"Sword Immortal Lin, please wait!"
From the crowd, Zhao Yichuan, the ringleader of the disturbance, was the first to kneel with a thud. His heart pounded, nearly scared to death. If the twelfth-realm Sword Immortal Lin Wanhua were to draw her sword and attack, none of them would escape, all would perish. He, Zhao Yichuan, merely wanted to acquire some wealth to bolster his own path to enlightenment. Who knew that this young man surnamed Bai would know the Lord of Fusang Great Wall, Lin Wanhua?!
Zhao Yichuan took a deep breath and said, "It was all a misunderstanding. We merely wanted to see off the young hero in white. We never intended to cause trouble. Who knew the young hero in white would harbor such prejudice against us."
A group of cavalier captains and accompanying cultivators also knelt down. They were all influential figures in the army and were too proud to beg for mercy, finding it too shameful. Thus, they chose to kneel instead, admitting their mistake being far better than anything else.
"Are we still killing?"
Lin Wanhua asked Lin Zhao.
"Forget it."
Lin Zhao smiled, "Let's go."
"Alright!"
...
And so, they traveled west. Lin Wanhua, not using her sword, rode a warhorse, accompanying Lin Zhao, Chu Yu, and others as they escorted over ten thousand households from Zoma Lane to Fusang Great Wall. The moment they arrived at the entrance of Fusang Great Wall, a bell rang. The capital of the Eastern Wu Kingdom had been subjected to a seven-day massacre, and Lin Zhao had also held his ground for seven days. The final reward greatly surprised and delighted him—
"Ding!"
System prompt: Congratulations on completing the [Guarding the Heart] storyline. You have received plot compensation rewards: Level +3, Charm +6, Gold +18000, Reputation +8000, and an additional reward: [Chasing Clouds and Pursuing the Sun] (Earth Grade)!
...
Three consecutive showers of light descended. Lin Zhao's 42 hours of intense combat were rewarded with a level +3, plus 6 points of charm and a large amount of gold and reputation. It was worth it, and he even received an additional Earth Grade item. The seven days of holding onto his inner self in this game had indeed brought him extremely generous rewards. Without further ado, let's see what this Earth Grade reward is!
Opening his inventory, he found a pair of war boots radiating orange light. The boots were exquisitely crafted and exuded a majestic aura. The moment he touched them, a solid, powerful force surged into his palm, and the attributes floated out—
[Chasing Clouds and Pursuing the Sun] (Earth Grade)
Defense: 780
Strength: +128
Stamina: +125
Agility: +122
Special Effect: Damage Reduction +6%
Special Effect: Physical Dodge +9%
Special Effect: Increased Damage, dealing +20% damage
Special Effect: Wind March, user's movement speed +80%
Special Effect: Tenacity, increases user's HP by 4200
Special Effect: Chasing Clouds, 10% chance upon being attacked to increase movement speed by another 50% for 5 seconds
Skill: [Pursuing the Sun], after activation, immune to all deceleration effects for 12 seconds
Additional: Increases user's attack power by 32%
Additional: Increases user's defense by 30%
Required Strength: 1300
Required Level: 95
...
The attributes were perfect, and he equipped them directly, immediately bringing his combat power to 9225, nearing the 10,000 mark. Moreover, in an era where Earth Grade bosses were still rare, Lin Zhao had already equipped as many as three Earth Grade items solely through quests. If other players knew this, their eyes would likely turn red with envy.
The brilliance of these Earth Grade boots lay in their comprehensiveness, enhancing both offensive and survival capabilities, while also adding significant movement speed. Combined with the Wind March effect of the Cloud Shattering Leggings, they provided a total of 125% movement speed. What did this mean? It meant that Lin Zhao's movement speed on foot, without a mount, was more than 2.25 times his base speed. His ground speed might even surpass that of half the mounted players. And once mounted, he would be like lightning, formidable in both pursuit and escape.
He was filled with joy. Although rescuing the over ten thousand households from Zoma Lane stemmed from his conscience, receiving the system's recognition and reward was naturally a cause for great happiness.
At this moment, everyone entered the city in an orderly fashion, becoming residents of Fusang Great Wall. Within Fusang Great Wall, they only needed to abide by its rules. However, if they were to continue south across the Shanhaiguan Pass and truly become criminals and refugees of the Great Shang Dynasty, they would have no dignity whatsoever, being no different from slaves.
"My lord, we are leaving..."
The fourteen women from the Marshal's Mansion bowed gracefully to Lin Zhao. Most of them were young ladies from Ye City, well-educated and sensible.
Lin Zhao nodded and smiled, "Go, live well in Fusang Great Wall!"
The women's eyes reddened, and some even shed tears. To them, Lin Zhao was a lifesaver, a reborn parent. They had thoughts of repaying his kindness, but it seemed he sought no reward.
"Hmm?"
At this moment, Lin Wanhua's gaze fell upon the young girl who appeared dirty. For a moment, Lin Wanhua felt both pleasantly surprised and somewhat taken aback. This was a natural sword immortal embryo. Lin Wanhua could immediately see two whirlpools in the girl's Qi Sea, which were the nascent forms of two Sword Cultivation Lakes. With a little refinement, she would easily awaken two Sword Cultivation Lakes. Moreover, the girl's sword-root and talent were exceptional. With proper nurturing, she might have a chance to reach the twelfth realm in the future, and possibly even break through to the thirteenth realm!
"Lin Zhao, who is this?"
Lin Wanhua looked at the young girl.
"Oh, her name is Tong Yu."
Lin Zhao smiled slightly and whispered into Lin Wanhua's ear, "Actually, she is the daughter of Lu Su, the Prime Minister of Eastern Wu. Her real name is Lu Tong. She calls herself Tong Yu to escape pursuit. I haven't revealed her identity and have always called her Tong Yu. What is it, Miss Lin? You suddenly noticed her?"
"Nothing."
Lin Wanhua's lips curved upwards, "Thank you for bringing me a sword immortal embryo..."
"Ah?"
Lin Zhao was stunned, "Tong Yu is a sword immortal embryo?"
"Yes!"
Lin Wanhua nodded firmly, "If taught by an ordinary sword cultivator, she'd start at the eleventh realm. If taught by me, she should start at the twelfth realm. It just so happens that I've never taken a disciple all these years."
"Wait a moment..."
Lin Zhao interrupted Lin Wanhua. Fusang Great Wall doesn't lack sword cultivators, but our Xueyu Tianchi desperately does! He looked at her seriously and said, "Miss Lin, there's something I need to tell you. Tong Yu cannot stay in Fusang Great Wall. She is someone I have my eye on and must return to Xueyu Tianchi with me!"
What a joke! Since she's a sword immortal embryo, of course, I'll take her back to Xueyu Tianchi! Xueyu Tianchi is in ruins and desperately needs talent. It's the same to have Xue Zhi teach her. Xue Zhi's comprehension of the sword path is not bad.
"Ah?"
Lin Wanhua's small mouth opened wide. How could this person go back on his word?
"This..."
Tong Yu was also dumbfounded, "I... I can't stay in Fusang Great Wall?"
In fact, she had been frightened earlier. That young sword cultivator who alternately called Lin Zhao and the one in white claimed he wanted to marry her as his primary wife, but she was only nine years old! This kind of person was no different from the cavalry of the Great Shang. If she went with him to some Xueyu Tianchi, wouldn't her future life be bleak and meaningless?
"Lord Lin..."
Tong Yu immediately knelt before Lin Wanhua, her eyes brimming with tears, "I am willing to be your disciple, I am willing to learn the sword from you. Please... please keep me in Fusang Great Wall, I want to stay in Fusang Great Wall..."
Little girl!
Lin Zhao narrowed his eyes. Does she dislike our Xueyu Tianchi so much? Would Xueyu Tianchi treat her poorly? Let alone anything else, Xue Zhi is the strongest eleventh-realm sword immortal in the world. Isn't she qualified to be your master? What's the meaning of insisting on staying in Fusang Great Wall? Does she look down on our Xueyu Tianchi?
"No."
Lin Zhao said, "My mind is made up. Tong Yu's identity is special, and she is too easily pursued by the enemies of the Lin Lu Legion. Fusang Great Wall is so close to Yanzhou, and there are many people and ears here. I am not at ease with her staying in Fusang Great Wall. She should come with me to Xueyu Tianchi. Xueyu Tianchi is vast and remote, beyond the emperor's reach. Only in Xueyu Tianchi can she cultivate with peace of mind."
Lin Wanhua: "This is troublesome..."
She lowered herself and wiped the dirty little girl's face, "Do you truly wish to learn the sword from me?"
"Yes!"
Tong Yu nodded repeatedly, "Master, I sincerely wish to be by your side..."
"But..."
Lin Wanhua glanced at Lin Zhao, "You were rescued by Lin Zhao from the ruins of Eastern Wu. Only Lin Zhao has the right to decide your fate. If he wants you to stay in Xueyu Tianchi, even as your master... I cannot completely disregard Lin Zhao's wishes..."
Lin Zhao frowned, "How about this: Tong Yu stays in Xueyu Tianchi, but the person teaching her the sword will still be Miss Lin. It will just be a bit of trouble for you to make frequent trips to Xueyu Tianchi."
"It seems this is the only way."
Lin Wanhua secretly rejoiced. She had been waiting for this sentence! This way, she would have a legitimate reason to visit Xueyu Tianchi often! However, as the Lord of Fusang Great Wall, she had to appear dignified and virtuous. Thus, a look of distress appeared on Lin Wanhua's pretty face. After a few seconds, she nodded and smiled, "Then it's decided. I will take Tong Yu as my only direct disciple, but Tong Yu will remain in Xueyu Tianchi. I will go to Xueyu Tianchi when I have time to guide her sword practice and impart sword techniques and mental cultivation methods. This way, it's the best of both worlds."
"Yes!"
Lin Zhao nodded with a smile.
Only Tong Yu frowned, looking as if she was about to fall into a wolf's den. Fortunately, when she looked at Lin Wanhua, she found her master beautiful, dignified, and approachable, which gave her a slight sense of security. Moreover, her master's cultivation was higher than Lin Zhao's, so she believed that even in Xueyu Tianchi, he wouldn't dare to do anything to her.
Beside them, Chu Yu looked at Lin Zhao, then at Lin Wanhua, then at Tong Yu, and couldn't help but hold her forehead. While the participants were lost in their own affairs, the observers could see clearly. All three of them were oblivious to what was right under their noses!
...
Lin Zhao issued an order. Chu Yu, with five hundred cavalry, escorted Tong Yu back to Xueyu Tianchi. He, along with Han Yetang, went to Lanxi City again to meet Li Chunyang and discuss the establishment of a teleportation array in Xueyu Tianchi.
Lanxi City, Marshal's Mansion.
Yu Rang had already returned but kept the seven-day massacre and the arrival of the thirteenth-realm elder in Yecheng a secret. He only spoke about how Ye City was captured and did not mention anything about Lin Zhao. Li Chunyang, although he heard some rumors about the massacre, did not make a fuss. Yu Rang's command ability was good, and he was a formidable warrior. His only flaw was his excessive brutality, resorting to massacre at every turn. Li Chunyang currently lacked talented individuals under him, and the various marshals could not be easily dispatched, so he had no choice but to use such a person.
When Lin Zhao and Han Yetang arrived, Li Chunyang stepped forward to greet them, clasped his fists, and smiled, "The conquest of Eastern Wu, the young hero in white's contribution is immeasurable. Rest assured, preparations for the teleportation array are underway. In a few days, artisans and materials will continuously be sent to Xueyu Tianchi. A supervisor will even be dispatched. Young hero, please be at ease!"
Lin Zhao nodded, "Thank you!"
Suddenly, he remembered something and smiled, "Great General, if it's convenient, could you dispatch some artisans for house construction to repair the Mountain Lord Shrine on the mountainside of Xueyu Tianchi? Although it has little incense, the Mountain Lord Su was once a deity who drew his sword for the world. The shrine is dilapidated and long overdue for repair."
"Certainly."
Li Chunyang nodded, glancing at Han Yetang, and smiled, "I will ask my friends in the Ministry of Revenue to add a provision for the repair of the Mountain Lord Shrine and allocate some more funds from the Ministry of Revenue."
Han Yetang nodded and smiled, knowing full well that this was for her sake.
Lin Zhao also understood. After cupping his fists towards Li Chunyang, he gave Han Yetang a grateful smile.