Lady, let me explain.

Chapter 88 Ding Baiying

It really is Lin Ruhai!

Lin Yi then remembered Daiyu, whom he had saved before.

He had seen many stunningly beautiful women, such as Zhou Zhiruo, Zhao Min, Ren Yingying, Mu Wanqing, and Wang Yuyan. Daiyu, as a daughter of an official family, was well-read and had a demeanor and temperament that were completely different from these chivalrous women of the martial arts world, leaving a deep impression on him.

Why did the Heaven and Earth Society kill Lin Ruhai?

"Lord Lin is upright and incorruptible. These traitors of the Heaven and Earth Society are treacherous..." Lu Wenzhao said halfway through his sentence, but met Lin Yi's cold gaze and felt a chill run down his spine.

Lu Wenzhao quickly changed his words, saying, "If Sect Leader Lin asks, I certainly wouldn't dare to hide anything... Uh... Although the Heaven and Earth Society operates under the banner of 'overthrowing the Qing and restoring the Ming,' it has activities in both the Song and Qing dynasties and often engages in treacherous acts."

"In the Huaihe River region, the Heaven and Earth Society colluded with salt merchants and salt gangs to make huge profits by selling smuggled salt. However, Lord Lin was incorruptible and refused to associate with them. Naturally, the Heaven and Earth Society regarded Lord Lin as a thorn in their side and wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible."

Lin Yi said calmly, "Is Lin Ruhai also one of Prince Xin's men?"

Lu Wenzhao was startled and quickly bowed, saying, "Sect Leader Lin is insightful and perceptive; I admire you greatly!"

Lin Yi smiled and said nothing.

Of all the taxes levied on the nation, salt profits accounted for half, and the salt tax from the Huai River region was of paramount importance.

Lin Ruhai was indeed very important as the Salt Commissioner of Lianghuai... but for such a large court, his death was no big deal, they could just send another official. The important thing was that the annual salt tax revenue could not be reduced.

It has absolutely no connection with a prince from the imperial family.

The fact that Prince Xin valued Lin Ruhai so highly speaks volumes about the relationship between them.

It seems that Lin Ruhai was specifically responsible for helping Prince Xin make money; he was his money bag, which explains why Prince Xin valued him so much.

Lin Yi stood up, having already made up his mind.

Lu Wenzhao hurriedly asked, "What is Sect Leader Lin's opinion?"

Lin Yi said, "Tell me in detail how things are going now."

Lu Wenzhao's face immediately lit up with joy! Although Lin Yi did not agree, his inquiry about the details was enough to show his attitude.

"Upon learning of the Heaven and Earth Society's treacherous plot, we naturally took strict precautions to protect Lord Lin, ensuring that the Heaven and Earth Society's rebellion did not succeed."

"However, it is the anniversary of Lord Lin's wife's death recently. Lord Lin is taking his beloved daughter back to Suzhou to pay their respects. I am afraid that something may happen to them on the way."

"Recently, the Embroidered Uniform Guard received information that the Heaven and Earth Society is gathering manpower with ulterior motives... The person just now was Wu Liuqi, the leader of the Hongshun Hall of the Heaven and Earth Society."

After Lu Wenzhao finished speaking, Lin Yi asked, "Wasn't Lin Ruhai's daughter sent to the Rongguo Mansion in the capital for education? Why has she come back?"

Lu Wenzhao was taken aback at first, then suddenly remembered a piece of intelligence... When Lin Yi was still an unknown nobody, he once escorted the Lin family's daughter a hundred miles away, which was widely praised in the capital at the time.

He was overjoyed; this connection made things even better!
Lu Wenzhao said, "Sect Leader Lin may not know this, but Lord Lin has been working tirelessly for the country and his health is severely depleted. Miss Lin had only been in the capital for a short time when Lord Lin fell ill and was reported to the capital. Miss Lin is a filial daughter, so naturally she had to come back to serve him medicine."

Lin Yi nodded slowly. It seemed Daiyu wasn't having a good time in the Rongguo Mansion either; she rushed back because of this reputation...

"Are they inside Suzhou city?"

Lu Wenzhao grinned and said, "Yes, yes, Lord Lin and Miss Lin are currently residing at the Lin family's old residence in the city."

"lead the way."

Lu Wenzhao was overjoyed and bowed respectfully: "Sect Leader Lin, please!"

With Lin Yi's help, what does the Heaven and Earth Society have to fear?
Moreover, in Lu Wenzhao's view, being able to establish a relationship with Lin Yi was more valuable than resolving the matter itself!
……

Before Lin Yi arrived at the Lin residence, Lu Wenzhao had already sent someone ahead to inform him that people from the Lin family were already waiting at the gate.

"Honored guest, please."

Led by the old steward of the Lin family, they passed through the ceremonial gate and saw a woman with a sword walking towards them.

She looked to be in her early twenties, tall and slender, with a coldness in her delicate and dignified face.

Dressed in a white, fitted outfit, her figure was curvaceous and shapely. She walked with her hand on the hilt of her knife, her steps light and graceful, exuding a capable and heroic air.

The woman sized up Lin Yi, noticing his blue robes, jade flute at his waist, and elegant, dashing appearance... Even her usually cold eyes couldn't help but flicker with emotion.

Lu Wenzhao smiled and said, "Sect Leader Lin, please don't be offended. This is my junior sister, who is a guard in the back of the Lin family. She has long heard of Sect Leader Lin's reputation, which is why she was so impolite... Junior sister, come and greet Sect Leader Lin."

The woman bowed in greeting, her breasts instantly surging: "Greetings, Sect Leader Lin."

Lin Yi's eyes lit up, and he returned the greeting, saying, "My name is Lin Yi."

The woman could only nod slightly in greeting and say in a cool voice, "Ding Baiying."

……

As the group entered the main courtyard, they saw a middle-aged man being helped by someone, waiting at the gate.

Lu Wenzhao exclaimed in surprise, "Lord Lin is ill, why isn't he resting!"

Lin Yi looked at Lin Ruhai and saw that he had a refined appearance, but his face was sallow, and he looked like he was seriously ill.

Lin Ruhai said, "I apologize for not being able to greet you properly upon your arrival." Everyone knew that Lin Yi had once saved Lin Ruhai's only daughter, so it wasn't surprising.

After exchanging greetings, Lin Ruhai formally thanked Lin Yi for his great kindness. The group then proceeded to the main hall, where the host and guests took their seats and enjoyed tea.

Lu Wenzhao laughed and said, "Master Lin's martial arts are the best in the world. He was a force to be reckoned with at the Lion-Slaying Assembly. Even Chen Jinnan, the leader of the Heaven and Earth Society, was no match for Master Lin. As long as we let out a whisper, the Heaven and Earth Society will definitely not dare to make any moves."

Lin Yi kept an eye on the large screen behind the hall. He could sense that someone was hiding behind the screen, and judging from the tone of voice, it was most likely Daiyu.

Lin Yi said, "My involvement in this matter is against the rules of the martial arts world, so please do not reveal it."

"Yes!" Lu Wenzhao quickly assured him, "I will pass on the order immediately to keep them quiet... However, when Sect Leader Lin faces the people of the Heaven and Earth Society, it is inevitable that the news will leak out."

Why not just kill all the members of the Heaven and Earth Society?
But thinking that Daiyu was still listening in the back, Lin Yi only gave Lu Wenzhao a look and didn't say anything.

Lin Ruhai cupped his hands and said, "In that case, I'll trouble Sect Leader Lin again."

Lin Yi nodded; the Lin family should certainly be grateful for his help.

"What are the plans of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?" He then looked at Lu Wenzhao.

Lu Wenzhao said, "According to intelligence, in addition to Wu Liuqi, the Heaven and Earth Society also has Cai Dezhong, the leader of the Lotus Hall, Ma Chaoxing, the leader of the Jiahou Hall, as well as experts from the Green Wood Hall and the Red Fire Hall heading to Suzhou. They should arrive in the next few days."

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard will conduct a thorough search within Suzhou City. If they find any strongholds of the Heaven and Earth Society, we request that Master Lin take action."

Lin Yi shook his head; he didn't want to waste so much time.

"Let's try a different approach: lure them out and catch them all in one fell swoop."

"This..." Lu Wenzhao hesitated. He knew that Lin Yi was highly skilled in martial arts, but the Heaven and Earth Society had many people and great power. If Lin Yi couldn't take care of Lin Ruhai on the way, Lin Ruhai's body would be easily killed by a single blow.

Lin Ruhai smiled nonchalantly: "Sect Leader Lin's insight is brilliant. There's no reason to guard against thieves for a thousand days."

Since Lin Ruhai had agreed, Lu Wenzhao naturally had no objections: "Alright, I'll go and make preparations now, allocate manpower, and spread the word... Shall we set off back to Yangzhou in five days?"

Five days... Lin Yi suddenly had a thought.

After the meeting, Lin Ruhai solemnly said, "I have prepared a small banquet at home today, and I would like to invite Sect Leader Lin and Lord Lu to join me."

Lin Yi naturally agreed.

Lu Wenzhao was very perceptive: "I'm busy with official duties, so I won't bother you any longer."

Afterwards, Lin Ruhai went back to his room to rest. Lu Wenzhao smiled and said, "Sect Leader Lin, I am busy with official duties, so I will take my leave now. The gardens in the Lin residence are beautiful. Why don't you let my junior sister take you for a tour?"

Lin Yi nodded and said, "Commander Lu, I have another matter. The Embroidered Uniform Guard has excellent intelligence and should know about the Mantuo Villa in Taihu Lake, right?"

“Mantuo Manor? Of course I know about it.” Lu Wenzhao said, “Sect Leader Lin, have you ever heard of the four great families of Jinling? Mantuo Manor is the territory of the Wang family.”

Seeing Lin Yi's interest, Lu Wenzhao continued, "The Wang family are descendants of the county magistrate Wang Gong, and they have close ties with the Jia, Shi, and Xue families through intermarriage."

"The current head of the Wang family, Wang Ziteng, is the Inspector General of Nine Provinces. He holds a high position and great power. The owner of Mantuo Manor was once Wang Ziteng's younger brother, but his brother died early. Now, she is his sister-in-law, Wang Lishi."

Lin Yi seemed to be thinking, so Wang Yuyan and Daiyu are related by blood?

"How do we get to Mantuo Manor?"

Lin Yi looked at Lu Wenzhao. He remembered that Kumārajīva had taken the officials hostage and rushed to Canhe Village. Everyone in Canhe Village knew about it, so there was no reason for Mantuo Manor to be an exception.

Lu Wenzhao's heart skipped a beat... He had long heard that Wang Li was a heartless snake who often took people's lives. Could it be that she had offended Lin Yi?
Lu Wenzhao hurriedly said, "The people of Jinling Thousand Household Office must know this, and they also have a map of the Taihu Lake area. If Sect Leader Lin needs it, I will have someone send it over right away."

Lin Yi nodded and said, "That's good. Tomorrow, send someone to wait by Taihu Lake. This matter must not be leaked."

Lu Wenzhao quickly agreed.

With the Lin residence heavily guarded by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, it is certainly safe.

In these five days, he can go to Mantuo Manor and search through all the martial arts manuals in Langhuan Jade Cave.

Afterwards, Ding Baiying accompanied Lin Yi to stroll in the gardens of the Lin family mansion. Since there were few female members of the Lin family, there was no need to clear the area, which was convenient.

The gardens of Jiangnan, with their white walls and black tiles, and craggy rocks, always exude a natural charm.

As Lin Yi strolled through the garden, surrounded by mountains and water, with winding paths leading to secluded spots, he thought to himself... This is what life is all about!

"It's no big deal to just drift around in the martial world every day. What's the point of fighting and killing? Once this busy period is over, I'll find a place to buy a big mansion, bring my master's wife and senior sister over, and enjoy a while."

While strolling through a bamboo grove, Lin Yi sat down on a stone bench and looked at Ding Baiying, who was accompanying him.

"Don't you have an apprentice named Jiaqian... oh no, I mean Ding Xiu?"

Ding Baiying looked surprised, but said calmly, "We are just nobody in the martial arts world. How did Sect Leader Lin know about us?"

Lin Yi smiled but didn't say anything... Suddenly he noticed that Ding Baiying's hand trembled slightly, as if she subconsciously wanted to draw her sword.

"Your knife is quite good."

Ding Baiying said, "Sect Leader Lin is the master of the Dragon-Slaying Saber, so what is this saber?"

(End of this chapter)