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**
When Xiao Lin returned to the Xiao Clan, he was instantly greeted with a warm and enthusiastic welcome from the clansmen. After all, although Xiao Lin was not yet the Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan, he was the backbone of the clan!
This point was something the people of the Xiao Clan had deeply realized in their hearts during the six years Xiao Lin had left the clan to travel and temper himself.
Particularly in the last two years of Xiao Lin's long absence, someone, for reasons unknown, had actually spread false rumors that Xiao Lin might have fallen.
The result of this was that the attitudes of many factions within the Jia Ma Empire toward the Xiao Clan had become ambiguous.
Even though the Xiao Clan came forward to explain multiple times, they still couldn't stop the gossip from those with ulterior motives.
One must realize that without Xiao Lin, in the eyes of most factions in the Jia Ma Empire, the Xiao Clan was merely an ordinary Dou Ling level force; they wouldn't have the prestige they enjoyed now!
The number of factions at the Dou Ling level within the Jia Ma Empire was still quite large. It could be said that a Xiao Clan without Xiao Lin was not enough to make the various parties pay them any serious attention.
Furthermore, Xiao Lin had only been out tempering himself for six years this time; if an accident had truly occurred as the rumors suggested, the Xiao Clan would likely have been swallowed up immediately by various ill-intentioned forces!
If a Dou Ling clan promotes to a Dou Wang clan, all sides would show awe and respect. But if a Dou Wang clan drops back down to a Dou Ling clan, they would absolutely be targeted by greedy individuals.
The former Yinter Clan was the best example.
Don't look at how the Xiao, Mu, and Nalan Clans carved them up after Grand Marshal Yinter Mo Ya committed treason.
In reality, even if Grand Marshal Yinter Mo Ya hadn't committed treason and had simply died in battle, the Yinter Clan would have undoubtedly become a piece of fat meat in the eyes of the various factions in the Imperial Capital.
This was the naked reality!
It was precisely because they had experienced the gap during the days without Xiao Lin that the people of the Xiao Clan now showed such fanatical enthusiasm toward him.
Previously, while the clansmen did indeed respect Xiao Lin, it had never been this exaggerated. It was only through experiencing the changes of these six years that the current scene unfolded.
"Young Clan Leader, you've finally returned!"
"Wonderful, the Young Clan Leader is back! Let's see which of those fellows still dare to be so arrogant!"
"That's right! Those guys who were spreading rumors that something happened to the Young Clan Leader—let's see what they have to say now!"
"The bastards from the Li Clan have been frequently provoking us lately; I wonder if they still have the guts to do so now?"
"And the people from the Wang Clan—their business dealings with us have become sluggish and procrastinating lately. Isn't it just because they believed those rumors?"
"Now that the Young Clan Leader is back, I'll see who still dares to make things difficult for our Xiao Clan!"
. . . . . .
With Xiao Lin's return, it could be said that the backbone of the Xiao Clan had returned.
So, the moment Xiao Lin stepped through the main gate of the Xiao Clan, a crowd of clansmen immediately surrounded him. Some were currying favor, some were filing complaints, and some were simply there to get a close look at Xiao Lin.
After all, Xiao Lin had been away from the clan for six years; after the younger generation grew up, they had only heard his legends without ever seeing him in person. It was perfectly normal for them to be curious about the man who had led the Xiao Clan's rise.
Looking at these clansmen, Xiao Lin responded to them with a smile. In this moment, the clansmen became so dear in Xiao Lin's eyes. Perhaps, this was the connection that stemmed from the bloodline!
After finally managing to send these clansmen away, Xiao Lin finally saw his son, Xiao Zhan, and the Clan Leader, Xiao Dongcheng!
However, compared to his son Xiao Zhan, who appeared calm on the surface but was actually uncontrollably excited inside, Xiao Lin focused his gaze more on Clan Leader Xiao Dongcheng.
Because at this moment, Xiao Lin suddenly discovered that this old man, who had silently dedicated his entire life to the Xiao Clan, actually looked so much older now!
To say he looked like he had one foot in the grave would not be an exaggeration. His hair was entirely white, the skin on his body was shriveled, and his face was covered in deep wrinkles.
These were all the marks of time.
"Clan Leader!"
Seeing this, Xiao Lin immediately went up to meet him.
"Father!"
Seeing Xiao Lin approach, Xiao Zhan finally couldn't help but let out an excited shout.
"Zhan'er!"
Looking at his son, who was already over fifteen years old and about to celebrate his sixteen-year-old Coming of Age Ceremony, Xiao Lin actually had many things he wanted to say to him.
However, now was clearly not the time.
Therefore, Xiao Lin merely patted the youth, Xiao Zhan—who had already grown as tall as his shoulder—and kept his gaze on Clan Leader Xiao Dongcheng.
Xiao Zhan was sensible; although he had much to say to his father, at this very moment, he chose to leave the time and space to the leader of their Xiao Clan!
"Father, you and the Clan Leader should talk first. I'll go back to the courtyard and come find you in the afternoon."
"Mm, go ahead."
With the dialogue between father and son ending, Xiao Zhan also took his leave first.
In the end, only Xiao Lin and Clan Leader Xiao Dongcheng remained. For a moment, Xiao Dongcheng did not speak, but simply stood there quietly sizing Xiao Lin up.
Xiao Lin also didn't speak, standing with a straight back and allowing Clan Leader Xiao Dongcheng to look him over. After an unknown amount of time, a smile that was hard to conceal finally appeared on Clan Leader Xiao Dongcheng's face.
"Good, very good! As expected of a son of my Xiao Clan, you've become even more outstanding than before!"
Although his appearance looked incredibly aged, Xiao Dongcheng's voice still sounded full of vigor.
It was clear that with Xiao Lin's safe return, he was very happy.
"That's a given. This is what I promised the Clan Leader. Besides, look at who raised me!"
Facing Clan Leader Xiao Dongcheng's praise, Xiao Lin accepted it without the slightest trace of guilt.
Furthermore, he even teased Clan Leader Xiao Dongcheng in return at the end. It could be said that it was only in front of Clan Leader Xiao Dongcheng that Xiao Lin would occasionally show a side of himself that refused to grow up.
Of course, most people were likely the same.
In front of your elders, you can always be a child!
"Hahaha, you! Oh, you!"
As expected, this side shown by Xiao Lin made Clan Leader Xiao Dongcheng burst into hearty laughter instantly.
At this moment, the two looked as if they were a biological father and son!
Subsequently, the two sat opposite each other in the courtyard, brewed a pot of tea, and began to chat. The content of what Xiao Lin said was entirely about his experiences tempering himself abroad during these years.
Although a part of it was fictional, Clan Leader Xiao Dongcheng still listened with great interest. To him, it was like listening to the life experiences of his own son who had been away for many years.
To an average person, these things might not seem like much, but to an old man, these were the most interesting adventures!
**
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