“Lin Yun!”
The moment they saw Lin Yun enter, the few of them immediately hurried over to greet him.
Lin Yun gave a helpless smile. “Brother Mu Li, you really are stubborn. The main battles on the Beastman Clan side have only just ended, and you are still in the mopping-up stage. There must be a pile of matters waiting for you to handle, yet here you are rushing over.”
“Something this big happened. I had to come see you in person. Over there, it is only cleanup work. My subordinates can handle it, and anything they cannot, can wait until I return.” Mu Li said.
Mu Li continued, “Brother Lin Yun, you must explain to me now. With something this serious, why did you wait so long to tell me? Do you even consider me a friend?”
“Brother Mu Li, I already explained last time. During that period, your Beastman Clan was in the midst of major war. I could not let you be distracted. If you had brought forces to rescue me, your interior would have been left vulnerable. Your enemies would certainly have seized the chance to strike while you were weak. The consequences would have been unthinkable!” Lin Yun said earnestly.
“Brother Lin Yun, even so, once you had safely withdrawn to the Elf Clan, you should have told me at least then. You were safe. I would not have needed to send support, so there would have been no worry about that problem.” Mu Li pressed relentlessly.
“I was still afraid it would affect you. I know your temperament. Even if I told you after reaching the Elf Clan, you probably would have rushed straight here to see me, just like now. So I kept it from you. I did not want you to worry. Telling you once your war was nearly over would not have been too late.” Lin Yun said.
Lin Yun had not only withheld the news from Mu Li but also from Flying Shadow Golden Lord and the other two, precisely because he feared it would disrupt their war. He had even instructed everyone in the Infinite Heavenly Palace not to pass the information to them.
Moreover, Mu Li and the others had been fully occupied with their war, so they had not learned of it until late.
“Brother Lin Yun, I, Mu Li, truly feel I have failed you! If there had been no major war within my Beastman Clan, if I had not borrowed forces, the Dao Alliance and the six great powers would never have dared to attack the Infinite Heavenly Palace so easily.”
Mu Li appeared deeply guilty and self-reproachful, about to bow to Lin Yun.
Lin Yun quickly steadied him. “Brother Mu Li, what are you doing? This is not your fault at all. The true culprits are clearly the Dao Alliance and the six great powers!”
“Palace Lord, I can understand the six great powers attacking us, but what was the Dao Alliance’s reason?” Haoyang Supreme asked.
Lin Yun immediately explained the so-called justification the Dao Alliance had given.
“The Dao Alliance and the six great powers are utterly despicable, especially this Dao Alliance, actually pinning such charges on you, Brother Lin Yun!” Mu Li’s anger blazed.
Flying Shadow Golden Lord, Destruction Golden Lord, and Haoyang Supreme all looked equally furious.
Mu Li raised his head. “Brother Lin Yun, here is what I propose. When I return this time, I will immediately prepare and commit all the forces at my command to launch a counterattack against the Dao Alliance and the six great powers. We will fight them to the death! If I, Mu Li, do not avenge this wrong, I swear I am no man!” Mu Li’s killing intent was palpable.
On this matter, Mu Li felt profound guilt.
He believed the incident bore no small part of his responsibility. Because of him, the Dao Alliance and the six great powers had found an opening.
Lin Yun patted Mu Li’s shoulder. “Brother Mu Li, now is not the time for rash action. It is still not the moment to start a major war with them. This matter requires careful, long-term planning.”
“With my Beastman Clan committing fully, plus the Elf Clan, I refuse to believe we cannot defeat them!”
“Victory or defeat is hard to predict. They have the Heavenly Dao backing them. Who knows what hidden cards they still hold? Even if we could win, our casualties would surely be catastrophic, our losses immense.” Lin Yun spoke gravely.
Launching a war proactively was no trifling matter.
Without absolute certainty, Lin Yun would not do it.
“This… very well. Then I will follow your arrangements. When you decide to fight, just say the word. I, Mu Li, will commit every ounce of strength!” Mu Li thumped his chest in guarantee.
Mu Li continued, “Also, the entire cost of rebuilding the Infinite Heavenly Palace in the future will be on me.”
“Brother Mu Li, your most urgent task is still to handle matters on the Beastman Clan side. After this war, once you spend some time consolidating power, you should be able to firmly grasp the entire Beastman Clan in your hands. Congratulations!” Lin Yun offered Mu Li his felicitations.
