allonlinenovel Chapter 274 The Yun Family’s New Crisis
Chapter 274 The Yun Family’s New Crisis
The Yun family mansion was gently enveloped by the soft light of the Qiankun Sealing Array, like a peaceful harbor amidst a storm. Yet beneath this seemingly peaceful exterior, Yun Mengting's heart felt like a sharp blade hanging by her hair, unable to find peace for a single moment.
Although Lu Ling became a prisoner, her snake-like cunning eyes always made her feel that the matter was not over yet; the leader of the Shadow Cult retreated into the darkness, like a lurking evil beast that could show its fangs at any time.
Ling Xuan took in her subtle fears, stretched out his long arm, and gently held her hand. His mellow voice seemed to smooth out all the wrinkles: "Ting'er, don't be afraid. I'm here to protect you. No matter how evil the evil spirits are, they can't get close to you and your family." His hands were firm and strong, conveying warmth continuously.
That day, the sun shone brightly across the market. Yun Mengting and Xiaomei weaved through the bustling crowd, intent on buying some rare medicinal herbs. The market was bustling with activity, the sounds of vendors shouting and people bargaining intermingling. Xiaomei suddenly tugged at her sleeve, her voice low, "Miss, look over there! There's a strange old man with a strange look in his eyes, staring at us."
Yun Mengting looked over and saw an old man standing on the street corner. His clothes were ragged, as if worn by time, and his hair was wild and tangled, but his eyes were surprisingly bright. Curious, she moved over lightly.
Seeing this, the old man grinned with his missing teeth, his voice hoarse as an old bellows: "Miss Yun, it's been a long time since we last met. I, an old man, can see that you are full of sorrow. I have a few words from the heart. I wonder if you would be willing to listen to them?"
Yun Mengting nodded and led the old man to a tea stall in a secluded alley. The old man sat down, slowly picked up the coarse porcelain tea bowl, took a sip, and then spoke slowly, "The Shadow Cult is a cancer that has been rooted in the dark for many years, with a complex and intricate root system. This setback is just a broken branch. They will definitely counterattack in the dark. Your forbidden formation is as strong as a rock, but how can there be a formation in the world that is flawless?"
Yun Mengting frowned and asked anxiously, "Then what do you think we should do?" The old man chuckled, and reached into his arms with his skinny old hand and took out a tattered ancient book with yellowed pages: "There is an exquisite method of amplifying spiritual power in it. Once you learn it, strengthening the formation will be a piece of cake. Just consider it as a good deed from me, an old man, and give it to you, young lady." After that, he put the book on the table and swayed his skinny body into the crowd.
Yun Mengting, filled with curiosity, had barely opened the ancient book, barely enough time to peruse it, when a courier from the palace arrived, breathless. She unfolded the letter, which Ling Xuan had hastily written, his anxious words etched with anxiety: "Liu Tianjiao, the courtier, has, through some shady scheme, instigated several ministers to submit a joint memorial, fiercely questioning the Yun family's growing power and suspected treason and usurpation of the throne. The emperor is furious, and an imperial envoy will soon investigate."
Yun Mengting's eyes instantly turned cold as ice, and she snorted in her heart. It was obvious that Liu Tianjiao was taking advantage of the situation and trying to use the royal sword to stab the Yun family again.
Although Shen Jingxuan had vanished, the network of connections he left behind remained firmly in Ling Xuan's grasp. Adroitly manipulating the undercurrents of the court, Ling Xuan struggled to maneuver, running around and making arrangements, intent on preventing this unforeseen disaster.
Yun Mengting hurried home and informed her family of the incident. Her father's face flushed red with anger, his beard trembling. "Our Yun family has been loyal for generations. When has there ever been a single thought of disloyalty? This is pure malicious fabrication." Her mother, Li, caressed her father's back, her eyes etched with worry. "But I'm afraid this imperial envoy's arrival will cause a lot of trouble."
Meanwhile, in the dark and damp prison, Lu Li was also busy. She took out her hidden jewelry, bribed the greedy jailer, and sent a secret letter to the remnants of her family.
The words in the letter were inflammatory: "My brother died unjustly, and now I am trapped here, but the Yun family is becoming more and more prosperous. As long as you rescue me, the secret of the Lingyuan Holy Pearl guarded by the Yun family will be ours, and we will enjoy endless glory and wealth!" Those old subordinates who were already unwilling to accept Lu Xiao's death, after reading the letter, their eyes instantly became hot, and they gathered together to plan a prison break.
Yun Mengting knew that Lu Ling was a bomb that could explode at any time, so she decided to explore the prison alone. The prison was filled with a foul stench and the torches crackled. She walked slowly to the front of Lu Ling's cell. Lu Ling looked up at her, her hair disheveled, and she looked disheveled, but hatred was still surging. She spat out a mouthful of blood-stained saliva: "Yun Mengting, don't be arrogant. I won't be comfortable as a ghost until I have avenged my brother's blood feud!" Yun Mengting curled her lips into a mocking sneer: "Let's wait and see, can you, a mantis, stir up trouble, or can I eradicate you faster."
Stepping out of the prison, Yun Mengting was greeted by the dazzling daylight outside. She knew there were two pressing matters: first, to quickly comprehend the secrets of the ancient texts and provide a layer of security for the forbidden formation; second, to uncover the hard evidence of Liu Tianjiao's accusation before the imperial envoy arrived, thus clearing the Yun family's name.
For several days afterward, she locked herself in her room, poring over ancient texts day and night. Initially, the text was difficult to understand, but with her intelligence and perseverance, she gradually gained ground, and her spiritual power became increasingly refined.
The barrier formation seemed to sense its master's intentions, its light growing ever brighter, its defenses as solid as an iron barrel. Good news arrived from Ling Xuan's end. After painstaking efforts, he had finally uncovered letters showing Liu Tianjiao secretly accepting bribes and exchanging favors with several ministers. He only needed to wait for the imperial envoy to arrive so he could strike back.