In the snow domain's heavenly lake, atop a mountain peak, stood a secluded villa.
Amidst a grove of apricot trees, blossoms drifted down, landing in a lotus pond. On a pavilion within the pond, a woman in white, a sword immortal, leaned a hand on the stone railing, gazing south with a hint of melancholy. Lin Zhao had journeyed south many days ago, and she wondered how he fared.
Xu Zhi's delicate brows furrowed. After Lin Zhao passed the Fusheng Great Wall, Xu Zhi's Water Moon Observing Heaven could no longer track his whereabouts. The distance was too great, and she was merely an eleventh-realm sword cultivator; it was only natural that she couldn't detect him.
"Sister Xu Zhi."
Not far away, a figure approached, clad in a long dress. It was Tong Yu. The nine-year-old Tong Yu had already blossomed into a beautiful young girl. Now, she was a sixth-realm sword cultivator, soaring on a flying sword to Xu Zhi's side, and asked with a smile, "When will Brother Lin Zhao be back?"
"I don't know."
Xu Zhi smiled. "How can I, a mere woman, inquire about matters of adults?"
"That's true."
Tong Yu pursed her red lips and said, "I miss him a little, and I miss Sister Wang Yue too. But... Sister Xu Zhi, can you spar with me for a while? Master said my sword path needs practical combat experience. Could you suppress your realm to sixth realm to spar with me?"
"Fifth realm."
Xu Zhi chuckled. "If I spar at sixth realm, I fear I'll make you cry."
Tong Yu was perceptive. Xu Zhi's suppressed sixth-realm strength was far from simple. Thus, she smiled. "Alright, fifth realm it is."
...
Outside the Mountain Lord's Shrine.
Su Shanjun, dressed in flowing white robes, was as handsome as ever. He lay on a lounge chair, enjoying preserved fruits and pastries sent by Tong Yu. Beside him, Han Buyu sat on a small stool, also sharing some preserved fruits. Tong Yu often brought snacks and pastries to Su Shanjun, in exchange for him telling her interesting stories. Su Shanjun felt he was getting an incredible bargain, spinning tales of "borrowing a knife to kill someone," "Lord Ye's love for dragons," "carving a boat to mark a drowned man's spot," and "adding feet to a snake." Tong Yu and Han Buyu listened in amazement. This Su Shanjun was truly a scholar, his mind brimming with knowledge.
From not far away, a disheveled man approached, holding a bowl of noodles. The noodles were finished, leaving only a bit of soup. He squatted before the tea table beside Su Shanjun and unceremoniously grabbed a handful of peanuts, eating them. "Junior Brother has been south for many days, I wonder how he's doing. Is he in danger? Perhaps I should fly south on my sword and secretly follow him to protect him?"
"Tsk tsk..."
Su Shanjun smiled. "You really think you're a great sword immortal, don't you? If Lin Zhao needs a protector, it won't be you, Tang Guangjun. Stay honest in the snow domain's heavenly lake. Lin Zhao's journey will be fine. After all, it's not just you watching over him. Besides you, Tang Guangjun, there are at least two others at the fourteenth realm keeping an eye on Lin Zhao. Do you think you're needed?"
Tang Guangjun sulked. "These fried peanuts are delicious. Tong Yu's skills are getting better and better."
Saying this, he gave a sheepish grin and said, "Su Shanjun..."
"Something wrong?"
"Yes, yes."
Tang Guangjun put on a fawning expression. "The Mountain Lord, this person, has so many merits, not a single flaw. When he returns from his southern journey, he'll surely bring back many good things. Perhaps some southern birds and beasts, or some fine wines from the mountains and wilds. When we get back to the Natural Residence, there will definitely be a feast! And you two will surely be invited to this feast. Could you... please put in a word for me, Tang Guangjun, with the Mountain Lord, to include me? Having a bite to eat and a drink would be enough. It's fine even if I have to crouch by the table with a bowl in my hands."
Su Shanjun glanced at him. "Do you need to be involved that badly?"
"Yes, yes!"
Tang Guangjun grinned. "As long as I can be at the table, Tang Guangjun will go through fire and water without hesitation!"
"Alright."
Su Shanjun pinched his nose. "Let's talk about it when Lin Zhao returns. Perhaps he'll think of you himself."
"Okay, okay! I was just afraid the Mountain Lord might be forgetful and completely forget about me, Tang Guangjun."
Han Buyu just ate peanuts, too lazy to speak.
...
One day, a light rain fell in the dead of night.
Lin Zhao took out his straw cape and conical hat and continued to lead Wang Yue forward. As Wang Yue was a soul, rain didn't matter much to her, as long as it wasn't gale-force or golden rain. Ahead, a vast city appeared in their vision. Although it was late at night, the city's lights were still bright. The vitality of living beings could not be replenished.
After leaving Yun Province, they had finally arrived at Baidi City.
"Brother Lin Zhao."
Wang Yue glanced at Baidi City and asked with a smile, "Aren't we going to the capital?"
"No, we're not."
Lin Zhao shook his head and smiled. "Baidi City is a place with many ears and eyes. It would be inconvenient for us to go there. However... Wang Yue, do you want to see the sights of Baidi City? If you do, we can enter the city; it doesn't matter."
"No, thank you."
Wang Yue smiled. "I'll listen to you."
"Alright, then we'll go around it."
The two walked in the night, bypassing the north gate of Baidi City.
...
Meanwhile, within Baidi City, at the White Dew Palace.
A stunning woman was about to undress for bed. Her face was exquisitely beautiful, exuding an air of nobility and grace. She was none other than the sister of the current Emperor of the Great Shang Dynasty, the Grand Princess Zhao Shutong, the most beautiful woman in the Great Shang imperial family.
Outside, the sound of footsteps approached. A female assassin in a black long dress, a Star River realm cultivator, respectfully said, "Your Highness, we just received news from a scout ahead that he has arrived at Baidi City."
"Oh?!"
Zhao Shutong frowned. "Has he entered the city?"
"No."
The female assassin shook her head. "He doesn't seem to want to enter the city. He's taking a woman's soul and bypassing the city from the east, likely intending to head south directly, towards Furong Province."
"Absolutely not!"
Zhao Shutong immediately stood up. "Someone, help me change! I must leave the palace."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Two maids walked over, while the female assassin frowned. "Your Highness, you are of royal blood. Is it necessary for you to meet him personally? Not to mention, it's not even certain if he is that person. Even if he is, he's currently a man without power or soldiers. What is the significance of Your Highness meeting him?"
"Hmph!"
Zhao Shutong let out a cold laugh. "You speak such words, truly short-sighted. As long as he is Lin Baiyi of the snow domain's heavenly lake, he has the potential to rally the troops with a single shout. Don't forget, many generals who followed him in the Northern War are still alive. If nothing else, the Rebirth realm Lv Fengxian and the eleventh-realm Beiming Hai, these two old generals will be loyal to him. Furthermore, Lin Zhao is an unregistered disciple of the old marshal Chen Wanli, so his relationship with Chen Wanli's granddaughter and granddaughter-in-law, Chen Xi and Han Yetang, is bound to be not too bad. He alone can mobilize the entire army of the Northern Territory. Do you still think he is a man without power or soldiers?"
"Your subordinate has erred."
"Enough."
Zhao Shutong said, "We must not be careless when meeting Lin Zhao. I need to prepare myself. You go out of the city immediately and detain Lin Zhao. Do not let him truly leave Baidi City. Say that I wish to see him. Remember, do not use force, or you know the consequences."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The Star River realm assassin frowned. "Your subordinate will go now."
"Go."
...
In the fertile plains east of Baidi City.
The light rain pattered down. Lin Zhao led Wang Yue forward, unhurriedly. Shortly after passing the east gate of Baidi City, a figure descended from the city wall. It was a woman in a black skirt and a black conical hat, her face obscured. A golden emblem was pinned to her chest. She was a female assassin from the Colorful Garment Pavilion under the Grand Princess Zhao Shutong.
"Plop!"
This Star River realm female assassin lunged forward and knelt before Lin Zhao with a "plop," saying sincerely, "Young hero, please wait a moment. My mistress wishes to see you!"
"..."
Lin Zhao frowned. If he called her rude, she knelt directly upon meeting, who would dare say she was impolite? But if he called her polite, it didn't quite feel right. Stopping someone in the middle of the night without revealing her mistress's identity, was that polite?
"Who is your mistress?" he asked.
The female assassin frowned. "It concerns a matter of great importance; this subordinate cannot say."
"Then I will not wait."
Lin Zhao walked past her.
"Young hero, please stay!"
The female assassin stepped on the water and flew forward, once again appearing before Lin Zhao. With a "plop," she knelt again. "Young hero... please stay. My mistress is... the Grand Princess of the Great Shang royal family, Zhao Shutong!"
"Oh?"
Lin Zhao raised an eyebrow slightly. "That's not right. I don't know this Grand Princess at all. Why does she want to see me?"
The female assassin frowned. "Young hero may not know Her Highness, but Her Highness knows the young hero. For the sake of the world, and for this subordinate's life, please, young hero... stay a moment. Her Highness will come out of the city to see you soon."
Lin Zhao found it difficult to make things too difficult. Moreover, hearing that it was the Grand Princess Zhao Shutong, Lin Zhao actually had some personal considerations. Meeting her would be good. Perhaps he could use Zhao Shutong to facilitate some other matters. Thus, he pointed to a pavilion ahead and said, "I will wait for her in that pavilion over there."
"Very well, thank you!"
The female assassin expressed her gratitude.
...
Lin Zhao, with Wang Yue, stood in the pavilion, waiting quietly.
After a long time, the sound of heavy hoofbeats came from the direction of Baidi City. From afar, a group of cavalry in white armor, riding white horses, appeared in their vision. They were the White Deer Cavalry, one of the garrison forces of Baidi City. Though not numerous, they were extremely elite, even comparable to Chen Xi's Cangnan Cavalry.
Lin Zhao gazed into the distance. Approximately 500 White Deer Cavalry rode out of the city in the rain. Leading them was a woman in a black cloak, her figure petite. Surrounded by the White Deer Cavalry, the woman arrived before the small pavilion and dismounted. As she lifted her cloak, a stunningly beautiful face appeared before Lin Zhao.
This Zhao Shutong truly possessed the beauty to make fish sink and geese fall.
She stepped forward, clasped her hands, and said, "Zhao Shutong of the Great Shang royal family, greetings, Commander Lin!"
"Greetings, Your Highness."
Lin Zhao lightly clasped his hands. "May I ask why Your Highness has stopped me here?"
"Shutong merely wishes to converse with Commander Lin."
Zhao Shutong smiled with dimples. "Could we have a pot of warm wine and chat while we drink?"
"Yes."
Lin Zhao nodded.
Several cavalry soldiers set up a table and stools. Zhao Shutong personally warmed the wine. Lin Zhao watched her, saying nothing, yet he already knew this must be an extremely formidable woman. When the previous emperor passed away, the Great Shang Dynasty faced internal and external troubles. Zhao Shutong, by joining forces with Prince Jixian to stabilize the court, and enthroning her younger brother Zhao Jingheng, must have possessed great strategy and courage.