Lin Qinghen hadn’t bothered wiping off the blood on himself. Right now, he was stepping down from the high platform, standing in the center of the Discipline Hall, his tone softer than before, as if he’d decided to speak gently.

He wasn’t hiding anything now; he openly shared the purpose of his actions in front of everyone.

“I know the Alchemist Association has this item. You guys don’t use it anyway. I’m taking it to open the Yin family’s Simulation Training Ground.”

Of course, the Alchemist Association knew they had no use for it. The Gathering Origin Spirit Stone was something they’d acquired by chance and had always planned to use as leverage against the Yin family, holding it back to strike a better deal in the future.

But as they hesitated, Lin Qinghen’s expression and tone shifted. He turned to look at them, his face still streaked with dripping blood, and those dark eyes seemed to be bleeding too.

“How long do you need to think it over? I don’t have much patience,” he said, voice cold. “There’s more than one Alchemist Association in Bei Zhou. If you’re unwilling, the Yin family can head to a neighboring city and probably get a trade done there too. Keep in mind, I’ve always let you all profit off me, but don’t push it too far.”

As soon as he finished, Yin Hengxie, Yin Miao, and Yu Yinyin all looked over at him.

The Association members shuddered. Now that the Yin family had stabilized, these three powerful Heavenly Tier experts alone were enough to crush the Alchemist Association if they wished. Yin Hengxie’s spirit power was depleted, but the Association’s two combat-ready enforcers were also exhausted from the day’s events. When both sides rested, the Association would have no chance of winning.

“We… we don’t have any objections,” one of the Association’s enforcers took a deep breath and replied, “However, this matter is of great importance, and none of us enforcers can make the decision. We’ll need a few days…”

Lin Qinghen narrowed his eyes.

“The Association will come personally tomorrow to give you a satisfactory answer,” the enforcer quickly changed his tone, gritting his teeth as he added, “Young Master’s Wife, Young Master Lin, I also hope we can work well together.”

“Coming personally?” Lin Qinghen asked, “Is President Mu Jiu of the Association finally willing to meet me?”

“Yes,” the enforcer replied, “Tomorrow morning, we’ll come to pay a visit. And unless something unexpected happens, the Association won’t keep the Gathering Origin Spirit Stone for ourselves.”

Given the current situation, the Alchemist Association truly needed a serious discussion with the Yin family.

“Alright then. Let’s hope for a fruitful partnership.”

Lin Qinghen’s polite response made it seem like he was in a good mood.

Hearing the exchange, the crowd below went quiet for a moment, then a small cheer broke out. These were the younger kids, unable to hide their joy at hearing the Simulation Training Ground was going to open. While the older, more mature Yin family Spirit Masters didn’t cheer, their faces still showed disbelief and excitement.

The Simulation Training Ground was incredibly beneficial for cultivation. Every Spirit Master in the Yin family would benefit. Even those hiding their joy were thrilled deep down, as it felt like a glimmer of hope for the Yin family, which had been on a downward spiral for so long.

After Lin Qinghen’s exchange with the Alchemist Association, everyone’s feelings toward him became complicated. They couldn’t tell if he truly intended to help the Yin family or was simply venting his anger. But regardless of their thoughts, everyone knew one thing: no one dared touch Lin Qinghen now. In fact, they’d be terrified if anything happened to him.

Finally, the chaotic day in the Yin family came to an end. Lin Qinghen, as usual, handled the aftermath thoroughly. Yin Hengxie and Yin Miao’s intentions were clear, and no one under them dared oppose Lin Qinghen. Whatever he said, they did without question, following orders obediently.

Lin Qinghen saw to it that the injured were sent off to rest, dismissed everyone else, and cleaned up the Discipline Hall. Everything proceeded in an orderly manner. It was the first time the Yin family had felt such stability in a long while.

Elder Ye, who had been lurking in the shadows, shivered as he left quietly. He felt Lin Qinghen’s gaze trailing him all the way out of the Discipline Hall, that smile lingering on his back as if glued to him.

“He won’t escape either, he’s no better than the others. I’ll just deal with him another day,” Lin Qinghen muttered.

Over the next couple of days, he’d have plenty to do, and Lin Qinghen knew how to prioritize. He could let this one slide for now, but he was keeping track. Anyone who didn’t behave wouldn’t be left unchecked.

After a while, the crowd dispersed, and night settled in. Lin Qinghen stood alone in the center of the Discipline Hall, seemingly lost in thought. No one dared approach him.

Yin Jiuxiao, who’d been following him closely, was pulled aside by Yin Hengxie for a few words—an apology, a request for forgiveness, and some murmured talk of his father and older brother, his heart clearly in turmoil. Yin Hengxie was holding on by a thread; his spirit power was already depleted, and his emotional state was fragile. Soon after the cleanup, he collapsed and was helped away by Yin Miao.

As for his uncle’s apology, Yin Jiuxiao didn’t care much. He’d gone through too much to hold onto past grievances.

Now, the only person that mattered to him was Lin Qinghen.

As the bustling day at the Discipline Hall quieted, Yu Yinyin finally relaxed. She’d been tense all day, though she’d weathered countless storms. But Lin Qinghen’s bold actions were something else altogether.

“Fortune favors the brave,” Lin Qinghen had said to her with unwavering resolve, “I have to gamble, and I have no other choice.”

Looking back, he’d taken every step with perfect timing, bearing the crowd’s looks as if he were a madman, until he held each of his goals firmly in hand.

Yu Yinyin was stunned by him, not to mention another person there—Lin Yunsi, who’d been terrified the entire time. Who was this Lin Qinghen? He’d never been like this back in the Lin family!

Especially now, with Lin Qinghen standing in the darkened hall, blood still dripping from his hair and body. The place had been cleaned, but he remained, blood dripping to the ground like wriggling leeches.

Lin Yunsi didn’t dare run, didn’t dare move, hardly dared to breathe. Nearby stood Yin Jiuxiao, also blood-stained but at least less so after Lin Qinghen had briefly cleaned him up.

Lin Yunsi overheard Yin Jiuxiao, muttering to himself, “Lin Qinghen, Qinghen, he’s really…”

Isn’t he terrifying? Even though he’s blind, he must feel this guy’s a devil, right?

But Yin Jiuxiao’s next words, almost a whisper, sent a chill down Lin Yunsi’s spine, making him wish he could pass out right there.

“He’s adorable.”

Lin Qinghen, who had orchestrated all of this, wasn’t thinking of much at that moment. Yin Jiuxiao could see the slight tremor in his hand. It was Lin Qinghen’s first time doing something like this. Despite looking fearless, he must have been nervous too.

Much like his own past self, when he’d first taken bold steps, facing each challenge with courage but trembling afterward.

For Lin Qinghen, this was his first time handling such ruthless matters. He didn’t regret it, felt he’d done nothing wrong, but he still needed to calm down.

Since Yin Jiuxiao was still “blind,” it didn’t make sense for him to reach out. So Lin Qinghen finally heard his name being called, softly yet persistently.

Lin Qinghen stood there for a moment before slowly walking over. To his surprise, as he approached, Yin Jiuxiao took a step forward, pulling him into a hug. They could smell the blood on each other.

“Thank you, Qinghen, for standing up for me,” Yin Jiuxiao comforted him, gently patting his back as he had done on the bed before. “Don’t be afraid, Qinghen, don’t be afraid. You did the right thing.”

In his arms, Lin Qinghen finally exhaled a long breath.

“Aren’t you afraid of me?” he asked, word by word.

“No,” Yin Jiuxiao shook his head, “Qinghen is the best.”

To Yin Jiuxiao, the entire Yin family had been a lost cause, so letting Lin Qinghen do as he pleased was fine. If he managed to revive it, it’d be a blessing. Besides, Yin Jiuxiao could feel Lin Qinghen’s care for him deeply.

The grievances Yin Jiuxiao had suffered felt like they were washed away.

Lin Qinghen guessed it was because of Yin Jiuxiao’s blindness that his fear was dulled, not fully realizing how terrifying he looked. Still, he found comfort in Yin Jiuxiao’s words.

One person understanding was enough.

As long as Yin Jiuxiao understood, his efforts meant something.

Yin Jiuxiao sensed Lin Qinghen’s body gradually relaxing.

“Let’s go back,” Lin Qinghen said, reaching for his hand. “Time to rest.”

He was indeed tired.

Smart people in the Yin family, like Yin Miao, had even prepared two rooms in Yin Jiuxiao’s small courtyard, one for Yu Yinyin and one for Lin Yunsi. The courtyard’s bath pool had been cleaned and filled, ready for Lin Qinghen and Yin Jiuxiao to wash up.

The pool was spacious enough for two. Yin Jiuxiao hadn’t lost any limbs; he could clean himself, though Lin Qinghen helped him tidy up a bit.

Now, finally able to be completely open with each other, Yin Jiuxiao noticed that Lin Qinghen’s body bore no fewer scars than his own. Whip marks lined his arm, burns on his calves, dense fine scars on his back, and a particularly nasty scar on his waist that looked like a piece of flesh had been cut away.

Lin Qinghen had survived just as he had, enduring horrors in the Lin family no better than those Yin Jiuxiao had faced.

Today, Lin Qinghen’s ferocity wasn’t madness nor cruelty. He’d suffered much worse unprovoked malice.

Yin Jiuxiao’s heart tightened seeing those scars, but he didn’t say anything. Commenting on those scars wouldn’t matter; Lin Qinghen hadn’t offered comfort when he’d seen his.

True comfort meant ensuring those horrors never happened again.

Someday, I’ll avenge him for everything the Lin family did.

With that vow in mind, Yin Jiuxiao simply focused on being there for Lin Qinghen, comforting him in the present. Lin Qinghen’s hair was caked with blood, so Yin Jiuxiao carefully cleaned it, almost tenderly, as though handling something fragile.

Lin Qinghen thought his slowness was due to his blindness, but the gentle touch felt nice, so he let him continue.

Lin Qinghen watched the red-stained water spread around him, his whole body unwinding in the silence.

Finally, as the smell of blood faded, Yin Jiuxiao broke the silence with a question—the first one he’d asked in days.

“The Yin family hasn’t treated you well either. You’ve only suffered since coming here,” he began, “Qinghen, why do you think the Yin family is worth saving?”

Lin Qinghen had provoked Yin Hengxie, manipulated the Alchemist Association, and killed Xu Yaoyang… all things Yin Jiuxiao could understand, things he’d have done in Lin Qinghen’s place.

But trading for the Gathering Origin Spirit Stone—that was something that only benefited the Yin family, offering Lin Qinghen and Die Meng zero personal gain. Even without it, with today’s power balance, Lin Qinghen’s control over the Yin family’s medicinal supply in Lei City would ensure his authority. No one would dare challenge him.

This step revealed Lin Qinghen’s unique view on things.