After paying respects to Su Qingjiu, Tang Guangjun, Mu Ya, Chu Yu, Dong Cang, and Liu Liying, Lin Zhao, accompanied by Xuanzhi and Yu Wannian, ascended the mountain. They eventually arrived before the shattered rock face. This sheer cliff, originally carved by Tong Yu's sword, was an ideal spot for murals. Liu Liying had chosen to meet her end here, but unfortunately, she could not escape the sword qi of the eleventh-realm demon sword cultivator.
Gazing at the fragmented murals, Lin Zhao raised his palm, gently caressing the remaining pieces on the stone wall. A wave of guilt washed over him, and he softly murmured, "Liying... I'm sorry..."
He then knelt, gathering a pile of broken mural fragments from the earth. His heart felt as though it were being torn apart. Liu Liying, as a deity of murals, had always been gentle and kind, yet she met such an end. Lin Zhao felt he bore a significant responsibility.
"Mountain Lord..."
Yu Wannian placed a hand on Lin Zhao's shoulder, wanting to offer comfort, but found herself at a loss for words.
"I'm fine."
Lin Zhao, his eyes red, composed himself and stood up. "It's late. I need to go on a long journey. If you... wish to accompany me, you may. Otherwise, you can stay at the Villa on the Mountain Peak."
"Where are we going?" Xuanzhi asked.
Lin Zhao looked south. "Since I came down from Mount Wuwang, everyone who could visit has. Now... it's my turn to visit those who cannot."
A complex mix of emotions stirred within Xuanzhi. She softly said, "We'll go with you!"
Yu Wannian nodded firmly.
Lin Zhao drew his sword. "Then let's go."
***
The sword light rose too high, transforming into a streak of brilliance that shot straight towards the mountainside, landing before the former Mountain Lord's Shrine. Sadly, after the Battle of Baicheng, not only was Baicheng reduced to ashes, but even the Mountain Lord's Shrine had become a ruin, now nothing more than a heap of rubble.
"Mountain Lord Su."
Lin Zhao knelt on one knee before the shrine and said softly, "Brother Lin Su..."
As he uttered "Brother Lin Su," tears welled up in his eyes. He spoke gently, "Lin Zhao is back... I'm sorry. I was powerless back then and could only watch you sacrifice yourself for the human realm. You even created three peerless Rebirth Realm martial artists for our Villa on the Mountain Peak. Lin Zhao will forever remember and never forget Brother Lin Su's kindness..."
Xuanzhi and Yu Wannian also knelt alongside him.
Mountain Lord Su deserved this respect. If he hadn't drawn his sword to intercept Wuwang Mountain a second time, the situation at Xueyu Tianchi would likely have been far worse, delaying any chance of a human resurgence by many years.
The Mountain Lord's Shrine remained silent.
Lin Zhao sighed. "Brother Lin Su, I wonder where the residual souls of the Mountain and River Deity will drift after their golden bodies shattered. Will they completely dissipate into the heavens and earth, or will there be a chance for rebirth and reincarnation? If you are reborn, please return to Xueyu Tianchi. Everyone misses you... And if you see Old Sword Immortal Han, please lend him a hand..."
His voice choked with emotion. "Old Sword Immortal Han's golden body's magic power isn't great, and his sword cultivation realm is also mediocre, but Old Sword Immortal Han's passionate heart and his willingness to contribute to humanity are known to the heavens."
Yu Wannian nodded in agreement.
"I won't say more."
Lin Zhao stood up, took out a jar of Purple Bamboo Wine, and placed it amidst the rubble, covering it with some decaying leaves. "If Brother Lin Su has a spirit, this jar of wine is for you!"
With that, he descended the mountain with Xuanzhi and Yu Wannian.
***
At the Dragon King Temple by Jizi Lake.
When Lin Zhao, Xuanzhi, and Yu Wannian descended from the sky, they could barely find the Dragon King Temple. Upon locating it, they found only devastation. The Dragon King Temple, built by the Great Shang Dynasty, had long been razed by the demons, with only broken bricks and tiles visible beneath the ruined snow.
Lin Zhao produced a jar of Red Bamboo Wine as an offering and knelt on one knee. "Old Sword Immortal Han, I don't have much good wine, so I can only offer you Red Bamboo Wine. But if you know this in the afterlife, you can go find Brother Lin Su. He has a jar of Purple Bamboo Wine, and I'm sure he wouldn't be so stingy as to not share a sip with you."
He then clasped his fists and said solemnly, "Lin Zhao thanks Old Sword Immortal Han for forging the Cloud Lock for the benefit of humanity, and thanks Old Sword Immortal Han for drawing his sword for humanity with unparalleled courage. If Old Sword Immortal Han can return to Xueyu Tianchi one day, we will meet again and drink and eat meat together at Tianran Ju!"
Afterward, he continued south with Xuanzhi and Yu Wannian.
Qingliang Mountain, Qingliang Sect.
After the Battle of Baicheng, an incredibly valiant battle took place on Qingliang Mountain. Mountain Lord Xiang Ji and the Sect Leader of Qingliang Sect, Zhao Suiguang, perished side-by-side. Although the battle itself didn't cause a great stir in the human martial world at the time, it was later compiled into a popular novel by a rogue cultivator, spreading widely throughout the martial world within a few years. Consequently, Qingliang Sect's reputation in the human realm today is excellent, far surpassing that of Zhao Jingyu's era. All of this was bought with the price of blood.
Lin Zhao stepped onto Qingliang Mountain and found a few disciples scattered throughout the sect grounds, wearing Qingliang Sect attire. There were young disciples in the Lower Five Realms and inner disciples in the Middle Five Realms. Upon seeing Lin Zhao and his companions descend, a group of disciples rushed over. An observant disciple recognized Lin Zhao at a glance and appeared incredulous.
"May I ask... if you are Mountain Lord Lin?" an inner disciple asked, cupping his fists.
"Yes."
Lin Zhao returned the salute, cupping his fists. "Lin Zhao, with Xuanzhi and Yu Wannian, has come to pay respects to Mountain Lord Xiang Ji, Sect Leader Zhao Suiguang, and the disciples of Qingliang Sect who sacrificed themselves many years ago!"
"Thank you!"
The inner disciple's eyes reddened. "It's a pity so many years have passed. My master's remains were lost when he died, as were Mountain Lord Xiang Ji's. After the demons invaded, they either devoured the remains of the fallen disciples or buried their noble bones carelessly. Now, we don't even know where they lie."
"That is not difficult."
Lin Zhao said, "Let's build a large empty tomb and erect a monument for them. Henceforth, any remains of those who sacrificed themselves that are found will be placed in the empty tomb, serving as a small compensation from us who are still living."
"Yes!"
Following this, Lin Zhao chose a location in front of the mountain, a place of exceptional feng shui. With a gentle raise of his hand, he felt the power of his words taking effect. Sword qi rose from beneath the earth, excavating a large grave on its own. Enveloped by sword intent, it quickly formed into a burial mound.
Yu Wannian split open a massive rock with her palm, her true qi erupting from her fingertips. She quickly fashioned a large tombstone and erected it before the grave. Lin Zhao then drew Zhanlu Sword and meticulously inscribed the names of the main martyrs like Xiang Ji and Zhao Suiguang, while the rest were collectively referred to as "Other Qingliang Sect martyrs."
After completing these tasks, Lin Zhao took out two jars of Red Bamboo Wine for the ceremony. After bidding farewell to Xiang Ji and Zhao Suiguang, he divided 500 golden tzu coins from his money pouch and gave them to the highest-ranking among the young disciples, instructing him to properly rebuild the sect and restore Qingliang Sect's prestige. The disciple, filled with gratitude, knew that with the support of Lin Zhao and the Villa on the Mountain Peak, Qingliang Sect would likely not be bullied in the Northern Territory.
***
Tongque Lake, Ziyun Mountain, where water and mountains embrace.
As Lin Zhao descended, he looked upon the barren land, devoid of spiritual energy, and a bitter feeling welled up in his heart. Now, Tongque Lake was merely an ordinary lake. The bronze mirror, a life-bound artifact, had shattered along with Han Yurou. As for Ziyun Mountain, the deities and temple keepers in the Mountain Lord's Shrine had all been killed by the demons, leaving it empty.
He slowly walked to the side of Tongque Lake, his eyes reddening. He clasped his fists and said solemnly, "Miss Han, I, Lin Zhao, seek an audience!"
Alas, there was only silence, no reply.
"Miss Han, I, Lin Zhao, seek an audience!" Lin Zhao's voice trembled.
At this moment, both Xuanzhi and Yu Wannian had tears in their eyes as they looked at Lin Zhao's back. This Lin Baiyi, the strategist of the human race, was seen by the demons as cunning and treacherous, but to those close to him like Xuanzhi and Yu Wannian, Lin Zhao was the most warm-hearted person in the world, the very best of people.
"Miss Han..."
Lin Zhao's voice was choked with sobs. He knew that what was lost could never be regained.
Just then, a rustling sound came from the distant reed marsh. Before long, a woman in a gray and white dress emerged from the reeds. It was Lu Hua, Han Yurou's personal maid, a reed demon hiding by the roadside. Her cultivation was only at the fifth realm, a spirit barely surviving in the cracks of heaven and earth.
Lu Hua's face was streaked with tears, crying profusely. "Young Master, you're alive..."
"Lu Hua..."
Lin Zhao's heart trembled. "You're still here?"
"Yes."
Lu Hua sobbed. "Miss didn't allow me to die. Before they met their end, they sealed me in the reed fields. For all these years, I've been waiting for Miss, for the Young Master's wife, and for you, Young Master..."
"I understand."
Lin Zhao frowned and turned to Xuanzhi. "Can Copper Mirror Lake be restored to its former glory? Since Lu Hua is waiting for Miss Han to return, she should have a place to shelter."
"It can be."
Xuanzhi took a bronze mirror from her storage bag. It was a magical artifact, exuding a faint demonic aura, likely seized from a demon. She handed the mirror to Yu Wannian. "Your realm is higher. Refine this and place it in Copper Mirror Lake. Remember to refine Lu Hua's life essence into it."
"Okay."
Yu Wannian took the bronze mirror. The aura of a Rebirth Realm martial artist enveloped the entire mirror. She then reached out and drew a strand of life essence from Lu Hua's forehead, refining it into the mirror. She then tossed the mirror into the lake, and instantly, the entire Copper Mirror Lake began to glow with radiance, its spiritual energy replenished.
"Lu Hua."
Lin Zhao said, "From now on, you will reside within Copper Mirror Lake. Yu Wannian is a Rebirth Realm martial artist, and ordinary cultivators will find it difficult to harm the mirror she refined. You have your obsession; wait here for Han Yurou, cultivate slowly, and if you need anything, come to the Villa on the Mountain Peak to find me."
"Yes, thank you, Young Master..."
Lu Hua nodded, tears streaming down her face.
"We're leaving."
Lin Zhao cupped his fists lightly. "I still have many departed acquaintances to visit."
"Mhm."
Lu Hua pursed her red lips, watching Lin Zhao and his companions depart.