Zhang Luobai climbed higher and higher. Though his physique was not imposing, he had the foundation of a first-realm Sword Cultivator. Climbing a mountain peak was no problem for him. Lin Zhao frowned and said from a distance, "The sword embryos on Sword Mountain are evenly distributed. It doesn't mean that the higher the sword embryo, the better. There's no need to be so deliberate."
"I know!"
Zhang Luobai gave up the idea of reaching the summit and continued to examine the sword embryos growing on the mountainside one by one. As noon approached, he finally reached the peak and stood before a sword embryo rooted at the summit. The hilt of this sword was inlaid with a green gem that seemed to radiate a dazzling, flowing light. Zhang Luobai immediately stepped forward, gripped the hilt, closed his eyes, and whispered, "Is it you? Old friend?"
Strangely, the sword blade vibrated. Zhang Luobai immediately drew his long sword, raised its blade high, and with excitement in his eyes, exclaimed, "Master, I found it!"
Lin Zhao smiled and nodded. "Sheng Zhi, go and escort her down the mountain. It's time for lunch."
"Yes, my lord!"
At noon, at Tian Ran Ju, Dong Cang and Tong Yu were in the kitchen, stir-frying the last dish.
Lin Zhao stood by the lotus pond, holding the "destiny sword" that Zhang Luobai had chosen. The blade was thick and perfectly proportioned, resembling an ancient Han sword. Lin Zhao understood. Both Zhang Luobai and Zhang Liucheng in his past life, while seemingly rough around the edges, were actually very upright individuals. Although they weren't diligent students, their character was excellent. The fact that he chose this sword was a reflection of his true heart.
"Luobai," he called softly.
"Yes, Master, please instruct me!"
Beside him, Zhang Luobai cupped his fists in a bow, his attitude extremely respectful. This rascal feared nothing in heaven or earth, and the person he respected most was his master. Even Dean Gu of Hefeng Academy couldn't do anything about him, but in front of Lin Zhao, Zhang Luobai was always obedient. The reason for this was likely the effect of the saying, "Lin Baiyi of Xueyu Tianchi, who in the world doesn't know him?" In Zhang Luobai's heart, his master, the Mountain Lord, was renowned throughout the land and was an extremely kind person who treated him well. Therefore, in his master's presence, he had to be respectful.
Lin Zhao looked at this heavenly-grade sword. Its quality was sufficient. What more could a first-realm Sword Cultivator, just beginning their journey on the sword, regret with such a sword? He smiled and said, "This sword should be called Liucheng, what do you think?"
"Mhm, mhm!"
Zhang Luobai nodded repeatedly and said, "Let's call it Liucheng. When Master names it, it will surely be the most beautiful name in the world."
"Hmph..."
Lin Zhao smiled, handed Liucheng to him, and said, "Sheng Zhi will help you pick out a suitable scabbard later. From now on, you will carry your sword to the academy to study, but remember, do not unsheathe your sword carelessly."
"Why?!"
The mischievous boy looked confused. If he was a Sword Cultivator, why couldn't he unsheathe his sword at will?
Lin Zhao frowned, unbuckled his own sword, Li Quan, from behind his back, and held the scabbard vertically in front of him, smiling. "What I'm about to say, you must engrave in your heart."
"Mhm!"
Zhang Liucheng nodded vigorously.
Lin Zhao held Li Quan, still in its scabbard, and with a thought, the blade extended several inches, its cold gleam sharp. He chuckled softly, "You are a Sword Cultivator, but you are also a scholar. As a scholar, your state of mind should be like this scabbard – possessing strength but capable of self-restraint. If all the Sword Cultivators in the world drew their swords to kill at the slightest provocation, how chaotic would the world become? Therefore, a scholar's state of mind should be like this scabbard, knowing how to conceal one's edge. And as a Sword Cultivator, your state of mind should be like the blade within this scabbard. When there's no need to conceal your edge, you can strike with all your might. Once a Sword Cultivator draws their sword legitimately, there should be no further reservations."
Zhang Luobai seemed to understand but not fully. He nodded. "Master, Luobai will remember these words in his heart. Although I don't understand them now, I won't forget them. One day, I will."
"Mhm."
Lin Zhao smiled and nodded. "Alright, let's eat."
...
In the afternoon, a sword light shot up the mountainside and landed in front of Tian Ran Ju, transforming into a disheveled man carrying a sword. It was Tang Guangjun, the gatekeeper of the town. He respectfully cupped his fists and said, "Mountain Lord, Xu Qingyi of the Mohist school is seeking an audience at the mountain gate. She wishes to discuss opening a branch of the Mohist school on Xueyu Tianchi to sell magical artifacts."
"Oh?"
Lin Zhao suddenly stood up. Sword Immortal Xu Zhan had entrusted this matter to him before his death. If Xu Qingyi truly came to Xueyu Tianchi, he was to take good care of her. He smiled and nodded. "I understand. I will go and welcome Miss Xu."
"Yes!"
As Tang Guangjun cupped his fists again, he sniffed the air, catching the scent of leftover dishes and wine. Unfortunately, as Lin Zhao, Sheng Zhi, Chu Yu, Chen Ben, and Tong Yu were the usual diners at Tian Ran Ju, he, as the commander of the South Heaven Gate guards and a non-chief offering, was not entitled to eat there. He could only smell the aroma, which was rather sad.
Lin Zhao saw this and chuckled. "Dong Cang, pack some of the leftover white fish soup for Tang Guangjun, and give him a jar of apricot blossom wine."
"Yes, Young Master."
Dong Cang smiled and nodded.
At this moment, Tang Guangjun was completely convinced. "Our Mountain Lord is truly a person of noble character and magnanimous spirit." He bowed deeply, cupping his fists. This time, his respect was genuine.
The town, South Gate.
Lin Zhao, Sheng Zhi, Chu Yu, and Tong Yu descended swiftly on their swords. At the mountain gate stood a graceful woman in a green long dress, Xu Qingyi. Compared to the Xu Qingyi of the past, she looked a little haggard. After all, her most beloved father, Xu Zhan, had died in battle. From now on, there would be no one in the world who doted on her so much.
It had taken Xu Qingyi a long time to finally emerge from her grief.
"Miss Xu!"
Lin Zhao cupped his fists lightly, not mentioning Sword Immortal Xu Zhan's passing. Instead, he smiled and said, "We on Xueyu Tianchi have been eagerly awaiting Miss Xu's arrival day and night."
"Lin Zhao..."
Xu Qingyi changed her address, no longer calling him "Young Master Baiyi." She smiled and said, "It's been a long time."
"Indeed!"
Lin Zhao chuckled. "It's been a long time, and Miss Xu has grown even more beautiful."
Behind him, Sheng Zhi and Chu Yu muttered to themselves, "Our Lord is so eloquent when speaking to women, no wonder he's so popular with the ladies on the mountain." Tong Yu smiled. She didn't concern herself with such matters. The fact that Lin Zhao was familiar with this Xu Qingyi indicated that she was not a bad person, as Lin Zhao himself was inherently righteous and hated evil.
Xu Qingyi smiled faintly, her pear dimples appearing, and gently touched her cheek with the back of her hand, her face flushing slightly. "Is that so?"
"Yes, yes, yes!"
Lin Zhao nodded repeatedly, then looked at the group accompanying Xu Qingyi. One of them was a somewhat familiar middle-aged man in a long gown, who seemed to be the shopkeeper of the previous branch in Tianji City. In addition, there were over twenty Mohist cultivators, more than half of whom were Mohist martial artists, and even three of them were at the Star River realm.
According to Sword Immortal Xu Zhan's earlier words, if the Mohist ancestral court decided to open a shop on Xueyu Tianchi, it would undoubtedly be the largest Mohist shop in the Northern Territory. Therefore, Lin Zhao understood that this branch was the flagship store of the Mohist ancestral court in the Northern Territory. It was precisely for this reason that Xu Qingyi had brought so many talented individuals. After all, when opening such a large establishment, there would be a need for guards, and the Mohist martial artists were renowned throughout the land, so it was only natural to utilize their services.
"Lin Zhao..."
Xu Qingyi said softly, "Father should have mentioned this matter of the branch to you earlier, right?"
"Mhm!"
Lin Zhao nodded heavily. "Senior Xu Zhan did mention it. It is precisely because of Senior Xu Zhan's words that I have reserved a prime location in the town for you. Let's go, I'll show you."
"Mhm, mhm!"
Xu Qingyi nodded with a smile, her beautiful eyes regaining their luster.
Although her father's dying words had said that if one loved someone and couldn't make themselves better, they should try to stop loving them, Xu Qingyi felt that loving someone could make one's heart feel full, less empty, and naturally make oneself better. As for whether there would be a final outcome, did it matter?
In this life, wouldn't it be incredibly dull to not have one or two unforgettable, deeply cherished people?
...
The town, East Street and West Street.
On West Street, the prime locations were occupied by Jubao Fang and Hefeng Academy. However, on East Street, a large courtyard in a prime location had always been vacant. Now, it had finally welcomed its true owner. This courtyard was built by Liu Xingshu and his men. It was grand in scale and exceptionally magnificent. It was originally intended to be the flagship store for the top merchant in Xueyu Tianchi's CBD.
Stepping into the courtyard, Xu Qingyi was filled with pleasant surprise. She had never expected Lin Zhao to reserve such a large residence as a storefront for the Mohist branch. After all, Xueyu Tianchi was already bustling with merchants and travelers. To withstand the pressure and reserve such a large vacant property meant that the Mountain Top Villa had suffered considerable losses.
"Is it satisfactory?" Lin Zhao asked.
"Mhm!"
Xu Qingyi nodded vigorously and smiled. "I'm very satisfied!"
Beside her, the middle-aged cultivator she addressed as "Uncle Ding" also smiled and nodded. "It's truly excellent. The Mohist ancestral court will be extremely grateful for the Mountain Lord's kindness!"
At this moment, Uncle Ding couldn't help but admire the young lady's foresight. He had invested so much in Lin Zhao before, and he had always thought it was because the young lady had fallen for him. Now, it seemed that the young lady's plan was far-reaching, a perfect example of casting a long line to catch a big fish. She must have known from the start that the "Young Master Baiyi" was no ordinary person. Now that the Great Shang Dynasty was actively bestowing titles upon mountains and rivers in the north, more and more human cultivators were entering the Northern Territory, and their ultimate destination would inevitably be Xueyu Tianchi. In such a popular place, opening a branch would make it difficult to lose money.
He felt a pang of shame. He had underestimated the young lady!
Thinking of this, he wanted to apologize to the young lady. He had judged her limited perspective before. But then he saw Xu Qingyi's beautiful eyes fixed on Lin Zhao, her gaze filled with a peculiar light. Uncle Ding sighed. Did she like him or not? He couldn't figure it out, and it was driving him crazy.