"Elder Qian, there's a madman who comes daily, breaks a seal, and kills one of us! He's already slain several!"
"Yes! The madman is terrifying—Demon Daoist and the others couldn't block a single move!"
"If he keeps killing, we'll all die! Elder Qian, free us! We'll swear by the Heavenly Dao to never harm anyone again!"
The demons begged for mercy, even offering Heavenly Dao oaths to survive.
"Ridiculous! Among you are Purple Mansion and even Myriad Manifestations experts. Who could kill you? The dead must have been refined by the formation." Elder Qian scoffed. "You think to trick me into freeing you? Am I a fool?" He turned and left, ordering his men to ignore all sounds from the prison— the demons' time was near.
...
"Third Prince..." Su Miaozhen's voice came from outside the hostage manor. Lin Yu opened the door to see her in a black warrior's uniform, silver mask, and high ponytail, standing valiantly.
"Geniuses from major sects have gathered in the capital. His Majesty hosts a banquet and ordered me to escort you." Su Miaozhen smiled, explaining her purpose.
Major sect geniuses? Lin Yu wondered if Chu Chu and Seventh Sister would attend.
Riding side by side to the imperial city, they entered the imperial garden, where Zhou ministers had already seated themselves. The Zhou Emperor sat at the head, toasting with officials.
"Eh!" Lin Yu was surprised to see the Zhou Emperor. Though well-hidden, Lin Yu discerned he was a Purple Mansion Ninth Grade warrior, one step from Myriad Manifestations. This made sense—emperors were typically the most talented in the royal family, cultivated with the empire's resources; lacking Purple Mansion Realm would be odd.
This made Lin Yu wonder about the Han Emperor—did his father also hide his strength?
"Cauldron Lord, can you see the Han Emperor's strength?" Lin Yu asked hurriedly.
"No. Perhaps he uses a treasure to obscure his cultivation, or maybe he's truly as he seems. I find no hidden strength."
Relieved, Lin Yu relaxed—if Cauldron Lord couldn't tell, maybe he'd overthought.
"What are you thinking? Meet His Majesty!" Su Miaozhen tugged his sleeve as he spaced out, drawing unfriendly glances from Zhou ministers.
Lin Yu snapped back and saluted the Zhou Emperor.
"Third Prince, consider yourself a guest in Great Zhou. Live at ease, and tell Miaozhen if you need anything—she will assist." To Lin Yu's surprise, the Zhou Emperor was amiable, not hostile.
Seating himself beside Su Miaozhen, Lin Yu felt more eyes on him. Soon, geniuses from various sects arrived, livening the garden.
"Look, that's Qin Mo from Cloud Heaven Palace—he's reached Xiantian Third Grade at a young age!"
"Xiantian Third Grade is nothing. Liu Qianqian from Phoenix Valley is Xiantian Fourth Grade!"
"Eh? The genius from Supreme Sword Sect is only Xiantian Second Grade?"
"Rumor has it their former圣子 (saint son) disrespected Great Han and was crippled by their national guardian. Supreme Sword Sect has no chance in this trial."
Lin Yu smiled inwardly—crippling Li He to help Chu Chu had made Supreme Sword Sect a laughingstock.
"Look, the Sky Dominance Sect is here!"
Lin Yu looked up as Seventh Sister Lin Yue and Chu Chu entered side by side, swords on their backs, skirts fluttering like spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums, attracting attention.
Lin Yu nodded—after years, Lin Yue's aura was内敛 (restrained), likely Xiantian Fourth Grade, while Chu Chu, with her Profound Yin Physique, had surpassed Lin Yue.
"Third Uncle..." Chu Chu and Lin Yue saw Lin Yu beside Su Miaozhen after saluting the emperor, their faces lighting up.
"Third Brother?" Lin Yue exclaimed in surprise.
Lin Yu waved with a smile. Though eager to question him, they returned to the Sky Dominance Sect's seat, waiting for the banquet to end.
A drunk Great Zhou noble staggered to Lin Yu and Su Miaozhen's table, pointing to an empty seat. "You—sit over there!"
Lin Yu frowned, looking coldly at the noble. "What if I refuse?"
"You're a hostage in Great Zhou—behave, or I'll make your stay miserable! What are you? A discarded prince, yet you dare sit beside Miaozhen? Scram!"
"Hostage..." Chu Chu and Lin Yue exchanged angry glances, rising together. Lin Yu was their brother and uncle—they wouldn't let him be bullied.
Slap!
Before they could act, Su Miaozhen stood and slapped the noble, sending him flying. He捂着脸 (covered his face), looking at Su Miaozhen in fear.
Su Miaozhen loomed over him. "Do you dare call me Miaozhen? The Third Prince is our guest. Disrespect him, and I won't be lenient!" She snapped, "Get out!"
"Yes, yes..." The noble fled the garden.
The Zhou Emperor merely glanced over and continued feasting, unconcerned. Chu Chu and Lin Yue looked at Su Miaozhen, who nodded to them before sitting beside Lin Yu.
"Thank you, General Su." Lin Yu smiled—he'd planned to punish the noble secretly, but Su Miaozhen acted first.
"Third Prince, I brought you to the capital; I'll protect you. Report anyone who bullies you." Su Miaozhen spoke coldly, as if it were natural.
Watching Lin Yu and Su Miaozhen whisper, Chu Chu and Lin Yue wondered—what was their relationship?