Chapter 224: CH. 224 | The Restlessness of Prince Qin Mu

"What do you mean?"

"I’m Qin Mu. I came because I’m worried the Qin Kingdom is being taken over by the Yuntian Sect," Qin Mu answered. "Ever since the sect gathering, Yun Zhao and my father have been meeting at the Yuntian Sect."

"The very next day, many ministers were dismissed and replaced with their own people."

Lin Tian glanced briefly at Wu Yue. The woman gave a short nod, then stepped forward toward Qin Mu, who was kneeling on the ground.

He helped Qin Mu to his feet so the young man wouldn’t lose his dignity. After all, he was part of the Qin Palace, a man standing among mortals.

"It seems you don’t quite understand, Prince Qin Mu."

"My sect and I did help the Qin Kingdom, but we have no authority to interfere in palace politics," Lin Tian explained.

"Meddling in mortal affairs is a great taboo for a cultivator."

"I understand the ethics and laws of cultivators. But the Yuntian Sect started this first," Qin Mu answered.

"Right now, the laws and ethics of cultivators are truly blurred. There’s no clear line anymore."

Lin Tian let out a breath, then rose and walked toward Qin Mu. He lifted his hand and gave the young man’s shoulder a light pat.

"Dragging the Lingxian Sect into palace intrigue will only make the Qin Kingdom fall apart faster. Two great sects clashing while the kingdom is already unstable, that’s everyone’s worst nightmare," Lin Tian said.

"So you’ll just let the Yuntian Sect seize power and do as they please with everyone? Especially with you?"

"They wouldn’t dare."

"Oh, they would absolutely dare, especially once they get their hands on the Qin Seven Dragon Sword."

Lin Tian paused, then let his hand drop from Qin Mu’s shoulder. "The Qin Seven Dragon Sword?"

"That’s right!" Qin Mu said. "It’s the strongest ultimate technique, the one that protected the capital from the Yuanmo threat back then. Its power rivals the might of heaven and earth."

"You already command many techniques and formations, but if a disciple of the Yuntian Sect learns that one, it could become a threat to everyone."

"I realized it after the Yuntian Sect placed their people all around the Emperor. I’m afraid my father has grown careless and might teach the Qin Clan’s techniques to outsiders."

The man fell silent for a moment. At first he’d assumed Yuntian placed its people in the palace simply to siphon off resources for their own benefit, since that seemed like the most obvious motive.

But after hearing Qin Mu’s detailed account, coming from someone who understood the Qin Palace far better than he did, Lin Tian’s view began to shift.

Perhaps today the Yuntian Sect wasn’t a serious threat, but if left unchecked, with the palace’s vast resources and the possible acquisition of the Qin Clan’s ultimate technique, the sect’s power and dominance could become unstoppable.

Is this the Qin Emperor’s response after I refused to marry his daughter?

He couldn’t have me, so now he’s settling for his second choice, the Yuntian Sect.

"Please! Save the Qin Kingdom from ruin!"

"I’m sorry to disappoint you, Prince Qin Mu. It seems Sect Master Lin Tian—"

"Wait!" Lin Tian said, cutting off Wu Yue, startling her.

Qin Mu and the elder beside him looked up, their faces full of hope. Qin Mu watched Lin Tian’s expression shift, from indifferent detachment to something serious, calculating.

"Do the other members of the Qin family agree with your father’s decision?" Lin Tian asked.

"I’m the only one who disagrees. My older brother agrees, since he already married a core disciple of the Yuntian Sect. My younger sister agrees too, since she’s part of the Yuntian Sect herself."

"Right now, the Qin Palace is trying to isolate Prince Qin Mu. We managed to slip away once their guard dropped," said the elder accompanying Qin Mu.

"Like I said before, if two great sects clash, it will spark a conflict that destroys everything. Right now, I’m working to prevent exactly that."

"But that doesn’t mean I’m ignoring this situation."

Qin Mu turned to glance at the elder who’d come with him, then looked back at Lin Tian. He seemed to be searching for a definite answer in what Lin Tian was thinking and saying. In his heart, he kept hoping Lin Tian would help him save his kingdom.

"In this situation, you’d be branded a traitor attempting a coup. Acting now would not be wise."

Lin Tian walked back to the altar where he cultivated, then turned once more to face Qin Mu and his elder. "Wait until the right moment comes. Right now, many of the common people sympathize with your father and place their hopes in him. If you strike now, the people will side with your father, not you."

"Then what advice can you give me, Sect Master Lin Tian?" Qin Mu asked.

"Stay away from the palace. You’ve already broken free of them, that’s good."

"Your task is to blend in with the common people and see their situation with your own eyes. If the Yuntian Sect’s goal is to drain resources for their own gain, it should show in the people’s lives, higher taxes being one likely sign."

"Start there. Live as a commoner and feel their suffering for yourself. Build trust, and build new strength."

"If you manage to do that, the Lingxian Sect and I will help you," Lin Tian explained.

A wide smile spread across Qin Mu’s face at the sincerity in Lin Tian’s words. He didn’t mind living as a commoner for a while if it meant proving himself and earning Lin Tian’s trust.

It might take a long time, but I’m certain it will be worth whatever I end up gaining.

"Thank you for your guidance, Sect Master Lin Tian."

"Until you’ve built real trust in the hearts of your people, I won’t help you. As far as I’m concerned, this conversation never happened," Lin Tian said.

"Of course. I’ll work hard to prove to you that I’m an Emperor worthy of saving everyone!"

Qin Mu felt relieved and full of hope. He took his leave of Lin Tian and departed from the sect. Wu Yue turned to look at Lin Tian, questioning his decision to help them.

"The Yuntian Sect is trying to exploit this situation for their own gain. We can’t afford to look like we’re standing against them, it would only destabilize things further."

"The best choice right now is to wait and carry out our plans from behind the scenes."

"Are you certain Prince Qin Mu will manage to earn everyone’s trust?" Wu Yue asked.

"I saw ambition in his eyes. That was the gaze of a true Emperor, one who genuinely cares for his kingdom."

"He’ll succeed. We just have to wait."