“Hinder me? Hmph, how powerful is our Dongguo faction? Prestige can be built through strength and slaughter!” Shi Wen’s eyes glinted with cold malice.
Then he turned to his subordinate. “Which prominent families in the city went to see that guy off?”
“My lord, almost… almost all of them did,” the subordinate stammered.
Furious, Shi Wen slammed the table. “Hmph, these ungrateful fools! I, the new lord, am here, and they still dare to send Lin Yun off? When I take office, they’ll pay!”
…
At the city gate.
Lin Yun, with his family, friends, and guards, arrived at the gate.
He paused, turning to look back at the endless procession of people seeing him off.
“Lord Prefecture Master!”
The citizens continued to weep and call out, their emotions spreading like a plague through the crowd.
“Everyone.”
Lin Yun clasped his fists toward them, then turned and left the city.
Outside the gate.
“Greetings, Lord Prefecture Master!”
As Lin Yun stepped out, millions of city guards, lined up in formation, shouted in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.
The guard commanders, including Zhao Hu and Meng Shan, several Tribulation Realm cultivators among them, stood at the front.
“Huo Zhen, did you organize the city guards?” Lin Yun turned to Huo Zhen behind him.
“Big Brother, they came on their own,” Huo Zhen explained.
At that moment, Zhao Hu, Meng Shan, and other commanders approached Lin Yun.
“Lord Prefecture Master, I, Zhao Hu, Meng Shan, and the other commanders, wish to follow you!” Zhao Hu’s voice boomed.
“We, too, are willing to follow Lord Prefecture Master!”
The millions of city guards shouted in unison.
Lin Yun gazed at them intently. “Commander Zhao Hu, Commander Meng Shan, brothers, you belong to the Huoyun Empire, not to me personally. Your duty is to protect Dongyuan Prefecture. Even if I’m no longer the prefecture lord, you must fulfill your responsibilities, understood?”
“Lord Prefecture Master, we… we understand,” they replied, their voices heavy with sorrow.
Just then, dozens of figures flew in from the sky.
Lin Yun looked closely—it was the sect leaders of Dongyuan Prefecture’s major sects.
“Lord Prefecture Master, we’ve come to see you off. You’re leaving so suddenly, and many sects were too far to make it in time,” the leader of the Nine Mysteries Sect said.
Lin Yun had shared resources with them, including spirit crystals and Tribulation Pills, and they remembered his kindness!
“Lord Prefecture Master…” Many sect leaders looked pained, knowing Lin Yun had only decades left to live.
“Sect leaders, I appreciate your sentiments. Even when I’m gone, you must remain united. Remember, share prosperity and face hardships together!” Lin Yun said earnestly.
“Lord Prefecture Master, we’ll remember!” the sect leaders nodded in response.
“It’s about time. Everyone, farewell!”
With that, Huo Zhen brought out a flying vessel. The group boarded and headed straight for the teleportation array.
Lin Yun felt a knot in his chest. If he lingered, he feared he might lose control of his emotions.
“Farewell, Lord Prefecture Master!”
Everyone outside the gate knelt and shouted.
For Dongyuan Prefecture, today was a day of sorrow!
…
Lin Yun’s group used the teleportation array to arrive just outside the divine capital, then entered the city.
The divine capital’s grandeur left the Palace Master, her five companions, White Shark, Poison Fang, and Lin Yun’s grandfather, Liu Zhizhong, in awe.
No joke—the divine capital’s area alone rivaled the entire landmass of China on Earth.
It was an eye-opening experience, making them realize how small they once were.
Lin Yun owned a residence in the divine capital called “Lin Manor.” Even when he didn’t stay there, the servants kept it spotless.
After entering the city, Lin Yun led everyone to Lin Manor to settle in.
He thought this was actually quite good. The divine capital was the safest place in the Huoyun Empire. Even if the demon race launched a war against humans, this city would remain secure!
Lin Yun could focus on practicing his sword and carving here.
For a cripple like him, it was an ideal place to retire.
His family and friends could cultivate here without worrying about safety or other concerns.
However, teleportation arrays couldn’t be built in the city due to strict regulations.
In Lin Manor’s courtyard.
“Brother Lin Yun, I have a residence in the divine capital too. Since I’m back, I’ll stay there. Come find me anytime,” Liang Yuan said.
“Good. Focus on your cultivation, Brother Liang,” Lin Yun said with a smile.
“Of course. I was swamped with duties in Dongyuan Prefecture. Now I can focus on cultivating,” Liang Yuan said, laughing.
“Haha, exactly. Now I can cultivate in peace too,” Huo Zhen nodded, smiling.
During Lin Yun’s tenure in Dongyuan Prefecture, Liang Yuan and Huo Zhen handled most of the administrative work, with only a few matters they couldn’t decide passed to Lin Yun.
Now, they were free from those burdens.
“But don’t worry, Big Brother. We’ll still do our best to track down the Chaos Stone,” Liang Yuan said.
After seeing Liang Yuan off, Huo Zhen also took his leave. He had a residence in the divine capital too and vowed to pursue leads on the Chaos Stone.
Finding the Chaos Stone required trusted allies. If a group like the Xiaoyao Tower found it, they’d likely keep it for themselves rather than inform Lin Yun.
After they left, Lin Yun had the steward arrange accommodations for his family and friends. The manor was vast, easily housing them all.
His daughter, Lin Kexin, was like a curious child in this new place.
Once everything was settled, it was evening. Lin Yun hosted a banquet at the manor, where everyone drank and feasted late into the night.
But for Lin Yun, no matter how much he enjoyed himself, the torment of the Soul-Breaking Poison was ever-present, growing bit by bit.
…
The next day.
Lin Yun considered visiting the palace to see Emperor Huoyun, as it was customary to report upon returning to the divine capital.
In the end, he abandoned the idea. As a worthless cripple, what was the point of going to the palace? He’d only be accused of clinging to Emperor Huoyun’s favor. Lin Yun didn’t want to be mocked behind his back.
