"Silence! Minister Sun is busy. Wait here," a guard barked, trying to intimidate Lin Yu.
"Since he won't see me, he can come to the hostage manor," Lin Yu冷笑 (sneered) and turned to leave. The guards eyed each other, ready to block him.
"Third Prince, I represent the Han Emperor. Leaving like this is improper," Sun Linpu emerged, halting Lin Yu.
Lin Yu spun, glaring. "As a prince, I condescend to meet you, but you keep me waiting. If word reaches Han, the censor will impeach you for disrespecting the royal family."
Sun Linpu paled, waving him in. Inside, he released an aura to block eavesdropping. "The First Prince sent a message: he knows you killed Yuan Ye. No matter who backs you—even Prince Su—he will avenge Yuan Ye."
Lin Yu felt no ripple. He knew the prince would learn of Yuan Ye's death and suspect Prince Su. Surprising that the prince, less connected to the demons, didn't know Lin Yu had regained strength and reached Myriad Manifestations.
"He betrayed me and the Southern Expedition Army, dooming 100,000 soldiers. Tell him I'll avenge them," Lin Yu's eyes hardened as he left, severing ties.
"Minister Sun, should we...?" The guard captain made a throat-cutting gesture as Lin Yu departed.
"Not yet. Finish the emperor's business first, then deal with him at the manor," Sun Linpu sneered. "A disabled fool—Prince Su can't save him from afar."
"Did they mistreat you?" Su Miaozhen greeted Lin Yu.
"What if they did?" Lin Yu glanced at the manor,杀意 (killing intent) rising. Sun Linpu would die on his way out of Zhou—his head would return to Han as a tribute.
"I have influence here. I'll avenge any wrongs," Su Miaozhen said earnestly.
Lin Yu shook his head. "All well. Take me back." Su Miaozhen doubted him but rode with him.
Days later, Lin Yu sensed familiar auras—Sun Linpu and his eight guards—approaching the manor,杀气腾腾 (murderous).
"They come to die before I can act," Lin Yu's杀意(killing intent) surged. His aura knocked out everyone in the manor, then he stepped outside.
"Be careful. Leave no one alive in the manor," Sun Linpu ordered the captain. Everyone would die with Lin Yu.
"Understood—no chickens or dogs shall survive!" The captain led the charge, only to freeze as the manor door opened.
"Minister Sun, visiting so late isn't a courtesy," Lin Yu emerged, standing on the steps.
Sun Linpu sneered: "Courtesy? We're here to kill you. The First Prince wants you dead."
Lin Yu scanned them. "Loyal to the prince, but do you know he colludes with demons?"
"Evidence?" Sun Linpu smiled coldly.
"Yuan Ye, dead in the imperial tomb, was a demon."
"Then you know too much—you must die." Sun Linpu's grin hideously confirmed he'd known Yuan Ye's identity.
"You all know and still serve him? Demons will enslave all if they invade!" Lin Yu's gaze chilled. Following the prince for power was one thing; aiding demon collusion was unforgivable.
"So what? Demons grant power and immortality. Alliance is wise," Sun Linpu laughed. "Lin Yu, you're a discarded pawn. When you rose in the court, I advised the prince to leak your route to the Southern Wasteland barbarians. Pity you survived—now I finish the job!"
"You...!" Lin Yu's eyes flared, face铁青 (livid). So this man had betrayed the expedition.
"Me! I'm talented but overlooked. The prince saw my worth. Now, die!" Sun Linpu ordered. Eight Xiantian Grade One warriors charged, blades raised.
"Perfect. I'll start with you to claim some debt," Lin Yu gritted his teeth, recalling the dead soldiers. A powerfulcoercion (aura) surged, freezing the guards mid-charge like statues.
"Ah! Yuan Ye failed to cripple you. Killing you was right—you hide too well. Unchecked, you'd thwart the prince," Sun Linpu sneered, sensing Lin Yu's might.