Yin Hengxie’s hands were trembling.

Lin Qinghen stared at him, forcing him to make a decision.

Lin Qinghen knew what kind of person Yin Hengxie was, even understanding how his personality had taken shape over the years.

This reluctant Patriarch had only ever wanted to live freely and be a carefree wanderer in his youth. Though he was talented, his elder brother had always been there to protect him. With the Yin family’s substantial wealth and power, and with a grandfather who had spoiled him endlessly, there were no high expectations. If he didn’t want to cultivate, that was fine, as long as he was happy.

Yin Hengxie had always felt that his elder brother was better suited to be the family head. If that didn’t work, there were still his older cousins and relatives ahead of him—plenty of talented people standing between him and the responsibility. So he thought he could live comfortably as a wealthy idle man without any obligations.

But the world changed overnight. The people shielding him—his siblings, cousins, uncles, and elders—were all gone, one by one.

Suddenly, this rich, untrained man was thrust to the forefront, forced to bear the burden of leading the family in its darkest hour.

Yin Hengxie had never learned how to be a capable Patriarch. He tried to cultivate, but despite his natural talents, old injuries and missed years of training prevented him from reaching the ninth level of the Nine Heavens Exquisite Cloud Sword technique. Without formidable strength to back him, he was inevitably seen as lacking.

Not only that, he had many other concerns. Chaos ruled the family, and he was criticized as weak and useless. Did he not know? Of course he did, but what could he do?

The Yin family couldn’t afford to lose anyone else.

Yin Hengxie remembered the words his elders had left him: “You must bear this burden, protect everyone.” He didn’t understand why, despite his efforts, the family had fallen into such a state.

But Lin Qinghen had told him.

“Constantly giving in won’t make you a Patriarch,” Lin Qinghen said. “Yin Hengxie, you can’t keep going like this.”

Lin Qinghen had realized the true cause of this mess after he and Yin Jiuxiao had survived a life-threatening situation, thanks to a Spiritual Device. He’d wondered if there was a way to solve it all at once.

He concluded that the root of the problem wasn’t Yin Rongyu or Yin Jiuxiao’s lack of strength. It was Yin Hengxie’s failure to fulfill his role.

Yin Hengxie had promised the elders that Yin Jiuxiao would firmly hold his position as Young Master. But lacking the necessary firmness, he couldn’t quell the doubts, suspicions, and challenges.

Yin Jiuxiao’s situation was just a reflection of the chaos within the Yin family, even the turmoil in Lei City.

If they didn’t address the root cause, more troubles would keep cropping up, and Lin Qinghen didn’t want to go through this again.

He had too many important things to accomplish and couldn’t afford to waste energy on family disputes. Once was enough.

On the other hand, if Yin Hengxie understood, then his and Yin Jiuxiao’s circumstances would change, and so would the entire Yin family and Lei City.

Lin Qinghen had Yu Yinyin and Die Meng as his backing. In addition, he held enhanced alchemy materials. He spoke these words now because he was confident.

But being bound to Yin Jiuxiao, Lin Qinghen couldn’t allow Jiuxiao to become his weak spot.

Yin Jiuxiao could have had backing—his birth, his family heritage, Yin Hengxie’s guilt and love, the Patriarch’s favoritism, promises—all of these could have been his support.

Even if he wasn’t qualified to be the Young Master, he’d held the position for so many years.

“Yin Hengxie, remember, because of your incompetence and obstinacy, Jiuxiao has suffered eleven years of torment as Young Master, without gaining a single benefit. Instead, because of his marriage contract, I ended up in the Yin family, and since stepping into Lei City, I’ve been helping you. Otherwise, you wouldn’t even be standing here,” Lin Qinghen spoke each word as if driving a nail into his heart, forcing him to take action. “You’ve wronged the Yin family, but the person you’ve wronged the most is Jiuxiao.”

Yin Hengxie stood there like a stone.

“Now, I’ll tell you what I’ve planned.”

Lin Qinghen pulled Yin Jiuxiao to his side and said each word slowly and deliberately, “So what if Jiuxiao isn’t currently suited to be Young Master? He’s endured eleven years of hardship, and now, I insist he remains Young Master. From today on, every privilege and respect the Yin family’s Young Master should have, he will not lack a single one.

“I’ll fight for this dignity on his behalf. Yin Hengxie, for the sake of your deceased relatives, for yourself, and for Jiuxiao, you should be fighting for it too.”

“Now, kill Xu Yaoyang.”

“He has repeatedly disobeyed orders, refused correction, endangered the Yin family, defied the Patriarch, and nearly caused disaster. Doesn’t he deserve to die?”

“Clear out all unstable elements in the Yin family.”

“Only then will you, the Yin family, and the many below, have a chance to start anew.”

If Yin Hengxie wanted to bring about change, he’d have to be strong enough to silence everyone, make them listen, and never dare defy his decisions and commands. Only when the Yin family stopped fighting within, when they could pull together, would they have a chance at rising again.

And Lin Qinghen’s desire for a relatively stable environment would also be realized.

Even Yin Miao understood this.

The present moment was indeed an excellent opportunity.

“Patriarch,” Yin Miao said softly, “No destruction, no creation. The Yin family should’ve cleaned house long ago.”

Yin Miao wasn’t moved by emotions; he was looking at the benefit.

Lin Qinghen had issued this order. And Lin Qinghen had, somehow, gained the Alchemist Association’s support. Even if the Association’s alliance wasn’t stable, Yu Yinyin and Die Meng were.

Lin Qinghen’s clear connection with Jiuxiao and the idea of eliminating Xu Yaoyang, an unruly figure, in exchange for Yu Yinyin and Die Meng’s loyalty—it was clearly worth it.

When Lin Qinghen said this, Yu Yinyin had specifically set up a barrier so that those below wouldn’t hear.

Naturally, the Alchemist Association below couldn’t hear, and they couldn’t be given too much time to react.

Lin Qinghen had simply mentioned punishing a few bullies. His requests were modest, too tempting to refuse.

The association members below sensed something was off.

Lin Qinghen didn’t look foolish. His demeanor today was vastly different from the previous day, a mix of reckless and calculated.

Regardless, they’d signed the alliance vow and had to obey him today.

The task of punishing the Yin family members was done. Yin Rongyu had fainted, and all grievances against Yin Jiuxiao had been avenged.

A representative from the Alchemist Association asked, “Young Master, is that all? Can we…”

Lin Qinghen looked down at him. “Why the rush? There’s one last matter.”

“Who else?”

“Xu Yaoyang.”

The Alchemist Association members immediately looked displeased.

Though they’d changed sides, Xu Yaoyang wasn’t easy to handle. He had some skills and wasn’t weak.

And though they had defected, Xu Yaoyang was still useful. Without him, the Yin family might actually stabilize.

“What a joke!” an Association member retorted. “Our alliance vow clearly states that we are only to support you within the Alchemist Association’s boundaries. We may refuse if we face opponents we can’t handle.”

Indeed, the vow included a clause exempting the Association from aiding Lin Qinghen against Heavenly Tier opponents.

The Association enforcers had only restrained the juniors, staying out when Xu Yaoyang charged in. Lin Qinghen had declared he’d handle it himself.

Lin Qinghen turned to Yin Hengxie.

His gaze was clear: time waited for no one. He was standing on the edge, and all hesitation had to be abandoned.

Then he saw Yin Hengxie draw his sword.

The Nine Heavens Exquisite Cloud Sword looked unremarkable—an ordinary, slender blade that seemed weak.

The wielder needed a steady heart, something Lin Qinghen had sensed on his first encounter with Yin Hengxie. His sword intent was unsteady and lacked power, not just because of his old injuries, but because his heart was missing something.

Now, this man—hair half-white, showing signs of age, and after years of soft-pedaling everything—finally found the mindset needed to wield his sword.

This was his first decision of its kind, on a day he’d never foreseen.

From the moment he stepped into the Discipline Hall, Yin Hengxie’s hands had been trembling, but after drawing his sword, they steadied.

For the first time in decades, unwavering.

Yin Miao revealed his spirit essence alongside him, and Lin Qinghen, having already spoken with Yu Yinyin, knew what to do.

Three against one—Xu Yaoyang had no chance of escape.

Lin Qinghen was satisfied.

So he slowly turned, issuing his final command to the Alchemist Association: “No problem, Yin Hengxie and the others will handle Xu Yaoyang. Just keep his underlings in check—they’re not Heavenly Tier.”

Xu Yaoyang’s loyal Earth Tier followers needed restraint.

“You!” The Association members were taken aback. “You’re breaking your promise!”

And wasn’t Lin Qinghen at odds with the Yin family? Didn’t he resent Yin Hengxie?

“This is how the vow was made,” Lin Qinghen dismissed their objections. “Say what you will, feel free to test it. See what happens if you refuse.”

The Alchemist Association had no escape now.

And even if they did nothing, they were bound by the vow not to oppose Lin Qinghen. As long as they didn’t turn to aid Xu Yaoyang, things would stay simple.

Moreover, Lin Qinghen gave them no time to think, as Yin Hengxie, Yin Miao, and Yu Yinyin all charged forward, swift as wind.

Xu Yaoyang hadn’t anticipated this; he had no time to run or even react.

Today, Yin Hengxie’s sword was incredibly fast, his gaze icy, making it hard to face him. Yin Miao and Yu Yinyin merely supported his assault.

Lin Qinghen’s instruction was clear—quick victory. No one wasted time, and with Yin Hengxie’s all-out approach, Xu Yaoyang was clearly outmatched within a hundred moves.

It wouldn’t take even a quarter-hour.

Seeing the dire situation, Xu Yaoyang’s gaze shifted to Lin Qinghen.

“This is all your fault! You spread lies!”

He turned suddenly, directing his last remaining power in a spiritual blast toward Lin Qinghen.

Though there was an opening beside Lin Qinghen, he’d anticipated this and wasn’t afraid.

But just as he prepared to block, it was Yin Jiuxiao who reacted first, stepping in front of Lin Qinghen and blocking his view.