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

Lin Mo handed over all the evidence of the merfolk's spies carrying out the assassination to He Yuan, making it public.

Within half a day, the news spread like wildfire throughout the entire capital of the human empire.

Following the post roads and the messages of the Ghost Legion, it rapidly spread to every inch of the former Holy Ancient Empire's territory.

The square in front of the palace was packed with people, making it impossible to move the notice board.

The people crowded around to get closer.

After seeing the words on the paper, he burst into an angry roar.

"How dare the merfolk! They actually sent a spy to infiltrate the palace and assassinate His Majesty!"

"Since His Majesty ascended the throne, he has protected us from demonic invasions and foreign enemies, yet they dared to launch a sneak attack!"

"When the Holy Kingdom of the Tower invaded before, His Majesty personally went to the battlefield to protect his people. Now, someone is trying to harm His Majesty; they deserve to die!"

"Long live the Emperor! Annihilate the Merfolk! Avenge the Emperor!"

……

On the streets and alleys, whether they were merchants, craftsmen, soldiers or civilians, everyone was filled with righteous indignation.

Lin Mo's previous actions of establishing the Human Empire, abolishing divine authority, and waging war with a ghost army without harming his people had already firmly established him in the hearts of the people as the "Human Emperor".

In their eyes, Lin Mo is a monarch who protects all living beings.

He is a hero who breaks the shackles of the gods.

Now, anyone who dares to assassinate this monarch is tantamount to touching everyone's sore spot.

The voices that had previously expressed reservations about the large-scale conquest strategy have now completely disappeared.

Instead, the entire nation was filled with a burning anger and indignation at the common enemy.

Countless people spontaneously took to the streets to burn incense and pray for blessings, shouting that His Majesty would surely win the war.

Even the nobles who were initially wary of the war submitted petitions of loyalty, offering to donate their entire fortunes to support the war effort.

Lin Mo was outside Holy Radiance City, his black robes fluttering in the wind.

Beside him were ten golden dragon warriors transformed into humanoid warriors.

They stood tall and straight like pine trees, exuding a powerful aura of level 89, and stood neatly in two rows on both sides.

The expedition team was extremely small.

Apart from Lin Mo, Yin Xue, Mian Mian, and Xiao Hong, there were only these ten Golden Dragon Warriors, and not a single other soldier.

At the south gate of the capital, important imperial officials such as He Yuan, Losa, Lie Fu, Otmu, and Liu Yishou were already waiting.

Behind him were a dense crowd of kneeling people seeing him off, their shouts deafening.

He Yuan stepped forward quickly: "Your Majesty, I will severely punish those nobles and relevant departments for letting the assassin in."

Lin Mo nodded without saying anything; that clone was enough to handle these matters.

Shi Qin then approached Lin Mo and couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, this time you're going to confront the Merfolk directly, and even venture deep into the perilous ocean. Shouldn't you bring more of the Empire's elite troops? What if..."

Lin Mo flipped over and mounted Xiao Hong's back, one hand gently stroking the reins, the other resting on the black sword at his waist, his movements calm and unhurried.

His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable certainty.

"No need."

He paused for a moment before speaking again.

"This expedition is not just a declaration of war against the merfolk. My goal has always been the same: to kill a demigod-level powerhouse."

After he finished speaking, the others didn't say anything more.

After all, when facing a demigod, bringing more people would only make them cannon fodder.

Lin Mo's gaze swept over the ten Golden Dragon Warriors.

In fact, there was one more thing Lin Mo didn't say.

These ten Golden Dragons were bargaining chips sent by Hong Lü, not his personally cultivated confidants.

Ultimately, it's nothing more than a relationship of exploitation and being exploited.

In ordinary warfare, carrying it around can serve as a fighting force.

But facing a demigod, life and death are uncertain, and he wouldn't feel sorry even if these golden dragons died.

He naturally wouldn't say these words aloud, but merely glanced at He Yuan and added.

Lothar clasped his hands together and bowed slightly: "Your Majesty, the deep sea is dangerous, and even the gods are watching. You must prioritize your own safety above all else."

Lai Hu gripped his sword tightly at his waist and said in a deep voice, "If Your Majesty needs anything, just send a message, and I will immediately lead a large army to your aid!"

Ottmu scratched his wooden head and chuckled.

"Boss, if you need more puppets, just let me know, and I'll send you a whole ship full of mermaid puppets!"

Liu Yishou clasped his hands in a fist salute, his eyes filled with anticipation: "Your Majesty, my medicine is almost ready. Please return safely!"

Lin Mo nodded slightly, acknowledging everyone's instructions.

He gently tugged on the reins, and Little Red let out a high-pitched neigh.

Blood spurted from beneath their hooves, and ten golden dragon warriors immediately followed, forming a wedge formation.

"I'm gone."

Lin Mo uttered two words, his black robes fluttering, and he, along with ten golden dragons, transformed into eleven streaks of light, speeding towards the South China Sea and disappearing into the horizon in an instant.

The people at the city gate knelt down and shouted "Long live the Emperor!" Their voices echoed over the capital for a long time.

……

Meanwhile, in the realm of gods.

The enormous twilight stone gate still hovered above the heads of the demigods.

A divine messenger dressed in a pure white robe stood bowing deeply, his head bowed low, his posture extremely humble.

His voice carried a hint of cautious trepidation: "My Lord, Lin Mo of the mortal realm has declared war on the entire continent, destroyed the Holy Ancient Empire, established a human empire, abolished divine authority, and driven an army of the undead to slaughter in all directions."

"His actions are no different from those of a demon king, and he is even more arrogant than any demon king in history."

"Now he's leading his troops to the South China Sea, intending to kill the mermaid demigod. Why hasn't he been convicted of being a demon king for such actions?"

The messenger was filled with confusion.

According to established rules, Lin Mo's actions should have long ago led to him being labeled a demon king, attracting the siege of demigods across the entire continent.

But Lin Mo is causing such a huge uproar, yet the God remains inactive, seemingly intentionally letting him get away with it.

As his words fell, a deathly silence descended upon the massive stone gate of dusk.

The silence lasted for a full half minute.

A deep voice slowly drifted out from inside the door.

He was devoid of any emotion, yet exuded an aura of absolute authority.

"Wait a little longer."

Upon hearing this, the divine messenger's lips twitched involuntarily.

Could Lin Mo be the illegitimate son of a deity?

The moment the thought crossed his mind, the divine messenger was so frightened that he immediately cut it off.

Despite having countless doubts in his heart, he dared not disobey in the slightest and could only respectfully reply.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After speaking, the divine messenger withdrew.

……

At this moment, the stone gate was completely dark, with only a floating light curtain.

Within the light screen, the scenes of the human world are clearly reflected.

Lin Mo, riding Little Red and leading ten Golden Dragon Warriors, was speeding towards the South China Sea.

His black robes fluttered in the wind, his imposing presence was like a rainbow.

Before the light screen, a somewhat lonely figure watched everything happening inside, muttering to himself.

"If I convict you now, all the demigods on the continent will intervene. I can't let such perfect nourishment go to waste."

After a pause, the voice rang out again.

"Go, go and prove that you have the strength to kill a demigod."