Chapter 387

Chapter 387: Nobles and Kings, Are They Not All Human? The Astonished East Sea King

"How did Mu Lin manage to take on a whole kingdom alone?"

Some were perplexed by Mu Lin’s feat, while others wondered why the Shuiyue Sect, Wei family, and Xun family approached the Yan and Chu families in the Southeast Province to mediate reconciliation.

Though confused, many pieced together the truth.

"They had to seek mediators. Since they accepted the East Sea King’s mission, failing to explain themselves might make Mu Lin resent them or suspect they’re secretly aiding the king."

"If Mu Lin keeps retaliating, they’d be helpless."

"But their roots lie in the East Sea Kingdom. Some actions can’t be openly admitted—they can’t publicly announce their desire to avoid conflict with Mu Lin."

"Silence forces them to seek the Yan and Chu families as go-betweens. Smart move."

"…Pathetic!"

The Southeast Province aristocrats felt Mu Lin’s intimidating power firsthand—he’d cornered multiple powerful clans into submission.

…

Meanwhile, tales of Mu Lin’s might and the Shuiyue Sect’s surrender spread through the Southeast Province. This gossip spurred concrete actions.

Few help during hardships, but many flock to celebrate success.

When Mu Lin first ventured toward the uncertain fate in the East Sea Kingdom, the powerful clans merely watched.

Even the close-knit Yan and Chu families only sent covert agents to quietly retrieve him. Saving him would’ve been nice, but they wouldn’t risk opposing the East Sea King for him then.

Everything changed when Mu Lin threatened the king.

Like sandalwood troops gaining allies after proving their worth, Mu Lin now drew supporters. Ammunition, supplies, and gold flowed toward those with strategic value.

Regardless of methods, Mu Lin had become a thorn in the East Sea King’s side. Now, the Yan and Chu families—along with other Southeast Province aristocrats—gladly offered support to amplify his influence. Especially when others led the charge.

Three factions stepped forward:

First, Prince Liang—since Ji Ling Sha stood with Mu Lin, he’d already planned to assist. Mu Lin’s proven worth made cooperation easier.

Second, the Yuqing Sect—annoyed by the East Sea King’s ambitions toward their Southeast Province domain, they happily stirred trouble for him.

Third, the Great Spirit Dynasty—they too noticed the king’s hunger for power.

Previously preoccupied with urgent matters and distance, the dynasty couldn’t fully deal with him. Now, they settled for subtle interference.

"With the calamity approaching, humanity must unite. We cooperate, not oppress. Our reserves exist to fight evil gods—not attack our own race."

Using grand rhetoric about unity, the Great Spirit Dynasty pressured the East Sea King to avoid deploying superlative forces against Mu Lin.

Well, apart from these forces, the northern aristocrats also dispatched some representatives to support Mu Lin.

Their reasoning was straightforward… Before departing for the East Sea Kingdom, Mu Lin had explicitly stated he would journey to the North Wilderness after this battle to aid their fight against monsters and evil spirits.

Initially, they’d dismissed this declaration.

They never believed a lone warrior like Mu Lin could make any real difference in the northern lands.

But as news of Mu Lin’s exploits spread, their skepticism wavered.

"Subduing countless opponents in the East Sea Kingdom… Could he actually shift the balance in the North Wilderness?"

After exchanging uneasy glances, the northern aristocrats reached a decision – intervention.

"Even if Mu Lin can’t overturn the North Wilderness situation, his strength could relieve some pressure. Therefore, he’s worth assisting."

"Agreed."

"Seconded."

"Let’s proceed. With so many factions involved, the East Sea King’s resentment won’t single us out."

Since Mu Lin’s northern journey was inevitable, supporting him became self-preservation. The northern aristocrats readily sent enforcers to bolster his cause.

It proved an old truth – exceptional talent makes the world seem gracious, with kindness flowing from every quarter.

Now fully demonstrating his capabilities, Mu Lin experienced this reality firsthand.

…

Meanwhile, cultivators across the Southeast Province mobilized coalition forces, preparing to descend upon the East Sea Kingdom. Their show of strength aimed to restrain the East Sea King while backing Mu Lin.

Unaware of these developments, the East Sea King remained preoccupied with graver concerns.

While the Yan and Chu families along with Prince Liang in distant Southeast Province received reports about Jinyin Gate’s devastation and the Shuiyue Sect’s withdrawal, the East Sea King in Tianhai City possessed the clearest picture of the disaster.

Frankly, his current predicament defied all prior expectations.

When first hearing of Mu Lin’s revenge plot against his kingdom, he’d laughed it off.

"Foolish brashness! You alone seeking vengeance? Daylight delusions!"

Back then, he’d seen zero chance of Mu Lin succeeding. He’d delegated the matter to Advisor Xun without a second thought.

The initial failure didn’t alarm him.

Even then, the king didn’t perceive Mu Lin as threatening. Enlisting Jinyin Gate, Shuiyue Sect, and the Wei family, he assumed the problem handled.

"What’s one man against three great houses?"

With these three clans plus the hostile Xun family – four powers against a lone fighter – the king had felt utterly secure.

He’d even mused about the unfairness of such overwhelming force.

"Blame fortune, not me… Some enemies dwarf your capacity."

Then came the shattering reports: Jinyin Gate nearly annihilated, Shuiyue Sect and Wei family agents baffled by Mu Lin’s elusiveness.

Only then did dread creep into the monarch’s heart.

"How did this happen?"

His confusion deepened as fresh calamities unfolded.

Upon realizing Mu Lin had exceeded his expectations, the East Sea King immediately summoned his advisory council – only to discover nearly half his supposedly talented strategists were missing.

Only solitary free cultivators, relatives of the East Sea King, and newly risen families completely dependent on him had gathered at this place.

The East Sea King’s face darkened like stormy waters.

"Where’s Zishi?"

"Your Highness, Lord Zishi claims cultivation deviation has left him recuperating."

"Hushuo?"

"Lord Hushuo’s clan says he’s preparing for a breakthrough after sudden enlightenment."

"And Qiu Ying?"

Before his subordinate could reply, the king sneered. "What excuse did that one invent?"

The trembling advisors recognized their lord’s fury. Their continued silence only deepened the king’s scowl until they understood responses were mandatory.

After exchanging nervous glances, one advisor stepped forward bravely.

"Your Highness… Qiu Ying pleads illness and temporary incapacity."

"Ill?" The king’s palm shattered the table. "He thinks I’m the sick old fool who’s lost control!"

Rising with terrible presence, he roared: "Do these powerful clans truly believe I can’t crush Mu Lin? Tell those absent they have one incense-time to return or be banished! The Shuiyue Sect and Wei family will deliver all Mu Lin’s information within the same period—"

"Your Highness!"

The interjection came from his uncle. Though the older man merely gestured wordlessly, the king understood. This collective defiance wasn’t individual rebellion but unified resistance from all East Sea Kingdom’s powerful clans. Punishing them would spark open rebellion, destroying the royal manor’s authority.

The king’s jaw tightened. Born royalty, he’d never tolerated disrespect. Yet Mu Lin’s blatant provocation and the clans’ passive resistance left him seething yet impotent – forced to ignore their "excuses" while his reputation crumbled.

Understood the Information in his uncle’s eyes, the East Sea King clenched his fists until his knuckles whitened, his rage blazing like wildfire. Yet he forced the fury down, swallowing any mention of the “sick” advisor.

The Head of the Yan family had spoken with reason when advising Mu Lin—even a king or the emperor of the Great Spirit Dynasty couldn’t bend fate to their will. Retreating and enduring was sometimes the wisest path. Absolute power, where none dared oppose, was better still. But few achieved such heights, leaving most to settle for patience.

…

“Speak. How do we crush Mu Lin?”

Dismissing the defiant cultivators from the powerful clans, the East Sea King turned to his free cultivators for counsel. Yet again, his question met only heavy silence. Without the backing of the clans, these advisors obeyed the king’s summons—but fear of Mu Lin kept their tongues still, each hoping another would speak first. The king’s face darkened dangerously.

But the worst was avoided. Not all feared Mu Lin; some bet on the king’s victory and seized their chance.

“Your Highness,” one ventured, “if the clans fear retaliation, recruit free experts. Offer rare treasures and potent cultivation methods as bounties. Many will risk their lives for such rewards—Mu Lin will face endless trouble.”

Another added, “The Jinyin Gate despises him. Win them over. Keep ties with other clans secretly. And the military—most officers are clan offspring. Replace them now. Take full control.”

The advisors proved sharp, spinning plans swiftly. Some even praised the clans’ cowardice as a chance to seize power.

Yet one voice urged caution: “Your Highness, this feud with Mu Lin stems from petty grudges, not life-and-death stakes. Reconciliation is possible. Not by surrendering your heir, but—”

*Crack!* The king’s slap sent the man sprawling.

“You dare suggest I kneel to a peasant? A *king*?”

Unfazed, the fool pressed on: “Enduring minor grievances avoids greater ruin. To rule the nineteen states, you must weigh the kingdom’s stability over pride. Losses weaken your dominion—”

“*Enough!*” roared the king. “Bowing to Mu Lin would shatter my authority! The throne isn’t won with kindness—it’s taken through fear. Let them tremble, and they’ll follow.”

“Therefore, Mu Lin must be killed, no other choice remains!”

“If he lives, this king shall have no chance!”

Here, his tone softened slightly as he declared with confidence, “Moreover, rest assured. Mu Lin isn’t truly formidable. Earlier disturbances occurred only because I paid him no heed.”

“When I strike with full force, he’ll be slain within moments.”

“Victory for all under His Highness!”

The East Sea King’s unwavering confidence eased the gathered advisors’ tension. Their anxious hearts settled momentarily.

Yet this respite shattered when a frantic servant burst in.

“Your Highness! Disaster strikes! The rebel Mu Lin has assaulted the East Sea King’s manor!”

“All three grandsons of the First Heir lie dead! The Seventh Prince and Ninth Prince vanished with their retinues! Hundreds of our stewards and overseers slain within hours! Mines collapsed, spirit fields ruined – Mu Lin’s rampage spares nothing!”

“Your Highness, the East Sea Kingdom descends into chaos!”

“……”

“……”

“……”

The report instantly plunged the hall’s atmosphere to its lowest point. Advisors stood frozen, breath held. Those who’d earlier seen opportunity in confronting Mu Lin now trembled with primal dread.

This development defied all expectations.

More shocking still – none could comprehend the audacity.

“Attacking the royal manor directly? How dares Mu Lin commit such sacrilege?”

Even the East Sea King hadn’t anticipated this brazen strike against his offspring. His miscalculation held cruel logic – this feudal world revered royal authority.

Though the king himself had committed misdeeds, punishment always fell on underlings. Scholars rushed to justify his actions. Sheltered by such privilege, he assumed Mu Lin’s retaliation would follow “proper” bounds – perhaps targeting his third son at worst.

But Mu Lin’s actions delivered a brutal lesson:

“Your Highness speaks of royal authority? Of reverence?”

“Hah! I spit on empty titles. My creed is clear – Are nobles and officials born with inherent superiority?”