C12 Bullying Others

"Young Master! Something terrible has happened!"

After Yin Jue's death, the ice energy faded, and Ann Ziqing, unharmed, burst in shouting, "There's been a disaster, a huge disaster!"

She was unaware of the events that had unfolded during the night. By the time she thawed from her icy state, Yin Jue had been reduced to ashes.

All the information she received about Yin Jue's death came from Yu Yuan. Despite her doubts, she chose to trust her young master.

Yu Yuan rose slowly, his expression unchanged, and inquired, "What's the matter?"

"Your fiancée's father has come to Asvetaesi in person, demanding the engagement be called off." Ann Ziqing was livid. "This is outrageous. Your engagement to Lin Zhuyun was arranged by his mother and your grandfather. Before Lin Jingfei's death, she made it clear to all Lin family members that the engagement would stand!"

"I'm the principal party in this engagement. Take me to them."

...

"Old Mr. Yu, I regret to inform you that our Lin family wishes to annul the engagement effective immediately!"

Yu Yuan, guided by Ann Ziqing, had just reached the entrance of the Lin family's hall when he heard a somber voice making bold declarations.

"That would be your future father-in-law—Lin Hanyu," whispered the maid.

Yu Yuan flashed a smile and nodded his understanding.

Lin Hanyu, Lin Jingfei's second son and Lin Zhuyun's biological father, was in the late period of the Veil Breaking Stage!

Following Lin Jingfei's death, the leadership of the Lin family fell to her two sons.

The head of the Lin family was the composed and stable Lin Fengyan. The younger brother, Lin Hanyu, known for his arrogance and ruthlessness, was not considered a suitable candidate for the role.

The brothers enjoyed a strong bond, with no contention over the leadership position.

Lin Fengyan often handled the Lin family's internal affairs and external communications. Lin Hanyu typically dealt with the family's adversaries, which likely contributed to his formidable reputation within the clan.

Outside, his reputation was marked by infamy and malevolence!

At this moment, the person who arrived at the Yu family to address the marriage issue was not the eldest, Lin Fengyan, but Lin Hanyu himself.

What could this signify?

The members and guests of the Yu family, upon seeing him enter the hall and hearing his words, all felt a sense of foreboding.

Yin Jue was dead, his life ended before Yu Yuan's pavilion, and Yin Jue was a trusted confidant, personally recruited to the Lin family by Lin Hanyu.

Rumors had it that Lin Hanyu once saved Yin Jue's life, earning unwavering loyalty from him.

But now, inexplicably, Yin Jue was dead. As his lord, Lin Hanyu, upon receiving a message from his daughter, had come to Asvetaesi not only to annul the marriage but also to uncover the truth behind Yin Jue's mysterious demise.

"Where is Yu Yuan? I've heard the young man is awake. Bring him to me!" Lin Hanyu commanded.

"Your son-in-law pays his respects!" Yu Yuan's voice boomed from outside the hall, and amid many curious stares, he confidently strode into the hall.

Ann Ziqing, a maidservant of lower status, was not permitted inside and had to wait outside.

The hall was filled with the Yu family's elders and counselors, as well as Yu Yuan's uncles and aunts.

Beside Yu Cen sat two men and a woman: Yu Wei, Yu Lian, and Yu Lili. They were the offspring of Old Mr. Yu's younger brother, Yu Xi. Yu Yuan had briefly encountered them before but had not engaged in extensive conversation, leaving him with a faint impression.

Later, he gleaned more about his three uncles and aunt through Ann Ziqing.

Currently, the Yu family's elder, Yu Cen, had a brother, Yu Xi, who, along with his wife, had been killed years earlier while seeking rare magic plants for the family, having crossed the wrong people.

At that time, Yu Wei, Yu Lian, and Yu Lili, all of age, remained to safeguard the Yu household, never venturing out.

Yu Cen and Yu Xi also had a younger sister, Yu Ying, who was taken from the Yu family at a young age by a cultivator who saw potential in her.

However, there was still no news of Yu Ying. No one knew whether she was alive or dead.

Yu Cen had raised the three siblings since their childhood. They held deep respect for the old man, treating him as if he were their own father.

The old man reciprocated their trust and affection, entrusting them with many of the family's affairs. With his son and daughter-in-law's fate unknown in the Frozen Hellscape and his grandson lacking wit, he groomed his nephew, Yu Wei, to be the next helmsman of the Yu family.

This was common knowledge to all.

"Greetings, Grandfather, Uncle, Aunt," Yu Yuan said upon entering. He first bowed to Yu Cen and then to Yu Wei and his siblings before joining them. Turning to face Lin Hanyu and his fiancée, whom he was meeting for the first time, he continued.

"Good day, Father-in-law," he greeted, bowing to Lin Hanyu, the sharply dressed scholar with piercing eyes and a somber demeanor.

Finally, he turned his gaze to Lin Zhuyun, squinting slightly with a serene smile, and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you for the first time. I look forward to learning from you."

The young lady stood with grace, her eyes as clear and bright as a mountain brook, exuding the poise of nobility despite her youth. It was no wonder Winter's Bite considered her a prized asset, eager to bring her to the Euwrea Continent.

Even with Yu Yuan's perspective from his past life, he couldn't deny that his fiancée was an exceptional choice, both in beauty and in her potential for cultivation.

It was understandable that such a gem would be coveted, with others reluctant to see even the slightest blemish upon it.

And his own existence was perhaps the most significant blemish and imperfection on this gem.

With this thought, he shook his head and chuckled to himself.

As he observed Lin Hanyu and Lin Zhuyun, the father and daughter duo scrutinized him in return.

Lin Zhuyun spared him only a brief glance before gently closing her eyes, seemingly disinterested.

The name Yu Yuan had always been associated with shame for her. She was eager to dissolve their engagement and dedicate herself to her cultivation, hoping to join Winter's Bite as soon as possible.

In her mind, even with Yu Yuan's awakening, their worlds were destined to remain apart, with no chance of them being together out of obligation.

She closed her eyes, refusing to even glance his way, radiating an air of utter indifference and scorn.

"Hey! Since you've come, let's make things clear. You, Yu Yuan, are simply not fit to be my son-in-law!"

Lin Hanyu watched him for a moment before his patience wore thin. It seemed to him that Yu Yuan didn't even deserve to engage in conversation. Addressing Old Mr. Yu directly, his tone was icy and adamant, "You're probably aware of Winter's Bite's stance by now. My mother didn't annul the marriage contract she made with you before she passed away, and as her son, I won't dishonor her agreement."

"However, if you were to initiate the dissolution of the marriage, it wouldn't be considered a breach of protocol."

"I believe you're a smart man. You should understand what the right course of action is for the Yu family's best interest and ultimate safeguard."

Before arriving, he had discussed the matter with his daughter. Lin Zhuyun had suggested that after Yu Yuan's brush with death, Old Mr. Yu must have realized Winter's Bite's involvement and softened his stance, likely being willing to voluntarily annul the marriage contract.

Old Mr. Yu would only consider such an action because he was aware of Winter's Bite's presence and their position, fearing for Yu Yuan's safety and feeling cornered.

He trusted his daughter's insight and, given his own status, he was confident that upon his arrival in Asvetaesi, Yu Cen would act sensibly.

Yet, in the face of his domineering approach, Yu Cen merely furrowed his brow, remaining silent without offering a definitive response.

"Don't be ungrateful and disrespectful!" Lin Hanyu barked sharply.

At his words, every member of the Yu family and the counselors felt their dignity was at stake.

"Patriarch!"

"Uncle!"

The Yu family members and counselors rose to their feet, urging Yu Cen to state his position.

Through the narrow opening of his eyes, Yu Yuan's gaze was icy.

Anger slowly kindled within him, his eyes steadfastly fixed on Lin Zhuyun.

He was curious to see if his betrothed would speak up at this juncture, perhaps playing good cop, bad cop, and using a combination of persuasion and pressure to smoothly resolve the issue of their betrothal.

Lin Zhuyun seemed oblivious to her father's domineering presence, continuing to rest with her eyes closed, as serene as an old monk deep in meditation, seemingly unconcerned by the matters at hand.

Her demeanor suggested she had no interest in showing even the slightest hint of submission; she was determined to stand her ground firmly.

"Good! Very good!" Yu Yuan chuckled darkly to himself.

At that moment, Yu Cen let out a heavy sigh, as if suddenly snapping back to reality.

Just days before, the hope that had rekindled in his heart was doused like a flame extinguished by ice-cold water when Yin Jue appeared outside Yu Yuan's pavilion in the dead of night.

He was privy to the harsh truth.

Yin Jue had clearly been a pawn of Winter's Bite. Although Yin Jue met his end at the hands of his grandson, poisoned with a Lizard Blood Pill, he was merely a servant of the Lin family.

To Winter's Bite, the marriage contract's failure was non-negotiable, and Yin Jue's death was inconsequential.

Now, with his grandson awake and under the tutelage of a mysterious master teaching him the ways of cultivation, careful nurturing and caution might one day allow him to enter the Land of Quiescence and achieve greatness on the path of cultivation.

If his obsession with the marriage contract led to his grandson falling victim to Winter's Bite, Yu Cen knew he would never forgive himself.

This realization seemed to age him considerably. His face etched with sorrow and resignation, he avoided the Yu family's gaze and, with a bowed head, began, "I also think that..." He was ready to concede.

All to spare his grandson from the clutches of Winter's Bite and to ensure his survival.

"I have something to add!" Lin Hanyu interjected sharply, his tone brusque and disrespectful as he deliberately cut off Yu Cen. Under the scornful stares of the Yu family, he declared haughtily, "The marriage contract must be annulled! Additionally, I expect the Yu family to present the Celestial Ice Crystal to my daughter as compensation."

"She has come to your family, kept the Huang family at bay, and managed some of your internal affairs. It is only right that she is duly compensated."

"The Celestial Ice Crystal will greatly aid my daughter's training. I believe it's an excellent fit!"

He regarded Yu Cen with a frosty gaze, leveraging the Lin family's standing within the Silvermoon Empire and his own advanced cultivation level. With the backing of the Winter's Bite Sect, he was blatantly poised to seize it by force.

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