Cloud Strife never belittled those who betrayed him, especially someone like Han Lin who was already at his lowest point of self-blame.
Han Lin didn't know how much courage he mustered to finally voice the request of trading a map for a place to settle. This request couldn't be refused; once declined, he would become Cloud Strife's biggest enemy in this lifetime. The thought of making an enemy out of someone like him—someone similar to an assassin—made Cloud Strife very worried. That was why he glanced at Ge Qiushan the moment he answered Han Lin.
Ge Qiushan couldn't beat Han Lin, and it was impossible for her to fight while pregnant. A betrayer's mind is fragile; a single harsh word could push him over the edge.
Han Lin sat on the ground beside Cloud Strife, his monkey-like face, which resembled dried orange peels, tightly clenched in his sparse hair.
"Since you feel guilty towards the emperor, then just ensure his safety for now. Stay until after he has passed away," Cloud Strife thought Han Lin needed comfort.
Han Lin groaned, "What I fear most is not facing others' persecution after His Majesty's death, but that he might issue a death warrant against us right before he dies."
Cloud Strife was taken aback. He realized that what Han Lin said made sense. As an intelligence agent, the threat of being persecuted or persecuting someone else was just normal. The only thing he needed to worry about was his lord emperor issuing such a command at the end of his life. It was heart-wrenching; being a loyalist didn't mean one wanted to die.
"You are blaming His Majesty for something that hasn't happened yet," Cloud Strife hesitantly said, finally understanding Han Lin's inner conflict.
"If after betraying His Majesty, you find out he did not issue any death warrant before passing away, how would you react?" Cloud Strife asked.
Han Lin gave a bitter smile, "I will have no choice but to commit suicide."
"Then why are you going to my Peach Blossom Island? Just think about it. The first thing we'll do once you step on the island is bury you, which would be extremely inauspicious," Cloud Strife said.
Han Lin continued, "The situation has become increasingly strict. The intelligence agents who were scattered across various regions are gradually being concentrated back to the capital. All below-commanders' badges have been confiscated, and even those inside the armory have been replaced in batches. Before leaving, we must open our luggage for inspection, and it is strictly forbidden to carry firearms out of the armory. Previously, we could directly obtain gunpowder from the Arsenal Office as weapons.
Being an intelligence agent, I know what this means…"
Cloud Strife gritted his teeth, "Your life and death are entirely in His Majesty's hands. This truly is a case of heaven or hell with just one thought."
Han Lin sneered at Cloud Strife, "Brother, don't talk to me like that. We all understand each other's pain. Do you think Prince Xinyi came to Dousha Pass for nothing? Are you really thinking he came here to lead the imperial family into battle?"