“Ling Hu?” Seeing the burly young man at the forefront, the twenty-three people present were all shocked, stunned for a good while.
Ling Hu, the son of the former family head Ling Xiao, was well-known to everyone present. He had possessed the Heavenly Flame Saint Tiger physique, with exceptional talent, and was almost certain to be the next Ling family heir.
However, for some unknown reason, Ling Hu’s cultivation suddenly stalled, causing many to shake their heads in private. Eventually, after the family head Ling Xiao disappeared, Ling Hu vanished as well.
In truth, a few people knew exactly why Ling Hu had disappeared.
Ling Hu hadn’t vanished, he was fleeing for his life.
“Hmph, Ling Hu, where have you been these past four years? The moment you return, you barge into the family meeting hall, and even bring outsiders with you. Do you still understand the Ling family’s rules?” At this moment, Ling Xun was the first to question loudly, a sharp glint in his eyes.
Over the years, he had been tracking Ling Hu’s disappearance, intent on rooting him out, but found no trace of him. Yet today, Ling Hu appeared before them, alive and well.
“Exactly, Ling Hu, not only do you storm the family meeting hall at a critical time, but you also bring outsiders. What crime should you bear?” an elder chimed in.
“You useless thing, we can understand you forgetting your place, but bringing outsiders into the meeting hall to steal family secrets, that’s a grave offence. Have you considered the consequences?”
“Ling Hu, why aren’t you pleading for forgiveness?”
“Ling Ping, what are you doing here? Get out!”
“Bringing outsiders into the meeting hall, even if deceived by Ling Hu, you’ll still face punishment!”
A chorus of angry voices erupted, scolding Ling Ping as well.
However, in Lin Xiao’s view, some remained silent, while others showed concern for Ling Hu, suggesting the Ling family was divided into several factions.
“Ling Hu, why have you returned?” After a moment of shock, Great Elder Ling Zhongqian spoke, his face full of worry. Four years ago, they had gone to great lengths to get Ling Hu safely away, and now he had returned on his own.
How could Ling Hu, in just four years, have the strength to challenge Ling Lie and his son? Returning now was like a lamb walking into a tiger’s den.
Several other elders also frowned, knowing full well what had happened back then, having secretly helped Ling Hu escape.
“While Ling Hu has intruded on the meeting hall, we should judge based on the situation. It’s been four years, and he might be eager for a reason, perhaps with urgent matters. So, everyone, please calm down,” a black-haired elder said.
“Hmph, what urgent matter could he have? Let’s set aside whether he has one. How can outsiders be allowed in our Ling family’s meeting? I suggest we apprehend these two outsiders first!” another elder barked coldly, a Martial Venerable aura emanating from him. With a nod from the family head, he was ready to act against Lin Xiao and Mei Tianmo.
“Shut up!”
At this moment, Ling Hu roared angrily, “These two are my friends. Anyone who dares touch them, try it!”
Hearing Ling Hu’s bold shout, the elder who had spoken darkened, sneering, “Hmph, I’ll act now, what can you do?”
With that, a Martial Venerable aura burst from the elder, enveloping Lin Xiao and Mei Tianmo.
Three mere juniors, he didn’t take them seriously at all.
“Stop!” But at that moment, Great Elder Ling Zhongqian’s low shout rang out, forcing the elder to halt.
Though he didn’t care about the three juniors, he had to heed the Great Elder’s words.
“Elders, why not let Ling Hu speak before deciding?” Ling Zhongqian glanced at the elder who had moved to act, scolding, “If they’re truly harmful to the family, do you think two juniors could escape?”
Hearing this, the elder snorted coldly and sat back down.
Then, Ling Zhongqian’s gaze turned to Ling Lie, “Family Head, Ling Hu has returned after four years in a hurry. There must be a reason. Why not give him a chance to explain?”
At the head of the hall, hearing Ling Zhongqian’s words, Ling Lie’s expression darkened slightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. Leaning back in his chair, he said in a low voice, “Fine, I’ll let him speak. Let’s hear his reason for bringing outsiders and disrupting the family meeting. If he can’t provide a reasonable explanation, he’ll face the family rules!”
With Ling Lie’s words, the room fell silent. Everyone knew that if Ling Hu couldn’t provide a reasonable explanation, he was in for serious trouble.
At this moment, all eyes were on Ling Hu.
They were curious to hear what reason he could give.
Looking at the now-silent crowd, Ling Hu scanned them, then spoke unhurriedly, “First, this family meeting isn’t about any secrets. The marriage alliance between the two families is a non-issue, meaning this meeting is irrelevant. So, bringing my friends here has no impact at all.”
“Nonsense!” Before Ling Hu could finish, an elder couldn’t help but roar, interrupting, “The Su and Guo families’ marriage alliance concerns the Ling family’s interests, even its survival. How is it a non-issue? Explain yourself!”
Not only this elder, but others were also furious, thinking Ling Hu was spouting nonsense and wasting their time.
Ling Hu looked at the elder who spoke, retorting, “Didn’t you hear what I said when I came in? In half a month, the Su and Guo families won’t form an alliance.”
“Bullshit, the invitations have been sent. How could they not form an alliance?” the elder cursed.
At this moment, Ling Lie tapped the invitation on the table, saying, “This is the invitation from the Su and Guo families. Ling Hu, why do you say they won’t form an alliance?”
Ling Hu was spouting nonsense here, and soon, he could pin another charge on him.
Even Ling Zhongqian and a few others were puzzled, wondering why Ling Hu said this.
Facing their questions, Ling Hu remained calm, answering, “Because Su Yun is already dead!”
Everyone was stunned. The Su family heir, Su Yun, was dead?
But their faces soon showed disbelief.
Su Yun was powerful and highly valued by the Su family, rarely travelling alone, always with experts secretly protecting him. How could he be dead?
Moreover, if Su Yun were dead, how would they not know, yet this nobody knew first?
“How do you know Su Yun is dead?” Ling Lie asked coolly.
“I killed him,” Ling Hu replied calmly.
Everyone was stunned again, their faces showing contempt.
“You?” Ling Lie sneered, looking at Ling Hu as if he were a fool, “If that’s all you have, just wait for the family rules’ punishment.”
Others nodded in agreement, some even thinking Ling Hu’s four-year absence had addled his brain.
