Chapter Twelve: The Lin Clan

After breakfast, the sky suddenly darkened, clouds gathered, and a fierce wind rose. In no time, thunder and lightning crashed outside, and rain poured down in torrents.

Lin Hai realized that earning money today was out of the question. He glanced at Lin Fan, who was washing dishes, and sighed inwardly, “This kid really isn’t ordinary—the speed at which his soul recovers is astonishing! Well, with things progressing like this, I might just finish my arduous task sooner, and that treasure will soon be mine! Most importantly, I’ll finally escape the clutches of that little demon Lin Qi! Heh heh! Kid, I’m rooting for you! My happiness depends entirely on you!”

Lin Hai was feeling quite pleased, his thoughts running wild.

“Since he’s so talented, perhaps I should strike while the iron is hot—add fuel to the fire! Rainy days are perfect for teaching kids, especially since there’s nothing else to do,” he mused, finally deciding to put some pressure on Lin Fan.

After indulging in his fantasies, Lin Hai called Lin Fan over with a cheerful smile and said, “Nephew, I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t had time to teach you any magic. Now that we’ve nothing to do today, your uncle will tell you about the history of the Lin family and our lifelong secret arts.”

Lin Fan looked at Lin Hai’s shameless expression, feeling suspicious. “Is he really being so kind? Or has he run into another thorny problem he wants me to solve?”

Thinking this, a chill ran down his spine. He swallowed nervously and asked, “Uncle, are you hiding something from me? Did you take on another shady job?”

Lin Hai saw the fear in Lin Fan’s eyes and laughed, “Relax, this is just a professional training session. Your skills are too poor; every time I take you out, I have to clean up after you. It’s dragging down our efficiency. So, as your elder, I feel a heavy, urgent responsibility. After much thought, I’ve decided to teach you some super cosmic Daoist magic! Interested?”

He finished, looking at Lin Fan with sincere anticipation.

Lin Fan, though not entirely reassured, still squeezed excitedly next to Lin Hai and said, “Uncle, after all this time, I’ve finally moved you… Is this your conscience speaking?”

Lin Hai replied, slightly annoyed, “Did you brush your teeth this morning? You make it sound as if I abuse you every day. Shut your mouth and sit over there. Two men shouldn’t crowd together. Listen carefully, don’t speak unless I ask. Remember every word I say—I won’t repeat myself, unless you wash my underwear.”

Lin Fan quickly scooted to the side, sitting cross-legged, his voice trembling with excitement. “Uncle, please take your time. My memory isn’t great.”

Lin Hai picked up his teacup, took a sip, and grew serious. “There are some things you ought to know. Our Lin family isn’t ordinary—we’re a mysterious clan with many secrets. Our descendants aren’t normal humans. You’ve been with me long enough that, even if you’re slow, you should have noticed something.”

Lin Fan nodded, “Yes, Uncle, at first I really thought you were just a charlatan, but after spending time with you, I’ve witnessed many strange things—some beyond what I can understand. Is the Lin family cursed? Is that why we’re so unlucky, always entangled with monsters and ghosts?”

Lin Hai smiled and continued, “You almost guessed it. But it’s not those evil things haunting us—exorcising demons is our family’s duty, because we Lin folk are kings among humans—people with special abilities.”

“Boom!” Thunder crashed outside, lightning flickered, making the room alternately bright and dark. The rain, driven by fierce winds, battered the walls as if it would burst through at any moment, lending the entire house a mysterious, eerie atmosphere.

Lin Fan jumped in fright and hurriedly asked, “What’s a person with special abilities?”

Lin Hai was startled too and cursed inwardly, “Damn! What kind of weather is this? I’m bragging here—does the storm have anything to do with me? Why’s it playing along? Idiot!” He composed himself with another sip of tea and continued, “Humans, throughout long evolution, changed bit by bit to adapt to their environment. No one knows what we originally looked like or where we came from. Driven by the urgent need to survive, we developed into what we are: hands, feet, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, heart, and so on… But some people, during this endless evolution, due to certain environmental influences or external factors, experienced mutations in body or soul and gained special abilities, becoming different and powerful. Such people are called those with special abilities. As for our Lin family, who knows which ancestor experienced such a change, but the mutation’s genetic line is strong, passed down generation after generation. By your time, who knows how many have inherited it.”

Lin Fan was incredulous. “Wow! That’s a lot to take in—let me absorb it.” He fell into a daze.

Was this bald, ugly man really his uncle? He didn’t look it. He could believe he and his cousin were related, but this guy was too unsightly… But then, if mutations were involved, it was possible. But the Lin family? He didn’t even know who he really was; was his surname truly Lin?

Lin Hai didn’t interrupt Lin Fan, picking up the newspaper to read.

Half an hour later, Lin Fan recovered and set aside his confusion. He asked, “Uncle, if you’ve mutated, I can see that. But what about me? How am I different from others? And my cousin…”

Lin Hai put down the newspaper and waved a hand. “Your cousin isn’t ordinary either. Haven’t you noticed how formidable she is? I warn you, don’t push her too far—if she gets angry, even I keep my distance. But with the way you provoke her, you’ll see her superpowers sooner or later.”

Knowing Lin Qi possessed terrifying abilities, Lin Fan shivered, reminding himself to be careful—he mustn’t die at the hands of his own family.

“As for you, I’ve seen it long ago, just didn’t tell you. Your tough body is remarkable—impervious to water and fire, immune to blades and bullets, able to withstand immense force. But there’s a weakness.” Lin Hai pointed to Lin Fan’s head.

Lin Fan was puzzled, “I never noticed I was that amazing…” He scratched his head, as if recalling something. “But I did accidentally break the toilet once, and that old bed collapsed several times when I slept on it. All those kitchen knives you gave me—my fingers bent their blades… I thought you bought fake kitchenware! Ha ha…”

Lin Hai listened and started to sense something was off, then remembered—the toilet. His expression was shocked, and he erupted, “You rascal! So you broke the toilet? Not only did you not tell me, you pieced the fragments back together? Crafty, aren’t you? When I sat on it, I nearly lost a vital part! Were you trying to circumcise me or what? I swear…”

He grew angrier, grabbing his teacup to throw.

Lin Fan hurried to block Lin Hai’s rage, surprised his carelessness had caused such harm. He poured tea and massaged Lin Hai’s shoulders, grinning, “Heh heh! Uncle, calm down! My fault, I’m guilty! You’re the bigger person—don’t hold it against me. Don’t get angry, it’s bad for your health and ages you!”

Seeing Lin Hai’s anger cool, Lin Fan quickly changed the subject, “Uncle, what did you mean by ‘weakness’?”

“The toilet incident isn’t over! I’m docking a month’s wages for my recovery—future expenses depend on how things go!” Lin Hai saw Lin Fan’s bemused, suppressed laughter and added, “Don’t overthink! My body’s fine and sturdy—mainly, I suffered psychological trauma!”

“Whatever, I already owe you so much, what’s a bit more! Pfft!” Lin Fan finally couldn’t hold his laughter.

“You little brat, laughing at what? You really are fearless! As for your weakness, your soul is shattered, barely held together by a thread. Otherwise, you’d be plagued by nightmares, unable to sleep. Why do you think you lost your memory? Not everyone can get possessed by ghosts, you know? You’re the perfect host for wandering spirits—male, female, lustful, fierce, evil—they all love fresh meat like you! Rest assured, you’ll never be lonely—ha ha ha!” Lin Hai exaggerated, venting his frustration.

Lin Fan knew Lin Hai liked to embellish, but still broke out in cold sweat, exclaiming, “Damn! That serious? Am I just… anyone’s host? Uncle, I’d rather die than be a public bus! No way! I’d rather die with dignity…”

Seeing Lin Fan’s devastated look, Lin Hai felt his anger dissipate and laughed, “Don’t be so tense. Your perfect body is a temptation for souls wanting rebirth, but our Lin family’s magic is powerful. The mutated ancestor of the Lin family somehow acquired a Daoist book called ‘Universal Creation Chronicle.’ It records not only exorcism, soul-strengthening, and body-enhancing arts, but also many strange events. The book’s contents are vast and eclectic. I’ve only read a small portion, and that’s how I achieved what I have today. Alas, I was too handsome and charming in my youth—chased by swarms of admirers every day—so I neglected my training…”

Lin Fan quickly interrupted, “Uncle, you’re always trying to drive last century’s car on today’s highway—you wonder why you crash? Can’t you accept reality and live in the present?”

Lin Hai frowned, “Can’t I reminisce about youth? I don’t want to talk to rude people like you… Anyway! The book contains myriad mysterious arts—so many, it boggles the mind: altar rites, doctrines, talismans, curses, divination, rain-making, plague removal, worship, exorcism, sorcery… many more. I devoted half my life to studying just a few. Among them is a particularly special art called ‘Seal Formation.’ It uses both hands’ ten fingers, bending and folding into different shapes, combined with mental visualization to channel elemental forces and perform spells. There are thousands of seal types, each with unique meanings and functions. One especially complex seal is the Soul Devouring Technique—it can strengthen and stabilize the soul, tailor-made for you. Interested in learning?”

Lin Fan was practically drooling, nodding frantically, “Uncle, Uncle, this sounds amazing—I want to learn it!”

Lin Hai encouraged, “Good, but this magic is far harder than cooking. From today, you must work hard and be diligent.”

Lin Fan gritted his teeth, “Don’t worry, I’ll bring glory to the Lin family!” But secretly he vowed, “Once I master it, I’ll beat the truth out of you!”

Lin Hai saw Lin Fan’s earnest attitude, nodded in satisfaction, and tossed him a USB drive, smiling, “Excellent—take it, practice well, don’t let me down or waste my feelings.”

Lin Fan took the USB, confused, “Uncle, what’s this? Shouldn’t a powerful secret manual be a worn, yellowed leather-bound book, preferably stained with blood? At least as shabby as that puppet technique manual?”

“Get lost! You’ve read too many martial arts novels. What era do you think we live in? Where am I supposed to find that stuff?”

“Oh, won’t you give me some guidance?”

Lin Hai picked up the newspaper again, “Figure it out yourself first—ask me if you get stuck.”

“I don’t have a computer.”

Lin Hai thought for a moment. “Lin Qi’s room has one, but…”

Lin Fan quickly shook his head, “Forget it, Uncle—if I go in there, I won’t survive to learn anything, let alone become your right-hand man. How about you get me one?”

Lin Hai nodded and shook his head, weighing the options. After hesitating, he said, “Nephew, you may not know, but that thing emits radiation—it’s bad for your health, especially since you’re unmarried. No need for another; I have one in my room: dual-core, 4G RAM, 2TB storage—downloads fast. What do you say? Go ahead and use mine; I can supervise you.”

“Uh… alright, I’ll head up.” Lin Fan, USB in hand, drooped his head and walked to Lin Hai’s bedroom.

Lin Hai snickered, glad to have saved some money. But then a charming, seductive silhouette flashed through his mind.

Suddenly, Lin Hai jumped up from the sofa and rushed toward the bedroom, shouting, “Nephew! Wait—don’t browse the F drive! That’s all family drama—definitely not for kids!”