Just as Lin Yun was about to be caught, Xu Qing would surely kill him. As Lin Yun wondered what to do, a familiar voice reached his ears.
"Senior Brother Lin."
In the distance, Chen Jingrou was waving at him.
Lin Yun's eyes widened. "Get back!"
Sure enough, Xu Qing launched an attack at Chen Jingrou. At the critical moment, Lin Yun burst forth with power again, his figure flashing to Chen Jingrou's side. He tackled her to the ground.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The Cold Flame Sword managed to block Xu Qing's assault. At that exact moment, a barrier rose around the courtyard they were in. Xu Qing crashed into it, unable to get in.
Lin Yun looked at Xu Qing, who was now right in front of him, and could see the fury in the man's eyes. He stood up and helped Chen Jingrou to her feet.
"Where is this?"
Chen Jingrou said, "This is the Chen family's ancestral home. There is a barrier here left by the Chen family's ancestor. It can hold for a little while. Father was worried about Senior Brother Lin's safety. The Chen Family Fort's fate is sealed. The Red Ghost Sect will win sooner or later."
Although they had fought hard and persisted for these past few days, the resources within the Chen family were depleted. Not to mention, many cultivators had already been turned to the other side. So today, at the beginning of the major counterattack, their defensive line wasn't broken by the Red Ghost Sect's minions, but by a surprise betrayal from their own comrades.
Left with no choice, Chen Nanfeng could only retreat here with the few who were still alive. This was their last chance.
Lin Yun got up and walked into the courtyard. This barrier could hold them off for a moment. He had to do something during this time.
In the main hall, Chen Nanfeng was also covered in blood. He finally breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Lin Yun. "Junior Brother Lin, you're finally here."
"Family Head Chen." He greeted the others in the hall. Most of them were still relatively polite to Lin Yun. Only a small fraction remained as arrogant as ever.
With a great enemy at the gates, Lin Yun couldn't be bothered with them. "Everyone, go and prepare. I'm afraid the barrier won't last much longer."
Just then, Hua Mingqiu said from the side, "Family Head Chen, we have fought hard for the Chen family for so long. You know full well what the Red Ghost Sect's objective is. You should just listen to them and hand the item over."
Fang Dong and the others immediately agreed. "We implore the Family Head to find a way for us to live."
Faced with their desperate pleas, Chen Nanfeng fell silent. "Everyone, please allow me a moment more to think."
Hua Mingqiu snorted. "Family Head Chen, you'd better be quick. When the Red Ghost Sect breaks in, I'm afraid you won't have the chance."
"How could they be like this? They've taken plenty of benefits from the Chen family over the years, but now, faced with such a critical matter, every single one of them wants to desert!" After these people had left, Chen Jingrou stomped her foot and said angrily. "If father hadn't brought them here, those guys would have died long ago."
Chen Nanfeng let out a long sigh. "Xiaorou, go outside and keep watch. Don't let anyone get near. I have something to say to your Senior Brother Lin."
Chen Jingrou agreed without a second thought.
Chen Nanfeng watched her leave, a touch of paternal love in his eyes. The Chen family's fate was sealed. Even if he wanted to turn the tide, it was impossible. After confirming the doors and windows were shut, Chen Nanfeng turned around and, to Lin Yun's shock, knelt directly in front of him.
Lin Yun was stunned and hurriedly reached out to support him. "Family Head Chen, you mustn't! What are you doing?"
"Junior Brother Lin, you've seen the situation. The Chen family is finished." Taking a deep breath, Chen Nanfeng spoke, his words practically ground out through gritted teeth.
Lin Yun was silent.
"I don't blame anyone for the Chen family's outcome today. But before I die, I have one more thing to ask of you, Junior Brother Lin."
Lin Yun's feelings were very complicated. On the one hand, he would obtain the secret treasure. But it also meant the complete end of the Chen family, and that Chen Jingrou would become an orphan.
"Family Head Chen, as long as I am alive, I will absolutely not let the Chen family perish," Lin Yun said with great passion.
But Chen Nanfeng just smiled and shook his head. "Junior Brother Lin should know better than I that the Chen family's situation is beyond saving. Even if the Flowing Cloud Sect arrives, the century-old foundation left by our ancestors will be destroyed. I hope that Junior Brother Lin can protect Xiaorou and help her enter the Flowing Cloud Sect."
These past few days, he had also made some discreet inquiries and knew that Lin Yun was a personal disciple of Qingxia Peak. Therefore, it wouldn't be difficult for him to bring Chen Jingrou to Qingxia Peak. With Lin Yun's protection, Chen Jingrou's future might not be spectacular, but at least she wouldn't suffer.
"Family Head Chen, what are you planning to do?" Lin Yun sighed. "We are now surrounded by the Red Ghost Sect. In my current state, I'm afraid I can't take Miss Chen and leave."
If it were before, Lin Yun might have been able to try. But after fighting Xu Qing and Huang She, he no longer had the strength to escape from Chen Family Fort.
Just then, Chen Nanfeng very solemnly took out a lamp. "This item is called the Jade Hornless Dragon Lamp. It has been passed down through my Chen family's ancestors. And the ancestral teachings state that every ten years, an ancestral worship ceremony must be held, and this item must be displayed."
Chen Nanfeng looked at the lamp with a complicated expression. "The Chen family grew strong because of this item, but in the end, we will also die because of it." He didn't know why his ancestor had made this rule, but the Chen family had followed it all these years.
Then, Chen Nanfeng handed the item to Lin Yun. "Junior Brother Lin is pure of heart. I have seen this with my own eyes these past few days. I can rest easy entrusting this item to you. In a moment, I will use a secret art to send Junior Brother and Xiaorou out. I'll leave everything to you!"
Lin Yun held the Jade Hornless Dragon Lamp and looked at Chen Nanfeng.
[Name]: Chen Nanfeng
[Realm]: Seventh Level of the Void-Gazing Realm
[Destiny]: Prosperous Household (Purple)
[Fate]: A Turn of Fortune (Gray), Doting Father (White), A True Hero (Blue)
[Outcome]: Tortured to death by Duan Heng after activating the family's secret formation in Chen Family Fort.
[Recent Turning Point]: Activates the family's secret formation to protect his daughter.
Senior Brother Duan... tortures the Family Head to death? Lin Yun felt his head spin.
The Jade Hornless Dragon Lamp felt heavy in his hands. He felt no joy in obtaining the treasure.
"Junior Brother Lin, do not be sad. Life and death have their own laws. As the head of the Chen family, I must naturally bear this responsibility." Chen Nanfeng patted Lin Yun's shoulder with a hearty laugh.
Lin Yun put away the lamp, temporarily suppressing the doubts in his heart. "Rest assured, Family Head Chen. As long as I, Lin Yun, am alive, I will never let Miss Chen suffer the slightest grievance."
Chen Nanfeng nodded. "If it were anyone else, I might not believe them. But if it is Junior Brother Lin, then there will be no mistake." He also understood that Chen Jingrou was quite fond of Lin Yun, and this was the best possible outcome under the circumstances.
After everything was settled, Chen Nanfeng opened the door. In the courtyard, Hua Mingqiu and the others had been waiting for a long time.
"Family Head Chen, is it time to hand over the secret treasure?"
Chen Nanfeng nodded. "To open the secret treasure, a Chen family secret art is required. I must ask you all to buy me a moment of time. Xiaorou, you go back to your room."
Chen Jingrou asked curiously, "Father, what are you going to do?"
"Listen to me and go, now!" Chen Nanfeng roared, completely out of character.