Traitor

After returning to the academy, Su Luoheng resumed his routine lifestyle, alternating between the dormitory, cafeteria, and laboratory.

In the lab, he continued crafting second-level soul tools daily, but each day's type was different.

According to Ran Yuming, this was laying the foundation. When he could skillfully apply soul inscriptions and craft third-level soul tools, it would naturally be a smooth progression.

...

...

Mingdu Central District, Prince Manor.

The empty hall was silent, as if brewing a storm.

Inside the hall, Xu Jinyu sat upright in the center chair. His hands were crossed, fingers interlocked, eyes slightly closed, and a slight frown on his brow, revealing a hint of fatigue.

His complexion was somewhat pale, indicating that the injuries he sustained in the Jingyang Mountains had not yet healed.

"..."

Outside the door, the voice of a guard suddenly rang out.

"Your Highness."

"What is it?"

Hearing this, Xu Jinyu slightly opened his eyes, his gaze cold as ice.

Outside, the guard knelt on one knee and reported, "Butler Chen has returned."

Xu Jinyu replied indifferently, "Let him in."

"Yes."

"..."

"Tap, tap—tap, tap—"

Soon, the sound of hurried footsteps approached. A man who appeared to be in his fifties, with a head full of white hair and a thin build, wearing a blue robe, walked in.

"Your Highness."

The old man bowed respectfully.

"Sit down, Uncle Chen."

Uncle Chen hesitated, concern evident in his eyes as he looked at Xu Jinyu.

"Your Highness, your injuries..."

"They are no longer a problem."

Xu Jinyu waved his hand dismissively and then asked, "What did you find during your investigation?"

"It was indeed that traitor Lin Yu who leaked your whereabouts during this recent trip to the Fear Claw Soul Guidance Legion! Back then, the old prince treated him generously, but now that our Prince Manor has fallen out of favor, that dog dared to betray us, colluding with outsiders to harm Your Highness."

As he spoke, Uncle Chen's tone grew more agitated, his face flushed, and he looked furious.

He had once vouched for this person's loyalty, saying there was no way he would turn traitor. Thinking back now, it felt like a slap in the face!

Hearing this, Xu Jinyu narrowed his eyes slightly, the deep darkness in his pupils flashing with a cold light.

"Where is he now? Did you manage to capture him?"

"I immediately led people to seal off his residence, but he must have caught wind of it beforehand. By the time we arrived, he was no longer there. We only managed to capture a few of his subordinates."

"I did not dare act further without your orders and await Your Highness's decision."

"Interrogate them and deal with them afterward."

Xu Jinyu waved his hand, his tone calm and expression unmoved, showing no hint of emotion.

"It was my failure in judgment, trusting Lin Yu and causing you to fall into danger..."

"I request Your Highness to punish me."

Uncle Chen lowered his head, taking full responsibility for Xu Jinyu's attack, his tone filled with deep guilt and remorse.

"I am unworthy of the position of butler."

"Uncle Chen, I know your loyalty well. One may know a person's face but not their heart. You are not to blame for this. Right now, Prince Manor is facing both internal and external troubles. With so few reliable people left by my side, would you leave me to manage everything alone?"

Xu Jinyu pulled up the bent-over Uncle Chen's hand, flattening it, speaking with warmth and concern.

He had never doubted Uncle Chen's loyalty because if he had intended harm, he had countless opportunities before.

Hearing this, Uncle Chen's heart trembled slightly.

"I am ashamed, but..."

"All right, let's set this matter aside for now."

Xu Jinyu waved his hand, signaling to drop the matter and not bring it up again.

Seeing this, Uncle Chen no longer insisted and asked solemnly, "Your Highness, how should we deal with Lin Yu?"

"Deal with him?"

Xu Jinyu sneered, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, and replied in a chilling tone, "Since he's capable of such treachery, seeking personal gain at the expense of his master, he should bear the consequences. Pass down my order: eliminate anyone close to Lin Yu! Even if it means turning Mingdu upside down, I want his head!"

"Understood," Uncle Chen acknowledged with a salute.

Not being able to capture the mastermind left Xu Jinyu in a foul mood!

If it weren't for encountering Su Luoheng and his master, he would likely have become wolf food by now! The saying that misfortune shouldn't affect friends and family is nothing but nonsense! If you were the one being plotted against, almost losing your life, could you stay so calm?

Heh...

That would truly make someone a saint.

"..."

Xu Jinyu calmed his emotions slightly and asked, "Are there any leads on the mastermind behind him?"

"None for now."

Without capturing Lin Yu, their information was limited.

"Find out for me, no matter—"

Before he could finish, Xu Jinyu suddenly thought of something, and a hint of helplessness flashed in his dark eyes. He waved his hand, saying, "Forget it, the priority is still finding Lin Yu."

Given the internal and external troubles faced by Prince Manor, even if they discovered who was behind it, they wouldn't be able to do much.

"I understand."

Uncle Chen sighed as well, a deep sense of helplessness welling up in his heart.

Back when the old prince was around, who would dare treat Prince Manor this way? But now that they were in decline, everyone outside had their eyes on this piece of fat meat.

Just as he was about to turn and leave.

"Wait."

Xu Jinyu suddenly called out, stopping him, and specifically instructed, "Make sure the people in the manor keep their mouths shut. Keep the matter of my attack confidential. My father must not find out!"

"I understand."

Uncle Chen nodded and exited the room slowly.

"..."

After he left, Xu Jinyu slowly stood up and walked to the window, gazing at a courtyard within the manor.

His expression was complex and desolate.

...

...

At the same time.

Outside Mingdu, in a dim alley.

"Huff—huff—"

A man hurriedly ran from the other end of the alley, his forehead covered in sweat, breathing heavily, and his clothes disheveled, appearing rather bedraggled.

"Damn it... Good thing I was quick-witted!"

He wiped the sweat off his forehead and exhaled deeply.

This man was none other than the mastermind Xu Jinyu was searching for: Lin Yu.

Lin Yu was indeed quick on his feet. Sensing that the atmosphere in the manor was off, and suspecting that something had gone wrong when there was no news from the Jingyang Mountains, he immediately decided to flee overnight with a few trusted subordinates without even returning home.

If he hadn't escaped fast enough, he would have been cornered in Mingdu by Hengwang Manor's people.

After a long, grueling journey, he finally arrived here.

Standing at the entrance of the alley.

Lin Yu cautiously scanned his surroundings. After confirming that no one was around, he sneaked into the alley.

He then weaved through the winding alleyways, taking several turns before stopping in front of a shabby, inconspicuous doorway.

"Knock knock knock—"

"Knock knock—knock knock—"

A series of knocks, some long and some short, sounded rhythmically, echoing clearly in the silent alley.

It was a special code for contact.

Only this specific pattern of knocks would receive a response.

As expected, just after the knocking sound ceased, the tightly closed courtyard door creaked open.

Lin Yu let out a sigh of relief and quickly stepped inside.