Su Mo looked calm as ever. After Evan Lin’s quick acupuncture last time, her complexion had a touch more glow than before, but anyone could still tell she was far from healthy.
Nathan Lin gripped the Southriver Sword with one hand, the sheath hanging at his left side. He barely glanced at Eldest Brother Su before locking eyes on Su Mo, his gaze burning with intensity.
"Mo, long time no see."
Nathan Lin gave Su Mo a slight nod, his voice just a bit aloof.
But Su Mo just shot him a quick look and didn’t bother replying, leaving Nathan Lin looking seriously annoyed.
"Brother Su, if you think about it, it really has been years since we last met. Back when Mo’s father was alive, the Su family and my Lin family were pretty close, weren’t they?" Leonard Lin smiled, but his words had a hidden edge.
The marriage between Su Mo and Nathan Lin was set up by Su Mo’s parents. But since they passed away so early, Victor Su never really cared about it—who’d have thought it would become the Lin family’s trump card now?
"Yeah, time flies. It’s rare to meet again after so long." Victor Su nodded, turning to Nathan Lin. "You must be Nathan, right? I’ve heard your name around Capitalview for years. So young, yet you’ve bonded with the Southriver Sword and joined the Southriver Sword Sect. Give it a few more years, and your future’s limitless."
As soon as Victor Su said that, Henry Lin, Leonard Lin, and the others all looked pretty pleased with themselves.
Right now, the Su family only had Su Mo—there wasn’t even a single son in the third generation. If a genius like Nathan Lin married Su Mo, the Lin family would basically have the whole Su clan in their pocket!
"You flatter me, Mr. Su. I’m just a bit more talented than most, that’s all. I got into the Southriver Sword Sect and became a disciple under Sword Master Damon Yang. But he says if I really want to make it into the inner hall, I’ll need at least eight more years. Compared to my fellow disciples, I’m nothing special."
Nathan Lin gave a casual smile and put one hand behind his back. Before Victor Su or anyone else could speak, he went on, "I heard recently that Uncle Su’s troops are pretty weak. Supposedly, they can’t even handle a single finger from me. Next time I’m free, maybe I’ll drop by and give them some pointers."
"After all, a tiger pack can’t have a sheep as its leader. Consider this my first little favor for Mo."
Nathan Lin sounded indifferent, but his expression was pure arrogance.
As soon as he said that, every guest in the hall froze, all eyes snapping to Eldest Brother Su.
That was a straight-up gut punch!
"A tiger pack can’t have a sheep as its leader, huh?" Eldest Brother Su snorted coldly, his face turning dark.
He was basically calling Eldest Brother Su a sheep to his face!
Henry Lin laughed, trying to smooth things over. "Nantian’s always been blunt since he was a kid, Brother Su, don’t take it to heart. Besides, after today, give it a few months and we’ll all be family anyway."
"Family? Who’s family with you? Your last name’s Lin, mine’s Su! How are we family?" Eldest Brother Su shot back, stomping forward and glaring with wide eyes.
"If we say we’re family, then we’re family! Today’s a big day for Brother Su—his birthday. Nantian here’s got a special gift all ready." Henry Lin glanced at Leon Lin, totally ignoring Second Brother Su.
Leon Lin got the hint, hurried up, and pulled a short flute from his pocket, handing it to Nathan Lin. Nathan took it and started fiddling with it.
Nathan Lin turned to Victor Su, lips curled in a polite smile. "Grandpa Su, I spent half a month personally polishing this flute. Consider it my birthday present to you."
"As long as you hold onto this flute, I promise, after I officially marry Mo, I’ll lead the Su family and the Lin family together to an even brighter future."
Nathan Lin spoke in a flat tone, but the flute itself was a real work of art.
But his words made the already tense atmosphere in the hall even tighter.
Su Mo’s elegant brows shot up, her face instantly showing anger.
"Nathan Lin, you really don’t know how to act like a guest, do you!" Su Mo finally couldn’t hold back, snapping at him.
Her voice was gentle, almost like water—even when she was scolding him, it sounded soft.
"What are you trying to do here? Sure, today’s my birthday, so I won’t bother with other business. If you’re really here to celebrate, I appreciate it. But as for the Su family, we’ll have our own people leading us. No need for you to worry, Nantian." Victor Su’s voice turned cold.
Meanwhile, Second Brother Su whipped out the little magic artifact he’d picked up at the appraisal fair—a piece that looked like metal, but wasn’t quite.
He shot Nathan Lin a sideways look, sneering, "You call that cheap thing a birthday present for the Su family? Seriously, you think you’re all that?"
"This magic artifact was appraised by a master at the fair. If you wear it long-term, it’ll get your blood flowing and help you live longer!"
Second Brother Su’s voice boomed across the room.
Magic artifact?
As soon as he said it, a wave of gasps rippled through the crowd.
Most of the people here were rich heirs, but magic artifacts were so rare that hardly anyone had ever seen one in their whole life.
Everyone stared at Second Brother Su’s hand. The thing looked like a thin metal shard, but even a quick glance made people feel a hint of comfort—no wonder they were so curious.
Magic artifact?
Leonard Lin narrowed his eyes.
Henry Lin and Leon Lin’s faces suddenly darkened.
Leon Lin still remembered getting cut up by that purple clay teapot shard at the auction. Of course he recognized it. When Second Brother Su pulled it out, Leon gave a creepy little grin. "That’s just the busted base of a purple clay teapot!"
"You really dare call that a magic artifact? Second Brother Su, prove it if you can! And by the way, that thing belonged to my Lin family. You brought people to snatch it at the auction, and now you’ve got the guts to show it off?"
Leon Lin’s voice was cold and twisted, trying to justify himself.
"That was appraised by a master I hired—how is it suddenly yours?" Second Brother Su shot back, fuming.
"A master? That thug you brought dares call himself a master? I remember him using dirty tricks to injure Sword Master Cui, then running off and vanishing! That debt is on your Su family’s head." Henry Lin spoke coldly. "If it’s on you, then fine—Nantian’s here today, and he can speak for the Lin family, and for the Southriver Sword Sect!"
"Old Mr. Su, I respect you for your service to the country, so as the Lin family patriarch and Nantian’s father, I won’t beat around the bush today."
"You have two choices: either let Nantian, representing the Lin family, formally propose and marry Su Mo soon—"
"—or let Nantian, representing the Southriver Sword Sect, demand justice from your Su family for what happened to Sword Master Cui today!"