The people at the border all yearned for the day they could step into the human puppet nest, to see where the human puppets truly came from and why they could never be eradicated.
The cultivators' gazes all fell upon Si Jianye at this moment.
Their eyes held complex emotions as they secretly speculated about Si Jianye's identity.
To remain unharmed in the human puppet nest for seven days was no small feat.
This person's appearance was exceptionally striking, deserving of the title "Dragon Domain's Most Handsome Man," yet they had never seen him before.
Si Jianye turned his gaze towards the depths of the border, his ink-black pupils hiding a ripple of light. His cold, male voice slowly drifted down, "The human puppets there are beyond your imagination. These things cannot be destroyed."
"Then do you know where the human puppets originate from?" Si Yi asked eagerly, a hint of urgency on his face.
"Yes, if we could know where this damned thing comes from, perhaps we could eradicate them completely!"
"My parents died at the hands of human puppets. As long as I have a breath left, I will exterminate all human puppets in this world!"
The surrounding cultivators chimed in one after another.
Human puppets had plagued the Dragon Domain for over ten thousand years, and countless cultivators had perished fighting them.
The people of the Dragon Domain harbored an intense hatred for these human puppets.
Si Jianye calmly withdrew his gaze and walked away, not intending to pay these cultivators much mind.
The existence of human puppets was far beyond what these people could comprehend.
Even if they knew, it would be useless, only adding to their fear.
There was no need for him to say more.
Seeing him stride away, Pu Yin couldn't help but call out anxiously, "Esteemed young master, please tell us about the situation inside the border. We have been fighting these human puppets for too long and wish to destroy them every moment."
Si Jianye paused his steps, his icy male voice like a gust of frigid wind carrying no warmth, "If you want to know about the situation inside, why not go in and see for yourself?"
The cultivators were rendered speechless.
If they had possessed the courage, they would have gone in long ago.
"Who are you? How can you be so arrogant?"
"Indeed, in all my years, I've never met anyone so arrogant!"
The cultivators began to whisper amongst themselves, their gazes constantly flicking over Si Jianye.
A look of arrogant disdain flickered across Si Jianye's stern face. Beneath his narrow, phoenix-like eyes, the vibrant crimson cinnabar mole seemed to flash with coldness. "My name is Si Jianye."
With that, he strode away.
The surrounding cultivators were left in confusion. "Si Jianye? I've never heard this name before."
"Is there such a person in the Dragon Domain? His tone is far too arrogant and presumptuous! Who does he think he is?"
"But he could stay within the border for seven days. If it were me, I couldn't even last the time it takes for an incense stick to burn..."
As soon as human puppets smelled human presence, they would swarm and attack. It was difficult even to find a place to rest peacefully within the border.
Pu Yin looked up at Si Yi. "That person's surname is Si. Is he from your Si family?"
Her question drew everyone's attention to Si Yi.
The Si family ranked among the top influential families in the Dragon Domain.
To be able to stay in the border for seven days and bear the surname Si, he was highly likely to be from the Si family.
However, Si Yi shook his head at this moment, negating their thoughts. "This person is not from my Si family. Otherwise, I would not be unfamiliar with him."
Someone as arrogant and overbearing as Si Jianye would attract attention wherever he went.
If he were truly from the Si family, he would not be unknown.
Pu Yin also withdrew her gaze, sighing with slight regret. "It's a pity we still don't know the situation within the border. These damned human puppets..."
She subconsciously looked in the direction Si Jianye had left.
She had a premonition that before long, this man's name would be known throughout the entire Dragon Domain.
*
Lin Kingdom.
A few days passed in a flash.
During these days, Feng Ninghe had been handling state affairs and had moved into the empress's exclusive sleeping quarters.
She put down the book in her hand and surveyed the sleeping quarters.
The decoration within was identical to that of a hundred years ago.
Looking at the familiar surroundings, she couldn't help but feel a touch of emotion. In a hundred years, the Lin Kingdom had undergone earth-shattering changes.
"Empress, the Imperial Advisor and several ministers are waiting outside the hall."
Zhen Zhu approached her and reported respectfully.
Feng Ninghe withdrew her thoughts and raised her eyes to look at Zhen Zhu. "Let them all come in."
Led by Zhen Zhu, everyone quickly approached her.
Looking at the assembled officials, Feng Ninghe spoke softly, "Your Excellencies, I see all that you have done for the Lin Kingdom. It is the Lin Kingdom's honor to have you."
The Imperial Advisor smiled and waved his hand. "Your Majesty, what are you saying? This is all we should do."
"Indeed, without the Empress, the Lin Kingdom would not have such peaceful and tranquil times."
"Now that the country is prosperous and the people live in peace and contentment, they also trust us greatly."
The ministers echoed in agreement, their faces filled with smiles.
The crisis in the Lin Kingdom had been resolved, and life had returned to stability, which was also the will of the people.
Feng Ninghe's gaze flickered slightly, and a hint of depth appeared on her exquisitely featured face. "There is one more matter I need to entrust to you all."
The ministers smiled. "Your Majesty is too polite. Please speak your mind, we are happy to serve."
She then spoke, revealing her thoughts. "I am going to the Dragon Domain. The Lin Kingdom will be left in your care."
The ministers before her were upright and honorable. She felt reassured leaving the Lin Kingdom in their hands.
"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"
The Imperial Advisor was the first to kneel and bow, a hint of panic on his face. "You have finally returned to the Lin Kingdom, why must you leave so soon? The Lin Kingdom has been without a ruler for a hundred years, and it cannot be without one again!"
Seeing this, the other ministers also spoke out one after another. "Empress, how long have you been back? The entire Lin Kingdom needs you. If you leave, what will become of the Lin Kingdom?"
"A country cannot be without a ruler for a day. The people of the Lin Kingdom still need you!"
At once, the ministers knelt down, repeatedly pleading.
Looking at the ministers before her, Feng Ninghe smiled and quickly stood up, helping the Imperial Advisor. "Please rise and speak. My intention to go to the Dragon Domain is not a sudden whim, but a result of deep consideration."
The Imperial Advisor hesitated for a moment before rising.
The ministers exchanged glances and also rose.
The Imperial Advisor's brow furrowed tightly, his voice slightly hurried. "Empress, the Lin Kingdom has been without a ruler for a hundred years. Your return to rule the Lin Kingdom is the will of the people. Now, to leave so abruptly, what will become of the vast Lin Kingdom?"
Looking at the ministers before her, Feng Ninghe smiled and her clear, female voice slowly descended. "When I was not in the Lin Kingdom, you ruled it very well. I am at ease leaving the Lin Kingdom in your hands.
I promised the people of the Lin Kingdom that no matter where Lin Yuran and Ji Binyu flee, I will capture them and bring them to justice! Their continued existence poses too many hidden dangers."