"Hmph…"
Yue Ling crossed his arms, a cold smile on his face, and said, "Han Buyu, don't think Lin Zhao can protect you. Don't forget your imperial decree seal is still with me. Tomorrow at noon, I command you to go to Jiuzhangyuan to beg my forgiveness. Otherwise, your hundreds of miles of Cloud Master domain will be gone, and you'll be utterly annihilated and reincarnated!"
With that, Yue Ling turned and disappeared into the wind and snow.
"Lin Zhao…"
The young Heavenly Origin realm martial artist looked at Lin Zhao, "How… how do we resolve this?"
"We don't resolve it."
Lin Zhao's gaze was filled with calmness. "Lin Ruo, return to the Rock Army barracks. Unless the demon race attacks, do not come out easily. After all, the demon race has quite a strong intent to kill you."
"Mm."
Lin Ruo nodded. "Then… Old Master Han Buyu's matter… I won't interfere. I'll leave it to you?"
"Don't worry."
Lin Zhao frowned. After Lin Ruo left, he turned to Han Buyu and said with a frown, "Let's go have drinks at the mountain peak villa? Today, we'll get thoroughly drunk. Whoever isn't drunk is a grandson."
Han Buyu seemed to have accepted his fate. "Let's go. Whoever isn't drunk is a grandson!"
…
The mountain peak villa, deep in the night.
A banquet, with only two attendees. Lin Zhao and Han Buyu were both thoroughly drunk. Han Buyu did not suppress the effects of the alcohol with his cultivation, and Lin Zhao deactivated his player's self-protection system. If he was to get drunk, then so be it. It was a rare occasion for such a complete immersion.
Outside Tianranju, Wu Zhi sat by the lotus pond, nurturing her sword intent. She could hear their conversation from afar, and she simply kept watch. She didn't know why Lin Zhao had invited Han Buyu for drinks, but she knew that Lin Zhao must have his reasons for doing so.
"Old Sword Immortal Han."
Lin Zhao raised his wine pot, gently clinked it against Han Buyu's, and then drank a large gulp. He wiped the wine from the corner of his mouth and asked, "Do you truly think you are a cripple?"
"What else am I?"
Han Buyu sounded dejected. "Doesn't the Third Shopkeeper think I, Han Buyu, am a cripple?"
"No."
Lin Zhao took another gulp of wine and looked out the window, lost in thought. "During the time I was cooperating with Jia Chong and Sister Qing'er to open the shop, the first time I saw Old Sword Immortal Han, what a magnificent presence a Sword Immortal of the Five Realms possessed! At that time, I even wondered if the most powerful Sword Immortal in the world might be someone like Old Master Han."
Han Buyu was somewhat dazed and also looked out the window.
Lin Zhao continued, "What is a cripple? Han Buyu is simply lacking the strength. Everyone in this life will have times when they lack the strength. Am I, Lin Zhao, not a cripple? When I was young, I often made my mother angry. Do you remember the flood at Baishui Stream one year? That year, a small stone bridge was submerged. Zhang Liucheng and I were playing on the stone bridge in the water, having a great time. Later, my mother saw us and spanked me. But I was too mischievous then. After being spanked, I told Zhang Liucheng, 'That hurt a lot, let's go again next time.'"
Han Buyu couldn't help but chuckle.
Lin Zhao also smiled. "Until that evening, I heard my mother crying inside and realized I had truly angered her. My mother was afraid I would be swept away by the flood and never see her again."
His eyes reddened. "Later, my mother fell ill and never recovered, and our family became poorer and poorer. Everything that could be sold was sold, and I tried every method I could think of, but it was still no use. My mother eventually passed away."
He looked up at Han Buyu, tears welling in his eyes. "So, Old Master Han, do you think Lin Zhao is not a cripple? Actually, I am. If I had grown up faster then, and could have earned money, perhaps my mother wouldn't have died."
"Lin Zhao…"
Han Buyu's eyes also became red.
Lin Zhao took another gulp of wine. "Later, I finally grew up, learned martial arts, became an Eighth Realm martial artist, and even forged a rare Battle God's Gall. I became the commander-in-chief of the human race's three armies. They say this is a position of great honor. But what happened? My esteemed teacher, Qin Suihan, such a good person to me, had his Nascent Soul scattered by those sages from the Sea of All Heavens, his Confucian cultivation destroyed."
His nose twitched with emotion. "If Lin Zhao were truly useful, shouldn't I have directly reached the Thirteenth Realm martial artist and blocked the divine abilities of those sages with every punch? You, Han Buyu, consider yourself a cripple and just blame heaven and earth. Then what about me, Lin Zhao? As Qin teacher's disciple, I stood by and watched my teacher sacrifice himself for the realm. Should I just dig a hole and bury myself?"
"Third Shopkeeper."
Han Buyu rubbed his eyes. "I'm sorry…"
"Old Sword Immortal Han has done nothing to offend me."
Lin Zhao frowned. "Old Master Han, you've only let yourself down, your sword dao cultivation, your deceased wife and daughter. After they were killed by the demon race, they should have hoped that you would live well, overcome your inner demons, become a true Sword Immortal, and be able to draw your sword to kill those Upper Five Realm great demons. But what have you done?"
He looked directly at Han Buyu. "As a Tenth Realm Cloud Master, how much different are you from an Eleventh Realm Rain Master? The only difference is a matter of spirit. You, Han Buyu, witness Yue Ling committing injustice, and at most, you only open your mouth. From beginning to now, have you ever dared to draw your sword against Yue Ling? You've lost the courage to even draw your sword, so how can you talk about breaking your inner demons?"
Han Buyu looked up at the roof, tears welling in his eyes. He never expected Lin Zhao to say such things to him today.
"Old Sword Immortal Han."
Lin Zhao continued, "Yue Ling has defected to the demon race. He is currently using his identity as a Wind and Rain Deity to commit evil, intending to cut off the supply lines of the human race army in Snow Domain Tianchi with a blizzard. Faced with such an unjust act, shouldn't you, Old Sword Immortal Han, as a Wind and Rain Deity of the human race, do something?"
"Third Shopkeeper…"
Han Buyu sighed deeply. "Tell me, what do you want me, Han Buyu, to do?"
"Didn't Yue Ling order you to go to Jiuzhangyuan tomorrow noon to beg for his forgiveness?"
Lin Zhao said calmly, "Since that's the case, you will indeed go to see him tomorrow noon, but not to beg for forgiveness, but to challenge him to a duel. The first step for you, Han Buyu, to break your inner demons is to open your heart. This first step is to draw your sword."
"…"
Han Buyu frowned. "What if the duel fails?"
"Then the duel fails."
Lin Zhao laughed. "Indeed, it will prove that you are a cripple and not worth dying for."
"Hahahaha~~~~"
Han Buyu burst into hearty laughter. "Good. Han Buyu will accompany the Third Shopkeeper on this journey. If I die, I die, but I only wish for a swift death."
"Mm."
Lin Zhao nodded.
…
Deep in the night, Han Buyu, thoroughly drunk, slept in a guest room at the mountain peak villa.
Lin Zhao left Tianranju and walked slowly down the mountain path, sobering up from the alcohol. Just then, a scruffy man with a sword on his back, Tang Guangjun, walked up from the foot of the mountain.
"Tang Guangjun pays his respects to the Mountain Lord!"
He cupped his fists respectfully.
"Mm."
Lin Zhao said, "Cut to the chase. State your purpose."
"Yes!"
Tang Guangjun said sternly, "Rain Master Yue Ling has overstepped the heavenly laws and has privately conjured a blizzard to trap the Snow Domain Tianchi forces. Since that is the case, Tang Guangjun is willing to make a trip and bring back Yue Ling's head!"
"No need."
Lin Zhao shook his head. "Firstly, Tang Guangjun, I know you are a military strategist, decisive and unconcerned with karma. But have you considered that Yue Ling is currently above Jiuzhangyuan, close to Snow Domain Tianchi and not far from the demon army's encampment? What if you fall into a demon ambush if you go to Jiuzhangyuan to kill Yue Ling?"
Tang Guangjun was stunned, then cupped his fists and said sternly, "Tang Guangjun fears no death!"
"Enough."
Lin Zhao frowned. "Is your life so cheap, Tang Guangjun? I told you not to die, and you must not die. Don't act on your own accord, and don't try to be too clever."
"Yes!"
"Secondly," Lin Zhao continued, "Yue Ling is not for you to kill. The one who tied the knot must untie it. Yue Ling is Old Sword Immortal Han's superior and has repeatedly insulted him. Yue Ling is a knot in Old Sword Immortal Han's heart. Perhaps Yue Ling's life can bring about a breakthrough for Old Sword Immortal Han. We in Snow Domain Tianchi truly need an Eleventh Realm Wind and Rain Deity to protect us, don't we?"
"Yes!"
Tang Guangjun revealed a smile. "The Mountain Lord's mind is indeed meticulous. Tang Guangjun is convinced and full of admiration."
"Go to Tianranju. Have Dongcang get you something to eat. Don't steal noodles from the townspeople every day. It's unbecoming. If people find out, they'll think I'm withholding your wages."
Tang Guangjun quickly nodded. "Yes, I understand."
Lin Zhao continued down the mountain to clear his head.
Tang Guangjun watched Lin Zhao's receding figure, a ripple of emotion rising in his heart. The Mountain Lord, his junior brother, was truly extraordinary. Sometimes Tang Guangjun wondered if the Sect Master assigning him this task was truly far-sighted. After interacting more with Lin Zhao, his own arrogance and belligerence had gradually subsided. Perhaps this was truly an opportunity for a breakthrough. If he could become a Thirteenth Realm Military Strategist Sword Immortal, he would likely be no less than the esteemed Lord Piaoyao.
…
The next day, at noon.
Lin Zhao and Han Buyu rode their swords into the sky, leaving Snow Domain Tianchi and heading straight for Jiuzhangyuan.
In the clouds above Jiuzhangyuan, Rain Master Yue Ling stood with his arms crossed, a cold smile on his lips. "Han Buyu, seeing your superior, why don't you kneel and kowtow?"
"Not today."
Han Buyu smiled slightly, raised his hand, and drew his ancient sword. "Today, I'll try to see if I can chop off the impure head of the Rain Master."
"How dare you!"
Yue Ling laughed heartily.
Han Buyu soared into the sky, his sword stirring up hundreds of miles of sea of clouds. The sword light descended directly.
Yue Ling, with his higher cultivation, danced his fists, continuously shattering Han Buyu's sword light. Within ten seconds of their confrontation, Han Buyu had taken two punches, and his golden body was already beginning to waver.
"It seems it's not enough, Third Shopkeeper."
Han Buyu inwardly lamented with a bitter smile. "Han Buyu has failed to meet the Third Shopkeeper's expectations. I fear I must leave first~~~"
"What's the hurry?"
Lin Zhao gritted his teeth. In fact, when he was drinking with Han Buyu yesterday, an idea had already formed in his mind, perhaps one that could help Han Buyu break through his cautious and timid state of mind. Han Buyu's actions always seemed arrogant, but he had never truly been arrogant. On the contrary, after his wife and daughter died, he had lived in a self-imposed cage. If he couldn't open his heart completely, it would be impossible for him to break through to the Upper Five Realm Wind and Rain Deity.
Lin Zhao knew of a Ci poem that perfectly suited Han Buyu's current state. If he possessed the uninhibited and heroic spirit of its composer, then a breakthrough would likely be assured.
"Swish!"
Lin Zhao took out a golden talisman and used his flying swords, Mingyue and Haoran, as paperweights to suspend and seal the talisman in mid-air.
He then took out Qianji Juanxue, dipped it in high-quality cinnabar, and with a flick of his brush tip, wrote the character "Ying" on the golden talisman. Instantly, a subtle resonance filled the space between heaven and earth. When Lin Zhao wrote the second character, "Shi," a golden dharma image rose from his body with a "swish." It was that of a scholar holding a brush, in the act of writing poetry in mid-air. At that moment, as Lin Zhao was about to write the third character, he felt Qianji Juanxue weigh as if it were thousands of pounds.
…
"Hmm?"
On the first Zhenjian Tower, the young military strategist saint, who was lying on the rooftop in meditation, narrowed his eyes slightly. Looking at the scene in the distance, he couldn't help but smile. "To evoke the aura of a Confucian saint with the first stroke? What a state of mind… Remarkable! He is indeed worthy of being Ding Muchen's junior brother. He is no less impressive than his senior brother…"