Chapter 142: Just a Third-Level Spiritual Weapon

Li Yunfeng took a deep breath, suppressing her anger as she looked at Li Jiancheng and said sternly, “Father, Manager Lin is a close friend of mine and Wen Cai’s from Xilan City. Will you help us with this or not?”
Li Jiancheng smiled bitterly. “Since Little Feng has asked, how could I refuse?”
Of all his children, Li Yunfeng was the most similar to Li Jiancheng in both temperament and appearance when he was younger. Though he had aged and his mindset had changed drastically after entering politics, he still loved this daughter the most.
Otherwise, the position of head of the household affairs department wouldn’t have fallen to Cheng Wencai. His other candidate was his third son, who served as a minor general in the army. Transferring the third son over could not only strengthen the Li family’s influence in Qiufeng City but also align with the higher-ups’ strategy of tightening military control before gradually extending it to local areas. Few outside knew that by giving the position to Cheng Wencai, Li Jiancheng was actually giving up a great deal of benefit.
It was just about protecting an inn—a matter of little significance. How could he refuse?
Lin Dong felt relieved and was about to stand up to thank him when Jin Furong suddenly spoke up beside Li Jiancheng, “Elder, I heard you were excellent at wielding a spear back in the day. Since you’ve acquired a spiritual spear today, why not show us all and let us see what your skills were like back then?”
Li Jiancheng hesitated. He hadn’t practiced spear fighting in many years.
“That’s a good idea. I heard you were once the bravest general under the old general. It’s a rare chance—let the children see what you were like back then too.”
“Right, right. I think that’s a great idea too.”
The other three daughters-in-law understood that Jin Furong was showing off. Under normal circumstances, they wouldn’t have paid her any attention. But now, they all chimed in, not out of anything else but to annoy Li Yunfeng.
With their clamor, the others were forced to join in. Seeing everyone’s expectant looks, Li Jiancheng gritted his teeth and stood up. “Alright, I’ll go get the spiritual spear.”
After Li Jiancheng left the side room, Jin Furong turned to Lin Dong and said leisurely, “Manager Lin, I heard Lin’s Inn will open in a few days. What are its specialties? If you describe them well, maybe I’ll take the time to visit.”
“Yes, yes! Manager Lin, please tell us.”
“An inn that dares to claim it can rival Fenglin Restaurant must have something special. Now that you’ve mentioned it, I’m curious too.”
The other three daughters-in-law immediately agreed. In the hall, the concubines, who already relied on their favor, hurried to agree as well.

Jin Furong showed a smug expression. In the past, would those three shrews ever act as mere pawns for others? No one dared to defy the blade’s command—this must describe the current situation.
Since things had already been settled, all that remained was to discuss the details with Li Jiancheng. Hearing this, although Lin Dong knew those women were deliberately causing trouble, he didn’t want further complications, so he endured it and briefly described the specialties of Lin’s Inn.
“So many?” Jin Furong tutted. “I wonder if the gift box brought by Manager Lin today contains the recipe for stewing turtle with maple and paulownia leaves from Lin’s Inn?”
“I think the magic array that makes people feel pleasant while dining is even better. If we could have a few more in the mansion, the master’s mood would surely be good every day.”
“Since Manager Lin has come to ask for such a big favor, I believe the gift box must include both the recipe and the magic array.”
“I agree with Third Sister-in-law’s guess.”
As they exchanged words, everyone’s gaze gradually shifted toward Lin Dong. Some had mocking expressions, some were curious, and some showed sympathy…
Everyone knew that these two items were undoubtedly precious to Lin’s Inn, like its lifeblood, and they surely wouldn’t be in the gift box.
Lin Dong remained calm, about to deny it, but beside him, Li Yunfeng couldn’t bear such humiliation. She stared at Jin Furong and retorted coldly, “Manager Lin isn’t some relative of the Li family’s pets. Bringing half a basket of fruits is enough when visiting—there’s no need to be rejected just for not bringing a lavish gift.”
Jin Taifu’s face turned as red as a pig’s liver, while Jin Furong trembled with anger. She suddenly stood up, pointed at Li Yunfeng, and shouted furiously, “Who do you call a pet?”
“I call you a pet! If you disagree, you can try calling me, Li Yunfeng, a pet too!” Li Yunfeng’s face twisted viciously as she stood up abruptly, her hands firmly gripping the edge of the table.
She had had enough of this anger today. Returning to her family’s home, being treated coldly by everyone was one thing, but even speaking rudely to the guests she brought was beyondendure.
Jin Furong recoiled in shock, tripped over a chair leg, and stumbled to the ground. The other three, seeing Li Yunfeng’s anger, fell silent instantly.
Lin Dong smiled bitterly. It seemed there was no possibility of reconciling Li Yunfeng’s relationship with the legitimate daughters-in-law of the Li family.
In Lin Dong’s memory, although Li Yunfeng had a fierce temper and had beaten Cheng Wencai, even in front of her family members or servants, she had never resorted to violence at the slightest disagreement.
Since reconciliation was impossible, Lin Dong had no more reservations. He said calmly, “Madam, why bother with such people? It’s just a third-tier spiritual artifact. Arguing with them is shameful!”

Although Li Yunfeng didn’t consider a third-tier spiritual artifact to be something ordinary, she agreed with the other points and nodded, sitting back down immediately.
“A third-tier spiritual artifact, nothing more?” Jin Furong got up from the ground. Seeing Li Yunfeng’s sideways glance, her sharp voice faltered for a moment. Though still harsh, it became less aggressive. “Manager Lin, what bold claims! If you really have the guts, bring out a third-tier spiritual artifact and give it a try!”
At this moment, the other three legitimate daughters-in-law dared not interject. They knew well Li Yunfeng’s temper—she was on the verge of exploding. Provoking this “tiger mother” could lead to terrible consequences.
“I don’t have a third-tier spiritual artifact,” Lin Dong said calmly.
“No? Listen up! Manager Lin says third-tier spiritual artifacts are nothing, yet he doesn’t have one himself.” Jin Furong laughed recklessly, so brazenly that even her cousin Jin Dafu thought it was unbecoming of a young lady of the Li family.
Lin Dong smiled but ignored her. It would be best not to use a spiritual artifact, but since Li Yunfeng would go so far as to throw a tantrum and hit people for her own sake, it was worth it—just to save face—for her—to lend a few spiritual artifacts to Li Jiancheng for a few years. Even giving him the Green Rainbow Sword and the Precious Scale Armor seemed worthwhile to Lin Dong.
Seeing Lin Dong remain silent, Jin Furong raised her voice, growing bolder. “Why are you silent? Manager Lin, could it be you don’t even know what a spiritual artifact is, which is why you dare say such things?”
Lin Dong gave Jin Furong a cold look. As faint footsteps approached, he suddenly flashed a smile at her.
An attempt to appease her?
The others dismissed it as contemptible—merchants were just merchants, good at adapting to circumstances.
Before long, Li Jiancheng walked slowly into the hall, carrying a pitch-black long spear. Fine beads of sweat glistened on his forehead, clearly indicating the spear’s great weight.
With a dignified glance around the hall, Li Jiancheng, unaware of any unpleasant incidents that had occurred, declared loudly, “Since everyone wants to see it, I’ll demonstrate the common military spear technique, the Puhun Spear Style!”
The crowd responded in unison.
With a loud shout, Li Jiancheng exerted force with both hands, swinging the spear violently. It created a gust of wind as it thrusts and parried, leaving trails of light and shadow in the hall.
Anyone with some training could tell that although Li Jiancheng had a foundation in spear techniques, he hadn’t practiced for a long time and was too old, making his movements awkward and slow. Yet the hall was filled with cheers, as if they were witnessing a technique capable of stunning the world.