After the steward left with his orders, Lin Yun’s communication bracelet received a message from Emperor Huoyun, summoning him to the imperial palace immediately.
Upon receiving the message, Lin Yun set off at once, heading straight for the palace.
In the palace, within the Heavenly God Hall.
“Master.”
Upon entering, Lin Yun bowed to Emperor Huoyun.
“My disciple, earlier, Ji Bin’s father came to me pleading, saying you visited Ji Bin’s home today, caused trouble over your daughter, and threatened to kill him. Is this true? As it involves a royal clan member and you, my disciple, I’ve called you here to clarify and avoid any misunderstandings,” Emperor Huoyun inquired.
“Master, it’s true. Ji Bin is a despicable man, approaching my daughter with ulterior motives. Naturally, I cannot allow it,” Lin Yun replied.
Emperor Huoyun looked surprised, “I’ve met Ji Bin once, and he left a very good impression. The Huoyun Camp also lists him as a key talent to nurture. He shouldn’t be as bad as you say. Could there be a misunderstanding?”
“Master, this man is a master of deception. I’ve seen through his true nature. Please trust me!” Lin Yun said firmly.
“My disciple, I have no small trust in you. If you truly don’t want your daughter with Ji Bin, I’ll mediate. I’ll issue an edict later, ordering Ji Bin to keep his distance from your daughter,” Emperor Huoyun said.
He then shifted tone, “But you must restrain yourself. Ji Bin is of the royal clan. If you kill him, it could stir discontent among the royals.”
Prince Jiyuan of the royal clan already had a grudge against Lin Yun. Killing Ji Bin casually would provoke widespread condemnation from the clan.
“I understand,” Lin Yun replied.
He didn’t mention to Emperor Huoyun that he’d sent men to seize Ji Bin.
With Lin Yun’s stubborn temperament, once he’d made up his mind, no one could sway him!
“You may go,” Emperor Huoyun said.
“I take my leave,” Lin Yun responded, exiting the hall.
…
Meanwhile, at Ji Bin’s residence.
“Bin’er, I’ve already pleaded with His Majesty, who promised to mediate. Surely Lin Yun won’t dare act recklessly now,” a middle-aged man said to Ji Bin.
“Thank you, Father,” Ji Bin replied with a smile.
With the Emperor’s mediation, they felt reassured. Could Lin Yun defy His Majesty?
Just then, shouts and commotion erupted outside.
The next moment, the door was blasted open with a *boom*, and two guards flew into the room, blood spurting from their mouths.
“Who dares cause trouble in my home?!” the middle-aged man bellowed.
As his words fell, two figures stormed in—Yang Wan and Wei Qi.
“You must be Ji Bin,” Yang Wan said, eyeing him.
“Who are you?!” Ji Bin demanded, looking at the pair.
The powerful auras of Yang Wan and Wei Qi made Ji Bin and his father wary.
“Your grandpa’s called Yang Wan, sent by Lord Lin Yun to bring you to the Lin residence. Come with us,” Yang Wan said coldly.
“Lin Yun?”
Ji Bin and his father’s faces paled slightly.
“I’m not going!” Ji Bin refused outright.
“Not coming? Hmph, that’s not up to you!” Yang Wan sneered.
“Insolence! We’re royal kin. You think you can just seize us? Do you know the consequences?” the middle-aged man said boldly, his voice resounding.
“Hmph, no matter your background, offend my big brother, and you’ll pay. Come with me!” Yang Wan charged at Ji Bin.
“Stop! Aren’t you afraid of His Majesty’s wrath?” the middle-aged man moved to block Yang Wan.
“Whether His Majesty punishes us, I don’t know. But if you stand in my way, I’ll kill you!” Yang Wan brandished his war blade, pressing it against the man’s neck.
Yang Wan’s formidable Ninth Transition Tribulation Realm aura was unmistakable.
The middle-aged man turned pale with fear.
“Wei Qi, grab him!” Yang Wan barked.
Wei Qi rushed forward, seizing Ji Bin.
“You…” Ji Bin’s face darkened, but he was completely restrained, unable to move.
Though talented for his age, Ji Bin was powerless against a Tribulation Realm expert.
Wei Qi dragged Ji Bin out, and Yang Wan sheathed his weapon, following suit.
Seeing his son taken, the middle-aged man trembled with rage, roaring, “You… you’ve got some nerve, utterly disregarding our royal status! Lawless! Absolutely lawless! I’ll report this, and you’ll pay!”
…
At the Lin residence.
Returning from the palace, Lin Yun headed straight to the front courtyard.
A crowd had gathered—Yuying, Palace Master Yunshang, Su Yan, Jiang Jingwen, Zhao Ling, Qin Shi, Lone Wolf, White Shark, and others were present, along with Wei Qi and Yang Wan, who had Ji Bin detained, awaiting Lin Yun’s return.
“Big Brother, we’ve brought him!” Yang Wan and Wei Qi reported as Lin Yun arrived.
Lin Yun’s gaze locked onto Ji Bin.
Disheveled but defiant, Ji Bin stood tall, showing no sign of defeat.
Lin Yun strode forward, grabbing Ji Bin by the collar.
“Ji Bin, you’ve got some gall! I warned you to stay away from my daughter, and you dared defy me?!” Lin Yun’s eyes blazed, his voice thundering like a storm.
All eyes—friends and allies—fixed on Ji Bin.
Ji Bin looked up, feigning innocence and grievance, “Senior Lin Yun, I truly love Lin Kexin. I only want to be with her, and she accepts me. Our feelings are mutual. Please, Senior Lin Yun, grant us your blessing.”
“Ji Bin, you’re here, and you still dare to pretend?!” Lin Yun’s eyes flashed with cold fury, his killing intent surging.
“I’m not pretending! Every word I, Ji Bin, say is true!” Ji Bin declared, his tone resolute.
Turning to Lin Yun’s friends, Ji Bin knelt, pleading, “Everyone, please intercede for me! My feelings for Lin Kexin are genuine! Heaven and earth can bear witness! Senior Lin Yun can’t tear apart a fated union just for his own preferences! If he looks down on me, I, Ji Bin, will work to prove my worth!”
By the end, Ji Bin was in tears, sobbing bitterly.
“You… you scoundrel!” Lin Yun trembled with rage.
