To be honest, even Yu Yinyin had no clue what Lin Qinghen was planning.

If he wanted to reclaim his dignity, he didn’t need to go through all this hassle—she would’ve been enough. Yin Rongyu and Yin Ye, even if they teamed up with all the younger members, couldn’t take on Yu Yinyin alone. Sneaking into the Yin family to find a gap wouldn’t have been hard. But Lin Qinghen hadn’t asked her to do it.

Instead, he persuaded Yu Yinyin to hold off, endured a few days himself, and then, after producing some new research results, went to the notoriously unreliable Alchemist Association to form an alliance—a move that honestly looked a bit foolish to anyone watching.

But by now, Yu Yinyin had gotten used to it. When it came to Lin Qinghen, there was no need to ask too many questions; it was best to just sit back and see what he would do. After all, he never did anything rash.

Lin Qinghen didn’t delay on this. He’d already made an appointment with the Alchemist Association and planned to go the next day.

Today, though, he didn’t bring Yin Jiuxiao back to the Yin family, nor did he let Lin Yunsi leave. He asked Yu Yinyin to arrange a place to stay for the night—just a single night would do.

The old shopkeeper of Die Meng had a small courtyard in town, with a few empty rooms to spare. Lin Yunsi, fuming with suppressed curiosity, decided to tag along with Lin Qinghen after all.

Lin Qinghen knew he’d follow, so he addressed Lin Yunsi warmly, almost gently, “Yunsi, you’ve had a hard journey. You didn’t even let me know you were coming. Rest for tonight; tomorrow, I’ll take you to the Yin family to meet everyone.”

“Meet everyone at the Yin family?” Yeah, right—you’re just looking for trouble!

Lin Yunsi kept his thoughts to himself, but Lin Qinghen wasn’t going to explain further, leaving Lin Yunsi to stare at the “lovey-dovey couple” as they held hands and entered the room as if nothing was amiss.

Since arriving in Bei Zhou, everything had an eerie feel to it. Lin Yunsi was dying to know what kind of trick Lin Qinghen had up his sleeve.

But honestly, at that moment, all Lin Qinghen wanted was a place to sleep.

He’d been completely absorbed in his research for days, barely taking a break. Now that he’d finished, he rushed through a few other tasks. Finally, he could get some rest, holding Yin Jiuxiao close and sleeping soundly to gather his energy for what he planned next.

Yin Jiuxiao wrapped his arms around him, sensing how tired Lin Qinghen was, and gently stroked his back in a comforting rhythm to lull him to sleep.

But Lin Qinghen, even half-dazed from exhaustion, stubbornly wanted to talk to him.

“Jiuxiao, aren’t you curious?” Yin Jiuxiao was the only one who hadn’t asked a single question or expressed any doubts that day, which made Lin Qinghen want to confide in him.

Lin Qinghen added, “What I’m going to do tomorrow might be more….”

For a moment, he couldn’t find the right word and finally whispered, “Cruel.”

“It’s fine,” Yin Jiuxiao replied, “do whatever you want.”

He thought, in case Lin Qinghen missed anything, he’d have his back. In this part of Lei City, Lin Qinghen was free to stir things up as he pleased. A little cruelty wasn’t a bad thing; some people simply needed to be dealt with.

Lin Qinghen felt reassured by his words, and, in Yin Jiuxiao’s arms, he sank into a deep sleep. The next morning, he woke up feeling fully restored.

When Yin Jiuxiao opened his eyes, Lin Qinghen was already awake, sitting nearby, focused on a peculiar task—cutting up a mask.

The leather mask he’d worn for so long wasn’t needed around Yin Jiuxiao, but in front of others, including Yu Yinyin, he usually wore it. It was a form of self-protection for Lin Qinghen.

But now, it seemed he’d made up his mind. With a single cut, he split the mask into two halves, rendering it unusable.

Then he looked up, seemingly staring at a point in space for a moment, before turning to Yin Jiuxiao and smiling, “Awake?”

Yin Jiuxiao looked at him for a while and replied, “Yes.”

“Let’s go.”

The two held hands and headed outside, barely exchanging a word since waking, as if they shared an unspoken understanding.

Lin Yunsi, having barely slept, was waiting in the courtyard. He stared at Lin Qinghen in shock, his mouth open, itching to ask why he wasn’t wearing the mask but too afraid to actually say it.

Lin Qinghen’s demeanor was completely different today. The warmth and youthful energy from the day before seemed like a mere illusion, and his cold gaze swept over Lin Yunsi with an intensity that sent a shiver down his spine.

He’d endured so much to get to Lei City, hoping to uncover the truth. But now, he really just wanted to run away.

“I-I don’t think I want to go to the Yin family today, I—”

“Master, take him along and keep an eye on him,” Lin Qinghen said without giving Lin Yunsi any choice. He then looked directly at Lin Yunsi, adding, “Don’t worry. I won’t harm you today.”

Then, with a mischievous smile, he continued, “Don’t you want to know where the Red Round Wheat came from? Yunsi, I promised the Alchemist Association the seeds under certain conditions. But if you behave, I’ll tell you everything about how it was created without any conditions. How does that sound?”

“Nice try!” Lin Yunsi countered. “I heard you when you swore that oath to the Alchemist Association, promising to only share the seeds with them.”

Otherwise, the Alchemist Association wouldn’t be so cooperative.

“I have my ways,” Lin Qinghen winked. “Don’t you want to give it a shot? Yunsi, staying here won’t necessarily be safe. Why not follow me?”

Lin Yunsi hesitated, pondering for a moment. But without waiting for Yu Yinyin, he picked up his pace and followed along. Too easy.

Lin Qinghen chuckled. He was in high spirits today, feeling like everything was in his hands.

Outside, the people from the Alchemist Association were already waiting.

With their sworn alliance established, today’s goal was achieved. Tomorrow would be the day to hand over the seeds and confront the Yin family for some answers.

But the Yin family wasn’t expecting this—especially Yin Hengxie, who hadn’t prepared at all.

After the incident at the trial grounds, he’d been busy with repairs. This was the family’s last remaining trial ground, and if the protective barrier failed, it would be a serious issue.

On the other hand, he was avoiding Yin Jiuxiao. Only when he received word from the small courtyard guard that Yin Jiuxiao was missing—and had left with Lin Qinghen—did he start to panic.

Yu Yinyin knew exactly who the guards watching the small courtyard were; she’d bypassed them many times in the past. This time, though, under Lin Qinghen’s instructions, she entered and left openly. By the time Yin Hengxie heard the news, it was already too late, and he had no idea where they had gone.

He was genuinely worried, having spent the entire night searching, only to find them returning this morning—with a large group in tow.

“Patriarch!” The panicked young messenger struggled to find words to describe the situation. “Young Master, and that… that Young Master’s Wife… He, he said he wants you in the Disciplinary Hall! And he also said to bring everyone who was present at the trial grounds. He has, uh… important things to say.”

Yin Hengxie’s face darkened. “What?”

“Please, sir, you have to do something!” The messenger tried to explain, his words tumbling over themselves. “Lin Qinghen’s gone mad! He’s about to cause an uproar!”

The Disciplinary Hall looked like it hadn’t been used in ages.

At that moment, Lin Qinghen stood atop a small raised platform, running his hand over a layer of dust. The chains were rusted, too.

All he’d done was inform Yin Hengxie of his intentions. But the elders from the Alchemist Association were more than happy to assist him, breaking into the Yin family home, rounding up Yin Rongyu, Yin Ye, and their lackeys, bringing them to kneel in the hall.

As the Young Master’s Wife, Lin Qinghen declared he’d take full responsibility. If the Yin family had any objections after the day’s oath expired, they’d be his problem, not the Alchemist Association’s.

Standing on the platform, Lin Qinghen looked down, his expression inscrutable.

Yin Rongyu and the others had just been released from house arrest and were dragged here in their disarray.

Seeing the Alchemist Association elders in action, they’d panicked, thinking it would lead to chaos within the Yin family. But they were shocked to see Yin Jiuxiao standing in the hall.

Lin Qinghen had removed his mask, and it took a moment for them to recognize him. But seeing Yin Jiuxiao nearby, they realized who he was.

“Are you insane? Let me go!” Yin Rongyu, furious and humiliated, couldn’t comprehend how Lin Qinghen managed to command the Alchemist Association.

“Lin Qinghen! I’m warning you, let me go! Yin Jiuxiao, how dare you!”

Lin Qinghen seemed unimpressed by his response.

“The Disciplinary Hall is for punishing those who misbehave. You shouldn’t be speaking to me like that,” he said, shaking his head in disappointment, as if scolding a junior. “Now kneel and speak properly.”

The Alchemist Association elders understood his intent.

Using their spiritual energy, they forced the captives to their knees, and despite their reluctance, they could only comply.

When Yin Hengxie finally arrived, he found a whole line of people kneeling before the Disciplinary Hall.

The younger members, completely overpowered by the Heavenly Tier experts, had no chance to resist and knelt obediently. Some had tried to curse, but a few slaps quickly silenced them.

“Lin Qinghen!”

Even with his usually calm demeanor, Yin Hengxie couldn’t stand this sight. He summoned the Nine Heavens Exquisite Cloud Sword, causing the Alchemist Association elders to take a few steps back.

Then Yin Jiuxiao spoke up.

“Uncle,” he said calmly, “don’t worry. We won’t take their lives. Qinghen is a kind person.”

Yin Hengxie whipped around to stare at him in shock.

It had been a long time since Yin Jiuxiao called him “uncle.” Usually, he addressed him as the Patriarch.

“Jiuxiao, you…”

And then he noticed Yu Yinyin, whom he recognized. She hadn’t made a move and was simply standing beside Lin Qinghen.

Yu Yinyin gave him a small nod.

Yin Hengxie paused, stunned, before finally putting his sword away, standing still in a daze.

Lin Qinghen began speaking.

“Qinghen, I don’t know how you managed this. I know you and Jiuxiao have suffered, and I know it’s painful. But the Yin family is already struggling. These juniors have potential. You can’t just…”

Lin Qinghen didn’t even look at him, cutting him off, “Did you summon the people I asked you to?”

“I…”

“I requested the Yin family elders, those involved in the trial grounds, and anyone with any standing in the family. Gather them here. The Disciplinary Hall is large enough; I think they’ll fit,” Lin Qinghen stated. “Don’t act rashly, Yin Hengxie. Die Meng and the Alchemist Association both stand by me now. Think of your Yin family. If you don’t want your pill supplies to be cut off, do as I say.”

Then Lin Qinghen fixed him with a steady gaze and added, his words piercing, “I do all this for your own good, for the good of the Yin family.”

“Yin Hengxie, gather them here now. No delays, or your precious juniors will soon be crippled from kneeling.”

Yin Hengxie stood frozen, looking over at Yin Jiuxiao, who remained calm, standing next to Lin Qinghen with a serene expression.

What…what kind of situation was this?

Yin Hengxie’s world seemed to fracture.

Lin Qinghen…could he really be like this?

At that moment, even the Alchemist Association elders sensed something was off, their minds filled with questions.

Wasn’t this supposed to be a simple reprimand for the younger generation? Yet more and more people were arriving. Being watched by the entire Yin family didn’t seem ideal. What exactly was Lin Qinghen planning?

But with the oath already taken, and the people in hand, they had no choice but to go along with Lin Qinghen’s plan.