Chapter 336: Chapter 326 Destiny
Xie Xun’s arm was slashed deeply by a blade, with blood and flesh turning outward. After the doctor stopped the bleeding, he stitched the wound. The pain of stitching, compared to the broken leg and poison wounds from before, was minor in comparison. Yet Xie Xun was still tormented by the stitching, breaking out in cold sweat, his vision turning dark. When Lin Helin entered, Xie Xun’s consciousness was slightly clearer.
Lin Helin sat at the warm couch, casually flipping through the notebooks on the desk. After flipping a few pages, he had a good grasp—these notebooks, he had seen before. Their literary talent was extraordinary and written with deep sentiment, depicting the image of Xie Xun as a tyrant, deeply ingrained in people’s hearts.
"How did Li Pengfei manage to wound you?" Lin Helin asked.
"Blades and swords are blind; everyone has moments of carelessness," Xie Xun said indifferently. "I haven’t slept for days, and he ambushed me. I was caught off guard and injured."
"My Hidden Guard has been observing for a while. They say your martial skills seem rusty, not like someone who practices regularly."
"Is that so?" Xie Xun sneered coldly. "Who said that? Bring him here to train a few moves with me. Let’s see if it’s his eyes failing him or if my skills are truly rusty. Judge for yourself, cousin."
"Do you think your cousin cares about such matters?" Lin Helin didn’t mind whether Xie Xun’s martial skills were rusty; he had merely tested him out of unresolved doubts within his heart.
For the notion of soul-swapping was too peculiar, and Xie Xun was certain that no one would notice anything unusual.
Xie Xun remained silent, and Lin Helin stopped speaking as well.
Observing Xie Xun drenched in cold sweat, Lin Helin thought of his aunt. The Lin siblings had a strong bond. Marquis Zhenbei had guarded the borders over the years, and the Marchioness often brought her children back to visit the mansion. Lin Helin had studied in the front courtyard since he was four years old, rarely stepping into the rear courtyard, but he still saw the Marchioness frequently.
The Marchioness intentionally sought to foster close ties between Xie’s three sons and the Lin family. One family focused on civil affairs, the other on military power, both commanding influence in court. As long as their bond remained unbreakable, their prosperity could endure.
But nothing lasts forever.
Before the imperial examination, Elder Lin had approached Lin Helin. Elder Lin allowed Lin Helin to take part in the examination because, after years of hard studying, he deserved closure. But before Elder Lin retired to the countryside, he didn’t agree to Lin Helin entering the officialdom; Lin Helin was clear on this.
If not for Fang Chuning’s mocking after he came out first in the imperial exams, Lin Helin might not have traveled the world; instead, he would have shut himself away at home until Elder Lin retired, and only then consider entering officialdom.
Lin Helin didn’t intend to join the inner cabinet. He wished to join the Ministry of Justice.
But heaven did not grant his wishes.
Years ago, he had already sensed trouble brewing. The Lin family had disciples and protégés across the nation; the Xie family controlled military power over the four territories, seemingly solid. But when the eldest daughter of the Marquis Mansion entered the palace and the Lin family’s eldest legitimate granddaughter became the Crown Princess Consort, a delicate balance was disrupted. Did Elder Lin or Marquis Zhenbei not realize this?
But to wear the crown, one must bear its weight.
For over a century, the Lin family had been the foremost aristocratic clan. The Lin family needed an Empress, a Crown Prince—one for the family’s legacy, the other for maintaining balance. Thus, Consort Xie entered the palace at a young age. Emperor Jianming, in his prime, had no heirs. They all knew that women were sacrificed in this web of political intrigue, losing their happiness.
But they were powerless to change this.
When the moon becomes full, it begins to wane.
The Lin and Xie families had reached their pinnacle; they could neither retreat nor advance. They could only maintain their position at the summit. Without the protection of power, they’d be like a child holding gold in a bustling market—inviting everyone to seize it.
For the past decade, Elder Lin had worked tirelessly to balance imperial authority, the aristocratic faction, and the Marquis Mansion’s situation. He ultimately lost to Yuwen Jing. Whether it was selfishness or boundless ambition, Yuwen Jing successfully dismantled the triadic barriers of power. Now the court must be rebuilt and stabilized.
Yanyang could not withstand internal chaos.
The doctor finished treating Xie Xun’s wound, gave him instructions on post-treatment care, and, knowing he had matters to discuss with Lin Helin, took his leave without linger. Being a military general, Xie Xun was no stranger to scars and knew how to recover after injuries.
By the time the doctor had left, it was already late into the night.
Pale moonlight seeped through the windows, casting a watery chill on the warm couch. Lin Helin brewed tea, adopting a posture that suggested a long night of conversation.
Since childhood, Xie Xun had always feared chatting with his elder cousin.
Whenever Xie Jue called him for a talk, trouble was sure to follow. No minor mischief could remain hidden, and thus Xie Xun did not wish to converse with Lin Helin now.
But avoidance was impossible!
"Drink tea!" Lin Helin’s tea-brewing movements were refined and graceful. Alas, such elegance was wasted on Xie Xun; to him, even the finest tea tasted like plain water, devoid of distinction.
"Cousin, why are you loyal to Yuwen Jing?" Xie Xun steadied himself, watching Lin Helin pour tea.
Lin Helin did not look up, asking mildly, "Do you believe I am loyal to Yuwen Jing?"
"If not unwavering loyalty, why travel all the way to Jiaozhou?" Xie Xun scoffed. "Don’t tell me it’s for our brotherly bond."
Lin Helin’s expression remained calm. "What your cousin seeks to accomplish is hardly for you all. That would be too contrived, too hypocritical."
He pushed a cup of tea before Xie Xun and said softly, "No one wishes for tragedy, for the loss of family. Grandfather died in grief on the very day Emperor Yuan Hui ascended the throne. Do you think your cousin does not hate him?"
"Grandfather passed away from illness?" Xie Xun hadn’t been able to bid Elder Lin farewell, and he and Xie Jue had both been heartbroken upon hearing the news. Elder Lin was already advanced in age, sending his black-haired daughter ahead. It was his favorite daughter, and everyone had feared this outcome, though none thought it would come so suddenly.
"...Yes." Lin Helin lowered his gaze, drinking his tea unwilling to elaborate. Xie Xun followed suit, drinking in silence. They had both lost many dear ones overnight.
All were blood relatives!
"I hate Yuwen Jing. But what can I do? My father and second uncle are in mourning. By the rites, I should mourn for a year as well—but I have broken protocol to stay in the Capital City. The Lin family must retain a manager. Within the Imperial City, Yuwen Jing holds complete control over the Forbidden Army, the Jinyi Guards, and the city’s defensive forces. After you all left the Capital City, he acted unrestrainedly, imprisoning the heads of all aristocratic families. Apart from the elderly Grandmaster Zhang, no one escaped imprisonment. He spared the Su Family’s Trading House but targeted the wealthy merchants of the Capital, looting the aristocratic granaries and coffers. Chaos descended upon the Imperial City, fear taking hold overnight. You gaze upon the moon in the sky, always suspended high and soft as water—but when has moonlight ever cared about the disputes of mankind? The Capital City is like that moon. Yuwen Jing cares not for human lives; kill one batch, and another will rise. The Capital will always be adorned with flourishing blossoms. But can I kill Yuwen Jing? With what? The Jinyi Guard, the Forbidden Army—these all fall under his confidants. He is the Nine-Five Emperor, a legitimate ruler. Killing him means drawing the Lin clan into ruin. Thousands among the nine noble branches of Lin would perish. Yushu remains the Empress of the nation; Abao is still but an infant Crown Prince. Show me, cousin, how I should act?"
"Cousin has his stance, so my brother and I never put pressure on you or try to persuade you. If we lose, it’s because we lack the ability, not because of injustices. But Yuwen Jing’s life—I will claim it!" Xie Xun declared. "The Yuwen family’s empire—I will claim it!"
When Xie Xun defected from the Capital City, Xie Jue had asked whether he had thought of becoming Emperor himself. At the time, he hadn’t harbored such aspirations. Now, things had changed.
Yanyang’s people struggled to survive, suffering through years of war. He wanted to become an Emperor who could bring peace and prosperity to Yanyang.
"No room for negotiation?"
"None!" Xie Xun said firmly. "Cousin, do you intend to expose my brother’s identity and force him to die? The King of Sannan has ruled as Emperor for over a decade, with numerous heirs. He absolutely wouldn’t tolerate the emergence of a pureblooded direct descendant from the Sannan Royal Family lineage. Aunt Mudan, even as the Sannan Princess, has never spoken of it nor sought public life—the implication is clear; she wishes my brother would steer clear of the Sannan Royal Family disputes. The direct lineage is already extinct, with only my brother left. Even if he holds rightful legitimacy, the King of Sannan’s position is secure; he would never willingly relinquish his throne. Should my brother’s identity be exposed, his position within the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry would become precarious. As soon as rumors arise about collusion between Ningzhou Iron Cavalry and Sannan, my brother would be the first implicated. My brother commands more loyalty within the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry compared to me. Why do I hold the position of Commander instead of him? Is it his lack of skill in martial arts? No—it’s because he carries half Sannan blood. If my brother’s identity were revealed, he’d either return to Sannan, where no one would welcome him, or become the target of rumors within Ningzhou Iron Cavalry. As I pursue the throne, my brother would need to make a public declaration of severance with me to prove my innocence. The Commander of the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry cannot have a brother who is either an Emperor or Crown Prince of Sannan. Cousin, do you intend to push my brother to his death?"
Xie Xun’s words were heartfelt, for Lin Helin indeed had them trapped in difficult circumstances. Even Xie Xun felt suffocated; how would his brother react upon learning of this?
"Zhixu, which matters more to you: your brother’s life or your pursuit of the throne?" Lin Helin asked with brutal honesty. "If you had to choose one, which would it be?"
"Of course, my brother’s life is more important!" Xie Xun replied solemnly. The choice was evident—he would never use his brother’s life to quell rumors. "But to you, cousin, the prosperity of the Lin family surpasses your own life, doesn’t it?"
"Yes!" Lin Helin’s expression was steady. "I was born into the Lin family; this is my fate."
"But I refuse to accept fate!" Xie Xun said gravely. "My fate belongs to me alone—no one else, not even the divine, can dictate it!"