125: The Rebellion of Lawson

The room fell into a brief, deathly silence.

Linn stood there like a volcano on the verge of eruption.

Rage burned in his eyes, his Sky-level power overflowing uncontrollably, causing the runes in the treatment room to flicker on and off.

"Payson," his voice was terrifyingly low, "I will certainly seek justice for you this time."

He turned around, his gaze like a blade: "Clay!"

"I am here!" Clay knelt on one knee.

"Notify Ocean and Karl immediately; mobilize the entire Star Sea Legion and Star-Moon Legion! Deploy the entire Guard Army and Griffin Knights!"

Every word Linn spoke seemed squeezed from between his teeth, "I will bathe Haige City in blood, drag that vixen out, and make her kneel before you!"

"Linn! You cannot!"

A weak but urgent cry interrupted him.

Payson struggled to prop up his upper body, his face flushed with an unnatural crimson from excitement: "You must not send troops! This is, after all, an internal power struggle within our Family, a common occurrence among the nobles of the continent! But once Star Sea Territory sends troops, it would be attacking the territory of a legitimate vassal of the kingdom! The Aolai Royal Family will absolutely not tolerate it!"

Elise also stepped forward quickly, holding down Linn's arm: "Young Master, calm down! Now is not the time to act rashly! The Marquisate of the Golden Peacock is one of the three great marquisates in the south of the Aulai Kingdom, possessing an army of over fifty thousand, and has been intermarried with the Royal Family for three generations! If we rashly declare war, we will not only bring the kingdom's army upon us, but also make all human nobles view Star Sea Territory as an enemy! Furthermore, there are two Sky-level experts watching us like tigers eyeing their prey."

"And what of it?" Cold light flickered in Linn's eyes, "They are merely two Sky-level retainers."

"But at what cost?" Payson's voice carried a plea, "Star Sea Territory is currently building Donghai City, expanding its army, and developing trade! To plunge the entire territory into war and cause thousands of soldiers to bleed for the sake of my personal vengeance, Linn, this is not like you! You are not the type of person to be blinded by rage!"

Linn's body stiffened.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Only the humming of the magic array and the heavy breathing of those present remained in the treatment room.

After a long while, Linn slowly opened his eyes. The violent Killing Intent gradually receded, but the coldness in his eyes became even more bone-chilling! It was a more dangerous calmness, tempered from rage.

"You are right." His voice returned to its usual steady tone, but with an added metallic quality, "I was impulsive."

He walked back to the bedside, looking at Payson's pale face, and then at Yilman's missing left arm.

"But seeing you in this state, I cannot be reconciled."

Payson smiled, a smile filled with bitterness and relief: "Linn, do you know? When the news of my father's death arrived, my first reaction was not sadness, but... finally, liberation."

Linn frowned slightly.

"My mother passed away early, and after my father remarried, that house was never my home again." Payson's voice was very calm, as if he were talking about someone else's affairs, "I worked hard to manage the chamber of commerce, earning wealth for the Family, but all I got in return was suspicion and suppression. This escape... although wretched, and although I nearly died, I feel free instead."

He raised his head, looking straight into Linn's eyes: "The Losen Family no longer holds any attachment for me. But Linn, I know your ambitions; I have known them since we were at the academy. What you want to build is not just an ordinary territory, but a... new order."

Elise and Clay exchanged a glance.

Payson continued, his tone becoming increasingly solemn: "Therefore, Linn, I am willing to join Star Sea Territory. Not as a guest, not as a partner, but as your follower. When the time is ripe, one day, I will personally go with my uncle to break through Haige City and take back everything that belongs to us!"

After finishing, he struggled to get out of bed to perform a kowtow.

"Nonsense!" Linn pressed him down, "Stay lying down! Who asked you to bow?"

But Payson's eyes were exceptionally firm.

Beside him, Yilman used his remaining right hand to prop up his body and knelt on one knee. Even though this action made him sweat from the pain.

"Lord of Star Sea Territory," the old general's voice was sonorous and powerful, "I, Yilman Lawson, swear by the name of the ancestors of the Losen Family, willing to join Star Sea Territory together with my nephew Payson. Although I only have one arm left, my decades of military experience, my understanding of the Aulai Kingdom's military system, and this life of mine are all willing to be used by the Lord!"

Linn looked at this old man and the young man.

Looking at the determination in Payson's eyes, and the steadfastness on Yilman's face.

He was silent for a long time, then sighed and reached out to help Yilman up: "Uncle Yilman, please get up. Your arm..." His gaze fell on that empty sleeve, "It might not be impossible to make it grow back."

Yilman's body trembled; Linn's identity as an Apothecary was not a secret. But such power required at least a Level 7 Apothecary to achieve.

"Regrowing severed limbs is not a legend in pharmacy." Linn nodded, "It just requires a Level 7 potion, 'Life Remolding', as well as Legendary-level life energy support. I am currently at the Peak of Level 6, and the distance to Level 7... will not be too far."

This sentence was like a shot of adrenaline, making Yilman's ashen face brighten a little.

For a warrior, losing an arm is more painful than death. And at this moment, he saw hope.

"We will discuss this matter later." Linn waved his hand, "You two rest well first. Clay, arrange a squad of the Guard Army to guard this place; without my written order, no one is allowed to enter or leave."

"Elise, continue to assist with the treatment; all resources are to be supplied without limit."

"Yes!" The two replied in unison.

Linn walked to the door, then turned back: "Payson, heal well. As for revenge... we will plan it carefully. But remember, Star Sea Territory is your home; from today on, no one can hurt you here. As for you following me, I do not agree; we are brothers, there is no following or not following."

He paused, then added: "As for the Marquisate of the Golden Peacock, Isabella, and those who participated in this matter... the blood debt they owe will be repaid sooner or later. It is just that we must choose a smarter way."

After finishing, Linn pushed the door open and left.

In the hallway, his footsteps were steady, but every step landed with immense weight.