Lin Zhao frowned, his heart as clear as a mirror. Shen Xingchen's decision to poach from the Scarlet Moon Knights at this time was purely because she saw the Scarlet Moon Knights as being at their wit's end. She would never have guessed the plans Lin Zhao, Chen Xue, and the Hot Blooded Youth Squad had laid out, nor would she have imagined that the Hot Blooded Youth Squad had already "pledged allegiance." This wasn't a recruitment drive; it was clearly a case of kicking someone while they're down!
Thinking of this, Lin Zhao felt a pang of annoyance. How could the dignified "Cold Girl" have such an outrageous sister?
...
A few minutes later, the quest time was up. They returned to turn in the quest, still walking along the steep ice and snow-covered mountains. He leaped from a hillside, just like the tempering of the body in the Eight Realms martial cultivation back then, instantly landing on the ground. He slowly rose from the encampment. Just ahead, the Thousand-Rider Commander Sun Jialiang, holding a chipped sword, smiled and said, "Young hero, you're back! Thank you for your help, young hero. I've led the brothers out of the city for a charge and killed countless demon puppets. In this battle, your contribution is immense!"
Lin Zhao smiled faintly, "It's good that I could help."
The next moment, a bell rang in his ears. The system rewards arrived—
"Ding!"
System Notification: Congratulations on completing the main quest [Blockade of Snow Rock Valley] (S-rank), you have received rewards: Current level experience +50%, Gold coins +150, Reputation points +400, Charm +1!
...
With a "swish," a golden rain of light descended from the sky. He had already reached level 58. The leveling speed was incredibly fast, and he had even reclaimed the top spot on the Cloud County's level leaderboard.
The Thousand-Rider Commander wanted to say more, but Lin Zhao's stomach was already rumbling with hunger. He quickly cupped his hands and said, "Sir, I have an urgent matter and must leave for a while!"
"Alright."
The moment the Thousand-Rider Commander nodded, Lin Zhao had logged off. The Six-Realms martial cultivator, the Thousand-Rider Commander, was left stunned. "It's true, he really is a sword immortal prodigy with extraordinary talent. He comes and goes without a trace. This ability to shrink a thousand miles I fear I may never achieve in this lifetime!"
A group of Hundred-Rider Commanders nodded in agreement, each deeply convinced.
Offline.
When Lin Zhao went downstairs, Wang Ju was already waiting below. Although Lin Zhao intended to warm up the dishes himself, Wang Ju still insisted on doing it, handling everything alone. Soon after, Lin Zhao was eating downstairs alone, with three dishes and a soup. The rice was also soft and delicious. This kind of life made Lin Zhao feel particularly comfortable.
"Juzi-jie."
While eating, he looked up at Wang Ju and smiled, "Are you getting used to life in the studio?"
"Mm, I'm used to it."
Wang Ju smiled and nodded, saying, "Lin Zhao, thank you. Without you, I would never have been able to live like this in my life. Little Juzi would have had to suffer with me..."
"You're welcome."
Lin Zhao smiled, "Juzi-jie, you are kind and diligent, and you're also a good cook. I just gave you a job opportunity, and you seized it yourself, so there's no need to thank me."
"I still must thank you..."
Wang Ju seemed a little reserved, sitting in front of Lin Zhao, lowering her head slightly. She said, "I'm just afraid... afraid that I'm not doing well enough, and that Little Juzi and I will become a burden to you. That would be truly unforgivable."
"It's okay, how could you be a burden?"
Lin Zhao looked up at her and smiled, "I have a biological older sister, my cousin Murong Feiyue, and besides her, I have you, Juzi-jie. As for Little Juzi, I see her as my own sister. How could I possibly think of you as a burden? And regarding the financial matters of the studio, please don't worry at all. I, Lin Zhao, am capable. Can't I lead this whole family to rise strongly in 'Tian Xia'?"
Wang Ju stared at him blankly, as if she were meeting the young man who used to live upstairs for the first time today. At this moment, Lin Zhao exuded an indescribable aura—confident, radiant, and kind. These qualities made Wang Ju feel that such a person was trustworthy, a stark contrast to Little Juzi's father, that irresponsible man. Lin Zhao was like heaven compared to hell. If she had chosen Lin Zhao back then...
At this thought, Wang Ju lowered her head even further. Why was she thinking about this? Was she worthy?
No, she was not worthy. Not in this lifetime.
And if her soul couldn't be purified in the next life, she still wouldn't be worthy.
...
Lin Zhao had no idea what she was thinking. He simply smiled and praised the food as being even more delicious today, then ate with gusto, devouring almost all the food in a whirlwind. Afterwards, he wiped his mouth, took the water cup from Wang Ju's hand, and drank it all in one gulp. He smiled, "Juzi-jie, if you feel tired, it's okay. We can hire another cook to alternate cooking with you."
"No need."
Wang Ju quickly shook her head. "Preparing meals for seven people is still quite easy. Really, no need."
At this moment, she was truly afraid. If someone could replace her, what would be her purpose here? How could she face everyone and still have the face to drag them down with Little Juzi?
"Alright, then."
Lin Zhao went upstairs. The quest should have a follow-up.
...
"Swish!"
A beam of light flashed before his eyes. Lin Zhao's character logged into the encampment of the Cloud County Cavalry Corps. Just ahead, Thousand-Rider Commander Sun Jialiang, bearing multiple wounds, stood up and looked at Lin Zhao with a look of excitement. "Young hero, you're finally back!"
"Mm, something wrong?"
Lin Zhao asked.
"Yes!"
The Thousand-Rider Commander nodded heavily. "That Star River realm Snow Lotus demon has already left Snow Rock Valley, and its whereabouts are currently unknown. Based on my estimation, she will definitely attack this encampment tonight. An attack from a demon of the Star River realm... is not to be underestimated. Although we do have quite a few accompanying cultivators, most of them are in the lower five realms. If you, young hero, are willing to draw your sword and assist, our chances of holding the encampment will be much higher!"
"Understood."
Lin Zhao nodded. "Sir, please rest assured. I will stay here. If this Star River realm demon truly dares to come, I will do my utmost to help everyone defend the encampment!"
"That's wonderful!"
The Thousand-Rider Commander smiled. "Guards, serve the young hero food, and a generous portion of meat!"
He then looked at Lin Zhao solicitously and said, "It's getting dark soon, and the camp has already started cooking. The food might not be particularly delicious, so please bear with us."
Lin Zhao couldn't help but chuckle. "It's fine, I'll just eat a little. It's okay even if I don't eat."
The Thousand-Rider Commander nodded. He had heard that the immortals on the mountains had cultivated practices like辟谷 (Bigu - abstaining from grains, a form of fasting for spiritual purposes), and could indeed go for long periods without eating without dying. This young sword cultivator's realm was unclear, but he was certainly very powerful. Perhaps he had already attained Bigu. But it didn't matter; basic courtesy was still necessary.
At this moment, a bell rang in Lin Zhao's ears. Indeed, a new quest had arrived—
"Ding!"
System Notification: You have accepted the main quest [Defend the Encampment] (SS-rank)!
Quest Description: The Snow Lotus demon, whose attack has been delayed, is enraged. She has vowed to wash this Cloud State cavalry encampment with blood tonight. At the invitation of Thousand-Rider Commander Sun Jialiang, you have decided to stay and defend the encampment. Quest Condition 1: Thousand-Rider Commander Sun Jialiang must survive. Quest Condition 2: You yourself must survive. Quest Condition 3: The cavalry defending the encampment must not have more than half of their forces perish. If you complete the quest, you will achieve a great merit and receive an immensely rich reward!
...
Looking at the quest description, Lin Zhao took a deep breath. Not bad, not bad. This time it was SS-rank. Upon completion, he would receive 2 Charm points, which was 1 more than S-rank. Having done many quests, he had already figured out the pattern. Thus, Lin Zhao drew his sword and stepped onto the stone wall of the encampment. This stone wall was not high, only 4-5 meters. It was far inferior to the walls of ordinary cities, and even more so compared to the hundred-meter-high walls of the Great Wall of Fusu. But there was nothing that could be done; these were the conditions of a border camp.
Walking on the uneven stone wall battlements, Lin Zhao looked out at the darkening scenery. He frowned. It seemed likely that a bloody battle would occur tonight, and he might be the key to this battle. If he were here, the encampment would remain. If he were gone, this encampment might also be reduced to ruins.
"Young hero!"
A young cook cavalryman approached with a tray. "Please have your dinner!"
"Okay, thank you!"
Lin Zhao nodded and smiled, taking the plate from his hand. He placed it on the rough and uneven crenellations. The cavalryman watching this felt a warmth in his heart. This young sword cultivator was so approachable. His smile was clearly genuine. Unlike the immortals he had occasionally encountered in the past, who were all arrogant, as if they truly viewed ordinary people as ants. Even the cultivators in the lower five realms within the army were all haughty, always barking orders at the cavalrymen. Who would be as amiable as this young sword cultivator? Moreover, this sword cultivator was likely far more powerful than those accompanying cultivators and mountain immortals!
In an instant, a seed was planted in the young cook cavalryman's heart. Some people could achieve success and attain enlightenment for a reason; their state of mind was there. As for others, they could only remain in the lower five realms their entire lives; that was also inevitable. Their state of mind was narrow, and the heavens would not tolerate it. It must be this way! The young cavalryman nodded repeatedly, feeling that he must train harder in the future and not be content with just the realm of a first-level martial artist!
On the battlements, Lin Zhao began to eat.
The food in this encampment was indeed simple: two dry, hard flatbreads and a bowl of meat broth. In the broth, a few pieces of spareribs with a few meat scraps were barely visible. And this was an extra meal specially ordered by the Thousand-Rider Commander, otherwise, this bowl of meat broth would probably only have a few floating vegetable leaves. This catering... was far inferior to that of the Death Camp of the Tianchi Army.
Lin Zhao bared his teeth and still wolfed down the food. His stamina also improved significantly from eating.
Afterwards, he held the Qing Lu sword and sat by the crenellations, dozing off, waiting for the Star River realm demon cultivator to come and cause trouble.
Inside the city, the lights were bright. Some cavalrymen were adjusting the aiming positions of the ballistae and catapults, some were igniting the torches for the stone-throwing machines, and others were repairing the stairs to the arrow towers, carrying bundles of arrows up to the arrow towers. They were all busy.
...
Lin Zhao waited quietly, almost falling asleep. Until a moment when his heart suddenly trembled with a "buzz." He immediately got up and looked towards the west. He frowned, as if the martial artist realm within him had awakened, and he could sense that disgusting demonic energy. He immediately pointed in that direction and shouted, "It's over there!"
"Fire arrows!"
The Thousand-Rider Commander roared loudly.
Accompanied by the "swish, swish, swish" sound of fire arrows cutting through the wind, under the glow of the flames, a figure stepped through the snow. She wore a white dress and carried a paper umbrella in the snow. Her figure was graceful, her steps light. She gently lifted the paper umbrella, revealing a pair of beautiful eyes, and chuckled, "No one is leaving today."