There seemed to be no one on the quiet and deserted street, but spies from various clans had long been hiding across the street, paying close attention to the situation.

From the day that Lin Xun returned to the Forbidden City to him storming the collateral branches of the Lin Clan alone and fearlessly tearing the faces of the Zuo and the Qin Clans, the Forbidden City had erupted with commotion countless times.

The storm continued to rage, keeping every major clan on tenterhooks. Everyone was paying close attention to what was going to happen to Lin Xun and when he was going to stop.

Additionally, everyone was interested in what sort of counterattacks would the Zuo and Qin Clan launch in response to the Mind Cleansing Peak Lin Clan’s provocation and challenge.

Now that the situation had reached such a state, they were close to receiving an answer.

This was because today, the Mind Cleansing Peak Lin Clan had reclaimed all the properties that originally belonged to the Lin Clan. Like a whirlwind, they swept back everything that belonged to them from the hands of the Zuo and Qin Clans.

Now, only the Auspicious Sun Treasure Pavilion remained to be seized back.

If the Lin Clan captured the remaining property, then the prestige of the Zuo Clan and the Qin Clan would suffer a severe blow.

However, would that happen?

Definitely not!

The Zuo and Qin Clans, as part of the seven high clans in the Forbidden City, would never allow such a shameful loss to happen.

If they wanted to strike back and wash away the humiliation, then they would do everything to stop Lin Xun from taking the Auspicious Sun Treasure Pavilion!

“The Zuo and Qin Clans are so calm. They hadn’t made any movements since last night. It’s as though they completely dismissed Lin Xun’s provocation.”

Secretly, spies from different clans exchanged their opinions.

“Perhaps they are just conserving their strength. Once they make a move, it will be a fatal one!”

Many people shared the same thought.

After all, they were the high clans. They wielded mighty powers. They held a powerful status in the empire. No one would believe they would tolerate such provocations.

“The Lin Clan is too crazy. Even if they desperately want revenge, what makes them think they are strong enough to challenge the high clans now?”

“Lin Xun is the crazy one. He just solved the internal strife of the Lin Clan last night, but before the clan has fully integrated, he is already challenging the Zuo and Qin Clans. Only someone as fearless and arrogant as Lin Xun would dare to do that.”

Lin Xun was known for his courage and boldness in the Forbidden City, but no one could imagine why he dared to do such a thing.

Some clans even gave Lin Xun the title of Lin the Brave!

The way that Lin Xun behaved was indeed too fearless and brazen. Everything that he had done made their jaws drop with disbelief.

When the Lin Clan directly challenged the Zuo and Qin Clan, the title Lin the Brave was becoming known by more and more people.

He was indeed too brave!

He could be described as crazy. No one would object to him being called Lin the Crazy.

After all, never had something so outrageous had ever happened in the thousands of years of the empire. The Lin Clan wasn’t even regarded as an aristocratic family yet. Despite that, under the leadership of a fearless young man, it challenged the high clans. Only a lunatic would do something so crazy.

Not only that, but he also challenged more than one high clan, horrifying everyone!

“Does he want to die?”

“Lin the Brave will no doubt be badly beaten this time and might even cause the Lin Clan to be struck off from the empire! Once the high clans unleash their powers, how can one Lin Clan be able to withstand it?”

“What a pity! If Lin the Brave gets rid of his ruthless and tyrannical habit, then he could make earthshaking achievements in the future based on his title as a young rune founder. Unfortunately, he has to suffer for his arrogance and fearlessness.”

Voices rang throughout the city, many not sounding too optimistic about Lin Xun’s situation.

All eyes in the city were gathered on the Auspicious Sun Treasure Pavilion, paying close attention to every move there.

They all knew that a storm was about to break out there. Regardless of who won or lost, the entire Forbidden City, and even the entire empire, would be shaken.

“He’s here!”

“Hey, Lin the Brave has come in person! Is he going to put all his eggs in one basket?”

“There is going to be a good show!”

Secretly, countless eyes shifted to the end of the quiet and empty street.

……

“It seems that this place isn’t as deserted as it appears.” The moment Lin Xun set foot onto the street, he detected spies hiding in many dark corners with his tremendous spirit-sensing powers.

“Don’t worry about them. They are just some little mice sent by the various clans,” Zhao Tailai sounded unconcerned.

“Why do I have a feeling that a storm is coming...” Lin Huaiyuan sensed an indescribable urgency and oppressive aura.

Lin Xun smiled without commenting.

The moment he went against the Zuo Clan and the Qin Clan, he had already expected to face such a situation, so he didn’t feel the slightest bit nervous or worried.

It was unknown what Zhao Tailai sensed, but he shot a glare at Lin Xun. “It seems like I can’t escape the task of cleaning up after your mess today...”

“Elder, able men always do more work.” Lin Xun grinned.

The three calmly strolled along the deserted street, surprising the many spies who were secretly observing everything.

“Zhao Tailai? The owner of Sky Martial Arena? He is said to be a member of the imperial family. Could Lin Xun want his help to reoccupy the Auspicious Sun Treasure Pavilion in a gentler way?” a spy speculated.

They knew very little about Zhao Tailai. Other than that he was the boss of the Sky Martial Arena and a part of the imperial family, they didn’t know anything else.

"It seems that Lin the Brave has also realized that the situation isn’t good, so he doesn’t dare to push on.”

Some spies sighed in disappointment. They thought that Lin Xun would act tough until the end. Who would have imagined that he would bring in help?

“Hmph! Who is Zhao Tailai? No one can save them when the higher-ups of the Zuo and Qin Clan come, unless it is a noble person!”

More spies sneered. They were more and more certain that Lin Xun could no longer withstand the pressure of the two high clans.

As they discussed and speculated, their gazes never shifted from the battlefield, lest they miss any details.

They all knew that the unprecedented storm sweeping through the Forbidden City would finally erupt in full at the Auspicious Sun Treasure Pavilion!

“Young Master, why did you come?” Lin Zhong, Third Old Zhu and Xiaoke were all surprised to see Lin Xun come in person.

“I came to take a look,” Lin Xun indifferently responded before he turned his eyes to the main hall of the Auspicious Sun Treasure Pavilion and saw Qin Ziming and Zhao Yunzhi sitting inside.

“Lin Xun?” At the same time, Qin Ziming and Zhao Yunzhi also noticed Lin Xun.

They were taken aback at first, but immediately after that, their eyes blazed with excitement. The kid actually came to die!

Zhao Yunzhi was the first to speak. “Are you Lin Xun? You have guts. Do you think that the Forbidden City is just a playground for you to do whatever you want?”

She had a graceful demeanor, but when she raised her chin as she spoke, she oozed arrogance. “No one dealt with you in the past because they didn’t want to fuss about insignificant people like you. But since you provoked the imperial family and the high clans, you will have to face the consequences and die!”

A smile of confidence and superiority spread across Zhao Yunzhi’s face. The Zuo and Qin Clans had already dispatched their forces. Furthermore, her father, Prince Yunyong, would also come as promised.

“I thought it would be a remarkable and important character, but it turned out to be someone like the Marquis of Rising Sky and Princess Linghuang.” Lin Xun smiled calmly.

He turned to Zhao Tailai, asking curiously, “Elder, by the way, what kind of role does this woman have in the imperial family? Why do I feel that she is inferior to even the Marquis of Rising Sky and Princess Linghuang?”

𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

“Your intuition is correct.” Zhao Tailai nodded.

Lin Xun’s smile widened.

His words, coupled with his mocking smile, felt like a knife stabbing into Zhao Yunzhi's heart. She flew into a rage, unable to remain calm anymore.

“You…you…have a sharp tongue. Do you not want to live anymore?!” she exasperatedly snapped.

“Just you wait, soon you will cry and beg for mercy!” she screamed in fury.

Qin Ziming frowned and stepped forward to speak, “Lin Xun, you might not understand your current situation yet. Your Lin Clan has completely infuriated the Qin and Zuo Clans with what you have done. They have already dispatched forces here to deal with you. How can you still act so arrogant at such a time?” The threat seemed too brusque and direct.

However, the spies hiding in the shadows perked up. Their guesses were correct. The Zuo and Qin Clans indeed planned to launch a thunderous blow at Lin Xun here!

Lin Zhong and Lin Huaiyuan trembled inwardly. The situation was more serious than they had thought.

Only Lin Xun remained incredibly calm, or rather, he never wavered from the beginning. “If that’s the case, it’s even better. I have long wanted to experience the abilities of the Zuo and Qin Clans.”

So arrogant!

Everyone, including Qin Ziming, Zhao Yunzhi and the spies in the shadows, had the same thought. Lin Xun was as arrogant and wild as rumored!

He dared to say that he wants to take a look at the abilities of the Zuo and Qin Clans!

He has a death wish!

As though Lin Xun didn’t notice their change of expression, he continued, “But, before that, on behalf of the Lin Clan, I will take back what originally belonged to us!”

Before his voice faded, Zhao Yunzhi couldn’t stand it anymore. She shrieked, “How dare you! When did the Auspicious Sun Treasure Pavilion become your Lin Clan’s? I dare you to try taking it!”

“It’s about to begin!”

The spies opened their eyes wide, palpitating with excitement. The show was about to kick off!