Caesar slumped to the ground, staring blankly at the rock ceiling of the mine.
He looked like a child who had lost everything, even forgetting how to cry.
His lifelong ambition, his painstaking schemes while enduring humiliation, and even the power he had obtained by sacrificing his comrades without hesitation—all of it had turned into a ridiculous and tragic joke in the face of those few insignificant strands of hair.
Everything that had supported him to live and fight seemed to completely collapse at this moment.
As his old rival, Elvia had, to some extent, witnessed Caesar's journey.
She had seen how he grew from a youth consumed by hatred into the leader of the rebel army.
Looking at his completely broken state, she did not feel the slightest bit of satisfaction.
A complex, almost pitying emotion spread through her heart.
She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but found that any words would be pale and powerless at this moment.
The situation had completely reversed.
That terrifying 【Soul-Slaying Blade】 was darting around the mine like a headless fly, striking the places where Lin Gui had hidden the Saintess's hair.
The hard rock and soil were like paper before it.
Every impact erupted with astonishing energy.
But anyone could see that without a continuous drive of soul energy, its wild venting could not last long, and it would soon exhaust its power and fall completely silent.
Even though the greatest threat had been neutralized and they were completely safe, Elvia did not feel the slightest bit of relief.
Her chest felt heavy, as if blocked by a giant boulder.
With her usual personality, she would have clung to Lin Gui by now, using charming words and body language to “reward” this partner who had once again shown astonishing capabilities, in order to consolidate their relationship.
But now... she did not even dare to look Lin Gui in the eyes.
Caesar's tearful and bloody accusation, combined with the shame welling up from the depths of her heart, made her feel as if she were standing naked before him.
All her carefully constructed disguises and pride had been stripped away, leaving only her unsightly inner self.
“Let him go, Theia,” Lin Gui's voice rang out calmly.
Theia withdrew the dagger pressed against Caesar's neck as bidden.
She took two steps back but remained vigilant.
Caesar slumped completely onto the ground, his eyes vacant, as if he had lost even the strength to breathe.
His fighting spirit and all his energy seemed to have been invisibly crushed by Lin Gui along with the complete failure of his plan.
Lin Gui walked over to him, looked down at the man who seemed to have aged decades in an instant, and after a brief silence, spoke.
“Giving up just like this?”
“Your main force, those two hundred-odd core members of the rebel army outside, hasn't lost a single person. They were merely knocked unconscious.”
Caesar's eyes twitched, but they did not focus.
Lin Gui continued in his flat tone.
“You lost a few Transcendent assassins, which is indeed a heavy loss.”
“But what about the Royal Capital? John's Holy Knights have been completely wiped out, and Duke Sam, the Legendary expert of Twilight Fortress, was crippled by you.”
“In the current Carter Royal Capital, how many Legendary pillars are left that can be openly mobilized?”
He paused, dropping the most crucial piece of information.
“Furthermore, as far as I know, the bloody battle between the Eldest Princess and Third Prince Charles is about to begin.”
“An empty Royal Capital, damaged top-tier forces, noble infighting...”
“Isn't this an unprecedented opportunity for you?”
“Don't forget what you buried beneath the palace.”
Having said this, Lin Gui paid Caesar no more attention.
He turned and walked toward Viper, who was lying heavily injured on the ground on the other side.
This was all he could do.
If Caesar could not stand back up on his own, then he was no longer worthy of being the leader of the rebel army.
He would not be worthy of being the nobles' archenemy.
Behind him, Viper's weak voice drifted over.
“Mage... Mage Lin Gui... Thank you... for... saving my life just now...”
Lin Gui looked at him.
Viper gasped with difficulty, a hint of pleading in his eyes.
“I... I'm afraid I won't make it... Could I... trouble you... to bring a message to my younger brother in Caran City... Tell him... tell him that I...”
“Tell him yourself,” Lin Gui interrupted him.
Viper froze.
Beside them, Holy Saintess Eve smiled faintly, stepped forward, and knelt by his side.
She grasped her staff once more and began to chant softly.
Transcendent Rank Light Healing Spell—【Hymn of Life】.
A soft, milky-white light enveloped Viper's body.
It continuously repaired the wounds on his body.
What was even more astonishing was that the light seemed to contain a warm and steadfast power that far surpassed ordinary mana.
“Is this... the power of faith?”
Lin Gui keenly perceived the difference.
Eve nodded slightly, focusing on maintaining the spell.
Under the powerful healing spell infused with the power of faith, the decayed, ghastly wound on Viper's ribs where the 【Soul-Slaying Blade】 had grazed him actually regained its color at a speed visible to the naked eye, as wisps of black energy were forced out and purified.
The bizarre toxin eroding his heart and veins was also rapidly dispelled under the holy light.
Within moments, although Viper remained weak, his complexion had improved significantly, and his life was at least no longer in danger.
Feeling the long-lost lightness and vitality in his body, he stared at his hands in disbelief.
He then struggled to thank Lin Gui and Eve.
“No need,” Lin Gui raised a hand to stop him.
“If you still want revenge, I suggest you return directly to Caran City.”
Before entering the mine, Elvia had already told Lin Gui all the information regarding the notable assassins under Caesar's command, including their grudges.
A trace of struggle and hatred flashed through Viper's eyes. “My... my wife and child...”
“Do not let hatred consume you. You are not alone now.”
Lin Gui looked at him, his tone flat yet carrying a strange persuasiveness.
“You are already a High-tier Transcendent. With this strength, you can easily ensure your younger brother's family in Caran City lives a stable and prosperous life.”
“They will no longer have to worry about being oppressed by nobles, nor fear starving or freezing to death.”
“Don't you want to see them safe? Do you want your brother to suffer some misfortune one day, just like your wife and child did?”
He paused, then continued.
“Amass your strength—not just through martial power, but also wealth, connections, and intelligence.”
“When you possess enough power, revenge might only require a single word or a glance.”
“Instead of striking a stone with an egg with a death wish, as you are doing now.”
Viper fell silent, the fire of hatred in his eyes gradually replaced by a complex train of thought.
He thought of the hopeful life his brother had described in his letters, and then of Lin Gui's words.
Ultimately, he took a deep breath and nodded heavily.
“I... I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Master Mage.”
Before leaving, Viper seemed to recall something and whispered to Lin Gui.
“Mage Lin Gui, beware of... the person who provided us with the artifact from behind the scenes...”
“He... is a High-tier Legendary assassin.”
Having said this, he cast a meaningful glance at Elvia.
“I believe Her Highness the Princess should know who I am talking about.”
Just as Viper was about to leave, Lin Gui added another instruction.
“Once you reach Caran City, if... if there is no noble oppression there and the commoners can live and work in peace...”
“Then, do me a favor. Use your abilities to assist the City Lord there and run Caran City well.”
Although Viper was somewhat puzzled, he still nodded in agreement.
Then, dragging his not yet fully recovered body, he took the limp Caesar under Lin Gui's instruction and quickly vanished into the dark tunnels of the mine.
Just as Lin Gui turned around, he saw that Elvia's face was deathly pale, completely devoid of color.
She seemed to have received an immense fright, suddenly rushing over.
She grabbed Lin Gui's arm tightly, her fingernails nearly digging into his flesh.
Her voice carried an uncontrollable trembling and terror.
“Run!! We must run!! Leave the Royal Capital! We leave right now!!”
Her fear was so genuine and intense, making her look like a completely different person from her previously calm and proud self.
Just as Elvia's voice faded, a prompt chimed in Lin Gui's mind.
【Ding! Special Commission: Deliver the remains of Hero Reinhardt to the Tomb of Queen Catriona, completed.】
【Distributing rewards...】
【Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Special Soul Magic: Eyes of the Netherworld.】
A cold and bizarre power surged into Lin Gui's eyes.
He felt his vision instantly change.
Colors seemed more distinct, and light became clearer, allowing him to even vaguely see the minute energy particles floating in the air.
What was even more obvious was the change in his appearance.
His originally deep black pupils were rapidly fading in color.
They transformed into an icy gray that seemed shrouded in mist.
Within that gray, tiny points of light, like soul flames, seemed to slowly circulate, lending him a touch of non-human mystery and eeriness.
Eyes of the Netherworld, activated.
Rate on N.U.
