This sleep lasted until the next morning, a deep slumber devoid of even dreams. After washing up, I caught breakfast, and then, eager to return, logged in. Being away from Snow Domain Heavenly Pool for too long had left me feeling uneasy.
...
"Swish!"
My character materialized within White Emperor City. After repairing equipment and stocking up on essentials, I teleported to Snow Domain Heavenly Pool. Seeing the vibrant spiritual energy radiating from the mountain peak villa, and the large contingent of Snow Domain cavalry practicing charge formations on the pool, even hearing the thunderous battle cries of their training, my heart finally settled. I had slept for nearly ten hours, yet in-game, almost seven or eight days had passed. It was good that nothing had gone awry.
I gracefully landed before the mountain peak villa and sat on a stone stool by the lotus pond.
"Shu Zhi?"
With a thought, the swordswoman, a sword immortal, descended from the sky, a smile gracing her pretty face. "My lord has finally returned."
"Mmm."
Lin Zhao nodded with a smile. "Let's erect a domain."
"Understood."
Shu Zhi waved her hand gently, and a sword prohibition domain enveloped her and Lin Zhao. As a peak sword cultivator of the Twelve Realms, Shu Zhi executed these tasks with remarkable ease.
Lin Zhao took the Stone of Destiny from his inventory and placed it on the ash wood table. "Shu Zhi, could you help me examine this thing? What mysteries does it hold? My eyes are dim; I can't quite make it out."
"Understood."
Shu Zhi raised her hand lightly, and the dull gray gem floated above her palm. Streams of sword intent swirled around it. After probing with her divine sense, Shu Zhi couldn't help but be startled, frowning. "The foundation of this treasure is extraordinarily profound. With my cultivation, I cannot fully discern it. I can only see that it contains extremely vast vital energy. However, this treasure appears to be in a sealed state. It requires your lord to nurture it with your own spiritual energy. If your lord is willing, consuming one Jin Zi Qian daily within it might lead to unexpected surprises in the future."
"One Jin Zi Qian daily?"
Lin Zhao furrowed his brows. Was this thing a money-eating beast? Although Lin Zhao currently possessed over 10,000 Jin Zi Qian from Snow Domain Heavenly Pool, most of which he had plundered from the Qing Liang Sect, the daily expenditure of one Jin Zi Qian still made his heart ache. One doesn't know the cost of firewood until they manage a household; having managed for so long, Lin Zhao had long since cultivated a thrifty nature.
"Alright!"
He pondered for a long time before finally deciding. He took out a bound Jin Zi Qian from his inventory. Naturally, he wouldn't use his unbound 45 Jin Zi Qian; those were his nest egg! The next moment, Lin Zhao channeled the power of a Ninth Realm sword cultivator and forcefully refined one Jin Zi Qian into drops of thick, tender golden spiritual energy. Three drops of golden liquid spiritual energy landed on the Stone of Destiny, immediately seeping into it. As it absorbed the spiritual energy, the dull gray aura on the Stone of Destiny vanished, replaced by intricate and subtle patterns appearing on the gem's surface.
Lin Zhao strained himself but couldn't decipher these patterns, so he let it be. After absorbing the spiritual energy of one Jin Zi Qian, a spiritual energy progress bar appeared when he looked at the Stone of Destiny's description. Although it seemed like a distant prospect, at least there was hope. It didn't matter; he would nurture it slowly, treating it as a mysterious yet useless treasure he carried with him.
...
Shortly after, three figures ascended the mountain.
Huang Tingyu, Chu Yu, and Mu Zha, three core generals of the Snow Domain Legion.
"You're all here?"
Lin Zhao put the Stone of Destiny away and asked, "What is it?"
Huang Tingyu frowned. "It's still about the grain and fodder. We've gathered too many Yun Xi warhorses. These warhorses from the Ni Chang World are indeed strong, but they eat a lot. They've almost stripped bare the grass near Snow Domain Heavenly Pool. Currently, the fodder reserves in the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool's main camp are only enough for about ten more days. If new fodder doesn't arrive, many warhorses will likely become gaunt and yellow, like those few widows in the small town."
"I'm already aware of the grain and fodder issue. You don't need to mention the widows to me," Lin Zhao said.
Chu Yu couldn't help but chuckle.
Shu Zhi glared at Huang Tingyu. "Elder Huang, please mind your words in front of Commander Lin!"
"Hahaha~"
Huang Tingyu laughed. "I couldn't help myself."
"And the others?"
Lin Zhao asked, "Chu Yu, Mu Zha, you two aren't here for the grain and fodder issue, are you?"
"Mmm."
Chu Yu replied, "After the Battle of Que Yu Lake, we've been recruiting young and strong soldiers in the town. We've even increased military pay by thirty percent, but we still can't find people. There are simply too few young and strong men in the town, and many families cannot bear to let their husbands and sons join the army. So, we have no choice but to look elsewhere."
"Do you have an idea?" Lin Zhao asked.
"Mmm."
Mu Zha cupped his fist. "Old General Xu Sheng said that about a thousand li east of the Snow Ridge, there is another mortal dynasty called the Xue Long Dynasty. This Xue Long Dynasty is almost isolated from the world and does not trade with the Da Shang Dynasty. Many years ago, when Old General Xu Sheng served as the Border Defense Commissioner of the Dong Wu Kingdom, he led a large army north and reached the territory of the Xue Long Dynasty, knowing a little about them."
"Elaborate."
"Yes!"
Mu Zha said solemnly, "The Xue Long Dynasty has a population of only a million, but it is located in the northern wilderness with vast grasslands for raising horses. Therefore, despite its small population, the Xue Long Dynasty possesses an iron cavalry of tens of thousands. Over the years, relying on this iron cavalry, they have attacked the demon and devil races to the north and the Dong Wu Kingdom's army to the south, maintaining their territory."
Lin Zhao frowned. "You mean you want to establish diplomatic relations with the Xue Long Dynasty and hope to obtain soldiers from them?"
"Precisely."
Chu Yu continued, "The combat power of the Xue Long Dynasty's iron cavalry is extremely formidable, and they are human soldiers. Once they arrive at Snow Domain Heavenly Pool and switch to Yun Xi warhorses, they will become Snow Domain cavalry. This will completely save training time and costs, and rapidly supplement our Snow Domain Heavenly Pool's troop strength. What do you think, my lord?"
"Agreed."
Lin Zhao nodded. "Chu Yu, you will be dispatched as the envoy. Take plenty of gifts from the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool's treasury. General Xu Sheng will serve as the deputy envoy and accompany you. Remember, if it can be accomplished, great. If not, then so be it. We don't need to force them."
"Yes, my lord!"
...
After seeing everyone off, Lin Zhao stood up. It was time to embark on another journey.
He crushed a return scroll and first returned to White Emperor City, then teleported to Tian Ji City. Upon arriving, he summoned his flying sword, Hong Ye, and took to the sky. Immediately, players in Tian Ji City looked up, their faces filled with surprise and envy. Although Tian Ji City now had many resource maps, the players stationed in this provincial capital were generally not top-tier. Therefore, seeing an Eighth Realm player ascend on a sword filled them with immense envy.
City Lord's Mansion.
Lin Zhao landed gracefully, clad in white. He cupped his fist and said, "Lin Zhao of Snow Domain Heavenly Pool requests an audience with Commander Chen Xi."
"Ah?!"
The guards at the gate trembled, as if struck by lightning. The young Ninth Realm sword cultivator before them was Lin Baiyi of Snow Domain Heavenly Pool? The next moment, a group of guards bowed in unison. One of them said solemnly, "My lord, please wait a moment. I will go and inform you."
"Thank you."
A short while later, an armored soldier led Lin Zhao into the mansion. In the main hall, a woman in dark blue armor, a martial artist, stepped forward with a smile. "Commander Lin graces my humble abode! I have no preparations, which is truly... I shall have a banquet prepared and have a drink with Commander Lin?"
"Agreed!"
Lin Zhao nodded with a smile. Discussing matters over drinks was more convenient. Although he wasn't the host, a happy mood would make things easier to achieve; it had always been this way.
Back Garden.
A small table was placed in a pavilion. Chen Xi had changed into a green long dress, which made Lin Zhao's eyes light up. Chen Xi was already extremely beautiful; her loveliness was often masked by the armor and helmet she usually wore. Once she changed into women's attire, she gained a gentle charm that could rival the daughters of wealthy families in Tian Ji City for the title of Yun Zhou's most beautiful woman.
"For the first time, a toast to Commander Lin!"
Chen Xi raised her wine cup and drained it.
Lin Zhao also downed his cup, pondering how to broach the subject of his request.
Chen Xi smiled. "In the Battle of Que Yu Lake, the 150,000 Rock Army was in desperate straits. Thanks to Commander Lin leading the Snow Domain Legion to our aid, Lin Ruo also proved himself. He led the Rock Army with Commander Lin between Que Yu Lake and Cui Yu Mountain, fighting a victory from desperation. After this battle, do you know how you and Lin Ruo are referred to in the Jianghu of the demon and devil races, Commander Lin?"
"Ah?"
Lin Zhao blinked. "I don't know..."
Chen Xi's dimples deepened as she smiled. "Lin Zhao and Lin Ruo, employing troops in desperation, repelled the millions of demon and devil armies. This battle inflicted heavy losses on the demon and devil races, so now, in the Jianghu of the demon world and the Ni Chang World, you and Lin Ruo are referred to as the 'Twin Lins' of the Northern Human Domain. Anyone encountering the Twin Lins must proceed with caution, or they will inevitably suffer a crushing defeat."
Saying this, Chen Xi chuckled. "Praise from one's own people is worthless, but praise from an enemy is truly something to be proud of. The human world now has the legend of the 'Twin Lins.' From now on, when the armies of the four northern tribes encounter Lin Zhao and Lin Ruo, they will likely be at a psychological disadvantage."
"Actually, it's not that impressive..."
Lin Zhao let out a wry smile. "We just didn't lose too badly."
Chen Xi chuckled softly.
Lin Zhao had pondered for a long time. "I came to find you this time to ask for your help..."
He said this, feeling a bit awkward. "Snow Domain Heavenly Pool is short on grain and fodder again, especially fodder. In the Battle of Que Yu Lake, we captured quite a few demon Yun Xi warhorses. Now, Snow Domain Heavenly Pool is housing tens of thousands of Yun Xi warhorses, and the consumption of fodder is immense. However, there isn't much grassland near Snow Domain Heavenly Pool, and the grass has been completely eaten. Yun Zhou, on the other hand, has fertile land stretching for thousands of miles. So, I can only come to you."
He frowned. "Don't worry, I'll pay for it. The amount of fodder will be converted to Jin Zi Qian. Just give me a price, Chen Xi. As for how Yun Zhou will allocate this fodder, it's not difficult. As the ruler of Yun Zhou, you can order the common people to gather wild grass in their spare time after harvesting crops. Dried fodder can be stored for a longer time. Local government offices will purchase the materials from the granary. You set the specific price yourself. We'll mobilize the entire populace of Yun Zhou. This way, it won't be too difficult to support an iron cavalry of tens of thousands."
"..."
Chen Xi looked at him earnestly discussing matters and couldn't help but smile, her dimples deepening. She looked at Lin Zhao and said softly, "If the generals of our Da Shang Dynasty were all like you, that would be wonderful..."