The atmosphere inside the inn remained unusually lively even after the mysterious messenger had departed.
The revelation concerning Lin Shuan's clan had left everyone unable to remain calm.
For years, the destruction of the Lin Clan had been buried beneath layers of secrets and unanswered questions.
Now—
the Empire Protector herself wished to speak about it.
Even Lin Shuan could not hide the storm within his heart.
Meanwhile—
the nine survivors of the Wanling Empire were still adjusting to their new reality.
They had awakened from the nightmare of Void Chaos.
They had survived.
And now they stood within the capital of a foreign empire.
Everything felt unreal.
Han Qing Li silently observed her companions.
Lei Yun Hua.
Xue Mei Yun.
Xue Han Yue.
Han Xue Long.
Lei Hao Tian.
Yan Feng Luo.
Han Lei Jun.
Lei Zhan Yu.
Tai Gu Chen.
These people had followed her family for decades.
Some had even watched her grow up.
They were no longer merely subordinates.
They were family.
The only family she still possessed.
After several moments of silence, Han Qing Li finally spoke.
"We cannot all move openly."
The room became quiet.
Everyone looked toward her.
Han Qing Li continued.
"This is Da Cang Empire."
"For now, our identities must remain hidden."
Her voice was calm.
Yet everyone understood the seriousness behind those words.
The Wanling Empire had fallen.
Countless enemies still existed.
If news spread that survivors remained alive—
unnecessary trouble would follow.
Han Lei Jun nodded immediately.
"The Princess is correct."
Lei Zhan Yu stroked his beard.
"We know nothing about this empire."
Tai Gu Chen added,
"Remaining hidden is the safest choice."
Han Qing Li looked toward the three women.
"Lei Yun Hua."
"Xue Mei Yun."
"Xue Han Yue."
The three immediately stepped forward.
"Princess."
Han Qing Li smiled softly.
"Please stay here for now."
All three nodded.
Then her gaze shifted.
"Han Xue Long."
"Lei Hao Tian."
"Yan Feng Luo."
The three men stepped forward.
Especially Yan Feng Luo.
Who still appeared somewhat depressed.
Han Qing Li fought back a smile.
"You as well."
"No unnecessary attention."
Yan Feng Luo sighed dramatically.
"Princess..."
"I understand."
Then he immediately pointed toward Lin Shuan.
"But if this fellow causes trouble—"
Before he could finish—
Han Xue Long punched the back of his head.
BANG!
"Ouch!"
The room burst into laughter.
Even Lin Shuan smiled slightly.
Han Lei Jun shook his head helplessly.
"Feng Luo."
"Try not to embarrass the Wanling Empire."
Yan Feng Luo rubbed his head.
"I wasn't embarrassing anyone!"
Nobody believed him.
Finally—
Han Qing Li looked toward the three elders.
"Senior Han Lei Jun."
"Senior Lei Zhan Yu."
"Senior Tai Gu Chen."
The three old men nodded respectfully.
"We understand."
"We will remain hidden."
Han Qing Li exhaled softly.
Then her expression became serious.
"Until we understand this empire better..."
"No one reveals their identity."
Everyone agreed.
After all—
survival came first.
Several moments later—
the atmosphere became quieter.
Because everyone knew what would happen next.
Han Qing Li would accompany Lin Shuan.
And they would meet the Empire Protector.
This was not a simple meeting.
This was the highest authority within Da Cang Empire.
Even during the height of the Wanling Empire—
meeting an Empire Protector had never been easy.
Han Lei Jun slowly looked toward Lin Shuan.
His expression softened.
"Young friend."
Lin Shuan looked over.
The old man smiled.
"Please take care of our Princess."
The room became silent.
Han Qing Li's expression froze.
A faint blush appeared.
Yan Feng Luo's face immediately became strange.
Very strange.
Extremely strange.
Meanwhile—
Lin Shuan nearly choked.
"You make it sound as though we're going somewhere dangerous."
Lei Zhan Yu laughed.
"We don't know if it is dangerous."
Tai Gu Chen nodded.
"And that is precisely why we're worried."
Han Qing Li lowered her head slightly.
The concern in their voices warmed her heart.
Even after losing everything—
these people still cared for her.
Still protected her.
Still treated her like family.
Han Lei Jun looked toward her.
"Princess."
"You have never left the empire before."
His eyes contained concern.
"This is foreign territory."
"Please be careful."
Han Qing Li smiled gently.
"I will."
Then she glanced toward Lin Shuan.
"And besides..."
Her smile widened slightly.
"I won't be alone."
The room became oddly quiet.
Everyone immediately looked toward Lin Shuan.
Lin Shuan looked toward the ceiling.
Pretending not to notice.
Yan Feng Luo covered his face.
"The situation really has progressed..."
BANG!
Another punch landed on his head.
"Ouch!"
The room erupted into laughter once again.
Eventually—
Lin Shuan and Han Qing Li prepared to leave.
The survivors stood near the window watching them.
For some reason—
the sight felt strangely emotional.
Almost like watching family members depart.
Han Qing Li turned around.
"Wait for us."
Everyone nodded.
"We will."
Then—
the two left the room.
Outside—
the capital was already fully awake.
The streets overflowed with activity.
Countless merchants filled the roads.
Spirit beasts pulled luxurious carriages.
Cultivators moved between districts.
The entire city radiated prosperity.
Han Qing Li quietly followed behind Lin Shuan.
Her long blue-white dress swayed gently with every step.
Her long black hair flowed behind her like a waterfall of silk, shining softly beneath the morning sunlight.
Her beautiful blue eyes carried a natural elegance that was difficult to ignore.
And her natural beauty—
was impossible to hide.
People continuously turned to look.
Some stared openly.
Others glanced secretly.
Several young masters nearly walked into walls.
A few merchants forgot what they were selling.
Even some female cultivators couldn't help admiring her appearance.
The fragrance surrounding Han Qing Li drifted softly through the air.
A natural scent.
Elegant.
Refreshing.
Almost impossible to describe.
People unconsciously became captivated.
Han Qing Li herself remained unaware.
She simply followed Lin Shuan.
Curiously observing the city.
Meanwhile—
Lin Shuan had become increasingly uncomfortable.
Because he could feel countless gazes landing upon them.
More specifically—
landing upon Han Qing Li.
And then—
those gazes would shift toward him.
As though everyone were asking the same question.
Who is that girl?
And why is she walking beside him?
Lin Shuan's expression gradually became strange.
Very strange.
Especially when a certain memory resurfaced.
Last night.
The rooftop.
The moonlight.
The shoulder.
The embrace.
The tears.
His ears immediately became slightly red.
Fortunately—
Han Qing Li wasn't paying attention.
Otherwise—
the situation would have become even more awkward.
Inside the pendant—
Tian Wuchen laughed shamelessly.
"Interesting."
Lin Shuan ignored him.
"Very interesting."
Lin Shuan continued ignoring him.
"Young people truly grow fast."
Lin Shuan nearly wanted to throw the pendant away.
After another hour of walking—
the bustling streets gradually disappeared.
The roads became wider.
Cleaner.
More orderly.
Powerful guards appeared everywhere.
The aura of authority became increasingly obvious.
Han Qing Li immediately noticed.
"Shuan Hao."
"Hm?"
She pointed ahead.
"Is that..."
Lin Shuan followed her gaze.
And smiled.
"We've arrived."
Han Qing Li slowly lifted her head.
Then froze.
Completely froze.
Before them stood a structure so vast that it seemed capable of supporting the heavens themselves.
Golden walls stretched endlessly.
Magnificent towers pierced the clouds.
Countless spirit formations glowed beneath the sunlight.
Golden phoenix sculptures decorated every corner.
The entire palace radiated majesty.
Power.
Authority.
Divinity.
Han Qing Li unconsciously took a step forward.
Her blue eyes widened.
"Shuan Hao..."
Her voice became soft.
"Is this the Imperial Palace?"
Lin Shuan looked up.
Even after visiting several times—
he still found the place astonishing.
"Hm."
"This is only one section."
Han Qing Li immediately turned.
"What?"
Lin Shuan nodded seriously.
"I haven't even seen the entire palace myself."
For several moments—
Han Qing Li could only stare.
Compared to the Wanling Imperial Palace—
this place felt even grander.
Even older.
Even more powerful.
The difference was difficult to describe.
Nearby—
elite soldiers guarded every entrance.
Each warrior possessed astonishing cultivation.
Their armor shimmered beneath the sunlight.
Their eyes remained sharp.
Disciplined.
Fearsome.
Han Qing Li immediately sensed something.
These soldiers were not ordinary.
Any one of them could become an important figure elsewhere.
Yet here—
they merely guarded the gates.
The realization shocked her.
Da Cang Empire truly deserved its reputation.
Eventually—
Lin Shuan stepped forward.
The guards immediately noticed.
Several powerful gazes locked onto him.
A captain approached.
"Halt."
His voice echoed firmly.
"The Imperial Palace is restricted."
Han Qing Li subconsciously became alert.
The surrounding pressure increased.
The soldiers were powerful.
Very powerful.
Yet Lin Shuan remained calm.
Just as he prepared to speak—
a female voice suddenly echoed throughout the area.
Elegant.
Authoritative.
Impossible to disobey.
"Let them enter."
The moment the voice appeared—
every soldier immediately froze.
Then—
without hesitation—
they stepped aside.
No questions.
No objections.
Only obedience.
Han Qing Li stared in surprise.
The captain bowed respectfully.
"Please enter."
Lin Shuan smiled faintly.
As expected.
Protector Yi already knew they had arrived.
Han Qing Li glanced toward him.
"That voice..."
Lin Shuan nodded.
"The Empire Protector."
Han Qing Li's heart skipped a beat.
The Empire Protector had been watching them?
The thought was both astonishing and intimidating.
Without further delay—
the massive golden gates slowly opened.
RUMBLE—
A deep sound echoed across the heavens.
Ancient formations illuminated.
Golden light flowed across the walls.
The enormous entrance gradually revealed what lay beyond.
Han Qing Li unconsciously stopped breathing.
Because what appeared before her—
was not merely a palace.
It was an entirely different world.
Ancient courtyards stretched endlessly.
Crystal rivers flowed between golden pathways.
Spirit trees rose toward the sky.
Flying spirit beasts could be seen in the distance.
Countless palace halls rested beneath the heavens.
The air itself seemed richer.
More refined.
More powerful.
It felt as though she had entered the center of the empire itself.
Han Qing Li slowly whispered,
"So this..."
"...is the heart of Da Cang Empire."
Lin Shuan looked ahead.
His expression became thoughtful.
Somewhere inside this palace—
Protector Yi was waiting.
And with her—
perhaps answers.
Answers about the Lin Clan.
Answers about his parents.
Answers about the night everything was destroyed.
His fists unconsciously tightened.
Han Qing Li noticed immediately.
Without saying anything—
she quietly stepped beside him.
Standing shoulder to shoulder.
Lin Shuan looked at her.
She smiled softly.
A simple smile.
Yet somehow—
it eased the tension in his heart.
Together—
they crossed the golden gates.
And disappeared into the depths of the Imperial Palace.
Toward a meeting that would uncover secrets buried for many years.
And toward truths that neither of them were prepared to hear.
What is Lin Shun about to discover?
What is he so passionate and eager about?
Comment to know its secret and if you like this story then vote.