The night was deep. Like a falling leaf, Lin Che drifted soundlessly back to the windowsill of the Heavenly Suite in the Guest's Peace Inn.
The moment he slipped inside, he was greeted by the sound of silver-bell-like laughter, mixed with Lin Ying's uniquely excited, sparrow-like chattering.
"And then? And then? Sister Jiayin!" Lin Ying sat cross-legged on the soft carpet, a pack of dried spirit fruits cradled in her arms, her cheeks stuffed so full she looked like a squirrel hoarding food. Her large eyes sparkled with impatient curiosity. "Did my brother really promise to build Palace Master Meng an incredibly luxurious alchemy room? One even more impressive than the main hall of her Floating Flower Palace?"
Luo Jiayin lounged lazily on the daybed, a light laugh escaping her lips. A knowing, playful glint shone in her eyes. "My, my, you're quite well-informed, little girl. Indeed, our Pavilion Master is exceedingly generous. To persuade Palace Master Meng to 'grace us with her presence,' he went all out, personally promising to build her an alchemy room that's one-of-a-kind in the entire Canglan Realm. The specifications… are indeed a cut above the Floating Flower Palace's main hall."
"Wow!" Lin Ying clapped her hands excitedly. "I knew it! My brother's the best! But… Sister Jiayin, Palace Master Meng is so beautiful and powerful… Aren't you even a little jealous that he's building her such a nice alchemy room?" She blinked her big eyes, asking cautiously yet full of curiosity.
Luo Jiayin extended a slender finger and lightly tapped Lin Ying's forehead. "Silly girl, what do you know? It's just an alchemy room. If it can secure the full support of the Floating Flower Palace and help your brother achieve his great ambitions, it's a bargain. In this Slaughter God Pavilion, Iam the mistress of the house. As for Palace Master Meng…" A sly, confident smile touched her lips. "No matter how splendid her alchemy room is, won't your brother still have to come back and dutifully 'pay his dues' to me?"
"Pfft—!" The dried fruit Lin Ying had just put in her mouth nearly shot out. Her face flushed bright red. "Sister Jiayin! You… you're too… too shameless!"
She wiped her mouth, her eyes darting around before she leaned closer to Luo Jiayin and whispered a question that had been weighing on her mind. "Sister Jiayin, you say you're the First Lady… but what about when my brother finds Sister Su? Sister Su Qingyao is his lawfully wedded wife, the one he's searched for so desperately all this time. When that time comes… what will you do?"
At the mention of Su Qingyao, the playful smile on Luo Jiayin's face faded slightly. A complex, indescribable emotion flashed in her beautiful eyes—a mix of admiration, sentimentality, and even a trace of barely perceptible envy. She was silent for a moment, then sighed softly. Her voice became gentle and solemn.
"Silly girl, Sister Su… is different."
"She is his wedded wife, the one he fought through thorns and endured life and death to find, the light and obsession in his heart. That bond has long transcended an ordinary Dao Companion relationship. If that day truly comes, and he finds her…" Luo Jiayin looked up, gazing out the window at the deep night, her tone firm and resolute. "I, Luo Jiayin, would willingly step back and honor her as the First Lady. As long as he gets his wish, as long as he is truly happy, what does the title of 'First Lady' even matter?"
Lin Ying stared at Luo Jiayin, stunned. She had never seen Sister Jiayin look so serious, so… almost sacred.
"Sister Jiayin…" Lin Ying's nose tingled, and her eyes grew moist.
Luo Jiayin, however, had already regained her usual lazy, charming demeanor. She reached out and playfully scratched Lin Ying's nose. "Alright, silly girl, what are you crying for? That's a matter for the future. For now… let's focus on the present and make sure that lecherous brother of yours doesn't cause too much trouble flirting outside."
Just then, a cough interrupted them. "Ahem. What's everyone chatting about so happily?" Lin Che stepped fully into the room, looking slightly embarrassed. When these two women got together, they were noisier than a thousand ducks.
"Brother! You're back!" Lin Ying sprang up like a sprightly fawn, grabbing his arm and shaking it excitedly. "Sister Jiayin was just telling me about your 'great deeds'! Tell me, what earth-shattering thing did you do just now?"
Luo Jiayin sat up straight, smoothing her hair. She looked at him with a teasing smile. "Oh? Our busy Pavilion Master has finally returned? Out for a midnight stroll, or… 'ridding the world of evil'?"
Lin Che shot her an exasperated look. He walked to the table, poured himself tea, and downed it. "Ridding the world of evil, you could say. Dealt with a Profound Sword Sect lackey and saved some Broken Sword Sect members."
"The Broken Sword Sect?" Luo Jiayin's brows rose, her playfulness fading. "The group that opposes the Profound Sword Sect?"
"Mn." Lin Che nodded, briefly recounting the events, saying he used a "small trick" to subdue Duo Long. "Their leader, Mao Shiba, is a true warrior. I'll use their name to establish a foothold here. I'll meet them tomorrow to discuss things and see if they can be an asset."
Luo Jiayin pondered, then nodded. "A sound plan. But you lecher, be careful. Don't invite a wolf into the house."
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Lin Che smiled confidently. "Besides, we have our trump cards."
The next morning, Lin Che went to the abandoned courtyard. Mao Shiba and his men were waiting.
"Senior Lin!"
"No formalities." Lin Che cut to the chase. "Brother Mao, the Profound Sword Sect is weak now. This is our chance. We should unite the Broken Sword Sect and strike a decisive blow!"
Mao Shiba's eyes blazed, then dimmed. "Senior, we dream of that! But they are still powerful. Our remnants are not enough…"
"That's why we unite." Lin Che's gaze was sharp. "Contact the other outposts. Tell the Broken Sword Sect leadership it's the will of Lin Che of Canglan—we want to annihilate them, not just endure!"
"Lin Che?!" Mao Shiba looked up, shocked and ecstatic. "Senior… you are the master of the Slaughter God Pavilion? The one who slew the Eight Diamond Guardians and a Refinement Void Patriarch?"
Lin Che smiled slightly, confirming it.
"Amazing!" Mao Shiba trembled, kneeling. "This subordinate will obey! I will contact our brothers at once!"
"Rise. Be cautious. Report back." Lin Che helped him up.
Leaving the outpost, Lin Che felt good. He walked back towards the inn. The sun was out, and the streets were coming to life.
But as he passed a crowded intersection, a faint spiritual energy fluctuation touched his storage pouch. No one else would have noticed.
"Hm?" Lin Che's eyes narrowed. How bold.
He pretended not to notice. As the "third hand" reached for his pouch again, he struck like lightning, clamping down on the wrist!
"Ow! Let go! Spare me!" An elderly, slightly sleazy, panicked voice cried out.
Lin Che looked. He was stunned, then delighted.
The person was an old man in tattered Daoist robes, greying hair, unkempt beard. The robes were filthy, patched, and gave off a mix of sweat, alcohol, and something indescribable. The old man was thin, hunched, his face wrinkled in a grimace as he tried to break free.
It was Old Ma—the missing man himself!
"Old Ma?! Is it you?!" Lin Che was shocked and overjoyed, loosening his grip.
Seeing Lin Che, Old Ma's panic vanished, replaced by familiarity and a hint of embarrassment. He rubbed his wrist. "You brat! No restraint! Trying to break my old bones?"
"You old coot, what are you doing here? And picking pockets?" Lin Che was between laughter and tears, but thrilled. The perfect ally drops from the sky!
[Ding! Target 'Old Ma' detected! Deep scan initiated…]
[Warning! Target's energy level exceeds system's detection limit! Cultivation: ???]
[Note: Extremely dangerous. Recommend vigilance or immediate flight. Repeat, flee!]
Lin Che ignored the system. He was shocked. Even at his half-step Refinement Void level, with the system, he couldn't see through Old Ma! The spiritual power within him was vast, unfathomable, definitely stronger! What is this old man?
Old Ma seemed to sense the probing. A glint flashed in his muddy eyes as he looked Lin Che over. "Well, well! Look at you, kid! Half-step Refinement Void already?! Impressive! The younger generation has talents!"
He smoothed his greasy hair and dusted his robes (futilely), trying to look like a transcendent master. The image was… unconvincing.
"Old Ma," Lin Che leaned in, suppressing a laugh, "what is your cultivation level? No nonsense. I can't see through you."
Old Ma chuckled, showing yellowed teeth. He glanced around mysteriously, lowering his voice. "Heaven's secrets can't be revealed! But don't worry, kid. This old man might not have great skills, but I can help you… stir up trouble here."
Lin Che's eyes lit up. His heart settled. With Old Ma and the Broken Sword Sect, their chances were better.
"Deal! Good enough!" Lin Che waved a hand. "Come on, back to the inn. I'll buy you a drink! And… we'll talk business."
"A drink? Yes!" Old Ma's eyes lit up, drool nearly dripping. His "masterly demeanor" vanished. He rubbed his hands. "Good food too? Roasted chicken? Hundred-year vintage?"
"All you want!" Lin Che laughed, grabbing this seemingly destitute but profound "master" and striding towards the inn.
Sunlight fell on the odd pair—one young and upright, the other old and hunched. Who knew they would stir up a tidal wave across the Profound Heaven Realm?
And in Lin Che's mind, a system prompt sounded, with barely suppressed… excitement?
[Ding! Epic-level variable 'Old Ma' joined! Plot prediction: Chaos +300%! Joy +500%! Host, ready for a… uniquely-styled 'ally'?]