Chapter 227: We Are Willing to Follow

"For this sword strike, I ask General Lin to offer your appraisal!"

The next moment, the endless Original Qi in the surroundings seemed to swarm toward Shen Yu, his figure appearing to be infinitely elevated.

That sharp sword radiance became even more piercing and terrifying, as if it wanted to shatter even space itself.

At this moment, even Lin Zhao felt infinite danger. This was a feeling more dangerous than when he was fighting amidst thousands of soldiers and horses.

This Lord Shen, what a tyrannical cultivation, what a terrifying sword!

"Quick, protect the General!"

Such a massive commotion here immediately caused the guards within the Pingdu Marquis Mansion, as well as Lin Zhao's personal guards, to mobilize in large numbers, and they soon surrounded the place.

Those stationed at the Marquis Mansion were all Lin Zhao's personal guards; every one of them was battle-hardened, brave, and fearless. Facing anyone, they had absolute confidence in crushing their opponent.

However, the people in the courtyard at this moment were the Xiaoyun Guard, known as the number one army of the Northern Frontier. When the armored soldiers of the Marquis Mansion moved to approach, the Xiaoyun Guard all drew their blades from their sheaths.

The troop of over a hundred men instantly transformed into the sharpest of blades. That terrifying momentum seemed as if it could tear the firmament apart. The dense killing intent made one tremble just by looking at it.

"Those who come within ten paces, die!" Holding their blades forward, the Xiaoyun Guard instantly closed ranks, firmly blocking everyone outside.

And Lin Zhao, who had climbed up from the ground, was not disturbed by what was happening outside; after standing up, he chose to walk slowly toward Shen Yu.

At this time, Lin Zhao was terrifyingly calm, yet there was not a trace of fear on his face, only composure. It was as if the Shen Yu before him was not even in his eyes.

Facing the gradually approaching Lin Zhao, Shen Yu thrust out a sword; this strike was fast and urgent, like thunder.

However, Shen Yu understood that he did not expect this strike to succeed. Because this strike was a feint; the true killing blow was still to come.

Lin Zhao possessed the "Space-Traversing Shift," a movement technique to dodge out of thin air. Therefore, to kill him, it would likely take two strikes. One strike to seal his retreat, one strike to take his life.

Yet what Shen Yu did not expect was that his first strike, the one that should have been a feint, actually plunged straight into the opponent's chest, and blood instantly sprayed out.

"You!" At this, Shen Yu was somewhat stunned. It wasn't that he had stabbed the opponent at all; rather, the opponent had collided with the sword himself.

Just at the moment his sword was about to reach him, he had suddenly opened his chest, let go of all defenses, and actively collided with it.

At this moment, Shen Yu understood at once: Lin Zhao was seeking death!

Sword Qi instantly erupted within Lin Zhao's body, and large mouthfuls of blood flowed down the corners of his mouth.

"All soldiers, kill for me, save the Marquis!" At this moment, the armored soldiers of the Pingdu Marquis Mansion outside went mad; everyone gripped their weapons, ready to charge inside.

They certainly knew what they were facing—that was the nearly undefeated Xiaoyun Guard. But even so, they still wanted to charge forward, because their General was inside.

Even if they were facing the world-shaking Xiaoyun Guard, so what? Even if they knew clearly that facing the Xiaoyun Guard meant only one outcome—total annihilation—they still acted without hesitation.

"Stand down!" At this time, Lin Zhao inside wiped the blood from his mouth and roared at the outside!

"General!"

"I told you to stand down!" Continuing to roar, there was not only no unwillingness on Lin Zhao's face, but rather he seemed relieved, as if he had set down some heavy burden.

"I am guilty. I have failed the century-old reputation of the Lin Family, and I have failed the people of the Beishan Region even more. Falling to this point today is all my own fault; it is self-inflicted!"

"All officers, hear my order: today my death is deserved. After I die, you must not harbor hatred, and you must not seek revenge, do you understand!"

"General!"

"Are you not even going to listen to my final order? Consider this my request to you. My death alone is not worth regretting, but you must not make mistakes along with me!"

Turning his head, Lin Zhao looked at Shen Yu again and said slowly, "Lord Shen, they know nothing of all this; it was all done by me alone!"

"General Lin, I know! But can you tell me where you hid the remaining grain, exactly how many people were involved in this, and how many corrupt officials were lining their pockets?"

"Is Lord Shen wanting to start a massacre in the Beishan Region? Haha, cough, cough, cough!" He wanted to laugh loudly a few times, but then Lin Zhao could not help but cough.

The Sword Qi within his body had already ravaged his entire being into a state of ruin; the only reason he could still stand was by relying on his astonishing willpower to force himself to hold on.

"Lord Shen, I can tell you all of this, but you must agree to one condition of mine!"

Stretching his hands forward to grip Shen Yu's shoulders tightly, Lin Zhao said urgently, "In the secret chamber under the bed in my bedroom, there is a Living Dead. Help me take a look and see if she can truly live!"

"General Lin, if you are thinking of using a Musheng Flower to resurrect her, I can tell you very definitely: she cannot live!"

"I did not lie to you before; the Musheng Flower has no power to bring the dead back to life at all. It only makes a corpse look as if it were alive; it is impossible for her to live!"

"Lord Shen, go take a look, just one look!" As if he had not heard the other's words at all, Lin Zhao continued to grip him, refusing to let go.

Large mouthfuls of blood flowed from his mouth, but Lin Zhao turned a blind eye to all of this, his gaze still looking at him urgently.

"Fine, I promise you!" Softening somewhat at the sight of Lin Zhao's eyes, Shen Yu then nodded. "If she is truly salvageable, I will certainly do my utmost!"

"Good, good, then many thanks, Lord Shen! The things you want are hidden in my study; there is a secret compartment on the wall, and all the names and grain records are noted there!"

"Wait!" Grabbing Lin Zhao's hand in return, Shen Yu then asked, "General Lin, I have one last question: this Musheng Flower, how exactly did you obtain it?"

"Musheng Flower?" A trace of bitterness appeared on his face, and Lin Zhao shook his head. "Lord Shen, I can answer all your questions, but this one I cannot!"

"Why?"

"There is no why." Quietly withdrawing his hand, Lin Zhao then said, "Lord Shen, let this matter end here. All faults and all crimes are on me; I accept them all!"

"General Lin, what exactly are you trying to hide?"

"Lord Shen, I am hiding nothing. I said, everything is my fault!" Giving Shen Yu a light smile, Lin Zhao then exerted a sudden force forward, and the sword blade immediately passed through his body.

Soon, the vitality in Lin Zhao's eyes dissipated rapidly, and his body fell heavily to the ground, kicking up a spray of blood!

"Lord Shen, to be able to die by your hand can be considered my good fortune!"

"General!" Upon seeing Lin Zhao fall, it was like the final straw for everyone; everyone outside nearly collapsed, crazily wanting to rush in.

At this time, Mo Yu waved his hand slightly, and the Xiaoyun Guard cleared a path, letting them in directly.

"General!" Kneeling before Lin Zhao, these personal guards of Lin Zhao all showed sorrow on their faces, and everyone was crying uncontrollably. At this moment, their mountain had collapsed!

"General, I am willing to follow you to the death!" Suddenly, one person drew the blade in his hand and, without hesitation, plunged it into his own chest.

"What are you doing?"

This person's action seemed to trigger a chain reaction. The hundreds of personal guards before them performed the same action, drawing their blades and plunging them into their own chests.

At this time, not one of these people was afraid; Shen Yu even saw smiles on their faces. It was as if they were not committing suicide, but pursuing their own dreams.

"We are all orphans adopted by the General. From the day we joined the army, our lives were given to the General! So even in death, we are willing to follow!"

"Back then, I swore to follow the General to the death. Today, since the General is dead, I will not live on!"