Chen Ping nodded. “Very well, let us go to the Lin household first and assess the situation.”
The trio soon arrived at the Lin family residence.
The Lin residence covered a vast area. Its architectural style was quaint and elegant, clearly indicating it belonged to a family with a long and storied history.
Lin Yuner led Chen Ping and Hu Mazi into the residence. The servants within bowed respectfully and greeted her upon seeing her.
“Miss, you have returned!” an elderly steward hurried forward and said.
Lin Yuner nodded. “Steward Zhang, has my father returned?”
Steward Zhang replied, “The master has just come back. He is waiting for you in the study.”
Lin Yuner’s heart leapt with joy. “Really? My father has truly returned?”
Steward Zhang nodded. “Yes, the master has been back for only a short while.”
Lin Yuner hurried towards the study. Chen Ping and Hu Mazi followed close behind.
In the study, a middle-aged man dressed in a long robe sat in a chair. His face was gaunt, his eyes revealing a deep weariness.
There was no need to say it. This man was undoubtedly Lin Yuner’s father.
“Father!” Lin Yuner cried out excitedly.
Lin’s father looked up. Upon seeing Lin Yuner, a faint smile crossed his face. “Yuner, you are back.”
But when he noticed Chen Ping and Hu Mazi, the smile on his face froze solid.
“And these two are…” Lin’s father asked, a hint of puzzlement in his voice.
Lin Yuner quickly said, “Father, these two are my friends. They are here to help us.”
Lin’s father pondered for a moment, then said, “Help us? Does our Lin family need any assistance?”
Lin Yuner’s expression turned somewhat grim. “Father, do you not remember attending the Six Temples’ altar initiation ceremony?”
A flicker of confusion passed through Lin’s father’s eyes. “The Six Temples? Altar initiation ceremony? I… I do not recall.”
Lin Yuner’s heart sank. “Father, how could you not remember? You clearly went to the Six Temples’ altar initiation ceremony!”
Lin’s father shook his head. “I truly do not remember. I only recall attending an important meeting. As for the details of that meeting, I cannot recall a single thing.”
Lin Yuner’s unease deepened. She knew her father must have had his soul harvested by the people of the Six Temples, which was why he had lost his memories.
“Father, do not worry,” Lin Yuner comforted him. “We will find a way to restore your memory.”
Lin’s father nodded, but his eyes still held that bewildered glint.
Chen Ping and Hu Mazi found the scene rather awkward.
This Lin father had indeed been seen in Black Wind City. At that time, Chen Ping had absorbed the souls of those people, turning them into resources for his own cultivation.
In such a state, recovering the souls was utterly impossible.
However, Chen Ping could hardly bring himself to tell Lin Yuner outright.
After all, it was Chen Ping who had absorbed Lin father’s soul.
In that situation, all those cultivators had been deceived. One by one, they had moved to attack Chen Ping. Naturally, he could not have helped them.
“What do we do now?” Hu Mazi asked.
Chen Ping thought for a moment, then said to Lin Yuner, “Miss Lin, let us head to the county lord’s residence first. Perhaps your county lord has a solution.”
“Yes, the county lord sent my father there. We must confront him.”
Lin Yuner’s face was full of fury.
The trio immediately set off towards the county lord’s residence.
The county lord’s residence stood at the heart of East Township County. It spanned an even larger area than the Lin residence, with an architectural style that was far more opulent.
Two rows of guards stood before the gates. Their eyes scanned every person entering or leaving with vigilant suspicion.
“Halt! Who are you?” one guard blocked their path.
Lin Yuner stepped forward. “I am Lin Yuner of the Lin family. I demand to see the county lord.”
The guard scrutinised Lin Yuner from head to toe, then said, “The county lord is occupied with official duties. He sees no outsiders.”
