Chapter 68. Lin Xuan’s wife.
Chapter 68: 68. Lin Xuan’s wife.
The Zhao Family’s dining hall was unusually lively that evening.
Zhao Moying sat at the table, eating with remarkable enthusiasm.
Across from her, Zhao Luhao and his wife quietly watched their daughter.
Neither of them spoke.
They simply exchanged amused glances from time to time.
At the other end of the table sat Ouyang Jun.
The atmosphere around him, however, was noticeably awkward.
After exposing the fake Mystic Sky Sect elder and eliminating Huang Guangzhou, he had fully expected to return to the sect immediately.
To his complete surprise, however, both his senior brother and senior sister had decided to remain for another month before reporting back.
He had not even been given the opportunity to object.
The decision had already been made.
Li Hanyuan returned to stay with his own family.
Naturally, Zhao Moying also chose to spend the month with her parents.
That left Ouyang Jun as the odd one out.
His family lived far to the south, making a trip home impossible within such a short time.
Seeing that, Zhao Moying had casually invited him to stay with the Zhao Family for the month.
He had gladly accepted.
Now, however...
As he watched Zhao Moying happily stuffing one mouthful of food after another into her mouth...
The flawless image of the aloof Fairy Zhao Moying that he had built in his mind over the years began crumbling apart, piece by piece.
Noticing the complicated expression on Ouyang Jun’s face, Zhao Luhao’s wife, Liu Wanqing smiled kindly.
"Young Master Ouyang, are you alright?"
"You’ve barely touched your food."
She reached for a serving spoon before looking at him with a gentle smile.
"Would you like another serving?"
Ouyang Jun immediately snapped out of his thoughts.
He hurriedly cupped his fists in embarrassment.
"Thank you for your concern, Madam Zhao."
"But there is no need."
"The food is already excellent."
Liu Wanqing smiled warmly.
"There is no need to be so reserved."
"You are Moying’s fellow disciple."
"While you’re staying here, simply treat this place as your own home."
Ouyang Jun could only smile awkwardly and nod.
"I understand."
After finishing another mouthful of food, Zhao Moying finally looked toward her father.
"Father. How has the Lin Family been lately?"
Zhao Luhao set down his chopsticks before answering.
"They’ve been doing quite well. Ever since Patriarch Lin dealt with Huang Guangzhou, their reputation has risen considerably."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"As for our agreement... We have already opened a trade route leading toward the Empire, just as promised. However, the Lin Family has yet to make use of it."
Zhao Moying looked slightly surprised.
"They haven’t?"
Zhao Luhao shook his head.
"Not yet. It seems Patriarch Lin has no intention of entering the Empire for the time being. He has simply secured the route in advance. There has been no movement from the Lin merchants since."
Liu Wanqing nodded thoughtfully.
"That is understandable. The Empire is a completely different world compared to Azure Willow City.
Without sufficient preparation, expanding too quickly could easily do more harm than good."
Zhao Luhao smiled in agreement.
"That appears to be exactly what Patriarch Lin is thinking. He is ambitious but he is also remarkably patient."
Liu Wanqing smiled before turning toward Ouyang Jun.
"Young Master Ouyang, you’ve met Patriarch Lin personally. What do you think of him?"
The sudden question caught Ouyang Jun completely off guard.
He nearly choked on the food in his mouth.
Cough! Cough!
He hurriedly grabbed the cup beside him and took several large gulps before finally catching his breath.
Seeing his reaction, Liu Wanqing looked slightly apologetic.
"My apologies, I didn’t mean to startle you."
Ouyang Jun quickly waved his hand.
"No... it’s fine."
After composing himself, Ouyang Jun quietly thought back to everything that had happened during the past few days.
He remembered very clearly that it had been Zhao Moying and himself who approached Lin Xuan first.
Not the other way around.
Yet somehow, from the moment they met him, every event that followed felt as though they had been pushed onto a predetermined path.
First, they were led to the Blue Sea Restaurant because a little girl had suddenly appeared and begged them to go there.
Then, after meeting the manager, Patriarch Lin openly revealed the existence of a blood cultivator.
That alone had never sat right with Ouyang Jun.
After all...
If two parties intended to exchange information, common sense dictated they would do so in private.
There was no reason to reveal such sensitive information in front of everyone.
Unless he had wanted everyone present to hear it.
He came to that conclusion because, immediately afterward, Su Qingci revealed that Huang Guangzhou had once disguised himself as an elder of the Mystic Sky Sect.
From that moment onward...
Neither he nor Zhao Moying had any choice but to pursue the matter.
The name of their sect had already been dragged into it.
And after that...
Everything unfolded exactly as Lin Xuan seemed to expect.
He had even anticipated Su Qingci’s betrayal!
Even during the battle, he always appeared to be one step ahead of everyone else.
The more Ouyang Jun thought about it, the colder his back became.
Seeing him fall silent, Liu Wanqing looked at him with concern.
"Young Master Ouyang, are you alright?"
Ouyang Jun immediately came back to his senses.
"Ah yes... Patriarch Lin is incredibly patient."
Zhao Luhao and Liu Wanqing exchanged a brief glance before silently deciding not to pry any further.
Meanwhile, Ouyang Jun buried his head in his bowl.
Why is that monster so strong? What is this?
I’m a disciple of the great Mystic Sky Sect! I shouldn’t be afraid of him!
He repeated those words to himself again and again.
Unfortunately, the more he tried to convince himself, the less convincing they became.
In the end, he silently gave up.
Forget it.
There’s no point thinking about it anymore.
At the very least, I believe I have not done anything that would make Patriarch Lin regard me as an enemy.