Wei Lin never imagined he’d hear such a response. He stayed silent even longer than before.

Ever since Yin Jiuxiao drew his sword, Wei Lin’s mind had been a mess—mainly because he was overwhelmed. Staying calm and talking with Yin Jiuxiao earlier had already pushed his rationality to its limit, and now even that last bit of rationality was on the verge of collapse.

He… for Lin Qinghen… his wife?

Most Spirit Masters would feel dizzy witnessing Yin Jiuxiao’s abilities at such a young age. This level of power wasn’t something that could be described as mere genius; his strength was beyond what any talent in the Spirit World would dare imagine.

It was no wonder that the old Patriarch of the Yin family back then claimed this was the best prodigy the family had ever produced—a truly rare find. And that was putting it humbly.

Wei Lin was so dizzy with shock that he hadn’t even connected the dots: this extremely formidable Yin Jiuxiao was actually married to none other than Lin Qinghen, the very person who had recently skyrocketed to fame in Lei City over the past two days.

Everyone knew about the marriage alliance between the Yin and Lin families. The whole “substitute bride” situation seemed laughable at first, but somehow, it had brought together this strange, indescribable couple.

And Lin Qinghen was no ordinary person either. Despite his current lack of strength, both the Alchemist Association and the Yin family were now under his influence.

This wasn’t a secret in the city. The other day, the Discipline Hall of the Yin family had spread word that Lin Qinghen was soaked in blood, slaughtering without mercy and with incredible brutality. Rumors and speculations flooded in, making Lin Qinghen out to be a mad, vengeful specter that no one dared provoke.

Probably only Yin Jiuxiao could match such a person.

These two, once branded as nobodies, had hidden their true selves so deeply.

What’s more, every time Yin Jiuxiao referred to Lin Qinghen as his “wife,” he actually seemed quite pleased with himself. Judging from his expression, you’d think his wife was the most kind-hearted and gentle person.

Wei Lin felt all sorts of complicated emotions watching that slight smile on Yin Jiuxiao’s face.

He was doing all this… for Lin Qinghen?

He couldn’t put his feelings into words, but at that moment, Wei Lin felt an unexpected connection to Lin Yunsi, someone he’d never met—What kind of demonic couple are these two?

With these two in Lei City, waves were sure to stir.

Wei Lin could already sense that those waves were right at his doorstep, inescapable and unavoidable.

The young ones are to be feared, indeed.

Anyone with half a brain knew to go with the flow. He should feel grateful that at least Yin Jiuxiao had given him the chance to do so.

“Yin Young Master, I have no further questions,” he said with a sigh. “Let’s proceed as we agreed.”

Yin Jiuxiao nodded and added, “The sooner we act, the better. On your side…”

“I made the decision before I came,” Wei Lin replied. “If Yin Young Master has no objections, we can swear on it now. The Chief… I don’t want him to see the sunrise.”

Wei Lin was no slouch; he was decisive and didn’t waste words.

Their conflict had already run deep, and a power struggle couldn’t wait. Too many dreams would spoil the chance. Today was the perfect moment, and Wei Lin hadn’t missed a single step in his preparations.

Yin Jiuxiao was actually satisfied with Wei Lin’s efficiency this time—it was quick and clean, saving both sides a lot of time.

Yin Jiuxiao hadn’t been home long, and the sky was still early. If they could resolve this all tonight, it’d be a good thing.

That way, he could explain things to Qinghen by tonight—or, at the latest, by tomorrow. This gift, at least, would stop his constant worrying.

Seeing him nod, Wei Lin felt a slight sense of relief. He glanced up and down at Yin Jiuxiao, a faint glimmer of anticipation rising within him.

This was a gamble, after all. Yin Jiuxiao’s aura was one thing, but his actual combat ability was another. He was so young. But Yin Jiuxiao’s calmness put Wei Lin’s nerves to shame.

“The Chief is equipped with a Spiritual Device,” Wei Lin couldn’t help but warn, “and he’s strong. You…”

Yin Jiuxiao gestured with his hand, signaling that he understood and didn’t need to worry about it.

Indeed, he had the capability to kill someone at the Heavenly Tier. But his confidence didn’t solely stem from his own strength; he knew his enemy well and was thus prepared for victory.

The current chief of the Lang Clan had once fled from the Yin family with stolen goods. He’d once served as a subordinate there.

Jiuxiao had started training as the young master at age three. Not only did he have outstanding talent, but he also had a memory that wasn’t far behind Lin Qinghen’s ability to remember everything he saw. He recalled every notable figure in the family vividly.

He even remembered information on this particular “minor servant.”

Some Spirit Masters’ essences had weaknesses. After releasing a powerful attack, they’d have a brief period of weakness. This chief’s essence was the bow, which had that exact flaw.

To compensate for this weakness, he’d stolen a protective Spiritual Device from the Yin family and now wore it on his person.

But the demonic energy in Yin Jiuxiao’s aura naturally suppressed some types of protective Spiritual Devices. The chief’s device wasn’t as unique or effective as the one Lin Qinghen used; it didn’t register Yin Jiuxiao’s aura as a threat, rendering it useless against him.

As long as he seized the opportunity, killing a Heavenly Tier wasn’t difficult.

Yin Jiuxiao also knew that Wei Lin wanted to test his own abilities. He wanted to give him a good look at how he fought—showing the Lang Clan that behaving was the wisest choice right now.

As for how Wei Lin would draw out the chief, that wasn’t his concern.

But he could guess: it was likely the Alchemist Association’s sudden change of heart that would bait the chief. It wasn’t hard to do, considering the chief’s indifference toward Wei Lin. A brief meeting wouldn’t seem risky.

Wei Lin moved somewhat slowly, though he couldn’t be blamed. The chief clearly no longer took him seriously and had deliberately delayed his arrival, arrogantly arriving late. This had tested Yin Jiuxiao’s patience to its limit.

Time wasn’t the main concern, but he didn’t know how late Lin Qinghen would be returning, so he had to rush back. If Qinghen came home and found him gone, he’d worry unnecessarily.

The chief looked almost the same as he had when he’d served as a minor servant in the Yin family. One small difference was that when Yin Jiuxiao, tired of waiting, finally ambushed him, the chief immediately recognized him.

The Nine Heavens Exquisite Cloud Sword had haunted his nightmares for years. And now, after so many years, it appeared before him again.

Along with that face.

Yin Jiuxiao bore a resemblance to both his father and grandfather. Especially those eyes—a trait common to the family heads of the Yin clan—sharp as the stars, carrying an air of natural nobility.

The chief, in that moment, had no time to question Wei Lin’s betrayal, how he’d gotten in touch with the Yin family, or why it wasn’t Yin Hengxie here but this person.

“Yin Jiuxiao! It’s you!”

“How can it be you?!”

Yin Jiuxiao was really in a hurry. His thoughts were occupied with Lin Qinghen, and he just wanted to end this quickly.

Ambushing wasn’t exactly honorable, but neither was seizing power. He might as well go all the way and get it over with—he needed to get home to his wife.

Before long, the chief didn’t even have time to speak.

Yin Jiuxiao’s first strike came without any mercy, leaving the chief reeling. Blood dripped from his mouth as he summoned his spirit essence.

A Heavenly Tier battle now officially commenced, and the scene escalated.

This was Yin Jiuxiao’s first kill since his rebirth.

While he hadn’t reached his peak yet, even if his strength was slightly lacking, his battle instincts were unmatched on the continent. His reflexes were honed through countless battles in his previous life.

Facing this Heavenly Tier expert, he kept the upper hand. In his hands, the Nine Heavens Exquisite Cloud Sword became a deadly work of art.

When Yin Jiuxiao moved, the sword was invisible, only its flashes of light visible. His entire form seemed like a wisp of an unreachable shadow.

With his bow essence, the chief needed distance, but Yin Jiuxiao had closed in and never allowed him a chance to pull back. Arrows fell short, while Yin Jiuxiao’s sword left blood trails.

His unique strength rendered the chief’s protective device useless.

Wei Lin didn’t join the fight—he had his own tasks—but he couldn’t help keeping an eye on Yin Jiuxiao.

Watching real, ruthless slaughter, he was beginning to realize just how freakish this youth was.

Wei Lin had fought Yin Hengxie before and witnessed the renowned swordsmanship. Yin Hengxie was one of the most skilled wielders of the Nine Heavens Exquisite Cloud Sword, although old injuries held him back. But this Yin Jiuxiao… he was even more terrifying.

From a distance, the leftover flashes of his sword made Wei Lin tremble.

The Lang Clan had a defense mechanism to alert others if the chief was in danger.

Though some loyal elders stood by his side, most of the mercenaries had stopped following him. Still, as a Heavenly Tier, Wei Lin could hold his ground long enough for Yin Jiuxiao to kill the chief. Seeing this, the rest would naturally cease any resistance.

Wei Lin had thought he’d need to stall the situation for a while, and maybe even help Yin Jiuxiao out. But now, it seemed he’d miscalculated.

… What kind of monster was Yin Jiuxiao?

No, he silently added a few words to that thought.

What kind of monstrous couple were Yin Jiuxiao and Lin Qinghen?