In the afternoon, at the Dew-Bearing Terrace.
Under Gu Lingyu's scrutiny, approximately two hundred Qingliang Sect disciples who had taken lives had their spiritual gates sealed. They knelt in a row, gritting their teeth. Their ancestor, Zhao Jingyu, a thirteenth realm cultivator, was dead, and the twelfth realm fellow Daoist Qing Nan had already fled. The eleventh realm pear demon under Qing Nan's command had also been killed. For them, disciples of the lower and middle realms, there was no hope of stirring up any trouble.
"My lord."
Mu Ya cupped his fists. "These Qingliang Sect disciples have all taken lives. Some were even bloodthirsty, having killed hundreds of innocent civilians in the Northern Region. How do you plan to deal with them, my lord?"
"Have the Snow Region cavalry from the Flood Dragon Boat dismount and strike them down with their swords," Lin Zhao said calmly.
"Ah?"
Tong Yu Tan, standing beside him, parted his lips slightly, seemingly surprised by Lin Zhao's decisiveness in eliminating the enemy.
Zhang Luobai and Zhuang Yirong were on the Flood Dragon Boat. Given their young age, it was deemed unnecessary for them to witness such a gruesome scene, as it might harm their Dao hearts.
"Descend!"
Mu Ya let out a light shout. Immediately, Snow Region cavalrymen of the middle realm descended from the Flood Dragon Boat, their powerful true qi making "peng peng peng" sounds as they landed on the Dew-Bearing Terrace. They drew the swords at their waists and approached the Qingliang Sect disciples, who were utterly incapable of resisting. One by one, they placed the blades against the napes of their necks, awaiting Lin Zhao's command.
Su Qingjiu and Wu Zhi's beautiful eyes were serene. They considered such scenes to be commonplace, as the path of cultivation for sword cultivators on the mountains was inherently drenched in blood, and they had become accustomed to it since childhood.
Chen Ben frowned. He had no particular thoughts on the matter. Those Lin Zhao gege ordered to be killed could not be good people. They deserved their fate.
Gu Lingyu stood with one hand behind his back, the other holding a bamboo slip, his gaze gentle. In truth, a scholar would rather not witness such a scene. The moment Lin Zhao raised his hand, over two hundred heads would roll. At this moment, Gu Lingyu looked at Lin Zhao not with repulsion for his actions, but rather with understanding. Lin Zhao was not just a scholar but also a military strategist. Lin Baiyi of the Snow Region Heavenly Pond, a former commander of a vast army for the human race, it would be abnormal if he lacked killing intent.
What Gu Lingyu found comforting was that he had used Confucian deductive techniques to trace the events that occurred at Qingliang Mountain before. Little Uncle-Master had visited Qingliang Mountain before and, as a scholar, had reasoned with Zhao Jingyu, Zhao Suiguang, Zhao Chuqin, and Zhao Yichuan. Unfortunately, they were unreasonable people. Now, Lin Zhao, acting as a military sword cultivator, was decisively eradicating the transgressions of the Qingliang Sect. This was, in itself, a good thing. First, reason, and when reason failed, resolve the issue with military might. This was a practice that aligned perfectly with the Heavenly Dao, and few in this world were qualified to do so. Lin Zhao happened to be one of them.
...
Not long after, Lin Zhao led his group to inspect the various treasuries of the Qingliang Sect, emptying them completely. All valuable items were moved back to the Snow Region Heavenly Pond. This action was also justifiable. If they didn't do this, would a large contingent of fifth-realm cultivators from the Snow Region Heavenly Pond have come for nothing? Moreover, the Qingliang Sect, moving forward, no longer required such profound resources.
Lin Zhao looked to the west and cupped his fists in the distance. "Aunt, thank you. I'll see you at Tian Ran Ju tonight for a drink!"
"Mmm."
Lin Xingchu patted Xiao Ke's dragon horns. Instantly, the thirteenth-realm flood dragon coiled its body, carrying the River Godess of Xiujian River, and flew into the river, disappearing in a flash.
Immediately after, Lin Zhao looked to the east and smiled. "Miss Lin, thank you. Come for a drink tonight!"
"Got it."
On a broken cliff, the thirteenth-realm great sword immortal, clad in white, turned and stepped forward. Man and sword became one, transforming into a streak of sword light that descended directly onto the ramparts of Fusu Great Wall, continuing to refine his sword and nurture his sword intent.
As the sun began to set, everyone, escorting the sect master Zhao Suiguang, finally boarded the Flood Dragon Boat and returned to the Snow Region Heavenly Pond.
In the evening, the mountain peak villa was decorated with lanterns and festoons. Lin Zhao held a grand celebration feast. He personally cooked, taking a large fish weighing at least ten pounds to make fish head soup, which he personally stewed. Dongcang, Tong Yu, Chu Yu, and Wu Zhi bustled about, their faces filled with smiles. Su Shanjun and Han Buyu came up the mountain to freeload drinks, and Tang Guangjun also happily accepted the invitation. Two tables were set up at Tian Ran Ju today, allowing him to openly join them for drinks and food.
Shortly after, Lin Xingchu and Lin Wanhua arrived. Lin Xingchu brought two people. One was Wang Yue, a female sword-holding official dressed in a deep blue long dress. Wang Yue had now forged her Golden Body and was a genuine River God, albeit with a low divine rank and sparse divine power. Nevertheless, it was the first step. Moreover, she was from the mountain peak villa, and out of respect for her calling Lin Zhao "Lin Zhao gege," Lin Xingchu would naturally look after her. Coupled with Wang Yue's diligent efforts, her Golden Body would undoubtedly become stronger in the future.
The other was a young man in a green long robe, a subordinate of the thirteenth-realm flood dragon, Xiao Ke.
Xiao Ke knelt and kowtowed ten meters away from Lin Zhao. "Xiao Ke pays his respects to Young Master Lin Zhao! Young Master Lin Zhao has achieved victory in battle, leveling the spineless Qingliang Sect and venting the anger of our human race. Truly, it is a great satisfaction! As Young Master Lin Zhao's retainer, Xiao Ke feels honored, truly honored!!"
"Alright, alright!"
Lin Zhao's forehead twitched. "Hurry up and get up!"
Mu Ya couldn't help but chuckle. This fellow kept saying "our human race." When did he become a member of the human race? However, given that he was a subordinate of a thirteenth-realm flood dragon and possessed terrifying combat power, he was definitely no match for him. Mu Ya did not say much more. In the Snow Region Heavenly Pond, one had to speak cautiously. Those who were too arrogant would not survive for long.
"Lin Zhao gege!"
Wang Yue, holding Lin Xingchu's sword, smiled sweetly.
"Mm!"
Lin Zhao nodded heavily. "Wang Yue, you look much better now than before. Work diligently and faithfully in Xiujian River!"
"Yes, I know!"
Lin Wanhua walked forward with her sword and smiled. "It's a pity that Yu Zhi and Feng Quan escaped using Earth Evasion Talismans. Otherwise, this harvest would have been truly complete."
"It's alright."
Lin Zhao smiled. "Taking down one Qingliang Sect is enough. One cannot be too greedy. We must take things slow with the demon race, proceed gradually. Haste makes waste."
"Mmm."
Lin Wanhua smiled and nodded, greatly appreciating his calm demeanor in reasoning, which was on par with that of a thirteenth-realm cultivator.
Huang Tingyu stood beside Lin Zhao, constantly cupping his fists in greeting. In truth, Old Huang had never been a very polite person, but he had no choice now. The people who had arrived were too powerful. Thirteenth-realm River Godess Lin Xingchu was one thing, but now another thirteenth-realm peak great sword immortal, Lin Wanhua, had arrived. Huang Tingyu was also a sword cultivator, a demon race sword immortal who dared to draw his sword against a demon ancestor a hundred years ago. But in front of Lin Wanhua... he felt that if she were to unleash her full power, he might not be able to withstand ten moves. At such a time, it was natural that more courtesy was never a bad thing.
...
At the Snow Region Heavenly Pond's Tian Ran Ju, two tables were set up in the living room. Dongcang, Wang Yue, Tong Yu, and Chu Yu moved back and forth. Soon, both large tables were filled with all sorts of delicacies. Lin Zhao began to bring out his own stash. First, he took out a pile of low-quality wine, 10 grams per pot, and placed it on the table for Su Shanjun, Han Buyu, and Tang Guangjun. Su Shanjun immediately pinched his nose with a look of disgust. Only when Lin Zhao threw two jars of Peach Blossom Wine onto this table did he break into a smile.
Afterward, each table received a jar of Dongting Red Bamboo Wine, and Dongcang contributed two jars of Apricot Blossom Wine. In fact, that was almost enough. But finally, Lin Zhao took out half a jar of Dongting Purple Bamboo Wine. At the time, the Lord of Dongting Lake, Shang Xuli, had only given him three jars of Purple Bamboo Wine. One jar had been given to Lin Xingchu, and the second had been opened and a little drunk, leaving about half.
For a moment, all eyes were drawn to it. The mellow aroma of Dongting Purple Bamboo Wine was simply irresistible.
"That..."
Lin Zhao laughed heartily. "Everyone, please don't misunderstand! Today, only Lingyu is qualified to drink Dongting Purple Bamboo Wine. Because I made a misjudgment, Lingyu had to enter the Hidden Dragon Abyss alone to rescue Old Huang, and was ambushed by Yu Zhi and Feng Quan. Fortunately, Lingyu was strong enough to hold on until we arrived. Therefore, the first contribution in this battle to destroy Qingliang Sect and rescue Old Huang today might not be Xiao Jiu'er for killing Zhao Jingyu, but Lingyu."
"Little Uncle-Master..."
Gu Lingyu, the former Grand Supervisor of the Imperial Academy, felt a little embarrassed.
Su Qingjiu smiled and said, "Lin Zhao gege is right. Gu Lingyu indeed made a great contribution. If not for him, Old Huang would have likely ended up in a dog meat pot cooked by Yu Zhi."
"Xiao Jiu'er, you..."
Huang Tingyu scratched his head. Alas, forget it. Xiao Jiu'er was a junior at the peak of the twelfth realm. As an elder, he wouldn't quibble with her.
In truth, Xiao Jiu'er had always remembered Old Huang's kindness. A hundred years ago, after her father, Su Liang, and mother died together, Xiao Jiu'er's mansion was sealed by the Great Shang Dynasty. It was Old Huang who led the solitary and helpless Xiao Jiu'er to find Lin Zhao.
Therefore, when rescuing Old Huang at Qingliang Mountain this time, Xiao Jiu'er showed no mercy with her sword. Especially when fighting Zhao Jingyu and Zhao Suiguang, her attacks were extremely fierce, with no room for sentimentality.
Lin Zhao repeatedly toasted, offering drinks to Lin Xingchu and Lin Wanhua, the thirteenth-realm cultivators who had helped to guard the flanks. Their role was also significant, directly deterring other mountain forces from coveting anything. Otherwise, who knew how many more complications would have arisen.
As for Su Shanjun and Old Sword Immortal Han, they rarely freeloaded meals, but they ate and drank with gusto. They didn't care about anything else. Today, there was wine, so they got drunk. Old Huang was also uninhibited. He hadn't let loose for over a hundred years. He ate more than half of one fish head by himself and drank more than half of two jars of Peach Blossom Wine, burping continuously. Only Tang Guangjun, on the table for the first time, was sitting with the mountain master's junior brother, Lin Xingchu, and Lin Wanhua. Therefore, he ate and drank shyly, like a little bride.
...
After a sumptuous dinner, Lin Xingchu, Lin Wanhua, Su Shanjun, and Han Buyu bid farewell one after another.
Lin Zhao, carrying two swords on his back, led Su Qingjiu, Wu Zhi, Huang Tingyu, and Tang Guangjun, four twelfth-realm great sword immortals, into the depths of the bamboo forest. Under the moonlight, Zhao Suiguang sat with his knees hugged to his chest in a newly woven pear blossom branch cage, looking desolate, like a small cat licking its wounds in a corner. When he looked up and saw Lin Zhao and the others, he couldn't help but feel a surge of sadness.