The Lin's Patriarch is weird.

Chapter 163: 163. Quest.

Clearbrook city:

Within the Su Family estate, a solemn atmosphere filled the main hall.

Several elders sat on either side of the hall, their expressions grave as they looked toward the figure seated at the head.

The man wore a dark blue robe embroidered with the crest of the Su Family. He was the Patriarch of the Su Family, Su Haolang.

"Patriarch, forgive this elder for speaking out of turn, but I still cannot understand your decision."

Su Haolang slowly raised his eyes.

"Speak."

The elder cupped his fists.

"The Martial Awakening Ceremony is tomorrow. Yet the invitations for the Lin family is rumoured to have only arrived today."

His voice carried restrained dissatisfaction.

"Why would the Patriarch deliberately send invitations at such a time? The guests from nearby families may still arrive, but those from distant cities will have no chance whatsoever."

Another elder frowned.

"Indeed. Even if they depart immediately, the journey from Azure Willow City alone requires nearly two weeks. Sending an invitation now is no different from telling the Lin Family that they are unwelcome."

Several elders nodded in agreement.

The hall remained quiet for a moment.

Then an elder with graying hair stepped forward.

"If this was merely a ceremony meant to display the talents of our younger generation, there would be no reason to make such a decision. The Su Family has always valued reputation. Why invite others only after they have already lost the opportunity to attend?"

Su Haolang leaned slightly forward.

"Why do you assume the purpose of the invitation is to allow the Lin Family to attend?"

The hall immediately fell silent and the elders looked at one another.

One of them narrowed his eyes.

"Patriarch, you mean..."

"The invitation was never intended to arrive in time."

Su Haolang’s words caused several elders’ expressions to change.

"Then why send it at all?"

A faint smile appeared on Su Haolang’s face.

"Because there is a difference between inviting someone to a banquet and inviting them to witness a ceremony."

He picked up the cup beside him and took a slow sip.

"If the Lin Family receives no invitation, they have every reason to wonder why. If they receive an invitation weeks in advance, they can prepare accordingly."

His eyes became slightly colder.

"But if the invitation arrives only one day before the ceremony, they have no time to react."

One elder’s expression hardened.

"Patriarch, are you saying that this invitation is intended to provoke them?"

Su Haolang shook his head.

"Measure."

The single word caused the hall to fall silent again.

"We have heard many things about the Lin Family recently. Their Patriarch is young, yet his rise has been unusually rapid. Such a person should not be underestimated merely because Azure Willow City is distant from Clearbrook City."

He placed the cup down.

"I want to know how Lin Xuan reacts when presented with something he cannot reasonably act upon."

An elder frowned.

"And if he sees through it?"

Su Haolang’s smile deepened.

"Then we will know that our assessment of him was correct."

Another elder slowly nodded, but the first elder remained unconvinced.

"Patriarch, this elder still believes the risk is unnecessary. If Lin Xuan interprets this as an insult, we may create an enemy where none was needed."

Su Haolang glanced toward him.

"An enemy?"

His voice became colder.

"The Lin family aren’t worthy of being an enemy. Don’t underestimate our family root."

The elder fell silent.

Su Haolang’s gaze swept across the hall.

"Besides, do you truly believe the Lin Family is unaware of our intentions?"

He leaned back against his seat.

"In this world, every move is a test. Sometimes the most useful information comes not from what a person does, but from what they choose not to do."

The elders exchanged solemn glances.

Then another elder slowly rose from his seat.

"Patriarch, there is still one matter."

Su Haolang looked toward him.

"Speak."

The elder cupped his fists.

"If the purpose of the invitation is truly to measure Lin Xuan, then what exactly are we hoping to learn?"

Su Haolang’s fingers lightly tapped against the armrest.

"We want to know whether he is cautious."

The elder frowned.

"Cautious?"

"Yes."

Su Haolang’s gaze became profound.

"A young Patriarch who rose from an insignificant family to his current position cannot have survived without some ability. The question is whether his ability comes from genuine talent, powerful backing, or simply good fortune."

Another elder nodded thoughtfully.

"And if he sends someone to attend in his place?"

"Then we will learn something from that as well."

Su Haolang smiled faintly.

"If he sends an elder, then he values the relationship enough to maintain appearances. If he sends a younger member, then he may be testing us in return."

"And if he sends no one?"

"Then that will be the most interesting answer of all."

The elders exchanged glances while Su Haolang slowly rose from his seat.

"Enough of all this."

His robes shifted as he turned toward the doors of the hall.

"Tomorrow’s ceremony must proceed without error. The guests must be treated according to their status, the awakening altar should be inspected one final time, and no one is to interfere with the children."

He paused.

"As for the Lin Family... Let them decide how they wish to respond. "

One of the elders hesitated before asking, "Patriarch, what if Lin Xuan truly does possess the strength that the rumors claim?"

Su Haolang stopped.

For the first time, a trace of solemnity appeared within his eyes.

"Then we will destroy it."

He turned his head slightly.

"And if the rumors are false, we will devour them as well."

The elder bowed.

"This elder understands."

Su Haolang walked away, leaving the elders behind.

Yet after he had gone, several of them remained seated in silence.

The oldest among them finally sighed.

"The Patriarch is playing with fire."

Another elder shook his head and looked toward the closed doors.

"No, he’s trying to determine how hot the fire truly is."

No one spoke after that.

Outside the hall, the Su Family continued preparing for the ceremony.

Lanterns were being hung throughout the inner courtyard. Servants carried spiritual materials toward the Martial Awakening Altar, while formations around the ceremonial grounds were inspected repeatedly.

The younger members of the family were also being gathered one after another.

Tomorrow would determine the Martial Spirits of several children.

Back in Azure Willow City, Lin Xuan had already made his decision.

He wasn’t going to be attending the Su Family’s Martial Spirit awakening ceremony.

Not because he was unwilling to meet the Su Family, nor because he had failed to recognize the significance of their invitation.

Rather, he had other plans.

Lin Xuan sat alone in his study, the invitation resting quietly upon the table before him.

There was no need for him to personally attend a ceremony merely to watch a few children awaken their Martial Spirits.

As for the Su Family’s invitation, he would respond appropriately.

He picked up a blank sheet of paper and began writing.

The Lin Family would accept the Su Family’s goodwill and congratulate them on the successful completion of their ceremony.

After finishing, Lin Xuan placed the letter aside.

"Send this to the supreme elder and tell her to send it together with the gifts."

A servant standing outside the room immediately bowed.

"Yes, Patriarch."

After the servant left, Lin Xuan walked toward the window and gazed in the direction of Clearbrook City.

"Let’s see what exactly you’re planning, Su Haolang."

Lin Xuan’s gaze remained fixed upon the distant horizon when a familiar mechanical voice suddenly sounded within his mind.

[Ding!]

A translucent panel appeared before his eyes.

[New Mission]

[Before winter arrives, reduce the fighting power of the Su Family and have them removed from the "Yearly Winter Harvest."]

[Task: Immobilize five Golden Core experts from the Su Family.]

[Current Progress: 0/5]

[Reward: Alchemy Insights.]

"Alchemy Insights?"

Lin Xuan stared at the system notification with a skeptical expression.

"Are you trying to give me back the ability you took from me?"

There was no response.

Lin Xuan waited for a few moments before narrowing his eyes.

"You’re also a tsundere, aren’t you?"

But he was met with complete silence from the system.

He continued throwing a few more jabs at the silent system, but after realizing that nothing he said was going to provoke a reaction, he eventually gave up.

"Something is better than nothing," he muttered.

Instead, he decided to recall how many experts the Su Family had.

Since the two families were joined by marriage, there had been a time when they were familiar enough with each other to know one another’s potential.

Based on what he knew from both the past and the present, the Su Family had approximately twelve Golden Core experts.

If he took out five of them, their hopes of being promoted to Rank 7 would definitely go down the drain.

The process itself was easy but the problem was the cause.

"Do I do it anonymously instead?" he thought.

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