Chapter Nine: Reclaiming Shares and Purging the Vermin

“I never said that, you must have misunderstood, you’re the authority when it comes to alchemy. If you say it’s fine, then it’s fine…” Lin Kunshan hurriedly shook his head, truly fearful of this elder.

This elder was the pillar of the Lin Pharmaceutical Group, holding a decisive position in both the cultivation and alchemy circles. Fortunately, he rarely involved himself in other affairs, focusing solely on alchemy research. Lin Qingyun unexpectedly invoked his name.

And, judging by his attitude, he genuinely endorsed this so-called Xiaobo Foundation Pill.

Lin Qingyun smiled lightly, “Master Ancestor, I just want you to prove it, after all, the other shareholders and board members need an explanation. Please rest assured, I’ll have Li Xiaobo sent to you soon, and he’ll be under your guidance from now on.”

“Don’t worry, with the ancestor backing you, if anyone gets riled up, just let them talk to the ancestor.” The old Daoist Chifeng finished, sizing Lin Qingyun up and down. “I’ve never really chatted with you before; come to my lab when you have time, let’s have a good talk.”

He didn’t say anything more here. Don’t be fooled by his eccentric demeanor; he simply has no patience for social niceties. Only those who impress him in alchemy will he treat seriously.

After speaking, Old Daoist Chifeng didn’t even acknowledge Lin Kunshan and ended the call.

In his previous life, Lin Qingyun had frequent dealings with this ancestor and understood his temperament well. If he failed to pique the old man’s interest, he’d be ignored. Only when Lin Qingyun’s father disappeared did the ancestor leave for some time; when Lin Qingyun later asked about his parents, the old man merely replied it was fate and said nothing more.

When Old Daoist Chifeng invited Lin Qingyun to his lab for a proper talk between grandfather and grandson, Lin Kunshan’s eye twitched involuntarily.

His heart was in turmoil. For the past year, he’d used his position as chairman, and previously as Lin Kunlun’s brother, to try to get close to that damned old Daoist, but he’d never even set foot in his lab.

His elder brother was an alchemy genius and Chifeng’s only disciple, so it made sense he’d be acknowledged. But who would have thought that after a few days’ absence, the young Lin Qingyun would be recognized by Chifeng? Where was the justice in that?

“Second Uncle, with our chief grade-nine alchemy master’s endorsement, the board and shareholders shouldn’t object to this auction or signing Li Xiaobo, right?”

As Lin Kunshan, Zhang Xueyi, and Zhang Baole reeled in shock, Lin Qingyun spoke again.

“Second Uncle, how do you plan to deal with Zhang Baole?”

They believed they’d kept their leverage over Zhang Baole quiet, intending to use it to exchange for the two hundred million spent at the auction. They were thinking too simply.

“Sis, save me…” Zhang Baole, still sitting on the floor, trembled at Lin Qingyun’s words, clutching Zhang Xueyi and looking at her beseechingly.

“Well…” Lin Kunshan appeared to be thinking.

“Qingyun, that spendthrift Zhang Baole is infuriating, but he’s my little brother, your uncle. Family scandals shouldn’t be aired; I’ll discipline him properly…” As Lin Kunshan pondered, Zhang Xueyi immediately played the family card.

For her, Zhang Baole’s actions were a family matter to be handled privately, hoping to resolve it with a simple reprimand.

“Second Uncle, Second Aunt, I understand your difficulty, so let me say it. Zhang Baole can no longer stay in the Lin Pharmaceutical Group. Our family must not harbor such traitorous rats and degenerates.”

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“Furthermore, all the funds Zhang Baole embezzled must be returned. He must personally provide proof, which we’ll use to confront Ivy Group and those who bribed him. If they refuse to compensate Lin Pharmaceutical Group for the losses, we’ll pursue legal action.”

“I’ve come of age this year and will soon inherit and manage my parents’ shares in the group. Of course, Second Uncle has managed the company well—I’ll just serve as an independent director. For now, my focus is still on searching for my parents, and recently I’ve become interested in alchemy, so I’ll devote more time to learning from our ancestor.” Lin Qingyun didn’t resort to the extreme measures he used in his previous life.

Circumstances had changed. Without the power and influence he once had, he could only seize what belonged to him step by step.

Food must be eaten bite by bite, and the road traveled step by step.

Lin Kunshan’s heart sank—company shares, independent director…

“Sis…” Zhang Baole was terrified. He genuinely feared Lin Qingyun now and could only plead with Zhang Xueyi for help.

“Qingyun, we’re family. Even if Baole made mistakes, you can’t be so harsh. Besides…” Zhang Xueyi protested, rising to argue with Lin Qingyun.

“Second Uncle, Second Aunt, in addition to embezzlement and selling company secrets, the person providing this information won’t hesitate to expose everything if they don’t get enough money or the result they want. What you say to me isn’t important, but this is the best outcome for the sake of family. Otherwise, his crimes could land him in prison for years—you can ask around about that.”

Lin Qingyun had no patience for his aunt’s appeals or tantrums, cutting her off with a final ultimatum. As for the informant he mentioned, threatening to go public, it was himself—whether his uncle and aunt guessed this or not didn’t matter.

He had Zhang Baole’s crimes, the auction as a major shareholder of Lin Pharmaceutical Group, the support of the group’s pillar, the grade-nine master ancestor, and evidence in hand…

Lin Qingyun ignored Zhang Xueyi, gazing calmly at his uncle, awaiting his decision.

“You’re too ruthless, threatening to go public! If it weren’t for you…” Zhang Xueyi was furious.

“Enough!” Suddenly, Lin Kunshan shouted, glaring at Zhang Xueyi, then turned a murderous gaze on Zhang Baole, a pressure befitting a high-level cultivator. Zhang Baole nearly wet himself in fear.

“Qingyun is right. He’s handled this perfectly. We’ll do as he says.” Lin Kunshan made the final call.

“All right, Second Uncle. I’ll go rest. I just broke through to the Realm of Serene Heart, and my cultivation is still unstable.” Lin Qingyun wanted no further awkward conversation, satisfied with his first goal.

He politely bid farewell to his aunt and Zhang Baole, his cheap uncle, and left.

“Sis, brother-in-law…sob…” Once so arrogant outside, Zhang Baole now collapsed in a heap, sobbing to Zhang Xueyi.

He mourned his lost savings and his impending expulsion from Lin Pharmaceutical Group, fully aware of the consequences of leaving its shelter.

“No, this isn’t right, something’s off—he’s been planning this…” Zhang Xueyi, hearing Zhang Baole cry and realizing Lin Qingyun would inherit his parents’ shares, grew agitated. She screamed hysterically, even as if to chase after Lin Qingyun for a confrontation.

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“Shut up! Mind your status outside. Take him home—let me handle the rest. If you want to talk, we’ll do it at home. Isn’t the disgrace enough?” Lin Kunshan’s face was now dark as night, his voice icy as he turned to leave.

Zhang Baole’s petty scandals were nothing compared to the company shares and control at stake. Though Lin Qingyun just said he’d inherit only his parents’ shares, today’s events had made Lin Kunshan wary.

When Lin Qingyun walked out of the hotel, late afternoon sunlight burned across the sky, painting it ablaze—a breathtaking sight.

He felt the Fortune Cauldron he’d begun to refine within himself, recalled the tribulation he’d just endured, and thought of winning the Xiaobo Tribulation Pill at auction, recruiting Li Xiaobo, and reclaiming his parents’ shares.

This life’s path was now wholly different from the last; from this moment, a new journey had begun.

He hadn’t approached Fen Tian’s Blades or revealed his secrets. In these circumstances, he was just another rich heir whose parents had vanished and lost control of Lin Pharmaceutical Group.

“Lin… Young Master Lin, is what you messaged me just now true?” As Lin Qingyun exited, he’d already sent a message to Li Xiaobo, who now hurriedly caught up from the side entrance.

His gaze was urgent and excited, but his voice betrayed disbelief.

Lin Qingyun returned from his reverie, smiling at Li Xiaobo, “We’re family now. Between alchemists, there’s no need for formalities—just call me Qingyun. Ancestor Chifeng is Lin Pharmaceutical Group’s pillar; he rarely interacts with outsiders, and even I seldom see him…”

“Yes, yes, I know! Master Chifeng is my idol. He’s among the world’s top ten grade-nine alchemy masters, and in China, he’s one of the top three. He’s a leading figure in ancient formula alchemy. Even our school’s professors and principals hold him in the highest regard. It’s a pity he rarely teaches or lectures publicly…” Hearing this, Li Xiaobo nodded excitedly.

As they spoke, Lin Qingyun’s hovercar landed nearby. He motioned for Li Xiaobo to get in.

All the way, Li Xiaobo couldn’t hide his excitement, peppering Lin Qingyun with questions about Master Chifeng.

After all, Master Chifeng stood at the pinnacle known to ordinary alchemists, rumored to be on the verge of breaking through to a higher realm. Lin Qingyun, of course, knew his ancestor’s prowess; in his previous life, his rise to that height owed much to the Fortune Cauldron, his own efforts, and the ancestor’s guidance.

Ordinarily, Lin Qingyun at this age would have limited knowledge of Ancestor Chifeng, but with decades of prior-life memories and experience, he easily shared anecdotes with Li Xiaobo, enough to leave him amazed and thrilled.

During this, Lin Qingyun subtly guided and influenced Li Xiaobo, helping him clarify his foundation-building path in the Phoenix Initial Realm and solidify his approach to overcoming his heart tribulation.

This would earn Li Xiaobo the ancestor’s attention and accelerate his growth.