Shen Zhixing did not come in person this time; it was merely a soul-force clone condensed from his own energy. However, as his soul-force clone dissipated, it struck out, killing the Blood War soldiers stationed around the mansion and the innocent bystanders who happened to be nearby.
Shen Zhixing's actions were a blatant show of force—a warning or a threat directed at Lin Qian.
"The Rebellion Palace has changed," Yue Liqun said through clenched teeth, his voice filled with anger as he gazed at the nearly one hundred innocent people who had died nearby.
"The original purpose of the Rebellion Palace was to restore the Blackhorn Nation to its former state, where the five races could live together in harmony, not like the situation we see now."
"I'm afraid Shen Zhixing is simply aiming to become the new Blackhorn King!" Yue Liqun's voice trembled with fury. "If the old Palace Lord were still alive, he would never have allowed the Blackhorn Nation's suffering to continue for even one more day. He would have agreed with Your Majesty's proposal."
"And yet Shen Zhixing forbids us from warning the Blackhorn people about the Military Initiation Brew. What are his true intentions?"
Lin Qian sneered at Yue Liqun's complaints. "Can't you see what his plan is?"
"This man hopes that the chaos in the Blackhorn Nation will worsen and that more Blackhorn soldiers will go mad. This way, the people's resentment toward the current Blackhorn King will only deepen."
"In another twenty years, by the time Shen Zhixing is ready to act, the entire Blackhorn Nation will be fed up with the Blackhorn King. When he leads the Rebellion Palace to overthrow the king, he'll have a legitimate claim to the throne."
Lin Qian's cold laughter filled the air as he turned to Yue Liqun and asked, "Wasn't the previous Palace Lord Shen Zhixing's mentor? How did Shen Zhixing come to inherit the position?"
"The old Palace Lord was indeed Shen Zhixing's mentor, as well as my father-in-law's," Yue Liqun explained quickly. "The old Palace Lord died when he failed to break through to a higher realm and succumbed to madness. At that time, Shen Zhixing was the only one qualified to take over as Palace Lord."
"Did no one suspect that the old Palace Lord's death might have been related to Shen Zhixing?" Lin Qian asked, his curiosity piqued.
Yue Liqun was startled by the suggestion. "That's impossible. Shen Zhixing and the old Palace Lord had a close master-disciple relationship. How could he have done something so treacherous?"
"Really? I made it clear to him that the lives of the people in the Southern Region's Nine States are at stake, and he didn't even blink," Lin Qian said, gesturing to the innocent corpses surrounding them. "Look at these people. They were innocent, yet he killed them to send a message—to threaten me."
"I explained the dangers of the Military Initiation Brew, how the black blood it contains drives its victims mad, altering their personalities until they die. Yet he told us to keep quiet about it."
"A person like that, willing to go to such lengths for his goals, wouldn't hesitate to kill his own master during a vulnerable moment. It would just be a means to an end for him."
Lin Qian's words sent a shiver down Yue Liqun's spine. The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.
"In fact, I've noticed something off about the atmosphere in the Rebellion Palace lately," Yue Liqun continued. "Many of the older members have been pushed out, replaced by people loyal to Shen Zhixing..."
Yue Liqun shook his head, trying to steady himself, then asked Lin Qian, "Your Majesty, what do you plan to do now?"
"The Southern Region's Nine States can't hold out for another twenty years. We have no choice but to press on with our campaign against the Blackhorn Nation. While I'm not one to play the hero, seeing the suffering of the five races in the Blackhorn Nation, I can't just stand by. If I can help them while achieving my own goals, why not?" Lin Qian said with determination. "We will continue our assault on the Blackhorn Nation."
"I have every reason to act against the Blackhorn Nation. Since your father-in-law was the old Palace Lord's disciple, there must be those within the Rebellion Palace who oppose Shen Zhixing."
"I'm sure you have a way to contact them. Find them and have them help us spread the word about the Military Initiation Brew."
Yue Liqun nodded, though worry still clouded his face. "But Your Majesty, what about Shen Zhixing?"
"Him?" Lin Qian's eyes flashed with a cold, murderous intent. "He threatened to kill me if I dared to act. As they say, strike first to gain the upper hand. Before we proceed with our campaign against the Blackhorn Nation, we'll take care of the Rebellion Palace."
"He dared to threaten me—dared to say he would kill me!" Lin Qian's voice grew icy, sending a chill through Yue Liqun. "I gave him a chance, and he refused it. Now he'll pay the price."
For some reason, Yue Liqun felt a surge of adrenaline at Lin Qian's deadly determination. "Your Majesty, after Shen Zhixing became Palace Lord, he moved the Rebellion Palace to his royal city."
"Royal city?" Lin Qian began to ask more, but his expression suddenly darkened. He shot away at full speed, racing toward the distance.
Lin Qian flew from the mountain city, his body wreathed in crackling thunderous soul energy. He streaked through the sky like a thunder dragon, his twelve soul rings blazing as he pushed himself to his limit.
It wasn't long before he reached his destination—a burning ruin that had once been the settlement under Wang Gang's care. The courtyard where he had once stayed was now nothing but ashes.
Lin Qian landed in the midst of the devastation. Flames and smoke surrounded him on all sides.
The air was filled with cries of pain and despair. Lin Qian saw the lifeless bodies of Liu Fang, Baletu, and the one-armed Wang Gang, who was kneeling in shock amidst the ruins.
He also saw Little Jiang, sitting numbly on the ground, staring at the bodies of his parents, unable to speak.
Moments later, Yue Liqun and the other four elders arrived, their expressions grim as they took in the scene.
Yue Liqun's eyes widened in horror as he looked around at the carnage. From the state of the ruins, it was clear that a powerful soul cultivator, likely of the Awakening Realm, had struck the settlement with a single devastating attack.
Little Jiang saw Lin Qian and suddenly rushed over, clutching at his leg. "Your Majesty, please, save my parents! I'll give you my arms and legs back, just bring them back to life!"
Lin Qian reached down and gently stroked Little Jiang's head, his eyes misting over.
He was the emperor of the Huaxia Empire, and until now, there was nothing he couldn't accomplish. Lin Qian had always taken pride in that.
But now he realized there was something beyond his reach—something even the Huaxia Empire couldn't do.
He couldn't bring the dead back to life.
"Shen Zhixing!" Yue Liqun's furious roar echoed in Lin Qian's ears, making his gaze grow even colder.