Chapter Seventy-Four: The Situation in Coastal City

“There’s no need for a victory banquet. If we truly must hold one, it won’t be too late to do so after I claim the championship at the Martial Arts Tournament of the Five Provinces.” Lin Feng waved his hand, firmly declining Elder Tang’s suggestion.

Elder Tang showed no displeasure at having his proposal refused. Instead, he continued respectfully, “That’s true. Master Lin, I’ve heard that you’re in urgent need of certain spiritual items. As one of the families of Binhai City, it is the Tang family’s duty to support you. Tomorrow, I shall send the treasured spiritual artifacts from my home to Hualong No. 1 Villa for your use!”

Elder Tang truly lived up to his reputation as a shrewd and seasoned figure—he cut straight to the heart of the matter with a single sentence. By offering these spiritual items, he not only demonstrated his stance but also subtly urged the other families to follow his example.

Lin Feng gave Elder Tang a slight nod of approval.

“Elder Tang is right. The Feng family also has no shortage of spiritual items. If they’re left to gather dust in the warehouse, it’s a waste. To contribute these items to Master Lin, the preeminent martial power of Binhai, is a far better use!” Having learned his lesson from the recent treasure contest, Elder Feng now saw Lin Feng’s potential all the more clearly. To forge ties and mend fences with Lin Feng, he was determined not to let Elder Tang outdo him.

With Elder Tang and Elder Feng setting the tone, the other family leaders—however reluctant—could only join in agreement.

Lin Feng could see that, apart from a handful who were genuinely willing, most offered their donations with reluctance. So, he immediately dangled a carrot before them.

“Everyone should know that Wang Jisheng has recently been organizing auctions for spiritual items. To be frank, I am the man behind the scenes. The spiritual items on auction include jade talismans crafted by my own hand.

“I am deeply grateful for your contributions. However, I would never let my friends suffer a loss. Anyone who donates may visit Wang Jisheng and exchange their offerings for jade talismans, the value of which will be determined by their rarity and quality.”

What?

Even the spiritual item auctions run by Wang Jisheng were orchestrated by Lin Feng. And the wildly popular jade talismans sweeping through Binhai—he was their creator!

The assembled family heads were awestruck. Any trace of resistance vanished, and some even saw the prospect of a windfall.

After all, any one of those jade talismans was worth at least hundreds of millions, some even billions. The spiritual items lying unused at home were of unknown purpose and would only be wasted. Exchanging them for a jade talisman was far more worthwhile. In other provinces, such a talisman would be a once-in-a-century treasure.

Even selling one at random would bring in at least several hundred million!

This deal was simply too good to pass up.

With Lin Feng’s deft maneuvering, the family heads became fervent and eager, each vying to outdo the others in their generosity.

Elder Tang could not help but feel a surge of admiration. “With a single move, he’s rallied all of Binhai’s leading figures, turning the tide with a wave of his hand. Such depth of strategy!”

Lin Feng watched the excited family heads with a faint smile. With this strategy, his collection of spiritual items would accelerate, and his cultivation resources would soon be abundant.

As Lin Feng conversed cheerfully with the leaders, a deep voice suddenly rang out:

“Master Lin! A disgraceful member of the Qin family has shown you disrespect. I beg you to punish him!”

The patriarch of the Qin family, Qin Muyang, pushed through the crowd with Qin Chao in tow and bowed before Lin Feng. “Master Lin, it was my failure in discipline that allowed this unfilial son to act so arrogantly and offend you. Please, mete out whatever punishment you see fit!”

At that, Qin Muyang dragged Qin Chao before Lin Feng and kicked him to the ground. “Qin Chao, you wretch, kneel and kowtow before Master Lin to beg forgiveness!”

“Father! I’m your own son, the rightful heir of the Qin family. Who does Lin Feng think he is to make me kneel? He’s nothing more than the Yao family’s live-in son-in-law! What right does he have to demand my submission?”

Qin Chao remained defiant. He was willing to apologize and say a few nice words on behalf of the family, confident that Lin Feng would not dare pursue the matter. After all, the Qin family’s standing in Binhai was second only to the Tang and Feng families.

Kneel? Impossible!

He was the future heir of the Qin family. So Lin Feng had some martial strength—this was an era of peace, and martial prowess was no longer above the law. Could Lin Feng really dare to kill someone over this?

Qin Chao’s words immediately drew sharp reactions from the surrounding notables. Elder Tang’s face darkened as he rapped his cane on the ground and barked, “Qin Muyang, is this the heir your family produces? Such arrogance!”

“Indeed. I think we should leave all of Binhai’s affairs to Young Master Qin from now on. What need is there for us old men? Don’t you agree, Qin Muyang?” Elder Feng added, each word a pointed rebuke.

With both Elder Tang and Elder Feng turning against him, the other family heads instantly distanced themselves, not daring to have the slightest association with Qin Muyang.

The atmosphere made Qin Muyang’s scalp tingle and cold sweat break out all over him. Though he was the Qin family patriarch, the true power lay with old Master Qin Chaoyang. In front of outsiders, he might flaunt his status, but before Elder Tang and Elder Feng, he was merely a junior—he wouldn’t dare cross them.

“You wretch! Still unrepentant at this point! I’ll beat you to death!” Furious, Qin Muyang raised his fist and struck Qin Chao in the back.

“Ah! Father! I’m your own son! How can you hit me for an outsider? Grandfather! Grandfather! Come quickly—your precious grandson is about to be beaten to death!”

Qin Chao covered his head and ran, crying out for his grandfather. Qin Muyang chased after him in humiliation—shameful family affairs made public for all to see. The Qin family’s supposed heir had disgraced them utterly.

“What are you doing, Qin Muyang?” At this moment, an aged figure stepped from the crowd and blocked Qin Muyang’s path.

“Father! This wretch humiliated Master Lin in public. If I don’t punish him, the family will lose all respect!”

“What?”

Qin Chaoyang, hair white as snow and skin like old bark, was already in his eighties. It was thanks to his presence that the Qin family had not fallen into decline in Binhai over the years. But lately, his strength had been waning, and he did not know how much longer he could hold on. At such a critical juncture, this reckless grandson dared to make enemies for the family—and of all people, with Master Lin, the rising martial star of Binhai!

He was pushing the entire Qin family into the fire!

Qin Chaoyang’s hands clenched in anger, his whole body trembling.

“Grandfather! You’re finally here! Father’s gone mad—forcing me to kneel and beg forgiveness of an outsider, and even beating me in front of everyone! Grandfather, you must stand up for me!” Qin Chao, eyes brimming with tears, clung to his grandfather, pleading piteously.

This tactic had never failed him before. As the sole heir of the Qin family, his grandfather had always doted on him—tears and pleading would always win him support. Who would dare discipline him then?