A sword light, originating from the north, slowly descended upon Shanhaiguan. Upon the flying sword was a sword immortal of the eleventh realm, clad in flowing white robes. He was young, his appearance only slightly more mature than a hundred years prior. Now, Qin Yu was already a father. One could only wonder which fortunate young lady had married such a handsome and dashing young sword immortal.
“Sword Immortal Qin.”
Han Yetang smiled faintly and said, “You’ve arrived…”
“Mmm.”
Qin Yu nodded, cupping his fists respectfully towards Han Yetang. “Thank you, Commander, for protecting my son. Qin Yu cannot adequately express his gratitude, but a generous gift will be presented later!”
“No need to thank me.”
Han Yetang replied, “I merely exchanged a few blows with a Great Demon of the Heavenly Yuan realm outside the city. It was this sword cultivator of the lower five realms who brought your son into Shanhaiguan. He must have suffered greatly being pursued by a Heavenly Yuan realm Great Demon all the way here.”
“Father…”
Qin Ran pointed at Lin Zhao and said, “This young hero… in order to save me, he nearly lost his own life. Yet, he never wavered, enduring the Great Demon’s fist aura and bringing me safely inside Shanhaiguan…”
“Oh? Is that so…”
Qin Yu turned and cupped his fists towards Lin Zhao. “May I ask the young hero’s esteemed name?”
“Bai Yi.”
Lin Zhao smiled faintly. His in-game ID was Bai Yi, so it was only natural to tell the NPCs his name was Bai Yi. He couldn’t possibly reveal his real name, Lin Zhao, as these people might become suspicious. The name Lin Zhao was only fitting for Lin Bai Yi of Xue Yu Tian Chi, and no one else dared to usurp it, not even Lin Zhao himself, at least not yet.
“So it is Young Hero Bai Yi!”
Qin Yu said gravely, “Young Hero Bai Yi risked his life to save my son. Qin will surely reward you handsomely!”
“You are too kind, too kind…”
Lin Zhao chuckled, his mind already on receiving experience points and reputation. As for generous rewards, that was secondary. Helping others was a source of joy. What made Lin Zhao even happier was that this Qin Yu truly didn’t recognize him at all. Could this be the legendary lack of deep connection? Thinking of his aunt Lin Xingchu by the Xi Jian River, and the Mountain Lord of Tian Chi Su Fu, both had recognized him at first glance. Perhaps Lin Wanhua of Fusheng Great Wall would also recognize him, given their deep-seated animosity that even a hundred years couldn’t resolve!
In the next second, the quest rewards arrived. Qin Yu was someone worth befriending, and he kept his word about generous rewards—
“Ding!”
System Notification: Congratulations on completing the main quest [Rescue Qin Ran] (SS-rank). Rewards: Current level experience +90%, Gold Coins +1200, Reputation Points +1000, Charm Points +2, and an additional reward: [Bai Hong Battle Boots] (Flowing Gold Artifact)!
…
Another Flowing Gold Artifact reward, this time for the boots slot!
Lin Zhao was invigorated. He immediately opened his inventory and found a pair of battle boots shimmering with golden light nestled in a corner. Upon examining them, their attributes were, as expected, impressive—
[Bai Hong Battle Boots] (Flowing Gold Artifact)
Defense: 320
Strength: +85
Stamina: +82
Agility: +78
Effect: Damage Reduction +4%
Effect: Physical Dodge +5%
Effect: Swift Wind, increases user’s movement speed by 25%
Effect: Tenacity, increases user’s HP cap by 1800
Effect: Resolve, reduces all elemental spell damage taken by 10%
Additional: Increases user’s attack power by 17%
Additional: Increases user’s defense by 17%
Required Level: 60
…
The attributes were explosive. Swift Wind added 25% to movement speed, and combined with the bonus from his mount, he would essentially be lightning fast. Furthermore, it provided another Resolve effect, bringing Lin Zhao’s total Resolve effects to three, stacking to reduce spell damage by 30%. He was truly a nightmare for spellcasting players!
Regardless, he equipped them!
With a ‘clatter,’ the Bai Hong Battle Boots were donned, and his attributes and combat power increased significantly.
Moreover, he had now leveled up to 62. This quest had been time-efficient, high-risk, and highly rewarding. Completing it meant immense wealth; failing it meant instant ruin.
“Alas…”
Qin Yu sighed, looking at his beloved son. “A Great Demon of the Heavenly Yuan realm, even a father wouldn’t dare underestimate it. What right do you, a sword cultivator of the Nascent Soul realm, have to challenge it? Do you truly believe you’ve inherited your aunt’s true teachings? Having learned your lesson this time, you are hereby punished to forge swords within Fusheng Great Wall for three years. You are not allowed to step a single inch beyond Fusheng Great Wall.”
Saying this, he stepped forward and channeled a stream of sword cultivator spiritual energy into his son. Instantly, Qin Ran’s injuries began to heal rapidly, and his overall demeanor improved.
Despite the reprimand, his paternal affection was evident. This was his only son, his future hope. Qin Ran was the strongest among the younger generation, and the most likely to succeed his cousin Lin Wanhua as the next Lord of Fusheng Great Wall. With such a son, Qin Yu held his head high in the martial world. A Nascent Soul realm sword cultivator in his teens was an anomaly wherever he went.
Qin Ran struggled to stand up. His first action was to turn and look at Lin Zhao, his respect and gratitude unreserved. Cupping his fists, he smiled and said, “Brother Bai Yi, Qin Ran thanks you for saving my life. Please, when you have the time… you must visit Fusheng Great Wall. Qin Ran will certainly do his best to host you!”
“Mmm, I’ll try.”
Lin Zhao didn’t commit firmly, but his response was quite evasive. A place like Fusheng Great Wall was somewhere he’d rather avoid if possible. Back when he was a martial artist of the sixth realm and Lin Wanhua a Golden Core sword cultivator, they could still contend. Now, how could they? He was a sword cultivator of the lower five realms, while she was a Great Sword Immortal of the twelfth realm, capable of killing him with a single sword qi. As for Lin Wanhua, whoever wanted to go could go, but he, Lin Zhao, certainly wouldn’t! Da Feng Novel Network
“Alright, it’s a deal!”
Qin Ran smiled and nodded. This young man was still very naive, believing Lin Zhao’s words meant exactly what they said. In reality, when it came to future encounters, a simple “I’ll try” meant they most likely wouldn’t happen.
Lin Zhao sheathed his Qinglu Sword, cupped his fists towards Qin Yu and Qin Ran, then turned and cupped his fists towards Han Yetang again. “Commander Han, I apologize for causing you trouble…”
“It’s alright.”
Han Yetang’s expression was calm. “You are a sword cultivator from Yunshang Prefecture of the Great Shang Dynasty, and I am the Commander of Shanhaiguan of the Great Shang Dynasty. It was my duty to act when you encountered trouble, especially involving a Heavenly Yuan realm Great Demon. When it comes to slaying demons, there are no personal grudges in the human world.”
“Mmm!”
Lin Zhao nodded. Although he still felt Han Yetang, the Commander, was somewhat cold and distant compared to the more approachable Shao Shi Yu from before, she was likely a good person. She didn’t hesitate to slay demons, and that was enough. Everyone had their own way of handling things; one couldn’t expect everyone to be as perfect as the best.
He mounted his horse and rode away. This trip had yielded almost a full level of experience, 2 Charm Points, and a pair of Bai Hong Battle Boots. It was an absolute windfall!
Behind him, Qin Yu was already leading Qin Ran back to Fusheng Great Wall on his sword.
Lin Zhao hadn’t ridden far before his mind was still unsettled. He turned back and approached Han Yetang, cupping his fists respectfully. “Commander.”
“What is it? Still not leaving?”
Han Yetang smiled faintly. “Could it be that Young Hero Bai Yi wishes to stay in Shanhaiguan for dinner? I fear our military rations might not be to your liking, Young Hero.”
This woman’s words were a bit sharp, which Lin Zhao didn’t appreciate. However, he had a request, so he couldn’t say much. He maintained his respectful demeanor and said, “I wish to inquire about someone with the Commander. May I?”
“Mmm.”
Han Yetang nodded. “Speak. I still have official duties to attend to, so get straight to the point. There’s no need to beat around the bush.”
“Alright~~~”
Lin Zhao nodded gladly and said, “A hundred years ago, on Xue Yu Tian Chi…”
“A hundred years ago?”
Han Yetang frowned and chuckled. “How old were you a hundred years ago? You likely only read about the great battle on Xue Yu Tian Chi from bamboo slips. Tell me, what do you wish to know?”
“A hundred years ago…”
Lin Zhao continued, “The demon and魔 races were about to march south, their armies massed north of Xue Yu Tian Chi. At that time, the Tian Chi Army of the Great Chen Dynasty held sway on Tian Chi Ridge. The Commander of the Tian Chi Army, Chu Huaixi, decided to send away the younger generation of the Great Chen Dynasty before the great war. Thus, during that period, the Shan Hai Division, the Prime Minister’s Office, and others from the Great Shang Dynasty all brought children from Tian Chi Town. Among them was a child named Shi Hu, nicknamed Little Stone. He was said to be like a younger brother to Lin Bai Yi of Xue Yu Tian Chi. He was sent into the Prime Minister’s Office’s youth camp for training. I wish to ask the Commander about Shi Hu’s current status?”
“Shi Hu?”
Han Yetang’s delicate brows furrowed. She shook her head. “Bai Yi, it’s not that I don’t want to help, but I have genuinely never heard of such a person. I am aware of the youth camp personally managed by Marquis Wen Shuo Yang, but that youth camp was disbanded decades ago. While many talents emerged from the youth camp, I have never heard of anyone named Shi Hu. I’m sorry, I cannot help you.”
“I understand.”
Lin Zhao cupped his fists. “Thank you nonetheless, Commander.”
“Mmm, farewell.”
Han Yetang then rode away on her sword.
Lin Zhao, astride his warhorse, rode out of Shanhaiguan in a daze. Han Yetang had never heard of Shi Hu’s name. What was going on? Could it be that Little Stone didn’t become successful later? Or perhaps, Little Stone never broke through the middle five realms and eventually died of old age within the middle five realms over the past century? Impossible… Little Stone had the potential for martial arts training. If his state of mind were further refined, he could have at least reached the Heavenly Yuan realm as a martial artist, or even aspired to the Rebirth realm. How could he have disappeared without a trace?
His heart was in turmoil. Had something happened?
As he just exited the city, looking somewhat dejected, he grabbed the arm of a young cavalryman from Shanhaiguan. “Young man, may I inquire about something?”
“Mmm.”
The cavalryman recognized him as the sword cultivator who saved someone and treated him politely. He smiled and said, “Please ask, Young Hero.”
“Changming Mountain, do you know of it?”
“Yes, I do. It’s one of the few sword sect mountain gates in the Great Shang Dynasty. The previous Mountain Lord, Lin Qing’er, was a Great Sword Immortal of the thirteenth realm, who ascended with her sword and was renowned throughout the land!”
“Then…”
Lin Zhao frowned and asked, “Have you heard of Su Qingjiu of Changming Mountain?”
“Ah?!”
The cavalryman suddenly laughed. “How could I not have heard of her? Su Qingjiu, the current Mountain Lord of Changming Mountain, is a Great Sword Immortal of the twelfth realm. Who in the entire world doesn’t know her name? Every year, Su Qingjiu rides a white horse from Bai Di City, travels along the official road through Yun Prefecture, then through our Shanhaiguan, and it’s said she also passes through Fusheng Great Wall, before finally reaching Xue Yu Tian Chi. She stays there for a few days, reportedly to pay respects to her parents and someone very important…”
She was retracing the path Lin Zhao had once walked, every year.
“Little Jiu’er…”
Lin Zhao stumbled on his horse, almost falling. He slumped over the horse’s back, his eyes already teary when he looked up.