The next day, in the early morning.
After breakfast, with rare leisure, Ding Chi and Zhang Jun were teaching Mo Chenxue and Luo Man how to play in the activity room, Shen Xingchen was reading in the courtyard, and Lin Zhao had arranged with Chen Xue to practice "boxing" in the basement for a while. Soon after, the two returned drenched in sweat. In the past, Lin Zhao would always be bruised after each training session, but it was different now. Although he had bruises, Chen Xue did too, just less than Lin Zhao.
Feeling the exercise was not enough, he picked up a racket and played seven rounds of table tennis with Ding Chi until he was completely soaked before returning to his room to shower. Then, he moved a chair to sit opposite Shen Xingchen and bask in the sun together. Shen Xingchen read, while he crossed his legs and played on his phone, checking some related settings and plot points of the game to better control the situation.
Soon after, Mo Chenxue and Luo Man, the two young girls, went grocery shopping with Wang Ju. Then they started preparing lunch, starting to cook at ten o'clock and eating at eleven. To reward everyone, lunch was exceptionally sumptuous, a table full of delicious food. After eating and drinking their fill, it was almost time for Baidi City to open, so everyone went upstairs one by one, entered the game pods, connected to the game equipment, and prepared to log in.
...
Lin Zhao lay quietly in the game pod. In front of him was a countdown interface. His heart was filled with excitement. How should he speak when he saw Xiao Shit returned? Should he jump up and pat his head, laughing heartily, "You've grown taller now, you brat!"? However, even if Xiao Shit was now in the Upper Fifth Realm, martial artists aged quickly. Unlike spirit cultivators, Xiao Jiu'er and Lin Wanhua, who were over a hundred years old, still maintained their youthful appearance. Martial artists a hundred years later would look like middle-aged men. If they reached the Upper Fifth Realm, this middle-aged appearance could last for several hundred years before they started to age, unless they reached the legendary "Thirteenth Realm Peak" of martial artists, otherwise, they would still be subject to the ravages of time.
He frowned, wondering if it would be inappropriate to rub the head of a middle-aged Xiao Shit? What should he do then? Should he still maintain his elder brother's demeanor in front of Xiao Shit? At this moment, he even regretted that when he created his character in the game, he should have adjusted it to look older, so he wouldn't feel awkward when he saw Xiao Shit again.
Now it was different. He, who looked to be in his early twenties, was being called "Brother Lin Zhao" by a middle-aged martial artist? The sense of incongruity was too strong.
Never mind, let's go to Baidi City first and see Xiao Shit!
Time ticked by, and Lin Zhao followed the system's countdown. In just ten minutes, it felt incredibly long. Finally, at the moment the countdown ended, the account loading was successful, and the game interface appeared. A cinematic opening scene unfolded, showcasing the majestic Baidi City. The moment the scene disappeared, a flash of light swept across his vision, and his character materialized on the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool.
"My Lord, you're here!"
Lu Zhi stood before him and smiled, "The repairs to the Flood Dragon Boat are complete. Immortal Xu Zhan has returned to the Mo Family Ancestral Hall, leaving behind a few disciples waiting for your inspection."
"Understood."
Lin Zhao nodded and said with a smile, "We'll talk about it later. I have something urgent to attend to now."
"Okay!"
The next moment, he crushed the teleportation scroll and returned directly to the bustling Tianji City. The city was teeming with people. Lin Zhao, relying on his high Strength points, squeezed a path through the crowd to the side of the teleportation array. After conversing with the NPC, a Baidi City option indeed appeared in the teleportation list. Teleporting from Tianji City to Baidi City cost 10 gold coins, which was neither expensive nor cheap.
Confirming teleportation!
"Swish!"
A ray of white light dispersed before his eyes, and the next moment, he found himself in the North Gate Plaza of Baidi City. He had a vivid memory of this North Gate, even remembering the inn and shops not far away. Back then, he had come to Baidi City alone from the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool, and this was the path he took. The route to the Prime Minister's Mansion had been simulated thousands of times in his mind. Now, he had finally returned!
"Lin Zhao?"
Just then, a familiar voice sounded. Not far away, a beautiful swordswoman also teleported over. She had a stunning face, and a delicate, form-fitting soft armor accentuated her graceful figure. Below her skirt armor, a pair of slender jade legs were clad in battle boots, a sword hung at her waist, and her long hair fluttered as she looked at Lin Zhao with a smile.
It was Leng Yan.
"Ayan?"
Lin Zhao couldn't help but smile, "What a coincidence?"
"Mm."
Leng Yan walked forward with a smile, "Indeed. Where are you going?"
Lin Zhao frowned, "I want to go to the Prime Minister's Mansion's Youth Camp to find Xiao Shit..."
"Is that so."
Leng Yan pursed her red lips and said, "I'll accompany you."
Lin Zhao did not refuse and said with a smile, "Okay, let's go."
"Mm!"
The two summoned their mounts and galloped along the main avenues of Baidi City. Thinking of seeing Xiao Shit soon, Lin Zhao couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilarating speed, with Miss Leng accompanying him. If he could really see Xiao Shit and acknowledge him, how wonderful would that be!
...
Five minutes later, the two arrived at the former site of the Prime Minister's Mansion. It was in this mansion that Lin Zhao had met Wen Shuoyang back then. However, when he and Leng Yan stood in front of this mansion, they were stunned. The plaque hanging above the gate was no longer "Prime Minister's Mansion" but "Qinglin Academy." The gate was wide open, and the sound of young boys reading aloud could be heard from within.
"How could this be?"
Lin Zhao frowned, never having expected the former Prime Minister's Mansion to become an academy.
He dismounted, recalled his mount, and stepped into Qinglin Academy. Leng Yan's willow-leaf eyebrows furrowed slightly, knowing that things would not be so smooth. She also recalled her mount and followed Lin Zhao into Qinglin Academy.
In the courtyard, a scholar was sweeping a ground covered with peach blossoms.
Lin Zhao walked up and clasped his fists respectfully, "Greetings, young sir."
"Oh?"
The young scholar, seeing Lin Zhao and Leng Yan in their armor and with swords on their backs, knew they were warriors. He quickly bowed and said, "Are the two of you... here at Qinglin Academy on business?"
"Yes."
Lin Zhao frowned and asked, "Excuse me, young sir, wasn't this mansion the Prime Minister's Mansion before? How has it become an academy now?"
"Oh~~~"
The scholar smiled slightly and said, "These are things from a very, very long time ago. I've also heard that the academy was formerly Marquis Wen's Prime Minister's Mansion. But then, Marquis Wen seemed to have moved out, and after that, this mansion became our Qinglin Academy. As for what happened in between... it's been too long, no one remembers."
"Is that so..."
Lin Zhao nodded, "Thank you."
The scholar smiled, "Qinglin Academy is a place for scholars in Baidi City to study. If you two are interested, you are welcome to wander around. There are no restrictions here."
"Mm, thank you!"
...
Lin Zhao's mood was slightly heavy. Leng Yan, standing beside him, said, "Don't worry, let's look around again. Perhaps there are some elder gentlemen in the academy with high cultivation and advanced age. What the young sir doesn't know, the elders might!"
"Mm!"
Lin Zhao nodded vigorously, and the two walked through the academy.
Not long after, they arrived at a residence in a peach blossom forest. An old gentleman in the Nascent Soul realm was holding a book, gazing at the peach blossoms outside the window in deep thought. Suddenly, he turned his head to look at Lin Zhao and Leng Yan and smiled, "When the birds suddenly fall silent, it must mean distinguished guests have arrived. What brings you here?"
Lin Zhao clasped his fists, "Esteemed sir, I wish to inquire about something. I hope you will enlighten me."
"Mm."
The old scholar smiled, "Young hero, please speak."
"Back then, this mansion was Marquis Wen Wen Shuoyang's Prime Minister's Mansion. Why has it become an academy now? Do you know where the former Prime Minister's Mansion's Youth Camp went?"
"This matter, it was many years ago."
The old scholar smiled and said, "Actually, this mansion was voluntarily relinquished by Marquis Wen himself. Three years after the battle in the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool, Marquis Wen, who had exhausted his heart and soul in devising and maintaining the Heavenly Furnace formation, though he had defeated the demon and devil races, had no hope of breaking through his cultivation realm. Thus, he moved away and rebuilt this place into an academy for the scholars of the human world to use. As for the Youth Camp you mentioned... I heard of it back then, but its subsequent whereabouts are unknown."
"Is that so..."
Lin Zhao looked dejected.
"Thank you, esteemed sir."
He bowed again, preparing to leave.
"Wait."
Leng Yan grabbed his hand, turned to the old scholar, and respectfully said, "Esteemed sir, after Marquis Wen moved out of the Prime Minister's Mansion, do you know his new residence? If you do, I hope you will tell us."
"I know."
The old scholar looked at Leng Yan with a hint of admiration. This girl was quite good, with a delicate mind. The young man, however, was blinded by the situation. Thus, the old scholar pointed and said, "Three streets from here, in Yantai Alley, there is a dilapidated courtyard with a large banyan tree. That is where Wen Shuoyang underwent the 'Bingjie' (self-destruction to ascend) and departed this world."
Lin Zhao was immensely grateful, clasped his fists, and bowed, "Thank you, esteemed sir!"
"Go."
The old scholar resumed reading his book and looking at the flowers. Only when the two turned and left did he cast his gaze upon the ancient sword wrapped in cloth on Lin Zhao's back, frowning and murmuring, "Could it be?"
...
Yantai Alley.
Lin Zhao and Leng Yan walked side by side, looking at each house until they saw a dilapidated courtyard. Weeds grew everywhere in the courtyard, and the houses behind had mostly collapsed. Only the sound of "clanging" grinding knives could be heard from within.
"..."
Lin Zhao frowned, pushed open the rotten wooden door, and saw an old man in ragged clothes, with his hair and beard in a tangled mess, washing a basin of water. By the well, he was sharpening a rusty iron sword. The hilt of the sword was engraved with the character "Yun," which was the standard issue sword of the Yunzhou Iron Cavalry from years ago.
He looked up at Lin Zhao and Leng Yan, sneered, and said, "Marquis Wen underwent Bingjie over ninety years ago. I thought all the grateful and righteous people in the world had died. I didn't expect anyone to remember this place!"