C378 Greetings to Fatherinlaw!

The old specters of the Su, Lin, and Van families were unmistakably flexing their might!

Before Yuan Lianyao could issue any commands or welcome them, representatives from the three powerful families had already barged into the Keep.

The guards of Asvetaesi and the members of the Yuan family didn't dare to intervene.

Su Kui, Su Kang, Lin Mu, and Van Xuan were all esteemed magnates from the Empire's older generation, well-known and respected figures.

Anyone with even a slight grasp of the Empire's affairs would recognize their illustrious names.

Moreover, they had announced themselves with booming voices upon their arrival.

Knowing who they were, neither the Asvetaesi guards nor the Yuan family members dared to cause offense.

Thus, both the guards and the Yuan family loyalists welcomed them with smiles and deep bows as they ushered them into the mansion.

Among the visitors was Su Xiangtian.

He was unaware of the final outcome before his return from the Forgotten Ruins. He understood that Yuan Lianyao, the Ruby Hand, and Zhou Cangmin, their neighboring country's dignitary, were aligned.

Yet, it seemed Zhou Cangmin was no match for Her Majesty the Empress.

The family elders also revealed that even the Empress had encountered trouble, the Lee family had been purged, and the Empire had undergone a seismic shift. With doubts in his heart, he too followed the group.

"The younger generation is truly formidable," Su Kui bellowed with laughter as he led the way into the hall where Yuan Lianyao and others were gathered. He admired the thorny red lotus before him and remarked, "It won't be long before you can refine your own Lunar Spirit. With the Ruby Hand's backing, our esteemed mayor has a promising future ahead!"

He was privy to the secrets and well aware that the striking woman before him had pledged the entire Yuan family to the Ruby Hand due to Yuan Qiufang.

The Ruby Hand, rising in the north of the Land of Quiescence, had been gaining momentum in recent years, rivaling the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep.

With the Ruby Hand as their pillar, Yuan Lianyao and the Yuan family were unlikely to suffer greatly from the Empire's turmoil.

However, the Yuan family was a minor clan within the Empire, and Yuan Lianyao's current power was not yet formidable. In the face of the Empire's dramatic upheaval, her ability to influence events was likely limited.

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

Yuan Lianyao, clad in a red dress, stood in the hall with a light smile gracing her lips. After respectfully bowing to each, she remarked, "Asvetaesi seems much too small for such distinguished guests. Your arrival makes this modest city feel overwhelmingly crowded."

"I am Yu Cen. It is an honor to meet you, elders."

"I am Zhao Zhenghao, patriarch of the Zhao family. Your visit truly brings luster to Asvetaesi."

Yu Cen and Zhao Zhenghao, patriarchs of two major families within Asvetaesi, were of the same generation as their guests. However, their cultivation talents and qualifications paled in comparison.

Su Kui and his peers were slightly older, but essentially belonged to the same generation. The distinction lay in the fact that Su Kui, Su Kang, Lin Mu, and Van Xuan were once the leading figures of the Empire, with cultivation talents and aptitudes that far surpassed their own.

As a result, these four were all at the Lunar Spirit Stage, while Yu Cen and Zhao Zhenghao had only reached the Veil Breaking Stage, with the Subtlety Stage separating them.

Their respective statuses, cultivation levels, and realms meant they were not on equal footing.

Thus, despite the small difference in age, Yu Cen and Zhao Zhenghao addressed the four as elders upon their entrance to the hall.

"Yu Cen!"

Lin Mu let out a cold snort, capturing everyone's attention, and then demanded, "Did you receive my letter?"

Yu Cen inhaled deeply before responding, "Yes, I did."

"Where is Yu Yuan?"

With a stern expression, Lin Mu continued, "The former patriarch of the Lin family perished in the Moonfall Sanctuary. There's a swirl of rumors, and it's difficult to discern truth from falsehood. Yet, many claim that Yu Yuan is implicated in his death! I demand an answer. I want him before me so I can seek the truth with my own Lunar Spirit!"

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

"Yu Yuan is in the Forgotten Ruins," Yuan Lianyao chimed in with a playful smile, glancing at Su Xiangtian. "Brother Su, if Master Lin is so inclined, perhaps he should venture to the Ruins in search of him."

Su Xiangtian remained impassive, effectively ignoring the suggestion.

Yu Yuan had been tight-lipped with Lin Mu about his actions in the Lost Lands. He had also intentionally obscured the nature of his relationships with Yu Zhu, Yan Qiling, Xu Zixi, and others.

He had no familial or friendly ties to Lin Mu; in fact, they were more like adversaries.

He secretly wished for Lin Mu and the Lin family to encounter even greater setbacks because of Yu Yuan.

"The Lost Lands are immense. How am I supposed to find him?" Lin Mu's expression turned icy as he demanded answers from Yu Cen, "I set a deadline. Today is the final day. If Yu Yuan hasn't returned, I expect the Yu family to provide an explanation!"

...

Meanwhile.

At the Huang family's stronghold in Asvetaesi, Van Chaoguan, Su Yin, Lin Hanyu, and others were on guard, tasked with overseeing Lee Yuchan and Lee Yu.

After learning of his father's death, Lee Yu grew increasingly reticent, his already icy gaze seeming to harbor a brewing storm.

Yet to Van Chaoguan, Lin Hanyu, and Su Yin, the Lee family's fate was sealed. What waves could a so-called prodigy like Lee Yu possibly make?

Even Lee Yuchan, the most gifted under Lee Yupan, was nothing more than a captive.

Van Chaoguan sat cross-legged on the stone floor in front of the imperial female general, meditating. Every so often, he would lift his gaze to Lee Yuchan, unsettling her with his piercing stare.

Lee Yuchan could guess at his inner thoughts.

Despite feeling humiliated, she maintained her composure, her expression growing colder as she contemplated how to break free from her bonds and escape the palace.

"Huang family..."

A soft murmur suddenly came from outside.

Lin Hanyu stood up, his face a mix of surprise and confusion, and looked toward the source of the murmur, remarking, "How peculiar."

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

"Yu Yuan," Lin Hanyu called out.

"Haha!" Van Chaoguan's interest was piqued. "Your dragon-riding son-in-law! Are you sure you didn't mishear? With his level of cultivation, we would surely sense his presence if he were anywhere near here."

Lin Hanyu's expression turned stern. "This kid has always been odd. We should stay on our toes."

At that moment, Su Yin, who had been left behind by Su Kui, slowly rose to his feet. He peered toward the source of the noise and called out tentatively, "Who goes there?"

Lee Yu and Lee Yuchan, bound to the stone pillar, were jolted by the sound of the voice.

Both turned their gaze toward its origin.

Having had more interactions with Yu Yuan, they recognized the voice and were certain it was him.

They weren't disappointed. Under their watchful eyes, Yu Yuan, clad in black, strolled in with ease.

"Ah, isn't this my father-in-law?" As soon as Yu Yuan arrived, he greeted Lin Hanyu with a beaming smile and a respectful bow. "Greetings, esteemed father-in-law! Where might my betrothed be? I've heard she's held in high regard at Winter's Bite! Excellent, she truly is. A woman of her caliber is indeed a match for me, Yu Yuan!"

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

"If he's dead, he's dead. What's that to me?" Yu Yuan shrugged, his expression one of feigned innocence. "Given his level and power, how could I possibly be his killer? Stop falsely accusing me."

With that, he turned to Lee Yuchan and Lee Yu with a smile. "It's been a few days, and you both seem to have fallen on hard times. But fret not. I've returned, and out of old loyalty, I'll ensure your safety."

"Big talk from a braggart!"

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