"Zhao Sui Guang."
Lin Zhao walked forward and sat on a rock several meters away from Zhao Sui Guang, resting his long sword, Liquan, in front of him. In the evening breeze, his snow-white cloak billowed behind him, giving him the demeanor of a renowned general. He looked at the twelfth-realm cultivator trapped within the cage of pear blossoms and said lightly, "To be frank, my attitude towards you is somewhat ambiguous, somewhere between killing and not killing."
Zhao Sui Guang was horrified and asked, "What does the Mountain Lord mean?"
"It means nothing in particular."
Lin Zhao raised an eyebrow slightly and said, "I'll ask you one question, and I hope you answer truthfully."
"Mountain Lord, please ask."
Zhao Sui Guang looked behind Lin Zhao. Any one of the four twelfth-realm Sword Immortals present possessed the absolute ability to overwhelm him. For a moment, despair filled his heart.
"Zhao Jingyu was killed by us, Snow Domain Heavenly Pool, I admit that."
Lin Zhao frowned and said, "I only want to ask you, Zhao Sui Guang, if you had the chance, would you avenge Zhao Jingyu?"
"..."
Zhao Sui Guang gritted his teeth, seemingly pondering how to answer.
"Answer truthfully!"
Tang Guangjun frowned, his entire being exuding a strong martial aura.
"..."
Zhao Sui Guang trembled in his heart. What kind of monster was this? When Snow Domain Heavenly Pool attacked the mountain, this military Sword Cultivator hadn't even appeared. If he had been there, wouldn't it have been even more one-sided?!
"Mountain Lord..."
Zhao Sui Guang frowned and said, "My honest feelings, Zhao Sui Guang, are... for so many years, almost all important matters of the Qingliang Sect were decided by my father, Zhao Jingyu. I, Zhao Sui Guang, was merely a puppet on the Sect Master's throne. When the Mountain Lord ascended the mountain, every single word you cursed the Qingliang Sect with, I, Zhao Sui Guang, have kept in my heart. I also do not wish for the great Qingliang Sect to be merely a human race traitor kneeling before the demon race. I also want to contribute to the human world, but I, Zhao Sui Guang, am incompetent and cannot do it."
"Hmph..."
Lin Zhao nodded and smiled, "Back then, when you, Wu Li, and Zhao Guangyi came to Snow Domain Heavenly Pool intending to kill me, what did you say?"
Zhao Sui Guang gritted his teeth and decided to go all out, confessing everything, "Back then, I truly could not bear my father's immense prestige within the Qingliang Sect. The desire to replace him was not a recent one. It was at that time that Wu Li appeared and gave me an opportunity to become the Sect Master of Qingliang Sect. Unfortunately, we encountered Sword Immortal Su Qingjiu that time, and thus suffered utter defeat."
"Do you want to avenge Zhao Jingyu?" Lin Zhao asked.
"No!"
Zhao Sui Guang drooped his head and said, "As a son, morally speaking, if I, Zhao Sui Guang, did not avenge my father, I would be worse than a pig or a dog. But as a cultivator on the human world's mountains, from a standpoint of righteousness, he, Zhao Jingyu, deserves to die ten thousand times over. If I, Zhao Sui Guang, do not seek revenge, I am unworthy of being a son. If I seek revenge, I am unworthy of human righteousness. That is all."
He sat on the ground and sighed, "What can I do?"
"I understand."
Lin Zhao nodded with a smile, "These words are indeed quite candid. However, even if you had the thought of revenge, it wouldn't matter. You won't have the chance. I will always be watching you. Once you, Zhao Sui Guang, show any hostility towards Mountain Peak Villa, that will be the day of your demise. Now, I give you an opportunity to rebuild the Qingliang Sect and truly serve as its Sect Master. Are you willing?"
Zhao Sui Guang was stunned, then quickly scrambled to his feet and knelt on one knee. "Is the Mountain Lord serious?"
"Yes."
Lin Zhao nodded. "However, the rebuilt Qingliang Sect must move to the secondary peak. I have other uses for the main peak's Qingliang Sect buildings. Rest assured, I will leave you the Golden Bat money to establish your sect on the secondary peak. As for the disciples of Qingliang Sect whom I did not kill, their character is still relatively good. I hope you will guide them well and not follow Zhao Jingyu's old path."
"Yes!"
Zhao Sui Guang nodded repeatedly. "Thank you, Mountain Lord... Thank you, Mountain Lord!"
...
Back mountain.
Lin Zhao walked with the four Sword Immortals under the moonlight. Tang Guangjun frowned, "Mountain Lord, it would be best to just wipe out sects like Qingliang Sect with one sword strike. Why leave them a sliver of continuation? Won't that leave future trouble for our Snow Domain Heavenly Pool?"
"Not necessarily."
Lin Zhao said, "Why did our Snow Domain Heavenly Pool destroy Qingliang Sect? Because Qingliang Sect imprisoned Old Huang and colluded with the Four Northern Tribes, committing a grave offense against the human world. Those who deserved to die have died. The rest are those who do not deserve to die. Our Snow Domain Heavenly Pool does not act by simply wiping everything out. We are not some martial artists seeking quick revenge in the Jianghu. Such a large Qingliang Sect still has its foundations. If utilized properly, it might still leave a glimmer of hope for the human race in the northern mountains."
Huang Tingyu asked, "If the Qingliang Sect grows stronger in the future and wants to counterattack, what then?"
"Then we will constantly deter them."
A hint of coldness flickered in Lin Zhao's eyes. "A sword will hang over Qingliang Sect's heads. As soon as they dare to overstep, this sword will fall, making them regret it to their core."
Su Qingjiu and Wu Zhi remained silent, unsure of what Lin Zhao was thinking.
Not long after, the five arrived before a cemetery. Directly in front was Xiang Ji, who had heroically sacrificed himself in the battle of the Water and Fire Formation. He was the highest-ranking general to have fallen for Snow Domain Heavenly Pool in recent times.
"Lord Xiang Ji."
Lin Zhao cupped his fist lightly and said, "Would you like to come out and converse?"
Instantly, Xiang Ji, who had transformed into a heroic spirit, floated out from the tomb. He was clad in armor, his face very indistinct, but he seemed to carry a look of guilt. He cupped his fist and said, "My Lord, Xiang Ji listens with profound respect!"
Lin Zhao looked at him and said, "Qingliang Mountain is short of a Mountain Lord. Would you be willing to go and serve? With the merit you have accumulated from killing demons, serving as a Mountain Lord should not be a problem. If you are willing, I will speak with the Great Shang Dynasty, which presides over the ennoblement of mountain and water deities, and you can select some of the stronger heroic spirits among the fallen Snow Domain cavalry and have them jointly enfeoffed as deities who share sacrifices alongside the Mountain Lord."
Xiang Ji gritted his teeth, "My Lord... do you still believe Xiang Ji is worthy?"
"Of course!"
Lin Zhao raised an eyebrow. "You, Xiang Ji, died in battle and sacrificed yourself because you misjudged people, not because your intentions were corrupted. Therefore, there is no need for such great remorse. Moreover, Huo Piaoyao's injuries have basically healed, and Man Yuan was slain by Yan Beichen's sword. Thus, your karmic ties have long been untangled. You are now alone, a heroic spirit who can serve the human world. I only ask you, are you willing to guard Qingliang Mountain for the human world?"
Xiang Ji's voice trembled, "This is... this is Xiang Ji's greatest fortune!"
"Yes."
Lin Zhao nodded and smiled, "Rest well here and nurture your spirit. You should be ennobled soon."
"Thank you, my Lord!"
...
Late at night, Lin Zhao visited the human camp near Tongjing Lake alone.
Zhao Shutong was almost asleep when she heard of Lin Zhao's arrival. She immediately put on an outer robe and appeared before Lin Zhao in a beautiful palace gown. Under the moonlight, Zhao Shutong looked extremely elegant. Lin Zhao, being a man, praised her inwardly after a glance. Zhao Shutong's beauty truly did not lose to Cao Ying. No wonder my brother Lin Xuanzhi fell for her and unilaterally declared them cultivation partners.
"Marshal Lin."
Zhao Shutong cupped her fist and smiled, "After the battle at Qingliang Sect, Snow Domain Heavenly Pool has become renowned throughout the land. Marshal Lin has eliminated the great bandit Zhao Jingyu for the human world, which is truly gratifying. From now on, the mountains of the Northern Region of the human race will likely look to Mountain Peak Villa for leadership."
"Your Highness praises me too highly."
Lin Zhao smiled and said, "I've come this time to trouble Your Highness. I wish to request an ennoblement for the Mountain God of Qingliang Mountain. The person to be ennobled is Xiang Ji, one of our Snow Domain Heavenly Pool's important generals. He was killed by the Demon King Man Yuan with a single blow during the Northern Frontier battle, and thus sacrificed himself for the human race."
"Xiang Ji, I know this person."
Zhao Shutong smiled and said, "He is one of the top twenty most meritorious generals in the northern regions on the list of mountain and water deities. Since Marshal Lin has spoken, Zhao Shutong will grant the position of Mountain Lord of Qingliang Mountain to Xiang Ji. However... Marshal Lin, what is the purpose of this action?"
"To deter Qingliang Sect."
Lin Zhao said helplessly, "I cannot truly exterminate everyone in Qingliang Sect, so I can only use Xiang Ji as a Mountain God to deter the entire Qingliang Sect. In Qingliang Mountain, Xiang Ji's presence is equivalent to my own. This will thoroughly rectify Qingliang Sect's conduct, and perhaps this Qingliang Sect will still have a reason to exist."
"Indeed."
Zhao Shutong smiled and nodded. "Marshal Lin is indeed thoughtful. I will handle this matter. I will mark Xiang Ji's name on the Mountain and Water Chart."
"Thank you!"
Lin Zhao nodded with a smile and then departed.
...
Zhao Shutong stood in front of the encampment, watching Lin Zhao soar away on his sword.
"Your Highness."
Behind her, an eleventh-realm female Sword Cultivator in a black dress appeared. She was Xu Qingyue, the pavilion master of Caiyi Pavilion under Zhao Shutong's command, a remarkable woman hidden amidst the complex schemes of Baidi City. She frowned and said, "Your Highness just agreed to Marshal Lin's request like this?"
"Why not?"
Zhao Shutong smiled. "A mere position of Mountain Lord of Qingliang Mountain, it's fine to give it away."
"But Your Highness."
Xu Qingyue said, "This divine position was originally reserved for our people. It was one of the eight divine positions that we vied for with Lord Jinnan and Duke Juyang for a long time. To give it to Lin Zhao so readily, isn't that a bit hasty?"
"You think it's hasty?"
Zhao Shutong turned around and looked playfully at her subordinate general, smiling. "Qingyue, Lin Baiyi of Snow Domain Heavenly Pool is once again stationed in the Northern Region. Regardless of whether the people of Great Shang Dynasty are willing to accept it or not, this is a fact. Imagine, is it better for Lin Baiyi to make a request of me, or to have no requests at all?"
Xu Qingyue was enlightened and said, "Your Highness's foresight is profound, it is my subordinates' shallow understanding!"
Zhao Shutong chuckled and looked again in the direction Lin Zhao had departed. In truth, like Lin Baiyi, she had been working tirelessly for the human world late into the night, doing thankless tasks everywhere.
...
Nishang World, Qingqu Mountain.
Below the mountain, groups of pure Sword Cultivator mounted combat players galloped back and forth. Countless flying swords flew out from their Sword Vein Lakes, converging into streaks of flowing light, resembling a ribbon moving with the cavalry regiment. In front of them, a total of thirty thousand Sword Cultivators had finally become the legendary "Sword Immortal Iron Cavalry." One thousand universal coins for a contract, the money was well spent!
Ghost King stood on his flying sword, overlooking the thirty thousand Sword Immortal Iron Cavalry below, full of ambition. In a short while, when everyone had accumulated more contribution points and exchanged for more flying swords, this Sword Immortal Iron Cavalry would march south to sweep away all opposition!
He narrowed his eyes. The plan of Shengshi Mudan to conquer the world had begun to be implemented at this moment!