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Seven Killings:

Li Sha: Qin Li Luo Sha: Qin Qi Luo Gui Tian Wang Xing — Lin Xuan Guan

Ghostly Demon: Qin Guiwu Demon: Qin Wugui Neptune - Ruoshui Pipe

Bloodshed: Qin Xueye; Bloodshed: Qin Yegui; Pluto - Shadow Capture Tube

Each of the six individuals represents a branch of the Asura Dark Camp.

The Six Killers and Three Stars are all loyal to the main altar, which is managed by the Hidden Killers. The Dark Camp is hidden beneath the Ishu'er Academy, which is managed by Li Mu. Yun Yan provides the Dark Camp with various medicines and conducts personnel inventory, but Linglong usually handles these tasks.

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Um... um... I have some bad news. I've applied for a systems analyst position and plan to retake the exam, so I'll have less time to write. Anyway, the posting schedule will still be the same, but only about half a chapter a day, around 2000 words. Thank you!

As for the modern world, Lanlan is still traveling between two worlds! It's just that I'm not writing about the modern world anymore. The modern world content will begin in volume three.

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Chapter 40 Emperor Yang Yi

Chapter 40 Emperor Yang Yi

I coughed softly twice, leaning against him, but the first words that came out startled even myself: "Yihan, are you going to have a martial arts competition, or to catch up with old friends?"

Yi Han was taken aback, a hint of panic and surprise flashing in his clear black and white eyes. I coughed softly, this time deliberately, and turned my face away, asking, "Is Qin Wu alright?"

"Thank you for your concern, young master!" Qin Wu's cheerful voice came from the doorway. "Don't worry, young master, I escaped safely. But him..." Qin Wu's gaze shifted to Han Jingyuan, "He wasn't rude to you, was he?"

I then remembered that Han Jingyuan was still in the room, radiating a cold and aloof aura, his hands behind his back as he looked out the window, seemingly isolated from us in a completely different world. I said calmly, "Nothing of the sort. We'll set off back to Luonan immediately."

――――――――――――――――Time Separator――――――――――――――――――

When I returned to Chiyu Tower in Luonan, I was nearly exhausted, but I couldn't find anyone to treat me. I was greeted by Linglong; although her eyes were full of worry, her expression remained remarkably calm. She truly lived up to her reputation as someone close to Lin Yu.

Linglong helped me sit down and briefly told me about Yunyan's situation: "A month ago, the lady was ordered to enter the palace to accompany Consort Nian, but she never returned. Bu Ying went to the palace many times to inquire, but only found the palace in chaos. Until noon the next day, news came from the palace that the lady intended to poison the emperor's sister, Princess Jianing. There were witnesses and physical evidence. After the preliminary trial by the Imperial Censor, the lady was stripped of her title of First-Class Lady of Ningguo and has now been imprisoned. Originally, some court officials impeached the prince for not being strict with his wife and should be punished, but the emperor took the blame himself."

I nodded and asked, "What about Shadow Catcher?"

A flicker of light crossed Linglong's eyes, as if she had struggled for a long time before saying, "Buying... he infiltrated the prison to secretly protect the lady. Young master, Hades only wanted to fulfill your orders to protect the lady, not..."

My eyes widened in astonishment as I asked, "What is it not?"

Linglong's expression froze instantly, and she chuckled dryly twice, saying, "Young Master is still the same as ever, he never cares about his own affairs."

I was a little confused. My throat was slightly itchy, so I coughed twice and said, "Linglong, prepare my court clothes. I'm going to the palace to see the Emperor." I turned my head and glanced at Han Jingyuan, whose face was icy cold. I rubbed my temples and said, "Also, this is Young Master Han. Arrange accommodations for him and don't neglect him."

Linglong quickly agreed. Ignoring Yihan's objections, I swallowed a Lesser Rejuvenation Pill. The Lesser Rejuvenation Pill is also known as the Crimson Fire Pill, which is the name of a flower on the Yixiu Continent. Its shape and effects are similar to the modern poppy, beautiful yet highly poisonous. Of course, the Lesser Rejuvenation Pill, after being modified by Yunyan, has absolutely no toxicity and can stimulate a person's potential, making them feel refreshed for twelve hours. However, the aftereffects are severe, requiring at least half a month of quiet recuperation.

I changed into a tight-fitting satin dress, over which was a light blue gauze robe woven with silver threads and water patterns. My hair was secured with a silver hairpin, with silver tassels hanging down on either side, mingling with my soft black hair. I quietly gazed at my handsome reflection in the glass mirror, using an eyebrow pencil to thicken my light, smoky eyebrows, and softening the red of my lips. Yi Han carefully attached an Adam's apple to my neck, made by Yun Yan, resembling the most exquisite human skin mask. It slid up and down as I spoke, making me appear almost indistinguishable from a man. Finally, he broadened my shoulders, so that no matter how I looked in the mirror, I was a dashing, incomparably handsome young man, not a stunningly beautiful woman.

A warmth touched my shoulder as Yi Han draped a black mole cloak over my shoulders: "Young master, the weather outside is starting to get cold. You are still recovering from your illness, so it would be best to be careful."

I nodded, feeling the warmth of the cloak. I couldn't help but think that when I first arrived here it was only April, but now it's almost early winter. Nearly half a year has passed since I left the Tarakan Desert. Yet, in the modern world, in that pitch-black place, I've only experienced less than a month.

To my utter surprise, Yang Yi refused to see me upon entering the palace. A eunuch led me to Luofei Garden, saying indifferently that the Emperor was busy with state affairs and would come to see me later. I frowned and looked up, suddenly realizing that Luofei Garden had been renamed Ganlin Palace. This time, without Zimo's reminder, I knew clearly that Yang Yi… was preparing to harm me.

Throughout history, the greatest fear of powerful ministers has been their overwhelming influence, especially since everyone on the continent of Yixiu believed that Yang Yi's throne was won by Lin Yu single-handedly. If Lin Yu had been willing to retire after achieving her goals, or at least exercise restraint, it would have been acceptable. However, she chose to become Prime Minister, and the world knew only of the Divine Son Chi Fei, unaware of Emperor Yang Yi. Upon ascending the throne, Yang Yi urgently needed to recruit talented individuals, thus holding annual imperial examinations. Lin Yu's biggest mistake was accepting the task of presiding over each of these examinations. Imagine the terror if the court was filled with one person's protégés! Moreover, Yang Yi was aware of the immense power Lin Yu commanded. Even with his magnanimity and favor towards Lin Yu, he could never tolerate her growing so powerful under his rule.

However, I really can't understand how someone as intelligent and wise as Lin Yu could make such a hasty and reckless mistake that arouses suspicion. It's as if... as if she knew she didn't have enough time, but was so eager to accomplish something that she had to abandon all her concerns, take a desperate gamble, and burn her bridges.

I shook my head, my head aching from thinking so much. Three hours had passed without me realizing it. From high noon to low in the west. But since food and tea were being served, I wasn't in a hurry. I simply listened carefully to Zimo's analyses of the various situations and solutions, memorizing them one by one.

It wasn't until late afternoon, outside the Ganlin Palace in Luofei Garden, that a eunuch's shrill voice rang out: "The Emperor has arrived—"

As Yang Yi, dressed in a nine-dragon-patterned imperial robe and wearing a purple-gold crown, entered the room, I quickly rose to greet him. This time, however, he did not help me up before I knelt down. Instead, he allowed me to perform the full ceremony before coldly saying, "Rise."

He sat down in the main seat, I stood up and stood to the side, and Yi Han stood behind me. The room was silent except for breathing. After a long while, Yang Yi suddenly waved his hand and said, "Everyone except the Prime Minister, step down."

Everyone agreed and withdrew. I kept my head down, sensing something was off. When I looked up, I saw Yang Yi's cold gaze fixed on Yi Han. Seeing me look up, he suddenly sneered at me: "Lin Yu, your servants really don't respect me at all!"

I turned my head and whispered, "Yihan, you should go out first."

Yi Han hesitated for a long time before saying, "Yes, young master." Before leaving, his indifferent and cold gaze swept over Yang Yi, but I could feel Yang Yi's obviously stiff body and the murderous intent in his eyes.

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Finally, only Yang Yi and I were left in the room, along with Zi Mo, that ghost. He seemed to be deep in thought, and after a long while, somewhat wearily, he pointed to the seat next to him and said, "Sit down."

I bowed respectfully and said, "Thank you for the seat, Your Majesty." But when I sat down, I was only on half a stool, and it was more comfortable to stand than to sit.

"Lin Yu, do you still remember back then?" I was startled and looked up to see Yang Yi's reminiscing expression, tinged with sadness. I quickly lowered my head and mumbled a reply. Fortunately, he wasn't really asking me; he just said to himself, "Back then, I was the Third Prince. Although my reputation for virtue was widespread, and I had achieved great merit on the battlefield, I had no hope of ascending the throne because the Crown Prince was above me and my fourth brother, the son of Empress Xiaoxian, was the rightful heir. At that time, although I longed to ascend the throne, I was powerless to change the situation. Until... three years ago, I met you at the Hanlin Academy."

"At that time, you were conversing eloquently with a group of ministers. I have never seen anyone as composed and calm as you in a crowd, speaking little, only occasionally interjecting a few words, yet drawing everyone's attention to you. Back then, I intentionally approached you, hoping to recruit you. Unfortunately, your status as the top scholar in the imperial examination had long since attracted the attention of the Crown Prince and my fourth brother. You usually spoke amiably with me and the other princes, showing no favoritism, yet you never accepted any offers of recruitment. So, I gradually gave up hope. From any perspective, it was impossible for you to choose to assist me, or perhaps your neutrality was the best outcome."

Yang Yi slowly raised his head, a gentle smile playing on his lips. His blue eyes, brimming with tears, seemed to be gazing at a deeply affectionate friend: "Until that rainy night, when you rushed into my residence, even my room, in a disheveled state, and bluntly asked if I wanted to kill the Crown Prince and seize the throne. I knew I should have firmly refused, should have had you arrested for treason, but for some reason, that night, seeing your pale face streaked with tears, your hair disheveled, so fragile as if you might collapse at any moment, yet your eyes burning brightly, resolute and crazed, I suddenly couldn't refuse, couldn't deny. I only felt that if I refused you, you would immediately collapse."

“From then on, you began to assist me, truly sparing no effort, even at the cost of your own life.” Yang Yi sighed slowly, his eyes filled with admiration as he looked at me. “It was only then that I realized that Lin Yu, you are not only knowledgeable and talented as you appear, but also a commander, general, and even… an emperor, a talent that is hard for ordinary people to imagine.”

I shuddered violently. A flash of cold light appeared in Yang Yi's eyes, then returned to normal: "Lin Yu, your schemes are like a wild horse galloping across the sky, utterly unpredictable. I consider myself intelligent and resilient since childhood, yet I couldn't see through a single one of your plans. The Crown Prince's execution, the Fourth Prince's implicated, even using the Fengyin Kingdom's attack to make Father willingly abdicate in my favor—every move you made was intricately linked, trapping people without their knowledge. I admire you wholeheartedly, but afterwards, I trembled with fear, realizing that if you hadn't chosen to assist me but one of my other brothers, I wouldn't have had a single chance of victory. Your approach to the enemy..." You are ruthless and cold-blooded, yet you never doubt those around you. Therefore, regardless of their initial motives for approaching you, they ultimately regard you as a god, protecting you even more than their own lives. At the beginning of your reign, facing internal and external troubles, you handled all domestic affairs with remarkable efficiency. Externally, you led our army to victory against overwhelming odds, repelling the Fire Feather attack. You thoroughly purged the old and incompetent officials in the court and army, and all the promoted soldiers revered you as a god. In fact, the entire continent of Ishu knew only of you, Qin Luo, and was unaware of my existence as the Heavenly Emperor.”

Yang Yi's smile slowly turned from gentle to sinister, a twisted expression born from the pain of having to make a painful decision: "Lin Yu, it was only then that I realized how much I had indulged you. To the point that you forgot who was the master and who was the servant, who was the true emperor!"

My pounding heart calmed down, and I looked at him silently for a long time before saying, "Your humble servant dares not."

Yang Yi's expression became extremely complicated. He suddenly closed his eyes, waved his hand, and said, "Forget it. Let alone Huo Lingfengyin's covetous eyes, I can't do without you right now. Besides... I really can't bring myself to do it." He looked somewhat tired, and his originally square and dignified face even looked thinner. However, some affection still remained in his eyes when he looked at me. "Go to Naihe Pavilion to see your wife first. I will talk to you in detail when you come back."

A sudden, sharp pain shot through my chest, and my face turned pale. Naihe Xuan… Naihe Xuan… What kind of place is that? Why does just hearing that name cause such unbearable heartache? It feels as if my whole being is being torn apart.