"Hahaha!" As Yun Lintian's words fell, a burst of laughter abruptly resounded from the outside. The next moment, an old man in his eighties walked into the hall with a dragon clutch in his hand.
His demeanor was imposing, the entirely opposite of Shen Mingjun. If Yun Lintian had met him first, he would think this person was the clan head instead.
"Old Patriarch!" Shen Dong and the other elders quickly got up and greeted him respectfully.
The old man, Shen Shanyuan, waved his hand dismissively and said. "Sit down. There's no need to stand the ceremony."
He then looked at Yun Lintian and praised him. "You are truly a rare talent. I didn't expect you to see through my concealing technique."
Yun Lintian smiled and said nothing. In fact, it wasn't he who noticed the old man, but Hongyue. This also made him raise the vigilance in his heart. This old man was extremely dangerous. He could avoid his perception perfectly.
At the same time, Yun Lintian could feel a coercive aura coming out of this old man. Obviously, it was coming from his powerful physique. Until now, this should have been the strongest body practitioner he had ever met.
"I have heard about you a bit. It seems you come here for the Poison Valley's records. Well, you can go to the library with ease. No one here will stop you." Shen Shanyuan said with a smile.
"Old Patriarch…?" Shen Dong and the other elders were puzzled.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtIf there was anyone in the clan who strictly abided by the ancestor's rules, it should be Shen Shanyuan. Why would he suddenly allow an outsider to enter the library?
Shen Shanyuan looked at Shen Dong and his grandson. "It seems all of you are too comfortable lately. All of you will be grounded for half a year. Using this period to reflect your own faults."
"Grandpa!" Shen Hui was unwilling. Why would he get punished instead of Yun Lintian?
Shen Shanyuan's eyes narrowed slightly. "What? You have an opinion?"
Facing his grandfather's fierce aura, Shen Hui's entire body trembled, and he hurriedly said. "I understand, grandpa. I will go now."
With that, he quickly left the hall with his tail between his legs.
Although Shen Dong and the other elders were dissatisfied with this punishment, they didn't dare to have other words here. They obediently left the hall in the end.
"What a great move, old man." Shen Liqiu suddenly said. She looked at her grandfather, whom she hated, coldly. "You let them run with their lives intact."
If Shen Shanyuan didn't come out, she believed that Shen Dong would definitely be killed here, and perhaps her younger brother might be abolished as well.
Shen Shanyuan looked at his long-lost granddaughter and chuckled. "You're still smart as usual, my dear granddaughter."
He changed his tone slightly as he said further. "It's my fault, alright? I won't force you to marry someone you don't like again… Of course, the young man you choose is very talented. I must say, your eyes are really good."
"Hmph!" Shen Liqiu snorted coldly and ignored him.
"This old man is very cunning. You must be careful." She sent a sound transmission to Yun Lintian.
Hearing this, Yun Lintian didn't think about it much. He had long seen it from the moment he "casually" gave everyone's punishment. Obviously, Shen Shanyuan planned to intervene from the beginning. The reason he let it continue was to test him. If Yun Lintian didn't call him out first, he would probably wait until a battle broke out.
Shen Mingjun looked at his own father with a frown between his brows. The relationship between them wasn't good, and they were often at odds. If it wasn't because of his grandfather, the Shen Clan's ancestor, he probably would never have become the clan head even now.
However, with the departure of his grandfather, Shen Shanyuan began to make a move. He slowly accumulated his people within the clan and tried to interfere with the clan's businesses from time to time.
The most important thing was that many of the old people within the clan supported him. On the outside, Shen Mingjun might be the clan head, but everyone inside knew it was Shen Shanyuan who held the most power.
"How about having a chat with this old man?" Shen Shanyuan looked at Yun Lintian with an amiable smile.
"This is my guest." Shen Mingjun said coldly.
Shen Shanyuan laughed gently. "What's the difference? Your guest is my guest as well."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmShen Mingjun frowned deeply. When he was about to say something, Yun Lintian spoke first.
"Since Senior has already known that I am here for the Poison Valley's records. I don't think there's anything for us to talk about, right? Furthermore, I came here at Uncle Shen's invitation. It would be appropriate to have a chat with you behind his back." Yun Lintian said calmly.
Shen Shanyuan's eyes narrowed slightly. He took a deep look at Yun Lintian and said with a smile. "Since it's the case, I won't bother you anymore. Feel free to stay here."
He turned to look at his son and said. "Don't neglect our hospitality."
As he said that, he turned around and left.
Everyone on Shen Mingjun's side heaved a sigh of relief upon seeing Shen Shanyuan leave. His coercive aura made them difficult to breathe, as if there was a giant stone pressed against their chests.
"Come to my study." Shen Mingjun got up and brought Yun Lintian and the others to his private study.
Shen Mingjun personally poured the tea for everyone and said apologetically. "I'm sorry for letting everyone see a joke."
Yun Lintian received the teacup politely and said. "It's nothing, Uncle. No need to feel bad. Every huge organization can't exist without internal strife. It is a common thing."
Shen Mingjun sighed and took a sip of tea. "My father… He's a pitiful man."
"When he was young, he was forced to study and train hard in order to live up to my grandfather's expectations. He basically had no childhood."
He put the teacup down and said further. "In the end, my grandfather didn't allow him to reign in the position but chose me instead. This makes him resent in his heart."
Yun Lintian calmly sipped the tea and said nothing.
Shen Mingjun looked at him and said. "However, I can reassure you that he has no ulterior motive. His goal is to make the Shen Clan stand on top of the world."