Lu Qi and Xu Shuo settled into the guest rooms of the mountain peak villa.
...
Early morning.
Lin Zhao was still practicing morning exercises on the mountain peak with Zhang Luobai and Zhuang Yirong. Zhang Luobai practiced swordplay, wielding his sword with practiced skill, while Zhuang Yirong practiced martial arts, her movements becoming increasingly steady and seasoned. Even Tong Yu had arrived, sitting cross-legged on a rock not far from Lin Zhao, cultivating her sword intent. As a Golden Core sword cultivator, she was no longer constrained by individual sword techniques, focusing more on the cultivation of her sword intent.
Not long after, Liu Liying floated up the mountain, calling out with a smile, "Time to eat!"
The group descended the mountain.
Lu Qi and Xu Shuo were already slurping down bowls of eel noodles. Nearby, the disheveled Tang Guangjun, holding a bowl of green pepper shredded pork noodles, squatted by the pond to eat. A little further away, Gu Yanshu also held a bowl of clear broth noodles, frowning as he observed the worldly scene before him, his heart devoid of strong emotions.
After finishing their noodles, everyone went about their tasks. Lin Zhao headed to the center of the lake, practicing his martial arts in a pavilion. His current goal was to quickly accumulate proficiency in his martial arts, aiming to become a sixth-realm martial artist as soon as possible. Otherwise, he would still be an under-fifth-realm martial artist, a somewhat embarrassing state of affairs in terms of cultivation.
...
Midway up the mountain, beneath a willow tree.
Chu Yu was practicing martial arts, her pretty face filled with solemnity. Chu Yu was currently an eleventh-realm martial artist, with the legendary Rebirth Realm being her next step. However, the martial luck in the world was limited. With Dragon Dongjun and Lü Fengxian already in the Rebirth Realm, it was incredibly difficult for other human martial artists to break through to the Rebirth Realm; their chances were slim unless they were truly exceptionally talented.
Chu Yu did not consider herself exceptionally talented, but she never slacked. On the contrary, she practiced her martial arts even more diligently. Eleventh-realm martial artists also varied in strength, and Chu Yu naturally did not wish to fall behind. Moreover, Chu Yu had experienced great battles and faced death, so she understood that every moment spent practicing martial arts now could be a crucial factor in future battles against great demons.
On the mountain path, a figure arrived, sweeping the ground, it was Gu Yanshu.
Upon seeing Chu Yu practicing martial arts, Gu Yanshu leaped onto a branch of an old tree, leisurely watching Chu Yu, and said with a smile, "Chu Yu, what are you working so hard at martial arts for?"
"For peace of mind," Chu Yu replied calmly.
"Oh?"
Gu Yanshu let out a sneer. "Peace of mind? You practice martial arts diligently and your progress is steady, so Lin Zhao will notice and look upon you, Chu Yu, with even greater admiration? You, Chu Yu, are a living person, the adopted daughter of Chu Huaixi, the former marshal of that exiled legion. And now? Is there still a marshal Chu in the world? In this great army of the Snow Domain Cavalry, everyone's heart only holds Marshal Lin; who still remembers Marshal Chu?"
"Those who should remember, do remember..." Chu Yu frowned.
"Self-deception!"
Gu Yanshu said coldly, "You are not seeking peace of mind, you are seeking psychological comfort. You, Chu Yu, have entered the eleventh realm, but you have not become stronger; you have become weaker. You have started to rely on that person. And frankly, what are you, Chu Yu, to him? Merely a piece on the chessboard. In Lin Zhao's formation, you, Chu Yu, at best, can only be a commander of ten thousand. The people Lin Zhao constantly thinks of are Su Qingjiu, Tang Zhi, and Dong Cang. When has he ever placed you, Chu Yu, in such an important position?"
"What?"
Chu Yu's beautiful eyes swept over him, and her body straightened, her powerful fist intent radiating coldly. "Gu Yanshu, go sweep your ground. If you provoke me again, I will kill you with one punch. I will not say this a second time. Get lost immediately!"
Gu Yanshu smiled slightly and turned to leave.
Chu Yu stood in place, her heart filled with complex emotions.
Not far away, a figure, cloaking his presence, floated over. It was Lin Zhao. Lin Zhao glanced at Chu Yu and nodded gently. Chu Yu also looked at Lin Zhao and nodded with a smile.
In truth, such minor flaws in one's state of mind were nothing. Chu Yu could see through them.
...
Down the mountain.
On the large training ground, shouts of war filled the air. Chen Ben, mounted on a warhorse, led a group of Snow Domain Cavalry in training formations and strategies. On a small slope not far away, Mu Fa, holding a pot of wine, watched his proud disciple, who was at the peak of the eleventh realm, gallop past. He was very satisfied. That kid Chen Ben was truly promising, transforming from a country boy into someone at the peak of the eleventh realm, skilled in horsemanship and archery, and the best in Snow Domain Heavenly Pool for martial arts. How long had it taken?
The Lord truly had a discerning eye, spotting this rascal in the countryside!
At this moment, a young sword cultivator in a dark purple long gown, with a blade of grass in his mouth, sauntered over in a leisurely manner. He plopped down on a large rock behind Mu Fa, his legs swinging back and forth in the wind, and said with a smile, "Yo, Lord Mu Fa, practicing military drills?"
"Hmm?"
Mu Fa turned his head and looked at him, smiling. "Something wrong? If you have something to say, say it. If not, get lost."
"Nothing, but I don't want to get lost."
Gu Yanshu laughed heartily. "Back then, Lord Mu Fa was one of the top ten at the mountain peak villa, as renowned as Tang Zhi. Those who followed Lin Baiyi of Snow Domain Heavenly Pool and are still alive today are quite rare, to be honest. Unfortunately, Lord Mu Fa's innate talent ceiling is too low. Now, Tang Zhi is a twelfth-realm peak sword immortal, with a status at Snow Domain Heavenly Pool almost on par with Huang Tingyu. When Lin Zhao needs to discuss important matters, he invariably consults Tang Zhi and Huang Tingyu. When has it ever been your turn, Mu Fa?"
Mu Fa frowned. "So what?"
"It's nothing."
Gu Yanshu smiled. "I just feel it's a bit of a pity for Lord Mu Fa. You've put in so much effort and resources to build up so many soldiers for Snow Domain Heavenly Pool, yet you're called the weakest in combat among the upper fifth realms at the mountain peak villa, the most inept in martial arts, and the most lacking in mental fortitude. Back in the day, Mu Fa was the number one martial artist among the ten at the peak. How glorious it was. Now, even Yu Wanning's martial arts have far surpassed yours."
He picked up a few small stones and placed them on the rock in front of him, smiling meaningfully. "Lin Zhao's chessboard is only so large. I'm afraid that in a short while, Lord Mu Fa, you won't even have the chance to be Lin Zhao's pawn."
"Enough."
Mu Fa frowned. "When I was still a youth, I began to follow Lin Zhao. He is the Marshal Lin in my heart, the Lin Baiyi. As long as Marshal Lin's chessboard needs me, Mu Fa, I will be at the forefront without reservation. If Marshal Lin's chessboard truly no longer needs Mu Fa, then Mu Fa will willingly be a vanguard pawn. Don't try to preach to me, Mu Fa, with your petty grievances. Although I, Mu Fa, am dull, my martial arts are lacking, and my mental fortitude is weak, I know my place and position myself correctly. Lin Zhao is my brother from my youth, and my marshal now. Anyone who tries to sow discord between me and Lin Zhao will be killed with one punch. I will not say this a second time."
"Tsk tsk!"
Gu Yanshu stood up and smiled. "Fearing a beating, I'll be going now."
Gu Yanshu flipped over and descended from the giant rock, wandering off into the nearby woods. In the entire Snow Domain Heavenly Pool, apart from the lazy folks in the small towns, he, Gu Yanshu, was probably the most idle.
In the air, a figure floated over. It was Lin Zhao. He had been watching Gu Yanshu's every word and action, but Gu Yanshu's cultivation was too low, and he was completely unaware.
"Marshal Lin."
Mu Fa cupped his fists.
Lin Zhao also cupped his fists in return, smiling and nodding. "I wouldn't dare say anything else, but on my chessboard, you, Mu Fa, are at least a commander of ten thousand!"
Mu Fa grinned. "Heh, that's enough!"
...
Evening.
In the Natural Abode, Lu Qi, Xu Shuo, Su Shanjun, Han Buyu, and others finished their drinks and dispersed. Dong Cang, Liu Liying, and Tong Yu were tidying up. Lin Zhao, holding a jar of Dongting Green Bamboo wine, looked at Gu Yanshu, who was squatting by the lotus pond counting stars, and said, "Gu Yanshu, would you like a drink?"
"Tsk tsk."
Gu Yanshu sneered. "Having been at the mountain peak villa for so long, I, Gu Yanshu, have always been like a dog, never having the right to sit at the table. Has the Mountain Lord finally opened his eyes and decided to treat everyone equally?"
"Not at all."
Lin Zhao smiled. "Do you really think you're qualified to sit at the table and eat with everyone? You have no such qualification, don't think too much. I simply want to offer you a drink. Dong Cang, bring a few small dishes over later."
"Yes, Young Master!"
In the pavilion, Lin Zhao and Gu Yanshu sat together. A wine pot and a few small dishes were placed on the stone bench of the pavilion. Lin Zhao and Gu Yanshu downed cups of wine, drinking much more fiercely than they had at dinner. Gu Yanshu seemed to feel a burden in his heart, and he drank cup after cup, his face quickly turning red. Although he was a twelfth-realm sword cultivator, he had not experienced much of the world, and now he was merely a first-realm sword cultivator, appearing quite unable to hold his liquor.
"Gu Yanshu, do you hate me?" Lin Zhao asked.
"To be honest, no."
Gu Yanshu lay down on the edge of the pavilion, looking at the moonlight, his voice drunken. "I just hate that my cultivation isn't high enough, my combat power isn't strong enough, and I can't kill all of you with one sword."
Lin Zhao shook his head and smiled. "Why do you hate the world so much?"
"Why?"
Gu Yanshu suddenly stood up, his young face filled with indignation. "My master, Lin Shenghan, drew his sword many times for the human world, and even killed two twelfth-realm great demons. But what happened later? Over two hundred years ago, a group of upper fifth-realm demons led by Bai Lan jointly ambushed and killed my master, Lin Shenghan, deep in the Qinling Mountains. That battle is said to have lasted for a long time, yet no one from the human world on the mountains lent a hand, not even a little bit. They stood by and watched as my master fought to the death, his life extinguished!"
Tears welled up in his eyes. "Lin Zhao, you consider yourself a gentleman. Tell me, have the people of the world betrayed the Xunlu Sword?"
Lin Zhao took a deep breath, his expression solemn. "The events of two hundred years ago, neither you nor I experienced. But nothing happens without reason. Perhaps your master, Lin Shenghan, was determined to sacrifice himself, fearing to implicate too many? Or perhaps the Confucian school, the Military school, and others had other plans, and were thus unable to attend to your master, Lin Shenghan. These factors are all possible."
"I don't care about all that!"
Gu Yanshu sneered. "The people of the world betrayed the Xunlu Sword, and that's that. I should also thank the people of the world, otherwise, the Xunlu Sword wouldn't have such intense killing intent. As for you, Lin Zhao, you can kill me if you want. If you don't want to kill me, I, Gu Yanshu, will still be the same Gu Yanshu. Once my cultivation is restored, I will kill everyone at your mountain peak villa first, especially Dong Cang, Liu Liying, Tong Yu, and the others. I will torture them in every way possible before killing them!"
His eyes gleamed with ferocity.
Lin Zhao frowned, suppressing the killing intent in his heart with all his might. He knew that Gu Yanshu was trying to provoke him; he was seeking death.
At this moment, lying on the ground, looking at the starlight, Lin Zhao felt a pang of doubt. Had he made a mistake?
...
Gu Yanshu turned his face towards the north.
That was the direction of the demon clan's ancestral mountain. His resolve was extremely firm: he wanted to kill everyone in the world, except for that woman named Nan Qingfeng, who lingered in his thoughts.