Chapter 631
The Young Master of the Lin Family Takes Over Xixin Peak
He nodded, but his tone carried a hint of reminder.
"It is good that you have this determination. However, I must make it clear beforehand. The Obsidian Sanctuary, Her Majesty the Queen of the Night, and even I myself can provide you with some informational assistance, or intervene slightly out of 'morality' or 'old friendship' when you encounter certain threats that cross certain boundaries."
Just like stopping Chi Zangfeng today. But none of us will directly intervene to help you reclaim your family fortune, avenge you, or help you rebuild the Lin family.”
He looked at Jiang Xuan with deep eyes.
“That’s the Lin family’s own business, and it’s your own path, Lin Xuan. Excessive intervention from outside forces will not only bring more and fiercer backlashes, but it will also make you lose the true foundation for your foothold in the Forbidden City—your own power and prestige. What you gain by relying on others is ultimately a castle in the air.”
Jiang Xuan remained silent for a moment, then nodded solemnly.
“I understand. In the end, one must walk one’s own path. And one must avenge oneself. I will remember the kindness shown to me by the Obsidian Sanctuary, but I will not rely on it.”
"It's good that you understand this principle."
A gentle smile appeared on the old man's face, then his tone shifted slightly, carrying a profound meaning.
"However... how the outside world views your relationship with the Obsidian Sanctuary is another matter entirely. The news that Chi Cangfeng's ambush failed and that I personally escorted you into the city has probably already spread to some people's ears."
Let them guess and think whatever they want. Sometimes, a vague 'relationship' or an elusive 'background' can be more intimidating than real force.
This 'misunderstanding' might save you from a lot of unnecessary trouble; at the very least, it might make some people think twice before taking action.
Jiang Xuan's heart stirred, and he immediately understood the old man's intention.
This was a form of intangible support given to him without direct intervention, leading various factions within the Forbidden City to mistakenly believe that he was backed by the mysterious and powerful Obsidian Sanctuary.
It might even involve the ambiguous Dark Queen, which would undoubtedly buy him valuable breathing room and time to develop, and also make many petty people hesitant to act rashly.
This promise, though seemingly understated, carries immense weight.
"Thank you, senior."
Jiang Xuan thanked him sincerely once again.
He knew that from the old man Xuejin to the old man in front of him, he and the Obsidian Sanctuary had long been bound by an inseparable karmic bond.
This cause and effect is a protection, and perhaps it will become a responsibility in the future, but at this moment, he feels only gratitude.
During the conversation, the imperial carriage gradually slowed down and eventually came to a stop.
"arrive."
"That's what the old man said."
Jiang Xuan pushed open the carriage door, stepped down from the palanquin, and looked up.
Before them lay not a bustling city street, but a relatively secluded area, yet exceptionally rich in spiritual energy. Not far ahead, on the ground, was engraved a massive and incredibly complex spiritual array diagram, its lines shimmering with a faint silver glow, subtly echoing the starlight and moonlight in the night sky.
At the center of the array, spiritual energy flowed, forming a hazy pillar of light that shot straight into the night sky.
At the end of the beam of light, about a hundred feet above the ground in the night sky, a majestic mountain peak was clearly suspended!
The mountain was bathed in the cool, silvery moonlight. Its lines were soft yet majestic, and the mountain was covered with lush trees. The outlines of pavilions and towers could be vaguely seen among the trees. Waterfalls cascaded down like silver ribbons, shimmering like broken jade in the moonlight.
The entire mountain gives people a sense of holiness, antiquity, and a touch of seclusion and aloofness.
"Xixin Peak".
The old man walked to Jiang Xuan's side, looked at the floating mountain, and slowly uttered its name.
One of the seventy-two "mountains of powerful families" in the Forbidden City.
This place was once the ancestral home of the Lin clan, the place where your Lin family ancestors lived, worked, and practiced their spiritual cultivation.
Jiang Xuan was deeply shocked. Although he was mentally prepared, seeing this floating immortal mountain that belonged to "his own family" and feeling the magnificent spiritual energy and profound sense of history emanating from it still brought a complex and indescribable emotion to his heart.
Pride, sorrow, and melancholy intertwined. The Lin family, back then, truly had the right to occupy such a sacred mountain! But now…
Is anyone still here?
Jiang Xuan asked. The mountain peak looked tranquil, seemingly devoid of human activity.
"According to the rules of the Empire, the mountain of powerful clans cannot remain vacant for long. If the clan to which it belongs falls into complete ruin, the Empire has the right to reclaim it and bestow it upon other meritorious officials or emerging forces."
The old man explained.
"However, the Lin family's situation is special. After the upheaval more than ten years ago, although the Lin family existed in name only and its assets were divided up, this Xinxin Peak was temporarily preserved due to some... old agreements and special reasons, and was not directly taken back by the Empire."
Now, aside from the puppets and spirit beasts maintaining the basic array, only one loyal old servant who volunteered to stay and guard the peak remains.
Only one old servant remained... guarding this vast, empty mountain.
Jiang Xuan felt even more bitter.
Why was it preserved? And what were the specific reasons?
Jiang Xuan pressed for details, feeling that this might also be related to the royal family's ambiguous attitude.
The old man shook his head.
"There are many things involved, some concerning the Lin family's past, and some involving imperial laws and the will of certain important figures. Once you've settled in here, that old servant might be able to tell you more. I won't presume to do it for you."
After speaking, the old man took a few steps forward, walked to the edge of the huge spirit array diagram, and gently waved his sleeve.
A stream of pure and gentle spiritual energy flowed into the array diagram.
hum!
The tranquil array was instantly activated, with countless silver spirit patterns rippling out like waves, their light swirling and emitting a deep hum. The pillar of light at the center of the array also suddenly brightened.
"Who has trespassed into the forbidden area of Cleansing Heart Peak?"
An old, hoarse voice, yet carrying a hint of vigilance and weariness, emanated from the array, seemingly resonating directly in the minds of the two.
This is the built-in sound transmission function of the Guardian Spirit Array.
The old man spoke calmly, his voice not loud, yet it clearly reached the formation.
“An old friend of the Lin family, sending the Lin family bloodline back.”
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the array, then the aged voice suddenly rose eight octaves, trembling with disbelief.
"Lin...Lin family bloodline? Who? Which branch of the family's young master or young lady is it? No...no! Wasn't the main family line already..."
"He is Lin Wenjing's son, Lin Xuan."
The old man said directly.
"Young Master Wenjing's...son?!"
The voice on the other end of the array instantly changed tone, filled with extreme shock, ecstasy, and an almost overwhelming excitement.
"Young Master Xuan? That...that child from back then?! He's still alive?! Really...really still alive?! God bless the Lin family! God bless the main family!!"
His voice was incoherent and choked with sobs.
Immediately afterwards, the array diagram shone brightly, and the pillar of light suddenly became solid.
Within the pillar of light, a staircase, about ten feet wide and shimmering with seven-colored rainbow light, constructed of pure spiritual energy, descended rapidly from the hundred-foot-high summit of Xixin Peak, like a ladder to heaven, step by step, until it reached Jiang Xuan and the old man.
After the rainbow-colored steps stabilized, a portal opened on the faint light curtain that enveloped the mountain peak towards the summit. A hunched, thin figure dressed in faded gray servant's clothes shakily stepped out of the portal and then almost tumbled and crawled down the rainbow-colored steps.
The old man gestured to Jiang Xuan.
"Go up."
He's waiting for you.
Jiang Xuan nodded, took a deep breath, and stepped onto the dreamlike rainbow-colored steps. The steps seemed illusory, but they were solid and stable underfoot.
The hunched old man was quite fast, and soon he reached the middle of the steps. In the moonlight, it was clear that he was an extremely old man with sparse, snow-white hair, deep wrinkles on his face, and a severely hunched back.
But at this moment, his old eyes, which should have been cloudy, burst forth with an extremely excited light as he stared intently at Jiang Xuan who was walking up.
When the two met halfway down the steps, the old servant suddenly knelt down on the rainbow-colored steps, touched his head to the ground, tears streaming down his face, and cried out in a hoarse voice.
"Young...Young Master! Am I seeing things? Is it Young Master Wenjing...you're back?!"
In his excitement, he clearly mistook Jiang Xuan for his father, Lin Wenjing. Jiang Xuan's appearance bore a striking resemblance to his father in his youth, bearing seven or eight parts similarity, especially the charm in his eyes and brows.
Looking at the old man kneeling before him, overwhelmed with emotion and weeping bitterly, Jiang Xuan felt an even stronger sense of complex sorrow.
He stepped forward and bent down to help her up.
"Old man, please get up. I am not my father, I am... Jiang Xuan."
He hesitated for a moment, but still said the name he had used for more than ten years.
Upon hearing this, the old servant abruptly raised his head, his eyes blurred with tears as he carefully examined Jiang Xuan's face. After a long while, he murmured something.
"So alike...so alike! Almost exactly like Young Master Wenjing when he was young! But...the temperament is a little different. Young Master Wenjing was more cheerful...You...you really are Young Master Xuan? The little young master in swaddling clothes back then?"
"it's me."
Jiang Xuan nodded firmly, trying his best to keep his voice steady.
"I am back."
"You're back...it's good that you're back! It's so good that you're back!"
The old servant prostrated himself again, this time weeping with joy. His shoulders heaved violently, as if the sorrow, loneliness, and despair that had been building up for more than ten years were being released with his tears.
"This old servant, Lin Zhong, kowtows to Young Master Xuan! Heaven has eyes! The bloodline of the master's family is not extinct! Master, Young Master Wenjing, and Young Madam, may your spirits be watching from heaven!"
Jiang Xuan helped Lin Zhong up with all his might. Touching the old man, he felt that he was as thin as a rake, but his arms were unusually strong, which were the marks left by years of hard work and guarding.
"Uncle Lin, there's no need for that."
Thank you for your hard work these past years.
Lin Zhong wiped away his tears haphazardly with his sleeve, trying to calm himself down, but his voice was still choked with emotion.
"It's no trouble at all! It's no trouble at all! Being able to protect this last bit of our family's wealth and wait for the young master's return, even if this old servant dies right now, it's all worth it!"
He suddenly took a step back, broke free from Jiang Xuan's support, and straightened his tattered servant's clothes. Although the clothes were full of patches, his movements were meticulous, carrying a long-lost, ingrained solemnity.
Then, he straightened his hunched back and, facing Jiang Xuan, performed the most standard and elaborate salute a servant of an ancient noble family would give to his master, his voice hoarse yet clear.
"Old servant Lin Zhong welcomes young master home!"
The word "go home" struck Jiang Xuan's heart heavily.
He looked at the respectfully bowed old man before him, and at the tranquil and beautiful Xixin Peak under the moonlight above. He recalled the bloodshed, turmoil, and conspiracies he had encountered along the way, and his heart was filled with mixed emotions.
Is this "home"? A "home" where only empty mountains and loyal servants remain.
"Yes, I'm back."
Jiang Xuan responded softly, his tone firm.
The elderly man below smiled with satisfaction upon seeing this.
He did not step onto the rainbow-colored steps, but instead addressed Jiang Xuan and Lin Zhong above.
“Young friend, now that you’ve arrived home and seen your family, I won’t linger any longer. The Obsidian Sanctuary also has a base in the city; if you have any urgent matters, you can use this to send a message.”
He flicked his finger, and a small black token, neither gold nor wood, engraved with simple star patterns, flew into Jiang Xuan's hand.
"Thank you for escorting me all the way, senior. After I am settled in, I will personally visit the Obsidian Sanctuary to express my gratitude."
Jiang Xuan put away the small token, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, and said solemnly.
The old man smiled and nodded, saying nothing more. He slowly retreated, disappearing into the night.
"Young Master, who is that senior...?"
Lin Zhong looked in the direction the old man had disappeared, somewhat puzzled.
"A benefactor."
Jiang Xuan didn't explain further.
"Uncle Lin, please take me upstairs to have a look."
"Yes, young master, please follow this old servant."
Lin Zhong quickly stepped aside to lead the way, his attitude extremely respectful.
The two walked one after the other along the Rainbow Light Steps toward the hundred-zhang-high Xixin Peak.
Upon reaching the summit and passing through the soft light curtain portal, the entire scene within Xixin Peak was revealed to Jiang Xuan.
Beneath my feet lies a wide, smooth bluestone path, spotlessly clean. On either side of the path, carefully trimmed exotic flowers and plants exude a delicate fragrance under the moonlight and the luminous pearls embedded along the way.
Further away, there are ancient and grand palaces and pavilions built against the mountain, with flying eaves, bracket sets, carved beams and painted rafters. Although many doors and windows are closed, giving them a somewhat quiet appearance, their former glory and grandeur are still evident. Ancient trees reach for the sky, their branches rustling in the night wind.
Furthermore, the sound of babbling water could be heard, from waterfalls and streams cascading down from higher mountain peaks, shimmering with a silvery luster under the moonlight, exuding a spiritual atmosphere, like a fairyland.
The concentration of spiritual energy here far exceeds that of the outside world; even breathing here feels refreshing and invigorating. It truly deserves to be called the "Mountain of the Powerful Families."
"Uncle Lin, have you been guarding this place all by yourself?"
Jiang Xuan asked as he walked.
"Yes, young master."
Lin Zhong followed half a step behind him and answered respectfully.
"This old servant was originally a second-class servant of your master, namely your grandfather, Master Zhenshan. Later, I was valued by Young Master Wenjing and was assigned to serve Young Master Wenjing and his wife shortly after your birth, specifically to take care of some trivial matters when you were young."
When the past was mentioned, Lin Zhong's eyes revealed nostalgia and pain.
"Later... that tragedy happened, the master family collapsed, and each branch of the family fought over what they could take with them. When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter... This old servant is of low status and has little power, so I couldn't compete, nor did I want to."
I only felt that Young Master Wenjing and his wife were dissatisfied with this old servant, and with the young master's fate uncertain, and since Xixin Peak was the root of the main family, we couldn't let it completely fall into disrepair and be taken over by outsiders. So... I stayed. And I stayed for more than ten years. (End of Chapter)