The Reversal of Heaven Begins with The Smiling, Proud Wanderer

An unknown variable whose strength is unknown, whose actions are unpredictable and uncontrollable, is far more dangerous than the other three grandmasters whose backgrounds are well known!

"Go down."

Emperor Qing's voice was hoarse and low, revealing no emotion whatsoever, yet it sent a chill down the spines of the spies and Eunuch Hou below.

The spy felt as if he had been granted a pardon, lowered his head even further, and hurriedly withdrew from the hall.

Emperor Qing slowly walked to the window, stood with his hands behind his back, and gazed intently at the southeast direction where the lightning had disappeared. His fingers unconsciously tapped on the cold window frame, and he remained silent for a long time.

Eunuch Hou held his breath, reducing even the slightest rise and fall of his chest to an imperceptible degree. The entire imperial study fell into a suffocating silence, like the stillness before a storm.

After a moment, Emperor Qing spoke without warning, his voice steady yet carrying an undeniable determination: "Issue an edict ordering Chen Pingping and Ye Liuyun to return to the capital immediately."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Eunuch Hou bowed and accepted the order, then retreated silently and swiftly to carry it out.

……

Guangxin Palace.

Inside the fragrant palace, Princess Li Yunrui sat languidly in front of an exquisite diamond-shaped mirror inlaid with tortoiseshell and pearls.

She wore a flowing cloud-patterned gauze dress and held a pure white lion cat with heterochromia in her arms. Her slender, jade-like fingers were gently combing the cat's soft fur.

A trusted palace maid knelt behind her, holding an ivory comb, and gently combed her long, glossy black hair that cascaded down to her waist.

Although she was over thirty, Li Yunrui still looked like she was in her twenties. Her face was as beautiful as a peach blossom, and her eyes, when they sparkled, possessed both the purity of a young girl and the alluring charm of a mature woman. A complex and dangerous aura was perfectly blended in her, captivating everyone.

At this moment, another trusted palace maid hurried in, silently walked to her side, and leaned down to Li Yunrui's ear to quickly report the shocking changes in Niulan Street in a very low voice.

Upon hearing that Cheng Jushu not only failed to kill Fan Xian, but was instead struck dead by a heavenly lightning bolt summoned by Lin Mu, Li Yunrui's fingers, which were petting the cat, suddenly stopped.

A fleeting, undisguised astonishment crossed her stunningly beautiful face. Then, like ripples spreading from a stone thrown into a lake, the astonishment quickly transformed into an expression of intense curiosity and amusement, with a breathtaking curve appearing at the corners of her lips.

"So that noise was made by him... He certainly had a grand and imposing presence."

Li Yunrui muttered to herself, her voice unconsciously trembling with excitement: "I'm becoming more and more interested in this Lin Mu."

The power Lin Mu displayed far exceeded her initial expectations. This power was beyond human reach and could not be easily controlled or suppressed by ordinary power struggles and schemes.

She originally hoped to use Lin Gong to eliminate Fan Xian by employing Cheng Jushu, an eighth-rank expert from Northern Qi, as a sharp weapon. This would both protect the inner treasury's financial power from outsiders and divert trouble to Northern Qi, killing two birds with one stone.

Although the plan has failed, Li Yunrui does not feel much frustration. Instead, he has developed a strong, almost pathological, desire to conquer.

Power, wealth, and men's hearts—she had spent her life manipulating these things, and had long since grown weary of them.

Now a man has appeared, so beyond imagination, almost like a god or demon...

[What an interesting sight it would be if someone like him could willingly grovel at my feet and lick my toes...]

Once this thought arose, it entwined her heart like wildly growing vines.

"Immediately pass on the message to Lin Gong."

Li Yunrui suppressed the pounding in her heart, her voice returning to its usual languid and indifferent tone, yet carrying an undeniable air: "Tell him to keep his mouth shut and stay put for me for the time being. Don't do anything, don't say anything, just pretend you know nothing, as if nothing ever happened."

"in addition."

She paused, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes: "From my private treasury, prepare a generous gift and send it to Lin Mu's residence in my name. Say that I admire your talent and invite you to the palace for a chat tomorrow."

……

Zuixianju, the pavilion in the back garden.

The Second Prince, Li Chengze, remained in his signature nonchalant manner, leaning back on a velvet-cushioned bench, barefoot, casually picking up chilled grapes from a glass plate beside him and putting them into his mouth.

Prince Jing's heir, Li Hongcheng, strode over, dismissed his attendants, and lowered his voice with a solemn expression: "We just received news that Cheng Jushu of Northern Qi attempted to assassinate Fan Xian in the street of Niulan Street."

Li Chengze's hand, which was holding a grape, froze in mid-air. The lazy expression on his face vanished instantly, and he sat up straight: "What was the result?"

"Fan Xian is unharmed, two maids died in battle, and Cheng Jushu was killed by lightning summoned by Lin Mu."

Li Hongcheng's tone was heavy: "In broad daylight, deep within the capital, they even used siege crossbows—what a grand gesture!"

"I arranged this meeting with Fan Xian. Since this incident happened at this crucial moment, I am the prime suspect."

Li Chengze frowned, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the smooth skin of the grapes.

He wasn't particularly worried about Fan Xian's life or death right now, but rather about Lin Mu's attitude.

"Hongcheng, tell me, what is the relationship between Lin Mu and Fan Xian? Why did he save Fan Xian?"

Li Chengze was indeed aware of the assassination attempt on Niulan Street, and may even have secretly instigated it.

He was an ally of Princess Li Yunrui.

Li Yunrui, that crazy woman, is unpredictable. She enjoys watching the princes fight amongst themselves while she plays both sides, hedging her bets.

She outwardly appeared to be close to the Crown Prince, but in reality, she was having an affair with the Second Prince.

Li Yunrui only uses everyone; the only person she is truly infatuated with is probably her elder brother, the emperor who sits high on the dragon throne.

Because of the inability to obtain what one desires, one becomes increasingly distorted, wanting to drag everything into a chaotic vortex.

Li Chengqian and Li Chengze were nothing more than pawns used by Li Yunrui to satisfy his personal desires.

It doesn't matter to Li Yunrui who comes out on top.

Li Chengze was unaware of this.

At this moment, the shock on Li Chengze's face was half genuine and half feigned.

Ever since he learned that Emperor Qing was the hidden Grandmaster, he regarded Lin Mu as his strongest ally.

If they were to become enemies with Lin Mu, or even turn against each other, they might be silently killed by Lin Mu before the Crown Prince could even make a move.

[It was only through Si Lili's lending of the secret order that Lin Gong was able to mobilize Cheng Jushu to kill Fan Xian.]

[Lin Mu clearly knew beforehand, yet he neither stopped nor warned them, choosing instead to strike at the most crucial moment of the assassination...]

What exactly is he trying to do? Is it merely to save Fan Xian and gain his favor? Or is there a deeper purpose?

Li Chengze's mind raced, but he felt completely lost and couldn't figure out Lin Mu's true intentions.

Surely it wasn't to lure Cheng Jushu out so they could kill him?

It's just a mere eighth-grade external martial arts practitioner; it's not worth a grandmaster making such a fuss.

Can't figure it out!

"¨々Prepare the car!"

After a moment of contemplation, Li Chengze suddenly spoke up, paused, and then immediately changed his mind: "No, let's go to the storeroom first and fetch the thousand-year-old blood ginseng that Father Emperor bestowed upon us last year (Qian Li's)."

"Fan Xian was assassinated and was greatly frightened. For both public and private reasons, I, as the prince, should go and visit him to express my condolences."

He decided to meet Fan Xian in person to sound him out, hoping to glean some insight into Lin Mu's true purpose from Fan Xian's attitude.

……

Meanwhile, inside the Prime Minister's residence.

Lin Gong paced back and forth in his study like an ant on a hot pan, his forehead covered in cold sweat and his face frighteningly pale.

"Why? Why would Lin Mu intervene? He clearly promised... Could I have been set up?"

He kept muttering to himself, his voice trembling slightly with fear.

The plan failed and Cheng Jushu died, which was certainly a pity.

But what terrified Lin Gong even more was Lin Mu's involvement.

He went to see Si Lili himself, and Si Lili clearly conveyed that Lin Mu knew about the matter and told him to just go ahead and do it.

He originally thought that Lin Mu had tacitly approved of this, or even supported him in killing Fan Xiansong.

The moment it appeared, it was gone!

Was it Si Lili spreading false information to deceive me? Or was Lin Mu setting a trap from the very beginning?

Lin Gong's mind was now filled with thoughts of whether or not to immediately pack up his valuables and valuables, leave the city overnight, and hide away from the capital, a place of trouble.

Just as he was in a state of utter confusion, the butler's urgent voice suddenly came from outside the door:

"Second Young Master, Mr. Lin has arrived and is waiting in the main hall!"

Lin Gong's steps froze on the spot, the color draining from his face instantly, leaving only boundless horror in his eyes.

He... he actually came to our door?

I'm dying! I'm dying! What should I do?

Chapter 90: Dual-Handed

The moment Lin Gong heard the housekeeper's report, his heart almost stopped, and a fine layer of cold sweat instantly seeped out from his back.

He suppressed the urge to turn and run, took several deep breaths, and forced out a smile that looked worse than a grimace before taking slightly heavy steps and walking quickly toward the main hall.

Inside the main hall, Lin Mu was leisurely sipping the fragrant tea served by the servants of the Prime Minister's residence, his movements relaxed and his expression calm.

The wafting aroma of tea filled the air, but it did nothing to dispel the tension in Lin Gong's heart.

Seeing Lin Gong walk in with a pale face and unsteady steps, Lin Mu put down the warm-glazed teacup, looked up at him, and said with a half-smile, "Second Young Master Lin, how have you been?"

His voice was calm, devoid of any emotion, yet it made Lin Gong's heart tighten again.

Lin Gong's throat was dry and sore. He swallowed hard, bowed respectfully, and said with a slight, almost imperceptible tremor in his voice, "I was unaware of Mr. Lin's presence. I apologize for not welcoming you properly. May I ask what brings you here today?"

Lin Mu stood up, his gaze calmly falling on Lin Gong's face, yet carrying an invisible but heavy pressure that made it almost impossible for Lin Gong to breathe.

"Guidance is out of the question."

Lin Mu spoke, his voice still calm: "I recently came across a spiritual medicine that might be beneficial for tuberculosis. I wonder if it would be convenient for you, Second Young Master, to lead the way for me to visit it?"

Lin Gong was stunned when he heard this, completely unexpected that Lin Mu had come for this reason.

For a moment, he was filled with doubt and uncertainty.

He couldn't figure out Lin Mu's true intentions; was he genuinely trying to cure Wan'er's illness?

Or is there another picture?

Or perhaps... he wants to use Wan'er to control him?

But at this moment, how could he have the courage or the room to refuse?

In a flash, Lin Gong dared not be negligent in the slightest. He quickly suppressed the myriad doubts in his heart and put on a grateful smile: "So that's how it is! My sister and I will never forget your great kindness, sir! This way, sir, I will show you the way."

……

The Royal Villa, where Lin Wan'er resided, remained as serene and elegant as ever, with lush flowers and trees, and the air filled with a faint fragrance of herbs and plants.

Upon learning that her brother and Lin Mu had come to visit, Lin Wan'er, supported by her maid, had already arrived at the living room to wait.

Today she wore a light green ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) with a moon-white gauze over it. Although she was still slender, her complexion was much rosier than a few days ago, and she had a comforting smile on her face.

Beside her sat a young woman dressed in a bright red outfit, with a short sword at her waist, and a spirited air between her brows that rivaled any man's.

The young girl sat upright, her eyes bright and sharp. She was none other than Ye Ling'er, Lin Wan'er's close friend and the legitimate daughter of General Ye Chong, the garrison commander of Kyoto.

As Lin Mu followed Lin Gong into the hall, his gaze naturally fell on Lin Wan'er.

Lin Gong spoke first: "Wan'er, Mr. Lin has come to see you."

When Lin Wan'er saw Lin Mu, she bowed slightly and performed a standard curtsy, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze: "Wan'er greets Mr. Lin. I am truly grateful for your thoughtfulness in coming in person."

Ye Ling'er immediately stood up, her gaze bold and direct, carrying the sharpness and wariness unique to daughters of military families: "You're that Lin Mu? There are rumors in the capital that you are the fifth Grandmaster in the world after the Four Great Grandmasters? I wonder if this rumor is true or false?"

The outside world has been discussing and questioning Lin Mu, this suddenly emerging "Grandmaster," ever since.

Ye Ling'er had naturally heard of Lin Mu's name, but this was the first time she had seen him in person.

Seeing that Lin Mu was so young, and although his temperament was extraordinary, he did not have the imposing aura of a grandmaster as she had imagined, she couldn't help but have some doubts.

Lin Mu showed no displeasure at Ye Ling'er's slightly provocative question. He merely glanced at her indifferently and said in a calm tone, "It's just an empty reputation. Don't worry about it."

He paused for a moment, then turned to Lin Wan'er and stated his purpose directly, "I have obtained a spiritual fruit that may be beneficial to your illness. You will need to take it for me later, and I will use my internal energy to help you neutralize the medicinal effects."

"This method requires absolute calm and concentration, and cannot be disturbed in the slightest. Please wait outside the door for the time being, Second Young Master and Miss Ye."

Lin Gong naturally dared not have any objection and quickly nodded: "I will follow your instructions, sir."

Ye Ling'er frowned, her face full of worry.

She stepped forward, blocking Lin Wan'er's path, and said bluntly, "Using internal energy to heal? And you want to be alone in a room? That's probably against etiquette, what if..."