Ye Chen shrugged, his expression one of utter nonchalance. "What's the matter? Is there a problem?"
In Ye Chen's view, those he had killed deserved their fate. If they hadn't targeted Ye Lin, he would never have laid a finger on them. Ultimately, they had brought this upon themselves. Besides, they were nothing but Ye Tian's lackeys. No matter how you looked at it, Ye Chen saw no reason to spare a single one of them.
In contrast to his calm, Ye Lin's small face was etched with worry. "Brother, you already killed one of the Lin family guards earlier, and now you've killed so many from the Ye family... I'm afraid…"
Before she could finish, Ye Chen chuckled softly. "Lin'er, I know what worries you. But remember, as long as your brother is here, I won't allow anyone to harm you."
Ye Lin grasped Ye Chen's right hand, her face lighting up with a happy smile. "Brother, don't worry. No matter what happens, I'll always stay by your side. Even if it means death, I'll die right beside you…"
Ye Chen affectionately ruffled Ye Lin's hair, his gaze firm. "Lin'er, rest assured. As long as I'm here, I won't let you suffer the slightest harm."
With that, he helped Ye Lin into the carriage and immediately urged the horses onward, heading out of Qingcheng Mountain.
After all, not long ago, Ye Chen had just killed a guard from the Lin family. And now, he had killed so many from the Ye family. If he didn't leave Qingcheng Mountain quickly, once the Lin and Ye families reacted, it might be impossible to escape.
Although the Ancient Celestial Tomb existed within Ye Chen's body, every powerful expert needs time to grow. In this world where the strong prey on the weak, if you haven't matured yet, what use is being a genius?
...
The Lin Family Residence
When the Lin Family Head learned that Ye Chen had killed one of their guards, he flew into a rage. "This Ye Chen has some nerve! He dares to kill someone from my Lin family?!" he bellowed.
Then, as if remembering something, his eyes turned dark as he glared at the guard who had brought the news. "Lin Jie, are you absolutely certain you didn't mistake what you saw?"
The man called Lin Jie nodded with absolute certainty. "I report to the Family Head, I am sure I saw correctly! Lin Hai died right in front of me. How could I be mistaken?"
Hearing this, although fury burned in his gut, reason told the Lin Family Head that Ye Chen had been crippled by the Wang Family Elder. How could he possibly still have the strength to kill Lin Hai? Moreover, according to Lin family spies, they had personally witnessed not only Ye Chen's dantian being destroyed, but all his meridians being severed by the Wang Family Elder. With injuries that severe, Ye Chen would struggle to even stand, let alone possess the power to kill Lin Hai.
Let's not forget, Lin Hai, for all his faults, had the cultivation of a ninth-level Martial Disciple. For Ye Chen to kill him, and without alerting any other Lin family members in the process... didn't that imply Ye Chen had at least the strength of a Martial Warrior at the time?
Hiss...
At this thought, the Lin Family Head drew a sharp, cold breath. A shocking guess formed in his mind: Could it be that Ye Chen possesses some treasure? Something that can not only repair a shattered dantian but also rapidly restore one's strength?
After all, as the head of the Lin family, he knew far more than the average person. If nothing else, he knew that repairing a shattered dantian was virtually impossible. Yet now, Ye Chen had not only repaired his dantian but also regained Martial Warrior strength. If Ye Chen didn't have some incredible treasure on him, the Lin Family Head wouldn't believe it even if beaten to death.
Thinking this, he quickly said to Lin Jie, "Lin Jie, go find Elder Lin Zhi immediately. Tell him he must capture Ye Chen and bring him back to the Lin family, no matter what. Understood?"
Huh? Capture him? Shouldn't the order be to kill Ye Chen? Lin Jie wondered inwardly, puzzled by the Family Head's words. Nonetheless, he nodded and replied, "Yes, Family Head. I will find Elder Lin Zhi at once and ensure we capture Ye Chen alive..."
After receiving a dismissive wave from the Family Head, Lin Jie turned and strode purposefully out of the room.
Watching Lin Jie's retreating figure, the Lin Family Head thought to himself, Ye Chen, Ye Chen... who would have thought you possessed such a heavy treasure, capable of even repairing a shattered dantian? But soon, all of it will belong to my Lin family...
The mere thought of the Lin family obtaining a treasure that could restore a dantian and rapidly recover cultivation filled the Family Head's heart with immense joy. Even Lin Hai's death was pushed to the back of his mind. As the saying goes, there are no permanent friends, only permanent interests. Faced with sufficient benefit, the death of a single Lin family disciple undoubtedly became somewhat insignificant.
Not long after, several Lin family disciples, led by Elder Lin Zhi, were swiftly dispatched from Qingcheng Mountain.
As one of the three great families of Qingcheng Mountain, the Lin family naturally had many informants within the area. Therefore, once Elder Lin Zhi received the Family Head's order to capture Ye Chen, he used these informants to confirm the direction of Ye Chen's departure.
...
Meanwhile, at the Ye Family Residence
At the same time the Lin family sent people after Ye Chen, the Ye family also received news. The Ye family disciples previously sent to capture Ye Lin had all been found dead, reduced to corpses.
Looking at the bodies being carried in one by one, Ye Tian's aged face darkened with fury. "Who can tell me what the hell happened here?!" he roared. "I sent them to bring back that little brat Ye Lin! How did they end up getting themselves killed instead? Don't tell me they were killed by that little girl Ye Lin herself!"
Facing Ye Tian's rage, a Ye family disciple who served as an informant in Qingcheng Mountain timidly spoke up. "Reporting to Young Master Ye Tian... according to the news I received, it seems someone witnessed Ye Chen making the move..."
By the end of his sentence, even this disciple sounded doubtful. After all, everyone in Qingcheng Mountain, not just the Ye family, knew that Ye Chen had become a cripple. And now he was claiming these men were killed by Ye Chen? Not only would Ye Tian likely disbelieve it, but the informant himself hardly dared to believe it.
Sure enough, upon hearing this, Ye Tian turned his furious glare on the informant. "Are you fucking messing with me, you idiot? Forget the rest, it's a mystery if the current Ye Chen can even stand up! What strength could he possibly have to kill anyone? You actually believe such nonsense? Are you brain-dead?"
Scolded like this, the room fell into a dead silence.
After a long while, Ye Tian finally spoke again. "Ye Yun, I don't care what method you use. Find out quickly who had the gall to kill members of my Ye family. As for the rest of you, follow me! We're going to bring back that damned girl Ye Lin ourselves..."