Chapter 8: Killing Intent Too Heavy
This assassination attempt resulted in the deaths of eighteen Church of Light warriors on Lin Lei’s side, along with four maids and two male attendants. Following this incident, the Church of Light immediately increased the protective forces at the estate.
That evening, in the estate’s living room.
"Lin Lei, are you alright?" King Clyde asked with concern.
"Your Majesty, it’s just a minor wound." Lin Lei’s arm was still wrapped in bandages.
In truth, Lin Lei hadn’t been injured at all, but he didn’t want others to think he was too formidable. So he had inflicted some superficial wounds on himself. He had simply used a flat knife to make a cut on his arm.
For Lin Lei, who had experienced the pain of his first Dragon Blood transformation, this was nothing at all.
"Lin Lei, it’s good that you’re fine." Duke Pauderson, standing beside Clyde, also said with a smile.
Lin Lei looked toward Duke Pauderson.
Tonight, he was supposed to have a private meeting with the duke, but because of the assassination, they could no longer speak secretly.
"Second brother, let’s not disturb Lin Lei any further. Let him get some rest." Clyde turned his head and said.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Pauderson glanced at Lin Lei before leaving with Clyde.
Lin Lei could sense a hint of helplessness in the glance Pauderson gave him as he departed. Clearly, according to plan, the duke had intended to meet with Lin Lei alone tonight—there were things to discuss. But now, the opportunity was no longer appropriate.
Over the next few days, the estate returned to a quiet state.
"Boss, today is May 18th, right?" Bei Bei, who was eating lunch with Lin Lei, suddenly transmitted to him via soul voice.
"That’s right. What’s wrong?" Lin Lei looked at Bei Bei.
Bei Bei wrinkled his little nose, pouting as he transmitted back: "Boss, you forgot? That head of the Debus Family, Bernard, told you that June 18th was his son’s engagement day, right? He even invited you to attend. It’s already May 18th—only one month left."
"Engagement?"
Lin Lei was taken aback.
In one month, Alice would become engaged to Kalan.
"That has nothing to do with me." Lin Lei quickly recovered his calm and lowered his head to continue eating his lunch.
Bei Bei’s little black eyes spun two or three times, then he touched his chin with a small paw, looking perplexed. "Could it be that I, Bei Bei, saw wrong? That shouldn’t be—I’m so sharp and my judgment is so accurate. Boss must definitely care. If it were me, I’d have smashed that little brat Kalan’s little brother with one paw long ago."
"My Lord Lin Lei."
A knight from the Knight Order walked into the living room. "My Lord Lin Lei, Cardinal Gilmore has arrived."
"Gilmore?" Lin Lei paused slightly, then set down his bowl and chopsticks and headed straight for the door.
Among the Church of Light, the person Lin Lei knew best and had the closest relationship with was probably Cardinal Gilmore. Since the man had shown him such courtesy, Lin Lei naturally wouldn’t arrogantly assume he was actually superior.
"Lin Lei, I have good news to share with you." As soon as Gilmore saw Lin Lei, he said cheerfully.
Lin Lei looked at him doubtfully. "What good news?"
Gilmore said with a smile: "Lin Lei, are you aware of a special group within our Church of Light—the ascetics?"
"I am." Lin Lei nodded.
Last time he had been captured and escorted by a powerhouse from the Church of Darkness, it was the Vice-Inquisitor of the Religious Tribunal and an ascetic who led a group of deacons to drive the enemy away. That was how he had returned to Fenn City.
"Many of our Church of Light members, obsessed with magic or martial arts, have joined the ranks of the ascetics. It’s fair to say that whether it’s the Holy See’s Knight Order or the Religious Tribunal, their experts are far fewer than those among the ascetics."
Gilmore chuckled and patted Lin Lei’s shoulder. "What I want to tell you is that you have a good chance of becoming the disciple of a legendary ascetic."
"Legendary ascetic?" Lin Lei frowned.
Gilmore said with a faint smile: "This legendary ascetic is among the very top figures even within the ascetics’ ranks. He holds an extremely high status in our Holy See. And his strength, I suspect, across the entire Yulan Continent, only those three freaks can completely surpass him."
"Three freaks?" Lin Lei’s curiosity was immediately piqued. "Lord Gilmore, who are these three freaks you’re talking about?"
By the time they finished speaking, they had returned to the living room.
Gilmore didn’t answer right away. Instead, he gave a slight nod to a white-robed priest nearby. The priest immediately and discreetly ushered everyone out, then politely closed the living room door and left.
Inside the living room, there was only Lin Lei, Gilmore, and the little Shadow Mouse, Bei Bei.
"Lin Lei, you may come into contact with these people in the future, so it’s no harm to tell you." Gilmore said mysteriously.
Lin Lei looked at Gilmore with curiosity.
Gilmore sighed. "Across the entire Yulan Continent, there are three existences that have completely surpassed the Saint Realm. The freaks I’m talking about are these three."
"Existences that have surpassed the Saint Realm—aren’t those gods?" Lin Lei was shocked.
"That’s right, they can be called gods." Gilmore nodded.
Lin Lei immediately pricked up his ears to listen carefully.
Gilmore spoke slowly: "The three freaks of the entire Yulan Continent. The first one is the ‘High Priest of the Temple of Life’ in the Yulan Empire, often simply called the ‘High Priest.’ I don’t know his age. His lifespan is far too long."
Lin Lei nodded.
"The second freak also has an extraordinarily long lifespan. He is the true master of the Dark Forest—the third most dangerous place on the Yulan Continent. This freak is said to be from the Magical Beast clan, but he has already reached the stage where he can transform into human form. Lin Lei, you should know that even if a Magical Beast reaches the Saint Realm, it can at most change its size and speak—it absolutely cannot become human. A Magical Beast that can cultivate to the point of transforming into human form is terrifying beyond imagination."
Lin Lei nodded slightly.