Divine Emperor Demon Emperor

The Bone Spear was repaired—no, it was the Demon Bone Heaven-Dominating Spear now. Lin Yun was elated. His business in the Capital City had finally concluded, and the next stop was the Mysterious Forest.

Lin Yun was determined to obtain the Ghost Fruit. He had to make the trip to the Mysterious Forest, no matter how dangerous it might be.

Seen off by Lu Cheng and Guan Renjie, Lin Yun left the Pharmaceutical Instrument Master’s Guild. But before his departure, he had a few loose ends to tie up.

His first stop was the Qing Zhu Tavern. Upon hearing of Lin Yun’s arrival, a maid led him directly to the top floor of the bamboo building, where he met Qing Zhu.

As fresh and elegant as ever, Qing Zhu glanced briefly at Ning Shuang as she and Lin Yun entered. Her gaze then settled on Lin Yun, a faint smile gracing her lips. "Young Master Lin, what brings you here today?"

’Deep down, Lin Yun felt that Qing Zhu was a dangerous woman. She was shrouded in too much mystery, making it impossible to see through her or the power she wielded.’

He sat down before Qing Zhu and replied softly, "Two things. First, I’m leaving tomorrow."

"Oh? In that case, I wish you a safe journey, Young Master Lin," Qing Zhu said, raising her cup after personally pouring them both a glass of Cyan Wine.

After he finished his Cyan Wine, Qing Zhu refilled his cup and asked with a smile, "And the second matter?"

"I need you to do me a favor," Lin Yun said.

At his words, Qing Zhu’s gaze shifted to Ning Shuang, who stood silently behind Lin Yun. Her intuition told her the favor was related to this beautiful woman.

The exceptionally sharp Qing Zhu quickly put the pieces together. She had detected the unique aura of an assassin from Ning Shuang, and connecting that to Lin Yun’s request for a favor, she smiled.

"You want to send her to the Death Row Shelter, Young Master Lin?"

’Qing Zhu really was incredibly perceptive; she’d guessed it before I even said a word.’ Nodding in confirmation, Lin Yun said, "Correct. I trust that with Miss Qing Zhu’s abilities, it shouldn’t be a problem."

"The Death Row Shelter... that’s one of the greatest powers in the entire Eastern Domain. If I help you, what will Young Master Lin offer me in return?"

"I’ll owe you a favor."

Chuckling softly behind her hand, Qing Zhu’s expression grew seductive. Her captivating eyes locked onto Lin Yun as if to steal his very soul, and she teased in a breathy, alluring voice.

"I have no need for favors. However, since you’ve asked, Young Master Lin, I will certainly see it done for you. I only hope you’ll remember me in the days to come."

’Qing Zhu’s sudden shift from fresh and elegant to utterly bewitching was almost too much for even Lin Yun to handle. She was an absolute siren, and her words dripped with provocation.’

"Thank you, then. I still have other matters to attend to, so I won’t impose any longer." Not daring to spend another moment with this vixen, and with his business concluded, Lin Yun rose to leave.

"Have her come to the Qing Zhu Tavern to find me tomorrow," Qing Zhu called out with a coquettish laugh at his retreating back.

Without a word, Lin Yun quickened his pace and left. Alone now, Qing Zhu licked her lips, her eyes glinting with an inscrutable light.

"Young Master Lin... I’m finding it harder and harder to bring myself to kill you."

Stepping out of the Qing Zhu Tavern, Lin Yun finally breathed a huge sigh of relief. Qing Zhu’s teasing had nearly shattered his composure. It was Charm Art. Facing a woman who could wield it for the first time, Lin Yun gained a profound understanding of its power.

"What a dangerous woman. I have to stay far away from her from now on," Lin Yun sighed to himself. "It’s true that heroes are drawn to beauty, but it’s a different story when that beauty is a venomous snake. Getting myself killed by her poison would be the ultimate humiliation."

He and Ning Shuang had long ago agreed on sending her to the Death Row Shelter. Although Ning Shuang had received the legacy of a powerful assassin, she lacked any formal training. If she wanted to continue down that path, the Death Row Shelter was the best choice in the entire Eastern Domain.

Moreover, Imprisoned Dragon was also at the Death Row Shelter. They hadn’t been in contact, but Lin Yun was convinced that Imprisoned Dragon was still alive and had likely already made it into the Shelter’s headquarters.

Having settled Ning Shuang’s matter, Lin Yun grew even more wary of Qing Zhu and the forces at her back. The ability to place someone in the Death Row Shelter was proof of the immense power she wielded.

Combined with the Charm Art she had displayed today... After all, Lin Yun had endured a thousand-year trial, and his Mental Realm was stronger than even a Primordial Ocean Realm expert’s. Yet even he couldn’t resist her Charm Art.

Back at the Wang Family, Lin Yun personally wrote a letter and gave it to Ning Shuang. He instructed her to find a man named Imprisoned Dragon once she arrived at the Death Row Shelter and to give the letter to him.

"Young Master Lin..." Ning Shuang looked at Lin Yun, her words catching in her throat.

Knowing what she was thinking, Lin Yun offered a small smile and said comfortingly, "Ning Shuang, I know what you’re about to say. I have to go to the Mysterious Forest. But as for you, the Death Row Shelter is just as dangerous. Whether or not you can truly grow stronger will be entirely up to you."

"I know. Don’t you worry, I will become stronger," Ning Shuang said with determination.

’During her time with Lin Yun, Ning Shuang could tell he had a grand ambition in his heart—one that was even beyond her own imagination. To achieve it, he was constantly striving, climbing ever higher.’

’She wanted to become his right hand, to help share the burden on his shoulders. That was why she had agreed without a second thought when he suggested the Death Row Shelter.’

’She knew the training at the Death Row Shelter was exceptionally brutal, with a terrifyingly high mortality rate, but she wasn’t afraid. She had to become stronger. She had to become someone who could actually help Lin Yun, not just be a pretty decoration by his side.’

"Go get some rest. I hope you’ll amaze me the next time we meet," Lin Yun said, motioning for her to go.

She gave Lin Yun a long, profound look and vowed to herself, ’I will get stronger. I have to keep up with him.’

After Ning Shuang left, Lin Yun went to find Wang Yi.

"You’re leaving tomorrow?" Wang Yi asked lightly as the two sat in his courtyard.

Lin Yun nodded. "Yes."

"Actually, I came today to offer a word of caution."

When Lin Yun said this, Wang Yi looked at him. ’To think that at my age, I’m being lectured by a junior.’

"You’re aware of the situation between Wang Tianwu and Wang Tianwen. Wang Tianwu is a narrow-minded man. If you don’t rein him in, I can guarantee that the Wang Family will fall to ruin at his hands."

Lin Yun’s words were blunt. Wang Yi’s expression darkened at first, but it gradually softened.

’How could he not be aware of the situation between Wang Tianwu and Wang Tianwen? In the past, he had sided with Wang Tianwu only because Wang Tianwen’s injuries had been severe, with no hope of recovery.’

But now that Wang Tianwen was healed, a struggle between the two was inevitable. Wang Yi had been pondering a solution to this very problem.

It was just as Lin Yun had said: if the two of them continued to fight, the Wang Family was doomed to decline.