Nighttime Capture of Dugu Yan

"Approved!" Xue Ye leaned weakly against the Dragon Throne, his eyes filled with killing intent.

"General Lin, I order you to lead troops at once and apprehend Dugu Bo and his granddaughter! Should they resist, kill them without mercy!"

"Your subject accepts the imperial edict!" Lin Jin bowed as he received the order, a glint flashing through his eyes.

This was precisely the opportunity he had waited so long for.

Qian Renxue added, "General Lin, Dugu Bo is, after all, a Titled Douluo, and his skill with poison is extraordinary. You must proceed carefully."

At the same time, Qian Renxue gave Lin Jin Dugu Bo's address.

"Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness. I know what I am doing." Lin Jin nodded and turned away.

After leaving the Imperial Palace, Lin Jin did not go directly to find Dugu Bo. Instead, he first returned to his residence.

"Yang Wudi, come with me." The moment Lin Jin returned, he summoned Yang Wudi.

Yang Wudi said nothing, assuming Lin Jin had called him to go to the Imperial Palace and detoxify Xue Ye.

Instead, Lin Jin took Yang Wudi to the Fifth City Defense Force's garrison and summoned one hundred Blood Blade members.

Lin Jin led them straight to the Royal Academy.

Because Lin Jin knew Dugu Bo definitely would not be at home. If he had been, when they went to arrest Xue Xing, Xue Xing would certainly have summoned Dugu Bo to his residence.

If Dugu Bo was not home, where else could he be? He had to be at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Lin Jin knew the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was in Sunset Forest.

But Sunset Forest was so vast that no one knew its exact location except Dugu Yan and her grandfather.

With Dugu Yan leading the way, they would find it soon. Otherwise, who knew how long they would have to search tonight?

The Blood Blade members followed Lin Jin in silence, but Yang Wudi could not suppress his curiosity. "General Lin, weren't we going to the Imperial Palace? Why have we come to the Soul Master Academy?"

Lin Jin said slowly, "Yang Wudi, following me will bring you nothing but benefits. Don't worry. Tonight's operation will definitely satisfy you."

"In fact, coming with me this time will be the most exciting and wisest cooperation of your life."

"Oh!" Yang Wudi said somewhat indifferently, "General, then I'll wait and see."

Lin Jin smiled mysteriously, then led his men into the Royal Academy.

It was already past ten at night, and the academy was deserted.

However, because of his younger sister Lin Xue, Lin Jin knew where the girls' dormitory was. He immediately ordered it surrounded.

"Surround the girls' dormitory! Find the suspect, Dugu Yan!"

"Yes!"

At Lin Jin's command, the hundred Blood Blade members scattered like ghosts, efficiently sealing every exit of the girls' dormitory.

The commotion immediately alerted the dormitory staff and some students who had not yet fallen asleep. Scattered lights came on, accompanied by frightened whispers.

"General Lin! What are you doing?!" The Duty Teacher rushed over after hearing the news. He was shocked and angry at the sight before him, but after recognizing the increasingly prominent Lin Jin, his tone involuntarily weakened.

Lin Jin displayed Xue Ye's token. With Soul Power reinforcing his voice, it rang clearly into every room. "By His Majesty's order, I am here to apprehend the suspect Dugu Yan!"

"Dugu Yan, for the sake of you being my younger sister's team member, come out obediently yourself."

Because they were on the same team, Lin Xue, Ye Lingling, and Dugu Yan shared a dorm room.

"That's... Older Brother's voice!"

"I just heard him say the suspect was Dugu Yan?!"

Hearing Ye Lingling and Lin Xue, Dugu Yan frowned in confusion, completely unaware of what had happened.

"There must be some misunderstanding. I'll go take a look." Though Dugu Yan did not know why, Lin Jin had called her out by name, so it had to concern her.

Dugu Yan straightened her dress, took a deep breath, and pushed open the dormitory door.

Below, the courtyard was brightly lit by firelight. Lin Jin stood in the center in military uniform, with Blood Blade soldiers radiating killing intent behind him, along with a middle-aged man with a profound aura and a stern expression.

"General Lin, may I ask why you have come to find me so late at night?" Dugu Yan asked, forcing herself to remain calm as she faced the murderous Taxi Soldiers.

Lin Jin got straight to the point upon seeing Dugu Yan. "Your grandfather, Dugu Bo, is suspected of attempting to murder His Majesty. By His Majesty's imperial edict, I am taking you back to assist with the investigation."

"What?!" Dugu Yan looked as though she had been struck by lightning, her face instantly turning pale. "Impossible! How could my grandfather..."

"The evidence is conclusive." Lin Jin interrupted her. "Prince Xue Xing has already confessed. The poison in His Majesty's body came from your grandfather."

Lin Jin's tone allowed no doubt. "Take her away!"

"Yes." A Tu immediately led his men forward and restrained Dugu Yan.

"Stop!"

At that moment, Lin Xue and Ye Lingling ran out as well.

Lin Xue came to Lin Jin's side and said anxiously, "Older Brother, could there be some misunderstanding? Sister Yan isn't a bad person!"

Ye Lingling also spoke calmly. "General Lin, Yanyan has been with us the entire time. She should know nothing about this matter."

Seeing his younger sister, Lin Jin's gaze softened for a moment. "Xiao Xue, be good. I do not wish to arrest your classmate either, but this concerns His Majesty's safety. It is no small matter. I will investigate it thoroughly."

He looked at Dugu Yan, his tone easing somewhat. "Dugu Yan, I promise you that as long as you cooperate with us in uncovering the truth, I will ensure your safety."

Dugu Yan took a deep breath. "Fine, but I believe Grandfather would never poison His Majesty."

Perhaps the commotion had grown too great. Before long, Yu Tianheng and the others had all arrived.

"Xiao Yan! Xiao Yan!"

Yu Tianheng in particular could not hold back when he saw Lin Jin leading so many soldiers to arrest Dugu Yan. "Lin Jin, what do you mean by this? Why are you arresting Xiao Yan?!"

"Move aside!" Lin Jin swiftly blocked Yu Tianheng as he tried to approach Dugu Yan. "Anyone who obstructs us will be treated as an accomplice!"

The Blood Blade members behind him stepped forward at the same time. Frigid killing intent spread out, making Yu Tianheng and the others' expressions change.

They might all have been genius Soul Masters, but before this elite force that had fought its way out of a sea of corpses and blood, as well as the unfathomable Lin Jin, they felt immense pressure.

"General Lin, if you are taking my student away, you should at least give us an explanation." Qin Ming stopped Yu Tianheng from making a move and spoke slowly.

"An explanation?" Lin Jin snorted coldly. "Dugu Bo is suspected of conspiring with Prince Xue Xing to poison His Majesty. Is that explanation enough?"

"Poisoning His Majesty?!" Qin Ming, Yu Tianheng, and the others all shuddered, their faces filled with disbelief.

The charge was far too grave—so grave that they simply could not bear the consequences of trying to stop him.

Yu Tianheng still wanted to say something, but Qin Ming firmly held him by the shoulder.

With a grave expression, Qin Ming said to Lin Jin in a deep voice, "General Lin, this is a matter of great importance. Naturally, we would not dare defy the imperial edict. But Yanyan is, after all, a student of the academy. I hope you will handle this impartially, uncover the truth, and not wrong an innocent person."

"I know how to conduct my affairs." Lin Jin replied flatly. No longer paying them any attention, he turned to A Tu, who was restraining Dugu Yan, and ordered, "Take her away! Depart immediately!"

"Yes!"

Soon, Lin Jin led Dugu Yan out of the academy.

Dugu Yan asked, "Lin Jin, how exactly do you want me to cooperate?"

"It's very simple." Lin Jin said calmly, "Take me to Sunset Forest and find your grandfather."

Dugu Yan froze. "How did you know my grandfather is in Sunset Forest?!"