Lin Gege, called so intimately.
Jian Lin pinched the Demon Lord's waist, subtly expressing her displeasure.
The Demon Lord glanced at her, not correcting Miss Jin's address, and led the way out of the room.
Jian Lin pouted, having to suspect that the Demon Lord quite enjoyed being called that, perhaps even secretly reveling in it.
Heh, that dog man.
Walking to the small flower hall, a table laden with exquisite dishes was set on the round table. Miss Jin dismissed her attendants and personally poured wine for the Demon Lord.
Jian Lin observed her closely, finding Miss Jin still proud and arrogant, but with a newfound resolve and steadiness in her eyes. She confirmed once again that Miss Jin was definitely not someone without a brain.
"Lin Gege, you've agreed to help me with today's matter. Besides the spiritual stones and wealth I can offer, there's also a solemn expression of gratitude," Miss Jin raised her wine cup and said to the Demon Lord, "I toast you, thank you for your generosity and righteousness in saving me from dire straits. I have no way to repay such great kindness."
"Wait," Jian Lin intervened, snatching the wine cup from the Demon Lord's hand and saying possessively, "I'll drink this wine on behalf of my brother. Before I drink, I have questions to ask. Miss Jin, the Guānlán Sect is the foremost immortal sect. If we're being honest, you're the one who's marrying up. Why are you unwilling?"
Miss Jin smiled slightly, unbothered by Jian Lin's interruption, and said proudly, "Lin Jiejie, you're mistaken on this point. It's not that I'm marrying up; it's that Hao Jun wants to marry into my family. I don't think highly of that man. He only wants to marry me for money, not for genuine affection. I'd rather marry the Demon Lord than him!"
Ah? Marry the Demon Lord!
Jian Lin kicked the Demon Lord under the table and asked, enjoying the spectacle, "Miss Jin is joking. It's said the Demon Lord has a green face and fangs, and looks terrifying. How could any woman want to marry him?"
"I'm not joking," Miss Jin sneered. Without waiting for Jian Lin, she raised her cup and drank it down forcefully, then slammed the cup onto the table with a crack. "If Lin Gege doesn't agree to help me, I was indeed prepared to seek refuge with the Demon Sect. I'd rather die than be a pawn."
"Miss Jin, be careful with your words," the Demon Lord said, lowering his eyes. "If this gets out, it might implicate the entire Jinlin Sect."
"My people are all over the courtyard; they won't spread it," Miss Jin poured herself another cup and raised it to toast them again. "As for the two of you, feel free to spread it. At worst, I'll really flee to the Demon Realm. It's not much different from now."
Jian Lin was greatly impressed by these words. She raised her wine cup and declared loudly, "Miss Jin speaks well. I toast you."
The Demon Lord glanced at Jian Lin, reached for another wine cup, and picked up the wine pot to pour himself a drink. "The people of Guānlán Sect are easy to deal with. I'd like to hear, after I defeat him for you, what are Miss Jin's plans?"
"I don't know. I'll take it one step at a time," Miss Jin couldn't hide the sorrow in her eyes. "My Jinlin Sect has always been looked down upon by the Immortal Realm. I told my father, 'out with the old, in with the new,' and to simply sever ties with them and live a life of leisure and wealth in the mortal world. But he's reluctant."
Jian Lin placed the wine cup by the Demon Lord's hand, signaling him to pour for her. She understood the Jinlin Sect's predicament; they were like a large piece of fat meat for the Immortal Realm.
The hundred families of the immortal sects, considering themselves above worldly affairs, didn't want to talk about spiritual stones, deeming it too vulgar. Thus, the Jinlin Sect earned all the money.
Unfortunately, when it came time for conflict, everyone became as stingy as a plucked chicken, all setting their sights on the Jinlin Sect. It was truly hypocritical.
The Demon Lord paused his hand but did not refuse, casually pouring Jian Lin a full cup of wine.
"What is your father reluctant about?" Jian Lin took the wine cup and asked patiently. "If Miss Jin trusts us, perhaps you can tell us in detail, and we might be able to offer some advice."
Miss Jin's gaze flickered back and forth. She was gradually wavering; she truly had no other options.
Although she had been pampered and cherished by her father since childhood, once she stepped outside the Jinlin Sect, all the reputable sects looked down on her. Therefore, she didn't have many friends. Her only two true friends were disciples from minor immortal sects, powerless and without influence, unable to help at all.
This time, facing the Guānlán Sect, she had sought help with money, but rogue cultivators, upon hearing it involved the Guānlán Sect, refused regardless of the amount offered.
A rogue cultivator, seeing her plight, had told her a harsh truth: no one in the Immortal Realm dared to oppose the Guānlán Sect now. If she wanted help, she might as well go directly to the Demon Realm.
The words were too cruel. Miss Jin knew very well that if she fled to the Demon Lord, the entire Jinlin Sect would be finished. She would absolutely not take that step unless absolutely necessary.
Fortunately, before reaching the end of her rope, she met the Lin siblings, especially Lin Gege.
His demeanor was extraordinary, and he could easily catch her whip, indicating his profound cultivation. Furthermore, he doted on his sister and was willing to protect her, showing a kind heart and trustworthiness.
His willingness to come to Jinlin Manor today showed his confidence and fearlessness. His every word and action revealed the bearing of a reclusive master.
With this in mind, Miss Jin made her decision. She would speak; after all, others were also offering her advice.
"My father is reluctant to give up his status in the Immortal Realm. My father was originally an ordinary mortal with no inherent talent. He came to Daliang City alone and, through his intelligence and hard work, started a business and accumulated a considerable amount of spiritual stones. He sent all these spiritual stones to my maternal grandfather, begging him to teach him immortal arts, not for profound power, but simply for longevity."
"After spending a large sum of spiritual stones, my father did gain something. He worked even harder to earn money, giving it all to my maternal grandfather without any conditions. My maternal grandfather, moved by my father's sincerity, passed on his small sect to him and also married his only daughter to him. Later, this became the current Jinlin Sect."
"My father was obsessed with cultivation his entire life. Forcing him to leave the Immortal Realm would be worse than killing him," Miss Jin finished explaining the general situation and looked at the two opposite her. "So, do you two have anything to say?"
"Yes. I can find a place for Miss Jin to hide in the mortal world. You would have to give up everything you have now and live alone, but you could live a happy and carefree life. Are you willing?" the Demon Lord asked.
"No!" Jian Lin answered first, slamming the table and saying emotionally, "Why should Miss Jin leave? Jinlin Sect has so much money; wouldn't it all fall into others' hands? Absolutely not!"
Jian Lin blinked frantically, hinting. If Miss Jin left, and the spiritual stones fell into the hands of the Guānlán Sect, wouldn't they be used to attack the Demon Realm? Absolutely not!
"Yes, I won't leave," Miss Jin said, looking at Jian Lin and agreeing. "The money of the Jinlin Sect is mine. I will absolutely not let others benefit from it for nothing. I'll hold on for as long as I can. I will never choose to flee; that is a choice for the cowardly and weak."
The Demon Lord snorted coldly and raised his hand to drink a cup of wine. "You speak well, but you have no solutions. In the end, you'll still rely on me."
Miss Jin's face flushed red. Knowing she was in the wrong, she lowered her head in silence.
Jian Lin, accustomed to being thick-skinned, hugged the Demon Lord's arm and acted spoiled. "Oh, Lin Gege, think of a way. Miss Jin is so pitiful. If you don't help her, no one in this world can."
"The Jinlin Sect cannot be abandoned; wherever you go, you will be watched," the Demon Lord said slowly. "But Miss Jin, no matter what method you use, you must win over your father and become the master of the Jin family. I have my own ways to help you protect your family's wealth."
"How do I win over my father?" Miss Jin looked bewildered.
"Crying, acting spoiled, begging, threatening," the Demon Lord said lightly. "Also, poisoning, house arrest, patricide. Whatever you wish, there's always a way."
Miss Jin was startled, her eyes unfocused, a mixture of awe and fear. She asked belatedly, "Who... who exactly are you?"
"Someone who can help you," the Demon Lord said calmly.
Jian Lin nodded from the side, supplementing the Demon Lord's explanation. "Miss Jin, he is indeed the only one who can help you. And one more thing: a person's position is unstable without ruthlessness. Your future is in your own hands. It depends on your choice."
After the meal, Miss Jin gained much insight, her mind in turmoil, and she was utterly exhausted.
After discussing the battle plans for the next day, the Demon Lord and Jian Lin temporarily bid farewell to Jinlin Manor and wandered freely through Daliang City.
Jian Lin ate and drank, having a very happy time. The Demon Lord willingly paid for her, and seeing her happy, his own mood improved.
When they were tired from walking, they went to a teahouse to rest. The Demon Lord sat at the table and took out paper and brush to write a letter.
Jian Lin glanced at it, feeling a pang of guilt, and said in a low voice, "Lord Chongyuan, I was being ignorant. I shouldn't have wandered around. How could I have delayed your important matters?"
After talking so much with Miss Jin, the Demon Lord must have to contact the Demon Sect and arrange for personnel to come, and she had delayed him.
"It's alright. I have my own arrangements," the Demon Lord paused his writing and looked up at her. "If it were truly urgent, I would naturally tell you. If it's not urgent, then you can play as you wish."
Jian Lin cupped her cheeks with her hands, her heart filled with sweetness, and she smiled like a blooming flower. This dog man doted on her too much. If he wasn't so good to her, she would truly float away!
She stared at him writing, finding the veins on the back of his hand so sexy. She really wanted to reach out and touch them.
Jian Lin was lost in infatuation and contemplation until the Demon Lord finished writing and sent the message. She hadn't snapped back to reality.
The Demon Lord looked up, startled, and waved his hand in front of her. "What's with that look in your eyes? Hungry? If you're hungry, order a plate of snacks. I'm not short of money."
Jian Lin returned to her senses, pursed her lips, and smiled shyly. She was indeed hungry, but not in the way a plate of snacks could satisfy.
After drinking their tea, Jian Lin eagerly pulled the Demon Lord into a small alley and pushed him against the wall, saying dominantly, "Lord Chongyuan, I want to kiss you."
The Demon Lord was startled, his expression one of "are you crazy?"
"What's wrong with you?" the Demon Lord asked, not understanding. "What did you want to eat this afternoon? I would have bought it for you. I don't think I offended you, did I?"
"Of course not!" Jian Lin leaned forward, like a bully, hugged the Demon Lord's waist, and said with a smile, "It's precisely because you're too good to me that I want to kiss you."
"I refuse," the Demon Lord said with a cold expression. "I warn you, if you continue to act out, I won't spend money on you anymore."
"Why refuse?" Jian Lin looked incredulous. "We've kissed before. You were the one who initiated it last time. Why are you acting so pure now?"
"Get up," the Demon Lord looked down at her and threatened, "Don't force me to act."
"You dare hit me? That's domestic violence and will incur divine retribution!" Jian Lin showed a sweet smile and began to act spoiled. "Come on, don't be shy!"