trouble anymore."

Fatty Lin felt grateful in his heart, bowed deeply to everyone.

"Brothers, settle in first, let me handle the family matters."

As the saying goes, even a dilapidated ship has its nails; he still has loyal servants, plus those relatives from Jinling, although unable to rise again, it’s no problem taking care of close ones to give them a peaceful retirement.

As for the rest, he felt utterly disillusioned, no longer wanting to bother...

......

However, when the tree desires calm, the wind does not cease.

The next morning, the gate of the Lin Family’s old house was pounded loudly.

The gatekeeper opened the door fearfully, only to see Constable Zhao from Yuhang County Government bringing several government officials, escorting the distant relatives who were beaten away by Sha Lifei a few days ago, blocking the entrance.

At this moment, those relatives were already bruised, looking terrified, dressed in rags like beggars.

"Mr. Lin, Mr. Lin, apologies for the disturbance!"

The Yuhang County constable suddenly turned polite, his face full of flattery, entering to offer a fist salute.

The government officials behind him rudely kicked the crying relatives to the ground.

"Constable Zhao, what is the meaning of this?"

Fatty Lin glanced over, asking sternly.

Sha Lifei and others had gathered upon hearing, their expressions unfriendly.

"Oh dear, it’s a misunderstanding! A huge misunderstanding!"

Constable Zhao quickly waved his hand, pointing to the people on the ground, "It’s these few troublemakers who dared to seize the property of your esteemed house amid your family’s difficulties in recent days! It’s simply lawless, ruining the community!"

"Lord County Magistrate was furious upon hearing this! As soon as he received the complaint paper from them slandering your esteemed house, he immediately ordered me to arrest them and bring them here for Mr. Lin and Mr. Lin to deal with!"

He deliberately raised his voice, ensuring everyone in the courtyard heard clearly, "Lord County Magistrate said, the Lin Family is a benevolent household in Yuhang, and Mr. Lin is one who worked with the Twelve Primordial Spirits heroes to pacify disturbances in Jinling, making great contributions to the court and renowned in Jiangnan! How could such petty individuals be allowed to frame?"

These words were more of an attempt to curry favor with Li Yan and Fatty Lin than an explanation.

Sha Lifei sneered, Wu Ba crossed his arms with a cold snort, while Kuai Dayou rolled his eyes and sat down for tea.

Knowing after the Jinling incident, be it the Mystical Sect or the government, most would behave themselves.

But such a blatant attempt to ingratiate themselves was still nauseating.

Fatty Lin understood, it was the county government trying to make amends and distance themselves.

He cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Lord County Magistrate and Constable Zhao, for upholding justice. Sorry for the chaos at home and the laughter it has brought you."

"No, not at all!"

Constable Zhao’s grin widened, suddenly changing his tone, "However... Mr. Lin, Young Hero Li, my visit today aside from dealing with these troublemakers, there’s another tricky matter where I hope you heroes can lend a hand."

Fatty Lin listened without speaking, instead looking at Wang Daoxuan.

Wang Daoxuan shook his head helplessly, asking, "What’s the matter?"

Constable Zhao swallowed, "It’s the Leifeng Pagoda! Recently, wasn’t it... fallen?"

"Someone says, Lady Bai has been released!"