Livid young master

Either way, Tao Song was connected to my past somehow. It was the first connection I found to it, and I had to discover more!

Even if she remembered nothing about that time, maybe just being near her might let me recall more things?

Besides, if we weren't enemies, and she didn't try to melt my face off, I'd gladly go on a date with her.

I shook my head. Treating Tao Song as someone who was long dead by now could only bring me trouble. She was a religious fanatic of the Crystal Phoenix Sect. Nothing good could come out from talking with her, nothing good!

The words didn't sound very convincing. I still had a distinct desire to do something very foolish, like try holding Tao Song's hand.

Then there was another part of the dream that caught my attention. Spatial rings—I didn't even hear about things like these in this world. Were they so rare, or was there some other reason? Could they only be available on another continent? I heard they existed… although Lin Tan's geography lessons ended with the Black Land continent.

So many questions, and no answers.

Shaking my head, I went back to my room, hoping for a measure more of sleep.

My hopes were left unrealized by the time when, a few hours later, I was told to see Great General Lin Deng in the command room.

With all the nightmares and not enough sleep, let's say I wasn't in the best state to meet with a person I would like to see dead. At least my concussion only bothered me with a headache.

My mood lifted a little when I entered the command room and saw Lin Deng's state.

He was covered in bandages from head to toe. Instead of a chair, he was lying in a bed, with a doctor and a pair of maidservants nearby, ready to fulfill his every whim. Half a dozen other officers of our army stood near a wall, waiting in tense silence.

Lin Chu, whose scratches have mostly healed already, stood on the other side of the room and provided a stark contrast to the ill-faring Lin Deng.

Near Lin Chu was someone I didn't expect to see at all—Fen Kuang. He was sitting in a chair, and his face, including his eyes, was covered by bandages. The sour bastard was alive, and I didn't know yet if I was happy or not about it.

Then Lin Deng spoke.

"My cousin. My cousin and his worthless disciple. I should execute both of you for your cowardice!"

Lin Deng's presence grew, filling the room and oppressing everybody else with his anger. My face froze with fear induced by Lin Deng's aura; the servants near him looked ready to faint.

Then the aura disappeared, leaving only heavily breathing Lin Deng. He was so wounded, he couldn't even use an aura for long.

I let out a breath, forcing my heart to calm down. Now I was afraid not because of his aura, but because Lin Deng wanted my death.

And Lin Chu's, I supposed.

The icicle was the only unruffled person in the room (except maybe Fen Kuang, but he was so bandaged it was impossible to tell).

"Cowardice, Great General? Where did you see cowardice in my actions, or actions of my disciple?"

"Don't deny it! It all began because of your ideas!" Lin Deng pointed an accusatory finger at Lin Chu. "Every officer can confirm that you gave the idea to delay our attack at the Crystal Phoenix army, and gave them time to prepare their trap!"

The officers all bowed, nodded, and voiced their agreement. They were just echoing whatever Lin Deng said at this point.

Lin Chu raised his chin.

"But you are the Great General Lin Deng. You are in command of this army; my idea was merely a suggestion. If you claim it was an unwise one, then you were just as unwise when accepting it."

"Lin Chu! You dare to speak against me? Even now?! I… You… Coward! You, you…" Lin Deng opened and closed his mouth several times, but no more words came out.

I lowered my head, hiding a smile. From the looks of it, Lin Deng ran out of arguments that would give him an actual reason to do anything to Lin Chu.

"You can't protect your disciple with the same words, though, Lin Chu. He had found another coward among our officers and called a full retreat when we were a step away from a victory! He stole the victory from us!"

My smirk vanished.

"I already ordered the execution of the cowardly officer who obeyed that piece of trash's orders. Now, before this martial court, he will be punished as well! What do you have to say in your defense, trash?!"

I glanced around, looking at the fearful faces of the army officers and the few cultivators present.

No, hoping for anyone to defend me against the livid and influential young master of the Lin clan was foolishness. However, Lin Deng was too wounded to stand from his bed, and there was a window only a few steps away from me.

If I jumped out of it, I would get out of this city in minutes. With the Crystal Phoenix army standing around the city, any pursuers sent after me will have a hard time.

So, not a hopeless situation. However, that will ruin a lot of my plans. Taking revenge for Fu Zhou's soul and changing the ways of the Lin clan will be harder if I am pressed to follow that route.

With a plan of retreat reassuring me, I stood straighter and met Lin Deng's eyes.

"Great General Lin Deng, I don't know what 'victory' you were talking about. Our cavalry was trapped between our infantry and the enemy, and even I know that cavalry is at its strongest when they have space to roam around! The enemy was cutting us down like grass. I knew we had to retreat and regroup while we had the chance, so we will have more soldiers to fight another day!"

A few officers nodded, quietly agreeing with my points. However, Lin Deng still opened his mouth to shout more.