"Risk?" Luo Jiayin's eyes were as cold as ice. "First Elder, in your eight hundred years of cultivation, have you ever seen a sect under the Xuanjian Sect's control meet a good end? The Tianxuan Sect is the perfect example! After being bled dry of every last bit of value, even their ancestors' graves were desecrated!"
Turning to Guo Xiang, she spoke earnestly: "Grandmother, I know what worries you. You fear Lin Che might become another Xuanjian Sect, don't you?"
Guo Xiang nodded silently. She was indeed conflicted: On one hand, she could see her granddaughter's interest in the young man; on the other, having lived for fifteen hundred years and witnessed countless betrayals, she dared not easily gamble with the entire sect's future.
"But Grandmother, we're already gambling," Luo Jiayin's voice choked with emotion. "Gambling that the Xuanjian Sect will show mercy, gambling that they'll stop before draining us completely. Is that possible?"
The Third Elder was moved. He thought of the few disciples under his care who had been taken by the Xuanjian Sect last month, their fates still unknown. His heart ached, and he finally spoke: "Jiayin is right. Better to fight than to wait for death!"
Other elders began to waver. Some recalled their junior siblings tortured to death by the Xuanjian Sect, others the cultivation resources stolen away. The atmosphere in the hall gradually shifted.
Seeing the situation turn against him, the First Elder sternly warned: "Palace Head! Think twice! What if this is Lin Che's scheme..."
Guo Xiang slowly raised her hand, silencing everyone. She had made her decision: Better to fight than to cling to a precarious existence. Looking into Luo Jiayin's determined eyes, she saw a reflection of her younger self.
"I hereby command: Emei Palace shall cooperate with Lin Che!" Her voice was soft yet carried throughout the hall. "From this day forth, Emei Palace and the Xuanjian Sect shall sever all ties!"
[System Alert: Verbal jousting successful! Host's charm +500, Luo Jiayin's leadership +300, Guo Xiang's decisiveness +200.]
The First Elder's face drained of color as he collapsed into his chair. He lamented in his heart: It's over. This old bone is probably doomed..
The Second Elder quickly changed his demeanor, plastering on a smile: "Palace Head is wise! I pledge my service to the Kill-God Pavilion!"
In his heart, he thought: He who adapts to the times is a hero. Lin Che seems much more reasonable than the Xuanjian Sect.
The next day, at dawn.
Luo Jiayin arrived at the Lingquan Town inn. Just as she was about to knock, the door opened.
Lin Che, holding his younger sister, doted on her as he handed her a handful of spirit stones: "Be a good girl, Ying'er, and buy yourself some candy skewers. Your brother has important matters to discuss."
"Okay!" Lin Ying skipped away, sticking her tongue out at Luo Jiayin before leaving, "Sister, when brother says bad things about you, remember to fight back!"
Luo Jiayin was speechless.
As soon as she entered the room, Lin Che lifted her into his arms.
"Ah—!" she exclaimed, suddenly finding herself seated on Lin Che's lap.
"Quite the early bird," Lin Che smirked, one arm around her slender waist while the other roamed restlessly along her back. "Did you miss me?"
"You... let me go!" Luo Jiayin was flustered and annoyed, struggling to break free, only to be held tighter.
"No can do," Lin Che whispered into her ear, his breath tickling her skin. "Before we get down to business, let me check if my Deputy Pavilion Head has been thinking of me."
With that, his hand slipped to her waist, gently caressing through the thin fabric.
"Mmm... don't..." Luo Jiayin shuddered, her voice softening. "I have important things to say..."
"Go ahead, I'm all ears," Lin Che's hand didn't cease its teasing ascent. "I'll listen while I check."
"You... you scoundrel!" Luo Jiayin was so angry she wanted to bite him, but he caught her chin firmly.
"Alright, alright, enough playtime," Lin Che relented slightly, though his arm remained possessively around her waist. "Now, what's the word from Emei Palace?"
Luo Jiayin took a deep breath, trying her best to ignore the mischievous hand. "The Palace Head has agreed. But... she insists you come to Emei Palace in person for the discussion."
"When?" Lin Che's finger drew circles on her waist.
"Tomorrow... um..." Luo Jiayin's body went limp, nearly letting out a moan. "Stop moving!"
"I'll move as I please. You just keep talking," Lin Che grinned unabashedly. "Continue."
"The elders... ah... while they've agreed, they still harbor suspicions about you," Luo Jiayin's voice grew softer, her breaths becoming shallower and quicker. "When you go... be cautious..."
[System Alert: Detected target's coyness index +100. Suggestion: Host should know when to stop, or risk triggering a "tragic ending."]
"Got it, got it," Lin Che muttered, though his hands never ceased their wandering.
He suddenly leaned close to Luo Jiayin's ear and whispered, "Tomorrow, when I visit Emei Palace, you're coming with me."
"Okay..." Luo Jiayin had no strength left, collapsing softly into his embrace. "I'll do as you say..."
[Ding! Target fully compromised. Kill-God Pavilion Deputy Leader locked in: Luo Jiayin!]
Lin Che held the beauty in his arms, grinning like a fox that had just caught a chicken.
[End of Chapter 30]