Chapter Fifty-One: The Patriarch of the Lin Family

My master cast him a sidelong glance and said, “How should we deal with this? Perhaps you should ask him.” With that, he gestured toward me. Lin Fang looked at me, puzzled, and I returned his bewildered gaze to my master. Then Lin Fang spoke up, “Ask him? Uh, senior, what do you mean by that? I… uh, I don’t quite follow.”

My master shot Lin Fang a look and asked, “You still remember where you come from, don’t you?”

Lin Fang nodded earnestly, “Of course, how could I possibly forget?”

Then my master turned to me, asking, “And do you know who he is?” He smiled faintly as he looked at Lin Fang. Lin Fang’s expression soured, and he stared at me, saying, “Who… who is he? Isn’t he your disciple, senior?”

“Disciple? Hah, he’s not only my disciple, he also holds another identity—one you cannot afford to offend, one to whom you must bow and pay your respects. Would you like to know what it is?” my master said coolly.

Lin Fang glanced at me, and I could see a trace of mockery in his eyes, as though he were thinking, “Hah! This little brat has some kind of status?” But my master cleared his throat, drawing Lin Fang’s attention back. He continued, “I asked you a question—do you want to hear it or not?”

He repeated himself, and Lin Fang could only offer an awkward laugh, nodding as he glanced at me again, still wearing that look that said, “Let’s see what kind of trick you can pull.”

My master nudged me. I looked at him in confusion, but he simply said, “Take out your jade pendant.”

Obediently, I nodded, removed the jade pendant from inside my shirt, and placed it in my master’s hand. Across from us, Lin Fang’s face stiffened the moment he saw the pendant, and he looked between my master and me in utter disbelief.

My master held the Yangming Jade in his palm and waved it at Lin Fang, asking, “Do you recognize this?”

Lin Fang seemed unable to believe his eyes and leaned in for a closer look. My master smiled and said, “Don’t tell me you don’t recognize this jade—unless you’re not of the Lin family.”

At that, Lin Fang’s face was filled with shock. He staggered backward, bumping into Lin Feng’s sickbed. His face turned deathly pale as he clung to the bed, staring at me and muttering, “How can this be? The Twin Fishes of Black and White? Could it really be…?”

“You’re not mistaken, nor are you imagining things. If I recall correctly, your Lin family has a strict rule: no matter where a Lin is found, high or low, elder or youth, upon seeing the Yangming Jade, they must obey the bearer’s every command without question—even unto death. Am I right?”

My master’s words were sharp and direct.

Standing beside him, I finally caught on to what he meant. Could it be that the Lin Fang who had just lorded it over me was actually of the Lin family, my own kin? The thought left me stunned. I glanced at my master, then at Lin Fang. The moment our eyes met, Lin Fang fell to his knees with a thud. My mind buzzed, and I stared helplessly at my master, only to hear him chuckle, “What are you gawking at? Haven’t you always wanted to visit the Lin family’s grand estate? Well, here you have a clansman right in front of you.”

I looked at my master, at a loss for words, but Lin Fang hurriedly spoke, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know your identity. I apologize for my earlier behavior. Please, clan head, forgive me—I won’t dare again!”

I was even more bewildered, wanting to ask my master for help, but he simply went and sat on a chair nearby, crossing his legs and watching Lin Fang and me. With no idea what to do, I managed to stammer, “Uh, well… you can get up now.”

Lin Fang looked up at me, nodding happily. He got up and led me politely to the sofa, smiling as he said, “Clan head, let me apologize on Lin Feng’s behalf. He’s the one who needs to be taught a lesson—it’s my failure in discipline.”

I nodded awkwardly and looked at my master, who simply shrugged and indicated that I should handle it myself. I could only say, “It’s fine. I hit him hard too—I was at fault as well.”

“Oh, no, none of this is your fault. It’s all Lin Feng’s doing. When he wakes up, I’ll bring him to apologize in person. Will that do?” Lin Fang said.

I nodded, feeling a bit steadier, and said, “When he wakes, tell him for me to rein in his temper and not to bully others by relying on his family’s power.”

Lin Fang nodded rapidly, and I continued, “Well, since it’s settled, I’ll be going.”

I got up, and Lin Fang rose as well, his face all smiles, “Of course, let me see you out. Clan head, if you’re willing, let me treat you to a meal at Shu Xiang Garden as an apology.”

I agreed casually, then left the ward with my master. Lin Fang escorted us all the way to the hospital entrance and only turned back after we got into the car.

In the car, I let out a long breath and turned to my master, “Master, how did you know I was here?”

He shot me a glance, fished the Yangming Jade from his pocket and tossed it to me. I caught it, and he said, “Is it really so hard to know where you are? If I hadn’t arrived in time, Lin Fang might really have crippled your hand.”

I nodded and pressed on, “So what exactly happened back there? I was completely lost, and you didn’t even help me.”

“Help you? If you don’t learn to handle family matters yourself, who are you going to turn to? Don’t wait until it’s too late to start digging a well,” he said.

I looked at him in disdain, “Could your metaphors be any more vivid?”

He rolled his eyes and said nothing. After a while, I couldn’t help asking, “Hey, Master, is Lin Fang really from our Lin family?”

He nodded, turning the wheel as he replied, “Of course. Didn’t you see how dumbstruck he was when you took out the Yangming Jade?”

I recalled the scene—indeed, Lin Fang had done a complete about-face upon seeing the jade, even kneeling before me. To outsiders, it would seem either I had some powerful backing or Lin Fang had lost his mind, kneeling to a youth.

I nodded, “So what’s his relation to me?”

“Relation? You’re his boss, he’s your subordinate. How’s that for a metaphor?”

I looked at my master, exasperated, “I meant by blood, not in the way you mean. Are he and I related by kinship?”

He finally understood, “Oh, that—I really don’t know. But your grandfather should. Just ask him when you have time.”

I nodded, my mind turning to Grandpa, realizing he must know more than I do. Leaning against the window, I asked, “So what about Shu Xiang Garden? Are we going or not?”

My master paused, glanced at the road to the right, and turned the steering wheel. “Shu Xiang Garden? Oh, of course we’re going! Now that Lin Fang’s status is clear, we can’t offend him, or it’ll reflect poorly on the Lin family.”

Thinking it over, I saw he was right. I agreed, and we went home. The next evening, just after school, I walked out the school gates to see several luxury cars lined up outside. I paid them no mind and started walking to the left. Suddenly, someone called out, “Clan head Lin! Clan head Lin, please come here!”

At first I ignored it, but upon hearing “Clan head Lin,” I turned and saw a man standing by the entrance, waving to me. Thinking he was calling someone else, I looked behind me, but there was no one there. The man came over, bent respectfully, and said, “Clan head Lin, I am indeed calling you. Our director is waiting for you in the car.”

I was taken aback—director? I looked at his outfit, similar to the men in black from yesterday, but not the same group. Realization dawned, and I nodded. With his escort, I got into the central luxury car.

As soon as I sat down, I saw Lin Fang in the back seat, smiling at me. “Clan head, sorry about this—there are too many people at school, so I couldn’t get out to greet you.”

Though I’d already met Lin Fang yesterday, I still felt awkward. I waved it off, “It’s fine.”

Lin Fang nodded and called to the driver, “Let’s go.”

The driver started the car, and I looked at Lin Fang in confusion, “Where are we going?”

“Oh, clan head, didn’t I say I’d host a meal to apologize? We’re headed to Shu Xiang Garden now,” Lin Fang replied.

I nodded, then shook my head, “Wait, no—I need to go home first. My master is still at home, and I should at least wash up. Can’t let the Lin family lose face, can I?”

As I finished, I deliberately emphasized “Lin family”—a trick my master had taught me the night before. As long as those two words were invoked, no matter the situation, the clan would always come first.

Lin Fang understood at once. “Yes, yes, the clan head is right. Senior Tan is still at home.”

He turned to the driver, “Change course—to the clan head’s residence.”

The driver nodded, about to turn, but suddenly froze. Lin Fang glanced at the road ahead, then at the driver, “What’s wrong?”

The driver answered awkwardly, “Uh… Director, where is the clan head’s residence?”

Lin Fang was taken aback and looked at me, equally embarrassed, “Sorry, clan head, but where is your residence?”