Chapter 26: A Trip to Baiyin Mountain

"By the way, I have already dealt with Hou Mingyu of the East Heaven King's Mansion for you. As for whether he will make things difficult for your Lin family in the future, I cannot say for certain."

Gong Ling continued.

Lin Xuan frowned slightly. The second young master of the East Heaven King's Mansion had traveled to this tiny corner of the world, thinking he could subjugate the Lin family.

As if sensing Lin Xuan's confusion, Gong Ling explained

"The East Heaven King's Mansion and the Governor of East Province are two factions that have always been at odds with the Spirit Martial Sect. Now that the Spirit Martial Sect's reputation and influence in East Province are growing larger and larger, the East Heaven King's Mansion is trying to win over various forces everywhere to build strength to oppose them."

Lin Xuan nodded in understanding.

Wherever there are people, there is conflict; even one mountain cannot accommodate two tigers.

Over the years, the Spirit Martial Sect had indeed overextended its reach, seizing much of the territory belonging to the East Heaven King's Mansion and the Governor of East Province.

However, the Spirit Martial Sect was indeed formidable. As one of the five great sects of the Great Desolation, it would indeed be difficult for the East Heaven King's Mansion to contend with them.

"That Ba Li—you had better be careful. Since you killed his son, he certainly won't let this go easily."

After a moment's thought, Gong Ling decided to warn Lin Xuan.

Lin Xuan smiled slightly and nodded, accepting her timely reminder.

"Oh, right, this is for you. Make sure you don't die out there."

Gong Ling took a piece of inner armor from her storage bag and tossed it to Lin Xuan.

Lin Xuan caught the armor and was shocked—it was actually a Spirit Weapon!

Spirit Weapons were weapons infused with spiritual energy. In the markets of the Great Desolation, even the lowest-grade Spirit Weapon would fetch a staggering price of nearly a million!

"This is too precious."

Lin Xuan immediately tried to hand the armor back, but Gong Ling's gaze only grew colder.

"Keep it. I am only lending this Spirit Weapon to you. I simply do not want you to die like this."

Her tone left no room for argument.

Helpless, Lin Xuan could only tuck the Spirit Weapon inner armor away.

"Then, thank you."

Lin Xuan cupped his hands toward Gong Ling. Seeing that she no longer wished to converse, he took his leave.

Watching Lin Xuan's departing figure, Gong Ling stood frozen in place.

"Sister, if I truly brought him back to the capital, would he really be happy?"

"He is too proud. How could someone with such pride in his bones ever submit to your protection in the Imperial Capital?!"

Gong Ling sighed softly. She took a piece of fine jade from her storage bag and gripped it tightly in her hand. A flash of extreme tenderness crossed her beautiful eyes before she sighed once more.

...

After leaving the Tongtian Chamber of Commerce, Lin Xuan did not return to the Lin family, but instead headed toward the Hundred Hidden Mountains.

As for the Lin family, he didn't need to worry. He was merely the family's top combat power; matters of administration were handled by his eldest and second brothers.

Being a hands-off manager was a necessity for any powerhouse.

The Hundred Hidden Mountains were over three thousand miles away from Cloud Mist City. At the foot of the mountains lay the small town of Hundred Hidden, which was not one of the eighteen cities but rather a mountain pass.

Riding a fast horse, Lin Xuan arrived at the Hundred Hidden Pass in less than two days.

Upon entering the pass, Lin Xuan witnessed the ruggedness of the place.

The men passing by were mostly bare-chested, and almost every one of them bore scars on their upper bodies. Clearly, most were mercenaries, risking their lives to fight for a better tomorrow.

As he made his way up, Lin Xuan even encountered several experts in the Yuan Dan Realm. It seemed there were quite a few rogue cultivators at that level.

Seeing that evening was approaching, Lin Xuan decided to find a place to stay first.

The location recorded on his map was in the inner reaches of the Hundred Hidden Mountains. Searching for treasure there would be a time-consuming task.

Sharpening the axe does not delay the woodcutting; Lin Xuan decided to rest well before proceeding.

"Waiter, a superior room."

Lin Xuan walked into the tavern and tossed a spirit stone onto the table.

The waiter looked at the man before him: a high bridge of a nose, thin lips, and sword-like eyebrows that merged into a few strands of black hair falling below his temples. His handsome profile was flawlessly sculpted.

He appeared to be in his forties—quite a dashing gentleman!

"Haha, guest, we have superior rooms available. I will lead you there immediately."

The waiter had a keen eye and could tell at a glance that this man was either extremely wealthy or highly influential.

Lin Xuan nodded slightly and followed the waiter upstairs to a superior room.

"Oh, right. Three catties of wild beef and a jin of Jade Spring wine. Bring it to my room."

Lin Xuan turned back and tossed two more spirit stones.

"Understood, sir! Please wait just a moment."

The waiter, beaming with joy from the spirit stones, hurried off to prepare the food.

Lin Xuan walked straight into the room.

The wild game of the Hundred Hidden Mountains was quite good. After finishing his meal in a few bites, Lin Xuan prepared to rest.

*Tap, tap, tap...*

A series of footsteps sounded outside Lin Xuan's room.

Lin Xuan frowned slightly. Which little thief was bold enough to come knocking on his door?

Suddenly, the window of Lin Xuan's room was forced open, and a woman clad entirely in black rushed in.

Her aura was withered; she was clearly heavily injured.

Outside the room, several Yuan Dan Realm auras were pursuing her.

Lin Xuan had no desire to cause trouble and was about to remain a bystander when the woman suddenly grabbed his pant leg.

"My Lord, save me! I am willing to reveal the secrets of a Tongxing Realm expert to you!"

The secrets of the Tongxing Realm?!

Lin Xuan was stunned. Although the Tongxing Realm wasn't considered legendary, they certainly possessed many valuable things.

Lin Xuan was tempted.

"Hmph, I hope you aren't lying to me, otherwise your end will be even more miserable."

Lin Xuan glanced at the woman and then directly released the aura of a peak Great Yuan Dan Realm expert.

"Where did this thief come from, daring to run wild in my presence?!"

"My Lord, have you seen a thief in black?"

"Get lost!"

"Yes, sir!"

The few minor Yuan Dan Realm cultivators dared not provoke a peak Great Yuan Dan Realm expert like Lin Xuan and scurried away immediately.

"Fine, they are gone. I hope the secret in your hands satisfies me," Lin Xuan said indifferently.

"My Lord, I was originally the legitimate daughter of the Yuan family within the Hundred Hidden Pass. But my jade became my crime; our family's secret regarding a Tongxing Realm expert was discovered by others, and the Yuan family was exterminated. I hope My Lord can avenge me!"

With a *thud*, the woman in black knelt before Lin Xuan.

Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed.

"Are you threatening me?!"

Lin Xuan grabbed the woman by the throat, showing no mercy.

She actually intended to use him to avenge her family? Where was the good in that?

Saving her life was already a massive favor!

"My Lord... please... help me... I... I am willing to serve you for life, and I will also offer up all the secrets of the Tongxing Realm expert..."

The woman in black was being choked so hard she could barely breathe.

Lin Xuan's eyes darted around, and then he released her.

The woman in black began to cough violently, having nearly died.

"Heh, a good idea. I will help you seek revenge, but in return, you shall marry a junior from my family. How does that sound?"