Chapter 23: The Sky Collapses for Li Jinglong

Finally, Zhu Yuanzhang grew tired of the beating and collapsed into a chair, gasping for breath.

The others stood there frozen, not daring to make a sound.

"Wuwuwu..."

Although Chen Lin’s mouth was gagged, he continued to curse, determined to be heard even if his words were unintelligible.

Just then, a maid ran out from the inner courtyard in a panic.

"It’s bad, it’s bad! The Duke is rolling his eyes back!"

Li Jinglong was horrified. He slid across the floor on his knees to reach Zhu Yuanzhang. "Grand-uncle, please, I beg you to show mercy and spare my father!"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Li Jinglong coldly. "Jiujiang, do you also believe that your father’s illness is my doing?"

Li Jinglong dared not answer and could only continue to kowtow.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked up and sighed. "Fine, fine. Take him inside!"

By the Emperor’s order, the Jinyiwei immediately released Chen Lin.

Chen Lin ripped the rag from his mouth. "Zhu Yuanzhang, you old bastard, I will never let you get away with this."

Chen Xiaolan rushed forward. "Young Master, please, stop talking, can we just stop?"

Chen Lin wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. "Don't be afraid, Xiaolan. This old geezer only has this much skill. Watch how I settle the score with him."

Li Jinglong hurried forward. "Immortal Chen, please, save my father first!"

Chen Lin nodded, then pointed viciously at Zhu Yuanzhang. "You just wait for me!"

With that, he took Chen Xiaolan and followed Li Jinglong into the inner courtyard. It would be a waste if Li Wenzhong were to kick the bucket on his own.

Zhu Yuanzhang watched their backs and let out a heavy sigh. "What kind of sin have I committed to deserve this?"

Inside, Chen Xiaolan supported her young master, straining with effort because Chen Lin had truly been beaten hard—it was the kind of pain that cut deep.

"Hiss..."

"Damn it, Zhu Yuanzhang really meant to kill me. I must have my revenge!"

Li Jinglong, walking in front, shuddered visibly, but he dared not look back and could only keep his head down as he led the way. In his heart, he worried that if this "living ancestor" failed to cure his father, he would have offended the Emperor, and the consequences would be unimaginable.

How miserable.

Finally, the group arrived at the room where Li Wenzhong lay. A crowd of people was bustling in and out, attempting to resuscitate him.

"Get everyone out, now!"

At Chen Lin’s command, Li Jinglong scrambled to clear out the irrelevant people.

Just then, Zhu Yuanzhang entered the room with Mao Xiang. Seeing Chen Lin sitting there weakly, clutching his chest, Zhu Yuanzhang actually felt a pang of regret for losing his temper. He knew clearly that the man was intentionally provoking him, so why couldn't he control himself?

Sigh...

Next time, he would be more careful. He must not fall for this brat’s tricks again.

"Young Master, drink some tea to rinse your mouth."

Chen Lin took the tea cup from Chen Xiaolan, swished it around, and spat it onto the ground—it was red.

"I said, everyone irrelevant must get out. Li Jinglong, do you still want to save your father?"

Li Jinglong looked at Zhu Yuanzhang, then at Chen Lin. "But, Your Majesty..."

Zhu Yuanzhang drew his blade and placed it on the table. "You don't need my help?"

Chen Lin chuckled at the sight. "I’ll give you that. I won't settle accounts with you today; we have a long road ahead."

"I'm not afraid of you. I’ll be waiting..."

Before long, only six people remained in the room. Li Jinglong rubbed his hands nervously, Zhu Yuanzhang held his blade, Mao Xiang stood guard, and Li Wenzhong’s breath was as thin as a thread.

Chen Lin leaned in and whispered into Chen Xiaolan’s ear.

"Xiaolan, do you trust me?"

Chen Xiaolan was still using a handkerchief to wipe the blood from her young master’s mouth. "Young Master, please don't talk. If I don't trust you, who else is there to trust?"

"Then are you willing to die for me?"

Chen Xiaolan paused, then knelt at her young master’s feet. "Young Master’s word is my destiny. I am willing to die for you."

Chen Lin looked at the kneeling girl, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. "Get up."

Chen Xiaolan stood up obediently.

"Lean in."

She complied.

"No!"

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly realized what was happening, but it was too late. With a crisp *crack*, Chen Xiaolan, wearing a look of confusion and relief, had her neck twisted by her "destined" young master. Her body went limp, her eyes closed slowly, and she fell into his arms like a beauty drifting into a peaceful sleep.

Li Jinglong watched this scene in shock, completely paralyzed.

"He’s mad, he’s mad, he’s completely mad!"

Zhu Yuanzhang let out a heavy sigh. "Do it. I will see to the funeral arrangements for you."

Chen Lin looked at Zhu Yuanzhang. "That’s more like an Emperor. Keep up that demeanor, and you’ll have a bright future. I’m off!"

With that, Chen Lin walked slowly toward the bed where Li Wenzhong lay.

Li Jinglong sensed what was coming and tried to rush forward, but he was pinned down by Mao Xiang.

"Let me go! Let me go! Someone help! Help me! Wuwuwu..."

Mao Xiang covered Li Jinglong’s mouth, forcing him to watch as his father’s neck was snapped in an instant.

But the matter was not over. An even more shocking scene followed.

Chen Lin turned back and grinned, revealing blood-stained teeth. "Sorry, Li Jinglong. I’ll be going first. See you later!"

Before Li Jinglong could recover from his stupor, a *thwack* echoed through the room. Zhu Yuanzhang’s blade swung down, and the head of the so-called "Immortal Chen" rolled to his feet, still blinking at him.

Li Jinglong lost control of his senses, collapsing to the floor in a heap, staring blankly at the severed head.

His world had collapsed.

"Why? Why is this happening..."

"Your Majesty, tell me, did you really want my father to die?!"

Zhu Yuanzhang dropped the blade with trembling hands and slapped Li Jinglong across the face.

"Outsiders can misunderstand me, but as my grand-nephew, do you look at me the same way they do?"

"But... but my father... wuwuwu..."

Li Jinglong finally broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. The wailing was heart-wrenching until, finally, he let out a howl and collapsed, falling asleep to reunite with his father in his dreams...

In the 21st century, Chen Lin slowly opened his eyes and looked around. He was alone.

"As expected, getting my head chopped off is the fastest way."

"My injuries have healed, too. Feels good."

[Congratulations to the host for completing the third death at the hands of Zhu Yuanzhang. Reward: 100 million RMB. Please continue your efforts...]

[Countdown: 1 minute remaining...]

"System, give me an hour first. If it's not enough, I'll add more."

[60 minutes credited. Deducting 600,000 from the host's balance...]

"So cheap. At 10,000 per minute, this is a steal."

"No, I need to get ready to welcome Li Wenzhong..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Xiaolan popped up on the bed with a *poof*!

"Huh? Where is this?"

"Young Master, you... you... you killed me, didn't you? Was I dreaming just now?"

Chen Lin quickly pulled her up. "Get up first. I’ll explain in a moment. You only need to remember one thing: I could never bear to kill you."

Chen Xiaolan nodded vigorously. "I know. Even if you really wanted to kill me, I would be happy."

Chen Lin was deeply moved. He hugged her, then scrambled to the kitchen to find some rope and a rolling pin!