Chapter 386

Chapter 386: One Person Against a Nation, The Shocked Aristocrats of the Southeast

The disciples of Shuiyue Sect didn’t want to die. Urged by some, they knelt together, begging their Sect elders not to provoke Mu Lin.

The offspring of the Wei family also pleaded.

Even members of Advisor Xun’s family—already slaughtered once by Mu Lin—and those from Jinyin Gate knelt, urging their elders to stop antagonizing him.

—When exacting revenge, Mu Lin hadn’t killed indiscriminately. He spared young children and unimportant, low-ranking clan members who’d committed few evils.

First, because he hadn’t abandoned all humanity. He let harmless cultivators live.

Second, he knew wiping out entire families would push those at the High Mastery of Transformation stage or Earth Immortal-level powerful beings to seek vengeance without restraint. Though Mu Lin wasn’t afraid, it’d still cause trouble. Leaving survivors weakened their enemies’ resolve to fight to the death. This was why ancient sieges often left one side open.

…

The pleas of the aristocratic children worked.

Shuiyue Sect and the Wei family had no major conflicts with Mu Lin. They’d acted against him only because of the East Sea King’s orders.

But after hearing of Jinyin Gate’s devastation, they calculated that defying Mu Lin would cost more than any reward from the East Sea King.

“Even if the East Sea King turns against us, it’s better than facing Mu Lin’s wrath… His attacks could cripple our family for generations. I say we withdraw.”

“…Agreed.”

“I agree too.”

Thus, Mu Lin severed the East Sea King’s two strongest allies through sheer intimidation.

The Xun family also hesitated before deciding against hostility.

—Losing managers and disciples had angered them, but comparing their state to Jinyin Gate’s near annihilation made their situation seem… tolerable.

“Ahem, better to make peace than feud. We’ve no real quarrel with Mu Lin…”

“Right, stepping back avoids disaster…”

“No! If we spare that bastard Mu Lin, my son’s death means nothing! He must die!”

“Cowards! He slaughtered our kin—will you do nothing?”

Some demanded vengeance, others feared Mu Lin, throwing the Xun family into chaos.

In the end, fear prevailed.

The dead hold no sway, and the living’s voices matter more. Those gone stay gone—the living must keep moving forward.

After discussing with the family head, the clan elders of the Xun family realized continuing to fight Mu Lin would only lead to more deaths among their kin while gaining almost nothing. Ultimately, they surrendered for the family’s survival.

…

The devastation of Jinyin Gate shook the East Sea Kingdom deeply. After that battle, not only Shuiyue Sect, Wei family and Xun family feared Mu Lin – even other families in the kingdom dared not provoke him.

This could be considered Mu Lin’s partial victory.

Though he hadn’t killed Ji Yu yet, he’d already severed several of East Sea King’s key supporters, leaving the ruler isolated.

Finding allies to oppose Mu Lin became increasingly difficult for the king.

Mu Lin’s remarkable success stemmed not only from his formidable power and ruthless methods, but also from this world’s political structure.

Unlike ancient China’s centralized rule, this realm’s kingdoms resembled Western feudal systems where true power resided with individuals. The powerful clans maintained independence, never fully obeying royal decrees.

Even emperors couldn’t arbitrarily exterminate powerful clans – most matters required negotiation.

For national affairs, clans might unite for common interests. But Mu Lin’s feud was purely with East Sea King.

Had Mu Lin been weak, they might’ve curried favor with the king. But facing this dragon-like force capable of devastating losses, no clan wished to sacrifice themselves for the king’s sake.

By crushing Jinyin Gate completely, Mu Lin’s overwhelming strike made other families afraid to challenge him.

The battle’s shockwaves spread beyond East Sea Kingdom, causing uproar among Southeast Province’s aristocrats. Shuiyue Sect and Xun family themselves helped spread news of this event rapidly.

…

As the younger generation’s top figure who led southern aristocrats to victory over northern ones, Mu Lin had always been famous in Southeast Province. His sudden disappearance caused widespread speculation.

When people learned he’d gone alone to take revenge on East Sea Kingdom after surviving an assassination attempt, countless were stunned.

"That’s insane courage!"

"Is he mad? One man against a kingdom – does he think he’s an Earth Immortal?"

"Not even an Earth Immortal could survive challenging a nation!"

Initially, nobody believed he could succeed. Even friendly families like Yan, Chu, and newly-connected Ge family condemned his recklessness.

"Idiotic rashness! Our Yan family avoids provoking East Sea Kingdom – who gave you the right?!"

"Damned fool! How many times must I say it? Why couldn’t you just endure this?!"

Mu Lin’s solo revenge mission enraged the Yan, Chu, and Ge families. They had poured substantial resources into him, expecting effortless gains from their investment. Yet his unilateral actions threatened to ruin their carefully laid plans completely – how could they not be furious?

Prince Liang also flew into a rage when Ji Ling Sha declared she’d pledged loyalty to Mu Lin, meaning her death would follow his. "Fool! How could you do this?!" he roared, berating her endlessly. Unfazed, Ji Ling Sha retorted: "Wasn’t marrying me to Mu Lin your own idea?"

"I wanted you wed to a rising star, not some suicidal madman! Couldn’t you have stopped him?"

"I tried. He wouldn’t listen."

"Then abandon him!"

Ji Ling Sha’s eyes flashed with anger. "If you marry a chicken, follow the chicken; if you marry a dog, follow the dog. Should I desert him during hardship? What kind of loose woman do you take me for?"

The stalemate broke when Fu Bo intervened. "Your Highness, calm yourself. Though Mu Lin acted rashly, I can ensure his safety without confronting the entire East Sea Kingdom. Youngsters must learn through mistakes."

Ji Ling Sha brightened at Fu Bo’s support. Though displeased, Prince Liang acknowledged Mu Lin’s talent. "Make him suffer first," he instructed Fu Bo. "Warn him against recklessness. Our help comes with conditions – he must obey Ling Sha and cultivate near our residence hereafter."

Before Fu Bo could depart, urgent reports arrived from Tianhai City. Mu Lin had slaughtered countless cultivators, nearly eradicating the Jinyin Gate sect. He’d slain their Transformation Elders, defiled their spiritual ground, and decimated elite disciples under Earth Immortal guardianship.

"Impossible!" Prince Liang and clan leaders refused to believe until spies confirmed: "Jinyin Gate’s elites lie dead. Fearful clans now withdraw from conflict. Mu Lin alone shakes the East Sea Kingdom."

The Southeast Province aristocracy reeled in shock. A mere Transformation-stage youth challenging a kingdom? Like fireflies assaulting the moon! Yet Mu Lin’s glow had dimmed the lunar radiance.

Even optimistic Fu Bo marveled: "This boy isn’t just our era’s greatest genius – he’s the human race’s strongest talent in millennia!" His heart swelled with pride for Ling Sha’s timely loyalty.

As northern aristocrats and the Great Spirit Dynasty scrambled to investigate, new tremors rocked the Southeast Province. The Shuiyue Sect, Wei and Xun families sought mediation through Yan and Chu clans. Gasps echoed through council halls – East Sea Kingdom’s mighty clans were suing for peace!