"How...how could this be, my dear granddaughter, you must be mistaken about people, I see that this young man has an extraordinary physique, full skin, he clearly is a genuine cultivator..." The old man was cut off mid-sentence, seeing the change in his granddaughter’s expression and feeling that sothing was amiss, he stopped talking, sowhat disgruntled.
After all, he had just t Lin Xin, and defending him so vigilantly was too conspicuous.
Lin Xin was caught between laughter and tears.
However, he didn’t care much for such empty titles, he gave a respectful hand gesture without speaking. Suddenly, he felt sothing extra in his sleeve, it seed to be a jade slip. His face gave nothing away, but noticing the old man wink at him, he understood imdiately.
Since he had already received a benefit, he excused himself and turned to leave.
As he walked up the stairs, he imdiately saw two porcelain figures guarding the top.
"The king promises to make good on your request, rest assured," a sharp, delicate voice entered his ears.
"Thank you," Lin Xin knew his actions were probably all under the porcelain king’s watchful eye. He just smiled.
Nevertheless, he breathed a huge sigh of relief in his heart, for his purpose in coming here had finally been completely fulfilled at this point.
The threat of Sect politics may no longer be of concern for now. Considering the porcelain king’s power, which he assud to be extraordinary, perhaps he could continue to foster good relations in the future to ensure the Manor remained stable. Should any issues arise later, he would have soone to turn to for help.
With this in mind. Lin Xin bowed again. "Please convey my thanks to Porcelain King senior on my behalf."
"His Majesty says there’s no need for formalities, the talent you displayed will be of much use in the future, and if you have any requests, we hope for your support," the porcelain figure replied politely, implying great value in Lin Xin’s abilities.
"Of course," Lin Xin, also intent on forming a good relationship, nodded in agreent.
A porcelain figure specifically led Lin Xin upward, strangely, the path going back up was clearly the sa one, but the exit had completely changed.
The door led directly to the sa watchtower Lin Xin had entered before crossing the threshold into this space.
The porcelain figure stopped, turned, and said.
"With your talent, have you ever considered leaving the Sword Sect entirely to choose a Sect that could better cultivate you? A fine bird chooses the tree it perches on; should you have this desire, I can also assist you," the porcelain girl’s voice was sharp, but it was clearly soft and persuasive.
Lin Xin fell silent, rembering his wife Lingling, rembering so many relatives and friends back at the Manor... rembering his ntor Ji Lu and his wife still struggling for him within the Sword Sect...
"Maybe that ti will co, but it definitely won’t be now..." he said slowly, yet firmly.
The porcelain figure was sowhat surprised.
"Such noble integrity," she bowed, "When you leave from here, you will be back in the Mortal Realm; if you wish to contact the branch, His Highness Porcelain King has a gift for you."
She put her hands together and then split them apart, imdiately producing a small, brown item in her hands and handing it to Lin Xin.
Lin Xin took it and looked at it.
It was a small box, he didn’t know what was inside, and the box had a black pearl the size of an eyeball embedded on it, surrounded by two phoenix patterns.
"This is the Porcelain King’s Order, should you wish to use it to contact the branches from afar, it will require a piece of Spirit Jade. It also has other miraculous uses that you can explore on your own," the porcelain figure said softly.
Lin Xin thanked her, knowing it was a kind gesture, and without refusing, he carefully kept it and slowly walked out the door.
As soon as he stepped out, a sudden breeze blew behind him, he turned to look back and saw nothing but emptiness, without a trace of anything.
"Incredible! Such divine skills..."
Impressed in his mind, Lin Xin did not delay, he activated his movent technique and headed back the way he ca.
*****************
"What!? Warn ? Tell not to touch him?"
Inside his Cave Mansion, Han Xiaolong was furious, he swept everything off the stone table in a fit of rage, the crashing sounds echoed continuously. But he didn’t care to attend to that, instead, he waited with bulging eyes for the response from the child beside the emissary teacher.
The fair-skinned child with sheep horn braids remained unfazed.
"You dare defy the Alchemy thod of the teacher?"
Han Xiaolong, laboring to breathe, felt the rage aggravate his pre-existing injuries, and blood rushed to his throat, almost spraying out.
"This is unbearable! Utterly unbearable!" he roared, barely able to contain himself.
"Although I do not know why such an Alchemy thod was passed down, this is the current situation. Four Seasons Loose Cultivator is still at a standstill on one side, yet you’re causing these disloyal and treacherous incidents within the Sect. That the teacher has not punished you is already rciful to the extre; what more do you want?" the child with sheep horn braids said coldly.
"Brother... I, Han, also have the Sect’s best interests at heart..."
"No need to say more, let’s end the matter here," the child turned to leave.
When he reached the entrance of the Cave Mansion, he suddenly halted.
"If you’re unable to swallow this grievance, you might as well see how many heads you have to lose," he said.
Han Xiaolong trembled with rage, his friend killed, his moneymaking route blocked, his favored disciple died inexplicably, and now he wasn’t even allowed to investigate – it was too much to bear...
As his mind raced with anger, the emotions combined with his internal injuries.
Watching the child leap away, quickly disappearing into the clouds, he could no longer hold back, and a mouthful of blood spurted out.
Spurt!
"Master! Master!!" Hearing the commotion, several disciples rushed in, all shocked at what they saw.
In a daze, Han Xiaolong thought he saw Dugu Lin standing right in front of him, looking at him with scorn and disdain.
"Dugu Lin!!"
He roared and then fainted.
*******************
At the foot of a cliff within the Sword Sect, a slender white ribbon-like waterfall cascaded from above, hanging and flowing downward.
Dugu Lin was instructing a few sisters in the essentials of swordsmanship, frequently drawing her sword to demonstrate personally, her sword light shining brilliantly. Reflecting off the sunlight, it occasionally dazzled the eyes.
Soon, Ji Lu and his wife, You Xuan, approached from a distance, leapt down from the cliff far away, and stood quietly, waiting.
Seeing this, Dugu Lin halted her demonstration and, after excusing herself, walked towards the couple.
"What’s with that wealthy junior brother of yours, got any good trades again?"
Her mood was also quite good. The last ti the Heaven’s Will Sword had given her trendous inspiration, which she had incorporated into her own magic artifact, boosting its power by at least half. This had allowed her to survive a dangerous mission thereafter. So now, upon seeing the couple, she felt so anticipation, hoping they had brought sothing good to trade.
Ji Lu and You Xuan felt sowhat embarrassed.
"Not really, it’s just that a few days ago Han Xiaolong suddenly vomited blood and was severely injured. My husband and I ca to express our gratitude specifically."
"Gratitude?" Dugu Lin was also surprised. "I’ve been at the cliff guiding the sisters all this ti, what does that have to do with ?"
"Ah?" Ji Lu and his wife were sowhat stunned, they racked their brains and could only guess that it was very likely sothing only Dugu Lin would do, so they’d co especially to thank her. But they didn’t expect Dugu Lin to say that she had nothing to do with it.
"If not for sister, who else could have angered Han Xiaolong so much that he vomited blood?" Ji Lu asked in astonishnt.
"Could it have been so other bad news?" Dugu Lin speculated.
Ji Lu shook his head as well.
"I can’t figure it out... but anyway, this ans my junior brother has a period of respite."
"Worry not. If that Han Xiaolong cos to trouble your junior brother, just ask to get involved, I guarantee it will be all right!" Dugu Lin’s eyes lit up, and she quickly patted her chest as she spoke loudly.
"Uh... thank you for your generous offer," Ji Lu said gratefully. Yet You Xuan quickly interrupted, she had realized that this senior sister clearly fancied Lin Xin’s talent and wealth...
"Right, I might not be able to find all my materials just yet, when I have gathered them, I will go find your junior brother myself, tell him not to forget his promise."
"Definitely, definitely!" Ji Lu quickly assured.
"Also, my disciple would like to inscribe a magic artifact, please tell him we can negotiate a good price. He must give a discount!"
"I will definitely relay the ssage, definitely."
"Besides, my sisters are in need of a batch of Luminous Talisman Swords, can he supply them separately? I need a rather large quantity."
"I will surely pass on the ssage... Rest assured, sister."
"Also, I’d like to play with the Sacrificial Fire Formation too, can your junior brother give one away for free? Our relationship is such, a small trifle given as a gift shouldn’t be too much, right? One shouldn’t be too stingy in life..."
"Yes, yes, sister, you’re right... I have other matters to attend to, so I must take my leave..."
Ji Lu, wiping cold sweat, hurriedly pulled You Xuan along as they beat a hasty retreat, lest Dugu Lin rember any other troubleso request for him to relay. If it continued like this, he would beco a middleman broker.
Dugu Lin stood in place, then noticed that she might have scared them a bit, and couldn’t help but laugh herself. Her heart, which had been filled with hatred, eased a bit more.
******************
As spring gave way to winter, nothing untoward had occurred in the manor after Lin Xin’s return.
Apart from devoting himself to the study of Formation Path and secluded cultivation, Lin Xin stayed behind closed doors, only coming out each night to be affectionate with Xiao Lingling and to guide the four youngsters in their martial arts, then returning to his secret room.
The affairs of the Sword Sect rippled across the surface of the lake like a spring breeze before slowly dissipating, unnoticed.
Spirit Heart Villa gradually returned to its usual routine, with the only difference being that Lin Xinyuan had begun to take over the managent of manor affairs.
Years flew by, and in the blink of an eye, eight years had passed.
The four youngsters gradually grew up. Lin Zhen beca a handso young man, still impetuous by nature, and enjoyed flirting among the beauties. He often frolicked with other noble sons, today seducing a cultivator’s daughter stationed with her family, tomorrow involved with the City Lord’s daughter, or entangled in amorous affairs with so Commandery Princess’s daughter.
He even left behind a trail of romantic debts during his travels for experience and got himself mixed up with a female disciple of the Plum Blossom Sect.
His romantic escapades beca so well known that they spread far and wide throughout the entirety of Music Prefecture and its neighboring regions, and even within the Sword Sect. Nicknad ’Fan Lord’ for his preference for using swords hidden in fans, his reputation beca quite established.
Lin Luo was sent early by Lin Xin into the Radiant Sun Sect’s Underground Palace, using slaughter as part of his training, his deanor becoming increasingly gloomy and mysterious. Often elusive, only Lin Xin, Xiao Lingling, and his sister Lin Duan would occasionally interact with him.
Most of the ti, he was out on missions, and his cultivation grew ever more profound. With his characteristic red attire and unpredictable movents, and his rciless, no-survivor approach when striking, he earned the moniker ’Blood Lord.’
Lin Duan continued to nurture her health, as she was unable to cultivate and her constitution was deteriorating. However, fortunately, she had her brother constantly seeking precious dicines, as well as the long-term supply of spiritual dicines from the villa, keeping her safe and sound.
Aside from reading and chatting with Xiao Lingling, she delved into the studies of Formation Path and pharmacology. She often mingled closely with Commandery Princess Gongsun Li’s granddaughter, Gongsun Xue—both were experts in dical skills and were progressively outshining their predecessors. Occasionally disguising herself as a man to travel and gain experience under the protection of her brother and the villa’s experts, she also acquired the genteel title of ’Elegant Lord.’
Lastly, among the four, Nan Shunqing, who was exceptionally talented, received the longest personal instruction from Lin Xin. His cultivation level was a mystery to all, and he himself had a hearty and free-spirited nature. Whenever there was delicious food and fine wine, he was the fastest to appear, traveling from the heavenly south to the distant north; he’d even ventured to the territory of the Wind-Riding Sect alone in search of exquisite drinks.
As his temper llowed under Lin Xin’s guidance over the years, he made countless friends and was known for being generous and righteous. Many of his friends frequently visited the villa, not to ntion even the masters among the Loose Cultivators found a formidable friend in him.
His fa as ’Mad Lord’ spread far and wide. (To be continued. If you like this work, welco to Qidian (qidian) to cast a vote of recomndation or a monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian to read.)
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