Lin Yun knew that if Master Tu Fan truly valued him, even with the five slots already decided, he could easily add an extra one if he wanted to give Lin Yun an explanation.
For him, the difference between taking five or six disciples was negligible.
But he had no intention of doing so.
“Fine, Master Tu Fan, I, Lin Yun, will remember your words!” Lin Yun declared resolutely.
“Lin Yun, though I dislike offending others, offending you makes no difference. Everyone knows you’re a broken man. Some truths are harsh, and I’d rather not speak them, as we all understand them in our hearts. But if you insist on making me say it, it won’t sound pleasant,” Master Tu Fan said slowly.
“Master Tu Fan, mark my words, you will regret this,” Lin Yun replied, then turned and left.
“Regret?”
Master Tu Fan watched Lin Yun’s retreating figure, shaking his head with a smile, “A man poisoned with Soul-Severing Toxin, with only a few decades left to live, thinks he can make me regret? Do you really believe you’re still the prodigy Lin Yun who once shook the four corners of the realm?”
In Master Tu Fan’s view, Lin Yun still hadn’t grasped how low his status had fallen.
Even if Emperor Huoyun granted him the rank of deputy first-grade official in the empire, it was merely a gesture of consolation—who would take it seriously?
…
Time passed.
The day of the empire’s millennial celebration soon arrived.
The entire divine capital was adorned with lights and decorations, celebrating the empire’s anniversary.
Today marked the start of the festivities.
The celebration was set to begin at two in the afternoon.
But by seven or eight in the morning, the divine capital was already bustling.
The lords of each prefecture, along with all officials and generals of fifth rank and above, had arrived in the divine capital to attend the celebration at the imperial palace.
Huo Zhen and Liang Yuan also came from Dongyuan Prefecture.
For the past twenty years, they had been managing Dongyuan Prefecture’s affairs, with Huo Zhen serving as acting prefecture lord.
As soon as they reached the gates of the divine capital, they were intercepted by Dongguo Lie.
“Lord Huo, Lord Liang, before the celebration begins, why not visit my Dongguo Mansion for a while?” Dongguo Lie invited with a smile.
“No need, Young Master Dongguo. Before the celebration starts, we need to meet with Lord Lin Yun,” Huo Zhen said coldly.
“Lin Yun?”
Dongguo Lie sneered, “Lord Huo, Lord Liang, it’s been twenty years. Haven’t you thought this through? Lin Yun has fallen to ruin. Do you still intend to stand by him?”
Dongguo Lie continued, “Lin Yun has, at most, fifty or sixty years left to live—a mere flick of a finger in time. Once he’s gone, with no one to protect you, haven’t you considered finding a new backer?”
“If we were willing to join the Dongguo faction, we would have done so before siding with Brother Lin Yun. Young Master Dongguo Lie, save your breath—we will never join the Dongguo faction,” Liang Yuan stated.
“Hmph, I see you won’t shed tears until you see the coffin. Once Lin Yun dies, you’ll be the first to suffer!” Dongguo Lie said coldly.
He continued, “You’d better think it over. I’ll say it plainly: after the celebration, if you still refuse, even if you change your mind later, the Dongguo family won’t give you another chance. If you won’t think of yourselves, at least think of your wives, children, and loved ones, right? Gentlemen, take care!”
With that, Dongguo Lie turned and left.
“Brother Liang Yuan, it seems the Dongguo family has given us their final ultimatum,” Huo Zhen said with a bitter smile, looking at Liang Yuan.
Over the years, the Dongguo family had tried to recruit them multiple times, and each time they refused, the family claimed they’d give them time to reconsider.
But this time, the Dongguo family demanded a final answer after the celebration, clearly issuing an ultimatum.
“Damn the Dongguo family! If Brother Lin Yun hadn’t been poisoned with Soul-Severing Toxin, would they dare act so arrogantly before us?” Liang Yuan’s face was ashen, his fists clenched, seething with frustration.
Liang Yuan had a wife and children, unlike Huo Zhen, so he couldn’t help but worry about this.
…
Noon, twelve o’clock, at the palace gates.
Today was the millennial celebration, and the palace was exceptionally lively.
Crowds continuously entered the palace through its gates, but only those with invitations could pass.
Besides the prefecture lords and many high-ranking imperial ministers and generals—except those required to stay on duty—most would attend, along with a large number of direct imperial clan members. The imperial clan’s population was vast, and even the direct lineage was numerous.
Additionally, many high-ranking imperial ministers and generals were present, given the empire’s large population base.
Beyond that, prominent and powerful families, clans, sects, and other major forces within the empire were also invited to participate.
At the palace gates.
Lin Yun’s figure stepped down from a carriage.
“Big Brother’s here!”
“Big Brother!”
Huo Zhen and Liang Yuan, waiting outside the palace, hurried forward with smiles upon seeing Lin Yun.
“Huo Zhen, Liang Yuan, it’s been twenty years, and you two are looking more spirited than ever,” Lin Yun said with a smile.
Over the past twenty years, Lin Yun had kept in touch with them often, but as they were in Dongyuan Prefecture, he hadn’t met them in person.
“Big Brother, I was worried the Soul-Severing Toxin would take a toll on you, but your vitality looks impressive,” Huo Zhen said with a smile.
“Yeah, Big Brother, you look as if you were never poisoned,” Liang Yuan marveled.
“Is that so?” Lin Yun smiled.
He didn’t immediately tell them he had already cleansed the poison.
After all, with so many eyes and ears around, even if he used inner energy to shield their conversation, others might notice the energy fluctuation.
“The Dongguo faction has been pestering you quite a bit these years, hasn’t it?” Lin Yun asked.
“Exactly. Just this morning, as we entered the city, Dongguo Lie himself came to us, saying he was giving us a final ultimatum. They’re pushing too far!” Liang Yuan’s face darkened.
“Don’t worry. With me here, the Dongguo faction won’t harm you,” Lin Yun assured.
Back when he was poisoned, Lin Yun wouldn’t have dared say such words.
Now that he had recovered, he had the confidence to back them up!
If he could successfully ascend to immortality, his status would soar, and the Dongguo faction would dare not act recklessly.
“Look, isn’t that Lin Yun?”
“Which Lin Yun?”
“The former lord of Dongyuan Prefecture, His Majesty’s disciple, the one who was poisoned by the demon clan’s Soul-Severing Toxin!”
“Right, I remember now! It’s really him. It’s been twenty years since we heard anything about him—I even thought he was dead.”
“Given his current state, though he’s not dead, he’s as good as ruined. Yet he still came to the celebration?”
“Those two following Lin Yun are fools. Lin Yun’s finished, and they’re still sticking with him?”
…
Lin Yun’s appearance drew the attention and whispers of some ministers, generals, and imperial relatives outside the palace. After all, Lin Yun had once been a prominent figure.
