The Duke of Zhenyue left.

Zhu Xue pulled Lin Lin aside.

"Do you know how much trouble you've caused me with what you just said?"

The content of this sentence seemed serious.

But Lin Chou's tone was not so serious.

"Trouble?"

Lin Lin chuckled and said softly, "Due to your status, there are some things you can't say, so I said them for you. No need to thank me."

"Meng Xiao is Meng Xizhou's elder brother. You deliberately spoke up just now because you wanted to push that marriage even further away." Zhu Xue narrowed his eyes. "Do you really not want to marry the Goddess of Light?"

"Love is something that can't be forced." Lin Lin smiled. "I am willing to dedicate my life to the Northern Continent, to the frontier. If marriage is part of that dedication, then I won't hesitate... That's why I didn't directly oppose your previous marriage arrangement. What if that Goddess of Light is a proletarian devotee like me? I could only make a sacrifice. But now it seems she's not like me. She has her ideals and pursuits, and I have mine. The Lin family has a million ways to cooperate with the City of Light. Why choose the most traditional one?"

"..."

These words left Lin Chou in silence.

After a moment, he said earnestly, "Lin Lin, this time is different. Your marriage with Meng Xizhou is really important. You will be the strongest union in nearly a century."

Among the royal children of the Central City, there are often talented young men.

But to grow to Lin Lin's level is as rare as a phoenix feather. To be elected as a brigadier general of the Northern Continent's frontier through high-level public selection before the age of thirty is really too difficult... Most importantly, Lin Lin's file is even more legendary and mysterious than Cn021. No one yet knows that he is the Empress's own younger brother, giving up all enjoyment, willing to go to the frontier to guard it, and has made great achievements.

If this file were made public.

Then soon... Lin Lin would have a large number of "supporters." As long as he could become a titled general, he would be more likely than Osmond to become the next Grand General.

This is also why Lin Chou has been constantly sending Central City sentinels to invite Lin Lin back to the capital in recent years.

In Zhu Xue's view, Lin Lin's most important task is not to guard Gu Fort.

It is true that it is the most dangerous area on the Northern Continent's frontier, but now there are many transcendents within the legion who can command troops and resist the wind and snow... Gu Fort can be replaced with another guardian.

The top priority is to return to Central City and improve his cultivation!

Lin Lin has already done enough in the frontier in recent years!

"It's useless to say more... I understand you. It's useless to say more."

Duke Zhu Xue looked at Lin Lin's nonchalant face, sighed softly, and said, "I know what you came back for this time. Take some time to see your sister."

...

...

Everyone dispersed and left.

But Gu Shen did not leave. He was waiting for Lin Lin on the rooftop.

Recalling the scene of Meng Xiao's departure earlier, Gu Shen couldn't help but laugh. That Duke of Zhenyue was very angry and embarrassed when he left... Because Lin Lin's words had made him lose a lot of face. Responding wasn't right, and not responding wasn't either. He could only leave in anger.

It was hard to imagine that Lin Lin, a usually dignified and serious guy, would blurt out vulgar words like shit and piss during a meal.

Is this guy really "royalty"?

It had long been heard that Meng Xiao's methods were ruthless in his fiefdom, but it seemed that some things could not be carried out in Central City.

One sentence choked the Duke of Zhenyue, leaving him speechless.

It was truly a memorable scene.

However, what was worth pondering was whether Meng Xiao's final departure was out of fear of Lin Lin or Zhu Xue?

Or... a deeper, hidden existence?

The broken snow on the rooftop was blown up by the wind. Lin Lin pushed the door open, looking unhappy. [Deep Sea] automatically piloted the airship to the edge of the skyscraper's top floor, slowly lowering the ladder.

Gu Shen was in a good mood and asked with a smile, "Tsk tsk, were you scolded because of what happened just now?"

"Not really. You think too highly of Meng Xiao. His affairs are nothing. What happened just now is over. He's not even qualified to occupy another second of my life." Lin Lin said lightly, "Get on board."

...

...

Because of the existence of the "Furnace," the Northern Continent solved its biggest energy problem and also solved the severe cold climate problem. With the development of technology, the mainstream transportation tools in Central City have also undergone corresponding changes.

Now, many small private airships are parked in this giant city.

Lin Lin's "military source energy艇 (yuan neng ting - airship)," even in the smallest model, far surpasses these small艇 (ting - airships) in size and performance.

In the night, the faint silhouettes of private small艇 (ting - airships) extinguishing their lights could be seen, like quiet symbols. [Deep Sea]'s palm hung above the ceiling, like a hand pressed on a closed piano.

Gu Shen sat by the window, looking at this scene.

The flowing light of the long night spilled across the dome. The neon lights of the suspended skyscraper made this night scene seem even more unreal. [Deep Sea]'s balancing has been very successful. People living on different continents have no understanding of the technological and livelihood situations of other continents. All of this is beautifully like a false dream, and [Deep Sea] is the big hand covering each dream.

"Do you know that there are now more than six thousand 'small艇 (ting - airships)' in Central City?"

Lin Lin said softly, "In the Northern Continent, small艇 (ting - airships) are not affordable for ordinary people. You need to pass [Deep Sea]'s simulated exam to get a 'Source Energy艇 (yuan neng ting - airship) Driving Qualification Certificate.' Besides that, the price of a small艇 (ting - airship) is at least seven figures, plus parking fees, fuel fees, insurance fees, and purchase tax... Only a very few 'rich people' can afford this thing."

Gu Shen was somewhat dazed after hearing this.

Money... These vulgar things had long lost their meaning to him.

After becoming a transcendent, he no longer pursued these things, but he still had a basic concept of money.

"Central City has six thousand small艇 (ting - airships)?" Gu Shen's eyes were a little surprised.

He looked again at the shadows parked in the night. It was hard to associate the small艇 (ting - airships) with piano keys... One ship cost millions, and these rows and rows were symbols of status and position.

"The accurate number is six thousand three hundred and twenty-four." Chu Ling earnestly reported the results in Gu Shen's mind. "I just connected to the basic network of the Northern Continent's [Deep Water Zone]. Central City has placed the permission management of these small艇 (ting - airships) there. In theory, I can hack into the private network of any private small艇 (ting - airship). Do you want to try it?"

As expected of [Source Code]... Even though [Deep Sea] has been constantly upgrading itself and constantly changing its code over the years, as long as the logic of the basic network has not changed, then Chu Ling will always have her own living space.

"There will be a chance to try it." Gu Shen responded in his heart.

"There's more interesting stuff later. As far as I know, the owners of these six thousand source energy艇 (yuan neng ting - airships) are only a few hundred people." Lin Lin said calmly, "Those who can afford this thing... are either the business giants of 'intercontinental companies' or special transcendents who cooperate closely with the Northern Continent. The vast majority of wealth in this world is in the hands of a very few people."

"The accurate number is: nine hundred and thirty-one." Chu Ling reminded again, "It is worth mentioning that the Hua Zhi Group alone, Lu Nanzhi owns thirty-five private source energy艇 (yuan neng ting - airships) under her name."

Gu Shen: "..."

Hua Zhi is the world's top intercontinental company, supporting the economy of the Dadu District with its own strength, and is still developing rapidly. Leaving aside the private research projects of the Awakening Act, it also has extremely strong strength. Under the management of Lu Nanzhi and Zhao Xilai in recent years, this can already be said to be a well-deserved "oligarch company."

"The 'oligarchs' of the Five Continents all like to come to the Northern Continent, especially from the Central Continent. Most of the skyscrapers here come from the Central Continent."

Lin Lin said slowly, "Here, corporate tax rates are low, labor is cheap, and because of the years of war, the level of technology is uneven. Military technology is developed, but civil technology is backward. Therefore, the royal family will give foreigners certain policy preferences... In addition, the burning of the 'Furnace' requires them to share the pressure. They have built skyscrapers here, providing a large number of jobs, so there is a thriving 'Central City' today. But all this prosperity is false in the eyes of the Northern Continent's higher-ups. The Northern Continent is burning for the whole world, but its people have not received too much heat."

Some things are too real.

So real that it makes people silent.

Gu Shen didn't know what to say for a moment.

"It's like... the frontier, the fortress."

Lin Lin drove the airship. This time, he did not use autopilot but operated it himself. "I remember your words at the Giant Wall last time. All things in the world will eventually meet their demise, not just humans. Storms will dissipate, and seawater will dry up. So one day, the furnace under Central City will also go out... And at that time, I don't want the Northern Continent to be burned into charcoal, with nothing left but skyscrapers and empty shells that have had their sincere souls swallowed up."

The shadows of those small艇 (ting - airships) could no longer be seen in the distant sky.

But faintly, military source energy艇 (yuan neng ting - airships) could be seen hovering in the higher and deeper reaches of the clouds.

"Lin Lin is driving to the Empress's residence."

Chu Ling said seriously, reminding, "This is dangerous behavior... It is expected to be intercepted in five seconds..."

"Five, four..."

"Three, two, one."

In these short five seconds, Gu Shen followed his intuition, did not speak, and did not stop the airship. He quietly looked out the window, watching the flowing clouds whiz by, and the brilliant light flashed, which was the scene of the [Eyes of Heaven] arrayed on the dome coming to capture the comers.

And this time, Chu Ling's warning failed.

No warning, no interception.

Nothing at all.

It was a quiet and beautiful night. Lin Lin's source energy艇 (yuan neng ting - airship) entered the airspace of the Empress's manor without any obstruction.

Gu Shen silently looked out the window.

He seemed to see someone saluting at a nearby guard post.

At this moment, Gu Shen's mood was very complicated.

He still underestimated Lin Lin.

Who would have thought that this guy could drive an airship directly into this kind of place?

Lin Lin gave Gu Shen a few seconds to react, and then said in the calmest tone, "Hey, stop looking. We've reached our destination... Get off."

...

...

The sentinels in the manor lined up and stood respectfully.

No one would have thought that there would be such a guest tonight... No, two guests.

Gu Shen, Lin Lin...

Or to be more precise, three?

Beside Lin Lin, the Labrador retriever dog, which had been airsick and listless all the way, finally recovered a bit. It stuck out its tongue, looked at the sentinels, and showed an excited smile, because it found several familiar faces...

The sentinels, who had been standing at ease, looked nervous. Several of them were particularly nervous, and their faces were faintly pale.

They could not forget the nightmare they had encountered when they were sent to Gu Fort by Duke Zhu Xue to perform a mission. After several years, the dog seemed to have grown taller, stronger, and more perverted.

But tonight's guests did not seem to have too many plans.

Lin Lin and Gu Shen entered the manor directly and walked towards the Empress's residence. They had received orders not to stop them and let them pass all the way.

Gu Shen had seen in Nan Zhou's Xi Yin City the temples built by fanatical believers with their blood, sweat, gold, and silver. That was the "faith" poured out with everything, an inviolable holy building.

And the Empress's manor at this moment was even more magnificent, more splendid, and more shocking.

Six hundred years ago, the first emperor of the Northern Continent built this manor here. Since then, the throne has changed hands, the crown has changed people, but this manor has never changed... It is a symbol of the Northern Continent's imperial power and a faithful witness to six hundred years of history.

Oil paintings.

Long corridors.

Gu Shen and Chu Ling remained silent. This was the highest respect for this "sacred land of the Northern Continent." Even [Source Code] could not search for specific information about this manor. Those who were qualified to enter here were all honored guests invited by the Empress.

This was something that many Northern Continent people were proud of for a lifetime.

But Lin Lin... just came in like this.

Leisurely.

Lin Lin led Gu Shen to a castle. He stopped, turned around slowly, looked at Gu Shen, who had not said a word along the way, and slowly opened his mouth: "You have said more than once before... that you were curious about my identity."

He said softly: "And I have always said that my identity is not important. In fact, it can't be said that... For me, this identity is not important, it is far less important than being a Gu Fort garrison. But in the eyes of Zhu Xue, and some other insiders, this identity is more important than being a Gu Fort garrison."

The gates of the Empress's castle slowly opened.

A Liu'er, and a purple-haired woman wearing a large cloak from the Investigation Corps, stood under the light behind the castle gate.

"I am a bloodline of the Central City's royal family, the ruler of the Northern Continent's furnace, and a guardian who dedicated this heart to this land from birth..."

Lin Lin no longer concealed his identity: "I am... the younger brother of the Northern Continent's Empress."