Chapter 74: Discussing Compensation

First, he apologized and shifted all the blame onto Zhang Baole, then played the family card, and finally brought up their shared interests.

Lin Qingyun simply listened in silence as his second uncle spoke for more than ten minutes without pause. He didn’t interrupt, letting him say whatever he wanted. Meanwhile, Lin Qingyun scrolled through the latest news, keeping an eye on the ongoing public opinion battle.

It was clear that his second uncle’s side was also working hard, with some voices opposing, some guiding, and others trying to shift attention elsewhere. But the public heat and attention were simply too high right now, and whatever Zhang Baole had done was utterly condemned. Even his death didn’t evoke much sympathy; aside from some saying Xie Zhiqiang had gone mad and shouldn’t have killed everyone, almost no one thought he was wrong to kill Zhang Baole.

Though the specifics of the situation were still unclear, everyone could guess what Zhang Baole had done—kidnapping someone’s sister made it easy enough to imagine. Even as a victim, Zhang Baole was pitied by none, which showed just how difficult their position was now. Just as Lin Kunshan and Lin Qingyun’s conversation suggested, in the battle of public opinion, they tried to pin everything on Zhang Baole.

If not for Zhang Xueyi’s hysterical accusations, this storm might not have reached Lin Kunshan. But with her outburst and the scandal of the Cold Flame Pill surfacing, things had become truly serious.

If Lin Qingyun were to sue, during the period when his parents’ assets were frozen, Lin Qingfeng’s unauthorized destruction of the island to refine the pill already amounted to misappropriation of property...

Now, there were plenty of voices online calling for Lin Qingyun to sue Lin Qingfeng, Lin Kunshan, and Zhang Xueyi’s family.

Lin Kunshan spoke himself hoarse, but Lin Qingyun did not reply a single word. After more than ten minutes, Lin Kunshan finally fell silent.

The silence was broken only by the occasional sound of Lin Qingyun openly tapping on news articles or comments, his interest undisguised.

“Unbelievable—I used to watch power struggles among the rich only in TV dramas. Never thought I’d see it happen for real, and right around me. I’m Lin Qingyun’s classmate; when Li Daoze and the others targeted him, I thought it was just personal grudges, but it turns out Zhang Baole was behind it all…”

“As a professional lawyer, I think Lin Qingyun should resort to legal means. After all, we live in the Huaxia Union, a place governed by law and order…”

“Hello, everyone, today I’ll explain this latest drama to my million followers. First, let me introduce the Lin Pharmaceutical Group—this is a battle for an industry worth hundreds of billions. After Lin Kunshan’s older brother suddenly disappeared, he took over the group. Now, now, let’s not make careless accusations about that disappearance, or we might get sued by Lin Kunshan, powerful as he is. But you can draw your own conclusions…”

…

While the call with Lin Kunshan continued, Lin Qingyun was now not only reading news articles but also watching some videos.

The modern media is never afraid of stirring up bigger trouble. There are all kinds of voices, all kinds of opinions. All Chao-ge and Chu Qing’s team needed to do was spread and ferment the news; countless others seeking clicks and traffic would follow.

Words may be “just words,” but that depends on what’s being said and how far it goes.

Now, the public’s attention was increasingly shifting toward Lin Kunshan. After all, for whose sake had Zhang Baole done those things, if not for his sister and brother-in-law? And how could Lin Qingfeng have destroyed the island to refine pills without his father, the chairman, agreeing?

“Qingyun has grown up. Adults don’t talk about right and wrong, only about interests—that’s good,” Lin Kunshan finally spoke again, his tone now emotionless, as if in a business negotiation. “Let’s discuss what it will take to end this farce.”

“A farce?” Lin Qingyun chuckled at the word. “You’re right, Uncle. This really is a farce, a pity some people insisted on making a scene—they simply couldn’t be stopped.”

On the other end, Lin Kunshan’s face was icy. Beside him, Zhang Xueyi’s cheeks were still swollen, and faced with Lin Kunshan’s barely contained fury, even Zhang Xueyi, who’d just lost her brother and had been hysterical before, dared not utter a word.

When Lin Kunshan looked at her, Zhang Xueyi shrank back, not daring to meet his gaze.

“Since it’s a farce, it should end. You know this won’t really change anything. I’ll transfer another coastal island to you as compensation for the damage Qingfeng caused to the previous one with his alchemy.”

Hearing Lin Kunshan offer an island, Zhang Xueyi was livid—coastal islands were extremely valuable, especially with the dangers of the open sea now. Several islands near Haicheng were registered under her name; this was like cutting off flesh from her own body. She wanted to speak several times, but after witnessing Lin Kunshan’s earlier rage, she could only grit her teeth in silence.

“Uncle, if I really take your island, wouldn’t that mean you’re getting the better end of the deal?” Lin Qingyun pointed it out directly.

Was this even human language? He offers you an island, and you say he’s taking advantage of you…

Zhang Xueyi nearly exploded with anger, her chest heaving, but she still dared not speak, or she’d have cursed Lin Qingyun to his face.

“If you accept the island, I’ll give you information—about your parents’ disappearance,” Lin Kunshan said. He wasn’t surprised Lin Qingyun saw through him so easily.

But when he mentioned news about Lin Qingyun’s parents, Lin Qingyun’s reaction was flat and indifferent, which took Lin Kunshan aback.

“Oh? Go ahead, let’s see if it’s worth my help—and worth accepting the island.” Accepting the island, even without signing a contract, would mean Lin Qingyun no longer pursued the matter of Lin Qingfeng destroying the island for alchemy. With his approval, the issue would be settled.

Lin Qingyun’s indifference was because, in his previous life, he had already squeezed every possible secret from his second uncle. There was nothing new or useful that Lin Kunshan could offer. Whatever his uncle knew, he knew as well—whatever he didn’t know, Lin Qingyun still knew.

So why should he be interested?

Lin Kunshan, seeing Lin Qingyun’s attitude, grew even more unsettled. He hesitated, weighing his options. He no longer felt sure he could read Lin Qingyun, and if he revealed his cards but Lin Qingyun refused to acknowledge the deal, it would all be for nothing.

Still, considering his current position and the fact that this information really only held value for the Lin family, he decided to proceed.

“There are things I didn’t tell you because you were too young. You’ve always said you want to find your parents yourself, but in truth, the entire group’s resources and even government forces have been at work. The situation is far more complicated than you imagine.

“That’s why some things were never shared with you. In fact, your parents’ disappearance wasn’t unique—on that day, others vanished as well…”

He deliberately paused here.

Lin Qingyun yawned. “I know—two Daoist masters, a prime minister from a small country, two celebrities, and an old cult leader from the Heavenly Demon Sect, among others whose connection remains uncertain.”

For Lin Qingyun, who had spent decades investigating in his previous life, this was no secret.

There was a prime minister, too?

Lin Kunshan was startled—he hadn’t known that. Lin Qingyun’s offhand list was even more detailed than what he’d heard from the authorities. Could it be the government was withholding information from him?

How does he know all this… Lin Kunshan wondered, and suddenly, a powerful figure from recent news flashed through his mind—the Desert Wind King, Nangong Aoshi. It was Nangong Aoshi who had ultimately rescued Lin Qingyun, and to do so, his daughter had risked her life to charge into the ruins.

Once this news spread, even Nangong Lingyue’s fans and the few who still supported Lin Qingyun stopped dwelling on the matter.

“It was the Wind King who told you, wasn’t it? But that’s not what I’m talking about. What I know, only I know—and for the sake of searching for your parents, I’ve also discussed it with the military…”

After a brief recovery, Lin Kunshan said, “Before your parents disappeared, they mentioned a new discovery. I didn’t think much of it, assuming it was another breakthrough in alchemy. Later, I accidentally overheard them talking about the Heavenly Demon Sect’s unique power; they were studying it at the time.”

“Oh…” Lin Qingyun murmured.

“In Hanzae, they found something. I’m not clear on the specifics, but during a call I vaguely heard something about ‘finding a direction,’ ‘Hanzae,’ and the ‘Heavenly Demon Sect.’ Compared to other clues, I think this might be somewhat relevant.”

Because of Lin Qingyun’s attitude, and the realization that he knew more than Lin Kunshan, the latter was left uncertain. But since he’d started, he could only finish.

Of course, such information could never be too specific—if a direct lead existed, the answer would have been found long ago. All the great powers attached immense importance to this case, and investigations were ongoing.

Before Lin Kunshan mentioned “Hanzae,” Lin Qingyun hadn’t cared, as everything his uncle knew was outdated. But as soon as “Hanzae,” “Heavenly Demon Sect,” and “direction” were mentioned, Lin Qingyun’s expression tightened.

Hanzae wasn’t a person—it was the new name for the former Korean peninsula after the revival of spiritual energy, as that place was no longer a country. When the first outbreak of monsters occurred, the region collapsed. Decades later, it became a lawless land of chaos and crime. During the great war with the sea monsters, massive tidal waves had turned most of it into swampland, making it even more chaotic—a place where a handful of desperate people clamored to join the Huaxia Union, only to be resolutely refused.