The Grand Princess Zhao Shutong resided in the White Dew Palace. Directly opposite, a continuous stretch of palaces was known as the Yanfu Palace. At this moment, a noblewoman in palace attire walked to the window within Yanfu Palace. She appeared to be in her early thirties, remarkably well-preserved, and still possessed considerable charm. She frowned, having already sensed the surge of a magnificent thirteen-realm sword intent.
This woman was none other than the current Emperor Zhao Jingheng’s birth mother, Empress Dowager He.
Following the ascension of the young Emperor Zhao Jingheng at the tender age of twelve after the previous emperor's demise, his enthronement was facilitated by the combined support of three powers: firstly, the Regent, Prince Jinyang Zhao Qiyang; secondly, the Grand Princess Zhao Shutong, who commanded fifty thousand White Deer Cavalry; and thirdly, his birth mother, Empress Dowager He. Empress Dowager He's maternal family, the He clan of Shuzhou, controlled one hundred thousand troops and held sway over the Central Plains from their base in Shu Chuan, posing a significant deterrent to White Emperor City.
"Such powerful sword intent."
Empress Dowager He frowned and stepped out into the courtyard, gazing at the sky. "Where is Granny Zhou?"
"I am here."
A figure clad in grey, an elderly woman of the eleven-realm, Granny Zhou, the sword-managing granny of Yanfu Palace and Empress Dowager He's personal attendant and confidante, floated into the courtyard. "Your Majesty, please instruct me!"
"Investigate."
Empress Dowager He furrowed her brow. "Who is this divine being who has entered White Deer City?"
"Lin Wanhua, the Lord of Fusu Great Wall."
Granny Zhou did not need to investigate. "Currently, she is the only Ascended realm sword cultivator in the Human race's domain."
"Hmph!"
Empress Dowager He sneered. "As the Lord of Fusu Great Wall, she has returned to White Emperor City without a royal decree. Has she forgotten her status as a criminal exile? While Lin Wanhua's cultivation is high, let us not forget she is a descendant of the Xia tribe, a descendant of sin. Her unauthorized arrival in White Emperor City violates established etiquette and regulations. Is she unaware of this?"
Granny Zhou gritted her teeth and lowered her head. "Your Majesty, shall I inquire?"
"Once rules are set, they must be upheld."
Empress Dowager He said calmly, "You need not go over. Inquire directly through telepathy, asking Lin Wanhua why she has come to White Emperor City and why she did not submit a formal request beforehand for the imperial family's awareness."
"Yes!"
Granny Zhou immediately extended a wisp of her consciousness to probe Lin Wanhua's aura. However, the moment she released her intent, a sudden, sharp pain struck her head, her consciousness feeling as if electrocuted. She spat blood, stumbled back several steps, and collided with the courtyard wall. Immediately after, Lin Wanhua's voice echoed in her ears, "Do not meddle in what does not concern you. Do you not desire to live any longer?"
"What happened?"
Empress Dowager He was aghast. Granny Zhou was her foremost expert, arranged by her father as a dowry attendant when she married into White Emperor City. Granny Zhou had always been the one to bully others, yet now, she was gravely injured without even meeting the person.
"Your Majesty..."
Granny Zhou, with a frown, got up in a dishevelled state and knelt. "Our actions have angered Sword Immortal Lin. It would be best not to... not to provoke her further..."
"What?!"
Empress Dowager He's face turned ashen. "Does she dare to kill me?"
Granny Zhou gritted her teeth. "Your Majesty, speak with caution. She truly dares."
"..."
Empress Dowager He's expression became grave. She was merely a Golden Core realm sword cultivator and had no comprehension of what a thirteen-realm sword cultivator entailed, nor their terrifying combat prowess. However, Empress Dowager He possessed one good trait: knowing how to use capable people and admitting when she was wrong. She knew Granny Zhou never exaggerated. If she said Lin Wanhua dared to kill her, then she most likely truly dared.
Thus, the Empress Dowager of the Great Shang offered a deep bow towards the distance, saying softly, "Sword Immortal Lin, please do not hold a grudge..."
From that day on, Empress Dowager He kept firmly in mind that there was a woman in this world she must not offend: her name was Lin Wanhua.
...
White Emperor City, Hundred Treasures Pavilion.
This shop, belonging to the Mohist school, was a true "flagship store." It occupied the largest frontage in the entire Great Shang dynasty. If the Mohist Ancestral Hall willed it, they could purchase half a street. However, the Ancestral Hall had rules: business did not need to be excessively large, nor did it need to compete with shops run by merchants like Jubao Fang. There was no necessity for it.
As Lin Zhao and Lin Wanhua entered the Hundred Treasures Pavilion side-by-side, they heard a familiar voice from the second floor exclaim in surprise, "Young Master in White... Sword Immortal Lin? How come you..."
On the second floor was a woman in green attire, Xu Qingyi, daughter of Xu Zhan. She had met Lin Zhao in Tianji City. As for knowing Lin Wanhua, it was because Lin Wanhua had conveyed a message to her after Xu Zhan's death.
"Ah?!"
Lin Zhao was slightly taken aback. "Miss Xu, what are you doing here?"
"It's a long story."
Xu Qingyi leaped down from the second floor, landing before them. "The business in Tianji City has been handed over to others. I have already spoken with the elders of the Mohist Ancestral Hall and am helping out at the main branch here in White Emperor City. In a while, I will be leading people and supplies to Snow Domain Heavenly Pool to establish a Hundred Treasures Pavilion there. At that time, I hope Young Master in White..."
She suddenly paused, then smiled softly. "I should use your new title. I hope Young Master Lin Zhao will take good care of us!"
Lin Zhao naturally had nothing to object to. He cupped his fists and smiled. "That is only natural. Miss Xu, you may choose the location and storefront yourself. Our Mountain Peak Villa will provide the utmost support for the Hundred Treasures Pavilion's business."
"Mm, alright, it's a deal!"
Xu Qingyi smiled slightly. "Coming to White Emperor City this time, you must be looking to purchase some treasures, right?"
She carefully avoided mentioning Xu Zhan's sacrifice. Lin Zhao also did not bring it up, but he could still see the fatigue in Xu Qingyi's eyes, which were red. She must have been crying not long ago. The father who loved her most in the world had left so suddenly. This was not something one could easily overcome. Xu Qingyi's complete immersion in business was likely an attempt to keep herself as busy as possible, to forget all her sorrow.
"Miss Xu."
Lin Zhao frowned. "A friend of mine died at the hands of the demon race, and their soul has nowhere to go. Therefore, my purpose in coming to White Emperor City this time is to inquire if there are any containers or artifacts that can nourish the soul."
"This..."
Xu Qingyi smiled. "Please come upstairs with me. I don't know much, but our appraiser will certainly know."
"Alright, thank you!"
The three of them went upstairs. An aged appraiser opened a drawer behind him and took out a purple shrine. The entire shrine was designed in the layout of an octagonal pavilion, emitting a faint spiritual aura. The whole shrine appeared ancient and elegant. The appraiser said solemnly, "This shrine has been around for some time. It is said to have been meticulously crafted by a Mohist errant knight for a ghost cultivator friend. Although it is rich in spiritual energy, it has been of little use. It has always been kept as a hidden treasure. The ghost cultivator wanted to buy it, but we refused. Orthodox cultivators cannot use it. Young Mistress, what do you think?"
Xu Qingyi said, "Mr. Jiang, this Young Master Lin Zhao is the Lord of Snow Domain Heavenly Pool, and our Hundred Treasures Pavilion will soon be opening a branch in the northern mountains of Snow Domain Heavenly Pool."
"I see."
The appraiser looked up at Lin Zhao, then at Lin Wanhua, and couldn't help but smile. "One is the Lord of Snow Domain Heavenly Pool, and the other is the Lord of Fusu Great Wall. Truly impressive."
Lin Wanhua couldn't help but frown. "Mr. Jiang, neither Lin Zhao nor I have offended you in any way. Even if you don't need to be excessively respectful, there's no need for such an attitude, is there?"
The appraiser repeatedly bowed and chuckled, "My apologies, my apologies. It is merely a natural reaction after doing business for so long. You two should also know that business is difficult, especially when encountering guests of high status. They often try to intimidate you with their presence, whether they are princes, lords, or members of the imperial family, immediately putting you at a disadvantage. Subsequent purchases then become less about buying and more about outright plundering."
Lin Zhao couldn't help but laugh. "I can understand. However, we are not here to plunder. We bring Jin Zhui coins."
Mr. Jiang nodded approvingly. Indeed, the demeanor of Lin Baiyi of Snow Domain Heavenly Pool was extraordinary. Compared to him, Lin Wanhua seemed slightly inferior, with a hint of hostility. Fortunately, she was beautiful.
Lin Wanhua rolled her eyes, making herself appear as the villain.
"Mr. Jiang."
Xu Qingyi smiled. "Lin Zhao will be cooperating with our Mohist school in the near future, and Snow Domain Heavenly Pool has always had a good relationship with the Mohist Ancestral Hall. Since this octagonal shrine is of little use and merely gathers dust, and Lin Zhao intends to use it for a good cause, why not give it to him directly? It would be a way to forge a good relationship with Snow Domain Heavenly Pool in advance."
Mr. Jiang narrowed his eyes, appearing to understand implicitly. He chuckled, "I will do as the Young Mistress says. If it's about forging a good relationship, then so be it. At worst, we won't do business. The monks of the Mohist Ancestral Hall can wander the martial world naked and accumulate merit."
Xu Qingyi shot him a glare.
Lin Zhao laughed heartily. "Old sir, your words are direct and admirable. How about this, to avoid making things too difficult for the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, I have ten Jin Zhui coins here. Consider it the price for the octagonal shrine. This way, the Mohist Ancestral Hall will still have some profit. What do you think?"
Mr. Jiang inwardly grumbled. This shrine was rich in spiritual energy and an excellent embryo for a ghost cultivator to forge a natal artifact. It could be sold for at least a hundred Jin Zhui coins. Good heavens, you want to buy it for ten and still come out ahead, looking like you're at a disadvantage. You, the dignified Lin Baiyi of Snow Domain Heavenly Pool, have some shame!
Ultimately, the transaction was completed.
Lin Zhao, carrying the shrine and accompanied by Lin Wanhua, quietly returned to Snow Domain Heavenly Pool.
...
As night fell.
A sword light descended upon Mount Panyun, and it was from a thirteen-realm sword cultivator!
"Wind Spring, I accept your challenge!"
A twelve-realm demon sword cultivator leaped up, his body erupting with sword intent. He unleashed three consecutive sword strikes, managing to block Lin Wanhua's attack. Even so, his face remained pale. A residual sword light shot towards Yu Zhi's head, forcing Yu Zhi to twist and reveal her true form – a fiery red fox. Only then did she barely manage to deflect Lin Wanhua's sword strike.
Yu Zhi and Feng Quan inwardly lamented. If Lin Wanhua attacked the mountain with full force, even two Yu Zhis combined might not be able to stop her!
At the same time, a white flying sword snaked its way up the mountain like a spirit snake. It was Su Qingjiu's flying sword, Bai Yu. In a mere flash, the flying sword Bai Yu located the Soul Burning Heavenly Lamp and, enveloped by a strand of sword light, returned to Snow Domain Heavenly Pool.
"Boom!"
The valuable Soul Burning Heavenly Lamp was shattered by Su Qingjiu's sword. Instantly, a wisp of soul slowly coalesced, transforming into Wang Yue, tears streaming down her face, standing before Lin Zhao, Lin Wanhua, and Su Qingjiu.
"Brother Lin Zhao..."
Wang Yue, tears flowing like a fountain, softly said, "Why did you still save me?"
"I haven't done what I promised you yet."
Lin Zhao said gently, "Wang Yue, I will take you south to pay respects to my parents, alright?"
"Okay, okay..."
Although Wang Yue wept profusely, a smile appeared on her face.