Revenge

After returning to Fenlai City, Lin Yun did not rush back to the Ernst Institute.

He found an inconspicuous inn in the city to stay in, changed into a plain gray robe, and hid his face in the shadows of his hood. The Spiritual Energy of a Level 9 Mage enveloped the entire room, ensuring there was no possibility of being spied upon.

Duke Paterson.

The younger brother of the king of the Fenlai Kingdom, and one of the most powerful people in Fenlai City. His mansion was located in the most prosperous area in the east of the city, covering dozens of acres with high walls, deep courtyards, and tight security. It was said that he kept a large number of guards, with Level 6 and Level 7 Warriors stationed there.

But for Lin Yun, none of that was a problem.

As night fell, Lin Yun changed into a black night-traveling suit and covered his face.

"Stealth" is a Level 7 Dark Element magic. This was a spell he had learned from Morton's magic books a long time ago, but he had never had the chance to use it. Dark Element magic excels in concealment, sneaking, and masking one's aura, making it the best companion in the dead of night. Combined with the secret technique Shadow Stealth he had obtained from the Swallowed Star universe, he was like a fish in water.

Black Dark Element magic wrapped around his body, masking his aura, temperature, and even his heartbeat completely. In the darkness, he was like a true shadow, silent, soundless, and elusive.

He did not enter through the main gate.

The walls of Duke Paterson's mansion were three meters high and embedded with sharp iron spikes, but to Lin Yun, these obstacles were non-existent. With a light leap, his entire body drifted over the wall like a feather, landing without making a sound. The Wind Element magic "Wind Shadow Art" made his body as light as a gossamer, while his spiritual perception covered the entire mansion; the position of every guard and the pattern of every patrol route were clearly presented in his mind.

The Duke's mansion was huge, and it took Lin Yun about a quarter of an hour to find Paterson's location.

He was in a study in the deepest part of the mansion, sitting behind a wide desk, looking through some documents. Two guards stood at the door of the study, both at the level of Level 5 Warriors. There were also several squads of patrolling guards in the corridor, passing by every ten minutes.

Lin Yun did not alert anyone.

Two strands of Wind Element magic, "Wind Binding," silently wrapped around the throats of the two guards, and they fainted before they could even make a sound. Lin Yun pushed the door open and walked into the study.

Duke Paterson looked to be in his thirties, with a burly build, beautiful long golden hair, and eyes as sharp as those of a Thunder Eagle. He sat with his back straight, possessing a natural aristocratic air. Hearing the door, he looked up and saw a person in a black night-suit walk in, his expression changing instantly.

"Who are you?" His hand was already pressed against a secret compartment under the desk, where a short sword was hidden. "Do you know what place this is? If I shout, the guards outside will rush in and chop you into meat paste!"

"You can try." Lin Yun's voice came from behind the mask, calm and icy.

A cyan Wind Blade condensed at his fingertips, hovering in front of Paterson's eyes. The Wind Blade rotated at high speed, emitting a faint humming sound and casting a cold, eerie light under the candlelight. Paterson could clearly feel the terrifying power contained within that Wind Blade—it was not something an ordinary mage could cast; it was at least Level 8, or even Level 9.

"You... what do you want? Money? I have money! I'll give you whatever you want!" Paterson's voice was trembling.

"Come with me." Lin Yun said, "Do not resist, do not make a sound. Otherwise—"

The Wind Blade moved forward half an inch, and a few hairs on Paterson's face were sliced off.

Paterson completely gave up on resistance. He was a Level 7 Warrior, but in front of this person, he didn't even have the courage to strike. The speed at which that Wind Blade condensed was too fast, so fast that his eyes couldn't keep up. He had no doubt that if he dared to make any move, that Wind Blade would immediately slit his throat.

Lin Yun used the Earth Element magic "Earth Binding" to seal Paterson's hands and feet, and used Wind Element magic to seal his mouth. Then, he picked him up like a chick, leaped out of the study window, and disappeared into the night.

From Fenlai City to Wushan Town, it took Lin Yun less than an hour.

His speed was too fast now; even carrying a Paterson who weighed over a hundred pounds, he was not affected in the slightest. The night wind blew against his face, carrying the chill of early autumn. Paterson was held in Lin Yun's hand, looking in terror as the scenery below flashed by, unable to even scream.

Baruch Manor slept quietly in the night.

Lin Yun did not take the main gate; he climbed over the wall and landed in front of the small stone house in the backyard. He threw Paterson to the ground and removed the seal on his mouth.

"What is this place?" Paterson looked around in terror. "Why did you bring me here?"

Lin Yun did not answer. He pushed open the door of the stone house and dragged Paterson inside. The stone house was very dark, with only the portrait on the wall faintly visible in the moonlight.

Then, he walked to the main residence and knocked on Hogg's door.

"Father, please come with me."

Hogg walked out wearing a coat, and seeing Lin Yun in his night-suit, he vaguely guessed something. He followed Lin Yun to the small stone house in the backyard.

When Hogg saw Paterson slumped on the ground, he froze completely.

"He is..." Hogg's voice was trembling.

"Duke Paterson." Lin Yun said, "The one who sent people to take Mother away twelve years ago."

Hogg's face turned deathly pale in an instant. His hands were shaking, his lips were trembling, and he stood there motionless, as if struck by lightning.

When Paterson saw Hogg, he was stunned at first, then a blank expression appeared on his face. He didn't recognize this man. On that night twelve years ago, he hadn't taken action himself; he had just sent his subordinates to handle the matter. To him, Hogg was just a vague, insignificant little person.

"Who... who are you people? Why did you capture me?" Paterson's voice was full of fear and confusion. "I am the brother of the king of the Fenlai Kingdom! Do you know the consequences of kidnapping me?"

Lin Yun ignored his bluster. He walked to the portrait and stepped aside, allowing Paterson to clearly see the woman in the painting.

"Twelve years ago, near the Radiant Temple in Fenlai City, you sent people to snatch this woman from a hotel." Lin Yun's voice was calm and cold. "Do not deny it. Since I can find you, it means I already have enough evidence."

When Paterson saw the portrait, he suddenly froze.

The woman in the portrait... he recognized her.

That was the woman he and his older brother Clayde had seen at the Radiant Temple twelve years ago. At that time, his brother had pointed at the woman and said to him, "Bring her back." He had done as he was told. He had sent people to follow the couple and snatched the woman from the hotel to present to his brother.

"You... you..." Paterson's face turned pale, his lips trembling incessantly. He finally understood why he had been brought here.

Lin Yun took off his mask.

The moonlight shone through the cracks in the stone house, illuminating the young man's cold face. Those eyes were terrifyingly calm; there was no anger, no hatred, only a cold, bone-chilling intent to kill.

Paterson stared at this young face, his mind searching his memories rapidly. He did not recognize this youth. To him, the Baruch Clan was just an insignificant, fallen noble family that he had never paid attention to.

"Who exactly are you?" Paterson's voice was trembling. "I... I don't know you..."

"You don't need to know us." Lin Yun's voice was very calm. "You only need to answer my questions."

He raised his hand, and a Wind Blade condensed at his fingertips.

"Twelve years ago, was it you who sent men to snatch this woman from a hotel in Fenlai City?"

Paterson's mind raced. He knew that if he confessed, death would likely be his only reward. But if he denied it... He looked at the Wind Blade hovering before his eyes and swallowed hard.

"I... I really don't know what you're talking about..." Paterson's voice trembled.

Lin Yun said nothing. The Wind Blade shot forward, grazing Paterson's ear and *Chop*ping a chair behind him into two pieces. Wood chips flew, and Paterson collapsed to the ground in terror.

"I don't want to waste time," Lin Yun said. "You know who I'm talking about. The woman in the portrait, my mother—Lina. Twelve years ago, you snatched her from a hotel in Fenlai City. Tell me, where is she now? Who ordered you to do it?"

Paterson's face turned as white as paper. He opened his mouth, wanting to continue his denial, but under Lin Yun's icy gaze, the lies stuck in his throat, unable to escape.

"If I tell you... will you spare my life?" Paterson finally spoke, his voice hoarse.

"That depends on whether your answer satisfies me." Lin Yun offered no promises.

Paterson gritted his teeth and finally spoke.

"It was... it was Clayde," he said, his voice very low. "It was my older brother, the King of the Fenlai Kingdom—Clayde."

A cold glint flashed in Lin Yun's eyes. He already knew this answer. In the original story, the mastermind was King Clayde. But hearing it with his own ears felt entirely different.

"That day at the Radiant Temple, my brother saw your mother," Paterson continued. "He ordered me to send men to bring her back. I don't know why he wanted her; he only said... this woman is very important and must be obtained at any cost. After I handed her over to my brother, I never saw her again. I don't know where she is now, nor do I know if she is dead or alive. I really don't know!"

His voice grew increasingly frantic, laced with a sob: "Please, spare me! I was only following orders; the true mastermind is my brother! If you want revenge, you should go find him!"

Hogg stood to the side, listening to these words, his body trembling uncontrollably. His hands were clenched into fists, his nails digging deep into the flesh of his palms.

"Clayde..." Hogg's voice was so hoarse it was barely audible. "The King of the Fenlai Kingdom..."

Lin Yun turned to look at his father, and seeing the pain and hatred in his eyes, a surge of bitterness rose in his heart.

"Father, is there anything else you wish to ask?"

Hogg stepped forward, crouched down, and stared into Paterson's eyes.

"Lina... is she still alive?" Hogg's voice trembled.

"I... I don't know..." Paterson shook his head desperately. "After I handed her over to my brother, I never saw her again. I truly don't know if she is dead or alive..."

Hogg remained silent for a long time, then stood up and turned away. His shoulders shook violently, but he made no sound.

Lin Yun looked at Paterson and asked one more question: "Why did your brother want to capture my mother? Who did he give her to?"

"I don't know!" Paterson practically roared. "My brother never told me these things! I was only responsible for bringing her to him; he never told me anything about what happened afterward! I swear, I really don't know!"

Lin Yun stared at him for a long time. He could sense that this man was not lying. He truly knew nothing more.

"Very well." Lin Yun stood up, drew a short blade from his waist, and handed it to Hogg.

"Father, he is yours."

Hogg took the short blade, his hand trembling. He looked at Paterson, his eyes filled with pain and hatred. Twelve years. Every night, he had imagined this moment—finding the man who snatched Lina away and tearing him to pieces. But now, when that moment had truly arrived, his hand refused to obey.

"Father," Lin Yun said softly. "Mother might not be dead. She could still be alive, waiting for us to save her somewhere."

Hogg turned his head sharply to look at Lin Yun.

"There must be a reason Clayde captured Mother," Lin Yun said. "As a king, he could have any woman he wanted. He snatched Mother for a different reason. Father, you must live—live to see the day I bring Mother back."

Tears welled up in Hogg's eyes. The hand holding the short blade stopped trembling, not because he was no longer in pain, but because he had a new purpose.

He walked up to Paterson.

"Please... spare me..." Paterson knelt on the ground, kowtowing incessantly. "I was only following orders... it was Clayde... it was Clayde who made me do it..."

Hogg said nothing. He looked at the man who had ruined his life, his eyes devoid of pity, filled only with coldness.

The short blade descended.

Paterson's scream echoed through the stone house, then abruptly cut off.

Hogg stood beside Paterson's corpse, the short blade in his hand dripping with blood. His body was trembling, but his gaze was clearer than it had ever been.

Twelve years.

The stone that had weighed upon his heart had finally cracked.

Lin Yun stepped forward, took the short blade from his father's hand, and helped him out of the stone house.

Moonlight spilled over the father and son, casting long shadows behind them.

"Father, get some good rest tonight," Lin Yun said. "I will take care of Paterson's affairs. No one will ever know how he died."

Hogg nodded without speaking. He patted Lin Yun on the shoulder and turned to walk into the main house.

Lin Yun stood in the courtyard, watching his father's back disappear behind the door, a complex surge of emotions rising in his heart.

Paterson was dead. But the true mastermind remained—King Clayde, the Radiant Church, and the Lord of Light behind them all!

Those were far more powerful enemies, powerful enough that his current strength could not shake them. But he was not in a hurry. He still had time, resources from two worlds, and a path of growth that no one else could replicate.

One day, he would be strong enough to bring his mother back.

Lin Yun returned to the stone house and used Fire Element magic to burn the corpse to ashes, leaving no trace behind.

Then, he stood at the doorway of the stone house and took one last look at the portrait on the wall.

In the portrait, Lina was smiling quietly, holding two infants in her arms, with a young Hogg standing behind her.

"Mother, wait for me," Lin Yun whispered.

He closed the door of the stone house and vanished into the night.