The common folk didn’t fully understand the actions of those high up, but they could always tell who was genuinely good to them.

Many had started taking an interest in Die Meng after failing to snatch up its medicines or secure a spot on its list. The deeper they looked, the more they saw that everything Lin Qinghen was putting forth was rock-solid.

Die Meng’s willingness to share its formulas brought promises from both the Yin family’s lands and the Alchemist Association, generously laid out for everyone to see.

But for those just realizing this now, it might already be too late.

Lin Qinghen’s casual “No rush” left everyone else scrambling to no avail; the stone for signing alliance oaths was still in his hands. After signing with ten people today, Lin Qinghen didn’t linger. With a few quick explanations, he left without delay.

There were still plenty of matters at hand waiting for him.

Today was his scheduled delivery day for the Yin family, something Lin Qinghen had prepared for well in advance. His system was steadily producing, so he could easily meet the demand if he chose to.

But he simply wasn’t going to.

Once again, his response was just “No rush.”

The agreed delivery date aligned with the opening of the Simulation Training Ground. Since the timing wasn’t set in stone, he technically wasn’t breaking any promises.

And with the Gathering Origin Spirit Stone coming from him, Lin Qinghen had told Yin Hengxie clearly: the training ground would only open once he arrived.

As for Yin Hengxie, for all his faults, he kept his word. Especially now, he wouldn’t go against Lin Qinghen’s wishes.

But before the Simulation Training Ground opened, some things had to be cleared up; it was obvious there were issues within the Yin family—such as that unruly Butler Wang.

Butler Wang’s disobedience was merely a symptom. Since Yin Jiuxiao’s last conversation with him, there hadn’t been a single response, nor had any of Butler Wang’s underlings reached out. It was as if they didn’t even see Yin Jiuxiao.

Yin Jiuxiao didn’t seem the least bit upset, though. He had put his words out there, and if others ignored him, they’d be the ones to suffer.

In fact, he still had the mood to joke with Lin Qinghen in the carriage.

“As the Young Master, I’m utterly lacking in authority,” he remarked. “With things as they are, I have only you, Qinghen, to thank for the attention I get.”

Lin Qinghen shot him a glance, then laughed. “Then I guess neither of us has much face, does it?”

They exchanged looks, but their laughter quickly faded as they both turned their gazes in the same direction—the city gate.

Lin Qinghen had come from the southern Plantation, heading here to meet an important person.

Everything arranged over the past few days was going well, even better than Lin Qinghen had anticipated. So today, he had Yin Jiuxiao send out a message for Wei Lin to meet them in the city.

There were guards at the gate, but they couldn’t stop a Heavenly Tier expert like Wei Lin. His strength was decent, and he’d entered Lei City several times before, but never with this level of tension.

Since Yin Jiuxiao’s last deadly display, the entire Lang Clan had become very compliant. Even though Yin Jiuxiao wasn’t present, his lingering influence made Lang Clan’s integration go smoothly.

People had constantly questioned who the mysterious figure was, but Wei Lin wouldn’t say a word. He couldn’t reveal the figure’s identity, so he kept silent.

Although he didn’t know why they insisted on secrecy, he knew it was wise to obey the master’s orders.

Now that he was coming into the city to meet, he had no clue what they wanted from him, though it surely wouldn’t be anything simple.

Besides Yin Jiuxiao, Lin Qinghen also brought Yu Yinyin and Lin Yunsi along, although neither of them knew why they were there or who Wei Lin was. When he was led into the carriage and saw the unfamiliar faces, both sides were momentarily taken aback.

Yu Yinyin frowned, “…Who are you?”

Wei Lin blinked, surprised. He hadn’t expected so many people in the carriage and was momentarily speechless, especially upon seeing that the person sitting in the main seat wasn’t Yin Jiuxiao but Lin Qinghen.

This was his first time meeting Lin Qinghen, who was easily recognizable as the half-beautiful, half-demon-like figure everyone spoke of. He sat in a way that made him seem half-draped in Yin Jiuxiao’s embrace, though his back remained straight.

Lin Qinghen raised his chin slightly, appearing casual. “Why don’t you introduce yourself?”

Wei Lin discreetly glanced at Yin Jiuxiao, but Yin Jiuxiao wasn’t paying him any attention, instead focusing on Lin Qinghen.

…As expected, just like last time, his eyes and mind were full of his wife alone.

Wei Lin sighed inwardly, then spoke, “I’m Wei Lin, the current head of the Lang Clan. The previous leader is dead, and now the entire clan follows me. A few days ago, I connected with Young Master Lin. The Lang Clan is willing to submit to Die Meng Medicine Hall, and I’m here today to make it official.”

Yu Yinyin and Lin Yunsi were both stunned.

Submit? And Wei Lin’s words were unmistakably clear: they weren’t submitting to Lei City or the Yin family, but to Die Meng itself.

Yu Yinyin was at a loss, wondering when Lin Qinghen had orchestrated something this grand without her knowing. She opened her mouth and asked, “Why?”

“It’s simply the current situation. I’m well aware of what’s been happening in Lei City recently, and resisting wouldn’t end well. The Yin family shows us no goodwill, and the Alchemist Association has broken promises before. Die Meng is our best partner. Besides, Young Master Lin happens to need us, and joining Die Meng benefits us greatly,” Wei Lin explained. “There are other reasons as well, but I won’t go into them. I believe Young Master Lin understands.”

Yu Yinyin took a deep breath and stopped speaking.

The difference between a partnership and submission was significant, but she couldn’t quite figure out what had caused this shift.

What stopped her from asking further was something she noticed in a brief moment.

When Wei Lin said “submit,” he wasn’t looking at Lin Qinghen but at Yin Jiuxiao.

The so-called “good-for-nothing” Yin Jiuxiao.

A certain realization dawned on her, and she promptly shut her mouth, deciding to stay silent.

Lin Yunsi had felt something off about Yin Jiuxiao over the past few days, and now it made sense to him too.

He hadn’t overthought it; to him, anything Lin Qinghen pulled off wasn’t surprising. He was just thrilled that Die Meng had gained a strong ally.

Sometimes, it really was nice not to think too deeply about things.

Of course, Lin Qinghen fully understood the hidden meaning. Under the table, he squeezed Yin Jiuxiao’s hand, the two sharing an unspoken understanding.

“Let’s go,” Lin Qinghen said without further fuss. “Now that you’ve met the people from Die Meng, it’s time for Chief Wei to meet the Yin family. I imagine they’re quite impatient.”

Yin Hengxie had indeed been waiting for some time.

He was genuinely busy these past few days, handling internal affairs and preparing for the Simulation Training Ground opening, with a pile of miscellaneous tasks stacking up.

Regarding the supply of elixirs, he wasn’t sure what Butler Wang had told him, but neither Yin Jiuxiao nor Lin Qinghen was one to bother with the finer details. They only cared about the results.

Three days had been granted. If a satisfactory result wasn’t reached, Lin Qinghen wouldn’t hesitate to stir things up again—he was more than ready.

When Lin Qinghen and his group arrived at the Yin family estate, they were met with a welcoming party that looked both fearful and flattering.

Rumors about Die Meng’s elixirs had reached the Yin family, with word that the quality surpassed anything available before, and supplies were scarce.

Many in the Yin family felt a mix of envy and pride, but under Lin Qinghen’s cool gaze, they dared not inquire further.

Meanwhile, Yin Hengxie was waiting outside the Simulation Training Ground entrance with a crowd behind him. This was a major event for the Yin family, and everyone who needed to be there was present.

One follower grumbled softly, “How can they keep the Patriarch waiting like this? Lin Qinghen is just…”

But he trailed off as Yin Hengxie turned back and shot him a stern look, silencing him instantly.

Despite everything, Yin Hengxie wouldn’t tolerate anyone badmouthing Lin Qinghen.

He hadn’t forgotten Lin Qinghen’s bold stance that day; without him, this turn of fortune wouldn’t have been possible.

The family reorganization over the past few days had gone well. Elder Ye, once a thorn, had been subdued, and now all twelve branches of the Yin family were under Yin Hengxie’s control, at least on the surface.

Butler Wang, who’d always been his man, was now in charge of the Yin family’s inner quarters. Standing humbly behind him, he maintained a deferential posture, though his earlier words had carried a hint of mockery.

“Waiting for the Young Master and Young Master’s Wife—ah, pardon, I mean Young Master Lin—is indeed necessary,” he said smoothly. “Die Meng is quite busy lately, and Young Master Lin even busier. It’s understandable he couldn’t make time right away.” Then, his tone turned sly. “But about that promised elixir supply, it’s strange. I went to Die Meng today with the deposit, only to be told Young Master Lin hadn’t authorized the release. Outside, people are using the elixirs, yet the Yin family hasn’t received a single one. You’d think we were family…”

Yin Hengxie frowned, about to respond, but Lin Qinghen arrived just in time to cut him off.

“If you have grievances against me, Butler Wang, say it to my face. No need for roundabout complaints,” Lin Qinghen sneered. “But you’re right. I’m just not giving you any.”

All eyes turned to him.

He hadn’t come alone. Yin Jiuxiao stood beside him, followed by Yu Yinyin and an unfamiliar, veiled figure.

Lin Yunsi, aware of the Lang Clan alliance, had been sent back to continue alchemy work; there was no time to waste.

Butler Wang paled at Lin Qinghen’s arrival, glancing away and moving back a few steps.

Yin Hengxie still thought this was a minor misunderstanding. “It’s good that you’re here, Qinghen. Everyone’s been waiting. Let’s proceed with the opening of the Simulation Training Ground. Any small issues can be sorted out later.”

But Lin Qinghen raised a hand to interrupt.

“We’ll see if we’re family or not later. I’ve been clear from the start: accounts must be settled accurately,” Lin Qinghen said, fixing his gaze on Yin Hengxie. “The foundation of our partnership is that the Yin family must recognize Yin Jiuxiao as the Young Master. Do you remember?”

Without that foundation, the Training Ground wouldn’t be opening today.

This was Lin Qinghen’s decision; he held the keys to the second Gathering Origin Spirit Stone and the elixir supply.

Seeing Lin Qinghen’s resolve, Yin Hengxie didn’t object, responding with a patient tone, “Has anyone been disrespecting Jiuxiao recently? Tell me, and I’ll ensure justice is done.”

Lin Qinghen snorted.

He never relied on others to secure his justice.

“Butler Wang, care to explain how you divided the elixir supply?”

At Lin Qinghen’s direct question, Butler Wang’s nerves flared. He was genuinely afraid of Lin Qinghen.

But he had confidence. Lin Qinghen wasn’t one to interfere excessively with the Yin family’s internal matters, so he hadn’t been at the meeting when these allocations were discussed.

Regaining his composure, Butler Wang stepped forward. “I discussed it with the Young Master and followed his instructions.”

He elaborated on the allocation plan, though his explanations skewed the details, blurring key points.

While he had altered the initial proposal, he’d stuck largely to the original framework, dividing supplies among the twelve branches but with enough ambiguity to allow for exploitation.

“I reviewed this with the Patriarch, and he agreed,” Butler Wang added, sounding more assured. “Young Master Lin might not be fully aware of the specifics and misunderstood based on brief remarks. Perhaps we should let Young Master Yin speak?”

He wasn’t lying; Yin Hengxie had indeed approved this arrangement, having been preoccupied and thus nodding along without much thought.

But Butler Wang had no qualms about clashing with Yin Jiuxiao, confident he could handle it. Yin Jiuxiao’s reputation was that of a hopeless case, blind and easily dismissed.

But Lin Qinghen stayed silent, leaving Yin Jiuxiao to speak up.

“This wasn’t my idea,” Yin Jiuxiao said. “Three days ago, I told you if you didn’t follow my plan, I’d cut you down. And I meant it.”

As he spoke, he stepped forward, moving ahead of Lin Qinghen.

Lin Qinghen had brought the group not to assert his own authority again—he was too busy for the Yin family’s internal affairs.

Today was meant to be Yin Jiuxiao’s stage.