The Lin's Patriarch is weird.

Chapter 35: 35. Time passes,human nature don’t

In the blink of an eye, half a year passed.

Time flowed onward without waiting for anyone.

Summer quietly gave way to autumn, and the once-lush trees within the Lin Estate had begun to dress themselves in shades of gold.

In a peaceful courtyard, Lin Zhaoyue sat beside Nanny Liu, who was patiently embroidering a delicate handkerchief.

The only sounds were the soft rustling of thread and the occasional breeze stirring the fallen leaves.

"Nanny..."

Lin Zhaoyue rested her chin on her hands.

"Do you think Father will come out today?"

Without looking up from her embroidery, Nanny Liu smiled.

"Young Miss, this is the seventh time you’ve asked me today."

Lin Zhaoyue puffed out her cheeks before letting out a small sigh.

"I’m just... worried."

After a moment of silence, she lowered her head.

"I’m sorry, Nanny. I just... really miss Papa."

Nanny Liu’s expression immediately softened.

She set the handkerchief aside and gently stroked the little girl’s head.

"Silly child. Missing your father isn’t something you need to apologize for. It only means you love him very much."

Lin Zhaoyue looked up hopefully.

"Really? So... it’s okay to cry?"

Nanny Liu smiled and nodded without hesitation.

"Of course. More than okay."

"Tears aren’t a sign of weakness, Young Miss. They simply show how much someone means to you."

Lin Zhaoyue blinked before a gentle smile slowly spread across her face.

"Thank you, Nanny."

"You’re the bestest grandma I’ll ever have."

Nanny Liu laughed heartily.

"Well, that’s because you don’t have any other grandma besides me."

The two shared a warm laugh.

Just then, hurried footsteps echoed through the courtyard.

A little girl came running in, her face flushed with excitement.

"Xiao Yue! Xiao Yue!"

She waved both arms as she ran.

"Your father is out!"

The girl was Lin Zhaoxi, Nanny Liu’s adopted granddaughter.

Over the past four months, she and Lin Zhaoyue had become inseparable friends.

She was a year younger than Lin Zhaoyue and had yet to undergo the Martial Spirit Awakening Ceremony.

Before Nanny Liu could say another word, Lin Zhaoyue had already rushed over.

She grabbed Lin Zhaoxi by the wrist, her eyes shining.

"Xiao Xi, let’s go!"

"H-Huh? Wait! I’m tired from running—"

Before she could finish protesting, Lin Zhaoyue bent down, hoisted the smaller girl onto her shoulder as though she weighed nothing, then shot into the air.

Whoosh!

Her figure streaked across the rooftops of the Lin Estate, leaving only a gust of wind in her wake.

"W-Wait! Slow down!"

Lin Zhaoxi clung desperately to Lin Zhaoyue’s shoulder, her face turning pale as one rooftop blurred into the next.

"You’re going to kill us both!"

Her terrified scream echoed throughout the entire Lin Estate.

In the meanwhile, after emerging from seclusion, Lin Xuan first returned to his residence.

Half a year of uninterrupted cultivation had left him looking rather unkempt.

After soaking in a hot bath and washing away the dust that had accumulated over the months, he changed into a fresh set of white robes embroidered with the Lin Clan’s insignia.

Only then did he step out into the courtyard.

Waiting outside were the Supreme Elder, Lin Zhenghai, along with several clan elders.

The moment they saw him, they immediately cupped their fists.

"Congratulations, Patriarch, on your successful breakthrough."

Lin Xuan gave a slight nod.

"Thank you for your concern."

On the surface, Lin Zhenghai’s smile remained as warm as ever.

Internally, however, his heart was anything but calm.

The aura Lin Xuan was unconsciously radiating was vastly different from before.

Years ago, he had felt a similar pressure when the new City Lord first arrived in Azure Willow City to replace his predecessor.

That young man, Lord Shangguan Jie, was said to have reached the Seventh Layer of the Golden Core Realm despite his age.

Yet the pressure Lin Xuan now gave off was frighteningly comparable.

Impossible!

Lin Zhenghai’s thoughts churned violently.

The Patriarch had entered seclusion at the Fifth Layer of the Golden Core Realm.

Even if everything went perfectly, breaking through a single minor realm within six months would already be considered astonishing.

Three minor realms? Absolutely impossible.

No matter how he thought about it, he simply could not accept such a conclusion.

Even so, none of these thoughts showed on his face.

His smile remained courteous and respectful.

He hadn’t come to admire the patriach achivement, no!

The instant he heard that the Patriarch had emerged from seclusion, Lin Zhenghai had immediately gathered several clan elders and hurried over.

On the surface, they had come to offer their congratulations but in reality, they had come to discuss Su Qinglan.

Over the past six months, the Clan Treasurer had become the bane of countless elders.

Armed with the Patriarch’s authority, she had thoroughly investigated the clan’s finances, dug through years of records, suspended questionable expenditures, confiscated ill-gotten rewards, and cut off resources to anyone she deemed undeserving.

Several elders had already gone to her seeking an explanation.

Each and every one of them had returned empty-handed.

When they threatened to appeal to the Patriarch... freewebnσvel.cøm

She had simply smiled.

"Feel free. But while the patriach is in seclusion, I’m in charge."

Those few words alone had left them utterly speechless.

With the Patriarch finally out of seclusion, Lin Zhenghai naturally intended to settle the matter once and for all. freeweɓnøvel.com

The moment the pleasantries came to an end, Lin Zhenghai stepped forward and cupped his fists.

"Patriarch, I ask that you uphold justice."

Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow.

"What happened?"

Lin Zhenghai let out a slow sigh, his expression one of restrained frustration.

"During your seclusion, Elder Su Qinglan has been abusing the authority you entrusted to her.

She has suspended the benefits of multiple branches, confiscated rewards issued years ago, frozen clan expenditures, and investigated countless elders without consulting anyone.

Many clan members are now living in fear, uncertain whether they will be the next to be summoned by her."

The surrounding elders nodded one after another.

"Please, Patriarch. Elder Su has gone too far."

"Regardless of her intentions, such actions have caused widespread dissatisfaction within the clan."

Lin Xuan listened quietly from beginning to end, his expression unreadable.

Only after everyone had finished speaking did he finally nod.

"I understand, I’ll consider the matter seriously."

The elders exchanged hopeful glances.

Before anyone could continue, Lin Xuan calmly added,"In the meantime, notify every elder and branch head. We’ll convene a clan meeting. There, we’ll discuss everything together."

With those words, the discussion came to an abrupt end.

No one dared object.

Although they had failed to obtain an immediate judgment against Su Qinglan, the Patriarch had at least agreed to address the matter publicly. For now, that was enough.