"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."
Old Madam Grace Zheng looked Evan Lin up and down, her eyes full of emotion and guilt. "All these years, we've actually been searching for you, child."
"But for all sorts of reasons, we just couldn't bring you home. Seventeen years—almost eighteen—it's your grandparents' fault."
The more Old Madam Grace Zheng thought about it, the sadder she became, her eyes brimming with tears.
After she finished speaking, Leon Zheng stood up as well.
As the Zheng family's eldest son, Leon Zheng had, just a few days ago, played the villain and expelled Evan Lin from the Zheng family to keep him out of the storm.
Originally, he wanted to provoke Evan Lin's youthful pride, but never expected Evan would cut his wrist and bleed in public. That move scared even Leon Zheng quite a bit.
Later, when he heard Evan Lin had let Joy Zheng know he was safe, Leon finally relaxed a little, though the guilt in his heart never faded.
But for the sake of pride, Leon Zheng walked up, looked at Evan Lin with complicated eyes, and after holding it in for a long time, finally said solemnly, "I'm sorry."
Leon Zheng's awkwardness made Hans Zheng shake his head in resignation. He stepped forward, nodded slightly at Evan Lin, and said, "I'm your mom's second brother—your second uncle."
"Your eldest uncle did what he did because he wanted to keep you from getting dragged into this mess. Maybe his words were harsh, but I hope you can understand."
Hans Zheng paused, then added, "Back then, if your eldest uncle hadn't risked his life to drive your mom out of Oceanport, maybe both of you would've died here."
Speaking of the past, Hans Zheng couldn't help but sigh.
When Evan Lin heard this, he glanced at Leon Zheng and, after a brief moment of thought, nodded. "What's past is past."
Leon Zheng held it in for a long while before finally blurting out, "Thank you."
Susan Xu, pale-faced, nervously got up and forced a smile at Evan Lin. "No one's eaten yet, right? Everyone's been busy for ages, so I'll go find someone to make food."
"Everything before was my fault. You're generous, please don't hold it against me."
Susan Xu begged for mercy repeatedly, and before Evan Lin could say anything, she practically fled the hall. Even when passing by the still-unconscious Jason Zheng, she didn't pause for a second.
"Young Lord, is there anything you need us to do?"
Dominic Ding stepped forward, sword in hand. As the Sect Master of the Southriver Sword Sect, he hadn't acted earlier for fear of stealing Evan Lin's thunder. Now, approaching with a smile and deep respect in his eyes, he looked to Evan for instructions.
Only true strength earns genuine respect.
To Dominic Ding, Evan Lin was basically unbeatable.
"Go rest for now."
Evan Lin glanced at him, speaking calmly.
"Hurry up, Old Sun! Arrange for these Sword Masters to rest!"
Old Master George Zheng quickly gave the order, and Old Sun rushed over to lead the Southriver Sword Sect crew out to arrange guest rooms.
"Young Lord, should we go down as well?"
Warren Wu stepped forward. Behind him, Celine Lin flashed Evan a sweet smile, while Alex Fu's eyes were full of hidden meaning.
"Mm."
Once Evan nodded, Warren Wu glanced at the still-kowtowing Old Master Keene, then at the defeated Old Master Zhu, and joked, "I don't care what family you are from."
"Even though I'm just a regular under the Young Lord, Medicine King Valley and the Miracle Hand Sect have built up a ton of connections over the years. Even in far-off Oceanport, I can dig up someone important."
"You all better behave. If you tick off the Young Lord, I swear I'll dump every pill Medicine King Valley and the Miracle Hand Sect have and crush your whole family!"
Warren Wu was loaded and domineering, his voice cold and his eyes sharp.
Normally, bragging about wealth in front of the Zhu clan would be a joke, but coming from Warren Wu, with his dual titles, it hit different.
Old Master Zhu's face changed, and he didn't dare say a word.
Warren Wu turned to Evan Lin, smiling warmly and respectfully, "Young Lord, I'll head out now. If you need anything, just call me."
Seeing Evan Lin nod, Warren Wu finally dared to leave.
"Mom, how do you want to handle these people?"
Evan Lin glanced at the Qi family still kowtowing, then looked at Joy Zheng.
"Joy, we've really been wrong. Now that Raymond Cold is dead, can you let us off?" Old Master Keene trembled, turned to Joy Zheng, his face wrinkled and eyes full of tears. "We really know we were wrong."
Seeing Old Master Keene like that, Joy Zheng couldn't bear it. She looked at Evan Lin and said, "It's settled, why not let them go for now?"
Evan Lin sighed inside, knowing Joy Zheng was too kind. If he wiped out the Qi family here, she'd be seriously shaken.
"Get out. But if I ever catch you scheming again, I'll show no mercy!"
Evan Lin barked coldly.
Old Master Keene and his group kowtowed a few more times, then scrambled out like they'd been pardoned.
Once the Qi family was gone, the whole hall felt emptier.
"That's it for today, Old Zheng. We'll head out first."
Old Master Zhu got up, cupped his hands to Old Master George Zheng, then forced a smile at Evan Lin. "Master Lin, if you ever have time, feel free to visit the Zhu clan."
"No need."
Evan Lin replied coldly.
Old Master Zhu's eyelids twitched, his heart sinking. Facing Evan Lin, even his soul trembled.
Turning away a genius like this—dumber than a pig.
"Go home, go home. But Old Zhu, today was a grudge between the Qi and Zheng families. You were a witness, and I appreciate that." Old Master George Zheng grinned.
Old Master Zhu gave a bitter smile, sighed, and left, flicking his sleeves.
The Zhu clan left the hall, stepping out onto rubble. Seeing the ruined courtyard, their regret boiled over.
Old Master Zhu, face dark, slapped Victor and Henry Zhu as soon as they were outside. His face was red with fury.
"That kid's a genius—a freak who could've led our Zhu clan to glory!"
He looked up and sighed, stomping his feet in anguish.