“Thank you for the reminder, Master. I’ll be doubly cautious in the future,” Lin Yun said.
“Good. You may leave. As for the punishment for abandoning your post, you’ll receive it tomorrow. Regardless, there must be a penalty to satisfy the public,” Emperor Huoyun said calmly.
“Thank you, Master!” Lin Yun clasped his fists.
From Emperor Huoyun’s words, it was clear the punishment wouldn’t be severe.
Lin Yun also sensed that his master wasn’t as angry about his absence as he’d feared.
“Then I’ll take my leave,” Lin Yun said, bowing before exiting.
After Lin Yun left, Emperor Huoyun activated a wristband, an exclusive communication device for the Heavenly God Palace.
Through it, he swiftly relayed Lin Yun’s intelligence to the palace.
When it came to dealing with the demon clan, the Heavenly God Palace was highly proactive. Upon receiving the information, they promptly dispatched agents to the Xingwu Empire, instructing Emperor Xingwu to assist in investigating the Soul Refining Sect.
Naturally, Lin Yun didn’t need to concern himself with the matter.
…
After leaving the palace, Lin Yun returned to his residence in the divine capital.
When he’d left for Xingwu City to take up his post, the residence had been unoccupied, but the servants and steward maintained it as his official lodging in the capital.
Upon returning, Lin Yun went straight to the training chamber, entering the One Thought Clarity Tower to continue cultivating *Withered Solitude* and consuming Tribulation Pills to advance his realm.
…
Xingwu Empire.
The imperial guard commander hurried into the palace hall.
“Your Majesty, news from the front: a demon clan stronghold was indeed found beneath the Soul Refining Sect, complete with a teleportation array likely connected to the demon beast mountain range. The stronghold has been successfully eliminated,” the commander reported.
Bang!
“That bastard Lin Yun! He discovered the stronghold and didn’t tell me? And the Soul Refining Sect—colluding with the demon clan!” Emperor Xingwu’s face burned with rage.
The Soul Refining Sect had been part of the Zhutian Alliance, which he had once covertly supported.
Now, their ties to the demon clan had been exposed, and the matter had reached the Heavenly God Palace, putting him in an embarrassing position.
Meanwhile, Lin Yun and Emperor Huoyun earned merit.
He’d been outmaneuvered by Lin Yun again!
…
The next morning.
Huoyun Empire, Divine Capital.
The imperial palace held its routine morning court.
Typically, Emperor Huoyun didn’t attend unless there were special matters, but today he was present.
In the hall.
“Your Majesty, it’s said that Lin Yun, Governor of Dongyuan Prefecture, arrived in the capital yesterday. His abandonment of his post caused a profoundly negative impact within the empire. Many generals have been criticising it. Now that he’s returned, we urge Your Majesty to pass judgment!” Shi Wen stepped forward.
Shi Wen, who had once competed with Lin Yun for the governorship, was a key member of the Dongguo faction.
“Your Majesty, please punish him to uphold court discipline!”
Many Dongguo faction ministers echoed in agreement.
Emperor Huoyun raised a hand, silencing the crowd.
“Lin Yun’s abandonment of his post had a severe impact and warrants heavy punishment.”
“However, while in the Xingwu Empire, Lin Yun uncovered a demon clan underground stronghold. The Heavenly God Palace has since eradicated it, discovering a demon clan teleportation array within. Eliminating such a stronghold is of great significance to humanity!” Emperor Huoyun said.
He continued, “Given Lin Yun’s merit, balancing his contributions and faults, his punishment will be reduced. He is demoted to a third-rank official, relegated to Acting Governor of Dongyuan Prefecture, and fined 200 million spiritual crystals.”
“This…”
The Dongguo faction ministers in the hall were stunned.
The punishment seemed significant but barely scratched Lin Yun’s foundation!
Moreover, with the merit of uncovering the demon clan stronghold, they had little room to press further.
Dongguo Lie stepped forward, “Your Majesty, this punishment seems too light. Even with his merit, sparing him execution is one thing, but at least he should be stripped of his post and investigated!”
Their plan had been to either kill Lin Yun or, at minimum, remove him as governor and oust him from the empire.
“Since I’ve announced the punishment, my word is final. No further discussion. For other matters, the Prime Minister will preside,” Emperor Huoyun said, rising and leaving.
…
“Your Majesty!”
Even Prime Minister Dongguo Wuji couldn’t hold back.
But Emperor Huoyun didn’t pause, vanishing from sight in an instant.
“This…”
The Dongguo faction members were dumbfounded.
“Father, this matter was just brushed off so easily?” Dongguo Lie said, brimming with unwillingness.
They had finally found a golden opportunity to strike at Lin Yun!
Yet it was dismissed so lightly.
“His Majesty is determined to protect him. The sudden merit of uncovering the demon clan stronghold gave him a perfect excuse to lighten Lin Yun’s punishment, leaving us no room to argue,” Dongguo Wuji sighed.
“Our plan failed because of this merit!” Dongguo Lie said, still resentful.
“No, we lost because of His Majesty’s regard for him. The depth of his favor and protection for Lin Yun far exceeds my expectations!” Dongguo Wuji said with a sigh.
…
Soon, the imperial edict of punishment reached Lin Yun’s residence.
After paying the 200 million spiritual crystal fine, Lin Yun left the divine capital, taking a teleportation array to Dongyuan Prefecture.
…
Dongyuan Prefecture, Governor’s Palace.
“Lord, you’re back!” The old steward greeted him immediately.
“Steward Liu, summon Huo Zhen and the others for a meeting. I have important matters to arrange,” Lin Yun instructed.
“Yes!” The steward hurried off.
Lin Yun went to the meeting hall to wait.
Soon, Huo Zhen, Liang Yuan, and Yang Wan rushed in.
“Big Brother, you’re really back!”
“Big Brother, we were so worried. How did His Majesty punish you for abandoning your post?”
They bombarded him with questions as soon as they entered.
“A fine of 200 million spiritual crystals and a demotion in rank,” Lin Yun said.
“Big Brother, that’s a slap on the wrist. His Majesty is definitely favoring you!” Huo Zhen said, smiling.
Liang Yuan laughed, “Haha, His Majesty truly dotes on you, Big Brother. I knew with him backing you, you’d be fine! If this happened to another prefecture’s governor, even if they weren’t executed, they’d be ruined!”
Lin Yun’s grave error of abandoning his post could have warranted execution, so they had been quite concerned.
“Yes, I owe it to Master for protecting me,” Lin Yun said with a sigh.
He was keenly aware of Emperor Huoyun’s kindness towards him.
“By the way, where’s Wei Qi? Why isn’t he here?” Lin Yun asked.
“Wei Qi began secluded cultivation yesterday. He has significant room for growth,” Liang Yuan reported.
“Good. Let him focus on advancing. I’ll also need to go into seclusion soon for a major breakthrough,” Lin Yun said.
