After being jilted by the saintess at the beginning, why is she crying?

Lin Fengmian suddenly spoke, his voice not loud, but like a bucket of ice water poured into boiling oil:

"I was going to spare your life and let you live as an ordinary person because you are Yu Chan'er's second uncle, but you just had to be so foul-mouthed and brought about your own death. You can't blame anyone else."

His tone was calm, as if he had merely crushed an ant.

But the more casually it was described, the more terrified the Yu family became.

Those who had dared to peek out just moments before now shrank their necks even lower, wishing they could bury their heads in their chests.

The stench of blood permeated the front hall, and the dark red stain on the bluestone floor was so glaring it sent chills down one's spine, yet no one dared to utter a sound.

No one in the Yu family dared to look him in the eye again.

Only Yu Chan'er stood beside him.

As she watched the bloody scene, her pretty face showed no fear whatsoever; instead, it shone with an almost worshipful light.

Those beautiful eyes shone with an astonishing brightness, as if they were filled with stars.

The young master is indeed decisive and ruthless, with unparalleled domineering presence.

This was the man Yu Chan'er had chosen. A pillar of strength, fearless of anything.

Lin Fengmian felt her gaze, turned his head slightly, and couldn't help but smile. Sure enough, showing off in front of a girl was a trick that worked every time.

He reached out and stroked her soft hair, his tone softening slightly: "Chan'er, don't worry, there's nothing to be afraid of."

Yu Chan'er gave a soft "hmm" and subconsciously took half a step closer to him, as if as long as she stood by his side, even if the sky fell, she wouldn't be afraid.

Yu Changhe, the head of the Yu family, took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and slowly stood up.

He knew that he had nowhere to retreat at this moment. The Yu family was now completely tied to Lin Fengmian, with no way to back down.

"Young Master Lin!" Yu Changhe's voice was heavy, yet carried a resolute air.

"There is a secret passage in our manor leading to the outside of the city, which only our family heads have known for generations."

"Young master, you still have my daughter with you. Please leave quickly. I'll cover your retreat. As long as you're alive, you can always rebuild. I only have one request—please, young master Lin, treat my daughter well."

At this point, Yu Changhe was already in tears.

Lin Fengmian chuckled lightly and reassured him, "Uncle, there's no need to panic. We don't need to leave."

Immediately afterwards, he turned around, looking at the heavy walls and the bleak sky outside the mansion.

Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, he walked unhurriedly toward the front hall door, his voice calm yet carrying an air of arrogant disdain for the world.

"Marquis Zhenyuan and the Lieyang Sect, you two bastards, today I'll see what you two can do to me even if you join forces!"

"Young Master!" Upon seeing this, Yu Chan'er hurriedly stepped forward, her beautiful eyes filled with worry, but beneath that worry shone a resolute determination to stand with him through thick and thin.

"It's alright." Lin Fengmian turned back and smiled at her, without stopping.

Yu Changhe looked at that resolute figure, opened his mouth, but in the end, it turned into a helpless sigh.

Young people are, after all, just young and impetuous.

The Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion was a behemoth with a hereditary monarch and incredibly powerful resources. Adding to this the combined might of a reclusive immortal sect like the Lieyang Sect...

Let alone Lin Fengmian, even if the entire Yu family were included, it would undoubtedly be like throwing an egg against a rock.

But things had already come to this point. A ruthless glint flashed in Yu Changhe's eyes, and he abruptly waved his sleeve: "Everyone of the Yu family, listen to my command! Today, follow me out and live or die with Young Master Lin!"

After saying that, he took a deep breath. He had devoted most of his life to his family, yet he had still been driven to the brink of despair.

Today, he will live and die with his family. The fate of the Yu family is now firmly in Lin Fengmian's hands!

Meanwhile, in Qingyang City.

The wide street was now completely surrounded by a large group of soldiers.

Armored soldiers stood like a forest, banners blotted out the sun, and a chilling killing intent soared to the heavens. The leading elder, clad in a python robe, possessed a refined aura and a sinister face; he was none other than Zhou Hanshan, the imposing Marquis of Zhenyuan.

On the right, dozens of elite disciples of the Blazing Sun Sect stood solemnly, their auras surging with crimson flames, as if trying to squeeze the air dry.

The leading elder in red robes had eyes like lightning and a heavy aura emanating from him; he was Elder He of the Blazing Sun Sect.

Various families and powerful factions sent people to spy on the area. Countless eyes were hidden behind the windows of teahouses and taverns, and in the dark corners of streets and alleys. The Qingyang Prefectural Governor's Mansion was also alarmed.

On the other side, in Qingyang City, inside the Prefectural Governor's Mansion.

"My lord! We must not get involved in this matter!"

A middle-aged female general in military uniform urgently advised, "Now that the Empress is in seclusion, the forces of the world are in turmoil."

"Lin Fengmian should bear the consequences of his own actions! If we interfere, we'll only get burned!"

On the main seat, a beautiful woman in a moon-white official robe, with a refined and elegant appearance, slowly rose to her feet. She stood tall and straight, her brows exuding both scholarly refinement and an undeniable air of authority.

Although not stunningly beautiful, she is very pleasing to the eye, becoming more and more captivating and beautiful the more you look at her.

"General, I understand your concerns." The woman's voice was clear and melodious, yet carried a resolute force.

"But as the Prefect of Qingyang County in Fengming Kingdom, I have been favored by Her Majesty the Empress and have been in charge of this region. No matter how many faults Young Master Lin may have, he is still the husband personally acknowledged by the Empress."

She gazed in the direction of the Yu family, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes before turning resolute: "If I were to stand idly by and watch my husband, the Empress, be besieged today, how would I face His Majesty in the future? What right would I have to wear this official robe?"

"Gather the troops! Follow me to the Yu family!"

"Your Excellency, Prefect!" The female general wanted to persuade her again.

"Execute the order!" The female prefect waved her sleeve, leaving no room for argument.

Her name is Lin Peishan, a cultivator at the early stage of the Golden Core realm. She took office three months ago and swiftly reformed the bureaucracy with decisive measures. Although her cultivation level is not top-tier, her reputation for integrity has spread throughout Qingyang County. At this moment, she resolutely chose the most difficult path.

Lin Peishan remembers that seven years ago, she was just a prospective disciple. Because of a family feud and her eagerness to take revenge, she spoke out against her superiors and was imprisoned.

It was Empress Su Miaoxue who happened to pass through Qingyang County and, against all odds, cleared her name. Now, as the governor of Qingyang County, she naturally will not forget the Empress's kindness.

As for that young master Lin… many scandalous secrets from the palace flashed through her mind, and Empress Su Miaoxue was extremely protective of him. Therefore, she couldn’t just sit idly by.

Meanwhile, the other forces in Qingyang City had long regarded the Yu family as fish on a chopping board.

"The Yu family is finished... What a pity for those shops and mines."

"Quickly discuss how our families should divide their assets after the Yu family falls!"

"That Lin Fengmian is courting death. A mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, relying on the Empress's influence, dares to offend both the Zhenyuan Marquis's Mansion and the Lieyang Sect at the same time?"

Almost everyone was waiting to see the Yu family destroyed, and to see how the legendary empress's male favorite would meet a tragic end.