Chapter Eighteen: The Fall of the Tian Family

The head of the Tian family was startled upon hearing that Lin Yanghao was the very murderer responsible for the death of Tian Youyuan's entire household. First, his face showed shock, then he broke into a hearty laugh. Of course, the Tian family head was not frightened because he feared Lin Yanghao, but rather because he thought Lin Yanghao must be out of his mind to walk into the trap himself. The subsequent laughter stemmed from his delight at how effortlessly capturing Lin Yanghao would be. Yet, he failed to consider: if Lin Yanghao had neither preparation nor confidence, would he really be foolish enough to walk into the lion's den? Lin Yanghao was a man who cherished his life; otherwise, he would never have survived those countless hardships and setbacks with such resilience.

Seeing the Tian family members rush towards him, Lin Yanghao didn’t hesitate; he threw himself into the fray, engaging them in combat. Given his cultivation at the fourth level of the martial artist realm, these ordinary people stood no chance against him. They could barely approach him, let alone pose a threat. To Lin Yanghao, the Tian family members were insignificant, mere chickens and stray dogs. With every move, someone was knocked to the ground, and Lin Yanghao took the opportunity to practice his skills—this was his first real fight since learning martial arts, but he harbored no fear.

The disparity in martial strength was not even on the same scale: it was as if heaven and earth were facing each other, or an adult confronting a child. If one looked closely, they would see that each of Lin Yanghao’s punches produced a faint golden stream of energy. This was the martial technique taught to him by Feng Batian, which Lin Yanghao had begun mastering back in the land of death. Though he had only achieved the initial stage, far from perfection, he used these opponents to further hone his technique. Under his powerful skills, few survived.

The Tian family head and his kin watched in horror as Lin Yanghao’s ferocity rendered their own men as fragile as chicks. Lin Yanghao now stood before them like a god of slaughter, sending waves of panic through their hearts. They realized their people were no match for him, and even the entire Tian family together would pose no threat to his existence.

Indeed, before long, Lin Yanghao had defeated the entire group. Turning to face the Tian family head and the elders, he waited, seemingly inviting them to exhaust their repertoire, to show all they had left.

“Spare us, young hero! We only offended you because we listened to Tian Youyuan’s malicious lies. We bear no real hatred, and Tian Youyuan’s family is gone. Let us settle our differences—how about we compensate you with half of the Tian family’s wealth for your losses? Would you accept this?”

This time, the Tian family head was genuinely terrified. Seeing his men unable to withstand even a single exchange against Lin Yanghao, he knew he had no means to resist. Forgetting his pride, he hurriedly pleaded with Lin Yanghao. If he could turn back time, he would never have provoked such a calamity. The family head couldn’t comprehend what miracle had transformed Lin Yanghao, who only months ago was a mere ordinary man, into such a formidable figure.

He was a man of insight and intelligence, which was why he led the Tian family. He mused, “From the fight just now, it’s clear Lin Yanghao is a martial artist, and not a weak one. Even if I could match him now, I would not risk provoking him. Anyone who could cultivate Lin Yanghao into such a strongman in just a few months is not someone even the Yang family behind me would dare offend. And I can’t even defeat him myself. Better to compromise.”

Yet thoughts are one thing; reality is often cruel. The Tian family head had hoped too much. Lin Yanghao was not swayed by his offer, scoffing at him.

“Have you drunk so much swill that your brain’s gone rotten? Even if I agreed, would the townsfolk accept it? How many people have you harmed in Tian family’s name? Giving me half your wealth—once I wipe out your family, it’ll all be mine anyway!” Lin Yanghao laughed as though he’d heard the world’s most amusing joke.

“Yes, wipe out the Tian family! Bring peace back to Chaoyang Town!”

“Kill him! Kill him!”

As soon as Lin Yanghao finished speaking, the surrounding townsfolk echoed his words.

With the annihilation of the Tian family, the authorities should have intervened, at least made an appearance. Yet the Tian family had brought this upon themselves; they had long bullied the officials, who now watched their downfall with glee and gratitude toward Lin Yanghao—none would dare interfere.

“You see for yourself, don’t you? So set your minds at ease and prepare for your journey—don’t blame me, blame yourselves for committing too many evils!” Lin Yanghao’s wicked visage hung like a demon over the hearts of every Tian family member.

Few remained who could even stand. Some had wet themselves; others trembled uncontrollably. Only the elder members displayed composure, having foreseen this day and no longer fearing death.

Before long, Lin Yanghao slaughtered every last member of the Tian family. He was neither merciful nor sentimental, believing firmly that good deeds bring rewards and evil brings retribution. One reaps what one sows, so his conscience was clear.

The townsfolk now cheered the Tian family’s demise, revealing the depth of their suffering under Tian oppression.

After looting the family’s assets, Lin Yanghao distributed some among the poor of the town, thus settling his conscience.

The wealth he found was staggering—amounting to a million gold coins. Of course, he would not carry them as individual coins; like modern currency, they were in denominations of one hundred, one thousand, and ten thousand.

Chaoyang Town, Xiahe Village

The sky was sprinkled with stars, but there was no moon as on Earth.

Lin Yanghao stood by the riverbank in Xiahe Village, gazing at the distant sky, lost in thought. Today, he realized, was the Lantern Festival back home on Earth. He looked at the moonless sky, his heart filled with nostalgia and longing for his homeland.

As for why he had returned to Xiahe Village, Lin Yanghao simply wished to visit Elder Lin.