Situ Yun suddenly felt unsteady, and his legs went a bit weak.
It couldn't be true.
The Emperor Venerable would never do such a cruel thing. If it wasn't the Emperor Venerable, then who else could have such the ability?
Who could have massacred the Lin family within three days and killed all of Lin Feng's former retainers?
"What about the ladies in the Lin family mansion?"
"They're all dead."
"Even Concubine Xiao and Lady Xiang?"
"Yes."
How could this be?
The Emperor had said that he would never harm these two. Who on earth was it?
"However, the deaths of Concubine Xiao and Lady Xiang were rather strange. Their bodies weren't stacked in the lotus pond in the back garden. It seems they committed suicide."
"Suicide?"
"Yes. Concubine Xiao drank poisoned wine, and Lady Xiang hanged herself."
Situ Yun was even more confused. It seemed that the murderer didn't want to kill these two, but they had chosen a path of no return.
"What about all the shops under the Lin family? Were they damaged?"
"No. That's what we find even more strange, Lord Situ. You said that the murderer didn't seek fame or fortune. He killed every single member of the Lin family, even those associated with them. What on earth did he want to do?"
"I... I don't know either."
"Lord Situ, among the families within a radius of several hundred miles, the Chu family is the most powerful. Now, we're willing to give up all our previous economic dealings with the Lin family and wholeheartedly offer our tributes to the Chu family. We only hope that the Chu family can protect us."
Situ Yun lowered his head.
He had expected this outcome, but he hadn't thought that all the members of the Lin family would die such a tragic death.
"Everyone, the Chu family will gradually take over the Lin family's business and manage their shops. You can still do business with the previous shops. But as for the tribute..."
"Lord Situ, you must save us no matter what!"
"It's not that I don't want to save you, but the Chu family's ability is limited. It's not even ranked among the four great families and doesn't have the ability to accept the tributes from so many families. By the way, you can go to the Zhao family. The Zhao family has recently risen to fame and has many supporters. The head of the Zhao family, Old Master Zhao, is a kind - hearted old man. If you plead with him, it will surely work."
"The people from the Zhao family?"
"The Zhao family has indeed become one of the four great families in recent years, although it ranks last. But we've never seen their real strength. We don't know if they're really a great family."
"Everyone, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. The Zhao family, which has become one of the four great families, do you think they would be just idle and ordinary?"
"What Lord Situ said makes sense. But will the Zhao family let us in? Moreover, the Zhao family is in Yanqing City, not here in Linjiang. Even if we offer our tributes to their family, they won't be able to protect us."
"The location of a family can change. If we invite Old Master Zhao to Linjiang, everything will be fine."
Everyone thought that what Situ Yun said made sense, so they hurriedly went home to prepare gifts. If they were a bit late to visit the Zhao family, they might not be received.
After everyone left, Situ Yun finally let out a sigh of relief.
The servant beside him asked, "Steward Situ, such a big piece of fat is right in front of us, but we don't eat it and give it to the Zhao family. Is it worth it?"
Situ Yun gave the servant a meaningful look.
"No matter how big and juicy the fat is, we have to see if our appetite is big enough. Otherwise, we might not only fail to eat the fat but also be choked to death by it."
"Then isn't the Zhao family afraid that the piece of fat is too big?"
Situ Yun turned around and walked back into the house.
He said indifferently, "The Zhao family can swallow even the biggest piece of fat."
Because the Zhao family had Zhao Shuning.
Situ Yun went to the side courtyard at the back, where the last remaining members of the Lin family were.
Lin Siyuan was sitting in a wheelchair opposite him, staring intently at Situ Yun.
"So, all my family members are gone?"
Situ Yun nodded.
"You're lying to me."
"We're not lying to you. The people who killed your Lin family have nothing to do with us."
"It was Zhao Shuning who did it, wasn't it?"
"No. She was also seriously injured by Lin Feng. Now we don't know where she is getting treatment."
"Bah! Liars! You people from the Chu family and that Zhao Shuning are extremely hypocritical. You said you would spare my mother, but in the end, you killed everyone in the Lin family."
Lin Siyuan's spiritual root was damaged, his spiritual power was gone, and his legs were disabled. But the hatred in his eyes was so terrifying that just one look could send shivers down one's spine.
"Master Lin, I know you're emotionally unstable now, but this matter has nothing to do with the Chu family or the Zhao family. Maybe the Lin family offended someone, and now that person has come back and killed your family without mercy."
"You're talking nonsense!"
Situ Yun looked at the hideous - faced Lin Siyuan and didn't want to talk to him anymore.
He just left a sentence.
"Think it over carefully. After you figure it out, I'll let you out. Although it's very unsafe outside now."
"Get out!"
Lin Siyuan roared, and then he heard the sound of the door closing.
He collapsed.
There was not a single survivor in the Lin family.
Lin Siyuan thought he was ruthless and venomous enough, but even he couldn't kill every old, young, woman, and child in a family. How could there be such a cold - blooded person?
It must have been Zhao Shuning who did it.
"Desperate?"
Somehow, a black - clothed person appeared in front of Lin Siyuan.
The black - clothed person's black robe covered his face, so one couldn't see his appearance, nor could one tell if he was male or female, because his voice was ever - changing.
"Who are you?"
"Someone who can help you take revenge."
"I'm just a useless person now. How can you help me?"
"All I need is this hatred of yours. Just tell me, do you want to take revenge on the murderer?"
"Of course I do!"
Lin Siyuan wished he could skin Zhao Shuning alive, break her tendons, stab her with ninety - nine holes all over her body, and then hang her upside down on a tree and watch her blood slowly drain away.
But wishing was one thing, and what could he actually do?
"If you do, then come with me. I can help you."
"Really?"
The black - clothed person gave a sinister smile, which made one's hair stand on end.
"Lin Siyuan, you're a useless person now. Besides believing me and taking a chance, what else can you do? Come on, follow me. I'll help you take revenge."
Another person appeared beside the black - clothed person.
This person took off his black robe and knelt in front of Lin Siyuan.
"Master Lin, do you remember him?"
"Zhang Tianyuan!"
Back then, with Lin Siyuan's instruction, Zhang Tianyuan had purged the dissidents in the Misty Rain Tower in an attempt to enter the Wang family and become the eyes of the Lin family.
But later, Zhang Tianyuan met Zhao Shuning. Not only did he fail to enter the Wang family, but he also almost lost his life.
"Isn't he a useless person? I heard that later his spiritual root was destroyed and his tongue was cut off. He can't even cultivate spiritual power or speak."