“Besides, as long as Zhi Qing is strong enough herself, she won’t have to worry about anyone bothering her.”
——That really doesn’t sound like something a protector would say.
Lin Dongming thought to himself with some sarcasm.
“So, it’s okay if I give Hong Xing a good thrashing?”
Lin Dongming probed cautiously.
“If you’re not afraid of provoking Duyuan Peak, then go ahead.” Elder Tuoba was still fiddling with his Lingqi. “You’re a smart man. There’s no need to get hung up on things like this.”
“…Understood.”
“The Lingqi I gave you earlier today, haven’t you given it to Zhi Qing yet?”
Elder Tuoba seemed to have sensed the Lingqi aura on Lin Dongming.
“Yeah. I originally planned to give it to her today but was interrupted by the sudden attack.”
“Do it as soon as possible,” Elder Tuoba said. “Anything else?”
Lin Dongming hesitated a moment, then continued, “The three who attacked today had unusual spiritual energy. It seemed like they had taken some strange pills, and their movement style felt off, almost unnatural.”
Lin Dongming’s hint was very clear.
They likely bought those pills on the Black Market or obtained them through other abnormal means. It might even be that someone deliberately sent those pills their way.
“…………” Elder Tuoba paused for a moment, then resumed his usual calmness. “Noted. You may leave now.”
“…Disciple obeys.”
Lin Dongming sighed helplessly and exited, closing the door behind him.
——Should I quietly teach those guys a lesson or think of some other way?
Lin Dongming dismissed the idea for now: too troublesome and not worth it. He was just a paid agent—it wasn’t worth risking things for Bai Zhiqing. Besides, Elder Tuoba was the employer.
Lin Dongming descended the mountain foot and mounted his sword, quickly flying back to Tianjing Peak.
Just as he arrived at his Dongfu’s entrance, he noticed a Summons Token floating nearby.
Lin Dongming caught the token in his hand and saw it was from his Master, the Zhao Yue Sword Immortal. He sighed softly and flew up toward the higher part of Tianjing Peak.
Passing through layers of clouds and mist, near the waterfall close to the summit stood the Sword Hall.
Zhao Yue Sword Immortal was the Sword Elder of the Heavenly Extreme Sword Sect and theoretically one of the highest authorities on swordsmanship in the entire sect.
This “theoretically” qualified Master once made Lin Dongming wonder why she even accepted him as a disciple.
In truth, Lin Dongming’s cultivation after joining was the weakest among Zhao Yue’s disciples, and her laissez-faire attitude often made him feel that she accepted him on a whim, without serious intention to nurture him—which was a common occurrence in Lin Dongming’s previous life working at large corporations.
When finances were sufficient, bosses would even reward tens of thousands for a staff member reciting “The Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng” at the annual meeting.
Department leaders would often hire large numbers just to create an image of strength to climb the ladder, but after hiring, they hadn’t really figured out what to do with them, so employees were left to find their own tasks.
This was Lin Dongming’s personal experience after becoming a disciple under Zhao Yue Sword Immortal.
——What’s the occasion for Master to summon me today?
Lin Dongming descended near the area, walked across the floating bridge, and knocked on the door of the lakeside pavilion beside the Sword Hall.
The Sword Hall was a place for sparring and teaching, one Lin Dongming had visited only a few times over the years.
“Master, your disciple has arrived.”
Lin Dongming knocked and spoke respectfully.
“Come in,” Zhao Yue’s voice came from inside.
“Yes.” Lin Dongming pushed open the door, stepped inside, and bowed slightly.
Zhao Yue was sitting in front of a tea table, lazily propping her face with one hand while flipping through a novel.
Her silvery-white hair covered one eye and part of her skin, but the exposed areas still shone brilliantly, pure as jade under the tranquil moonlight.
The hem of her long, flowing robe revealed a graceful curve of her calf, like a goddess untouched by the dust of the world.
Her ethereal aura often made people think she was otherworldly.
Before she said to sit, Lin Dongming stood quietly before her, awaiting instructions.
“Do you know why I called you here?”
Unlike most Elders, Zhao Yue didn’t like to refer to herself as “this seat” (本座). Except on very formal occasions, whenever she used that term, it was usually in anger.
——No wonder she’s a centuries-old immortal; even if she’s beautiful, her methods are ruthless.
Generally, such a broad question was meant to find out if Lin Dongming had caused trouble she didn’t know about. Honest people often blurted out the truth right away.
But Lin Dongming, having worked as a corporate drone for many years, clearly wasn’t one of them: “Disciple does not know.”
“Don’t know?”
Zhao Yue raised her eyes and looked at Lin Dongming. “Another reckless kid who causes trouble but won’t admit it.”
Lin Dongming still wore a confused expression. Zhao Yue sighed unhappily, “How can you be so foolish? When you teach a few kids from Duyuan Peak a lesson, don’t you think to cover your face?”
Lin Dongming: “…Disciple is ignorant. Next time I’ll make sure to wear a mask when beating people up. I won’t cause trouble for Master.”
Though he expected this reaction, every time he heard it, he felt Zhao Yue’s logic was a little odd. Like past lectures, Zhao Yue’s reprimands for disciple’s mischief could be summed up in three simple rules:
Either you’re skilled enough to cause trouble without being found out, so no one can hassle you.
Or you admit you’re not capable and don’t cause trouble.
If you do cause trouble and get caught, Master will have your back, but you won’t escape the consequences.
But she was fast to report, too. The trouble Lin Dongming caused during the day was already met with a summons token waiting at his Dongfu’s door by evening.
“Any defense?” After some complaints and scolding, Zhao Yue asked.
“No defense.” Lin Dongming cupped his hands. “The trouble was caused by disciple, and I was reported. Other than being more careful next time, I have nothing else to say.”
“Fine. Then the usual. Take three moves from Master. If you can dodge them, it proves your skill. Use any weapon you want.”
Zhao Yue took a plain piece of bamboo from her Storage Ring. Lin Dongming drew his sword. The two of them walked to the open space in front of the lakeside pavilion.
Zhao Yue stood with her hands behind her back, lightly grasping the bamboo. “Let Master see how much you’ve improved.”
She used the bamboo as a sword, launching three lightning-fast strikes. In the blink of an eye, she was in front of Lin Dongming. She had suppressed her cultivation to match Lin Dongming’s level.
——So fast!
Lin Dongming couldn’t bring his sword up in time and could only sidestep the first strike, barely blocking the second with the sword’s flat.
But the bamboo lightly brushed against his blade, knocking his sword aside. The third strike slashed toward his chest.
——No way to avoid!
Lin Dongming released his spiritual energy from all his Qiao Xue, forming a gust of wind to disrupt the sword strikes’ trajectory, fluttering both their robes wildly.
But the bamboo easily cut through the gust, leaving a clear bloodstain on his chest.
Zhao Yue stopped at that point, withdrawing the bamboo without pressing her advantage.
“Barely passable. At least some progress.” Zhao Yue nodded in approval.