Volume One: The Wild Child Chapter Twenty-Three: In the Name of Righteousness

The team member dressed in black led the way, while the Yu family uncle and nephew, along with Lin Changtian, remained behind to discuss the war.

“So, it seems the battle between the Lin and Zhou clans has already been decided on the primary front?” Yu Li sounded surprised. No one had expected that the Zhou clan, undefeated in sweeping through the northern Central Plains, would suddenly pull back their lines, forfeit their advantage on the offensive, and shift into a defensive stance, showing no will to continue the fight.

Yu Qing nodded, his expression grave. “Many leaders of Zhou’s subordinate forces have been assassinated one after another. Right now, internal strife poses a much graver threat to them than any external enemy’s aggression.”

Lin Changtian rubbed his drowsy eyes—it was the first time in many days of wandering that he had slept so soundly. Yu Li glanced at Lin Changtian, who was yawning, and said irritably, “Well, look who’s finally up. Sleep any longer and I’ll have to call you from your grave when the war is over.”

Lin Changtian pursed his lips and devoured the food Yu Qing handed him. Only when he felt almost completely full did he finally stop, and said lazily, “So, the elite Yu family troops are not here just to rescue this foolish girl, are they?”

Unlike Yu Li, who was so angry she nearly leaped up to hit Lin Changtian’s head, Yu Qing looked at Lin Changtian with a hint of appreciation in his eyes. “Exactly. After all, no one wants to see the Lin clan take control of the northern Central Plains. That’s why Yu was called in—to eliminate the assassin who’s been such a thorn in Zhou’s side.”

Lin Changtian frowned deeply. “There are plenty of boundary-crossers in the Zhou clan. To take out so many high-ranking leaders in the midst of such heavy defenses, what kind of boundary-crosser is this assassin?”

Yu Qing shook his head. “He’s merely an Awakened.”

Lin Changtian froze, genuinely shocked by this revelation. He looked at Yu Qing in disbelief, waiting for him to continue.

Yu Qing sighed, his expression solemn. “If, a little over a year ago when the era of Awakening began, someone had said that an Awakened could surpass a boundary-crosser, he’d have been a laughingstock. Back then, everyone thought Awakened were just a bunch of lucky fools, no different from the common rabble. After all, even the weakest boundary-crosser could easily crush the most powerful Awakened. But over this past year, the Awakened have evolved rapidly, and some now rival even the strongest boundary-crossers. The most famous among them are the Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper. And the Lin clan just happens to have such a prodigy—Lin Yuheng among the Seven.”

At the mention of this demon’s name, Lin Changtian’s face betrayed no emotion. He continued, “And who are the other six?”

“Other than Lin Yuheng, the known ones are Wu Xuan, Wu Ji, Qi Tianshu, and Qi Tianquan.”

“The rest aren’t born yet? Why do you say ‘known’?”

Yu Qing gave Lin Changtian a strange look. “This is common knowledge in the Central Plains. The Seven Stars is just a title, earned through their own prowess. Only the stars ‘Yaoguang’ and ‘Kaiyang’ remain without masters.”

Yu Baili made a gesture to show he understood. “So, this formidable assassin is most likely Lin Yuheng?”

Yu Qing nodded. “The Lin clan’s old powerhouses wouldn’t risk going deep behind enemy lines. That’s why Zhou’s commission to Yu is to stop this Northern Dipper Yuheng.”

“So, where do you think this fellow will strike next?”

Unable to endure being ignored, Yu Li finally interrupted.

Lin Changtian tapped his forehead. “Which leaders has he assassinated these past days?”

“When the Zhou patriarch first entered the north, he was accompanied by only eight followers, known in history as the Eight Pillars of Zhou. Each later established a major force allied to the Zhou. Of the current heads of these eight families, five are already dead. The remaining three—two are stationed as border guardians protecting Zhou, and only the Xu family is left in a remote area. That makes the Xu family the most likely next target.”

“No,” Lin Changtian shook his head. “I’ve dealt with that madman before. He only seeks ever more sensational results. Once the border guardians fall, Zhou’s gates are left wide open, and they have no chance of stopping the Lin clan’s Gonggong Legion.”

“Who knew you, wild man, so taciturn usually, have actually met Lin Yuheng? Tell us about it!” Yu Li asked with great curiosity.

Lin Changtian’s face remained calm, but his hands, hidden behind his back, had turned bone-white from clenching so hard that his blunt nails dug into his flesh. He paid it no mind, letting blood stream down his hands, and spoke slowly, “I merely watched him toy with the lives of everyone in Zhongzhou City, then let me live as an afterthought.”

Yu Li was dumbfounded by this and, seeing the blood running from his hands, made to offer a handkerchief, only for Yu Qing to stop her with a pat on the shoulder, motioning her aside.

“Then why don’t we go lie in wait at the border guardian families?” Lin Changtian nodded, then silently walked to an open space to practice his blade.

Yu Li watched Lin Changtian’s figure, her eyes clouded with confusion. “Uncle, you know what happened in Zhongzhou—no one survived. He... he needs comfort.”

Yu Qing patted her head. “Do you remember Yu’s creed?”

“To keep our appearance dignified, to bring clarity to the land; to use my private affairs to serve the public good.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to make his personal vendetta Yu’s private business and help the boy seek vengeance? Only the desperate, cringing refugees of this land would dare hope to quell such deep hatred with mere comfort.”

...

At the border strongholds of the Zhou clan, two families who had defended the main house for centuries—the Kuai and Cai families—were each plotting their own schemes.

Thus, the two family heads sat down together to discuss the situation.

Kuai Yue frowned at Cai Ling. “The Lin clan madman is hunting down the Eight Pillar leaders like a hound. Five are dead, and only you, I, and Old Xu in the southwest remain. We’d best make preparations.”

Cai Ling shot Kuai Yue a look of disdain. “You’re just getting old—too cautious. Our defenses are the best, with organized battalions of mechanized troops, Awakened everywhere, and even boundary-crossers stationed throughout. The very area around this house is crawling with them! Even the Gonggong Legion has been repulsed several times—let alone a mere assassin. Besides, you and I are far stronger than those five who died.”

Kuai Yue stroked his beard and smiled. “I have reliable information. Would you like to know which ‘mere’ assassin the Lin clan has sent?”

Cai Ling rolled his eyes and snorted. “I’d actually like to know which fool dares!”

Kuai Yue’s smile widened. “Lin Yuheng of the Lin clan. Is he worthy of your attention?”

“Lin... Lin Yuheng!” Cai Ling was so shocked cold sweat broke out all over him. He sat down in a daze for a moment before whispering, “Even if it’s him, I am loyal to the main house! Live or die, I belong to Zhou—I won’t be frightened by a Lin Yuheng!”

“Well, you have quite the backbone,” came a mocking voice from the window, where a shadow had appeared unnoticed.

Cai Ling’s entire being tensed, his aura surging to a peak. “Who are you, breaking into the forbidden grounds of Zhou? Death awaits you!”

But his words were cut short as a face emerged from the shadows. The so-called head of the new Eight Pillars, Cai Ling, turned ashen with terror, all his bravado vanishing. He collapsed to his knees, his former dignity utterly gone.

“Master, I surrender! Spare my life and I’ll serve the Lin clan loyally. Zhou is finished anyway—let me be your vanguard and lead the way to the capital!” Cai Ling groveled on the floor, all flattery and submission.

Lin Yuheng found it amusing. The five heads he’d killed had all died with dignity—none had groveled like a dog. He considered, then said, “Since you’re so loyal, you can follow me. But the Lin clan doesn’t need two dogs, so old man, you’ll have to die.”

Kuai Yue’s smile did not fade. “I would very much like to witness the style of the so-called Northern Dipper Yuheng.”