C378 Greetings Fatherinlaw!

The Yin Gods of the Su, Lim, and Van families were unmistakably flexing their might!

Without waiting for Yuan Lianyao to issue any commands or welcome them, the representatives from the three great clans had already barged into the City Lord's Mansion.

The Darkmoon City guards and the Yuan family members didn't dare to intervene.

Su Kui, Su Kang, Lim Mu, and Van Xuan were renowned figures among the Empire's elder statesmen, household names to anyone slightly aware of the nation's affairs.

Moreover, they had boldly announced themselves before stepping foot inside.

Knowing full well who they were, how could the city's guards and the Yuan clan risk offense?

Thus, whether it was the city's guards or those Yuan family members loyal to Yuan Lianyao, everyone greeted them with obliging smiles and deep bows as they ushered them into the estate.

Among the visitors was Su Xiangtian.

Before his return from the Absence Relic, he was unaware of the final outcome and knew that Yuan Lianyao was aligned with the Red Devil Sect, as was Zhou Cangmin from the neighboring country.

Yet it seemed that even Cangmin was no match for the Empress.

After hearing from the family elders that the Empress herself had encountered trouble and the Lee family had been purged, signaling a seismic shift in the Empire, he too arrived, riddled with doubts.

"The youth are to be feared indeed."

Su Kui bellowed with laughter as he entered the hall where Yuan Lianyao and the others were gathered. He cast an admiring glance at the formidable red lotus before him and remarked, "It won't be long before you can cultivate your Yin God. With the Red Devil Sect's backing, our esteemed City Lord's prospects are vast indeed!"

He was privy to the secrets, well aware that the stunning woman before him had pledged the entire Yuan family to the Red Devil Sect due to Yuan Qiufang's influence.

The Red Devil Sect, rising in the north of the Quietus Continent, had been gaining power rapidly in recent years, rivaling the likes of the Devil Palace and Demon Palace.

With such a powerful patron, Yuan Lianyao and the Yuan family were unlikely to be greatly impacted by the Empire's turmoil.

However, the Yuan clan was a minor player in the grand scheme of the Empire, and Yuan Lianyao's current power level was still modest. In the face of the Empire's tumultuous changes, there was only so much she could do.

"Esteemed elders, to what do we owe the pleasure of your presence in Darkmoon City?"

Yuan Lianyao, poised and composed, stood in the hall with a subtle smile playing on her lips. After respectfully bowing to each, she remarked, "Darkmoon City seems rather small for such distinguished guests. Your collective presence here makes it feel positively congested."

"I am Yu Cann, at your service, esteemed seniors."

"I represent the Zhao family of Darkmoon City; I am Zhao Zhenghao. Your visit truly brings a radiant glow to our humble city."

Yu Cann and Zhao Zhenghao, as patriarchs of the city's other two major families, were clear about their age and standing. They introduced themselves in turn and paid their respects to the seniors.

Though Su Kui and his peers were a bit older, they were essentially peers in terms of generation.

The distinction lay in the fact that Su Kui, Su Kang, and Van Xuan were the cream of the crop from the generation before, with innate talents and cultivation aptitudes that far surpassed the rest.

Consequently, all four were at the Yin God Stage, while Yu Cann and Zhao Zhenghao had only reached the Profound Break Stage, with the Penetrating Stage lying in between.

Status and cultivation level set them apart, placing them on different echelons.

Thus, despite the not-so-significant age difference, Yu Cann and Zhao Zhenghao still addressed the four as seniors upon their arrival in the hall.

"Yu Cann!"

Lim Mu's sudden cold snort seized everyone's attention, followed by his demanding voice, "Did you get my letter?"

Yu Cann inhaled deeply before responding, "I did."

"Where is Yu Yuan?"

Lim Mu's face darkened as he continued, "The former head of the Lim family met his end in the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area. There's a swirl of rumors, and the truth is elusive. Yet, many point to Yu Yuan's involvement in his death! I demand an answer. I want him before me, so I, with my Yin God, can seek the truth myself!"

Yu Cann, head bowed, replied, "I am unaware of my grandson's whereabouts."

"Yu Yuan is in the Absence Relic," chimed in Yuan Lianyao with a playful laugh, glancing at Su Xiangtian. "Elder Su, if Master Lim is so inclined, perhaps a visit to the Relic is in order to seek him out?"

Su Xiangtian remained unfazed, as if he had heard nothing at all.

Yu Yuan's actions in the Absence Relic were not disclosed to Lim Mu, nor did he reveal the connections between Yu Zhu, Yan Qiling, Xu Zixi, and Yu Yuan. He deliberately concealed these details.

He had no familial ties to Lim Mu and was essentially an adversary.

His intention was clear: he wanted the Lim family to face an even greater downfall at the hands of Yu Yuan.

"The relic is expansive. How am I supposed to find him?" Lim Mu demanded coldly from Yu Cann, "You were given a deadline, and today marks the end. Without Yu Yuan's return, I expect the Yu family to provide a satisfactory explanation!"

...

Meanwhile, in Darkmoon City, Van Chaoguan, Su Yin, and others were stationed at the Huang family's location, tasked with overseeing Lee Yuchan and Lee Yu.

With the news of his father's death, Lee Yu grew more reticent, his icy gaze brewing with a storm of frost.

Yet to Van Chaoguan, Lim Hanyu, and Su Yin, the Lee family's fate was sealed. What waves could Lee Yu, a so-called prodigy yet to come into his own, possibly make?

Even Lee Yuchan, the most gifted under Lee Yupan, was reduced to a captive.

Van Chaoguan, seated cross-legged before the imperial female general, meditated, occasionally lifting his gaze to Lee Yuchan, unsettling her with his piercing stare.

Lee Yuchan had a good idea of his inner thoughts.

Despite her humiliation, she maintained her composure better than her nephew, her demeanor growing colder as she plotted her escape from the binds and the hall.

"Huang family..."

A quiet murmur suddenly drifted in from outside.

At the sound, Lim Hanyu stood abruptly, his face a mix of surprise and curiosity, as he turned towards the source of the voice, remarking, "How peculiar."

"What is it?" Van Chaoguan asked, taken aback.

"Yu Yuan," Lim Hanyu declared.

"Haha!" Van Chaoguan's interest was piqued. "Your dragon-riding groom! Are you sure you're not mistaken? With his level of cultivation, we would certainly sense his presence if he were nearby."

Lim Hanyu's expression chilled. "This kid is always full of surprises. Stay alert."

In that moment, Su Yin, left behind by Su Kui, rose leisurely and peered in the direction of the sound, calling out tentatively, "Who goes there?"

Lee Yu and Lee Yuchan, bound to the stone pillar, were jolted by the murmuring voice they heard. Instantly, their eyes darted toward the source of the sound.

Having had more interactions with Yu Yuan, they recognized his voice and were convinced he was the one approaching.

Their anticipation was met as Yu Yuan, clad in black, strolled in with an air of nonchalance under their watchful eyes.

"Ah, isn't that my father-in-law?" Yu Yuan greeted Lim Hanyu with a beaming smile as soon as he arrived. "A pleasure to see you, sir! And where might my bride-to-be be? I've heard she's held in high regard at the Cold Yin Sect. Excellent, truly excellent. A woman of her caliber is indeed a match for me, Yu Yuan!"

"Silence!" Lim Hanyu erupted in anger. "Yu Yuan, your timing is impeccable. Don't you owe me an explanation for my elder brother's death?"

"He's dead, what of it? That's none of my concern," Yu Yuan retorted, his face the picture of innocence as he spread his hands. "Given his level and power, how could I possibly be his killer? You're barking up the wrong tree."

With a smile still playing on his lips, he nodded at Lee Yuchan and Lee Yu, "It's been a few days, hasn't it? You two seem to have fallen on hard times. But fret not, I've returned. And out of respect for our past, I'll ensure you both come to no harm."

"Big talk from a man of small deeds!"

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