You're Strong But Now You're Mine
Chapter 32: I Am Unwilling

Chapter 32: Chapter 32: I Am Unwilling

Forty-two years ago, on a summer night filled with cicada song, the lady of the Star Engraving Lin family gave birth to twin prodigies.

At that time, the Lin family patriarch, Lin Wanrong, was an officer in the Linjiang Army of Chenfeng District. He had watched his family decline in his youth, all relatives and friends drifting away. Luckily, he met his wife during his studies, received help from his father-in-law’s family, and, combined with his own talents, swiftly rose through the ranks—just at the high point of his life, he named his two sons ’Jinyao’ and ’Xue’en,’ meaning glory added to the brocade and kindness in a snowy night. This bore witness to his deep fondness for his children and his enduring gratitude for his wife, as well as his blessings for his sons: he hoped they’d enjoy happiness upon happiness in life, eager to help others and always repay kindness.

When the two children grew up and gradually revealed talents in different fields, Lin Jinyao excelled in Combat Technique with the sword, while Lin Xue’en was adept at legal theory. However, as the Lin family was a Martial Artist clan renowned for Combat Technique, Lin Wanrong spent years teaching them by hand—watching his elder son advance by leaps and bounds while his younger son showed no aptitude at all, he could only abandon the dream of three martial artists under one roof. Lin Jinyao was sent to the military academy, and Lin Xue’en to the Cultural College.

From then on, the brothers’ lives diverged. Lin Jinyao, graduating with honors from the military academy, joined the Linjiang Army, and a few years later returned as an instructor. Lin Xue’en graduated and used his father’s support and connections to start his own business. Although their father passed away in his old age, Lin Jinyao replaced him as the Lin family’s new pillar, shielding Lin Xue’en’s enterprises from the storms.

In Glory, although slogans like ’People First’ and ’Equality for All’ were shouted from the rooftops, productivity was only so-so. The competition for resources was inevitable, and fairness remained a beautiful ideal. "Just like ancient times, all interests had to be defended by power—otherwise, you’d just be a fattened pig waiting to be slaughtered."

Still, besides power, martial strength—especially individual martial skill—was recognized as protection. Unless you had absolute certainty, resorting to shady tricks against a famous Martial Artist’s business would only invite ruthless vengeance.

Everyone tacitly accepted that the powers with Martial Artists could only compete fairly. That wasn’t a rule, but a helpless morality—"people came for profit, not for mutually assured destruction."

In the Lin family, Lin Jinyao was the flourishing crown of the tree, and Lin Xue’en was the hidden root. Everyone respectfully called Lin Jinyao ’Mr. Lin,’ and Lin Xue’en ’Second Mister.’

Everyone believed Lin Jinyao was the face of the Lin family, while Lin Xue’en was just an assistant, a reliable and honest housekeeper supporting his older brother.

Even Lin Xue’en thought so himself.

"All his life, in every way, he came up short compared to his brother—not as good at Combat Technique, not as good at studies, even in business. He knew well that his brother’s business acumen surpassed his own; every time he hit a bottleneck and turned to his brother, he’d always see the light."

"The so-called ’Lin Xue’en is good at business’ was nothing but a comfort."

"His brother was the family’s brocade and glory, while he was just a lump of coal—but even if a snowy night came, the Lin family didn’t need that little bit of coal from him. Even if disaster struck, it would be Lin Jinyao saving the family, never Lin Xue’en."

Lin Xue’en felt no hint of resentment about this.

"Or maybe, all his bitterness had been worn away by time."

"He was simply not as good as his brother, Lin Jinyao."

"He was just the dispensable housekeeper."

"He was just a piece of coal, dull and lightless, always living in Lin Jinyao’s shadow."

"Inferiority was born in his bones, always less than everyone else."

"Everything was destiny—there was hardly anything one could do about it."

Until one day, Lin Xue’en met someone.

Someone from the Statistical Department.

"’Are you really content living like this?’"

At the time, Lin Xue’en said nothing, simply waved his sleeve and left. But from then on, during every deep, silent night, he found that sentence lingered like a thorn, ruthlessly echoing in his mind.

"But those words didn’t actually pain him. Just like a fish wouldn’t be bothered by fish bones, Lin Xue’en realized that recognizing his grudge toward his brother wouldn’t make him suffer—for his resentment had long since woven itself into his being, becoming a fishbone forever lodged inside."

"Often, feelings either survived the test or didn’t. Hate was just one of many passions, no matter how potent, never able to claim your entire heart; it was just a catalyst, able to stir up great storms with ease."

If Lin Xue’en had never met that person, he would still have been the Second Mister of the Lin family; after decades, he, too, would have had children and grandchildren, enjoying a simple but happy life, honoring his brother with mutual respect and never a hint of a rift.

But once Lin Xue’en’s hatred was ignited, the most rotten soil in his heart began to burn. "Just a single spark could explode the marsh gas and tear down every emotional barrier."

"Gratitude, family bonds, happiness—all those were utterly scattered. What was left was only Lin Xue’en’s bitter refusal to accept his fate!"

Lin Xue’en didn’t view his collusion with the Statistical Department as revenge on his brother. He believed he was saving the Lin family.

Lin Jinyao joined the rebel group, White Night—the act of a traitor!

Rallying friends to defy the Imperial Court was a road to doom—utter disloyalty!

Bringing shame to the Lin family in the name of rebels—utter lack of filial piety!

Defying the Imperial Court and the Statistical Department—complete foolishness!

"Everything I have done, all of it, was simply to set things right, to correct Lin Jinyao’s disloyal, unjust, unfilial, and unwise actions—to hold the crumbling waves, to support a collapsing Great Xia, and to preserve a spark of the Lin family in the midst of catastrophe!"

"This was the true act of kindness—a coal in the snow!"

"To kill my own brother was never my wish, but since my brother ended up murdered by traitorous students, at least his honor was preserved, as was the Lin family’s prestige—a blessing in disguise!"

And I, Lin Xue’en, would surely restore the Lin family in my brother’s stead!

First, I would join the White Night branch, work with the Statistical Department to wipe out these White Night rebels, openly stand on the side of the Imperial Court, and lead the Lin family in giving everything for the Court—even unto death—doing all I could to quell the civil war!

I would make the Star Engraving Lin family famous across the land, appeasing the spirits of my father and brother in the afterlife!

Father, brother, watch me—even without you, I could make the Lin family tree flourish and spread!

Next up, I’d join forces with the Statistical Department’s arranged sniper, strike down Qian Yuliu, pass the qualification test for the White Night branch held by the rebel group ’White Night,’ and earn the right to establish a White Night branch!

The sudden test announced by the White Night Walker had caught the Lin family off guard. Only those who beat Qian Yuliu in Chouduan would be eligible to join, and Lin Xue’en had to seize this chance.

He couldn’t let anyone else defeat Qian Yuliu.

But he didn’t have the combat qualification to challenge Qian Yuliu himself—not only was he not strong enough, but others also didn’t feel safe letting the Second Mister face such a savage criminal.

Lin Xue’en knew the line-up and order for the matches perfectly. He was sure Qian Yuliu could at least take down Gao Jin and Xia Lingguo, but after a long fight, facing Lin Xue would be anyone’s guess.

For the family’s sake, he had to put Lin Xue at some risk. He found a way to touch Lin Xue’s sword sheath, planting in it a spent high-energy radiant crystal.

That crystal would have no effect under normal circumstances—unless Lin Xue channeled Radiance into the sheath. When it was brimming and ready to fire, the sheath’s energy would first recharge the crystal rather than strike outward as Lin Xue wished.

In other words, the Lin clan’s most prized sheath light would fail completely.

There was no way Lin Xue could beat Qian Yuliu.

Of course, Lin Xue’en didn’t intend to let his niece die. As soon as her sheath light failed, Qian Yuliu would surely seize the chance to kill her—that was when Lin Xue’en would step onto the stage.

Protecting his niece, no one would question Lin Xue’en’s rage at that moment.

As for whether Qian Yuliu truly intended to kill or might have stopped, no one would care in the least.

They would only see one result: Qian Yuliu gravely wounded, Lin Xue’en avenging blood!

At that point, with Gao Jin, Xia Lingguo, and Lin Xue all defeated, only Lin Jinyao’s own brother, Lin Xue’en, would have succeeded in avenging him—both in affection and logic, White Night would have to pass Lin Jinyao’s authority to Lin Xue’en!

"This was it—I was going to take the most crucial step."

"From now on, I would step out from the shadows and onto the stage."

"The great name of Lin Xue’en would resound across Chenfeng—from now on, no one would remember Lin Jinyao, only me, Lin Xue’en!"

"Qian Yuliu, you would become my Lin family’s stepping stone—a penance for your murder of your master!"

And Lin Xue’en’s confidence lay in the aid of the Statistical Department.

The Department’s sniper was already targeting Qian Yuliu’s vital points.

Faced with both sword and gunfire, Qian Yuliu had no choice. As an Awakener, he would have to evade the more deadly, powerful gunshot first, but doing so would force him to dodge left, exposing his mortal flesh to Lin Xue’en’s blade.

Even if Lin Xue’en’s strike didn’t kill Qian Yuliu, it would at least cripple him. After one successful move, Lin Xue’en would immediately withdraw, securing his victory and earning White Night’s stamp of approval!

All his resentment, all his anxiety, all his suppressed emotions—Lin Xue’en poured every feeling into this single sword strike, as though he could sever his entire past.

He ground his teeth, glaring at Qian Yuliu’s face, that look of hatred and glee in his eyes absolutely genuine.

He "truly considered himself the brother avenging his elder brother’s death."

Die, Qian Yuliu—

Bang!

A blast resounded, and light exploded.

Lin Xue’en’s sword light was slapped away.

At the same time, Qian Yuliu’s blood burst forth.

An invisible bullet pierced through, blasting four holes through Qian Yuliu’s right arm and left chest. Blood sprayed along the bullet’s path, displaying a cruel kind of beauty amidst twisted light.

Lin Xue’en stared wide-eyed at the scene—he didn’t even notice Qian Yuliu had already batted away his sword.

"Why didn’t he dodge the bullet? Didn’t he know it could kill him?"

"He definitely could have dodged it—why risk his life just to smack aside my sword light?"

"Couldn’t he see I was just a regular swordsman, that my sword might seriously injure him, but was nowhere near the threat of the gunshot?"

"Why did he rush me even after being shot, instead of retreating?"

"Why... did he have to mess up my plan?"

"I want you dead!" Leyu coughed up a mouthful of filthy blood, using his right hand to shatter Lin Xue’en’s sword light, while his left hand, Desolate Bite, clawed for Lin Xue’en’s throat!

Lin Xue’en was the traitor!

The sniper was Lin Xue’en’s trump card!

Lin Xue’en’s pupils contracted sharply—he retreated in a panic, backhand swinging his sword at Leyu’s left hand that grasped for his throat!

Leyu lunged to keep up, ready to end the traitor’s life with the next blow—but found his right arm wouldn’t rise at all, the gunshot having injured the bone so badly he couldn’t muster any strength there.

His left hand still worked, but Leyu had already spent himself. With just five fingers, he couldn’t crush Lin Xue’en’s windpipe.

In a flash, Leyu suddenly kicked at Lin Xue’en’s shin, toppling his balance.

Then Leyu spun sharply, using the power in his waist and belly to whip Lin Xue’en by the arm and smash him headfirst into the ground!

As Lin Xue’en plummeted, skull-first towards the flagstones, he got a clear look at Leyu’s face—no rage, no hatred, just a sudden jubilant clarity, as if saying, "I got you now."

In a heartbeat, Lin Xue’en understood everything, and why Leyu risked his own life to kill him.

"’I refuse to accept this!’"

Bam! Lin Xue’en’s head smashed against the blue-brick pavement. Red and white spilled everywhere.

...

Gao Jin froze.

Xia Lingguo narrowed her eyes.

Lin Xue, finally steady on her feet, nearly collapsed again at the sight.

The onlookers instantly quieted down. The Patrol Execution Guards hurried over to check on Lin Xue’en, their faces grim.

Leyu slowly straightened up, looking down at Lin Xue’en’s corpse. The blood-splattered face broke into a fierce, satisfied grin.

Yet, in others’ eyes, that smile looked especially cruel and arrogant.

"Qian Yuliu, you, you—"

"You what." Leyu glanced at Gao Jin, who was pointing at him, and laughed wildly, "If you’ve got the guts, kill me then! Hahaha—"

The laughter abruptly cut off. Leyu suddenly felt he couldn’t breathe, his vision went black, and he lost all sense.

In the very last second before losing consciousness, Leyu’s only thought was:

"Does this count as Gao Jin pissing me to death?"

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