My mom is waiting for treatment, and you're summoning me to be a hero?

The icy touch of the sword's edge made the hairs on Li Yiguang's neck stand on end.

He could even clearly sense how many millimeters the blade was from his Adam's apple.

At that moment, he realized one thing: the other party was really going to take action, and so fast that he wouldn't have time to regret it.

He didn't move.

It wasn't because I was calm, but because all my muscles were stiff.

Time seemed to stretch out for an extremely long time.

Then, the sword's edge disappeared.

Lin Mo flicked his wrist, and the black sword returned to its sheath.

It made a soft "click" sound.

He took half a step back, widening the distance again.

The oppressive killing intent receded like the tide, leaving only a faint chill in the air.

Li Yiguang did not speak immediately.

He slowly raised his hand and pressed his neck with his sleeve.

There was no blood.

He glanced at the few drops of cold sweat clinging to his cuffs and swallowed hard.

"A fine sword."

Li Yiguang's voice was steady, even carrying a hint of hoarse laughter.

But if you listen carefully, you can hear very faint, not yet fully calmed breathing beneath that smile.

"I cannot dodge your sword strike."

He neither concealed nor tried to whitewash it.

He simply stated a fact, then looked up at Lin Mo.

The fear in those eyes hadn't completely faded, but they had already refocused.

"So, would you be willing to let me finish what I have to say?"

Lin Mo neither responded nor left.

Li Yiguang took this silence as tacit approval.

"Glory Trial Match".

He began to speak, but at a slower pace than before, as if he were reorganizing his words as he spoke.

"The Empire and the Holy Tower Kingdom hold a sparring match every five years... The losing side must cede the mining rights to three mines on the border."

He paused.

"The empire lost last time, and Father was furious. The then-commander was stripped of his title and dismissed from office. If my brother's faction wins this time, I..."

Lin Mo interrupted him at this point.

"I have no interest in your struggle for the throne."

"I know."

Li Yiguang nodded.

"So I said 'transaction,' not 'loyalty.'"

He stretched out his hand and opened his palm.

"Your Excellency has conquered several cities in just three days, and even the Iron Chamber's secret defenses could not stop you. Now, rumors about you have spread throughout the capital, which is why I want to cooperate with you."

He paused.

"Furthermore, I can grant the archbishop's divine wish once before the match."

The archbishop's brow furrowed suddenly.

"Your Highness, this is against the rules—"

"I know it's against the rules."

Li Yiguang didn't turn around, but his voice suddenly turned cold.

"But rules are made by people. If the archbishop has any doubts, I will explain to the Vatican after the competition."

The archbishop's lips moved, but he ultimately said nothing more.

Li Yiguang looked at Lin Mo again, his outstretched palm remaining motionless.

"These are the prices that are publicly listed."

He paused.

"We can discuss things beyond what's publicly discussed."

Lin Mo met his gaze.

moment.

"Can."

Li Yiguang slowly withdrew his hand.

He didn't immediately show a relieved expression; instead, he lowered his eyes, suppressing the barely concealed relief in his breath. Then he turned to the side and gestured with his chin toward the door.

"Is there anything else you need, sir? I can arrange it."

"A quiet place," Lin Mo said, "where we won't be disturbed."

Li Yiguang nodded without asking any further questions.

He raised his hand, beckoning the female pastor who had been waiting in the shadows of the pillars outside the door.

She was a young woman, dressed in a plain white robe, with delicate features, and the coat of arms of a Vatican receptionist embroidered on her shoulder.

"Star and Moon Hall".

Li Yiguang said.

"From this moment forward, no one may approach without my authorization."

The female pastor bowed her head: "Yes."

She turned to Lin Mo, avoiding eye contact with him, and simply turned slightly to the side, gesturing to lead the way.

Lin Mo followed her out of the palace gate.

Yin Xue sat on his shoulder.

Before leaving, he turned back and made a small face at Li Yiguang and the archbishop.

The heavy, silvery-white palace doors closed again, isolating the inside from the outside.

Only three people remained in the hall, and the air seemed to freeze instantly.

The forced smile on Li Yiguang's face vanished completely.

Instead, there was an extremely somber anger and lingering fear.

He turned sharply towards the hunting axe that was still leaning against the door.

His voice was low and suppressed: "Hunter Axe, why didn't you make a move just now?"

Hunter Axe picked at his ear, grinned, and revealed his white teeth.

"Your Highness, my duty is to protect you. As for Your Highness seeking death..."

He shrugged his broad shoulders.

"That's none of my business."

"you--!"

Li Yiguang was trembling with anger, pointing at the hunting axe, but was speechless for a moment.

Hunter Axe has a special identity, formidable strength, and a complicated old pact with the royal family.

They were not ordinary secret agents whom he could arbitrarily reprimand or deal with.

He suppressed his anger, staring at the hunting axe with a sinister look, and reminded it word by word.

"Hunter Axe, don't forget about Zhou Yue."

Upon hearing the name Zhou Yue, the nonchalant smile on Hunter Axe's face vanished instantly.

A hint of melancholy and complexity flashed across his rugged brows.

He was silent for a few seconds, then snorted.

"Hmph, of course I remember."

After saying that, he stopped looking at Li Yiguang's ugly face.

He shouldered the giant axe, turned around, and strode away from the inner hall, his heavy footsteps gradually fading into the distance.

Li Yiguang stared in the direction he left, his chest heaving violently, and it took him a while to calm down.

The series of unexpected events today made him feel extremely humiliated and out of control.

The archbishop, watching the hunter's retreating figure, sighed almost imperceptibly.

Although the sigh was soft, Li Yiguang still caught it keenly.

He turned his head sharply, his icy gaze coiling around the archbishop like a venomous snake.

"What? Does the Archbishop also think that what we did to Zhou Yue was inappropriate?"

The archbishop felt a chill run down his spine and immediately bowed, speaking in a respectful tone.

"Your Highness misunderstands. Zhou Yue... Back then, while he was fighting against the demons, he secretly colluded with others to try to seize power. His intentions were despicable, and it is only natural that he is imprisoned now."

Hearing this statement, Li Yiguang's expression improved slightly.

He walked to the window, gazing at the deepening night outside and the myriad lights of the capital city below the cliff.

A deep voice sounded:

"A wanted criminal... It's ridiculous that I'm going to cooperate with a wanted criminal."

The archbishop cupped his hands in greeting and said, "I also think it's inappropriate. This person is unruly and difficult to control; he's not a suitable candidate. With Your Highness's abilities, why rush things?"

Li Yiguang still had his back to him.

"Hmph, do you think Big Brother isn't eyeing him? In other words, whoever partners with this guy first will win the Glory Finals and inherit..."

He paused here, then stopped talking and returned to Lin Mo.

"It's a waste to treat such a guy as a wanted criminal. We need to make the most of him. First, use him to win the competition, then expose his identity in public and take him down. With this great achievement, you can join forces with a few elders to persuade Father to abdicate the throne as soon as possible. At that time..."

He turned around and stared intently at the archbishop.

"The archbishop is still the archbishop, and the Holy Ancient Empire is still the Holy Ancient Empire. What do you say?"

The archbishop lowered his head, the shadow of his red bishop's hat obscuring most of his face, making it impossible to see his expression.

After a moment, he bowed again, his voice calm and even: "Your Highness is wise and far-sighted. This old minister... will obey Your Highness's orders."

……

Deep inside the church, the so-called Hall of the Stars and Moon is actually a guest room located deep within the church.

The interior furnishings are particularly luxurious.

The female pastor led Lin Mo away silently.

Lin Mo quickly checked the room and, after confirming that there was no surveillance magic or hidden barrier, relaxed slightly.

Blood flew from his shoulder, and with a casual wave of his hand, he set up a soundproof barrier.

It stretched and yawned, then flapped its small, blood-red wings a few times.

"Phew, I can finally catch my breath. This place is really uncomfortable."

She complained, then looked at Lin Mo with her bloodshot eyes, her expression turning serious.

"Hey, Lin Mo, don't you think there's something fishy about what happened today, from beginning to end?"