"Yes."
Lin Muyu nodded and calmly said, "If I didn't kill Tang Bin at that moment, Xiao Xi would have died in Tang Bin's hands."
"Ai …"
Qu Chu let out a long sigh and said, "Even so … I'm afraid there would be a dispute. In the end, Tang Bin still died in your hands. Once Tang Hao and the others return to Seven Seas City, I'm afraid this matter will spread. At that time, how should we resolve it?"
Qin Yin's bright eyes looked at Qu Chu and said, "Tang Bin wanted to kill Xiao Xi, this matter can be said to be witnessed by everyone. As long as we explain it to Duke Lan, with Duke Lan's love for Xiao Xi, I'm sure he will understand."
"No."
Qu Chu shook his head and said, "If it was Xiao Xi who killed Tang Bin, perhaps Duke Lan will forgive Xiao Xi. After all, Xiao Xi was only protecting herself. But Yu … Yu killed Tang Bin, this cannot be forgiven. Think about it, what will Duke Lan think? Even if Tang Bin wanted to kill Xiao Xi, that is Seven Seas City's own matter. Why is it up to you, the foster son of the Emperor, to act?"
Tang Xiaoxi couldn't help but be afraid, "This … what should we do?"
Qu Chu sighed and said, "Let's take one step at a time and see how His Majesty will rule on this matter. Your Highness and the Princess must speak up for Yu in front of His Majesty. This way, His Majesty will not sacrifice the rook to protect the general."
"Sacrifice the rook to protect the general …"
Qin Yin's eyes widened, "No … it won't happen. Father will not abandon Brother Yu …"
Qu Chu smiled, "Your Highness is deceiving yourself. It's not like you don't know His Majesty's character. Between the country and Yu, who is more important, do you still not understand?"
Qin Yin fell silent.
At the side, Feng Jixing patted Lin Muyu on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry, there'll always be a way. Qu's words are reasonable, but Yu, you should also understand that you're the foster son of the Emperor and the strongest cultivator in the younger generation of Lanyan City. Moreover, you have such a good relationship with Xiao Yin. His Majesty needs you to protect his daughter, so he won't touch you."
Qu Chu couldn't help but smile, "General Feng's words are true!"
Lin Muyu changed the topic and asked, "Qu, the power in Xiao Xi's body has awakened, so she transformed into the Nine-tailed Fox. I wonder if Qu has any way to restore Xiao Xi's body to its original state. Although we don't mind her current form, it really affects her normal life."
Qu Chu nodded, "I know very little about the legend of the Nine-tailed Fox. Even in the ancient books, there are very few records about it. In the long history of tens of thousands of years, every war means the loss of a civilization's ancient books. I'm afraid there's no one in this world who knows about the Nine-tailed Fox. We're the only ones who have seen the Nine-tailed Fox …"
"Then what should we do …" Lin Muyu was a little speechless.
Qin Yin said, "Fortunately, Xiao Xi can now control the Flame Power in her body. As long as she puts on the cloak, no one will be able to tell anything. We can slowly think of a way."
"Well, that's the only way."
"Let's return to Lanyan City at full speed. The Dragon Seeking Forest is too dangerous."
"Alright!"
…
Three days later, they returned to Lanyan City.
It was silent in Ze Tian Palace. Qin Jin sat on the throne and watched as Qu Chu, Lin Muyu, Qin Yin, Feng Jixing, and Tang Xiaoxi walked in side by side.
"Xiao Yin, Qu, you're back!" Qin Jin stood up excitedly and said, "Xiao Xi is back too. It's good that she's fine, it's good that she's fine …"
Tang Xiaoxi looked at Qin Jin with her golden eyes and bowed like a lady, saying, "Thank you for your concern, Your Imperial Majesty."
Qin Jin looked into Tang Xiaoxi's eyes and felt a little uneasy.
Qin Yin lifted the cloak on her head and said to the guards around her, "All imperial guards and attendants are to leave. I want to have a good talk with my father. You guys can just stand guard outside."
Everyone cupped their fists together and said, "Yes, Your Imperial Highness!"
After all the guards had left, Qin Jin nodded and said, "That's enough. Xiao Xi, let us have a look at you."
Tang Xiaoxi slowly lifted the cloak and a beautiful face appeared in front of the Emperor. However, a pair of fox ears glowed with a faint fiery luster and trembled slightly. She reached out to untie the belt in front of her chest and the cloak fell to the ground with a whoosh. Immediately, nine fiery tails swayed gently behind her. It was very beautiful.
"Huff …"
Qin Jin sucked in a breath of cold air and looked at Tang Xiaoxi in shock. This was the legendary Nine-tailed Demon Fox, but from the looks of it, it was still Tang Xiaoxi!
"Xiao Xi, that's enough." He waved his hand.
Tang Xiaoxi put on the cloak again and lowered her head. She said quietly, "I'm sorry, Xiao Xi, I've scared Your Imperial Majesty."
"It's fine."
Qin Jin nodded and suddenly looked at Lin Muyu with a stern gaze. "Lin Muyu, do you know your crime?!"
Lin Muyu took a step forward and said, "Imperial Father, what crime have I committed?"
Qin Jin's gaze was stern as he said, "The news of you killing Duke Lan's eldest grandson, Tangbin, has already spread throughout Lanyan City. Are you still going to feign ignorance? Men, drag Lin Muyu away and behead her! "
"Don't, Imperial Father!" Qin Yin hurriedly knelt down.
Tang Xiaoxi also knelt on the ground and said, "Your Imperial Majesty, Lin Muyu had no choice but to kill Tang Bin in order to save my life. Your Imperial Majesty, please forgive her. If Your Imperial Majesty blames Lin Muyu for this, then Tang Xiaoxi can only be punished for the same crime!"
Qu Chu cupped his fists and said, "Your Imperial Majesty, Lin Muyu killed someone in order to save his life. It's pardonable and not deserving of death. This old man also thinks that Your Imperial Majesty should spare Lin Muyu's life."
Qin Jin said calmly, "Lin Muyu, since ancient times, murder must be paid with one's life. Moreover, the person you killed was Tang Bin, the first-in-line successor to Seven Seas City. If We want to punish you, do you have any objections?"
Lin Muyu raised his head to look at the pale-faced Emperor and said, "Your Imperial Majesty, please do as you wish …"
He was also vaguely displeased. Even though he knew that this was the Emperor's way of doing things, Qin Jin had always referred to Qin Jin as his adopted son. Now that he had turned against him so mercilessly in the blink of an eye, he finally felt the coldness of the human heart. In this great hall, it was probably more about the mutual exploitation between the ruler and his official than the familial love between father and son.
In the end, the Emperor's adopted son was just an empty title.
Looking at Lin Muyu's appearance, Qin Jin gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, later … after the meeting is over, report to the imperial prison. You will be temporarily detained in the imperial prison to be tried again later."
"Yes."
No matter how hard Qin Yin and Tang Xiaoxi begged, it was useless. Qin Jin had only promised not to kill Tang Bin, but he had not promised not to punish him. If he did not punish him, the special envoy from Seven Seas City in Lanyan City would probably have something to say about it.
…
At this moment, a messenger flew in from outside. "Your Imperial Majesty, urgent military news!"
Everyone was stunned. The country was at peace and the people were at peace. Where did this military news come from?
Qin Jin raised his brows and said, "Speak, where did this military news come from?"
The messenger said respectfully, "Military news from Demon Subduing Pass in the west of Lanyan City. A day ago, a large number of demons from the west gathered at Demon Subduing Pass and may attack at any time. It is said that the demons have mobilized more than 200,000 troops this time!"
"What!?"
Qin Jin stood up abruptly, anger on his face. "The demons of the Forest of Infinity want to cause trouble again? Hmph, do they want to relive the scene of our army sweeping through the Forest of Infinity 20 years ago? "
Qu Chu cupped his fists and said, "Your Imperial Majesty, the demons have been lying dormant in the Forest of Infinity for decades. Now that they have invaded again, they must be plotting something. We must send a famous general to defend Demon Subduing Pass. Otherwise, once Demon Subduing Pass is breached, the demons' army may arrive at Lanyan City at any time. At that time, I'm afraid everything will be too late."
Qin Jin nodded. "Who does Lord Qu Chu want to recommend?"
"Lin Muyu." Qu Chu smiled slightly. "It's time for him to gain some real experience."
"No, Lin Muyu is a criminal and cannot lead an army."
Qin Jin's gaze was stern as he said, "Men, send an order to the Country Protector General Yu Wen Xie to immediately set out for Demon Subduing Pass. We must stop these 200,000 demons in the west."
"Yes!" A messenger said respectfully and turned to leave.
Qin Jin said again, "Demon Subduing Pass only has a measly 10,000 troops. It is not enough to contend against the demons' army. Send a letter to the seven seas and order Du Hai to dispatch 30,000 Tian Chong troops to reinforce Demon Subduing Pass."
"Yes!" Another messenger accepted the order and left.
… …
The demons had not set foot in the Central Plains for twenty years. Now, they were coming in a threatening manner, but Qin Yin, Tang Xiaoxi, and the others did not feel much fear. This was because when the demons last appeared in the Central Plains, they had not yet been born. However, Qu Chu understood the demons' power. He cupped his fists and said, "Your Majesty, forgive me for speaking bluntly. 40,000 troops still cannot stop the demons' attack. At least 150,000 elites are needed to stop them!"
"We know."
Qin Jin nodded and said, "However, there are only so many troops that can be dispatched within the Imperial Capital. Cangnan Province, Tianshu Province, and Yunzhong Province are too far away, so it is inconvenient to dispatch troops. Only Qihai Province is the closest to the Imperial Capital. The army can arrive within three days, but … that brat Yu just killed Tang Bin. How can Duke Lan dispatch troops to reinforce the Imperial Capital?"
Tang Xiaoxi raised her head and said, "Your Majesty, if there is a need, Xiao Xi is willing to personally make a trip to Qihai City and beg Grandfather to dispatch troops to reinforce Demon Subduing Pass."
"Mm, that is all we can do. We will have to trouble Xiao Xi then."
Qin Jin sat on the throne and said, "Elder Qu, accompany Xiaoxi to Seven Seas City. You must invite the 10,000-strong army of Seven Seas City. Otherwise, We can only use the Flying Mount Battalion and the Imperial Guards to defend against the Demonic Race."
"Yes, Your Majesty, rest assured!"
Qu Chu and Tang Xiaoxi turned and left. Tang Xiaoxi looked back at Lin Muyu reluctantly and said, "Mu, you must be well and wait for my return …"
Lin Muyu nodded and did not speak.
… …
After the meeting, the Protector of the State, Yuwen Xie, personally led the Official Guard to Demon Subduing Pass to command the war.
Lin Muyu was escorted to the Imperial Prison by two Imperial Guards. It was the first time he experienced the Imperial Prison of Lanyan City, so it was naturally a particularly refreshing feeling.
Fortunately, the Imperial Prison was guarded by the Imperial Guard. Although Lin Muyu had been sent to the Imperial Prison, he still had his rank, so the prison guards were extraordinarily courteous. Moreover, at night, Qin Yin personally came to visit him and brought him a lot of delicious food. This treatment was not at all like being in a prison, but more like being on vacation in the Imperial Prison. Moreover, he was accompanied by the beautiful Princess, which no one else could envy.
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