Chapter 327

Aunt suddenly felt a sense of deflation. She held up her umbrella and quickened her pace, but after taking only two steps, she sensed something was amiss. The strides she took became smaller again, a look of conflict on her face.

Lin Yi, with a smile on his face, watched Aunt's inner conflict; the pleasure of casual chatter between the three of them had diminished.

Aunt continued to try and find topics to chat about, so as not to neglect him, and Xu Ruanyao would reply every now and then, but Lin Yi could tell that their spirits were not as high as before.

He also knew why, but he did not expose it, lest they become embarrassed and angry.

Oh no, Xu Ruanyao had a soft and gentle personality and would not be easily embarrassed, but Aunt was not necessarily the same. Her personality was outgoing, somewhat similar to Su Lingshu, though in terms of appearance, she was more charming and beautiful than Su Lingshu, while also lacking a bit of that cold, ethereal quality.

…

After a short while, Lin Yi followed Aunt and Xu Ruanyao into the Xu Residence and met the Division Head of the Shenxing Division guarding Jinling City, who was also Xu Ruanyao's father, Division Head Xu Zhengfeng.

Division Head Xu Zhengfeng stood outside the gate of the Xu Residence to welcome them, and the main gate of the Xu Residence had been pushed open. Usually, even when Aunt and the others came and went, they did not use the main gate.

For great and noble families, the main gate was only opened when distinguished guests arrived.

Lin Yi was not surprised; Aunt must have notified Division Head Xu Zhengfeng.

After all, no matter what, she was only the Second Division Head of the Shenxing Division, and Division Head Xu Zhengfeng was the master of the Xu Residence. His cultivation was also the highest, so having him host them could be considered the highest courtesy.

After exchanging greetings, they were led into the main hall. When Division Head Xu Zhengfeng began to probe about his background, he replied that he was a member of the Xuanyuan Clan.

This was not a lie to him; after all, Xuanyuan Ya and Xuanyuan Mingzhu, as well as the other eight County Kings of the Xuanyuan Family, were all his close associates, and the Xuanyuan Clan could already be considered his personal domain.

He casually took out a jade pendant given to him by Xuanyuan Ya, which proved his words.

He had come on this trip for Xu Ruanyao, and he still showed some courtesy and respect to her father.

Division Head Xu Zhengfeng relied on the Xuanyuan Clan, and Lin Yi could be considered his highest superior.

The moment Division Head Xu Zhengfeng saw the jade pendant in his hand, he was shocked and immediately stood up, wanting to offer his seat of honor.

Lin Yi did not take the seat; this was immoral after all, and although he did not care about such things, there was no need for it.

Afterwards, seeing Division Head Xu Zhengfeng about to kneel and pay his respects, he casually used his spiritual power to support his body and pressed him back into his original seat.

"There is no need for this, Division Head Xu. I did not come here for the Shenxing Division."

Lin Yi shook his head and glanced at Xu Ruanyao and Aunt, who were sitting not far away with slightly stiff expressions. He revealed a faint smile.

Compared to Division Head Xu Zhengfeng, he felt that the expressions of Xu Ruanyao and Aunt were more interesting at this moment.

"Rest assured. I simply had a sudden inspiration while passing through Jinling City, so I entered the city. I happened to run into your Young Miss and Aunt, and they invited me to visit your residence. Being unable to refuse their kindness, I followed them here."

Lin Yi reassured the somewhat astonished and nervous Division Head Xu Zhengfeng. He knew that Division Head Xu Zhengfeng thought he had come under orders from above to secretly investigate their local Shenxing Division branches and government officials, which was understandable.

Division Head Xu Zhengfeng wanted to control the region and make the Xu Family the number one noble Family in Jinling City, so there must have been some maneuvering, and the sordidness involved was naturally inevitable.

Perhaps he didn't do it himself, but he couldn't control everything his subordinates did… Perhaps they misunderstood, or perhaps their methods were too cruel.

In any case, it would ultimately be traced back to them.

Lin Yi had no intention of dealing with these matters. At least Jinling City maintained a positive image, had a certain level of order, and the people could live and work in peace, which was much better than other places.

The sordid affairs within could not be killed off or eradicated. If they were truly eradicated, Lin Yi would suspect that there was even deeper darkness beneath it.

"Yes, my Lord."

Division Head Xu Zhengfeng sat back down, but he still felt uncomfortable in the chair beneath him; his body was stiff, and the smile on his face was awkward.

Just then, a maidservant walked in from a side door, went to Aunt's side, leaned down, and whispered something to her. After a while, the maidservant bowed and left.

"Senior."

Aunt coughed lightly at this moment.

"Regarding the 'Mystic Spirit Python' you mentioned, I had my subordinates check, and there have been no traces of such a Yao Beast in the last five years."

"I have asked them to continue searching the archives for the past hundred years. If there is any news, I will inform you, Senior, at the first opportunity. Recently, we will also pay extra attention to the surroundings of Jinling City."

Lin Yi nodded, as expected, "Then that will be troublesome for you."

"It is no trouble."

Aunt shook her head gently.

"My Lord, is there some emergency? Logically speaking, the Mystic Spirit Python should not appear in this Northern Territory, right?"

Division Head Xu Zhengfeng asked, puzzled.

"There are indeed some matters, but they have nothing to do with you."

Chapter 437: What a pair of star-crossed lovers.

Division Head Xu Zhengfeng shut his mouth. Since Lin Yi said so, he naturally did not want him to ask anything else. After so many years of struggling in the officialdom, he was not so dense as to fail to see that.

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and began to change the subject.

He was merely a small Soul Transformation practitioner, just a local branch Division Head of the Shenxing Division; it was better not to know too much about certain things.

Things like knowledge can have curses.

After chatting for a while and exchanging some compliments, the snow outside the window fell even heavier. Between heaven and earth, it was a vast expanse of white. As time passed, the sky grew darker and darker, and the lights had long been lit inside the Xu Residence.

Afterwards, estimating the time, Division Head Xu Zhengfeng, as the host, invited Lin Yi to move to the banquet. Although there were only a few people, it could be considered attentive and grand.

After the luncheon, based on the awkward atmosphere at the banquet, Division Head Xu Zhengfeng knew that to Lin Yi, he was perhaps not as interesting as the snowy scenery outside the window.

He apologized to Lin Yi, saying he had important business to attend to, stating that if there was anything needed, he should send someone to find him, and then he was the first to leave.

Furthermore, he could see the slight anomaly in his daughter, and even his wife's sister had a strange look on her face; when facing him, she no longer had her usual coldness, and he didn't know what she was thinking.

Perhaps she was just putting on a facade in front of the Lord.

He didn't bother with these things. To be honest, he wanted to talk to his daughter, telling her that they were not people of the same world, and if she had feelings, it would only end in heartbreak.

But after hesitating for a moment, he didn't do anything unnecessary to interfere. He had read those storybooks when he was young; the more a father interfered, the more rebellious the daughter became. If he didn't do anything, maybe nothing would happen?

As for that wife's sister… forget it, they were all adults and had to be responsible for their own actions.

Moreover, he couldn't control her. Going to talk to her would probably only result in being met with cold eyes and ridicule, and regarding her sister's matter, he really felt he had let her down.

Like countless melodramatic stories, for the sake of the child, the mother chose to sacrifice herself, and the father had only arrived a little late. Afterwards, the enemies who killed the mother were naturally killed by the father, avenging her.

Lin Yi had Aunt following him, so if anything happened, there was no need to trouble others.

And Xu Ruanyao, like her father, had already left. Aunt could tell that her little niece had something on her mind; right now, she was probably somewhere, dazed and spiritless, facing her own inner conflict.

She looked at Lin Yi's back and gnashed her teeth, wishing she could bite him. Who told this guy to torment her little niece so much?

However, she couldn't beat him, so she could only fantasize about it…

She followed behind Lin Yi, not afraid of Lin Yi seeing her dissatisfied expression and somewhat offensive gaze.

She had figured it out: Lin Yi was cold and indifferent by nature. For things he wasn't interested in, he would only respond casually, and for their offenses, he would only treat them with indifference.

To put it bluntly, nothing in the outside world could leave any mark on his heart, and for that little niece who had special thoughts in her heart… this was not very good news.

He must be able to see her feelings, but there was absolutely no response… This was destined to be a tragedy.

Lin Yi glanced at Aunt behind him. Compared to the respectful Division Head Xu Zhengfeng, Aunt was much more casual. "Aunt, why are you looking at me like that?"

Aunt smiled charmingly and walked forward, lagging just half a step behind Lin Yi. She had long since dismissed the maidservants, and only the two of them were walking in this long corridor.

"I just think that the Young Master is as radiant as a Divine Being, so I feel a sense of admiration and was lost in thought."

Aunt had switched back to the title "Young Master". Earlier, when walking in the streets and feeling dejected, she had changed her address for Lin Yi to "Senior".

Later, it hadn't changed; in front of Division Head Xu Zhengfeng, she also called him "Senior", and only now did she call him "Young Master" again.

On the other hand, Xu Ruanyao had always called him "Young Master", and only at times would she switch to "Senior".

"Oh?"

Lin Yi walked unhurriedly. "Is that so?"

"Of course."

Aunt answered affirmatively.

Lin Yi didn't speak again. How much sincerity and how much pretense were in Aunt's words, only she herself knew.

Perhaps even she herself couldn't figure out which parts were sincere and which were fake; she had just followed her thoughts and said those words.

Not long after noon, the Shenxing Division sent someone over again, saying that they had checked the archives of Jinling City within the last hundred years.

Among them, there were only two cases related to the Mystic Spirit Python, and both were brought in by disciples of Family sects from other places. One was a Spirit Beast controlled by special techniques, and the other was a medicinal beast used as an ingredient.

Obviously, these were not what Lin Yi wanted.

Aunt had people re-examine, focusing on the last hundred years, and also took the opportunity to look at those records from more than a hundred years ago. However, those records were mostly damaged due to their age, and only a portion remained.

She also dispatched subordinates to several cities adjacent to Jinling City, carrying her own orders, requesting the Shenxing Division of the surrounding cities to assist.

Although Lin Yi only said the surroundings of Jinling City, heaven knows if the adjacent cities were included… It was better to be cautious. Anyway, in this situation, doing more was not wrong.

Lin Yi occasionally looked at the snowy scenery, and occasionally looked at Aunt who was issuing orders beside him.

The Division Head had shed the charming and alluring side she showed in front of him; her expression was cold, her words were clear, her orders were detailed, and her considerations were thoughtful. She had quite the appearance of a cold and glamorous beauty.

"…There is no need to worry about time running out. With Spirit Beasts as mounts, it won't take long to bring back news."

Aunt turned back and met Lin Yi's gaze. Her cold and glamorous expression dissipated, and she became smiling and charming again.

Lin Yi shook his head. "I'm not in a hurry, just a bit surprised."

"Surprised?"

Aunt blinked her eyes.

"Yes, you, who are always frivolous and gorgeous, can also have that cold expression."

"Huh? Frivolous and gorgeous?"

Aunt gasped, her beautiful eyes wide as she looked at Lin Yi, looking incredulous, pointing at herself with her jade finger.

Lin Yi turned his head and looked at a corner of the plum blossoms in the courtyard, revealing a touch of vermilion in the snow.

Aunt also leaned on the railing, leaning against Lin Yi's side. She ignored the coldness of the railing and began to chatter incessantly.

"I am not some frivolous person! Senior, do you actually think I am some kind of woman from a brothel?!"

"I only show this side of myself in front of friends and Family, okay?!"

"Hmph, in this world, only my sister and my little niece get to see this side of me —"

Aunt stopped halfway, then coughed lightly and continued, "Unfortunately… my sister has already passed away…"

She wanted to use this sad event to nonchalantly gloss over it. Lin Yi turned his head and looked quietly into her eyes, not minding the sadness in her words.

He even wanted to laugh; Aunt could make jokes about her sister, could she still care that much about this matter?

Feelings naturally existed, but time would wear away the sorrow. If others said it, she might take action; if she said it herself, she wouldn't care.

It was like how a black person could use the "N-word", but others could not.

"Young Master, you, you…"

Aunt turned her head away.

"I see."

Lin Yi nodded and turned his head back, simply leaving behind those four cryptic words.

Aunt hurriedly turned back and looked at Lin Yi's profile. The sense of indifference revealed in his tone gave her that feeling of loss she had earlier, and she gnashed her snow-white teeth in resentment.

Aunt was silent for a while. Only when she saw Lin Yi preparing to leave did she take a deep breath. "Young Master, do you, do you have anything to say?"

"What?"

"Having seen this side of me… do you have anything to say?"

Aunt paid attention to Lin Yi's movements, watching him pause, then turn back and look at her.

Regarding the confusion in his tone, she felt a bit helpless. She knew that Lin Yi must have seen through it.

All the confusion was just indifference and evasion. He couldn't evade, so it was just indifference.

The mature and beautiful woman stood in front of the youth, clearly asking, yet it was as if she were hopefully longing for something.

The youth's gaze finally shifted from the heavy snow between heaven and earth, landing on the woman who was nervously anticipating.

If this scene were in a storybook, it would probably make people exclaim, "What a pair of star-crossed lovers…"

Lin Yi's gaze only fell on Aunt for a moment before he looked back at the snow-covered courtyard.

Aunt also seemed to understand something. Her expression had a bit more confusion and sadness, but immediately, she returned to her original state, her face still charming and moving, filled with smiles.