Chapter 220: The Sect

Zhou Qingqing settled in Yulin County, living in a small courtyard.

She had plenty of silver notes; not only could she raise a child, but even if she lived frugally, her food, clothing, and necessities would last a lifetime.

Moreover, when she moved in, Li Lin personally escorted her there.

Therefore… for now, no one in Yulin County would dare provoke her.

But this also created a small problem.

When Li Lin finished his duties and returned home, he saw Huang Qing with red eyes.

“Husband, if you wish to take a concubine, as the principal wife I naturally agree—you need not keep her outside. I am not a jealous woman; I won’t harm her.”

Li Lin immediately realized Huang Qing had misunderstood.

He quickly explained everything.

Only then did Huang Qing burst into joyful tears.

Hong Luan stood beside her, wiping away tears.

Both women had truly feared Li Lin was keeping a woman outside.

At that moment, Li Yanjing said from the side: “I told you last night this was impossible—if the Young Master wanted to, he’d have already pulled me onto the bed. How could it ever be some outside tramp?”

But the moment Li Yanjing finished speaking, Li Lin threw her out.

Next came his intimate time with his two wives.

The next day, both women glowed with radiance, happily preparing breakfast for Li Lin.

Li Lin sat in his study, placing the Southern Barbarian Divine Bone and the Jade Sword together.

His intention was simply to keep them side by side for easy access.

But he hadn’t expected that the moment the Southern Barbarian Divine Bone was placed beside the Immortal Jade Sword, it burst into brilliant light and dissolved into a streak of radiance, sinking into the Immortal Jade Sword.

After the brief glow faded, the Immortal Jade Sword appeared more solid than before.

This Immortal Jade Sword… can it ‘consume’ things related to immortals or gods?

Li Lin picked up the Immortal Jade Sword; it felt slightly more supple, yet when he channeled spiritual energy into it, there was still no reaction.

It was simply that he was still not powerful enough.

In the following days, Li Lin lived much as he always had.

Work, cultivate, and practice dual-cultivation with his two wives.

Occasionally, the Tree Immortal Lady would appear in the back courtyard, exchange a glance with Li Lin, say nothing, then vanish.

Overall, life was quite comfortable.

Until the day of Winter Solstice.

Though it was Winter Solstice, Yulin County wasn’t cold—after all, it lay in the Southern Frontier, where even autumn temperatures remained mild, requiring only an extra coat.

On this day, many martial artists arrived in Yulin County.

Generally, the Southern Frontier had few martial artists, for the Central Plains remained the true domain of the martial world.

After all, the Central Plains were prosperous and offered far more opportunities.

Xiao Chunzhu entered a certain inn, followed by over thirty government office runners, ten of them archers.

He sat down and faced the middle-aged man, bowing: “Master Li, it’s been months. You look in good health.”

The middle-aged man with long beard, dressed in a pale gray robe and a green sash, snorted: “Don’t dare say that—if Constable Xiao finds me disagreeable and smashes my skull again, what then?”

Xiao Chunzhu understood the man’s sarcasm; he sighed: “Master Li, you’ve heard from my fellow disciples—I acted out of necessity.”

The man was Li Xingzong, Enforcement Elder of Lingxiao Sect.

“Fine! Even if you acted out of necessity, sacrificing your junior brother to save the others,” Li Xingzong said darkly, “how could you possibly defect to Li Lin, that dog of an official? He’s your junior brother’s enemy.”

Xiao Chunzhu took a deep breath: “Master Li, my fellow disciples must have told you—the situation wasn’t Li County Wei ’s fault. It was your junior brother who was too aggressive.”

“Even so, it was understandable,” Li Xingzong snorted. “Why didn’t that dog of an official yield just a little?”

“Li County Wei is an official; your junior brother is a commoner. There’s no such thing as an official yielding to a commoner…”

Li Xingzong chuckled coldly: “True, no official ever yields to a commoner—but back then, you all rushed him at once. You could’ve easily subdued him.”

“And then?” Xiao Chunzhu stared at his master uncle in disbelief. “Would Lingxiao Sect then be surrounded by imperial troops?”

“Aren’t there those who’ve killed county magistrates before?”

“Those were lone wanderers!” Xiao Chunzhu snapped. “They kill someone and vanish into the mountains—hard to catch. But Lingxiao Sect? We have a vast estate, a legacy—could we ever do such a thing? Do you want to die?”

Li Xingzong snorted, saying nothing.

Xiao Chunzhu continued: “Master Li, your junior brother’s temperament was unbearable. He would’ve brought disaster upon Lingxiao Sect eventually.”

“That’s not your concern.”

Xiao Chunzhu sighed. “Master Li, why are you here?”

“Can’t we just be here to sightsee?”

Xiao Chunzhu’s brow tightened further: “Master Li, let’s speak plainly—if you’re here for the Linglong Jade Box, forget it.”

Now it was Li Xingzong’s turn to frown. “Is this Li County Wei … the so-called Paper Young Master? Is he really that difficult?”

“Not difficult—he’s beyond Lingxiao Sect’s ability to oppose.”

Xiao Chunzhu knew Li Lin kept two True Juniors.

One in the True Junior Temple, one in the back courtyard.

Ordinary martial artists stood no chance against a True Junior.

Unless they were fifth-rank or higher.

But… Master Li was only a sixth-rank martial artist.

“If you were to assist from within…”

At these words, Xiao Chunzhu’s face turned icy. He shouted: “You dare plot against an imperial official? Arrest the assassin!”

As he shouted, he leapt backward in a flash.

Though Li Xingzong’s cultivation was deeper, Xiao Chunzhu had already reached the door before Li Xingzong reacted.

Assassin?

Li Xingzong roared: “Lingxiao Sect disciples! Kill the traitor Xiao Chunzhu!”

The moment he finished speaking, a volley of arrows flew in.

Li Xingzong’s power was great—he deflected every arrow aimed at him.

But his surrounding disciples were not so lucky—all were struck.

Three died instantly; the others lay writhing in agony.

Li Xingzong stared at Xiao Chunzhu in disbelief: “You… you set an ambush all along!”

Xiao Chunzhu stared coldly at him: “Master Li… no, I’m no longer a Lingxiao Sect disciple. Li Xingzong, I don’t care who you are—you tried to bribe me to assassinate Li County Wei ? Impossible.”

“You!” Li Xingzong was furious, yet dared not move.

Xiao Chunzhu waved his hand; over a dozen constables rushed in, followed by another dozen archers.

“Surrender peacefully and await the County Wei ’s judgment.”

Li Xingzong glanced outside, then at his wounded disciples groaning around him. “Fine. I surrender. But first, treat my fellow disciples.”

Xiao Chunzhu nodded: “I have brotherly ties with them—I won’t harm them.”

Li Xingzong sighed and sat down slowly.

But his gaze at Xiao Chunzhu had grown as cold and empty as water.

He didn’t even hate anymore.

(End of Chapter)