A Complex Situation

Yan Long did not dwell on the matter for long; what was done was done, and he could only endeavor to accept this outcome.

Once these matters were settled, the conversation naturally drifted back to the Lin family and the Zhou and Song families.

Immediately after the powerful sect cultivators withdrew, they dispatched forces to counterattack the Zhou and Song families, only to find their efforts fruitless.

Perceiving the unfavorable turn of events, the Zhou and Song families had already fled, seizing the moment before the Yan and Jiang families could fully react.

Indeed, it seemed they had long prepared for such an escape, leaving behind only two empty residences, while their shops in the West City had been thoroughly stripped of all their contents.

“Father, what course of action should we take now? Do the Zhou and Song families need to be completely eradicated? And should the Lin family’s corpses be used to our advantage?”

Having now accepted the mantle of power within the Yan family, he naturally needed to understand the next steps, yet his mind was a jumble, devoid of clear direction.

The suddenness of it all was overwhelming; he was barely in his thirties.

Although he had consistently assisted Yan Long with family affairs, his experience remained insufficient for such grave decisions.

“Those two families no longer pose a significant threat,” Yan Long calmly stated. “There is no urgency in dealing with them.

For now, let us first resolve the matters concerning the Purple Abyss Pavilion.

Furthermore, with Yun’er’s identity now exposed, our Yan family must provide an explanation to the Immortal Alliance.”

“Yun’er, have you considered how to handle this situation?”

Yan Long’s gaze settled upon Yan Yun.

After a moment of hesitation, Yan Yun shook her head.

“The incident was so sudden that I was completely unprepared.

However, this matter is no longer within my purview.

The Sect Master and the Grand Elders have instructed me not to concern myself with it.”

Yan Yun replied.

“Indeed, this situation has become exceedingly complex,” Yan Long mused. “Though King Jiang’s intervention managed to quell the immediate conflict, there’s no guarantee that the factions harboring animosity towards Yan Lingyun will truly abide by his wishes.

Thus, the Yunhua Sect will still need to negotiate with those various sect forces.”

“Alas!” Yan Long sighed, a wry expression on his face as he glanced awkwardly at his hands and new body. “It seems I must now dedicate myself entirely to cultivation.

Senior Yunxia informed me that despite my transformation into a woman, my cultivation aptitude has seen a monumental leap.

Perhaps this is a blessing in disguise.”

Yan Yun let out a strange chuckle upon hearing this.

“My esteemed Father, why not simply join the Yunhua Sect yourself? Such exceptional talent should not be squandered.”

These words prompted Yan Long to steal a quick glance at Su Muyu.

Noticing Yan Long’s gaze, Su Muyu’s eyes noticeably flickered away.

Witnessing Su Muyu’s evasive glance, Yan Long couldn’t help but sigh softly.

“There’s no rush with this matter,” he said. “I should first adapt to this new body.

Madam, for the time being, I must entrust the family affairs to you and Father.”

Yan Long looked towards First Madam.

First Madam and the other wives gazed at their husband, each sighing with an overwhelming sense of sorrow and dejection.

“Rest assured, we will diligently assist Hui’er in managing the family,” First Madam replied. “But as for you, Heavenly Monarch, what are your plans for the future?”

Yan Long let out a long sigh, looking up at the sky.

“What else can I do? I’ll change my name, assume a new identity, and devote myself entirely to cultivation.

Otherwise, such excellent aptitude would be utterly wasted.

Senior Yunxia mentioned that whenever I’ve made up my mind, I can join the Yunhua Sect.”

The wives could find no further words to utter.

****

Meanwhile, Lin Xiong, upon his return, was immediately informed of the deaths of Lin Ao and the dozen Spirit Transformation Realm cultivators.

This represented an immense loss for the Lin family.

Yet, he dared not openly demand the return of the corpses from the Yan family.

“Yan Yun, Yan family!” Lin Xiong roared, consumed by impotent fury. “This old man refuses to believe that my esteemed Lin family of the Royal Capital cannot contend with your Yan family!

Just you wait, for one day, I shall ensure your Yan family vanishes entirely from this world!”

Such a conflict would be a pyrrhic victory, costing them dearly.

King Jiang, it seemed, would no longer afford the Lin family any deference.

Within the royal palace at that very moment, King Jiang was severely reprimanding Consort Lin.

Kneeling in the grand hall, she trembled uncontrollably, having never anticipated that the Lin family would cause such an immense disturbance.

“Lin Yu,” King Jiang stated, his voice chillingly cold, “I once believed that if the Queen failed to achieve her breakthrough, you would be the most suitable to inherit her title.

However, it now appears my judgment was gravely mistaken.”

These words startled Consort Lin, causing her to abruptly lift her head.

“Great King,” she questioned, her face etched with disbelief, “are you truly abandoning your humble concubine merely because of the Yan family?”

King Jiang, observing Consort Lin’s demeanor, found himself at a loss for words.

“Your Lin family has grown far too arrogant,” King Jiang rebuked, “mistaking my benevolence for license to indulge your pride.

Have I not repeatedly stressed the importance of discretion in your actions and prioritizing the greater good?”

“To deal with a mere Yan family and the inheritor of the Heavenly Poison Maiden, your brother secretly conspired with various sects across Jiang Country to hunt her down,” King Jiang continued, his voice rising.

“Dozens of Divine Venerables gathered in a small place like Feng City.

Do you comprehend the consequences had a battle truly erupted?”

Consort Lin, of course, understood the potential ramifications, yet she stubbornly believed her brother had done nothing wrong.

The insignificant Yan family had dared to disregard the Lin family, killed her younger brother and nephew, and now her second brother.

This animosity, in her eyes, was utterly irreconcilable.

“Great King, what is the Yan family but a mere trifle?” Consort Lin retorted, striking back immediately. “A family entirely reliant on the Yunhua Sect’s protection!

If not for the Yunhua Sect’s meddling and interference in secular family disputes, would this matter have escalated to such a degree?

You, Your Majesty, should be holding the Yunhua Sect accountable!”

However, a resounding slap was her only reply.

“*Pa!*”

King Jiang, having heard her words, was utterly disillusioned with both Consort Lin and the Lin family.

“Do you still fail to comprehend your error?

Since your Lin family’s importance now outweighs the stability of Jiang Country, there is nothing more to discuss.

From this moment forth, I shall revoke all special privileges granted to your Lin family.

As for you, dismiss any thoughts of becoming Queen.

Withdraw!”

Consort Lin touched her stung cheek, rising to her feet with an expression of profound resentment.

“Great King, this matter is beyond reconciliation.

Even if you seize my right to succeed the Queen and strip my Lin family of its privileges, we will never let go of Yan Yun and the Yan family.

This is far from over!”

With that, Consort Lin departed, her face clouded with a gloomy expression.

Watching Consort Lin leave, King Jiang sighed once more.

“You reap what you sow.

If you continue down this path, your Lin family will face eternal damnation.

By then, even I will be unable to protect you.

This Yan Yun is no longer someone your Lin family can simply contend with as you please.”

King Jiang understood perfectly that Yan Yun’s dissemination of poison cultivation techniques was certainly not an act of benevolence; there had to be an underlying issue.

Now that it was confirmed Yan Yun had become a Yunhua Sect disciple, and the sect’s rapid advancement in poison cultivation research was entirely due to information released by her, it highlighted a crucial point: Yan Yun might very well gain control over all who practiced poison cultivation.

More terrifying still, even with the knowledge that this poison cultivation technique likely harbored hidden dangers, it remained powerless to curb the fervent desires of those striving to enter the immortal path.

Those destined to cultivate would continue to do so, utterly unswayed by this revelation.

Such was the nature of the human heart.

Moreover, she had a premonition that Yan Yun would undoubtedly make further moves.

King Jiang’s suspicions were not unfounded.

Yan Yun harbored no concern whatsoever about her exposed identity, having long prepared herself mentally for such an eventuality.

The only thing that truly surprised her was the distinct feeling that some unseen force was inexplicably obstructing her, or perhaps even seeking her demise.