Deep in the night, by Baiyu Stream.
...
A swordsman in white strolled slowly across the water's surface, his steps shattering the thin golden script of the prohibition array layer by layer. Beneath the water, strands of cyan converged, forming long hair. The River Hag, exhaling a long sigh, finally emerged from Qin Suihan's restriction and knelt on the water, weeping disconsolately.
"You've come?" she said.
"Mmm."
The white-clothed swordsman nodded. "I have. I've heard much. Let's speak frankly today about any grievances you've held against me over the years. There's no need to hold back."
"I... I..."
The River Hag, named Madam Xu, wept mournfully. "My golden body is becoming increasingly unstable. There's no incense here, and those children always pee in front of the shrine. It's filthy every day. I... I truly see no future. Since you are... since you are the Soldier Immortal from the Ancestral Court of War, why... why can't you make me a River God, or a River Deity? At least... I could have a larger dwelling, a palace..."
"Do you deserve it?"
The white-clothed swordsman's expression suddenly turned sharp. "In all these years, have you, River Hag, fulfilled your duties? Of the children who drowned, have you saved even one? When the torrential rains come every summer, have you reduced the flooded fields by even an inch? You speak of no incense, but have you ever blessed any of the common folk?"
"I... I..."
Madam Xu wept heart-wrenchingly once more.
"Enough!"
The white-clothed swordsman raised an eyebrow. "Your past kindness of a meal, for which I, Han Xin, preserved your soul and sculpted your golden body, has been repaid. Over these years, how much have I, Han Xin, mended and patched for you? And you? Constantly demanding, have you ever truly considered doing your current job well? These are secondary. You even attempted to drown Lin Zhao. Do you know Lin Zhao is the junior disciple of the Martial Sage Ding Muchan? Do you know if Ding Muchan were to hold me accountable, how I would fare in the Ancestral Court of War?"
He gritted his teeth. "You always think others are wrong and never examine yourself. The saying from the Confucianists, 'the petty man blames others,' describes people like you!"
Madam Xu wept, her tears flowing like a river.
"That's enough."
The Soldier Immortal Han Xin sneered coldly. "The Martial Sage awaits my reply. I, Han Xin, am the most suitable to handle this matter. I have repaid the kindness of that meal in full. It is you yourself who did not cherish your blessings. And your attempt to harm Lin Zhao... it will not pass with me."
As he spoke, he suddenly threw a punch. With a "pang," a soft sound, Madam Xu tumbled on the water's surface. When she settled, her golden body had shattered completely.
"This punch breaks your golden body."
Han Xin said coldly, "Our grace and obligation end here. From now on, be a proper River Hag. Sculpt your own golden body. If you lack the ability and fortune, then dissipate into a wisp of soul and vanish into the heavens and earth. Such is the way of cause and effect in this world."
"Alright... alright..."
Madam Xu was utterly terrified, finally witnessing the thunderous power of this Soldier Immortal. She knelt on the water, kowtowed repeatedly, and then submerged herself into the depths. Han Xin, however, frowned, retracted his fist, and walked back to the mountain peak villa.
...
In the early morning, the mountain peak villa was shrouded in mist.
Early that morning, people from Changming Mountain arrived. Lin Qing'er, leading a group of disciples, reached the mountain peak villa.
"Sword Immortal Lin!"
Niu Zhi, Luo Yang, Mu Zha, and others cupped their fists in greeting.
The five duels on the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake were exhilarating. Lin Qing'er's battle was particularly thrilling. Nine swords felled the twelfth-realm great demon Wen Chang, shocking the world. It could be said that apart from the Man in Green, Lin Qing'er's performance on the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake was the most brilliant. Annihilating the great demon Wen Chang was akin to venting humanity's pent-up anger.
"Mmm, mmm!"
Lin Qing'er was very polite and said with a smile, "Is Lin Zhao here? I've come to take Su Qingjiu back to the mountain."
"He is, he is."
In the main house, Lin Zhao and Miss Dongcang were packing for Little Jiu'er. There was a large stack of books on the classics, as well as brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. Lin Zhao had even written over a dozen silver demon-subduing talismans for Little Jiu'er, telling her they were extremely effective if she encountered any monsters. The little girl was no longer as sad, tucking the stack of talismans into her embrace. She could look at them whenever she missed her brother Lin Zhao, and whether they could actually subdue demons, was that important?
However, as they parted, Little Jiu'er still cried, weeping sorrowfully. She clung to Lin Zhao, unwilling to let go. After Lin Zhao comforted her for a long time, she took the hand of a beautiful senior sister and prepared to set off.
"Lin Zhao..."
Lin Qing'er glanced at the young man before her, frowned, and said, "May I speak with you privately?"
"Of course."
He followed Lin Qing'er to a willow tree by the roadside. Lin Qing'er turned around and said, "Although your senior brother has severely injured the Demon Ancestor and the Demon Emperor, their armies are still poised in the north, ready to march south at any moment. The major sects on the mountains of the Great Shang Dynasty are all preparing for war. Would you consider... coming with me to Changming Mountain? I can make you a Deputy Mountain Master. Otherwise, if you stay here, your chances of survival will be extremely low."
Sword Immortal Lin did not mince words. He said what he meant.
Lin Zhao felt a little awkward. "It's alright. It's all about timing and destiny. If this world truly requires me to die defending it, I have no reason to retreat. Home is here, and my parents' graves are here. Where else can I go?"
"Alright."
Lin Qing'er nodded and smiled. "If you're still alive after the great war, I'll bring Little Jiu'er to visit you regularly. You can also travel the world and visit our Changming Mountain. Our Changming Mountain is beautiful, and the people are beautiful. You haven't married yet, have you? Perhaps, in the future, I can find a disciple from Changming Mountain for you as a Dao companion, I guarantee she'll be extremely beautiful, virtuous, and possess excellent sword skills."
Lin Zhao couldn't help but chuckle. "This... I'll pick a Dao companion myself, thank you. As for Changming Mountain... if I have the opportunity, I will certainly go. Firstly, to pay my respects to Sword Immortal Lin, and secondly, to visit Little Jiu'er."
"Mmm, mmm!"
Lin Qing'er smiled. "You're always welcome to visit. I'm off then..."
"I won't see you off."
Lin Zhao watched with Niu Zhi, Luo Yang, and the others as they departed. Soon after, Lin Qing'er, holding Little Jiu'er, ascended into the sky on her sword, followed by the female disciples of Changming Mountain, each also riding their swords. The sky was like streaks of light in flight, truly spectacular.
"Little Jiu'er has left too..."
Niu Zhi pursed her red lips. "The mountain peak villa will probably not be as lively anymore."
"Mmm."
Lin Zhao turned back to face everyone and said with a smile, "As soldiers of the Great Chen Dynasty, we have already dedicated ourselves to the nation. Don't overthink it. In the next battle, we don't even know how many will survive!"
Mu Zha gave a thumbs-up. "My lord, your words are insightful... Damn it, I feel the same way. The next battle will undoubtedly be brutal. The demons and fiends will use all their strength. We, the Heavenly Lake Army, are at the forefront. It's hard to say how many will survive."
"Indeed, indeed!"
The others nodded in agreement.
Only Niu Zhi narrowed her beautiful eyes and smiled. "Why worry so much? To be able to follow Lin Zhao, even if we die together, there's nothing to regret. Besides, when we fight monsters, every one we kill is a gain. In the end, we won't be at a loss."
"Naturally!"
Lin Zhao grinned. "When has our mountain peak villa ever been a losing business?"
"Hahahahaha~~~"
Everyone burst into laughter, and the gloom weighing on their hearts was largely lifted.
...
In the evening, the Man in Green and the white-clothed swordsman bid farewell to Lin Zhao, as they were returning to the Ancestral Court of War in the upper realm.
"Third Senior Brother."
Lin Zhao saw them off. "Will you return in the future?"
"Yes."
The Man in Green smiled. "The people I care about are all here, so why wouldn't I return? However... having cleaved away the Demon Ancestor and the Demon Emperor, I have indeed suffered severe injuries. I definitely won't be returning for a while, at least until I've recuperated. As for you... little junior brother, diligently practice your punches and sword. Both Second Senior Sister and I are watching you from the upper realm!"
"Mmm, of course."
"Good."
The Man in Green smiled slightly. "Let's go, let's go."
The white-clothed swordsman clasped his hands and smiled. "Lin Zhao, Soldier Immortal Han Xin takes his leave!"
"Farewell!"
Two brilliant beams of light shot into the sky, and the two of them returned to the upper realm together.
Lin Zhao watched the ascending light of his senior brother disappear, his heart filled with pride. The ones who repelled the Demon Ancestor and the Demon Emperor with two swords on the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake, that was my Third Senior Brother. Now, watching him ascend, Lin Zhao felt even more envious. When will I also be able to wield my sword and ascend, becoming a true Sword Immortal in the heavens?
...
In the real world, Ning City.
In a private room by the window of a hotpot restaurant on the top floor of the tallest building in the heart of Ning City, two beautiful girls sat opposite each other, enjoying their hotpot, their faces flushed red.
"It's a bit spicy..."
Shen Xingchen opened her small mouth and puffed, looking quite adorable.
Leng Yan smiled. "Today we're not just meeting for hotpot, are we? Frankly speaking, a meal of hotpot costs less than a thousand universal coins, but your round-trip airfare is at least fifty thousand."
"Eighty thousand."
Shen Xingchen smiled. "But it's nothing. I just wanted to see you and chat about things in the game."
"Chat about the five duels on the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake?"
Leng Yan smiled and said, "Who is that Green-robed Martial Sage, really?"
"Martial Sage Ding Muchan!"
Shen Xingchen pursed her red lips and smiled. "The official information has long been released. Ding Muchan, who was the Heavenly King Jinxi Hehexi from the previous Yue Heng series, 'Tian Xing.' It is said that during the early stages of 'Tian Xia's' development, the official invited Ding Muchan to record a memory fragment. That's why he appears in 'Tian Xia' as the Martial Sage Ding Muchan. Those two swords were truly magnificent!"
"That makes sense."
Leng Yan frowned. "Ding Muchan was willing to leave a memory in the game for Shan You Fusu. Because of this, there's a prophecy from the Martial Sage, what was it again?"
"'Half a life adrift, unfulfilled ambitions; a sword of immortality entrusted to the mortal realm.'"
Shen Xingchen said softly. "He must have been a very gentle man."
"Yes!"
Leng Yan smiled. "And Lin Zhao is his junior disciple, also an extremely gentle person."
"That fool?"
Shen Xingchen smiled. "Your tone changes when you mention him, you know~~~"
"Did it?!"
Leng Yan's cheeks flushed, and then she lowered her head and frantically ate her meat.