Beauty and the Bodyguard Chapter 11506 - 11504: The Battle of the Three Kingdoms!
Previously on Beauty and the Bodyguard...
Han Niansan found himself at a loss for words. "You're still cracking jokes at a time like this? What is the point? You are incredibly fortunate that he didn't slay you instantly and instead provided a window for your escape."
"His luck was simply better," Lin Yi replied with a faint smile.
The onlookers remained perplexed. Like Han Niansan, the majority assumed Lin Yi was merely using humble platitudes to cover for his narrow escape.
They remained oblivious to the fact that Lin Yi was speaking the literal truth.
Old Monster Gu had indeed been lucky.
After being struck by such a catastrophic backlash of luck, surviving at all was a miracle. Though his power had vanished and his intellect had regressed to that of a toddler, surviving such a fate was likely a historical first.
However, had Old Monster Gu realized the extent of his fall, he might have preferred death.
Naturally, Han Niansan didn't believe a word of it.
Yet, in that moment, he finally sensed the shift in the atmosphere.
"Wait... has the ancestor's luck stabilized? Did Old Monster Gu truly stop his assault?"
Declining to elaborate further, Lin Yi shifted the topic. "Let us discuss the ancestral worship formation. Senior, I have a proposal. Would you care to hear it?"
"What are you suggesting?" Han Niansan asked, his voice laced with suspicion.
"Why not let him perform the ancestral worship and ascend as the King of Han?" Lin Yi suggested, gesturing toward Guardian Han.
"What?"
While he was a blood descendant of the Han Imperial Residence, his lineage had drifted to a collateral branch several generations ago.
Given his standing, he usually wouldn't even be permitted to set foot inside the ancestral hall, let alone inherit the throne or lead the ancestral rites.
Under normal circumstances, being allowed to light a single stick of incense outside the hall was the highest honor he could expect.
"Is this a joke?" Han Niansan's brow furrowed.
It wasn't that he disliked Han Changshi.
In truth, while Han Changshi wasn't exceptionally gifted, he was infinitely better than Han Jiechen—that worthless traitor who had turned his back on his ancestors and abandoned the Sect.
If they were truly backed into a corner, choosing the best of the remaining options wasn't entirely unthinkable.
But to actually go through with it? Wouldn't it make their painstaking efforts to establish the ancestral worship array look like a farce?
Guardian Han waved his hands dismissively. "Brother Lin, do not worry about my status. We are surrounded by powerful foes; we must focus on how to survive first."
"The enemy is already stuck in the mud; there is no need for force," Lin Yi stated with total seriousness.
"You still have the nerve to say such things..."
Han Niansan was speechless.
After a moment of thought, Lin Yi exited the ancestral hall and returned, dragging a body behind him.
The crowd stared in shock at the old man. His hands were caked in filth, and he wore a vacant, foolish grin, babbling at anyone who looked his way.
Han Niansan stood frozen.
"Old Monster Gu? That really is Old Monster Gu!"
"It is!" Han Niansan’s excitement surged once he confirmed the identity. "He truly is a broken old monster now! How on earth did you manage this?"
"He suffered a backlash from luck," Lin Yi answered simply.
"I see! Haha, it seems the heavens have finally opened their eyes!"
Han Niansan was ecstatic, though he didn't fully grasp the weight of Lin Yi's explanation.
This was exactly what Lin Yi intended.
Following the events at Night Center Palace, he was already a marked figure within the Inner Court. If news broke that he had neutralized Old Monster Gu in an instant, he would undoubtedly become the primary target for every power player in the Inner Court.
While Lin Yi didn't fear them, it would complicate his future plans. Keeping a low profile was the better path.
Regardless of the method, Old Monster Gu was no longer a threat. The existential crisis facing the Han Residence had been averted.
Only one issue remained: the ancestral worship array.
"Are you truly certain you don't wish to take the seat of King Han?"
"Consider it carefully. Our Han Imperial Residence is quite progressive regarding bloodlines. If you are willing to honor our ancestors, all of us Elders will give you our full support. We won't discard you after the crisis is over; you have my word on that."
"I have no interest in it. Like I said, Chief Han is a solid choice."
"Brother Lin, please don't tease me. I'm not capable of this," Minister Han said, looking panicked.
"Useless!" Han Niansan barked. "Who says you aren't capable? I haven't disqualified you, so what right do you have to make excuses?"
"Huh?"
Guardian Han found himself dazed by the sudden turn of events.
The rest of the Han Residence members were equally bewildered.
What was happening? Were they seriously going to allow Minister Han to ascend as the new King of Han? Such a thing was unprecedented.
However, considering Han Jiechen had been subjected to the Soul Searching Technique, even if he survived, he would be a vegetable. He was finished as a ruler.
Aside from Lin Yi, if they had to select a successor from those present, Chief Han was indeed the most logical choice.
Anyone else would struggle to gain the respect of the Han Imperial Residence’s upper echelon.
Han Niansan wavered for a moment, but seeing Lin Yi's unwavering stance, he relented and pointed directly at Han Changshi.
"Fine, it shall be you. Waste no more time and offer the sacrifices to the ancestors. From this day forward, you are King Han. Let’s get on with it."
Ultimately, he still feared the lingering threat of Old Monster Gu and worried that any further delay would invite more chaos.
If they remained vulnerable, they might attract other predators. The Inner Court was shifting, and monsters of Old Monster Gu's caliber were becoming more common.
Forced into the role, Guardian Han could only steel himself to finish the ritual and take his place on the throne of King Han.
Lin Yi watched with satisfaction.
Within the entire Han Imperial Residence, Minister Han was the only person he felt he could rely on.
Had the Elders proven to be fickle or ungrateful, even someone of Lin Yi's temperament might have considered wiping the Han Imperial Residence off the map.
As the ancestral worship array finally activated, a collective sigh of relief swept through the hall.
"Elder," Han Changshi spoke up suddenly, "Now that I hold this position, there is a decree I wish to make."
"And what is that?" Han Niansan’s eye twitched nervously.
He had already been burned by Han Jiechen's betrayal. If this new King started causing trouble immediately after taking the throne, it would be a disaster.
"I wish to formally invite Brother Lin to serve as the Chief Honored Guest of the Han Imperial Residence," Minister Han declared solemnly.
The room went silent.
Han Niansan wore a peculiar expression.
Lin Yi didn't even care for the title of King Han, yet you think he’d be impressed by a Guest Elder position? The audacity was almost impressive.
Minister Han quickly clarified, "To be clear, the Imperial Residence will revere Brother Lin as our Chief Honored Guest, but he is under no obligation to remain here. My only hope is that Brother Lin will offer his guidance during pivotal moments. Every word he speaks will be treated with the utmost gravity by this Residence."
"I wonder... would this be acceptable?"
Hearing this, the eyes of everyone in the room began to shine with hope.