Wicked Reincarnation

Chapter 197: Immortal King's reign 4

In fact, many doubts and criticism were eating Lin alive. He knew he had his duties to do as the Immortal King but he couldn't help wanting to be a husband and father more.

"I know, you don't need to tell me that. You guys can manage on your own, why can't you? Yana's pregnant and needs my care, I can't leave her alone!"

Lin was grabbing Nick by the collar and his aggressiveness startled Nick. Lin's black strands of hair fell over his messy face and made his overall appearance shabby.

"I get it Lin but-"

"No buts!"

Nick once again confirmed how strong Lin was as he was pressed further against the wall. It was painful.

"Lin," suddenly Yana's soft voice appeared behind Lin and she stroked his back, "Nick was worried about me and came to check. Don't take your anger out of him, ok? He's just trying to do the best for all of us. Don't be harsh on him."

The ferocious glint in Lin's eyes disappeared and he let Nick go quickly

"Yana," his tone turned tender and his eyes were pained to see his pregnant wife forcing herself to stand up because of his reckless behaviour, "I'm sorry, sorry. Let's go back to bed, here."

Lin gently and carefully helped Yana back to the bed and covered her in the blanket, "Are you hungry? Thirsty? Uncomfortable?"

"I'm fine,'' Yana's laugh calmed the storm in Lin's heart and she caressed his face.

"Make up with Nick."

Lin turned to the petrified statue of Nick who witnessed how Lin made a 180-degree turn just with a word of his wife.

Love was too terrifying. Well, Nick himself was married and loved his wife a lot but everyone could see how dependent Lin was on Yana.

"Sorry,'' Lin actually sulked and apologised to Nick.

"I-It's fine," Nick was left speechless at the sight.

"I did it, please don't be mad at me," Lin laid his head on Yana's chest who patted his head with a giggle, "I'm not, you big baby."

Lin made a satisfying smile. Nick retreated witnessing this overly sweet moment. He had to talk with the others.

For the next two months, everything seemed to become better, but it was only an illusion before once again everything was plunged to hell. The Immortal World and Mortal World were starting to go out of control as the resentful energy harmed the people physically. It was a hectic time for the council.

"Where's Lin?" Elder O who was usually as carefree as Lin rubbed the bridge of his nose. He was too exhausted. All of the elders were.

"He's taking care of Yana," Nick bit his lips.

He knew that everyone's tolerance was wearing down, "She's right now about to bear their child, so Lin gotta take-"

"I know, we all know that this is a critical time for Yana and her child but it isn't that only Lin who is able to help her. What are the attendants or servants for? Lin has to focus on these matters. If he doesn't control the dead, then his family will be in danger anyways," Elder X who sincerely supported Lin and Yana also couldn't endure anymore. No matter how she wanted to understand Lin, his actions were right now wrong.

"Damn X's right, Lin can't go on like this," Elder S crossed her arms and sighed, "What are you thinking about?"

Elder I was always calm despite anything but she was also very perceptive. She could feel their discontent and their loyalty swaying.

Nick also had a bad feeling. And just like he thought a bomb was dropped on them.

"X, S and I discussed," Elder O started.

He sounded conflicted and tired as if it was tearing his soul out to say what they had in mind, "Lin wanted to retire anyway and we've been forcing him to continue, now we got ourselves into this mess. There's no need for an Immortal King who doesn't do his job."

Elder U slapped his hands on the stone table, "Don't' tell me you want to abolish Lin and crown a new Immortal King?"

Elder X slightly laughed, "Lin wanted to retire anyways but no. In the first place, where do we get someone with the power of the Immortal King? Lin has to find his own successor and furthermore," Elder X's eyes dangerously shone, "Never accuse us of something like this. We've has been with Lin for so long and we naturally support him. Don't take our loyalty for granted."

"Then what?" Elder D spoke up and felt new changes coming. It has been long inevitable.

"Easy, we part from the council," Elder S finally spoke up, "Us three originally oversaw the Mortal World and we gonna continue. Completely set up a base in the Mortal World and remain there until everything is over, so you don't gotta worry about the Mortal World."

"You want to leave?" Nick thought he heard wrong, "Leave the council?"

"We'll also take off some burden of Lin but yea, we'll split here. From now on, you don't need to include us anymore. Anything related to the Immortal World won't have anything to do with us anymore."

Elder S, X and O stood up.

"The hell? You know without the support of the families, Lin's power will suffer too!" Elder T couldn't take it, "Stay here!"

"We're grateful to Lin but this is the end of our long journey together," Elder X also didn't want it but it was for the best, "We'll move out of the capital and live in Neverland from now on."

Neverland was a popular place for those who wanted to draw back from the Immortal World. It was also a summer favourite as it had beautiful beaches that ran even to Mistand, despite the prison being there. Neverland and Mistand were the equivalents to the Mortal World's Mediterranean countries.

"Have you told Lin about your decision?" Nick still couldn't let this happen but the determined look on his friends' faces crushed his hopes.

"Ha," Elder S snorted, "We tried but that idiot didn't properly listen. Only cared about nothing but Yana."

None of the remaining families said anything anymore, they only watched their comrades leave. Not everything might have been said but they've been together for so long, how could they not feel each other's sentiments and know the unspoken words that lingered?

And so, only 5 families remained in the council. Making this fact public was a hard decision of the council. Nick took it upon himself to announce. In fact, Nick acted as the leader trying to hold everything together while he was in charge of decisions as well as having to convince Lin.

Nick really didn't have it easy. When he finally got through to Lin, Lin was almost a different person. Hysteric and on edge. Lin blamed Nick for letting the S, X and O family go and was angry enough to cause chaos if it wasn't for Yana stopping him.

Nick was shocked, he had to neglect himself and his family for the sake of Lin and his, and the worlds, yet Lin didn't seem to view him as a friend anymore.

The curse of the Immortal King seemed to take a bigger toll on Lin than anyone had imagined. They all believed that if it was Lin, it wouldn't faze him. But his condition right now proved that they put their trust in him wrongly.

A short while later, Lin's son was born and Lin focused all of his attention on building up his E Family. It was obvious now what effect the departure of the 3 families had on Lin.

Despite Lin being the Immortal king, the ritual was still necessary to give him strength. With only 5 families, Lin grew quickly tired and above all weak.

Things couldn't go on. Even if the Mortal World was suppressed by the 3 families, work just piled up waiting for Lin to finish.

In the end, Nick was fed up and personally dragged Lin to the meeting hall where the other 4 Elders were waiting.

"Lin," Elder D greeted Lin.

It has been quite a while since the 4 Elders have seen him. None of the bright and cheerful guy remained, even Lin's handsomeness started to pale. He looked exhausted and powerless, even though Lin was still young, in his mid-30s (mortal age.)

Seeing him like this, the 4 Elders were slightly shocked. The strong and cruel Immortal King, none of it remained. Instead, this almost hollow and life-less shell greeted them.

It was because Lin's mental stress piled up. He was constantly torn and hurt, trying to protect his family as well as the Immortal World from the resentful energy. His body absorbed the toxin and suffered a lot.

Lin sat on his chair and had to support himself, "Alright, I'm here. Let's start."

Everyone glanced at each other before Elder U spoke up, "Are you alright?"

Lin sent him a glare, "Don't waste time and start. How is the situation?"

Elder U sighed and looked at Elder T, "Why me?"

"As you should know, X, O and S are taking care of the Mortal World, the effects are visible but no one's there to guide the dead. Meanwhile, it's the same here in the Immortal World, we can deal with the ghosts but they still need your guidance," Elder I spoke up.

"I see," for a while, Lin didn't say anything, it seemed as if his thoughts were somewhere else but then he spoke up with much rue, "I've decided."

Suddenly the room turned even quieter. A cold bucket of ice poured over everyone as they anticipatingly waited for Lin to speak again.

"I will have a successor but not an Immortal King. I will share the burden with a new King. The Ghost King. The Ghost King will take care of the ghosts, while the Immortal King will guide the dead and spirits, "Lin tiredly looked into the round of surprised faces, "My son will become the Ghost King, I will not let him suffer the fate of an Immortal King. Once he's old enough to take over, I'll completely resign and take the Immortal King with me."

"You want to erase the existence of the Immortal King?" Elder T couldn't believe his ears, "Without an Immortal King-"

"Yes, I won't take a no, it's my decision. You guys do what you've always done. I'll focus on my family, Yana's pregnant with a daughter now," Lin's eyes briefly lit up, then he spoke with regret, "I know my mistakes, guys. I'm sorry for having to put you through all of this. But the Immortal King cannot exist anymore."