"What kind of people do you need, elder brother?"
Qin Ran was completely bewildered. He had no idea what Lin Zhao was busy with in the north, and naturally, he had no clue what kind of people he needed.
"First,"
Lin Zhao mused, "I need a blacksmith, one skilled in repairing weapons and armor."
"No problem with that."
Qin Ran smiled faintly. "We have a Sword Forging Division at Fusu Great Wall, where every blacksmith is exceptional. The Xia tribe has always had a tradition of forging their own swords and armor. With just a word from me, you can select a craftsman from the Sword Forging Division and take him with you, provided you pay him a reasonable fee. Of course, if you're short on funds, I, Qin Ran, will cover it. Mother gives me quite a bit of pocket money."
"No need, I'll handle it myself."
Lin Zhao chuckled. "Second, I need someone capable of refining potions. I'll be training in the harsh, desolate northern lands, and I'll need someone to brew healing potions and similar items for me. Preferably someone who understands herbs and medicine. Expense is not an issue."
In simpler terms, he needed a physician who could sell potions.
"Oh~~~"
Qin Ran said, "That's not difficult either. As long as you're willing to spend money, you can find a physician willing to travel among the doctors in Fusu Great Wall. Leave that to me."
"Hmm."
Lin Zhao nodded. "The third one might be a bit tricky. I need a traveling merchant who can accompany me to the desolate lands and purchase treasures and materials I hunt from demons. It doesn't matter if they handle the sales themselves or return to Fusu Great Wall to resell them. In short... I need someone who can acquire items in the desolate north."
"A traveling merchant, no problem."
Qin Ran laughed. "As long as the money is sufficient, you can hire someone."
With that, he stood up.
"Where are you going?"
Lin Zhao asked in surprise.
Qin Ran, with his boisterous personality, replied with a laugh, "Elder brother, you drink here first. I'll go find people for you. Once I've found them, we'll have a good drink together. Otherwise, if I fail to complete the task you've assigned and get myself drunk, I, Qin Ran, would be ashamed before you."
"..."
Lin Zhao didn't stop him. It was good for a young person to have such drive. Thus, he remained alone in the Mingyue Tower, drinking and eating meat, holding a chicken leg, and watching the street outside the tower. Back then, he had consecutively defeated Ye Lin, Liu Xilong, and Qin Yu here. Perhaps Qin Ran would never believe that his father, an eleventh-realm Sword Immortal, was defeated by his three punches a hundred years ago.
Speaking of which, it was rather embarrassing.
...
Not long after, Qin Ran returned.
Behind him followed three people: a sturdy man with bare arms holding a hammer, his muscles bulging and a full beard – clearly a blacksmith, who smiled and clasped his fists at Lin Zhao; the second was an old man in a green robe, leaning on a cane and with a gourd at his waist – a traveling physician at a glance; the third was a middle-aged man with a refined beard, exuding an air of a shrewd merchant, obviously the acquisition specialist Lin Zhao needed.
Qin Ran said proudly, "I've found the people. I heard that Brother Baiyi is a sword cultivator with profound foundations, and they are all willing to follow you to the northern border!"
The blacksmith, physician, and traveling merchant clasped their fists together and said to Lin Zhao, "We are willing to follow, sir!"
The next moment, the hiring prices for the three individuals appeared on Lin Zhao's interface. Hiring them for a month would cost 500 gold each. It wasn't excessively expensive, nor was it cheap, equating to over 200,000 common currency. Lin Zhao had no choice but to transfer 100,000 from Chen Xue and then exchange it for gold coins from the system. After accumulating 1500 gold, he successfully hired the three individuals.
The next step was to name the three hired NPCs.
Lin Zhao pondered for a moment, thinking that to be a person, one should be unique and stand out, that's what makes life interesting. Thus, he gave them uncommon names. For the blacksmith, the foremost ancient sword-making master was perhaps Ouye Zi, so he named the blacksmith "Xiao Ou." As for the old physician, corresponding to the ancient divine physician Hua Tuo, he named him "Hua Zi." For the traveling merchant, a famous ancient merchant was Fan Li, the Sage of Commerce, so this traveling merchant's name would be "Lao Fan."
After finishing the naming, he even felt a secret sense of pride, thinking, "I am truly a naming genius."
"Alright!"
Lin Zhao stood up and said, "The wine is finished. Qin Ran, you've truly helped me immensely this time. When I visit Fusu Great Wall again, it will be my turn to treat you to drinks!"
"Elder brother!"
Qin Ran frowned. "You saved my life. This small favor is nothing compared to that!"
"Alright!"
Lin Zhao patted his shoulder and chuckled, "I have to leave now, I'm in a hurry."
"Okay!"
...
Upon exiting Mingyue Tower, a cart automatically appeared in the system, pulled by a donkey. The cart was laden with many items: Xiao Ou's blacksmithing tools, Hua Zi's medicine chest and a pile of herbs, and Lao Fan's chest filled with gold and silver. Additionally, there were food, water, and other provisions, everything necessary for a long journey.
Lin Zhao felt a bit speechless. He mounted his warhorse and escorted the donkey cart north out of Fusu Great Wall. At this moment, looking at Xiao Ou, Hua Zi, and Lao Fan, he felt like the Monkey King escorting Tang Monk to the West, a rather comical feeling.
Shortly after Lin Zhao and his group left the city.
On the city wall, a maiden-like woman with snow-white robes opened her beautiful eyes. Lin Wanhua frowned. She recognized the person from last time. This time... what was she doing? Was she going to the northern border as a traveling merchant?
She closed her eyes again, too lazy to bother. She continued to cultivate her vast sword intent, knowing that at any moment, a thirteenth-realm Great Demon might challenge Fusu Great Wall, and she had to be prepared.
...
The donkey cart was rather slow, but it was a long-term solution, so Lin Zhao was willing to spend some time. They slowly proceeded, escorting the cart. They passed Gray Mist Mountain, then Sunset Valley, and finally arrived before a vast, flowing great river.
Xijian River, the river guarded by his aunt.
Xijian River was a contested territory, not belonging to humans, nor to demons. It was sparsely populated, so there wasn't even a bridge across the river. They had to seek help from others. Lin Zhao rode his horse to the riverbank, took a deep breath, clasped his fists, and said softly, "Aunt, Lin Zhao requests your assistance in crossing the river!"
Golden ripples surged in the river. The River God's Consort, who was thousands of miles upstream, activated her divine abilities and arrived before Lin Zhao almost instantly. She was still clad in shimmering golden armor, with a golden cape trailing behind her and a sword at her waist, appearing heroic and spirited. Lin Xingchu was tall. Upon landing, she opened her arms and embraced Lin Zhao, laughing, "Has my little Zhao become much stronger since last time?"
"Naturally."
Lin Zhao's face flushed with embarrassment as he slipped from Lin Xingchu's embrace. "Aunt, I've brought some supplies and personnel this time, and there are quite a few of them. I'm afraid I'll need your help to cross the river."
"No problem."
Lin Xingchu turned around and said, "Aren't you building a bridge yet?"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
In the river, a group of mountain spirits, shrine keepers, and water phantoms all paid their respects. The next moment, the mountain spirits simultaneously displayed their divine abilities, causing the river water to recede slightly. A golden bridge slowly emerged from the water. Lin Zhao then gestured for Xiao Ou, Hua Zi, and the others to cross. He followed on horseback, and after crossing, he turned and clasped his fists again, "Thank you, Aunt!"
"Little Zhao."
Lin Xingchu stood on the river, bathed in golden light, and smiled, "Why not stay with Aunt for another night before you leave?"
"No need."
Lin Zhao shook his head and chuckled lightly. "The situation in the north changes rapidly. I want to learn more."
"Alright, be careful!"
"Aunt, rest assured, I will be careful!"
Lin Xingchu pursed her red lips and watched Lin Zhao's retreating back. In truth, she had a thousand regrets. This was his reincarnation, and his strength was much diminished, but his loyal heart had not changed one bit. Although Lin Zhao said he would be careful, if the greater good of the world presented itself, he would likely do what he did in his past life.
Lin Baiyi of the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool, who in the world did not know him?
One life exchanged for a hundred years of widespread praise, and still, no one forgets Marshal Lin of the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool. Was it worth it for a mere reputation? Back then, he truly shattered his body and perished! The thought of that scene sent a sharp pang of pain through Lin Xingchu's heart. He was our Lin family's Little Zhao, and he shouldn't have met such an end.
She stood on the river, watching Lin Zhao and his party depart.
Lin Xingchu, the River God of Xijian River, governed the waters of Xijian River for thousands of miles. She was known as the foremost deity of the human race, a thirteenth-realm expert, possessing strength comparable to a fourteenth-realm within the boundaries of Xijian River. In fact, what the northern four tribes feared most in the mortal world currently was the owner of Fusu Great Wall, the Grand Marshal of the military arts lineage, and the second would likely be this River God of Xijian River, who had reached the fourteenth realm. In the past hundred years, over a dozen Great Demons of the fifth realm had met their end in Xijian River, including a thirteenth-realm demon who was dragged to the riverbed. Therefore, current Great Demons of the fifth realm would bypass Xijian River before daring to venture south, never daring to provoke its wrath. This River God's divine sword was not to be trifled with. Though not a sword cultivator, she was more formidable than one.
...
The donkey cart moved slowly. It wasn't until past seven in the evening that they reached the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool. Ascending the rugged mountain path was extremely difficult, and Lin Zhao even had to dismount and push the cart, exerting great effort. Seeing this, Su Shanjun, within the Mountain Lord's Shrine, twitched his eyebrows. "Good heavens, the legendary Lin Baiyi of the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool has fallen to this state?"
Saying that, he waved his hand, and a wisp of mountain and water energy flowed, transporting Lin Zhao and his entourage, along with the donkey cart, to the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool.
"Thank you, Lord Su Shanjun!"
Lin Zhao glanced at the stone house ahead and couldn't help but smile slightly. He turned and cupped his fists in the direction of the Mountain Lord's Shrine. However, he didn't feel any response from Su Shanjun. Whatever. Although Su Shanjun was generally amiable, his temper was rather eccentric, so it didn't matter if he received a reply or not. He pointed at the stone house and said, "Xiao Ou, Hua Zi, Lao Fan, this is our camp. Get your equipment sorted, we'll be staying here from now on."
"Yes, Master!"
The three NPCs nodded in unison. The next moment, Xiao Ou set up his blacksmithing forge, fanned the coals, and added charcoal. Hua Zi, meanwhile, set up a potion stall nearby, selling various elixirs, albeit at a 10% premium compared to those sold in Tianji City. It was acceptable; this slight markup was tolerable. Lao Fan stood beside them, his hands empty, but the money pouch at his waist was heavy. As long as you had goods, he had money.
With everything prepared, it was time to pick up quests!