Chapter 13: Forgiveness
Chapter 13: Forgiveness
"Lin Langtian?"
Hearing this familiar yet distant name, the entire Lin family hall fell silent. No one in the Lin family would have expected that the Green Wood Spirit Pill, which had healed Lin Xiao's injuries, came from none other than Lin Langtian—the man who had once plunged the Qingyang Town branch family into utter despair.
Lin Xiao's expression grew complex, the happiness in his face clouded with sudden indecision. Beside him, Lin Dong's fists clenched involuntarily, his eyes flashing with the deep resentment he felt toward that name. But as he looked back at his now-healed father, he thought of the Green Wood Spirit Pill and turned quickly to Tao Lao.
"Tao Lao," Lin Dong began, his young face filled with confusion. "Are you saying that the pill that helped heal my father's injuries was from Lin Langtian?"
As he asked, an internal conflict played across his face. How could the very man he had longed to defeat—someone he had resented deeply—also be the one who had given the pill that restored his father's health? Lin Dong didn't know what to feel. His father's injuries had been inflicted by Lin Langtian, and yet, here they were healed by Lin Langtian's own medicine. The paradox left him unsettled and uncertain.
Lin Zhentian and the others were also anxiously watching Tao Lao, waiting for him to answer.
"That's right," Tao Lao nodded. "This Green Wood Spirit Pill was specially provided by Elder Langtian, who asked me to bring it here to help Lin Xiao recover."
"It was him…"
Hearing this, Lin Xiao's face tensed for a moment before he sighed. His thoughts drifted back to that fateful family gathering years ago, where he had arrived full of hope and determination to win back a place for his family in the main clan. But in the very first match, he had come face-to-face with that young man—Lin Langtian.
Even now, Lin Xiao vividly remembered that youth's cold and haughty expression, as if he considered Lin Xiao to be no more than an insect. Lin Xiao, then the pride of Qingyang Town, had been angered by his arrogance. But his confidence was shattered in a moment—defeated by Lin Langtian in a single move. And it hadn't just been a defeat; his body had been left severely damaged, a wreck that felt beyond recovery.
"Father…" Lin Dong's heart ached, seeing the distress on his father's face. He knew that Lin Xiao was reliving painful memories, and he quickly offered words of comfort.
Tao Lao glanced at Lin Xiao thoughtfully, then addressed him in a calming tone. "Lin Xiao, I understand the weight of what you've endured. Langtian was in the wrong; had he not struck so harshly, you wouldn't have been hindered in your training all these years. But the family has always taken a hands-off approach to these tournaments, and cases like yours aren't exactly rare. Back then, Langtian was young and headstrong; he acted without thinking. Now, as an Elder of Law, he's realized his mistake and has sent me here to apologize on his behalf. Aside from the Green Wood Spirit Pill, he has also sent a few additional items as compensation."
As he spoke, Tao Lao pulled out a small storage bag and a command token, setting them on the table in front of Lin Xiao.
"This bag holds ten thousand Pure Yuan Pills. As for the token, it's Langtian's personal command seal. With this, the Qingyang branch can access some of the main clan's resources, and it would even secure you a return to the inner clan."
"What?!"
As Tao Lao finished speaking, Lin Mang's face lit up in surprise. "Ten thousand Pure Yuan Pills and the chance to rejoin the inner clan?!"
In Qingyang Town and even in Yan City, most people dealt only in Sun Yuan Stones, while the more valuable Sun Yuan Pills were used by top-tier families in Yan City. Pure Yuan Pills were even more precious, and ten thousand of them were worth more than the entire Qingyang Town branch. And the command seal—it meant the branch could rejoin the inner clan. This was something the family had dreamed of for three generations.
"Father," Lin Mang said with excitement, "Elder Langtian is such a remarkable figure. If he's apologized to us and helped Third Brother recover, we shouldn't cling to a grudge. Otherwise, it would make our Qingyang Town branch look petty and ungrateful."
Lin Dong, however, immediately objected, his face firm and his dark eyes shining with stubborn resolve. "My father's suffering can't be repaid with Pure Yuan Pills!"
"Adults are speaking; don't interrupt," Lin Mang scolded, his brow furrowing at Lin Dong's defiance. Just as he was about to say more, Lin Zhentian raised his hand, stopping him.
The elder's face was complicated as he turned to Lin Xiao. "The person who suffered the most is you. If you feel it's best to forgive, I will support you, even if that means opposing Lin Langtian."
"Father…" Lin Xiao's heart softened, knowing what his father's words meant. Lin Zhentian was willing to risk offending Lin Langtian, the brightest star of the Lin family, for his sake. Even after all these years, he was his father's most cherished son.
The long-held grudge began to fade from his heart. Looking at Tao Lao, Lin Xiao said with a calm expression, "What's past is past. I'm willing to let it go. But as for the compensation, Qingyang Town will decline. Please return it to its rightful owner."
"Third Brother…" Lin Mang started to protest, unable to believe they were turning down such a treasure. But his words died under the withering gaze of Lin Zhentian.
"Father, Brother, I know what you're concerned about," Lin Xiao said with a slight smile as he looked at each of them. "But rest assured, even without that command seal, the Lin family of Qingyang Town will find its way back to the main branch."
"Hah!" Lin Mang snorted skeptically. "How? By relying on you, just because you got your strength back? You're well past the age for the clan tournament."
But Lin Xiao only looked at his brother with calm assurance, his eyes filled with quiet confidence as he placed a hand on the head of the young man beside him.
"I can't compete," Lin Xiao said, "but my son, Dong'er, can."
(End of Chapter)