Chapter 38: Really?
Linley's tone made Emperor Qiao'an frown. Regardless, he was the Emperor of the O'Brien Empire!
"Emperor Qiao'an!" Linley's voice grew even deeper, his gaze piercing the Emperor like a blade.
At this moment, Emperor Qiao'an felt as if he were trapped in a cold, dark prison. Linley's stare made it difficult for him to even breathe. His throat twitched as he forced out, "Master Linley, what do you mean by that? Are you saying you don't trust me?"
Beside them, Delia remained silent.
Linley fixed his eyes on Emperor Qiao'an and said in a low voice, "Emperor Qiao'an, it's not that I don't trust you. But Reynolds is my closest brother. You suddenly tell me now that he died in battle. Tell me… how could I not get to the bottom of this?"
"The bottom of this?"
Emperor Qiao'an straightened his back and said angrily, "Master Linley, is what I'm saying not the truth? I'll tell you again—Reynolds was pursued by men from the Rohault Empire all the way to the city of Nier, where he ultimately died in battle. There is no doubt about this!"
"The city of Nier?" Linley's eyes narrowed. "Emperor Qiao'an, Reynolds fled all the way to the gates of Nier. With so many people in Nier, wasn't anyone able to save him in time?"
Emperor Qiao'an faltered for a moment, then insisted, "I wasn't there at the time, but according to the reports, Reynolds and his men had just reached the city walls when the soldiers of Nier were too slow to rescue him. He was killed before they could act."
The fourth brother… dead!
Linley refused to believe it. As he questioned Emperor Qiao'an, scenes of his time with the fourth brother uncontrollably flashed through his mind one after another, making the murderous intent in his heart grow stronger and stronger.
Emperor Qiao'an could also sense that Linley's state was off. The oppressive atmosphere around them was terrifying. Beads of sweat as large as beans kept rolling down Emperor Qiao'an's forehead as he stared at Linley.
No matter what, he held his ground, insisting that Reynolds died in battle and that the soldiers of Nier were too late to save him.
Linley closed his eyes, struggling to suppress the killing intent within him. He let out a breath.
Opening his eyes, they flashed like lightning. Under Linley's gaze, Emperor Qiao'an felt immense psychological pressure. How could an ordinary warrior compare in spiritual cultivation to Linley, a rank 9 Grand Magus?
"Emperor Qiao'an, you need to understand. What you're saying might be true. But can you guarantee… that the person who delivered the news was telling the truth?" Linley's voice was very low.
Emperor Qiao'an nodded without hesitation and said firmly, "Linley, you must trust the Imperial Army."
Linley glanced at Emperor Qiao'an, then said coldly, "Emperor Qiao'an, I'm in a bad mood today, so I'll take my leave first. Please inform my brother and Nina as well."
Even though his forehead was covered in cold sweat, Emperor Qiao'an still forced a smile and said, "Master Linley, I understand how you feel. Go back and rest. I'll make sure to inform Wharton and Nina."
Linley nodded, then left the palace together with Delia.
Seeing Linley leave, Emperor Qiao'an finally let out a long sigh of relief. He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and muttered to himself, "Heavens, lying to Linley is nerve-wracking enough. If he had lost his temper on the spot, no one here could have stopped him."
After composing himself a bit, Emperor Qiao'an put on his usual noble and friendly smile and walked toward the hall.
The two walked side by side along the Fushi Road. On the way back from the palace, Linley remained silent the entire time. Delia, walking beside him, knew how much pain he was feeling inside.
After thinking for a long time, Delia softly said, "Linley."
Startled out of his memories, Linley turned to look at her. "What is it?" Delia gently comforted him, "Are you thinking about Reynolds?"
Linley nodded slightly. "Delia, in my heart, Yale, the second brother, and the fourth brother are like my own blood brothers. I never imagined that the fourth brother would die in battle." Though he spoke calmly, Delia could still see that Linley's eyes were red.
Even someone as strong-willed as Linley had tears in his eyes. The pain in his heart was unimaginable.
Even though he didn't want to remember, memories of his youth kept flooding back. He recalled the four brothers drinking, laughing, and causing a ruckus together. He remembered them in the dormitory, talking about the girls at the academy. Back then, Reynolds and Yale were the most excited. Thinking of Reynolds' carefree, roguish demeanor only made Linley's heart ache even more.
They arrived at the gates of the Earl's mansion.
"My lord," the guards at the entrance said respectfully.
Looking at the mansion, Linley turned to Delia and said, "Delia, you go back first."
"Where are you going?" Delia asked, puzzled, and quickly added, "Linley, please don't do anything reckless." She knew how unstable Linley was right now and feared he might cause a disaster.
Linley shook his head. "No, I'm going to Reynolds' home—the Dunstan family."
The Dunstan family was one of the ancient noble families of the O'Brien Empire, wielding great influence in the military.
The Dunstan family residence was not far from the palace.
Using the Windshadow Technique, Linley moved through the streets like a breeze, so fast that ordinary pedestrians didn't even notice him before he was already a hundred meters away.
"Hey, be careful not to upset the lady. You really—" Two guards at the entrance of the Dunstan family estate were chatting, with one guard laughing at the other.
The other guard was rubbing his cheek, which bore a bright red handprint.
"I didn't even provoke the lady. I just didn't step far enough away when she came. She yelled at me and slapped me. What a raw deal."
"Don't complain about a raw deal. With Master Reynolds dead in battle, anyone who crosses the lady is asking for trouble."
The two guards were idly chatting when suddenly a gust of wind blew, and a figure appeared abruptly at the entrance of the Dunstan family estate.
The two guards were startled.
"May I ask who you are, sir?" one of them inquired.
"Go and announce that Linley wishes to see the head of the Dunstan family," Linley said in a cold, penetrating voice that seemed to shake the soul.
"Master Linley?" The two guards exchanged glances, their eyes filled with shock.
Who was Linley? He was one of the most powerful figures on the Yulan continent, standing shoulder to shoulder with the likes of the Radiant Pope and Hudderson.
The two guards immediately bowed.
"Master Linley, please wait a moment. I'll go announce you at once," one guard said before quickly running into the estate. Linley stood silently at the entrance, as straight as a spear.
After a short while, three middle-aged men hurried over. The one leading them was the head of the Dunstan family, Reynolds' father—Nien Dunstan.
Nien Dunstan and the others, knowing that Linley had arrived, rushed out to greet him.
They knew that today was Wharton and Nina's wedding, but because of Reynolds' death, the atmosphere in the Dunstan family was oppressive. The Dunstan family had not attended Wharton and Nina's wedding feast.
"So this is Master Linley?"
Nien Dunstan looked closely at Linley from a distance. A man's reputation precedes him. Just one glance at Linley, a master-level figure, and Nien felt an overwhelming impact.
It was a pressure that reached the soul.
For an expert, cultivation at its core was about changing the spirit and soul. A Saint-level expert, even in rags, was far nobler than a pretty-faced youth.
Linley turned and looked at the three of them.
His gaze, like lightning, swept over them. Nien Dunstan and the others took a deep breath and warmly welcomed him. The patriarch, Nien, spoke first: "If you had any business, Master Linley, you only needed to send word, and I would have come to you. There was no need for you to trouble yourself by visiting our home."
Linley said nothing. He simply stepped into the Dunstan family estate, walking past the three of them and heading straight inside.
Nien Dunstan and the others were puzzled but quickly followed.
With Linley's current mastery over the wind, his Wind of Perception could cover several kilometers in an instant. He headed directly toward the Dunstan family's main hall, where many people had gathered—all men.
"Greetings, Master Linley," the people in the hall immediately said respectfully.
Linley forced a faint smile and said, "Everyone, no need to be formal. I believe you all know why I'm here."
Nien Dunstan and the others exchanged glances, stunned for a moment.
"Reynolds is dead," Linley said, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, his voice growing even deeper. "Reynolds was my good brother—as close as a blood brother!"
Linley's words made the entire hall feel heavy.
"Right now, I want to know exactly how the fourth brother died. Was it truly because the soldiers of Nier were too slow to rescue him?" Linley's gaze fixed on Nien Dunstan.
Nien Dunstan sighed bitterly. "Linley, Reynolds was my son. His death pains me greatly. But there's nothing we can do—war claims lives. Just because my son died doesn't mean the Dunstan family can make a scene. We are a military family. When we decided that every son must serve ten years in the army, we prepared for the possibility that they might die for the empire. Without such trials, how could they grow?"
"I understand that," Linley said calmly, looking at Nien Dunstan. "Dying for one's country is beyond reproach. But… I find it hard to believe that Reynolds died right outside the gates of Nier. Wasn't there any expert in Nier? Couldn't someone have jumped down from the city walls to save him?"
"Uncle Nien!" Linley stared intently at Nien Dunstan. "You need to understand—my brother is dead. If he died honorably in battle, I would be proud of him. But if he died without meaning, or for some other reason, I must get to the bottom of it for my brother!"
"And if it turns out that someone deliberately caused his death, then I will make that person die too!!!" Linley's gaze was like a blade.
Nien and the others felt a tremor in their hearts.
"Uncle Nien!" Linley's address made Nien's heart quiver. "Tell me—did your son, my good brother Reynolds, die unjustly?" Linley stared at Nien Dunstan, waiting for his answer.
Nien Dunstan's expression was complicated. Then, looking straight at Linley, he answered firmly, "Master Linley, thank you very much. But my son died honorably in battle. He did not die unjustly!!!"
Linley swept his gaze over the crowd.
"Then I'll take my leave," Linley said, turning and walking straight out of the Dunstan family estate.
Watching Linley's retreating figure, Nien Dunstan and the others breathed a sigh of relief. Then Nien Dunstan announced loudly, "Everyone, go about your business."
After saying this, Nien Dunstan left the hall and headed to his study.
"Reynolds… forgive your father," Nien muttered as he walked, his eyes turning red.
With the Dunstan family's influence and power in the military, they naturally knew the truth of what had happened. His son had fought bitterly for a long time outside the gates of Nier before being killed. And Prince Yulin had ordered that no one be allowed to open the city gates to save him.
He died unjustly!
Nien's heart was bitter. "Master Linley might avenge you and kill Prince Yulin. But His Majesty dotes on Prince Yulin. He wouldn't dare retaliate against Master Linley, but he would certainly take revenge on our Dunstan family."
There was no choice!
The dead were dead. Everything had to be for the sake of the living!