“Si Hongyi, you can’t escape!”
As Lin Yun spoke, he closed in rapidly.
He summoned the Nine-Star Pagoda, instantly pulling Si Hongyi inside, cutting off his escape.
Lin Yun entered the pagoda as well.
Inside, he faced Si Hongyi. “You’ve nowhere to run. Since Deputy Palace Master Yao has sentenced you to death, I’ll carry it out.”
“Lin Yun, we had no grudge! Why must you see me dead?” Si Hongyi roared, his eyes venomous.
He clearly recalled the Tianqian Emperor pleading for him, only for Lin Yun’s words to sway Yao to condemn him.
He couldn’t fathom why Lin Yun, with no prior enmity, targeted him.
“Do you know a cultivator named Xuyun?” Lin Yun asked.
“Xuyun?” Si Hongyi froze.
The name, long buried in his memory, stirred.
“Could… you be connected to Xuyun?” he asked, shocked.
It seemed impossible. Lin Yun was young, while Xuyun had died ages ago, from entirely different eras.
“Yes, I’m his disciple. You hunted him, forcing him to tear through space to a small world where I was. Though he died, he left his legacy,” Lin Yun said.
“His disciple? So that’s it!” Si Hongyi finally understood Lin Yun’s motive.
There was a grudge after all.
“When I inherited his legacy, he had one condition: kill you within eight hundred years,” Lin Yun continued.
“That old cur, even in death, he won’t let me go!” Si Hongyi roared in fury.
“You brought this on yourself by colluding with demons. Without that, I’d have no grounds to act. Blame yourself,” Lin Yun said.
Before coming, Lin Yun had hesitated. If Si Hongyi had no misdeeds, it would’ve been hard to act.
Lin Yun drew his sword. “Don’t worry, I’ll make it quick.”
Si Hongyi knew Lin Yun’s strength. He stood no chance.
“I never imagined, Xuyun, old dog, after fighting you for years, I thought I’d won. I became an immortal, while you perished. Yet, I die because of you, at your disciple’s hands!” Si Hongyi laughed maniacally.
“As I said, without your misdeeds, I couldn’t have touched you. Blame yourself.”
Lin Yun’s inner force surged, his sword flashing toward Si Hongyi.
Si Hongyi stood still, knowing resistance was futile against Lin Yun’s might.
With a slash, blood sprayed from Si Hongyi’s neck like a fountain.
As a mere Eternal Realm cultivator, Si Hongyi was easily slain by Lin Yun’s raw power, no special techniques needed.
“Si Hongyi, I’ll plead with Deputy Palace Master Yao to spare your clan from extermination,” Lin Yun said.
“Truly?” Si Hongyi’s eyes widened.
“I mean what I say,” Lin Yun affirmed.
Si Hongyi nodded slowly, closing his eyes. With this, he could die in peace.
He collapsed, lifeless.
Lin Yun exhaled deeply. His journey to the cultivation continent was largely to avenge his master, Xuyun, having sworn to kill Si Hongyi within eight hundred years or perish. Now, that vow was fulfilled, a major burden lifted.
“Master, Si Hongyi is dead. You can rest in peace,” Lin Yun said, looking skyward.
He collected Si Hongyi’s body and left the pagoda.
…
Outside the Si family city, Lin Yun returned swiftly.
“Deputy Palace Master, Si Hongyi is dead.”
He presented the body to Yao.
The Tianqian Emperor’s face was grim but silent.
“Good. I’ll announce this to all Heavenly God Palace immortals as a warning,” Yao said.
Looking at Lin Yun, he added, “You’ve done well, uncovering a demon spy hub and this ‘coexistence pact.’ You deserve great merit. Visit the Heavenly God Palace to claim your reward, along with your unclaimed Heavenly God List settlement.”
“Merit and rewards aside, I have a request,” Lin Yun said.
“Speak freely,” Yao replied.
“Si Hongyi’s collusion was his alone. His clan’s ordinary cultivators couldn’t have known. Please rescind the order to exterminate his nine clans. His death is enough,” Lin Yun said.
In the cultivation continent, such collective punishment was common, but Lin Yun found it too harsh.
“Very well, since you ask, I’ll retract the order,” Yao agreed, given Lin Yun’s contributions.
“Though this matter’s resolved here, other immortals have joined the pact. Finding them won’t be easy,” Lin Yun sighed.
“I’ll arrange a thorough investigation,” Yao said.
Lin Yun nodded. That was for the Heavenly God Palace to handle; he could do no more.
Yao addressed the Si clan below, explaining Si Hongyi’s execution for demon collusion.
…
Leaving the Si family, Lin Yun returned to the Fire Cloud Empire.
En route, Yao, via communication bracelet, informed all Heavenly God Palace immortals of the demon spy hub’s destruction, publicly commending Lin Yun.
