Volume 1, Chapter 128: Visitors from Penglai

"Who...!" All looked outside as Lin Yu strolled in, staring defiantly at the Han Emperor, his eyes proud—he seemed to regard the emperor as nothing. 

"Third Prince? Weren't you a hostage in Zhou? Why return suddenly?" 

"Did you hear the Great Prince would attack Zhou and flee Zhou early?" 

"Third Prince, even if you returned, you have no place here. A prince demoted to guard imperial tombs may not attend court!" Ministers scolded Lin Yu—this fallen, crippled prince was beneath their notice. 

"Lin Yu, what are you doing here? Return to the tombs at once! I ordered you to guard them until summoned—have you forgotten?" The Han Emperor's gaze was filled with disgust, his voice cold. No trace of a father's relief at his child's safe return. 

Lin Yu shook his head. He had once thought he failed to please the emperor, hence the dislike. He had trained and studied hard, led troops young, all to prove himself. But one defeat had cast him into深渊. Without Cauldron Lord, he would be lost. In stark contrast, the Great Prince had attacked Zhou without orders, yet the emperor had not rebuked him. Even news of his death did not anger the emperor for the lost elite troops—their father-son bond was "moving." 

Hearing his mother's name from the Great Prince, Lin Yu guessed the emperor's dislike stemmed from Qu Lingxian. The Great Prince had said she came from Penglai Continent beyond the Storm Sea. Lin Yu burned to know who his mother was, what had happened between her and the emperor, and why the Great Prince hated her. 

"Scoundrel! Why do you still linger? Back to the tombs!" the Han Emperor roared, seeing Lin Yu lost in thought. 

Lin Yu snapped back, meeting the emperor's gaze coldly: "What if I refuse?" 

"Has the Third Prince gone mad? How dare he speak to陛下 (Your Majesty) so!" Ministers stared in shock, guessing Lin Yu sought death by provoking the emperor. 

"Treacherous! Seize this scoundrel and behead him!" The Han Emperor raged, pointing at Lin Yu. Golden Guards charged in: "Third Prince, forgive us!" 

"Back off! Anyone who approaches before I finish my questions dies!" Lin Yu's cold voice was followed by overwhelming prestige. The charging guards were hurled back, unable to rise. 

"The Third Prince... his cultivation has recovered?" 

"More than recovered—he's stronger! These Golden Guards are Innate Realm, yet they can't withstand his pressure!" 

"Impossible! His Dantian was destroyed; he can't hold spiritual energy!" 

Ministers gasped—no one believed Lin Yu could crush Innate warriors with mere prestige. The Han Emperor gaped, then snarled: "Scoundrel! You hid your strength! What is your plot? Do you seek rebellion?" 

Lin Yu laughed at the emperor's double standards. Hiding strength made him a traitor, yet the Great Prince had faced no such accusation. As brothers, their treatment cut deep. 

"Rebellion? Do you think I covet your throne?" Lin Yu scoffed. To some, the throne was precious; to him, it meant nothing. Could it bring back his 100,000 brothers in the Southern Wasteland? Could it reunite him with his mother? If not, it was worthless. 

"Insolent! What do you want?" The Han Emperor's face turned iron-gray. 

"I ask only: Is my mother Qu Lingxian alive? Who is she, and where does she come from?" Lin Yu asked calmly. 

"Who told you that?" The Han Emperor's face changed, a terrifying killing intent surging at the name Qu Lingxian. 

"Never mind who told me. Just tell me what happened between you and her." Lin Yu smiled—he could not admit the Great Prince had said it before dying. 

"Qu Lingxian is dead. Her affairs are none of your concern, and I will never tell you." The Han Emperor exhaled coldly, refusing. 

Rumble! 

"All below, hear us: We are warriors of the Qu Clan from Penglai Continent, ordered to capture Qu Lingxian and return her. Surrender her now, or this city will drown in blood!" Thunder boomed outside as a majestic voice echoed through the imperial city. 

"Penglai Continent? The Qu Clan?" Lin Yu's heart stirred. These self-proclaimed Penglai warriors had deep, formidable auras. He glanced at the Han Emperor: "Fine—keep your secrets. But remember, others know the truth." With that, he walked out. 

"Qu Lingxian... Do they mean Concubine Qu?" 

"Concubine Qu was from Penglai? No one saw her after the Third Prince was born. What happened back then?" 

"How did Concubine Qu cross the Storm Sea from Penglai?" 

Ministers followed Lin Yu out, and even the Han Emperor trailed behind with guards, exiting the hall.