"Envoy to Great Zhou?" Lin Yu looked at the Han Emperor in surprise. With so many princes, why assign this task to him?
The Han Emperor nodded gravely. "Great Han and Great Zhou have agreed to send princes as envoys to defuse war. You suffered a crushing defeat in the Southern Wasteland and remain guilty. I promise that if you return from Great Zhou and atone for your sins, you may re-enter the capital."
"Your Majesty, you mean to send me as a hostage to Great Zhou?" Lin Yu looked up, feeling a chill. All hope in imperial fatherly love vanished.
A hostage—if war broke out, he would be the first to die. No wonder the Han Emperor chose him over other princes.
Lin Yu smiled bitterly. In the Emperor's eyes, he remained a cripple with a destroyed dantian, unworthy of pity as a hostage.
"Precisely. Yu'er, rest assured. I swear Great Han will not attack first, and I will retrieve you in five years." The Han Emperor appealed to his emotions. "As royal blood, it is your duty to serve the country and share my burdens. Do not disappoint me."
"Agree, lad! Agree to go to Great Zhou!" Cauldron Lord shouted in Lin Yu's mind before he could respond.
"Cauldron Lord, do you have your eye on Great Zhou's Demon Prison?" Lin Yu guessed its intention.
During the ancient Demon Clan invasion, nations joined forces to suppress them. Great Han built the Demon-Sealing Tower, while Great Zhou imprisoned demons in its Demon Prison, and Great Qi had the Demon Abyss. Great Zhou's Demon Prison likely held even more demons.
"Hehe! I was just worry—this is perfect! Refining those demons in Great Zhou's prison will push your cultivation past Myriad Manifestations Seventh Grade. Don't miss this chance—agree now!" Cauldron Lord urged, eager to go.
"Good. Passing through the border, I can seize an opportunity to slay the First Prince and avenge the 100,000 soldiers who died abroad." Lin Yu nodded. The Demon Prison was secondary; killing the First Prince mattered most.
"Third Prince, His Majesty has no choice. Other princes lack your experience—only you can represent Great Han with dignity." The Chief Minister mistook Lin Yu's silence for hesitation.
"For the people of Great Han, this task falls to you alone!"
"Fear not, Third Prince—royal experts will escort you, ready to retrieve you if danger arises."
Ministers joined the persuasion. Lin Yu raised his head: "Enough, Your Majesty. I agree to envoy to Great Zhou."
"Excellent! You are indeed my son, bold to take on this task!" The Han Emperor beamed. "Depart in three days, and I will see you off personally."
Lin Yu fell silent. After the Emperor left, he knew their father-son bond had彻底消散 (completely dissolved).
Days later, escorted by imperial guards, Lin Yu headed for Great Zhou. The Han Emperor saw him off outside the capital, feigning deep fatherly love, though all knew he was being sent as a hostage.
"Third Prince, I am responsible for your safety. Obey orders and cause no trouble." A purple-robed elder, Zhao Yihu—a royal elder and Xiantian Third Grade warrior close to the First Prince—rode up, looking down arrogantly. "The Emperor ordered the guards to obey me. Behave, and we shall coexist."
Lin Yu冷哼 (snorted). "My affairs are none of your concern, guard. Overstep again, and I will return to the capital and ask the Emperor to replace you. I believe he will grant this small request."
Zhao Yihu turned铁青 (livid) but forced out, "Yes, Third Prince. I will ensure your safe arrival." He spurred ahead, defeated. Lin Yu, though fallen, was still a prince—disrespecting him would shame the royal family.
Lin Yu ignored Zhao Yihu, eager to reach Great Zhou and visit the Demon Prison.
...
In the Heavenly Demon Sect's Bone Palace, demons gathered. "Master, I hear Great Han and Great Zhou have exchanged hostages, and both processions are en route!" Elder Wang reported to the Sect Master on his skeleton throne.
"Good! The opportunity we've awaited has come!" The Sect Master slammed the table. "Elder Wang, take elite fighters and Prince Su's corpse puppet. Ambush the Great Han envoy at Great Zhou's border. Slaughter them all! Let's see if Great Han can stay calm now!"
"Fear not, Master. With Prince Su's corpse puppet—a Purple Mansion Seventh Grade warrior—success is guaranteed!" Elder Wang grinned. Few could withstand a Purple Mansion corpse puppet.
"Elder Wang, the Blood Demon Lord's awakening depends on you." The Sect Master stepped down, clapping his shoulder.
...
Escorted to Great Han's border, Lin Yu saw the First Prince's 100,000 troops. Entering the border city, he was amazed by its prosperity—caravans, bustling shops, and disciplined patrols showed the First Prince's governance skills.