In the pre-dawn darkness, the sky was pitch black.
Lin Zhao walked with Wang Yue along the imperial road on the east side of Baidi City, neither fast nor slow. The rain had stopped, and the scenery on both sides of the road was picturesque. Wang Yue, with her beautiful eyes wide open, looked around. Lin Zhao was not in a hurry. He took out the jade flute from his waist, which was tender green in color. He flicked his hand, and indeed, it had attributes. Zhao Shutong was the eldest princess of the Great Shang Dynasty, so the gifts she gave were naturally of high quality—
【Pure Heart Green Jade Flute】(Immortal Grade Magic Treasure)
Strength: +500
Stamina: +500
Agility: +500
Spiritual Power: +500
Special Effect: Pure Heart, immunizes 50% of negative effects suffered.
Special Effect: When carried, significantly enhances resistance to魅惑 from demons, ghosts, and spirits.
Special Effect: Sword Refining Speed +50%
Belongs to: White Robe
Giver: Zhao Shutong
...
As expected, it was a treasure!
Not only did it increase all four primary attributes by 500 points each, but it also greatly immunized against debuffs. More importantly, Lin Zhao was a sword cultivator, and a 50% increase in sword refining speed meant that not only would the upgrade speed of the two flying swords in the Sword Nourishing Lake increase significantly, but even when Lin Zhao wanted to refine other flying swords, he would achieve twice the result with half the effort!
He frowned. Although Zhao Shutong had come with a purpose, her character was indeed quite good, and the gift she gave was truly a good item. This thing was a treasure that was hard to obtain even with a lot of money, and it couldn't be bought even if one had the money.
Not long after.
A sword light rose from within Baidi City, chasing after Lin Zhao and Wang Yue. Standing on the flying sword was a handsome and elegant man in a deep blue long gown. He was an eleventh-realm sword cultivator. While flying his sword, he shouted, "Brother Lin Zhao, please wait!"
"..."
Lin Zhao frowned, somewhat helplessly. He really couldn't escape even if he wanted to. He knew he would come.
The person who arrived was Lin Xuanzhi, a third-rank Shan Hai Ling, who was wholeheartedly in love with Zhao Shutong. He was a sword immortal who had been chased out of the deep palace with a broom. He was considered a marvel in Baidi City.
"Oh~~~"
After landing, Lin Xuanzhi stumbled and then smiled at Lin Zhao, "Have you seen the Eldest Princess?"
"Yes, I have."
Lin Zhao smiled and nodded.
"How was she?"
"As beautiful as the moon and as stunning as a flower, capable of toppling kingdoms and cities," Lin Zhao replied truthfully.
"I knew it!"
Lin Xuanzhi clapped his hands gently and said with a smile, "The person I, Lin Xuanzhi, fancy, how could I be wrong? Even Brother Lin Zhao thinks Zhao Shutong is good, which proves she is indeed an extraordinary woman. Tell me, what did she talk to you about?"
"Huh?"
Lin Zhao looked helpless, "Do I need to tell you what I discussed with the Princess? In any case, it wasn't about love or romance, so you don't have to worry about that."
"Hahaha~~~"
Lin Xuanzhi grinned, "You understand me best..."
As he said this, Lin Xuanzhi suddenly saw the Pure Heart Green Jade Flute tucked at Lin Zhao's waist. His handsome face contorted and distorted instantly, consumed by jealousy. He pointed at the jade flute as if he had seen a ghost, saying, "That... that... isn't that the jade flute that Zhao Shutong always keeps with her? Why... why is it with you?"
"Ah?"
Lin Zhao scratched his head, "She gave it to me as a gift, saying it would benefit my cultivation and improve my sword refining speed."
"But..."
Lin Xuanzhi's face was almost deformed. He didn't care that the ground was still wet from the rain and plopped down on it. His sword heart was about to crack, and he murmured, "That is a treasure she cherished greatly. When we played chess before, I begged her to even just take a look, but she wouldn't. She even said it was a gift from the late emperor for her eighteenth birthday. Why... why would she give it to you?"
His Dao heart was in chaos. He raised his hand and clutched his chest, curling up like a shrimp, looking at Lin Zhao with a very complicated expression, "Brother Lin Zhao, does she like you? Can you give me a straight answer? My heart aches so much..."
"Look at this spineless fellow..."
Lin Zhao glanced at him, wishing he could kick him. "Don't worry, your Eldest Princess certainly doesn't like me. She only likes the Zhao family's empire. In Zhao Shutong's eyes, I am just a chess piece capable of fighting wars. She came to see me to discuss some potential future cooperation, unrelated to personal feelings. She gave me this jade flute, perhaps hoping I would live a little longer?"
"Is that true?!"
Lin Xuanzhi sprang up, his eyes regaining their vitality, and said with a smile, "Lin Zhao, I, Lin Xuanzhi, have an arrogant and eccentric personality, and I don't have many friends in this life. But we fought demons side by side in the Northern Region, that's a life-and-death friendship, don't you agree?"
"Mm."
Lin Zhao narrowed his eyes, smiling as he watched what this scoundrel intended to say.
Lin Xuanzhi rubbed his hands together, looking a bit shy, "You see... how about you give this jade flute to this humble servant?"
"Do you still have any shame, Lin Xuanzhi!"
Lin Zhao jumped up and pointed at his nose, scolding him, "This is a gift from Zhao Shutong, and it's a very useful gift for me. What do you mean by giving it to me? Things in this world aren't done like that. Besides, you are in Baidi City, and Zhao Shutong is also in Baidi City. Perhaps you even attend court meetings together. If she sees the jade flute in your hand, won't she scold both of us!?"
"Lin Zhao, don't scold me yet, I'm not asking for it for free."
Lin Xuanzhi took out his storage bag and began to rummage through his belongings. He had three immortal-grade sword embryoes, sixteen heavenly-grade flying sword embryoes, plus over 2200 gold coins, as well as some incredibly precious mountain elixirs, countless bottles and jars. In addition, there were over 40 pieces of various magic treasures, including spiritual cultivation artifacts for flying, attacking, and defense, as well as top-grade mountain elixirs for martial artists to heal. In short, Lin Xuanzhi's wealth was truly substantial, befitting the fortune of a third-rank, upper-five-stage sword immortal in the Great Shang court. It was far more substantial than the foundation of an ordinary eleventh-realm sword cultivator.
"Here."
Lin Xuanzhi held out a pile of treasures and said, "These are all for you. You give me the jade flute... and Lin Xuanzhi still owes you a great favor. From now on, if Brother Lin Zhao gives an order, I will go wherever you point, and Lin Xuanzhi will have no complaints!"
Lin Zhao exclaimed with anguish, "Lin Xuanzhi, oh Lin Xuanzhi, you have disappointed me so much. I ask you, can an ordinary eleventh-realm sword cultivator, even a sword immortal, have so many magic treasures and gold coins? Where did all this money come from? Could it be that you have been corrupted by being a Shan Hai Ling in the Shan Hai Division, abusing your power to such an extent? You have truly disappointed me. I never expected you to be this kind of person!"
"Lin Zhao!"
Lin Xuanzhi gritted his teeth, "I am truly not the kind of person you think I am. Although my Shan Hai Ling position has immense power, I would never do anything like abusing power for personal gain. That's right, most of these things were given by friends in the court and on the mountains. They actively offered us many benefits and asked me to handle matters for them. But am I, Lin Xuanzhi, the kind of person who goes with the flow and corrupts the laws of the court for personal gain? Over the years, I have only accepted things without doing favors, so that these petty and hypocritical scoundrels will end up with nothing, thus purifying the turbid current in our court. Is it easy for me? I have offended many people over the years. I've been stabbed when going out for drinks. Have you ever considered my difficulties?"
"I've wronged you!"
Lin Zhao glared, "I don't care. Anyway, I can't give you the gift from Zhao Shutong. It would be truly against righteousness. Besides, if I really gave it to you, how awkward would it be to see Zhao Shutong next time! Don't make things difficult for me."
"Really not possible?"
Lin Xuanzhi quickly gathered all his treasures, "Then... can I at least touch it?"
"???"
Lin Zhao looked confused, "Kid, you're not thinking of stealing it, are you?"
"Impossible..."
Lin Xuanzhi laughed heartily, "Just let me touch it once, after all, it's Shùtóng's personal belonging."
"Got it."
Lin Zhao handed over the jade flute.
Lin Xuanzhi took it carefully with both hands and gently touched it, his eyes filled with infatuation.
"Sigh..."
Lin Zhao couldn't bear to watch. He turned his head and muttered softly, "Simps are truly disgusting..."
Lin Xuanzhi frowned. He didn't want to lose face in front of his friend Lin Zhao. But what could he do when he truly loved someone? He, Lin Xuanzhi, was a dignified and dashing sword immortal in the eyes of the noble ladies of Baidi City. To put it bluntly, those who actively came to propose marriage almost broke down the threshold, but what could Lin Xuanzhi do? From the first time he met Zhao Shutong, his heart could only hold her. He also hated himself now. He was a sword immortal, yet he lacked any of the洒脱 (ease and freedom) of a sword immortal.
"Alright."
Lin Xuanzhi returned the jade flute to Lin Zhao, saying, "Take good care of it..."
"I will."
Lin Zhao grinned, "I'll sleep with it tonight."
"You scoundrel, Lin Zhao!"
Lin Xuanzhi raised his sheathed sword and was about to hit him. Lin Zhao burst into laughter and fled with Wang Yue. Lin Xuanzhi followed Lin Zhao for a while, sword in hand, and said, "Are you heading south to Ji Province, to Furong State?"
"Mm."
Lin Zhao nodded, "Wang Yue's hometown is in Furong State, so I'm accompanying her south. There should be some matters that need urgent attention in Furong State."
"Is that so?"
Lin Xuanzhi laughed heartily, slung an arm around Lin Zhao's shoulder, glanced at Wang Yue, and said with a smile, "The good thing about my brother here is that he's always kind and a good person. Wang Yue, if you could be reborn, would you want to be Brother Lin Zhao's wife?"
Wang Yue gave a soft "Ah?" her pretty face blushing slightly, "How could I be worthy of Brother Lin Zhao..."
Lin Xuanzhi chuckled.
"Alright."
Lin Zhao looked ahead. The sky was about to brighten. "Lin Xuanzhi, you should go back. Wang Yue and I will head south."
"Okay."
Lin Xuanzhi clasped his fists and smiled, "Farewell!"
Lin Zhao also clasped his fists, "Farewell!"
...
Baidi City, Bai Lu Palace.
Zhao Shutong, possessing the beauty that could overturn kingdoms, sat before her vanity. She used the mirror to cast the Water Moon Sky-Watching technique. Seeing that Lin Zhao had refused Lin Xuanzhi's gift of the Pure Heart Green Jade Flute, she finally let out a sigh of relief. She had truly worried that Lin Zhao might soften his heart and give the flute away. That jade flute was her personal belonging. Frankly, what ordinary man could be worthy of it? As for him, Lin Baiyi of Xueyu Tianchi, this jade flute would not be disgraced by his side. And when Lin Zhao smilingly said he would sleep with the flute at night, Zhao Shutong's pretty face blushed slightly, and she waved her hand, dispelling the Water Moon Sky-Watching technique.
"I wonder if it's true or not..."
She lay on the embroidered bed, unable to resist a slight smile.