Chapter 27: The Illegitimate Son, Lamdo

Jon embraced Selmea's body from behind, resting his head upon her shoulder, as if she were peacefully asleep.

“Love?” Linwei’s lips curled with a hint of mockery. “Still too young, Jon.”

A group of Tulip Guards surrounded Jon in silence.

Linwei stared at Jon wordlessly.

“I’m afraid this time, there will be an irreparable rift between Jon and Lamo…” Linwei’s eyes were cold, but suddenly, his gaze sharpened. “No!”

Linwei moved, swift as a hurricane.

But he was too late.

Jon, who had been holding Selmea’s body, suddenly thrust forward. He gripped the sword that pierced Selmea, and drove its blood-stained blade into his own heart!

Beads of Selmea’s blood slid down the blade, dripping onto Jon’s heart.

Jon smiled, his lips crimson.

“Young master Jon!” Linwei leapt to Jon’s side, reaching out to staunch the wound in Jon’s chest.

Jon looked at Linwei, his gaze already clouded. “Don’t touch me, Linwei.”

Linwei narrowed his eyes, but in the end did nothing. He could see all too clearly—Jon’s will to die was resolute; even if he tried to stem the bleeding, Jon’s life was slipping away.

“If Selmea died, Lamo would chide me at most… But with Jon dead…” A strange glimmer flickered in Linwei’s eyes. “I suppose Lamo will want my head now.”

The surrounding Tulip Guards were all frozen in terror, Jon’s sudden death striking them like a thunderclap. In their minds, they could already see Count Lamo’s twisted face, the flames of wrath poised to consume them at any moment.

“Take Young Master Jon and Miss Selmea’s bodies back to Tulip Manor,” Linwei ordered, his voice chilling.

He gripped the cross-hilted sword at his waist. “I have no choice but to make preparations…”

…

Young Master Jon is dead!

The entire Tulip family was thrown into turmoil!

Inside the house.

Linwei knelt on one knee before Count Lamo.

“My lord, this is all my fault. Please punish me,” Linwei said without a hint of fear, as if he had chosen to take the blame.

Count Lamo’s entire body trembled. His shaking hand pressed over his heart, as if the pain there made it impossible to breathe.

The room fell into silence.

A long time passed.

“Linwei, this isn’t your fault.” Count Lamo’s face was ashen, and he seemed to have aged twenty years in an instant. His voice was hoarse, as if weighed down by molten lead.

“My lord…” Linwei’s voice quavered, his eyes reddening.

Count Lamo waved his hand, forcing a thin smile. “If not for my own greed, none of this would have happened. Go now, do not trouble yourself. I do not blame you.”

Linwei slowly stood, bowed deeply to the count, and quietly withdrew.

Once Linwei left the room, Count Lamo’s mechanical smile vanished, replaced by a look of ruthless fury. “Linwei… I know you didn’t cause this, but you cannot wash your hands of Jon’s death!”

“Summon Reluman and Naken to see me at once!”

…

Linwei’s room.

“You old fox, do you really think I don’t see through you?” The guilt Linwei had feigned vanished completely. He sneered, muttering to himself, “Looks like they’re planning to come for me…”

“A pity. I had hoped to remain here a few more years, to uncover the secret of the wizards before leaving. But it seems the situation won’t allow that. You want to kill me? Do you really think I’ll sit and wait for death?”

Linwei opened his cabinet, retrieving a pale blue glass bottle. A cold smile flashed at his lips.

…

Southwest corner of Tulip Manor.

A tall, two-story tower.

This was the residence of Lamo’s illegitimate son, Lamdo.

As the son of Count Lamo’s second wife, Lamdo had lived his whole life in Jon’s shadow. The count’s every affection had been lavished on Jon, leaving Lamdo to watch, envious and repressed.

But now, Lamdo’s face was twisted with wild glee.

Jon was dead! Jon was actually dead!

Now the heir to the Tulip countship would be chosen between himself and another illegitimate son! He had a fifty-fifty chance of becoming the future master of the Tulip domain! Something he had never even dared dream was now within reach.

“If I can defeat Lanos, I can take my father’s seat! I will become the supreme ruler of Tulip lands!”

Lamdo’s fists clenched so tightly his body trembled.

Knock, knock, knock!

Someone rapped at the door.

“So late—who could it be?” Lamdo frowned.

He moved to the door, turning the handle gently.

“Mr. Linwei?” Lamdo exclaimed in surprise.

Lamdo held deep respect for Linwei, knowing that, in his father’s eyes, Linwei was valued even above his own sons.

“Young master Lamdo,” Linwei greeted him, a subtle, enigmatic smile playing at his lips.

Linwei casually closed the door behind him, walking in as if he owned the place.

“Mr. Linwei, what brings you here at this hour?” For some reason, Lamdo felt a chill at Linwei’s smile, the way Linwei looked at him—as if he were nothing more than prey, about to be devoured.

Linwei paused by Lamdo’s bookshelf, pulling out a book and leafing through it without answering.

The air in the room grew stifling.

“Mr. Linwei…” Lamdo’s throat was dry as he called out softly.

Snap!

Linwei suddenly snapped the book shut.

He fixed his gaze on Lamdo. “Young master Lamdo, young master Jon is dead.”

This should have been cause for excitement, but hearing it from Linwei’s mouth, Lamdo couldn’t help but shudder. All he wanted now was for Linwei to disappear from his sight.

“Uh… My brother Jon’s death saddens me greatly,” Lamdo forced out a sorrowful smile.

“Shouldn’t you be delighted?” Linwei’s words were abrupt.

Lamdo froze, immediately denying it. “How could that be? Jon was my own brother!”

Linwei stepped closer, baring a chilling smile. “But for years, you’ve lived in the shadow of that brother.”

“I… I…” Lamdo wanted to protest, but meeting Linwei’s cold gaze, he was struck dumb.

“Jon is dead. Who will be the next Tulip count?” Linwei’s beguiling voice sent a jolt straight to Lamdo’s heart.