Phi-Fic Chapter 732 Undercurrents (Page 12)
Chapter 732 Undercurrents (Page 12)
The cobblestone streets, glistening from the rain, reflected the rows of shop signs on either side—red, green, and gold—still exuding a deliberately crafted air of prosperity even in the slightly overcast afternoon light. The air was thick with the scents of spices, delicacies, and a faint fragrance of perfume, blending into a uniquely intoxicating atmosphere characteristic of large cities. However, beneath this glitz and glamour, both Lin Wei and Lin Muxue keenly sensed an invisible oppression.
The patrolling soldiers were noticeably more numerous than in other cities, and they were well-equipped, their expressions serious; the gleam of their armor clashed sharply with the warm tones of the streets. They marched in pairs, their steps synchronized, their eyes sharp as hawks, scanning every pedestrian as if searching for prey. The pedestrians on the street wore formulaic smiles, haggling with vendors or exchanging pleasantries, but deep in their eyes, there seemed to be a subtle, almost imperceptible wariness and unease, like frightened birds, ready to react to any sudden change.
Occasionally, one could see people dressed in luxurious clothes, their expressions arrogant, riding in ornate carriages or accompanied by large guards, swaggering by. Wherever they passed, the previously smooth flow of people would immediately part as if a boulder had been thrown into water; the surrounding people would lower their heads to make way, their smiles vanishing instantly, replaced by expressions of awe mixed with fear. Even when rudely shoved by the guards, they could only swallow their anger, daring not to utter a sound. Only after the group had gone far away would they dare to raise their heads, exchange a helpless and resentful glance, and then quickly disperse, as if lingering for even a second would invite disaster.
"It seems that the rule of Lin Xiaotian and his son here is indeed unpopular." Lin Wei pulled her hat brim even lower and spoke to Lin Muxue beside her in a voice only the two of them could hear, a cold glint in her eyes. Lin Xiaotian, her second uncle, is now the de facto ruler of "Tianqing City," the main city of the Lin family that once belonged to her father. And there's his equally ambitious and ruthless son, Lin Haoyu. This father and son are the culprits who pushed their Lin family into the abyss.
"Mmm," Lin Muxue responded softly, her small hands unconsciously clenching so tightly that her nails almost dug into her palms. The more prosperous this place was, the more she thought of the suffering her father, Lin Zhennan, might be enduring in the dark dungeon, and the hardships her mother, Su Shi, had endured with her young brother, constantly on the run and hiding. The hatred in her heart was like a dormant volcano, accumulating surging power, almost ready to erupt. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. Now was not the time to act impulsively. They had infiltrated Tianqing City to find clues, to gather strength, so that one day they could set things right, avenge her father, and restore the Lin family's honor!
"Stay close to me, don't look around, find Steward Lin Zhong first." Lin Wei composed herself, suppressing her turbulent emotions. She was a few years older than Mu Xue and had experienced more trials, understanding the importance of calm and caution at this moment. According to the latest intelligence provided by Shadow Pavilion, their loyal old steward, Lin Zhong, had narrowly escaped death years ago and was now living in anonymity, running an inconspicuous little general store in Tianqing City, awaiting news of their return. Lin Zhong was her father's most trusted person, and their most important contact and source of intelligence for this journey.
Lin Wei carefully observed the buildings and street signs on both sides of the street, pulling Lin Muxue along as they tried to blend into the crowd, heading towards the relatively more populous area of the city—"South City Ward." There, the houses were densely packed, the population diverse, and all sorts of people roamed, making it easier to conceal their presence.
After passing through several wide and bustling main streets, the surrounding scenery gradually changed. The tall restaurants and silk shops were replaced by low-rise houses and small workshops, the pedestrians were dressed much more simply, and the smell in the air changed from perfumes and cosmetics to a mixture of coal smoke, sweat, and cheap food. Although there were still patrolling soldiers, their numbers were significantly reduced, and their expressions were not as tense as before; they only occasionally scolded the vendors who were obstructing the road.
Following the route described in the Shadow Pavilion's intelligence, Lin Wei meandered through narrow, damp alleys. The alleys were piled high with debris, and sewage flowed into small streams along the roadside, emitting a foul odor. Occasionally, a few skinny stray cats would dart past her feet, giving her a wary look before disappearing into the darkness.
Finally, deep in a relatively quiet alley, they found the small shop called "Convenience Grocery Store". The shop was small, with a faded wooden sign hanging crookedly at the entrance. Inside, there were everyday items such as oil, salt, soy sauce, needles and thread, pots and pans, and the lighting was somewhat dim.
An elderly man with gray hair and a slightly hunched back sat on a small stool by the door, squinting, holding a pipe in his hand, puffing on it intermittently, staring blankly at the alley entrance. He wore a patched coarse cloth jacket, and his face was covered with wrinkles, looking like an ordinary, weathered old man from the streets.
Lin Wei and Lin Muxue's hearts began to race simultaneously. Although they hadn't seen each other for many years and the old housekeeper had changed a lot, they recognized him at a glance—it was Lin Zhong!
Lin Wei took a deep breath, stepped forward, and whispered in a code that only she, her father, and a very few close relatives knew, "Old man, do you have any aged Pu'er tea? My master specifically requested it."
Lin Zhong abruptly stopped smoking, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his cloudy eyes. He raised his head, sharply scrutinizing Lin Wei and Lin Muxue for a moment, his gaze lingering on their faces as if trying to see through the years of hardship to reveal their true nature. After a long while, he slowly put down his pipe, his voice hoarse and low, trembling slightly: "Miss, in these chaotic times of war, there's no aged Pu'er tea left. I only have some coarse 'bitter tea.' If you don't mind, come in and have a bowl."
The code was matched!
Lin Wei and Lin Muxue finally breathed a sigh of relief, and an indescribable mix of excitement and grievance welled up in their hearts, their eyes instantly turning red.
Lin Zhong stood up and slowly led the two women into the shop. He glanced warily at the alley entrance, then slammed the simple wooden door shut and bolted it shut.
"Young Miss! Second Young Miss!" As soon as the door closed, Lin Zhong could no longer control his emotions that he had suppressed for many years. His voice choked with sobs, and tears streamed down his face. He tremblingly reached out his hand, wanting to touch them, but afraid of disturbing these precious memories that had been lost and found again. "It really is you... You are still alive... That's wonderful... If the Master is watching over you from heaven, may he protect you and keep you safe!"
"Uncle Lin!" Lin Muxue could no longer hold back and threw herself into Lin Zhong's arms, bursting into tears. The fear, grievances, and longing of the past few years poured out like a flood at the moment she saw her loved ones.
Lin Wei, her eyes also red, held back her tears and gently patted Lin Zhong's back: "Uncle Lin, we're back. We've made you suffer."
Lin Zhong held Lin Muxue in his arms, tears streaming down his face, repeatedly murmuring, "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back..."
After a while, his emotions calmed down a bit. Lin Zhong wiped away his tears and led Lin Wei and Lin Muxue to a small inner room at the back of the shop. The room was simply furnished with only a bed, a table, and a few chairs. Some miscellaneous items were piled up in the corner, but it was relatively clean.
Lin Zhong poured them two bowls of water before sitting down and carefully inquiring about their experiences over the past few years. Lin Wei briefly recounted how they escaped with the desperate protection of their loyal guards, how they endured hardship and displacement, how they went into hiding, how they reconnected with the "Shadow Pavilion," the secret network her father had established, and how they gradually accumulated strength before finally deciding to sneak back into Tianqing City.
Hearing about the suffering they had endured, Lin Zhong kept wiping away tears, blaming himself, "It's all my fault for being so incompetent, for failing to protect you and causing you so much pain..."
“Uncle Lin, it’s not your fault,” Lin Wei comforted her. “The situation was critical at the time, and it was a miracle that you survived. We’ve come back to find out the truth, rescue Father, and avenge the Lin family!” As she spoke the last few words, her eyes became firm and cold.
Lin Muxue also stopped crying, wiped away her tears, and her eyes flashed with the flames of revenge: "Uncle Lin, how is my father now?" This was the question they cared about most.
Mentioning Lin Zhennan, Lin Zhong's expression turned solemn. He sighed and said in a low voice, "Master... alas... back then, Lin Xiaotian and his son launched a coup, falsely accusing Master of treason and imprisoning him in the deepest part of the 'Heavenly Prison.' In order to force Master to reveal the whereabouts of the martial arts manual 'Pillar of Heaven,' which had been passed down through generations of the Lin family, Lin Xiaotian used every kind of torture on Master..."
Lin Zhong's words were like sharp knives, piercing the hearts of Lin Wei and Lin Muxue.
"Then my father..." Lin Muxue asked nervously, her heart in her throat.
"Master... is still alive." Lin Zhong's voice carried a hint of relief, but also endless grief and indignation. "Master is tough. No matter how Lin Xiaotian tortured him, he did not yield, nor did he utter a single word about the secret manual. Although Lin Xiaotian hates him to the bone, he is afraid that killing Master directly will cause a backlash from his old subordinates because he cannot find the manual. In addition, there are still some forces outside who are loyal to Master active, so he has not dared to kill him. He has just kept Master under strict guard in the prison, treating him like a cripple."
Hearing that their father was still alive, Lin Wei and Lin Muxue felt a surge of hope, but it was immediately pierced by the words "like a cripple." Their father had once been such a hero, and now he had fallen to such a state!
"Lin Xiaotian and his son are utterly depraved!" Lin Muxue said through gritted teeth.
Lin Zhong nodded, his expression growing even more grave: "Since taking control of Tianqing City and most of the Lin family's businesses, this father and son have begun to levy exorbitant taxes and oppress the people. Lin Xiaotian, who has proclaimed himself 'King of Zhennan,' is ambitious and has been recruiting soldiers and expanding his military. Taxes have been increasing year by year, causing immense suffering to the people. His son, Lin Haoyu, is even more arrogant, extravagant, and lawless. He runs rampant in Tianqing City, forcibly taking women, seizing family property, and committing countless atrocities! Anyone who dares to resist is accused of various crimes, imprisoned in the capital, and punished with exile or even death. Over the years, Tianqing City has appeared prosperous on the surface, but in reality, it has long been a place of undercurrents and boiling resentment among the people!"
Lin Wei frowned: "Lin Xiaotian is acting so perversely, isn't there anyone who will resist? What about Father's old subordinates?"
Lin Zhong gave a bitter smile: "How could there not be? At the beginning of the mutiny, many generals and retainers loyal to the master rose up in rebellion, but they were all bloodily suppressed by Lin Xiaotian. Lin Xiaotian is ruthless and eliminates all traces of his followers. Almost all those who participated in the mutiny and those who resisted afterward were wiped out. Those who managed to escape have all gone into hiding and dare not show their faces easily. As for those old subordinates who are still in the city, most of them are afraid of Lin Xiaotian's tyranny and dare not speak out. Some have even surrendered to Lin Xiaotian to protect themselves. There are not many who are truly loyal to the master and are secretly waiting for an opportunity. And they are all hiding very well."
Lin Wei fell silent. She knew Lin Zhong was telling the truth. Lin Xiaotian and his son had been running Tianqing City for many years, and their influence was deep-rooted; shaking them would not be an easy task.
"What about the 'Optimus Prime' manual? Has Lin Xiaotian still not found it?" Lin Wei asked. This martial arts manual, passed down through generations of the Lin family, is not only incredibly powerful, but also a symbol of the Lin family's orthodox status. Lin Xiaotian and his son have long coveted it.
"It seems they haven't found it," Lin Zhong said confidently. "The master was so wise back then; he foresaw Lin Xiaotian's disloyal intentions and hid the true copy of 'Optimus Prime' in an extremely secret place beforehand. Apart from the master himself, probably only the madam knew about it. Lin Xiaotian has been searching frantically for years, turning the city lord's mansion upside down and torturing anyone who might have come into contact with the manual, but he has never found it. He suspects that the master entrusted the manual to loyal former subordinates who took it out of the city, so he has never relaxed his checks on people leaving the city and has been secretly searching for the whereabouts of those former subordinates who have fled."