The Female Lead Brought Her Lover to the Wedding Banquet and Broke Off the Marriage; I Slaughtered Her Entire Family - Chapter 28:

Chapter 28: Shadows of the Imperial Capital

Lin Chen paused slightly.

This old thing finally dropped the act.

“Young Master, don’t you already know who’s behind the Thousand Shadow Pavilion?” Fang Tang lowered his voice, “The Crown Prince’s men have long infiltrated the court and beyond. The Lin family is strong, but in the grand game of Great Zhou, we are ultimately just a piece!”

“Heh, after all this, you’re just a dog wagging its tail for the Crown Prince,” Lin Chen sneered. “An old dog raised for thirty years, and you switch sides just like that.”

Fang Tang’s expression shifted a few times before settling into a long sigh, “Young Master, the Patriarch seeks only to be content in a corner. I can’t understand it. With the Lin family’s foundation, why not fight for immense glory and wealth?”

“Content in a corner?” Lin Chen laughed as if he had heard a joke. “Fang Tang, after thirty years, you still don’t understand my father.”

A shadow crossed Fang Tang’s face. “Young Master, the tides can’t be resisted. It’s only a matter of time before the Crown Prince ascends the throne. The Thousand Shadow Pavilion is just the vanguard—behind them is the entire royal clan! I did this to leave the Lin family a way out…”

“Silence!” Lin Chen barked, cutting him off. “You chose betrayal. You have no right to speak of the Lin family’s future.”

In the moonlight, Lin Chen’s shadow stretched long and thin, the pressure he exuded nearly crushing Fang Tang’s bones.

“Young Master… spare me, I still have value…”

Lin Chen wasn’t interested in listening. His right hand formed a seal, and an eerie blue light began gathering at his fingertips—it was [Annihilation Finger].

“Wait!” Fang Tang panicked, shouting incoherently, “Young Master! I have important information! About the Crown Prince! And about Lin Fan!”

The light at Lin Chen’s fingertips paused slightly. “Speak.”

Grasping at his last straw, Fang Tang hurriedly said, “The Crown Prince is determined to seize the Azure bloodline! He’s already stationed people to monitor Lin Fan! The Crown Prince knows everything about what you brought back from the Black Stone Mountains!”

“What else?”

“And… the latest batch of ore the Lin family brought in—the Crown Prince has set his sights on it too. He’s planning to fabricate an excuse under the guise of a tax inspection to swallow a huge portion!”

“So, you old dog, you sold out the Lin family’s foundations, every last detail?” Lin Chen’s voice was so cold it seemed to crack the air, hammering into Fang Tang’s chest.

“Young Master! No, I just…”

“Enough noise,” Lin Chen interrupted, impatient.

Seeing that begging was useless, a flash of ferocity passed through Fang Tang’s eyes. He suddenly lunged forward! A dagger, gleaming coldly, appeared in his hand at some unknown moment, thrusting straight toward Lin Chen’s heart!

“Die, you little brat!”

Lin Chen had been prepared. He sidestepped easily. He didn’t even use spiritual energy—he simply raised his left hand and casually tapped Fang Tang’s forehead with a finger.

[Annihilation Finger]!

A point of blue light pierced into Fang Tang’s forehead.

His forward momentum froze, his entire body stiffening mid-air, face still twisted in a vicious snarl, a raspy gargle escaping his throat.

The dagger clattered to the ground.

Fang Tang toppled over, his eyes wide open in death, refusing to close.

“Thirty years of loyalty, and in the end, you still tried to bite back,” Lin Chen looked down at the corpse, his voice emotionless. “Pity. Your life is even cheaper than I thought.”

He clapped his hands.

From the shadows of the courtyard, four figures in black silently emerged.

“Clean it up. Quickly. Don’t leave a trace,” Lin Chen ordered. “Search his room again. Every corner. Bring out anything connected to the Thousand Shadow Pavilion.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Lin Chen turned and left. The moonlight draped over his back, casting an icy glow.

Inside, the azure power stirred restlessly again, as if agitated by the killing. He silently circulated his cultivation method to suppress it, though his steps grew heavier as he walked toward his courtyard.

It was already late.

Lin Chen sat beneath the lamp, his desk piled high with items retrieved from Fang Tang’s quarters.

Most were notes written in cipher, recording the information he had leaked bit by bit to the Thousand Shadow Pavilion over the years. There was also a booklet detailing the recent defensive layout of the Lin residence.

Most eye-catching of all was a sheepskin map.

It was meticulously drawn, marking the locations of secret Lin family mines along the border, with even the garrison forces clearly indicated.

If this had truly fallen into the Crown Prince’s hands… Lin Chen tapped a spot on the map representing one of the mines.

“The Crown Prince…”

Soft footsteps approached the door. A maid’s voice came through, “Young Master, the Patriarch requests your presence.”

Lin Shan’s study was still lit.

When Lin Chen entered, Lin Shan waved off the attendants.

“Handled?”

Lin Chen nodded. “Yes. Not a scrap left.”

“Find anything?”

Lin Chen spread the confiscated items on the table, pushing the map forward.

“Fang Tang has been selling out to the Crown Prince for at least three years,” Lin Chen said evenly. “He was a plant from the Thousand Shadow Pavilion, backed by the Crown Prince.”

Lin Shan picked up the classified scroll, his expression unreadable.

“The Crown Prince is getting more restless. Even veterans like Fang Tang have been turned. It seems we won’t be able to stay low for much longer.”

Lin Chen was silent for a while. “Father, since the Crown Prince has already made his move, he won’t easily pull back.”

Lin Shan lifted his head. Under the dim yellow light, his features were exceptionally hard. “What do you plan to do?”

“Strike back,” Lin Chen answered cleanly. “Shake the mountain to scare the tiger—let the Crown Prince’s people feel the pain. And while we’re at it, knock some sense into those in the residence who are getting ideas.”

Lin Shan tapped the table lightly, then slowly nodded. “This matter with Fang Tang needs an explanation. Handle it. You have full authority over matters within the residence. I won’t interfere.”

Lin Chen bowed and was about to leave but paused. “Father, there’s one more thing.”

“Speak.”

Lin Shan’s voice was calm.

“Lin Fan,” Lin Chen lowered his voice, “I feel there’s still untapped value in him.”

Lin Shan’s expression didn’t change. “Oh?”

“I seized part of the Azure bloodline inheritance, but it’s fragmented and difficult to use,” Lin Chen explained. “There’s a chance the most critical piece is still hidden within Lin Fan’s body.”

Lin Shan thought for a moment, his knuckles tapping lightly on the desk. “What’s your plan?”

“Completely wipe his mind and slowly dig it out,” Lin Chen’s voice carried a chill. “The system specifically pointed to the Azure bloodline. It’s no ordinary thing.”

“As long as you’re clear-headed. Don’t risk your life,” Lin Shan warned. “The Azure bloodline backlash isn’t a joke. If dragged out too long, not even immortals can save you.”

Lin Chen nodded and turned to leave.

Early the next morning, the atmosphere in the Lin residence turned tense.

Lin Chen immediately ordered a thorough investigation of the entire residence, especially targeting those close to Fang Tang or personally promoted by him—none would escape scrutiny.