Chapter 98: Hey, Don’t You Dare Die! (Long Chapter—Please Subscribe!)
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Inside the vast hall, Zhang Shunlong stood silently. His gaze fixed on the lifeless figure draped in white cloth outside the distant doorway. Tears streamed down his face like beads that had snapped from their string, rolling endlessly. An overwhelming wave of despair and helplessness surged through his heart.
He stepped slowly outside, pushing aside the nearby servants, and knelt beside Liu Yuting, gripping her hand tightly. Though her hand was cold and lifeless, Zhang Shunlong could still sense every detail, every trace of warmth that once was. The memories of laughter, promises, and comfort were as vivid as if they had happened yesterday.
Helplessly, he stared at her peaceful face—once radiant with happiness and smiles, now serene in death. His heart felt as if it was being torn apart, pain so intense it stole his breath.
“This shouldn’t be like this.” He murmured repeatedly, tears blurring his vision and his voice hoarse with anguish.
At this moment, Lady Wu seemed equally stunned, her fingers clenched tightly, legs trembling as if about to give way. Without Liu Hao’s support, she would have collapsed long ago.
“My daughter…”
“Master, how did it come to this?” Lady Wu’s nostrils burned with sorrow, her composure faltering. Though burdened with immense grief, she found herself unable to shed a single tear. The tears felt blocked inside her heart, trapped with nowhere to flow.
Liu Hao stood nearby, lost and bewildered, unsure of what to do. He even dared not look at the fallen figure—it might be his daughter. A sense of regret gnawed within him, blaming himself. If only he had not dragged back Zhang Shunlong and Liu Yuting when they tried to elope, perhaps this tragedy could have been avoided.
As dusk fell, the sky darkened, heavy clouds pressing low, suffocating the atmosphere with an oppressive weight.
Lin Yunzhen watched the scene before him with a slight frown, feeling no deep emotion—only annoyance at the noisy crowd. It was just a suicide after all, hardly a significant matter.
He turned his gaze to Cheng Guang and sighed, “Young Master, as you can see, the person you’re looking for has already taken their own life.”
“That has nothing to do with me.” Lin Yunzhen spread his hands innocently.
In his own eyes, this truly was not his concern. After all, he didn’t kill her—it was the woman’s own despair and immaturity. Had she been more sensible, perhaps he might have kept her close as a servant, a comfort, instead of ending like this.
Cheng Guang’s expression remained indifferent. Tapping the back of his chair, he looked toward Zhang Shunlong, who knelt on the ground, sobbing.
Zhang Shunlong’s voice weakened, his trembling body gradually calming. He slowly lifted the woman wrapped in white cloth into his arms—her long hair flowing, her pale jade-like hands hanging limply, her face mournfully beautiful, with faint bruises visible on her body.
Trembling, Zhang Shunlong carefully covered her wounds with the white cloth, holding her tightly as he stood and fixed his gaze on Cheng Guang.
His eyes were vacant, bloodshot, mixed with tears—blood tears.
“Thank you, Young Master,” Zhang Shunlong bowed deeply to Cheng Guang.
If not for him, he would still be trapped inside the Liu estate, unaware of Liu Yuting’s fate. If not for him, he would never have entered the Prime Minister’s mansion. If not for him, he would have never known how long it would take to learn she had left this world.
Gratefulness filled his heart toward this young lord of the Duke of Zhen’s family, who, for reasons unknown, had suddenly helped and brought him to the Prime Minister’s residence.
At that moment, a cold, emotionless system voice sounded in Cheng Guang’s mind, signaling task completion. The voice was chillingly familiar.
But Cheng Guang felt little joy. He had helped Zhang Shunlong not out of virtue, but merely to fulfill his mission.
Yet witnessing the scene before him—the disregard for ordinary lives by the powerful, treating them as playthings—his heart could not remain calm.
His emotions were far more complex than he expected.
After Zhang Shunlong bowed to Cheng Guang, his gaze landed on Lin Yunzhen. That look held hatred, murderous intent, helplessness before an insurmountable mountain, and the pain of his own weakness.
Zhang Shunlong knew it was already fortunate that Cheng Guang brought him here. He dared not hope for more.
He glanced once at Lin Yunzhen, a noble who had harmed Yuting, etching the face deeply in his memory before turning to leave.
Lin Yunzhen’s frown deepened; the look in this man’s eyes made him profoundly uncomfortable.
“Wait, where do you intend to take my estate’s woman?” Lin Yunzhen called out, his gaze shifting to Cheng Guang.
“Young Master, this woman was at least part of my household. Even if dead, she shouldn’t be taken by a commoner,” Lin Yunzhen insisted.
Cheng Guang laughed, “So, once she’s inside your Prime Minister’s mansion, even in death, she belongs to you?”
Lin Yunzhen’s tone faltered, his face darkening. “She was ours, once mine for a time. Even a lowly woman, dead or alive, is not to be touched by outsiders.”
“And if she stays, how will you deal with her? A grand burial?” Cheng Guang asked with curiosity.
Lin Yunzhen hesitated, unwilling to admit that the likely fate would be a rough burial wrapped in straw and dumped in a common graveyard. Instead, he said, “Young Master, you needn’t concern yourself with how I handle her. But in any case, Liu Yuting cannot be taken away.”
Cheng Guang chuckled at this hypocrisy: while alive, the woman was treated like a toy, discarded carelessly after use; now, for the sake of face, even her corpse was forbidden to be taken.
“And if I insist on taking her?” Cheng Guang’s gaze pierced Lin Yunzhen.
Lin Yunzhen’s expression soured. He hadn’t expected Cheng Guang to risk offending him on behalf of a lowly commoner and a dead woman.
Though Cheng Guang was the noble son of the Duke of Zhen, Lin Yunzhen was the son of the Prime Minister—rank differences existed but were not vast. Such behavior in his estate was disrespectful.
His lips moved as if to speak but found his throat sealed by an invisible force, silencing him.
Nearby, Lin Gongfu smiled faintly, rising and laughing heartily.
“Young Master, my son is somewhat ignorant. If you wish to take this woman, take her.”
“Truly, fate is unpredictable. How did this woman come to commit suicide within my estate?”
“If I had noticed earlier, perhaps a life might have been saved.”
Lin Gongfu’s aged face showed genuine sorrow and self-reproach.
Cheng Guang studied the old man’s expression for a long moment, sensing the cunning beneath the facade. Though Lin Gongfu did not truly care for Liu Yuting’s life, he still gave Cheng Guang some face, showing a hint of concern and regret.
Such was the nature of the Prime Minister and all powerful nobles in the Great Zhou—how many truly valued the lives of the common people?
Among the many impoverished, some have risen, but how many remain utterly forgotten, their lives as insignificant as ants, their deaths leaving no ripple?
Cheng Guang found Lin Gongfu’s posturing tedious. If they disrespected him, he could have retaliated and taught Lin Yunzhen a lesson.
But both Lin Gongfu and Lin Yunzhen were deeply scheming men. Lin Yunzhen, though young and hot-headed, could be reckless. Lin Gongfu was different—he would never rashly offend Cheng Guang, especially over a dead lowly woman, so he agreed to let Cheng Guang leave with his people.
Cheng Guang said no more, stood slowly, and walked out of the hall.
Liu Hao, fearing to linger, helped the fainting Lady Wu into a carriage and followed Cheng Guang quickly, lowering his head and swallowing his resentment. Despite his daughter’s tragic death at the Prime Minister’s estate, despite the injustice she suffered, he dared not show displeasure toward Lin Yunzhen or Lin Gongfu.
Once Cheng Guang left the hall, Lin Gongfu patted Lin Yunzhen on the shoulder, giving him a helpless look.
“Yunzhen, control your emotions when facing the Young Master. He is beyond your rank.”
Lin Yunzhen rubbed his throat, coughed, then glanced somberly at Lin Gongfu.
“Father, your status rivals that of Cheng Zhihai and the Duke of Zhen, even surpassing them in power. Why so cautious toward the Young Master?”
Lin Gongfu shook his head.
“You don’t understand. No matter how powerful the Prime Minister’s mansion is, it relies on the Emperor. Without the Emperor’s favor, I would lose my position overnight.”
“But the Duke of Zhen’s estate is different. Even if the Emperor wishes otherwise, the Duke’s status as a Heavenly Being is unchangeable, and he commands a million-strong Northern Expedition army.”
“Perhaps the Emperor once controlled the Execution Division under Cheng Zhihai, but after the Prince’s mourning incident, even the Emperor cannot touch it for now.”
He paused, his expression strange.
“Besides, you know the Young Master was involved, single-handedly exposing the mourning prince. The Execution Division now lies in his hands; the Emperor likely cannot interfere.”
“His power surpasses anything our estate can match.”
“If I maintain my status, I can still contend with the Duke’s estate. If I lose it...”
Lin Gongfu trailed off.
Lin Yunzhen’s face shifted. He had no knowledge of these secrets or the links between the Execution Division and the Duke’s Young Master.
Lin Gongfu patted his shoulder again.
“Enough. Don’t dwell on it. Your quarrel with the Duke’s heir is minor—don’t lose face before the Young Master.”
“Go see him off.”
Lin Gongfu stepped out briskly, catching up with Cheng Guang, chatting amiably as he escorted him from the estate.
Lin Yunzhen forced a faint smile, suppressing complex emotions, and followed swiftly.
Cheng Guang paid no mind to Lin Gongfu or Lin Yunzhen, leading the group away from the Prime Minister’s residence.
Outside, Liu Hao helped Lady Wu into the carriage, casting a glance at Zhang Shunlong, who carried Liu Yuting’s body, stepping slowly from the estate with vacant eyes and scattered gaze.
Liu Hao had intended to take Liu Yuting’s remains back to the estate for burial but hesitated, sighing. He no longer had the face to face her.
“Zhang Shunlong, please get in the carriage. We’ll return to the estate. My family... will compensate you...” Liu Hao spoke with difficulty, overwhelmed by shame.
He had torn Zhang Shunlong and Liu Yuting apart, forced Liu Yuting to abandon Zhang Shunlong and climb into the bed of the Prime Minister’s son.
He had feared death and powerful nobles, colluded with officials, and framed Zhang Shunlong’s family.
If not for Liu Yuting’s desperate death, he might have eliminated Zhang Shunlong’s family entirely.
Now, recalling it all left him utterly ashamed.
Zhang Shunlong ignored Liu Hao’s words and continued walking along the street.
Under the nightfall of the capital, Zhang Shunlong carried the white-wrapped corpse along the street, drawing countless stares from passersby.
Liu Hao sighed again, knowing his family owed Zhang Shunlong and Liu Yuting deeply. But what could he do now? The nobles reigned supreme.
He silently ordered the coachmen to follow behind Zhang Shunlong.
Cheng Guang paused by the roadside, silently watching Zhang Shunlong’s figure fade into the distance.
Qing Luan felt a pang of sadness. She herself was no noble but had grown up in the Duke of Zhen’s household, empathizing deeply with a woman like Liu Yuting.
Once you enter a great family, it is like plunging into the deep sea.
Living is like walking on thin ice.
Death is the end of all.
There was nothing to say, and no waves to stir.
“Young Master, shall we return to the estate?” Qing Luan asked.
Cheng Guang shook his head silently, mounted his horse, and followed far behind Zhang Shunlong, watching his figure.
He did nothing to the Prime Minister’s estate.
Seeking justice for Zhang Shunlong or Liu Yuting was easy for him—even forcing Lin Yunzhen to kneel and apologize would be simple.
But these were not his battles to fight.
They belonged to Zhang Shunlong—the future strongest Heavenly Being in the mortal world.
If he helped Zhang Shunlong now by pressuring the Prime Minister’s estate with his power, that was not what Zhang Shunlong wanted.
Today, Zhang Shunlong left in silence, unlike what might have been.
He walked step by step out of the capital toward Ping’an County.
Though the distance wasn’t far, it was still considerable. Zhang Shunlong, an untrained man, carried Liu Yuting’s body along the official road, already feeling exhausted just after leaving the city.
Yet his vacant expression remained unchanged.
His steps were slow but resolute, eyes filled with endless sorrow.
The passing scenery blurred before him; only the memory of the one who had once warmed him remained—the one who shared his laughter and anger.
Zhang Shunlong could feel her body growing stiffer, heavier. His arms felt as if they were about to break, crying out in pain.
But he refused to let go.
He would bring her home.
Back to where they first met.
Step by step, walking on.
Time seemed meaningless.
He didn’t know how long he had walked—moments, or an eternity.
Suddenly, a peach blossom branch appeared before him.
The scene was as it had been when they first met—the peach blossoms flushed red, the beauty smiling softly.
In that moment, Zhang Shunlong seemed to see...
“Little beggar, what’s your name?”
That was the first thing she ever said to him.
He had stumbled into this peach grove, lost and fallen asleep on the ground. Upon waking, she squatted before him, looking down at him.
The girl tilted her head, smiling brightly.
“I’m not a beggar,” he stammered.
“Eh? You’re all dirty, aren’t you a beggar?”
“I really am not,” Zhang Shunlong blushed.
“Then what are you? The land god of the peach grove?” she teased.
He glanced at his clothes, stained and dirty with mud.
“I’m none of those. There’s no such young land god.”
“Who said land gods are all old men? My mother said some are quite handsome,” she declared proudly.
The boy looked at the girl beneath the peach blossoms, like a fairy, momentarily lost. When he came to, the girl was blushing, glaring at him.
“Why are you staring at me? I’m telling the truth.”
The boy shyly lowered his head.
“Alright then, I’m the land god.”
“Hahaha, I’m joking—you’re a beggar, really clueless.”
“You can’t be a land god. That would be a deity!”
The boy scratched his cheek, speechless.
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The girl laughed for a while, wiping tears of joy from her eyes.
“What’s your name, little beggar? You haven’t told me yet.”
“I’m really not a beggar. My name is Zhang Shunlong. You better remember it.”
“Zhang Shunlong? ‘Long’ means dragon, my mother says it’s for emperors. Will you be emperor someday?”
He awkwardly looked at his head. “Probably not.”
The girl smiled. “That’s okay, neither can I.”
She stood and dusted off her red, mud-stained dress. “Alright, I have to go home. You should get back soon too.”
She was about to leave.
The boy called after her.
“What’s your name?”
She paused, turned with a smile, grinning, “You want to know?”
He nodded eagerly.
She stuck out her tongue. “I’m not telling you.”
Then she ran off.
Only after she left did the boy realize he still didn’t know the way out.
He should have left with the girl.
Helpless, he picked up a peach branch and drew circles on the ground, hoping his father would find him soon.
Just then, he heard a moist breath beside him.
“My name is Yuting, Liu Yuting. Do you like it?”
Startled, the boy sprang up and bumped his forehead on something.
A sharp cry of pain sounded nearby.
He looked up at the girl, who had returned without him noticing, covering her nose, glaring angrily.
He smiled awkwardly and asked, “Why did you come back?”
“I… got lost,” she answered shyly.
“Do you know how to get out?”
The boy laughed.
“You got lost?”
“What are you laughing at?”
“I’m not laughing.”
“Hmph, you’re clearly laughing loud. It’s getting late, let’s go.”
“Maybe we can’t get out. I’m lost too.”
They exchanged silent glances; she puckered her lips, and he fought back laughter.
Watching this, tears streamed down Zhang Shunlong’s face again.
Bending down beneath the peach blossoms, he gently laid her body to rest.
Silently, he dug a grave beneath the tree.
His fingers were cut by stones mixed in the soil, blood dripping, yet he dug tirelessly.
Liu Hao and Lady Wu, who followed, stood silently nearby.
Though Liu Hao had no face to speak, he did not want Zhang Shunlong to bury his daughter here. If anywhere, it should be the family ancestral grounds.
He was about to speak when Lady Wu stopped him.
Her face was pale and exhausted, eyes filled with sorrow as she looked at the girl lying among the blossoms.
“Let him be. Yuting probably doesn’t want to return to the ancestral grounds.”
Liu Hao paused then nodded.
After a moment, Lady Wu led Liu Hao away.
Unaware of Lady Wu and Liu Hao’s departure, Zhang Shunlong finished smoothing the grave and sat beneath the peach tree, gazing at the clouds they once watched together.
Perhaps overwhelmed by grief, or flooded by memories, a flash of insight suddenly sparked within him.
Like a bright shooting star streaking across the dark sky.
A wave of enlightenment flickered in his mind, leaving Zhang Shunlong confused and lost.
A fierce desire surged in his heart—for strength, to overturn this world of nobles, to fight injustice.
Unnoticed, his body began to emit a warm light.
Golden radiance burst forth like flowing streams from him, illuminating all around.
His eyes gleamed gold; his aura and presence transformed.
He lifted his gaze to the sky.
The heavens swirled with shifting clouds.
His golden light formed a pillar, rising step by step toward the firmament.
Zhang Shunlong looked up, then glanced at his own aura, murmuring:
“Not enough yet.”
He struck his chest; blood spewed from his mouth.
His aura wilted, his face pale.
“May Heaven and Earth be just, blessings and longevity abound. I, Zhang Fude, Land Deity, with the merit of past lives, beseech the heavens to open a path!”
“Injustice, demons, and monsters must be cleansed by me, even if my past fortune is spent!”
His bloodied voice fell.
His body trembled.
Suddenly, his aura surged again.
As his strength reached the threshold of Heavenly Being, the world seemed to blur.
Surroundings became ethereal.
A terrifying force burst from within him, as if tearing the heavens and shaking the mountains.
The once clear sky darkened, black clouds pressing down in response to his heart.
Silver serpents darted through the clouds like veins illuminating the world.
Thunder roared like mighty drums.
In the capital, inside the Great Zhou imperial palace.
As Zhang Shunlong’s aura broke into the Heavenly Being realm, the heavens lost color.
The Emperor, resting in a side chamber, suddenly opened his majestic eyes.
Surprise flickered across his gaze as he looked toward Zhang Shunlong’s direction.
His eyes seemed to pierce walls and miles, seeing everything afar.
Upon seeing Zhang Shunlong’s unshaken expression in the face of such calamity, the Emperor was moved slightly.
“What… what kind of aura is this?”
“Heavenly Being? Not like a normal one…”
“Somewhat like the aura of a Divine God…”
The Emperor murmured, struggling to comprehend the scene.
It was as if he saw the righteous deity of the Divine God painting stepping out of its spiritual prison, truly descending upon the world.
Though not as noble as the deity in the painting, this was no mortal being.
The Emperor stared blankly at the silver-snake-wreathed Zhang Shunlong, sensing immense power brewing within.
Though like a bomb ready to explode, no one could match Zhang Shunlong now.
“Who is this man?”
“How could he suddenly step into the Heavenly Being realm?”
The Emperor muttered.
Beside him, Zhao Jin was dumbfounded but less affected.
He didn’t know Zhang Shunlong had just ascended; he was only shocked by the sudden appearance of a Heavenly Being in Great Zhou.
Elsewhere in the capital, many guards and powerful figures sensed the terrifying aura emanating from afar.
They squinted at the dazzling golden light.
“What’s happening?”
“Someone ascended to Heavenly Being? There can’t be many.”
“Yeah, though unclear, the aura is unfamiliar. It doesn’t match any ninth-rank cultivators we remember.”
“Who is this new Heavenly Being?”
Speculation buzzed.
Nobles and officials across the capital were also disturbed.
Many elderly hermits in seclusion cast glances toward Zhang Shunlong’s location.
Inside the Prime Minister’s mansion.
Lin Gongfu and Lin Yunzhen noticed the celestial anomaly and cautiously stepped outside, thinking perhaps they could curry favor with the newcomer.
As Lin Gongfu saw Zhang Shunlong approaching under the golden light, he prepared to offer congratulations and inquire about his visit.
But before he spoke, he recognized the man’s face.
A deep familiarity stirred, as if seen somewhere before.
For powerful nobles and cultivators, a single glance was unforgettable.
Yet now, the familiarity was unplaceable.
At that moment, Lin Yunzhen stepped forward, eyeing the radiant figure.
Though the light was blinding, up close he saw the man’s face clearly.
Lin Yunzhen’s eyes stung, feeling as if they were about to go blind.
This man...
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This man...
Wasn’t he the lowly commoner who had come to the Prime Minister’s mansion with the Young Master earlier?
That ordinary, insignificant commoner—how could he be a Heavenly Being?!
Lin Yunzhen recognized him.
Lin Gongfu noticed Lin Yunzhen’s expression and asked, “Yunzhen, do you know this elder?”
Lin Yunzhen was stunned, his throat dry. After a pause, he said:
“Father, this man’s face is exactly the same as the commoner who came with the Young Master just now.”
Lin Gongfu felt as if struck by thunder, refusing to believe it.
He rubbed his eyes and looked again at Zhang Shunlong.
Seeing him clearly, he felt he had been blind.
Their faces were identical, but the aura was vastly different.
At first glance, Lin Gongfu almost failed to recognize him.
Recalling his son’s recent deeds—the woman who had committed suicide—seemingly connected to this new Heavenly Being, fear flooded him.
Disbelief, shock, panic overwhelmed him.
In a flash, Lin Gongfu struck Lin Yunzhen hard.
Smack!
Lin Yunzhen was thrown back, his face swelling, several teeth knocked out.
Lin Gongfu immediately approached, smiling apologetically.
“Sir, we were at fault earlier. My son erred, and I will teach him well.”
“If you don’t mind, please come to the estate; I will personally apologize.”
Lin Yunzhen was dazed and silent.
He understood his father’s protection but could not fathom how a mere commoner, once powerless, could suddenly become a Heavenly Being.
How was this possible?
He did not fear it, though. There were other Heavenly Beings in Great Zhou.
His father was the Prime Minister; if Zhang Shunlong attacked him, his father and the Emperor would intervene.
Under Lin Gongfu’s gaze, Zhang Shunlong smiled faintly at the apology offer.
Was it bitter or self-mocking?
“Apologize?”
“Can an apology bring the dead back to life?”
Lin Gongfu was speechless.
Zhang Shunlong murmured, “No, not even I can revive the dead, much less you.”
“So this crime cannot be atoned for.”
“Given the suffering Yuting endured, this crime must be aggravated.”
As he finished, Zhang Shunlong struck with a palm.
Vast power surged instantly.
Before Lin Gongfu could react, he was slammed into a distant wall, crashing through several courtyard walls before stopping.
Amid the shouts of the Prime Minister’s servants, Lin Gongfu lay severely injured, his fine robes disheveled, face pale.
He clutched his chest in terror, bones feeling shattered.
Pain! Excruciating pain!
How could this be? A ninth-rank martial expert shouldn’t be nearly killed by a Heavenly Being’s palm! Without even a chance to react!
More than astonished by Zhang Shunlong’s strength, Lin Gongfu was shocked that he dared to attack the Prime Minister in the Emperor’s capital.
This was not just a slap to his face—it was an affront to the entire Great Zhou dynasty!
How dare he!?
Lin Gongfu was baffled.
Beside him, Lin Yunzhen was also dumbfounded.
He saw Zhang Shunlong’s palm strike and then felt the cold gaze directed at himself.
That indifferent look made him feel as if facing a towering god or an insurmountable mountain.
Under Zhang Shunlong’s scrutiny, his breaths grew labored.
Before he could speak, Zhang Shunlong stepped forward, grabbed Lin Yunzhen’s throat, and lifted him up.
“Ugh! Ugh!!”
Lin Yunzhen’s eyes widened, his expression shifting.
He stared at Zhang Shunlong, terrified.
“No, no! Please! I can compensate you with many women! However many you want... I can, I can!”
Zhang Shunlong found the words amusing, his expression sad beneath the coldness, tears mingling with his smile.
“See, this is how the nobles are—no better than us, nothing to fear.”
He muttered as if speaking to someone.
As Zhang Shunlong spoke, Lin Yunzhen’s breathing weakened.
Then, a resigned voice reached Zhang Shunlong’s ears.
“Sir, this has gone too far. Could you spare this Emperor some face?”
The Emperor’s figure suddenly appeared in the sky, his spiritual power descending.
Zhang Shunlong looked up at him.
It was his first time facing the Emperor, the greatest noble of Great Zhou.
He watched the Emperor silently.
When the Emperor’s spiritual power touched him, Zhang Shunlong frowned slightly.
The Emperor’s power was like snow melting in the sunlight—instantly dissolved.
The Emperor’s expression hardened in shock.
Zhang Shunlong’s strength surpassed expectations.
For a moment, the Emperor could not restrain him.
Compared to Zhang Shunlong, the Prime Minister’s family was insignificant.
The only issue was that the dynasty’s face might be lost.
The Emperor’s face darkened.
He watched Zhang Shunlong.
Under his gaze, Zhang Shunlong slowly crushed Lin Yunzhen’s arm.
Crack, crack.
Lin Yunzhen’s bones shattered bit by bit.
Nearly suffocated a moment before, he was now roused by pain, screaming horribly.
His screams sent chills through the crowd watching in secret.
Bodies trembled involuntarily.
Under the Emperor’s watch, Zhang Shunlong crushed Lin Yunzhen’s bones.
The refined, noble son of the Prime Minister trembled, crying out fearfully.
Though barely audible, his despair was palpable.
A faint, murky fluid leaked beneath him.
As he crushed the bones, Zhang Shunlong glared at the Emperor.
“Your face is worthless.”
“When your people suffered injustice, you were absent.”
“When your nobles oppressed the commoners, you were absent.”
The Emperor sighed helplessly.
“Now you appear. Are you the Emperor of Great Zhou, or the Emperor of nobles?”
The Emperor’s expression softened slightly.
Unaware of what Zhang Shunlong had suffered, he frowned but said nothing.
Only sending a message to Zhao Jin to contact Cheng Zhihai, to investigate Zhang Shunlong’s background.
Soon, reports returned.
Learning the full story, the Emperor’s face turned grim.
Looking at Lin Yunzhen, he felt a surge of rage.
Time passed.
Lin Yunzhen’s blood seemed drained, his face pale, consciousness fading, body trembling.
Lin Gongfu, collapsed against a wall, eyes filled with rage.
“Damn it! Sir, why have you done this? For a mere woman, how could you treat my son so?”
He struggled to rise, but Zhang Shunlong’s blow had nearly crippled him.
Zhang Shunlong glanced at Lin Gongfu indifferently.
He felt no attachment to the Prime Minister.
Noticing Lin Yunzhen’s fading response, he crushed his throat and discarded the body.
Then, stepping on Lin Yunzhen’s corpse, he approached Lin Gongfu.
At this moment, Great Zhou could only watch helplessly.
If Lin Yunzhen died, it could be overlooked.
But if the Prime Minister died, the dynasty’s dignity would be shattered.
The Emperor’s face darkened.
He blocked Lin Gongfu’s path and spoke helplessly.
“Sir, killing the Prime Minister’s son Lin Yunzhen is enough.”
“Lin Gongfu, you cannot act now.”
Zhang Shunlong looked at the Emperor, “Then I will act.”
The Emperor’s majestic face darkened.
Though unwilling to oppose Zhang Shunlong, the relentless pressure left no room for face.
Despite his respect for Zhang Shunlong, displeasure grew.
“I want to see your skills, then.”
Zhang Shunlong, ready to strike the Emperor, suddenly felt his terrifying aura wane.
“Indeed, it’s no use.”
“The world’s opening is too brief.”
“Enough.”
He flicked his finger, condensing the aura into a brilliant golden star, hurling it toward Lin Gongfu behind the Emperor.
After the throw, Zhang Shunlong left without looking back.
“If you block it, Lin Gongfu lives. If not, you both die.”
The Emperor quickly unleashed spiritual power, summoning a deity-shaped figure that dashed toward the golden star.
Then—
Boom!
A blinding white light flooded heaven and earth.
All lost sight of the Emperor and Lin Gongfu.
When the world regained color, the Prime Minister’s mansion was gone.
The Emperor, looking somewhat disheveled, hovered midair.
Holding Lin Gongfu, his body tattered and bleeding.
Both legs broken.
His aged face twisted in pain.
The crowd gasped in shock.
Even the Emperor could not handle this mysterious Heavenly Being.
Though Lin Gongfu still lived, broken legs and lost strength rendered him nearly dead.
The Emperor barely preserved the dynasty’s dignity—only just managing to keep his undergarments intact.
Silence fell over the capital.
The Emperor surveyed the ruined Prime Minister’s estate and the injured Lin Gongfu.
He sighed.
“You, the people of the world are not to be bullied. You deserve this.”
He tossed Lin Gongfu to Zhao Jin and walked slowly toward the palace.
Zhao Jin caught the Prime Minister, who had been spirited and proud that morning but was now in ruins.
“Ha, what a thrill,” Zhao Jin chuckled, pinching Lin Gongfu’s backside.
“You called me a hermaphrodite before—well, this Prime Minister sure has a nice rear.”
Lin Gongfu’s consciousness returned.
Opening his eyes, he felt the pinch, glared at Zhao Jin, and, overwhelmed by anger and pain, spat blood and fainted.
His aura rapidly deteriorated.
Zhao Jin panicked, slapping Lin Gongfu lightly.
The Emperor’s precious Prime Minister, rescued barely, might be killed by teasing.
Zhao Jin hastened to fetch the imperial physician.
“Hey, don’t die! I only pinched your butt a few times.”
“Can pinching your butt really kill you?”
“Doctor! Send for the doctor!”
...
(End of chapter)