Volume 1, Chapter 140: The Stigma of Parricide

"Yes, yes! Lin Yu, I can abdicate in your favor, so you can inherit the throne rightfully! As long as you spare my life, everything can be arranged!" 

The Han Emperor seized at the glimmer of hope, his face plastered with a卑微讨好的 (humble and flattering) smile. To stay alive, he would abandon the Nine-Five Supreme Throne and hand it to Lin Yu without hesitation. 

"Second Brother, when did I say I wanted to be emperor?" 

Lin Yu shook his head. Before Lin Shuo could intercede, he brought his palm down on the Han Emperor's crown. Spiritual power surged into the emperor's body, annihilating his soul. The Han Emperor's face still wore that obsequious grin when his eyes suddenly turned ashen and dim. Blood trickled from his seven orifices, his head bowed, and he knelt dead before Qu Lingxian's tomb. 

"Third Brother... Why were you so hasty? Didn't I offer to avenge Mother for you?" 

Lin Shuo sighed in dismay at Lin Yu's resolve. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Fortunately, no one else is here. When we leave, I'll claim to have killed Father. Push the stigma of parricide onto me—you mustn't taint your name if you're to rule the Great Han!" 

Lin Yu looked at Lin Shuo gratefully, smiling. "I'll bear the consequences of my actions. Second Brother, you needn't be my scapegoat." 

"Besides, when did I say I wanted to inherit the throne?" 

"What?!" Lin Shuo stared at him in disbelief, stammering, "Third Brother, are you joking? Who else but you is fit to rule the Great Han?" 

"Obviously you, Second Brother. I believe the throne belongs to you." 

Lin Yu patted Lin Shuo's shoulder, saying softly, "My ambition lies in cultivation, not politics. I've lived in the imperial mausoleum for years, untouched by governance. I'm rusty in court affairs and can't even name many officials. How could I rule such a vast nation? You, however, have handled state affairs and led diplomatic missions—you're the perfect candidate." 

"But I can辅佐 (assist) you! With my help, you'll master governance effortlessly." 

"Second Brother, don't persuade me. Though I killed Lin Ze to avenge Mother, parricide makes me unfit for the throne. You take the crown—anyone who opposes you, I'll kill. As for me, I've grown used to idleness. Let me stay in Moonlight Palace with Mother for a while." 

Lin Yu smiled—he truly had no interest in being emperor. Endless paperwork would be torture. 

"Third Brother..." Lin Shuo's voice choked. "I won't fail your expectations. The Great Han will always be yours to reclaim." 

"We're brothers—no need for such words. But I do have a request." 

Lin Yu chuckled, then grew serious. 

"Do you want me to build a grand tomb for Consort Qu?" Lin Shuo asked in confusion. 

"This tomb is enough." Lin Yu shook his head. "My request is different. The hundred thousand soldiers who marched to the Southern Wasteland with me were betrayed by the First Prince colluding with barbarians, leaving them to die there. They still bear the stigma of incompetence, and their families haven't received proper抚恤. After you ascend the throne, you must vindicate them and ensure their families are cared for—don't let these heroes' sacrifices go unhonored." 

"The First Prince did that?!" Lin Shuo gasped. 

Lin Yu nodded. "I killed him at Wuxia Pass, avenging the fallen soldiers. The rest is up to you." 

"You... killed the First Prince?!" Lin Shuo was stunned. Recovering, he nodded gravely. "Third Brother, rest assured. I'll clear the Southern Expedition Army's name, provide for their families, and ensure these heroes don't bleed and weep in vain." 

"Good. Go handle affairs. Let me be." 

Lin Yu exhaled. At last, he had secured justice for the brothers who died in the Southern Wasteland. After seeing Lin Shuo off, he summoned Master Tripod from his mind. 

"Master Tripod, he's yours." 

Starlight ripples emanated from the tripod, and Master Tripod asked in surprise, "Lad, this is your father!" 

"Master Tripod, this isn't like you. He reduced that Ninth Rank Myriad Phenomena warrior from Penglai to ashes—consider this repayment." Lin Yu explained indifferently. 

"Since it's your choice, so be it." 

Starlight from the God-Eating Tripod enveloped the Han Emperor, drawing him into the tripod. 

"The grace of my birth balances the debt of my mother's murder. The grace of my upbringing was negligible. My years of fighting for him repay that. His attempts to kill me are unforgivable—let his Ninth Rank Myriad Phenomena cultivation serve as repayment." 

Lin Yu sighed, then Master Tripod chuckled after devouring the emperor. A foot-tall, lotus-shaped lamp with ancient carvings appeared before Lin Yu. 

"This must be the Enlightenment Lamp." 

Recalling Wu Jing's last words, Lin Yu confirmed it was the treasure that removed cultivation bottlenecks. How had the Han Emperor hidden such a large lamp on his person? 

"Look at this." Master Tripod得意的一笑 (smiled proudly), and two identical silver rings flew out of the tripod. 

"Sumeru Rings? Why two?" Lin Yu asked in disbelief. 

"Qu Lingxian was the Luoshui Qu Family's direct descendant. Do you think she wouldn't have a Sumeru Ring, even if a Qu Family steward did?" Master Tripod explained. "This ring was on the Han Emperor—the Enlightenment Lamp was hidden inside." 

Gazing at the two silver rings and his mother's tomb, Lin Yu murmured, "Qu Lingxian... You were such a fool to even tell him how to open the ring." 

Only now did Lin Yu confirm Qu Lingxian had truly loved the Han Emperor. Otherwise, how would he have known the secret to unlocking the ring inscribed with her soul brand? If she hadn't shared the method, he could never have accessed the Enlightenment Lamp even after her death.