Nine Heavens Martial Emperor

’He’s an Alchemy Master, yet he came looking for Lin Hao at a time like this. Could it be...’

Lin Tianhao recalled the pill Yi Mingcheng had suddenly produced.

As his thoughts raced, Lin Tianhao reached a conclusion: ’There really is someone backing Lin Hao. Not only does this person have outstanding Martial Dao Cultivation, but they’re also a master of the Alchemy Skill!’

This theory made Lin Tianhao’s heart race. His eyes flickered, and he suddenly spoke in a gentle tone, "Hao’Er, we’re all members of the Lin family. We should stand united. Your Second Uncle was wrong in the past. However, this Master Shi is an Alchemy Master of noble status. You really shouldn’t have spoken to him that way."

Not long ago, Lin Tianhao had wanted him dead, yet now he was spouting this shameless nonsense. The sheer hypocrisy of it all was sickening to Lin Hao.

"His status is indeed noble. But by taking in someone of unknown origin, aren’t you afraid he’ll poison the pills..." Lin Hao sneered, then abruptly cut himself off.

’Because it’s a real possibility! Driven by self-interest, many people would take desperate risks.’

’Since Shi Bai has already tried something once, if he were to poison the pills, the Lin family would be nothing more than fish on a chopping block, left to the mercy of others!’

Although the Lin family was backed by one of the four great families of the capital, there were far too many minor branches like the one in War Dragon City. To the main Lin family in the capital, losing such a branch would be as insignificant as losing a single drop of water in the ocean.

Though Lin Hao despised the actions of Lin Tianhao’s faction, many in the Lin family were innocent. He didn’t want to see a tragedy befall them.

Lin Tianhao stiffened. A sneer then spread across his face. "I know how to handle this matter."

"Young Master, something terrible has happened..." Yi Mingcheng’s voice suddenly rang out from the doorway.

A strange glint appeared in Lin Tianhao’s eyes. "It seems you and your servant have business to discuss. Your Second Uncle won’t disturb you!"

Watching Lin Tianhao leave, Lin Hao turned to the panicked Yi Mingcheng. "Uncle Cheng, what’s wrong?"

"Young Master, the news that the Lu family broke off your engagement... everyone in the city knows now," Yi Mingcheng said, wiping sweat from his brow, his face a mask of anxiety.

Lin Hao wasn’t the least bit surprised. His expression didn’t even flicker.

"Young Master, they’re also saying the Lu family spread this intentionally. Before long, everyone on the continent will know."

"’Everyone will know?! Lu Dieyi, I never thought you’d actually be in cahoots with Lin Wu! You just left War Dragon City, and you’re already this desperate to show him your loyalty!’" Lin Hao’s expression finally darkened.

Lin Wu was his number one enemy. He could forgive Lu Dieyi for breaking their engagement, but for her to conspire with Lin Wu against him... he would never let her off the hook!

"Young Master, I think you should ask *him* to take action!" Yi Mingcheng said, sensing the volcano of rage simmering beneath Lin Hao’s calming expression.

"Him?"

"Your master. He can refine legendary pills that were thought to be lost. You can use his pills and, through the Treasure Hunting Pavilion, show the entire world that Lu Dieyi not choosing you was *her* loss!"

Yi Mingcheng would never have guessed, not even in his wildest dreams, that Lin Hao’s master was, in fact, Lin Hao himself.

Of course, Lin Hao had no intention of exposing this secret. Hearing the suggestion, he said, "It’s not that complicated. You just need to go and inform the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Hunting Pavilion that if even a single Rejuvenation Blood Pill is sold to the main Lin family in the capital or the Lu family in Celestial Jade City, our partnership will be terminated immediately!"

If Lin Hao’s guess was correct, Wenren Yuxin, who had returned to Imperial City, was already refining the Rejuvenation Blood Pill.

Once the pill hit the market, with the Wenren family’s resources, its impact across the continent would surely be hyped to unprecedented levels.

’Since they showed no mercy, they couldn’t blame him for being ruthless!’

"Yes, I’ll see to it at once!" Yi Mingcheng was overjoyed, though a flash of shock flickered in his eyes.

At that moment, his admiration for Lin Hao was boundless.

’He’s in War Dragon City, yet with a single sentence, he can command the winds and rain, shaking the entire world!’

He was eagerly anticipating the reactions of the Lu family and the Lin family when they learned of this.

And he had a strong premonition that this was only the first, small step of the Young Master’s counterattack!

Reaching the doorway, Yi Mingcheng glanced back. The corner of Lin Hao’s mouth was curved into a strange, almost sinister, arc, giving him a dangerously wicked aura.

’To all who oppose the Young Master, prepare to face his wrath!’ Yi Mingcheng thought, his heart swelling with heroic pride as he stepped out.

This world-shaking gambit would be set in motion by his own words. What could be more thrilling than that!

...

Lin Hao was making his move from afar, yet the pathetic duo of Lin Tianhao and his son still smugly believed they were about to deal him a fatal blow.

"Father, it’s done!" Lin Zheng announced upon his return, his face alight with excitement.

Lin Tianhao nodded. "I know. I just came from that little bastard’s residence. You did a good job this time."

"Father, in that case, could you give me a couple more pills? Now that Master Shi is here at the Lin family, we’re not lacking for pills anymore."

Previously, the Lin family could only procure a limited number of pills from the Treasure Hunting Pavilion, and they were subject to a strict distribution system.

Now, a noble Alchemy Master had arrived uninvited and was refining many pills for the Lin family. The very thought of those pills made Lin Zheng’s eyes light up.

"Zheng’Er, this is precisely what I wanted to talk to you about. From now on, you must use *them* to test any pills Master Shi refines!" Lin Tianhao said with grave seriousness.

"Father, have you gone senile? Their very existence is a waste of food, and now you want to let them test pills!" Lin Zheng exclaimed, agitated.

"What do you know! If he’s harboring malicious intent and poisons the pills, the very foundation of our Lin family will be at stake!"

Lin Zheng was startled but then nodded in agreement. A resentful look crossed his face. "But if the pills aren’t poisoned, won’t we just be benefiting them for nothing!"

"They are, after all, still members of the Lin family." Lin Tianhao was at a loss for words, but this was the reason he finally came up with.

"They dared to oppose Grandfather for that little bastard Lin Hao. They brought this upon themselves!" Lin Zheng spat viciously.

"KNOCK KNOCK..."

The sudden sound of knocking made both of them fall silent.

"Reporting to the Patriarch, Master Shi says he is going to refine pills and has requested that we procure medicinal ingredients," a servant reported from outside.

Lin Tianhao frowned and replied, "Go to the accounts office to withdraw a silver banknote, and take two men with you to help Master Shi collect the ingredients."

Hearing the servant’s footsteps recede, Lin Tianhao’s gaze turned icy. ’I’d like to see just what tricks you’re trying to pull!’ he snorted.

...

「In Lin Hao’s courtyard at the Lin family estate.」

Lin Hao was strolling through the courtyard. Yi Mingcheng had told him this was where his parents once lived. Surrounded by their old belongings, he couldn’t help but think of them.

His father had left to search for medicine when he was just a child and had never returned, but the image of the man remained crystal clear in Lin Hao’s mind.

Therefore, by comparison, he missed his mother, whom he had never even met, even more dearly.

Standing in a gazebo, gazing at the brilliantly blooming flowers outside, Lin Hao gently stroked the railing. ’Did my mother leave her footprints here, too?’ he wondered.

"Young Master, the kitchen is well-stocked with ingredients. Shall I prepare a meal for you?" A voice interrupted Lin Hao’s reverie. Turning around, he saw a woman standing before him.

For a moment, seeing her, Lin Hao was lost in a daze; he was reminded of his mother. But he quickly broke into a smile and said, "Uncle Cheng certainly has good taste!"

The woman was Xiu Niang.

After tidying herself up, she wasn’t a peerless beauty, but her features were delicate. She possessed a uniquely feminine grace that was quite captivating.

Xiu Niang immediately blushed.

"Xiu Niang, I’ll have to trouble you then." Seeing how easily she blushed, Lin Hao quickly changed the subject.

"It’s no trouble at all, Young Master. You’re at an age where you’re still growing, so I’ll make a few extra dishes." Xiu Niang smiled, gave a slight curtsy, and then departed.

’This Xiu Niang even knows her etiquette. Her manners are no worse than a young lady from a great family.’

Lin Hao was taken aback for a moment, then felt genuinely happy for Yi Mingcheng.

Lin Hao sat for a full hour before Yi Mingcheng returned. Noticing the strange look on the man’s face, he discreetly followed him back into the room.

"Did things not go smoothly?" Lin Hao asked.

Yi Mingcheng replied, "Young Master, that matter went very smoothly. It’s just that on my way back, I saw Shi Bai purchasing medicinal ingredients. I’m afraid he’s preparing to perform Alchemy."

Lin Hao’s eyebrows shot up. "Just as I expected," he said, sounding quite pleased. "It seems he’ll finally show his hand today."

"Young Master, did you orchestrate this?" Yi Mingcheng asked in astonishment.

A faint smile played on Lin Hao’s lips. "Before you left, Shi Bai paid me a visit. He was likely trying to find the person who gave you the pill, but I cursed him out and sent him away. I figured he wouldn’t be able to sit still and would have to make another move."

"Then what did Lin Tianhao come here for, Young Master?" Yi Mingcheng’s heart skipped a beat. He recognized that smile. He had followed Lin Hao long enough to know that when Lin Hao wore that particular expression, it meant someone was about to suffer.

Lin Hao said nonchalantly, "I told Lin Tianhao that Shi Bai might be poisoning the pills."

Yi Mingcheng looked baffled, not understanding the implication.

"Didn’t you tell me that several of my uncles may have been secretly imprisoned by them? Today, I might be able to find them!" A brilliant light of wisdom shone in Lin Hao’s eyes.

"A plan of interlocking schemes!" Yi Mingcheng exclaimed.

After Shi Bai refines the pills, he’ll surely present them to Lin Tianhao. But with the Young Master’s warning, Lin Tianhao won’t trust him. He’ll find people to test the pills, and the best candidates for that are the very ones he has imprisoned.

’All I have to do is follow the clues, and I’ll find where they’re being held!’

Yi Mingcheng stared at Lin Hao with a fervent gaze. The Young Master’s intellect was almost demonic!

’Offending him is truly the beginning of a nightmare!’

At that very moment, Yi Mingcheng was immensely grateful for the choice he had made.

"However, we’re under Lin Tianhao’s strict surveillance right now. It will be very difficult to slip away," Lin Hao said, not quite as optimistic.

As soon as this problem was raised, the color drained from Yi Mingcheng’s face, and he too fell deep into thought.

"Young Master, Mingcheng, what are you two doing? I called for you several times, but you didn’t hear me."

Xiu Niang called out a few more times from the doorway, but when no one in the room answered, she pushed the door open. Seeing both of them with tightly furrowed brows, she couldn’t help but ask.

Yi Mingcheng didn’t answer, merely looking toward Lin Hao.

"I’ve been cooped up in the Lin family for long enough. I want to go out tonight, but Lin Tianhao’s lackeys are everywhere. I was just thinking about how to get past them," Lin Hao said with a casual smile.

"Oh, that’s easy..." Xiu Niang replied without a second thought.

"You have a way?" Lin Hao and Yi Mingcheng asked in unison.