C384 Pitiful and Laughable

Yan Qiling always found Yu Yuan's company comfortable.

He knew that helping Yu Yuan would lead to a favor returned at just the right moment.

So, incurring a debt of gratitude from Yu Yuan seemed like a wise investment for the future.

His belief had been confirmed multiple times through various events at the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area, Jade Peak, and the Absence Relic.

Originally one of the suppressed souls within the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area, Yan Qiling was freed thanks to Yu Yuan's mastery of the Heaven Sealing Soul Transformation Formation.

Subsequently, at both Jade Peak and the Absence Relic, he reaped benefits through his association with Yu Yuan.

When Zhou Cangmin informed him of potential trouble for Yu Yuan's family, he proactively offered to join Yu Yuan on his journey.

With time on his hands and no threats in Darkmoon City, why not accompany Yu Yuan and earn a favor in the process?

Whoosh!

In his semi-spiritual form, he glided into the Huang family's hall and came to a ghostly halt beside Yu Yuan.

Lee Yu, perched atop a stone pillar, caught sight of him and his eyes sparkled with recognition, signaling that relief was at hand.

Yan Qiling had demonstrated remarkable abilities within the Absence Relic, proving himself a formidable force on par with the Python Queen and Zhou Cangmin.

His presence alone was enough to turn the tide in Darkmoon City.

"Do you need my assistance to speed up her recovery?" Yan Qiling asked casually, hands clasped behind his back, as he glanced at the weakened female general.

At his words, a shadow of dread fell over Van Chaoguan and Lim Hanyu, sensing their dire situation.

"Just as I thought! He has a powerful ally!" they realized in shock, their composure shattered, leaving them vulnerable to an assault by the Yin God, which left them bleeding from the mouth.

"Didn't you transmit your thoughts?" Lim Hanyu cried out, but before waiting for an answer, he dashed from the hall.

Desperate, he made for the City Lord's Mansion to alert Lim Mu and inform Su Kui and Su Kang of the unfolding events, hoping to swiftly quell the chaos.

"How could any news leak out with me standing guard?" Yan Qiling watched Lim Hanyu's attempted escape with a detached air and remarked, "Besides, even if that old man from the Van family were to hurry here, it wouldn't make a difference."

He snorted softly and added, "A mere Yin God—what kind of waves can it really stir up?"

As he spoke, his hands, clasped behind his back, formed a mysterious seal.

Boom!

Lim Hanyu, in his flight, was suddenly repelled from the hall's entrance as if rebounding off a rubber ball.

The space around Lim Hanyu rapidly contracted, then just as quickly expanded.

His form first flattened dramatically, then, in an instant, swelled explosively.

With each contraction and expansion, Lim Hanyu felt his viscera twist and contort painfully, the agony so intense he couldn't stop vomiting blood, let alone muster the strength to resist.

At the early stage of the Penetrating Realm, how could he possibly retaliate against Yan Qiling, who wielded the power of the Soul Wandering Stage?

"Fan Chaoguan is mine to deal with!"

Lee Yuchan's Yin God released a soul vibration that all could hear, signaling Yan Qiling to stand down.

Yan Qiling cast a glance at Yu Yuan.

By then, Yu Yuan had risen from his seated position, stretched his limbs, and was making his way toward the blood-spattered and prostrate Lim Hanyu.

Smiling amiably, he said, "Father-in-law, my respect for you has always been sincere. Why persist in these needless confrontations? It's one thing for you to come after me, but to involve the Lim family's sole Yin God—what are you after? Do you wish to see your family suffer even more, to add weight to their losses?"

Lim Hanyu, his bones shattered and organs ruptured, wiped the blood from his mouth and glared fiercely. "Enough! Yu Yuan, don't delude yourself into thinking you can wreak havoc in the Empire just because you have support. You're utterly clueless about the current state of affairs! Not even the Empress can shield you now!"

At his words, Yan Qiling let out an odd chuckle.

Shaking his head, Yan Qiling responded, "You're the one out of the loop. The Empress has been captured, powerless to alter the course of events. And this nascent Devil Moon Empire is not as you imagine—it's not a place where you can call the shots and issue commands."

He couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity and amusement for the patriarch of the Lim family, Yu Yuan, who was, in name, his father-in-law. Was he even aware of the monumental upheaval that had occurred within the Absence Relic? Did he realize the critical role Yu Yuan had played in it?

"Father-in-law," Yu Yuan addressed Lim Hanyu, standing before him with a bowed head. He gazed at the bleeding master of the Lim family, a wave of reflection washing over him. A year prior, when his soul and heavenly soul had been restored, it was this very man who had orchestrated Yin Jue's torment of him.

Following Yin Jue's death, Lim Hanyu had come to the Yu family, wielding his clan's superior status within the empire to demand his grandfather break off the engagement.

Time had flown; just over a year had passed. Lim Fengyan was dead, and now Lim Hanyu lay gravely wounded before him. Life and death hinged on his decision.

The fickleness of the world was beyond prediction, ever-changing and unpredictable.

"I'm not afraid to kill you, because I can handle the aftermath," Yu Yuan mused, stroking his chin as he looked down at Lim Hanyu. "But I'll let you live. You'll witness the decline of your Lim family within the empire. And your treasured daughter, despite the Cold Yin Sect's favor and her emerging prominence on the Heavenly Source Continent, will one day grovel before me."

A frosty smirk played across his eyes as he continued, "So she's become the Great Elder of the Cold Yin Sect's personal disciple. You think that elevates you, that you can soar above and transform into a phoenix, that you stand above me?"

With a chuckle, he turned his back on Lim Hanyu, making his way out.

Lim Hanyu watched, his face a mix of astonishment and bewilderment, unsure of how to react. Where did Yu Yuan's confidence stem from? To live and see his own family's downfall, to hear that his beloved daughter would one day kneel before him?

"A character like you belongs only on the Profound Sky Continent, in such a minor empire," Yan Qiling remarked quietly, sparing Lim Hanyu no further glance. She turned gracefully and followed Yu Yuan, leaving the hall of the Huang family behind.

As soon as he stepped outside, the forces that had restrained Lee Yu vanished on their own.

Lee Yu was the first to break free, reclaiming his liberty.

Lee Yuchan, now without the golden threads and silver fish binding her, and even with her Thunderbolt Soul Talisman shattered, had expended a great deal of her Qi and blood. Nevertheless, she managed to keep her physical body alive.

Her Yin God continued to shadow Fan Chaoguan, unrelenting in its pursuit.

Lim Hanyu had sustained grave injuries. Fan Chaoguan was no match for her Yin God. With Su Yin dead and the crisis in the hall resolved, the immediate danger had passed.

"Yu Yuan, the real action is at the City Lord's Mansion. I sense several Yin Gods within," Yan Qiling said, following at a leisurely pace. "Your grandfather, along with members of the Zhao family, are all there. Your empire is in turmoil across various cities. What's your plan?"

"I can't stay in Darkmoon City or the new empire for too long," Yu Yuan replied.

"I'm well aware," Yan Qiling acknowledged with a nod, showing her understanding. "You've been to the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area, Jade Peak, and the Absence Relic. Your many deeds have surely drawn the attention of interested parties. You're right to avoid drawing too much attention and to consider leaving for a while. If you're not keen on the location the Imperial Advisor has in mind for you, I have another place to suggest."

"Another place?" Yu Yuan mused, not immediately dismissing the idea. "I'll wait to hear where the Imperial Advisor suggests I go. After I weigh my options, I'll decide."

"Quite right," Yan Qiling agreed.

Knowing Darkmoon City well, and familiar with the state of affairs at the City Lord's Mansion, Yu Yuan felt no urgency; he knew things wouldn't spiral out of control.

Shortly thereafter, he found himself standing within the walls of the familiar City Lord's Mansion, accompanied by Yan Qiling.

As they made their way inside, Lim Mu's icy voice cut through the air, "Yu Yuan, that wretched boy, I'm determined to capture him and let my Yin God wander through his sea of consciousness!"

​