The Third Prince's Tragic End! The Eldest Prince's Schemes!

The Eldest Prince's guards had long since prepared the poisoned wine and immediately presented it before Lin Junyu.

Looking at the black poisoned wine bubbling before him, Lin Junyu felt nothing but disgust and ridicule.

Damn it, can't you people do something right? Even your poisoned wine is this half-hearted. At least make it look better.

Hope it doesn't taste too awful, or this is going to be real torture.

Lin Junyu picked up the bubbling cup, and his scalp tingled. The more he looked at it, the more it resembled those sinister little drinks he used to make.

He hesitated for a long while, mentally psyching himself up. Just chug it and get it over with. You can do this.

The look of resolute sacrifice on Lin Junyu's face made Zichuan Shengxing, Liu Fengchuan, and Qu Tairan all turn away, unable to watch.

They feared they would be unable to hold back, unable to stop themselves from pleading for mercy—only to be purged by the Eldest Prince afterward.

At that moment, they deeply hated the weakness of their own families, hated how they could be slaughtered at will and change nothing.

They had to grow stronger, step by step, and gain enough influence. Only then would they no longer be bullied or threatened!

Amid the crowd, Zichuan Mingyue clenched her fists so tightly that blood seeped out.

Your Highness, I hope what you said was true—that your constitution is special, that you are immune to all poisons and will live a long life. Otherwise, I will definitely kill them and avenge you.

"Third Brother, is there some problem?"

Seeing that Lin Junyu still had not drunk, the Eldest Prince's heart rose into his throat. Could it be that he was planning something? Was he going to drag him down with him before he died?

"Third Brother, this was Father Emperor's order. Don't blame your eldest brother for being cruel. I don't want you to die either!"

The Eldest Prince hurriedly dragged out his useless imperial father as a shield, in case Lin Junyu truly had such thoughts.

Watching Lin Mingyu move farther and farther away, even hiding behind the guards as he shouted at him, Lin Junyu was speechless.

No, I haven't even finished drinking and died yet. There's no need to treat me like a ghost coming to claim your life.

If only your poisoned wine looked a little better, I'd have swallowed it without another word. I'm taking my time, and you're blaming me for it?

Forget it. Death is death. Once I down it in one gulp, there'll be nothing to fear. But I still need to say something impressive, so this identity of mine can die with honor and loyalty.

"Before I die, I have a few words I wish to say to the Empire's people, Father Emperor, and all of you."

Holding the poisoned wine, Lin Junyu knelt toward the west—the direction of Far Capital.

"May Father Emperor enjoy health and long life. Please do not blame your son for failing to return and offer blessings on your birthday. Let these belated blessings reach you now."

"I know Father Emperor has always had a wish in his heart—to launch an eastern expedition and make the Empire great."

"For this, your son has toiled day and night on the front lines, exhausting his wisdom and strength. At last, I have helped Father Emperor clear away every obstacle to the eastern expedition. I hope Father Emperor will accept and cherish this belated gift that your son painstakingly prepared for you on the front lines."

"Father Emperor! Your son can no longer fulfill his filial duty to you. May Father Emperor take care of yourself in the future. May the Empire remain mighty for ten thousand years under Father Emperor's rule, enduring forever without decline!"

"May the Empire's people live and work in peace, free from the harassment of the demon race. Then, even in the afterlife, I will have no regrets!"

Lin Junyu spoke with deep emotion, tears filling his face. He had completely immersed himself in the role of a prince about to die a tragic death.

After bidding his father emperor and the Empire's people a sorrowful farewell, he raised the poisoned wine, stood, and walked to the seat of honor at the head of the hall.

He slowly swept his gaze over everyone present, as well as the countless soldiers who had somehow gathered outside the doors.

His expression immediately changed, revealing boundless dominance and heroic spirit.

"Gentlemen, hear me! After my death, I hope you will inherit the Prince's legacy and mine, and accomplish what eleven generations of the Empire have striven for—the eastern expedition to the Far East!"

"I can no longer accompany you. Do not mourn for me. Today, here and now, I issue the final order of my life. Listen well!"

"Wherever the Empire's banners fly, protect them with your lives. Whatever lands belong to the Empire, defend them with your blood. Whoever are citizens of the Empire, treat them with love."

"Where the military banner points, press forward without hesitation."

"With the will to storm the enemy's ranks, there is only death, never retreat."

"I will watch over you from heaven—watch over the Empire's people, and watch over your safe return from the eastern expedition!"

"May the sun, moon, mountains, and rivers endure forever! May the Empire endure forever!"

"Gentlemen, I go!"

With that, Lin Junyu tipped back his head and drank the bowl of poisoned wine in one gulp.

It tasted all right—somewhat like cola. It numbed his throat, but it had a kick.

[System, quickly exchange for and use the Fake-Death Escape Pill!]

[Ding! Exchange successful. 100,000 Life Points consumed!]

[You've got some nerve. You really are a rip-off!]

Immediately afterward, Lin Junyu felt himself lose control of his body. His eyes closed, his entire body slumped into the chair, and his head drooped weakly.

The newly appointed commander of the Southeast Legion, the Empire's new War God, had fallen!

The entire hall and the area outside the doors sank into deathly silence.

No one could believe that the man who had just led them to a great victory had died before their very eyes.

Looking at his Third Brother slumped limply in the chair, the Eldest Prince and Second Prince still wondered whether they were dreaming. Both were dazed.

Had their Third Brother, who had grown up with them since childhood, really died just like that?

Had he endured in hiding for more than ten years merely to make one last stand on the front lines and win Father Emperor's recognition and favor?

He thought of themselves. In their youth, they had been the same, wanting only to accomplish many things to earn Father Emperor's affection.

But wasn't Father Emperor's favor easy to obtain?

Did he really need to risk his life for it?

"Big Brother? Did we really force Third Brother to his death like this?"

"Second Brother, don't ever say 'forced to death' again. I'm afraid you'll drag me down with you! This was clearly Father Emperor's order. What does it have to do with us?"

"Yes, it was Father Emperor. It was him. He was the one who killed Third Brother, not us!"

"Come on, let's go take a look and see whether he's really dead!"

The two went over together to Lin Junyu's side. One checked his breathing, while the other felt for his pulse.

Both shook their heads. There was no sign of life. He was indeed dead!

"Everyone, we have carried out Father Emperor's orders. You may all disperse!"

Though the two felt guilty, they also felt the thrill of having eliminated a great enemy.

Facing the soldiers around them, who looked ready to devour them alive, neither changed expression. In truth, they were panicking inside, but they had Father Emperor's orders. Whoever dared touch them would be committing treason!

"Your Highnesses, I wish to take the Third Prince's body away for burial. After all, he was the commander and benefactor of our entire Southeast Legion. We must hold a funeral for him!"

At this moment, Zichuan Mingyue stepped forward. Steadying her emotions, she made the request to the two princes.

The First Prince became excited the moment he saw the beautiful female general before him.

So this was Zichuan Mingyue. She was indeed lovely, with a heroic bearing that the palace maidservants lacked, and she was also exceptionally intelligent.

If she properly collected Lin Junyu's body and held a funeral for him now, she would undoubtedly earn the gratitude and admiration of the soldiers more quickly, consolidating the army's loyalty.

More importantly, she was the jewel of the Zichuan Clan, and she was about to command the 300,000 elite troops of the Southeast Legion, veterans tempered in bloody battle. That was undoubtedly a terrifying force.

The First Prince's little schemes began to stir. If he could take this beauty into his chambers—

Not only could he enjoy charms unlike those frail, pitiful beauties in Far Capital, but she could also support him at crucial moments and offer him counsel. It would be the best of both worlds!

"Commander Mingyue, of course you may. Please, do as you wish!"

Since she was his future woman, and it benefited him as well, why shouldn't he go along with it? The man was already dead, after all. What use was a corpse?

Zichuan Mingyue stepped forward and carried the lifeless Lin Junyu onto her back. She slowly passed the two princes, as well as Zichuan Shengxing, Liu Fengchuan, and Qu Tairan, who had lowered their heads and dared not speak, then headed toward the gates!

"Commander Mingyue, once the funeral is over, would you be willing to share a banquet with me?"

Watching Zichuan Mingyue leave with Lin Junyu on her back, the First Prince, Lin Mingyu, grew increasingly restless and could no longer hold himself back from asking.

"Your Highness, the Third Prince has died, and there are still many matters in the military camp that require my attention. I will not be able to attend. Please forgive me, Your Highness!"

With that, Zichuan Mingyue carried Lin Junyu away. As she passed through, the countless soldiers gathered outside voluntarily made way for her. She walked at the front while they followed silently behind.

Watching the scene outside, where Lin Junyu remained so deeply beloved by the soldiers even in death, with everyone seeing him off of their own accord—

The two princes' expressions remained ugly. But their formidable enemy was dead. What use was glory or respect now?

For a person, being alive was what mattered. Staying alive was more important than anything.

If Lin Junyu had known what they were thinking, he would definitely have given them a thumbs-up and shouted, "Exactly right, brothers!"

The Second Prince had lost all interest. Lin Junyu's death had affected him after all. Once the people outside had dispersed, he quickly left as well, unwilling to remain in this unlucky place.

The First Prince, however, had an active mind. After dismissing everyone, he kept Zichuan Shengxing behind alone, saying that he had an important matter to discuss with him.

Meanwhile, in Far Capital, a swift horse bearing urgent news finally arrived outside the city gates!

In the council hall, the Emperor and the empire's ministers, generals, and marshals waited anxiously for news from the front.

The messenger was still riding hard toward them!