Within three days.
Ten cavalrymen split into ten routes, and large red flags with gold lettering were paraded through the small town for three consecutive days, making it known to almost everyone. Rumors even spread among the Heavenly Pool Army that there was something delicious from Baiwei Xuan again.
Three days later.
Baiwei Xuan reopened with a grand launch of Chongqing hot pot.
On this day, people began to arrive for meals continuously from nine o'clock in the morning. They noticed that the main building of Baiwei Xuan seemed to have been renovated, with many ventilation holes added to the roof. The tables had also been modified, with the center hollowed out and charcoal placed underneath. A large pot was then placed on top, filled with ingredients and broth, releasing a spicy aroma.
What's more, some people noticed that the legendary Old Sword Immortal, Han Buyu, an elder who often went to North Mountain to slay demons, had been temporarily hired by Baiwei Xuan. He was wielding his sword in the kitchen like a rainstorm, even summoning his natal flying sword, which had been refined in the Sword Lake. All the old sword immortal asked for was to eat an endless supply of hot pot at Baiwei Xuan for three meals a day.
At noon, it was packed.
Lin Zhao personally oversaw the operation, explaining to everyone the cooking times for each dish. For example, pig brain required about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, while beef tripe was much quicker, edible in mere breaths and incredibly delicious and tender. The restaurant tables also had signs indicating the cooking times for various dishes, demonstrating great attention to detail.
Not long after, a unit of cavalry approached the town from afar and stopped in front of Baiwei Xuan, their armor gleaming. Baiwei Xuan was surrounded by a heavy guard.
"What's wrong?"
Qing Er's sister-in-law turned pale with fright.
Jia Chong also frowned, "Why are the army here?"
"It's nothing."
Lin Zhao shook his head, understanding that Chu Huaixi would certainly not cause trouble.
As expected, under the escort of many cavalrymen, Chu Huaixi and a woman rode side-by-side. The woman was Shao Shiyu, the commander of the Vermilion Bird Battalion stationed at Shanhaiguan. Chen Yu and Huang Tingyu followed closely behind, and the group entered Baiwei Xuan together.
"I heard."
Chu Huaixi's eyes fixed on Lin Zhao, his authority evident without anger. "A few days ago, your small shop, managed by the third shopkeeper, privately hired ten cavalrymen from our Fengcheng Battalion for publicity. Are you aware that this violates military regulations?"
Lin Zhao nodded. "Those ten cavalrymen were on their leave. I thought it would be fine."
"Of course, it's a problem!"
Chen Yu suppressed a smile and said, "Those ten cavalrymen have already been punished with three days of cleaning horse manure. As for you, Lin Zhao, your business seems to be booming. You caused ten of my Fengcheng brothers to clean horse manure, shouldn't you show some consideration?"
"Understood, understood."
Lin Zhao nodded repeatedly and said with a smile, "Commander Chu, Commander Shao Shi, and Sister Chen Yu, and Old Huang, please come in, please come in. Come and try our newly launched Chongqing hot pot. This meal is on me, and I guarantee you'll be satisfied. Old Jia, what are you still standing there for? Quickly tidy up the private room upstairs and bring a table in, won't that do?"
"Right away, right away!"
Jia Chong immediately led two waiters to move a table.
Chen Yu smiled and snapped her fingers, "You're quite the talker, Lin Zhao!"
"Naturally, naturally!"
Lin Zhao stood at the entrance, cupping his fists to greet them one by one. "Commander Chu! Commander Shao Shi!"
"Hmm."
Chu Huaixi smiled and walked upstairs, while Shao Shiyu glanced at Lin Zhao with a smile. "I heard you are only fourteen? A Fourth Realm martial artist, that's impressive..."
"It's all thanks to Commander Chu's guidance and my own hard work!" the young man said shamelessly.
Shao Shiyu chuckled and hurried to catch up with Chu Huaixi. "Commander Chu, this young man named Lin Zhao is quite interesting. He's sharp and his cultivation foundation is solid. Your small town has truly produced many top talents. This Lin Zhao... why not assign him to me? My army is in need of an advisor, and I think he would be suitable."
"Shao Shi..."
Chu Huaixi smiled. "Commander is joking. Lin Zhao is a rising star among the younger generation in our town, and he will surely be a pillar of our Heavenly Pool Army in the future. Commander's Vermilion Bird Battalion is already full of talented individuals, so why would they lack him? Besides, isn't the Vermilion Bird Battalion all female soldiers? How would it look with Lin Zhao added?"
"Oh~~~"
Shao Shiyu chuckled. "Since I first arrived in this blessed land, Commander Chu has always been generous with people and resources. I didn't expect you to be so stingy with Lin Zhao. It seems... Commander Chu values this child greatly. Fine, I won't snatch someone else's beloved."
"Thank you, Commander Shao Shi!"
Chu Huaixi cupped his fists and smiled. "This meal is on me!"
"Lin Zhao said this meal is on him. Is Commander Chu offering a borrowed flower to Buddha?"
"Oh, I almost forgot. Then the next meal will be on me."
"..."
In the private room on the second floor, mist soon filled the air. Chu Huaixi, Shao Shiyu, Chen Yu, along with Huang Tingyu and two female officers of the Vermilion Bird Battalion, a group of battle-hardened veterans, gathered around a pot of hot pot. They ate heartily, drank generously, and their faces turned red from the spice, exhaling in great puffs.
Upstairs and downstairs, there was a warm and convivial atmosphere. At this moment, it seemed as if Baiwei Xuan was the sole center of the small town.
In the following days, the news continued to spread, and Baiwei Xuan's business grew better and better. Even Chu Huaixi of the Heavenly Pool Army and Shao Shiyu of Shanhaiguan came to patronize them. Baiwei Xuan's future business was predictable. Except for breakfast, every meal was packed with customers, and people even had to queue. Lin Zhao then took the initiative to introduce a ticket-taking service and set up an outdoor snack area, where waiting customers could eat sunflower seeds and drink hot tea. For a time, Baiwei Xuan was the talk of the town, far surpassing the business of Huaqianshu and Mingyuxuan on the front street!
As Baiwei Xuan's business boomed, Lin Zhao's income gradually increased, and his life became more comfortable. He even hired a bricklayer to renovate his ancestral home and bought some new furniture, giving Xiao Shitui and Xiao Jiuer better beds. He also stockpiled a considerable amount of food at home, ensuring they would have enough to get through the harsh winter.
One day, late at night.
Lu Xun led his donkey out of the courtyard alone. This time, he finally rode the donkey, crossed the stone bridge, and arrived at the door of the bookstore owner. Without knocking, he walked straight in.
"You're here."
Qin Suihan had warmed a cup of tea, seemingly waiting for him.
"Yes."
Lu Xun took a cup of tea and took a sip. "Mr. Qin's tea is truly the most mellow in the world!"
"?"
Qin Suihan looked up at him. "Are you planning to leave?"
"Yes."
Lu Xun nodded. "I have stayed here for two months. My state of mind has indeed recovered considerably, but my sword heart is still shattered. I'm afraid I cannot overcome this hurdle in Snow Region Heavenly Pool."
"Snow Region Heavenly Pool is a sacred place, the ascension site of the immortal Mingyue Pool. It is indeed not a place for someone with a shattered sword heart like you. Here, you will only be looking up at high mountains and making no progress."
"That makes sense."
Lu Xun smiled. "Moreover, that person's aura is becoming stronger and stronger. I fear the day of his descent to the mortal realm is drawing nearer. Mr. Qin, what do you think he, who is stationed in the ancestral court, is coming down for? Is there truly something in this world that only he can accomplish?"
"That person is hard to say."
Qin Suihan smiled. "Half a life of wandering and unfulfilled ambitions, a sword of immortality entrusted to the mortal world. How many years has this saying circulated in the martial world? Such a person... I don't know how to judge him. In any case, whether he comes or not, it is good that such a person exists in the mortal world."
"Mr. Qin's insight is profound."
"After you leave, will you return?"
"It depends."
Lu Xun's brow furrowed. "If I can repair my state of mind, I will surely ascend and fight again. If not, I would rather die in the mortal world, to have lived this life in vain."
"It's not necessary."
Qin Suihan said, "The mortal world needs people like him, and it also needs you, Lu Xun. When the heavens are about to fall, the more people who dare to draw their swords against the sky, the better."
"Yes."
This time, Lu Xun bowed respectfully. "Mr. Qin is right. This junior has learned a great lesson!"
"Go then."
"I haven't told Lin Zhao. It will be a departure without saying goodbye. If there's an opportunity, I will definitely come back to find this young brother again."
"Hmm."
Lu Xun got up and rode his donkey away. Qin Suihan looked up and watched him go.
After Lu Xun left, only Lin Zhao, Xiao Shitui, and Xiao Jiuer remained in the ancestral home. Fortunately, with the continuous stream of funds from Baiwei Xuan, their lives became increasingly prosperous.
The cold winter arrived quickly, and in the blink of an eye, a heavy snowfall descended upon Heavenly Pool Town.
On the twenty-fourth day of the twelfth lunar month, according to custom, it was the day to worship the Kitchen God. Lin Zhao, with the two children, carried a chicken to send off the Kitchen God to heaven. Afterward, he placed various fruits before the shrine. In the evening, Guo Dongyang returned. As a bow maker in the Heavenly Pool Army, he had completed a labor service and applied for leave to return home for the New Year.
However, Guo Dongyang was an orphan and was alone. So, he brought his bedding and other belongings and stayed with Lin Zhao to celebrate the New Year. The four of them, all orphans, were able to have a happy reunion.
On the eve of the Lunar New Year, Lin Zhao and Guo Dongyang joined forces to prepare a lavish dinner. Before the meal, they pasted Spring Festival couplets and door couplets. After the meal, Lin Zhao took Xiao Shitui and Xiao Jiuer to the courtyard to light firecrackers. The elders said that the louder the firecrackers, the better, as they could scare away evil spirits and unclean things. Guo Dongyang was dismissive of this, but he still stood at the door, smiling as he watched Lin Zhao and the two children set off firecrackers.
Afterward, the four of them gathered around the stove for a vigil, cracking melon seeds and chatting about the past and some interesting anecdotes from the small town.
The next morning, Lin Zhao cooked glutinous rice balls and dumplings, which they all ate together. Thus, the New Year passed.
Not long after, on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.
Guo Dongyang returned to the Heavenly Pool Army to serve as a bow maker.
Lin Zhao, on the other hand, was about to undergo a grand ceremony: the hair-binding ceremony. In Heavenly Pool Town, every child reaching the age of fifteen would have a hair-binding ceremony under the white tree in the courtyard of the bookstore. Chu Huaixi would personally preside over it.
During the hair-binding ceremony, the child would eventually pray to the white tree. If the tree approved, a fruit would fall from it. The fruits were graded, and the better the fruit, the more fortune and spiritual energy it contained. In fact, every child in Heavenly Pool Town eagerly awaited this day. A superior fruit could often change their entire life.