Two days later.
After nearly ten days of preparation in game time, a large quantity of supplies finally departed from Yunzhou. Nearly a hundred carriages formed a long convoy, escorted by five thousand Vermillion Bird Battalion cavalry. They passed through Shanhai Pass and the Fusu Great Wall, arriving at the Xi Jian River. The moment they reached the river, figures of various deities appeared in the River God Shrine, constructing a golden floating bridge for the carriages to cross. Some matters no longer required Lin Xing Chu's personal command; his subordinate deities naturally knew what to do.
...
One clear morning, after logging in, Lin Zhao rode his horse leisurely on the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond. Mu Zha was on the Heavenly Pond Grand Parade Ground, leading hundreds of cavalry in training their horsemanship and formation-breaking tactics. The thunder of hooves echoed, while on a small hill outside the camp, a young girl named Tong Yu, dressed in a pink long skirt, sat on a giant rock, holding a wooden sword. She was practicing sword stances. Having just begun her journey into the sword path, wisps of sword intent already swirled around her. She was indeed a natural talent for a sword immortal.
Lin Zhao felt particularly envious of such people. In contrast, he seemed to have a stronger grasp of fist techniques. As for the sword path, he wasn't clumsy, but he certainly couldn't be called gifted. Otherwise, in his previous life, he wouldn't have remained only at the lower five realms of sword cultivators.
"..."
Tong Yu opened her eyes and saw Lin Zhao staring at her from not far away. Her heart immediately fluttered. After arriving at the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond, she learned just how high Lin Zhao's prestige was. Not only did Chu Yu, a martial artist of the tenth realm, but even Xue Zhi, a sword immortal of the eleventh realm, and Mu Zha, a martial artist, obeyed Lin Zhao's commands. He was merely a sword cultivator of the lower five realms; how could this be?
Tong Yu was truly unaware of the situation. At the tender age of nine, she followed her father in studying literature and her mother in learning embroidery. Regarding the grand affairs of the world, she had only learned about the founding history of the Eastern Wu Kingdom from her father. As for the Battle of the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond, it was a taboo in the Eastern Wu Kingdom. No one dared to mention that disastrous defeat of the four northern tribes. Therefore, let alone Tong Yu, at least half of the people in the entire Eastern Wu Kingdom had never heard the phrase "Lin Bai Yi of the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond, who in the world doesn't know you?"
In the eyes of others on the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond, Lin Zhao was Lin Bai Yi, who had once defeated the demon race. However, in Tong Yu's eyes, it was more complicated. Her memory was particularly vivid of this young sword cultivator saying he wanted to marry her, which had left a lasting impression and a shadow in her heart. Although, after many days on the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond, she actually understood that Lin Zhao had saved her life in Zou Ma Lane. However, the tone he used back then made it difficult for Tong Yu to accept, making her feel he wasn't a good person.
Lin Zhao glanced at her, thinking, did this girl get kicked by a donkey? The way she looked at him was rather odd!
He couldn't be bothered to think more. It didn't matter; as long as she was willing to contribute to the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond in the future, that was enough. As for teaching her manners, it would be best for her master, Lin Wan Hua, to handle that.
"Tong Yu, practicing your sword?"
Lin Zhao waved and greeted her nonetheless.
"Mm..."
Tong Yu nodded somewhat awkwardly and then dared not speak further, closing her eyes to practice her sword.
Lin Zhao rode his horse towards the east side of the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond. Not long after, he saw a sword light streaking across the sky. Xue Zhi, with her graceful and elegant figure, leaped from her flying sword and said respectfully with a smile, "My lord, the caravan responsible for building the teleportation array from Dashang has arrived in Shannan. Shall we go to meet them?"
"Of course!"
Lin Zhao nodded. "Send word to Mu Zha to gather the cavalry of the Snow Domain Legion and accompany us to welcome them!"
"Yes!"
...
Shannan, at the entrance of the former small town. Over 1800 cavalry from the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond were assembled, their formation neat and their armor gleaming. Flags bearing the characters "Chen" and "Lin" fluttered. Lin Zhao, Xue Zhi, Mu Zha, and Chu Yu stood at the entrance. Down the mountain, a group of people in the official robes of the Dashang Dynasty were ascending, some already breathless. Among them, surrounded by numerous officials, was a remarkably young man wearing the fifth-rank dark purple official attire of a civil servant, exuding the aura of a ninth-realm Nascent Soul cultivator, with a scholarly demeanor.
This man was Liu Xing Shu, the fifth-rank Secretary Supervisor of the Dashang Dynasty. He was originally a civil servant in charge of the imperial library. Now, his superior had given him the lucrative but risky task of building the teleportation array for the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond. Who knew when the demon race might attack? At that time, he, the Nascent Soul realm overseer, would likely be the first to die.
"Liu Xing Shu greets everyone from the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond!"
Liu Xing Shu offered a Confucian bow to Lin Zhao, Xue Zhi, and the others, with a very humble posture.
Lin Zhao quickly returned the bow, exuding the aura of a martial artist. He said, "We welcome you, Lord Liu. We at the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond have been eagerly awaiting your arrival. Now that you are finally here."
Liu Xing Shu couldn't help but smile. "You are... Lord Bai Yi?"
"Mm."
Lin Zhao nodded. "Bai Yi, in charge of the Snow Domain Legion."
He did not reveal his true name, as it was too astonishing. If the imperial court of the Dashang Dynasty knew that Lin Bai Yi of the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond had performed a soul-splitting reincarnation, what would be their reaction? Lin Zhao felt it was unlikely to be positive. He wouldn't even consider the possibility of the Dashang Dynasty inviting him back to Bai Di City and returning his marshal's position. On the contrary, the appearance of Lin Zhao reincarnated would obstruct many people's paths, and he might face assassination by cultivators nurtured by aristocratic families before receiving any imperial decree.
The empire of the Dashang Dynasty was only so large. Who was better suited to be in charge? Clearly, in the court of Dashang, there would be very few who would want Lin Bai Yi to return.
Liu Xing Shu smiled slightly and bowed. "The news of Lord Bai Yi's slaying of the eleventh-realm Great Demon Master Jun Gang on the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond has already spread in Bai Di City. Liu Xing Shu, a humble and weak scholar, is fortunate enough to be tasked with overseeing the construction of the teleportation array for the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond. May I ask, my lord, has the site for the teleportation array been confirmed? If so, we can begin construction at any time."
"Confirmed."
Lin Zhao pointed behind him. "It's in an open area near Shannan, which can maximally avoid the demon race's onslaught. Not far from here, the Snow Domain Legion has set up a thousand tents for your temporary rest."
"Good, thank you!"
Liu Xing Shu nodded with a smile.
At that moment, a stout, sixth-rank civil official stepped forward and said with a smile, "Bai Yi, the tents are for the craftsmen and cavalry to rest. What about the official residences for us, the court officials responsible for overseeing the construction?"
"Official residences?"
Lin Zhao was confused. He then cupped his fists. "I apologize, but the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond is still in its nascent stages of development. Our soldiers are also living in tents. We don't even have the materials to build barracks, so... there are no official residences. Please make do with the tents, lords."
"Audacious!"
Another thin, sixth-rank official frowned. "Is this how you at the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond treat imperial officials!?"
Lin Zhao's brows furrowed.
Beside him, Xue Zhi raised her left hand, holding her long sword horizontally across her chest, and said with a smile, "My lords, do you really think this is Bai Di City?"
"My lords!"
Liu Xing Shu turned around, his voice cold. "You have seen the state of the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond. It is already extremely difficult for Lord Bai Yi to lead his troops to defend here against the demon race. How could they possibly have the resources to build official residences for us? I hereby order all overseeing officials to reside in the tents. Do not cause trouble, or I will not be polite. I will impeach him upon my return!"
The other officials fell silent, but their expressions were very displegiving.
Although Lin Zhao remained silent, he instantly understood. Liu Xing Shu was the highest-ranking official among them, but he was like a pure stream, unwilling to associate with these people. Therefore, Liu Xing Shu actually held real power but was isolated by the others.
...
A short while later, a group of accompanying Mohist disciples began to survey the land, confirming the construction of the teleportation array according to the blueprints. The construction of the teleportation array was a major undertaking that could only be handled by the Mohists. The other craftsmen could only perform rough labor. Lin Zhao then led Liu Xing Shu down the mountain on foot, all the way to the dilapidated Mountain Lord Shrine.
Lord Su, the mountain lord, was basking in the sun with his legs crossed. Upon seeing someone approach, he immediately hovered in mid-air, appearing as a graceful and elegant figure in white robes. He smiled and said, "Oh, we have guests!"
"Mm!"
Lin Zhao cupped his fists. "This is Lord Su, the same Lord Su who defended the human realm against all the celestial sages during the Battle of the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond a hundred years ago!"
"Oh!"
Liu Xing Shu's eyes immediately filled with respect, and he bowed. "Confucian Liu Xing Shu, pays respects to Lord Su!"
"You're too kind~~~"
Lord Su waved his hand.
Lin Zhao smiled. "Lord Su, this lord is Liu Xing Shu, the fifth-rank Secretary Supervisor of the Dashang Dynasty and the overseer of the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond's teleportation array. I have spoken with Li Chun Yang, and they will dispatch craftsmen and materials. We will also rebuild the Mountain Lord Shrine. It has been a hundred years; if you don't repair this shrine, it will likely collapse."
Lord Su smiled. "Indeed. In that case, I will trouble Lord Liu Xing Shu. When will the construction begin?"
"Tomorrow."
Liu Xing Shu replied respectfully. "By tomorrow at the latest. The teleportation array should commence construction today. Tomorrow, I will divert surplus craftsmen to the mountainside to repair the Mountain Lord Shrine. Please rest assured, Lord, we have brought all necessary materials and supplies. We will restore your shrine to be clean and bright."
"Since that is the case, thank you!"
Lord Su nodded with a smile, then turned and transformed into a golden light, immersing himself into the statue of the Mountain Lord Shrine. After all, he was a deity of the fourteenth realm at his peak. Throughout the entire human realm, the peak of a water god should be Lin Xing Chu, who stood at the fourteenth realm on the Xi Jian River. As for mountain gods, peak Lord Su was likely unique. Unfortunately, he had too many ties, and the time he could truly exert his fourteenth-realm strength was very limited.
The remaining task was the large-scale construction on the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond.
...
As night fell, on the Jiuzhang Plain.
Heavy snow fell again. Within the snow curtain, a figure appeared on the Jiuzhang Plain. It was a middle-aged man wearing a blood-red long robe. His aura was restrained, and divine light flowed across his handsome face. He walked leisurely on the Jiuzhang Plain, a frown on his brow. He spread open his right hand, and strands of profound light spun at his fingertips. Instantly, from the earth beneath the flying snow, streams of faint light began to rise, which he gathered at his fingertips.
"Foolish disciple!"
The middle-aged man said with a bitter smile. "Who is Lin Zhao? He is so cunning that even Yu Zhi lost to him back then. You only came out of the ancestral mountain a few days ago, and you dare to scheme against Lin Bai Yi of the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond? Now... it's up to your master to clean up the mess. Hmph, next time you encounter Lin Zhao, you absolutely cannot be so careless and underestimate him."
The middle-aged man gently released his fingertips, and a slender figure in a black robe materialized in the wind and snow. She looked at the man, her eyes instantly filling with tears. "Master, you've come..."
"Mm, let's go home with Master."
"Thank you, Master..."