Chapter 22: Beaten by the Emperor, Rewarded with 1,000 Yuan

While Chen Lin was busy setting up a new respawn point, Zhu Yuanzhang received a report from Mao Xiang.

"This brat, just as I expected, he’s looking to stir up trouble again."

"He said he would treat the Duke of Cao tomorrow?"

Mao Xiang bowed and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Zhu Yuanzhang stood up. "Very well. I want to see how he intends to perform this treatment without my interference."

"Tomorrow, keep a close eye on Li Jinglong for me. Make sure he doesn't kill Chen Lin..."

Another day passed. Chen Lin awoke in a manor belonging to the Duke of Cao, located just outside the capital. Early in the morning, Li Jinglong was already waiting outside his door.

Seeing Chen Lin walk out of the room yawning, supported by his beautiful maid, Li Jinglong eagerly presented breakfast. "Master Chen, I hope this is to your liking. Please, take your time; there is no need to rush."

"What’s this? Not in a hurry anymore?"

"No hurry at all, no hurry at all."

Seeing Li Jinglong’s improved attitude, Chen Lin stopped provoking him. "Don't worry, I guarantee I will cure your father."

"Yes, yes, I absolutely believe in Master Chen..."

After breakfast, the city gates opened, and the group entered the capital, returning to the Duke of Cao’s estate. To their surprise, Mao Xiang was already waiting at the entrance with a group of Imperial Guards. Chen Lin looked over and saw that his pickup truck was there as well!

However, having anticipated this, he didn't show much surprise. He picked up his so-called medical kit and prepared to enter the mansion.

"Master Chen, His Majesty has ordered us to search you and inspect your belongings."

Chen Lin frowned. "And what if I refuse?"

Mao Xiang cupped his hands. "Then I apologize. Men, search him!"

"Screw your mother! Mao Xiang, you dare? If you have the guts, just kill me."

With that, Chen Lin opened his medical kit, pulled out a compound crossbow, and fired a bolt directly at Mao Xiang.

*Thwack!*

It hit its mark perfectly—a shield-bearer, one of the junior guards, whom Mao Xiang had pulled in front of him. Everyone was horrified!

"Quick, seize him!"

*Whoosh! Whoosh!*

The compound crossbow was a repeating model capable of firing three bolts in succession. Unfortunately, there were too many guards, and the other two shots missed. Chen Lin was quickly subdued. Li Jinglong stood frozen, eyes wide with shock. Using a crossbow in front of the Imperial Guards—how could he dare?!

Chen Xiaolan, seeing her young master pinned down, threw herself forward frantically. "Let go of my young master! Let go of him!"

Chen Lin glared viciously at Mao Xiang. "You mark my words, you will pay for this."

Mao Xiang was genuinely rattled by that gaze. This was a man who dared to assassinate the Emperor and could come back from the dead. If he were truly marked for vengeance, there would be no peace for him in the future. He quickly snatched the crossbow and bowed. "Master Chen, I am only following orders. Please, don't make things difficult for me."

"And release Master Chen at once!"

The guards backed away. Chen Lin comforted the frightened Chen Xiaolan, and without a word, walked straight into the mansion.

"Zhu Yuanzhang, you old bastard, get out here!"

The crowd fell silent. Li Jinglong finally snapped back to reality. He’s actually cursing him! Is this a master or a death-wish incarnate? What kind of person did I hire? Forget about curing my father—if he doesn't lose his head, it'll be a miracle.

Mao Xiang, wiping cold sweat from his forehead, ran inside to protect the Emperor.

In the courtyard, Zhu Yuanzhang sat firmly, surrounded by a circle of Imperial Guards, smiling as he watched Chen Lin approach.

"Oh, you've arrived!"

Chen Lin sneered. "Looks like you've figured out my routine. What, you don't want Li Wenzhong to be cured?"

Zhu Yuanzhang’s expression stiffened. Chen Lin continued his tirade: "You insidious tyrant, you really are afraid of your own nephew, you muddled ruler!"

"That’s nonsense! If I were afraid of my own nephew, I would have had him silenced long ago. Do you think he would still be alive today?"

Li Jinglong, having never witnessed such a scene, trembled and couldn't utter a word.

Chen Lin retorted, "Is that so? Then that explains why Li Wenzhong is terminally ill at such a young age. Who knows if it was you, his uncle, who poisoned him in secret?"

*Poisoned in secret!!*

Everyone was stunned by these words. Zhu Yuanzhang exploded with rage. "Blast it all! I'm furious! Seize him! Take him down!"

Zhu Yuanzhang’s fury seemed to confirm something, making Li Jinglong wonder: could his father’s illness really have been caused by poison from his uncle?

The Imperial Guards swarmed forward, but Chen Xiaolan desperately blocked them. "You are not allowed to touch my young master!"

Chen Lin patted her arm. "Don't worry, this old bastard doesn't dare do anything reckless. You step aside, it's fine."

"But..."

There was no 'but.' Chen Lin pushed Chen Xiaolan aside, allowed himself to be captured, and was dragged before Zhu Yuanzhang. Then...

*Ptooey!*

Catching him off guard, Chen Lin spat a glob of thick phlegm right onto Zhu Yuanzhang’s face.

"You old bastard, muddled ruler, tyrant—why don't you just die!"

Li Jinglong, Chen Xiaolan, and everyone present were paralyzed. What was happening? Were their eyes deceiving them, or were they still dreaming? Spitting on the Emperor to his face—was the world going mad, or had a nightmare become reality? It was too explosive.

Zhu Yuanzhang didn't even wipe the phlegm off his face; he closed his eyes and regulated his breathing. *Stay calm, Zhu Yuanzhang, don't fall for this brat's trap.*

*Ptooey!*

Another spit landed, though this time it was just saliva. That was the last straw. Zhu Yuanzhang lost his composure, lunging forward to punch and kick Chen Lin.

[Beaten by the Emperor, rewarded with 1000 yuan...]
[Beaten by the Emperor, rewarded with 1000 yuan...]
[Beaten by the Emperor, rewarded with 1000 yuan...]

Chen Lin was stunned. It had this feature too? 1000 wasn't a fortune, but it wasn't pocket change either—it was money! So, he decided to suffer happily. But he couldn't let his momentum drop. Even while pinned by the guards, his mouth kept attacking.

"That's it, hit me harder! Zhu Yuanzhang, you are publicly beating a divine doctor just to ensure your nephew dies sooner—you are an affront to gods and men!"

"Li Jinglong, you are an unfilial son! Standing there watching the man who could save your father get beaten—heaven will not forgive you!"

"Mao Xiang, as a subject, you see the Emperor committing a wrong and fail to dissuade him—you are disloyal and unjust!"

"And all of you, accomplices to a tyrant—you won't have a good end!"

Zhu Yuanzhang stopped, panting. Chen Lin spat out a mouthful of blood and sneered, "Did you not eat? You don't even know how to throw a punch. How did you ever become a founding emperor? You're a failure!"

Zhu Yuanzhang glared, gasping for air. "You still dare to run your mouth? Fine, let's continue."

"Hit me, keep hitting me! If you have the guts, kill me, you old bastard!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was nearing a mental breakdown. "Blast it! Someone, gag him! Gag him immediately!"

"Mmph! Mmph!"

Chen Xiaolan wept, clawing at the outer circle of guards in a desperate attempt to reach her master. But as a fragile woman, she was no match for the Imperial Guards. With a shove, she fell flat on her back, sobbing uncontrollably on the ground. It was a sight that would break anyone's heart.