novelraw Chapter 102 The Long Family's Movements
Chapter 102 The Long Family's Movements
Qin family.
Qin Zhenhai frowned as he looked at the report from his subordinates.
"It seems that the rebellious woman sought help from Long Yan, which is why that kid Long Yan recruited Lin Xiao into the Exorcism Society."
Upon hearing this, the white-haired elder immediately spoke up, "Patriarch, should we go and say hello to the Qin family?"
Qin Zhenhai put down the intelligence report, glanced at the white-haired old man, and said, "It's alright. Since this person has already joined the Exorcism Society, then this will serve as an explanation for that rebellious woman."
The white-haired old man was slightly taken aback, then sighed and said, "This... I hope Miss can understand the patriarch's good intentions."
"Painstaking efforts?" Qin Zhenhai sneered, his tone full of helplessness and toughness.
"When has she ever truly understood my good intentions? The Qin family is currently in a precarious situation, and a marriage alliance with the Long family is the only way to stabilize the Qin family's position."
She thinks she can change anything with just Lin Xiao? She's just overestimating herself.
After speaking, Qin Zhenhai paused again, his gaze turning icy as he said, "Pass down the order to strengthen security at the manor, especially around the young lady's courtyard. No one is allowed to approach, not even Long Yan. He can only wait in the living room and is not allowed to have any private contact with the young lady."
Furthermore, keep a close eye on the movements of that boy named Lin Xiao. Although he has joined the Exorcism Society, the Qin family shouldn't openly take action against him, but they absolutely cannot let him ruin this important marriage alliance.
"Yes, patriarch." The white-haired old man bowed in response, but still sighed inwardly.
He watched Qin Yanan grow up and knew his young lady's personality.
But he also understood the head of the family's difficulties. However, this marriage ultimately drove the young lady to a dead end.
Qin Zhenhai waved his hand, signaling the white-haired old man to step back.
He then sat alone in the living room, picked up the marriage invitation on the table, and frowned even more.
It wasn't that he didn't love Qin Yanan; it was just that when faced with the interests of the family, personal feelings ultimately had to take a backseat.
The Long family is very powerful. Only by forming a marriage alliance with the Long family can the Qin family gain a foothold in the Canglong Kingdom and maintain the status quo of the four major families.
As for Lin Xiao, he was just a wild boy of unknown origin.
Even if they join the exorcism society, they won't be able to cause any big trouble.
I believe that once the marriage is finalized, Qin Yanan will eventually understand his good intentions.
……
Meanwhile, in the courtyard on the other side, Qin Yanan sat by the window, gazing at the scenery outside with a blank and desperate look in her eyes.
She has been under house arrest for three days, during which time she has made several attempts to contact Lin Xiao.
However, they were repeatedly stopped, and even their cell phones were confiscated, completely isolating them from the outside world.
She didn't know if Lin Xiao was safe, nor did she know if Long Yan could really help Lin Xiao.
She had no idea whether she would have a chance to escape this absurd marriage.
"Lin Xiao, where are you?" Qin Yanan murmured softly, her expression somber.
She recalled Lin Xiao's mystery and his previous behavior, and a faint hope welled up in her heart.
She knew Lin Xiao wouldn't give up on her.
But the Qin family is heavily guarded, and Lin Xiao doesn't have enough strength. Can he really come to save her?
At this moment, footsteps were heard outside the door.
Qin Yanan turned around and saw the white-haired old man who had brought her back earlier carrying food in. He said apologetically, "Miss, it's time to eat."
Qin Yanan didn't turn around, her tone icy as she said, "I won't eat. Tell Qin Zhenhai that even if I die, I will never marry Long Jingyuan!"
"Miss, please don't be so stubborn."
Upon hearing this, the white-haired old man put the food aside and sighed, "Young Miss, the head of the family did it for the Qin family and for you."
Moreover, Lin Xiao has now joined the Exorcism Society. Even if you don't think about yourself, you should at least think about Mr. Lin Xiao.
"If you insist on resisting, the patriarch, in his rage, may harm Mr. Lin Xiao."
Qin Yanan froze, her eyes filled with even greater despair.
What she feared most was that she would implicate Lin Xiao because of herself.
Is this the only option she has?
Looking at the layers of guards outside her courtyard, Qin Yanan was caught in a deep dilemma and hesitation.
Almost simultaneously, on the other side, the Long family...
The Long Family Manor is magnificent, with its carved beams and painted rafters exuding the grandeur of a powerful family.
Unlike the Qin family's refined and understated nature, the Long family exudes the domineering presence and confidence of a top-tier family.
Long Yan had just returned to the Long family and hadn't even had a chance to catch his breath when the butler invited him to the study.
He knew that what was bound to happen had finally arrived.
Inside the study, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, and Long Jingyuan, the young master of the Long family in this generation, was sitting in the main seat.
He was dressed in a bespoke black suit, with a handsome face but a hint of arrogance.
He held a cigar between his fingers, his eyes coldly scrutinizing Long Yan as he walked in.
As the young master of the Long family, Long Jingyuan was pampered since childhood and possessed extraordinary talent, but he was somewhat narrow-minded.
He was determined to get Qin Yanan married.
This was both a preparation for the Long family to annex the Qin family and a way to show off the dignity of the young master of the Long family.
"Cousin, you're quite willing to come back." Long Jingyuan spoke first, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible sarcasm.
"I heard you recruited that wild boy named Lin Xiao into the Exorcism Society?"
Long Yan remained calm as he slowly walked to the center of the study and spoke softly:
"Lin Xiao has the ability to use talismans and is a promising talent. We recruited him into the Exorcism Society for the sake of the society's development, and it has nothing to do with anything else."
"Unrelated to anything else?" Long Jingyuan scoffed, abruptly stubbing out his cigar in the ashtray, his tone suddenly turning cold.
"Cousin, do you think I'm stupid? Do you think I don't know that you went to the Qin family and recruited that wild boy into the exorcism society?"
Are you trying to help Qin Yanan, or are you trying to stop my marriage to her?
"No, I was just recruiting someone for the exorcism society out of a sense of responsibility."
Long Yan frowned slightly, somewhat annoyed by the young master chosen by this family.
Upon hearing this, Long Jingyuan leaned forward slightly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes, and said:
"Long Yan, I'm warning you, the marriage between the Qin family and the Long family was arranged by the families themselves. It's for the future of the Long family, and no one can stop it, including you."
Long Yan frowned slightly, and said in a calm tone, "Jingyuan, Miss Qin is unwilling to marry you. A forced marriage will not be sweet. If the marriage is based on coercion, it may not bring real benefits to the Long family."
Moreover, Lin Xiao joined the Exorcism Society and is under the protection of the state. Even the Qin family doesn't dare to openly target him, so you don't need to be too harsh on him.
"You don't dare to openly touch him?" Long Jingyuan sneered, his eyes full of disdain.
"What kind of trouble can a wild kid of unknown origin cause, even if he has some skills and joins the exorcism society?"
I think some people are unhappy with me being the young master, so they're trying to sabotage me behind my back.
"You've misunderstood. I didn't mean that." Long Yan frowned slightly, quite annoyed by these words.
Long Jingyuan stood up, walked up to Long Yan, and said in a firm tone that brooked no argument:
"In short, I don't care what your purpose is, from today onwards, you are not allowed to help Lin Xiao anymore, and you are not allowed to interfere in my marriage with Qin Yanan."
If I find out that you secretly helped that brat ruin my plans, don't blame me for disregarding our cousinly relationship and informing our family elders to remove you from your position as head of the exorcism guild!
Long Yan's heart sank; he had long known that Long Jingyuan was always arrogant and domineering.
But I never expected him to be so domineering, willing to break ties with me over such a trivial matter.
After a moment's thought, Long Yan looked at Long Jingyuan's arrogant face and said in a firm tone:
"Jingyuan, I am the head of the Exorcism Society. I only know how to protect the people of Canglong Kingdom and will not concern myself with other family matters."
"But Lin Xiao has now joined my Exorcism Society. If he hasn't done anything wrong, I certainly won't stand by and watch him be harassed."
"You!" Long Jingyuan was enraged by Long Yan's attitude, and his spiritual power surged slightly.
"Long Yan, don't push your luck! Who do you think gave you your position as head of the Exorcism Society?"
"Without the Long family backing you up, would you have achieved your current status?"
"What exactly do you want?!" Long Yan's face darkened, and he was now somewhat angry.
Upon seeing this, Long Jingyuan paused, his tone softening slightly, but still carrying a threatening undertone:
"For the sake of us being family, I'll give you another chance to choose."
Alternatively, sever all ties with Lin Xiao and Qin Yanan, and peacefully remain the head of your exorcism guild;
"Or you can wait to be expelled from the family and lose everything. The choice is yours."
Long Yan remained silent for a moment, a hint of struggle flashing in his eyes.
As a member of the Long family, he was naturally aware of the family's power and understood that Long Jingyuan's words were not an exaggeration.
But he had promised Qin Yanan that he would take care of Lin Xiao for her.
He had also promised Lin Xiao that he would help her rescue Qin Yanan.
More importantly, he has never liked feeling forced.
He also disliked sacrificing others' happiness in exchange for family interests through arranged marriages.
After pondering for a moment, Long Yan finally raised his head.
His gaze was firm, and his tone was calm yet carried an unwavering resolve as he said, "I choose the third option. I will not interfere with the family's decisions regarding the marriage alliance, but I will not allow you to bully my subordinates. As for the family's punishment, I, Long Yan, will bear it alone."
"Fine, very well!" Long Jingyuan was thoroughly enraged by Long Yan, his face turning ashen.
"Long Yan, you'll regret this! I want to see how long you can stay in this position as the head of the exorcism society without the backing of the Long family!"
As for Lin Xiao, even with your protection, I will make sure he dies a horrible death, and let him know what happens when he offends me, Long Jingyuan, and the Long family!
Long Yan didn't say anything more and turned to leave the study.
As he stepped out of the study, Long Yan took a deep breath, a hint of weariness flashing in his eyes.
He knew that from the moment he rejected Long Jingyuan, he had completely placed himself on the opposite side of Long Jingyuan.
Afterwards, he might even be ostracized by the Long family, but he did not regret it.
After thinking for a moment, Long Yan took out his phone and dialed Lin Xiao's number.
"Lin Xiao, listen to me, Long Jingyuan already knows about us. He's forcing me not to help you, and he might even try to harm you."
You must be very careful during this time. The Qin family's defenses are becoming increasingly tight. Without a foolproof plan, you must not act rashly.
At this moment, Lin Xiao was sitting cross-legged in the room consolidating his cultivation. Upon hearing Long Yan's words, a fierce glint flashed in his eyes.
"I understand, thank you for the reminder, Captain Long."
After hanging up the phone, Lin Xiao gripped the Netherworld Pendant tightly in his hand, and his spiritual energy slowly circulated within his body.
Everything is putting pressure on him now, but he has no way out.
He has three days left and must improve his cultivation level as soon as possible.
They must see Qin Yanan before the engagement, even if there is only a sliver of hope, and rescue her.
Inside the Long family study, Long Jingyuan watched Long Yan's departing figure, his eyes filled with malice.
He took out his phone, made a call, and said in an icy tone, "Go, keep a close eye on Lin Xiao's movements, and go to the Qin family again."
Tell Qin Zhenhai that if anything goes wrong with the marriage alliance, the Qin family will have no reason to exist!