Zi Linling smiled faintly and said, "Is the Shen family head here specifically to thank me?"
Shen Wenqing was startled and laughed heartily, "Patriarch Zi, you are so direct, it makes me ashamed! I am here today, firstly to thank you, and secondly to discuss matters concerning your esteemed father."
"Since that is the case, please proceed, Patriarch Shen!"
Zi Linling gestured to the side, opening the door and inviting Shen Wenqing in.
Shen Wenqing did not stand on ceremony and sat directly on a chair. He said, "Patriarch Zi, regarding your esteemed father's matters, I do know some things, but not much."
"I implore Patriarch Shen to tell me everything you know, without reservation!" Zi Linling said with a smile.
Shen Wenqing gathered his thoughts and then began to recount the events that transpired twelve years ago.
"Twelve years ago, a beauty arrived in Oriental City. She was mysterious and noble, seemingly searching for something..."
The beauty he spoke of was Zi Linling's mother, Yue Wumei.
"Later, for some reason, the Zi family found that beauty..."
What Shen Wenqing narrated was essentially the same as what Ye Lingyuan had inferred.
"Patriarch Shen, do you know what my mother was looking for?" Zi Linling frowned.
Shen Wenqing shook his head and said, "Not very clearly!"
"If you yourself are unaware, then how did the Zi family know? And how were they able to use it to lure my mother into their trap?"
Zi Linling had grasped the crux of the matter.
Shen Wenqing shook his head again and apologized, "Patriarch Zi, I am truly sorry. Ten years ago, Meteor had an accident, and I paid little attention to outside affairs as long as they didn't threaten the Shen family's business."
"I only learned about your esteemed father and mother later. Moreover, the Zi family is extremely cautious and never leaves any clues for outsiders to find. I even suspect that the Imperial Zi family harbors secrets unknown to others."
Zi Linling's eyes showed a flicker of disappointment after hearing this.
It seemed she would have to visit the Imperial Zi family herself to ascertain the truth.
"Thank you, Patriarch Shen, for your candid information. I, Zi Linling, shall remember this kindness. I have other important matters to attend to, so I shall not impose further. May mountains remain and rivers flow, we shall meet again!"
Shen Wenqing had anticipated this outcome, so after a brief attempt to persuade her, he did not insist further.
He personally escorted Zi Linling out of the Shen mansion and watched until she disappeared into the crowd before sighing, "Meteor, have you truly let go?"
Shen Xingchen's figure appeared, a trace of sadness in his eyes.
He gazed dotingly at the receding silhouette and said with a bitter smile, "Let go? Is it that easy? But I am only at the Spirit Gathering realm now. I can't even protect her, so how can I pursue her? In that case, does it matter if I let go or not? However..."
He paused, then continued, "However, I will cultivate diligently and strive to catch up. One day, I will stand behind her, protecting her with my own strength and shielding her from harm!"
Shen Wenqing looked at his suddenly mature demeanor and felt a pang of heartache.
"Xingchen, you don't need to belittle yourself. Now that you can cultivate, it's time to show your true capabilities. Only by firmly grasping the reins of the Shen family will you have the opportunity to shelter her."
Shen Xingchen nodded and said, "Father, do not worry! Over these years, I have consumed much heavenly and earthly treasure. These resources have not been wasted but have accumulated within me. Once I fully refine them, I can break through to the Yuan Transformation realm in one go."
"As for family matters, it will be tiresome for you, Father, to shoulder them for a while longer. Regarding Second Uncle, Father, you must not be too lenient. My failure to break through to the Spirit Gathering realm ten years ago, which left me with a chronic illness, is likely not unrelated to them!" According to Su Dan Novel Network.
Shen Wenqing said sternly, "You go and cultivate with peace of mind. As for them, if they dare to lay a hand on you, they must be prepared to pay the price!"
...
After leaving the Shen residence, Zi Linling suddenly sensed a killing intent.
She smiled coldly and thought to herself, "It seems someone can't sit still!"
She feigned ignorance and continued walking.
However, her pace slowed considerably. Furthermore, she deliberately headed towards a secluded area.
Since they were things that shunned the light, they might as well die in a place that shunned the light.
Zi Linling turned left and right, eventually entering an alley so remote it was almost uninhabited.
The alley was eerily quiet, a stark contrast to the bustling streets outside, more akin to the difference between hell and the mortal world.
A cold gleam flashed.
A long sword, emitting a faint glow, swiftly pierced towards Zi Linling's back.
The viciousness of the attack clearly intended to kill Zi Linling in one blow.
Zi Linling's lips curved slightly, a cold glint spreading across her face.
With a "clang," the attacking sword was blocked just as it was about to pierce Zi Linling's body, producing a crisp sound.
The person holding the sword showed a look of shock and was about to withdraw it.
Failing to strike with the first attempt and attempting to flee – a typical assassin's move.
But would Zi Linling let him leave?
Of course not!
Once her scalpel appeared in her hand, how could it be without effect?
The assassin felt a flash of cold light before his eyes, followed by excruciating pain in his wrist. The long sword dropped to the ground.
He instinctively tried to circulate his spiritual energy to resist, but he felt a cold touch on his neck.
"Don't move!"
Zi Linling wore a smile as benevolent as a heavenly bestowed blessing, but it sent a shiver down the assassin's spine.
"Who sent you?"
Her voice was clear and devoid of warmth, yet it possessed a captivating quality.
Soul Bewilderment Technique!
This Soul Bewilderment Technique was a soul skill she had only recently extracted from Old Du.
Caught off guard, the assassin immediately fell prey to it and blurted out, "I am from the Ghastly Killers!"
Ghastly Killers, the foremost assassin organization on the Tianyuan Continent.
Zi Linling was surprised, "You are an assassin?"
"Yes!" the assassin replied.
Zi Linling was speechless.
She had initially assumed it was people from the Zi family causing trouble for her, but she hadn't expected to be targeted by an assassin organization.
It seemed someone wanted her dead!
However, her life was outrageously precious. Those who wished to take it would have to pay the price.
She said sternly, "Who wants to buy my life?"
"I don't know! I am only responsible for killing. The accepting of orders is not my purview!"
"Oh, really? One last question, where is Ghastly Killers' point of contact for taking orders?"
"At Hua..."
The assassin had uttered only one word when his body went limp, and he breathed his last.
Dead?
Zi Linling frowned.
She had clearly sensed a violent fluctuation in the assassin's soul the moment he uttered the word "Hua."
This meant that a restriction had been placed on the assassin's soul, preventing him from revealing the organization's secrets.
Zi Linling put away her scalpel and, after rummaging through the assassin's body, found a token.