Take the Initiative

However, although he suspected that his group had been sold out, the captain of the Assassination Squad still shouted defiantly.

His eyes were full of unyielding arrogance. "Kill me if you want, but don't expect to get anything from me..."

"Ah!"

Before he could finish, a scream cut him off.

Snake Lance Douluo's spear shot out like a venomous snake, instantly piercing a Soul Emperor's shoulder blade and pinning him firmly to the ground. He passed out at once.

"Speak, or you'll have no choice but to watch your teammates die before you!" Snake Lance Douluo threatened coldly.

The other three Soul Emperors could only watch helplessly as their companion fell, terror filling their eyes.

"Damn it! If you have the guts, kill us all!" the man continued to roar.

"Good advice can't save someone determined to die. Since that's the case, I won't bother persuading you." Lin Jin extended his right hand, and the Demon Blade appeared.

"What a pity. It isn't easy to train Soul Sages and Soul Emperors. I wonder whether Star Luo will feel the loss when you die like this." With that, killing intent erupted from Lin Jin.

"What do you mean? Wait..."

"Too late." Lin Jin raised his blade and brought it down. The Demon Blade flashed with cold light, and the Soul Sage's head fell to the ground. Scalding blood splattered across the bluestone slabs.

Those eyes, filled with arrogance just moments ago, now held only frozen shock.

"Captain!" The remaining three Soul Emperors let out grief-stricken roars, their eyes full of terror and disbelief.

They had never expected this young general to be so decisive, killing without hesitation or the slightest delay.

Even Qian Renxue, hidden in the shadows, frowned slightly. She had not expected Lin Jin to kill him outright.

Lin Jin's cold gaze shifted to the remaining three Soul Emperors. "Now, it's your turn to choose."

His voice was terrifyingly calm. "Will you take your secrets to the grave like your captain, or tell us everything you know in exchange for a chance to live?"

One of the Soul Emperors gritted his teeth. "You killed the captain! Star Luo will never let you go!"

Splat!

Lin Jin slashed backward without hesitation.

"Looks like you chose the former." Lin Jin spoke slowly as he looked at the remaining two. "Two spots left."

The remaining two Soul Emperors completely broke down. They were not afraid of death, but the psychological pressure of watching their companions be executed one after another shattered their resolve.

"I'll talk! I'll tell you everything!" The younger Soul Emperor cried hoarsely. "Prince Xue Xing contacted us through the Empire's Grand Marshal! He promised that as long as we killed you, he would provide the Heaven Dou border Defense Map!"

The other Soul Emperor hurriedly added, "The communication records are in a hidden compartment on the captain's body! There's also Prince Xue Xing's handwritten letter!"

Porcupinefish Douluo immediately searched the Soul Sage leader's corpse and indeed found a Secret Letter hidden within the lining of his clothes.

"Please keep them under tight guard, Seniors. Especially these two Living Targets—they are important witnesses." Lin Jin accepted the Secret Letter and carefully put it away before speaking to Pufferfish and Snake Lance.

"Don't worry. Once they've fallen into our hands, they won't escape even with wings." As Snake Lance Douluo spoke, the pressure of his powerful Soul Power descended upon the two Soul Emperors again, making it difficult even for them to stand, much less resist or kill themselves.

"Let's go back."

The night was deep, yet the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace remained brightly lit.

Xue Ye had already gone to bed when a Eunuch urgently awakened him, saying that Crown Prince Xue Qinghe and Loyal Martial Count Lin Jin had an extremely urgent matter to report.

The moment he saw the bloodstains on Lin Jin's clothes, not yet dry, and sensed the lingering killing intent around him, all traces of sleepiness vanished.

"General Lin, what happened?" Xue Ye quickly asked.

"Your Majesty!" Qian Renxue bowed first, her tone sorrowful and furious. "Tonight, assassins from the Hell Spirit Cat Clan of the Star Luo Empire infiltrated the city and attempted to assassinate Count Lin Jin! Fortunately, two Guest Officials under Your Child arrived in time, resolving the crisis, capturing Living Targets, and finding... finding something utterly horrifying!"

Xue Ye's pupils contracted. "Star Luo Assassins? They dared to infiltrate Heaven Dou City and assassinate a count of my Empire?! Where is the evidence?"

Lin Jin stepped forward and dropped to one knee, presenting the Secret Letter with both hands. His voice was hoarse with the lingering aftermath of survival. "Your Majesty, this Secret Letter was found on the assassins' leader. Please examine it! If His Highness the Crown Prince had not sent Guest Officials to protect me in secret, I would already be a cold corpse, unable to continue serving the Empire!"

Xue Ye accepted the Secret Letter passed to him by the Eunuch and quickly read through it.

The further he read, the more livid his face became. The hand holding the letter trembled slightly with extreme rage.

The contents of the letter not only confirmed that Prince Xue Xing had colluded with the Star Luo Empire and exposed Lin Jin's whereabouts, but also promised to provide the border Defense Map after the deed was done! This was outright treason!

"Traitor! Rebellious Officials and Traitors!!" Xue Ye slammed the letter onto the Imperial Desk. The tremendous sound echoed through the silent palace as his chest heaved violently. He said in disbelief, "Xue Xing! I have not treated you poorly, yet you dared... dared to collude with an enemy nation, murder the loyal and virtuous, and destroy the foundations of Heaven Dou!!"

"Cough, cough!" After speaking, Xue Ye began to cough violently.

Qian Renxue spoke at the right moment, her tone filled with "heartache" and concern. "Father Emperor, please calm your anger and take care of your health! Your Child never imagined that Imperial Uncle would... commit such a heinous act! Now that both witnesses and evidence are present, please make a decision soon."

"Royal Knights Commander Kosti, cooperate with the Crown Prince and Count Lin. Arrest Xue Xing immediately and bring him to the main hall for questioning." Xue Ye issued the order at once.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Kosti, clad in Silver Armor, entered the study and respectfully accepted the order.

Qian Renxue and Lin Jin exchanged a glance. Everything was proceeding according to plan.

Prince's Mansion.

"Your Highness, will Star Luo's Assassination Squad make its move tonight?" Odysseus asked leisurely as he drank wine.

"That's right. One Soul Sage and Four People Soul Emperors will ensure that Lin Jin cannot escape death. Once he dies, Corps Commander Odysseus, you can reclaim control of the Fifth City Defense Force."

At that moment, Prince Xue Xing and Odysseus drank leisurely, waiting for good news.

"I'm only worried that if Your Majesty finds out, he might trace it back to us." Odysseus was still somewhat concerned.

"Don't worry. I deliberately gave intelligence to the Star Luo Empire and had them act so that my Big Brother would think Star Luo specifically sought revenge against Lin Jin. No matter how they investigate, it will only appear that Star Luo infiltrated Heaven Dou to assassinate Lin Jin. It has nothing to do with us." Xue Xing sneered coldly.

"Corps Commander Odysseus, perhaps after Lin Jin dies, if the culprit can still be caught, my Big Brother may even grant you an additional reward."

"Oh!" Odysseus smiled knowingly. "Your Highness has excellent methods. No wonder you had me deploy soldiers in ambush. Then this Subordinate thanks Your Highness for the guidance."

"Your Highness, let me toast you. I'll drink it all; Your Highness may drink as you please."

Just as Odysseus raised his cup, a fawning and expectant smile on his face, preparing to clink glasses with Prince Xue Xing and celebrate the plan's "success"—

Boom!!

"By Your Majesty's order, arrest the rebel Xue Xing!"