Eternal Swordmaster
Chapter 464 - 458

Chapter 464: 458

These twins appeared to be no more than two children under ten, but in reality, both were gigantic exotic beasts that had lived for a thousand years. They were the dim-witted monsters that Lin Xin had captured just before he was about to enter the Yang membrane. Since they shared some bloodline connection with Keke Sai, the three of them were especially close, and they were naturally the most influenced by Keke Sai.

Lin Xin rubbed his temples in resignation. If he weren’t here to keep these three terrorists in check, as soon as they entered the Yang membrane, there would likely be a bloody storm.

No wonder most in the Cultivation World see creatures from the Outer Regions as fierce and atrociously evil. Now it seemed there was good reason for that.

Expect these fellows to gather intelligence, collect information?

Forget it, it would be great if they didn’t create a calamity.

Lin Xin grew even more resigned when he noticed some of the Jianghu folks in the tavern were beginning to pay attention to the commotion here.

"Without my command, from now on, you are not to speak, not to show your cultivation strength! Endure all things first, and without my instructions, do not make a move! Do you hear me!?"

He gave these fellows a strict order, otherwise, with their temperament, it was possible that wherever they went, a killing spree could occur.

"Yes!" All the demonic creatures, including Yin Mantuo, responded in unison.

Lin Xiaoyu’s expression was strange; she wanted to laugh but didn’t dare, so she could only twitch her facial muscles continuously.

She could see Lin Xin’s predicament, but for her, a disciple of the Tianyun Taoists, to offer help was out of the question.

But then she saw Lin Xin’s gaze sweep over to her.

"Don’t even think about it!"

Lin Xiaoyu’s expression turned stern.

Lin Xin picked up a cup of tea and said leisurely,

"Everyone should have their own usefulness, Miss Lin... If you truly do not wish to, I will not force you. But..."

He looked at Lin Xiaoyu, his eyes conveying a subtle meaning.

Lin Xiaoyu immediately felt a chill in her heart,

"Otherwise, you’ll have to kill me!"

From her initial fear to her now indifferent aloofness, she seemed to have grown much more determined.

"Master, since she’s not cooperating, why not just let me eat her? I’ve liked her for a long time!" The younger of the twins wiped his mouth, his gaze toward Lin Xiaoyu somewhat blatant.

"I... I..."

Lin Xiaoyu’s back was sweating, and her face turned pale. Under the lascivious gaze of the demonic creatures, she finally relented...

"I’ll go!"

An hour later.

She returned from outside the tavern, bringing information about the recent situation of the manor and the Hua Family.

With the pine forest favoring the manor and Dugu Lin staunchly supporting Spirit Heart, although the Hua Family was stronger than Spirit Heart Villa, they still maintained a standoff.

But compared to the peak period of the manor, the overall strength had weakened significantly, and their territory had shrunk by more than half.

Thankfully, Villa Master Lin Xinyuan was full of schemes, and after many plots, along with the help of experts from the Radiant Sun Sect, she barely managed to stabilize their position.

This also led to the Hua Family gradually distancing themselves from the pine forest’s Sword Sect, and they even began to deviate towards the Golden Jade Sect.

As the pine forest’s influence weakened this year, the Hua Family was even somewhat openly courting favor with the Golden Jade Sect.

It was unknown through which channels Lin Xiaoyu had learned this information.

After gaining a basic understanding, Lin Xin led everyone directly to Spirit Heart Villa.

It had been over four years since he left and now returned. The changes in the Southern Prefecture weren’t significant, and the terrain around the manor hadn’t undergone substantial changes.

Only the security had become much stricter.

Leaving the town, they traveled over a hundred miles south along the border, then the group slowly descended from the clouds, landing at the edge of a bamboo forest not far from the manor.

Through the bamboo forest, Lin Xin looked into the distance and could still vaguely see the tall tops of buildings outside the manor. That patch of white evoked an eerily familiar feeling in him.

The bamboo forest wrapped entirely around the manor, and a tall white wall had been built along the perimeter.

Right in front of where Lin Xin and his party stood, there was a ceremonial archway gate guarded by four manor guards.

The gate was quite lively, with people, horse-drawn carriages, and ox carts constantly coming in and out.

Fortunately, just like Lin Xin’s group, there were many spectators outside the manor, including numerous Jianghu folks with swords at their sides, and painters here to capture portraits as keepsakes.

"This is Spirit Heart Manor...."

Lin Xin took a deep breath. Although the trip to the Central Prefecture wasn’t long, it felt as if he had been away for a century.

He had experienced far too much in the interval, so much so that when he once again saw the familiar mountain gate, it felt as if he were in a different lifetime.

"Is this where the master used to hang out?"

Keke Sai looked solemn, scanning the surroundings.

"Seems like there are quite a few little insects... Master, perhaps we should go around and clear them out?"

"Don’t wander off!"

Lin Xin stared at him speechlessly.

This time he didn’t want to return with fanfare and let everyone know. It was better to find a Sun Spring within the sect first, achieve the Nascent Soul, and then make further plans.

Although he had achieved Yuan Jing, without the Nascent Soul, the application of divine skills and spells was still beneath the Nascent Soul level.

Therefore, raising his realm was the primary concern.

"Alright, the master’s will is the direction for us to move forward!"

Keke Sai reluctantly mumbled a few words.

"Keke Sai brother, what the master actually means is, as long as we don’t run around, we can eat any of these little insects as we please." The twin sister said fervently.

"Right, right, right! The master means we should start with the ones close to us, and not be too ambitious!"

The twin brother said excitedly.

Lin Xin held his forehead; it was clear to him now that these three had a severe thinking deviation. If he didn’t explain things carefully, they would likely cause trouble sooner or later.

He was already beginning to regret bringing them into Jianghu.

Originally, the plan was to bring them along to increase the number of usable subordinates, but now it seemed...

After reprimanding the three people again and rewarding each with a slap to make them behave, Lin Xin led the group towards the grand entrance of the mountain manor.

The gatekeeper disciples also noticed this line of people walking straight towards them.

"This is a restricted area of the manor; uninvited guests are not allowed to approach. Please stop where you are," a composed male disciple announced loudly, slowly reaching for the sword hilt at his waist.

Lin Xin looked up at the archway, on which the words "Spirit Heart Villa" were written with dancing dragons and phoenixes—an imposing sight.

He took out a white token from his storage ring and tossed it over.

The disciple caught the token and, upon a glance, his expression subtly changed; the other disciples crowded around to see the emblem on the token, all their faces changing colors. They exchanged glances, conveying wordless messages.

"Please wait a moment, esteemed visitor, while I go and notify the authorities," one of them said respectfully.

Lin Xin nodded slightly. It seemed that these were new disciples from recent years who did not recognize him, or perhaps he had changed too much in appearance over the years.

The flow of carriages and pedestrians entering and leaving the gate was now also blocked, forced to pause.

"Who is making noise at the gate!" Suddenly, a young girl’s childish voice came from inside the archway.

Amidst the sound of hooves, a small white horse rushed out, ridden by a girl in her teens with pigtails, dressed in a tight little red outfit, her large eyes lively, looking with displeasure and astonishment at Lin Xin’s group.

"Don’t you know this is the main entrance to Spirit Heart Villa? Blocking the driveway, who gave you the audacity!" she said from a position of height, with a tone full of arrogance.

"Miss Xiao, these people are..."

Slap!

Suddenly, a whip lashed out in a flash, striking the gatekeeper disciple across the face. In one hit, he was knocked to the ground, rolling like a gourd.

The girl, relentless, administered a quick whip to each of the other three gatekeeper disciples.

Her technique was adept, her actions extremely fast, clearly indicating her proficiency.

The three pleaded for mercy, holding their faces as they got back on their feet and knelt to the ground.

The girl paid them no heed and looked over at Lin Xin’s group.

"You lot, do you not understand the rules of visiting the manor?"

Lin Xin frowned slightly. This little girl did not ring any bells in his memory, and he wondered who had brought her into the fold during the years he had been away.

"What rules?"

Since those around him were not suitable for negotiating, Lin Xiaoyu reluctantly stood out and asked in return, her face showing her displeasure.

"Did I ask you?"

With a snap, the girl lashed out with her whip towards Lin Xiaoyu’s face.

Lin Xiaoyu was instantly enraged and reached out to grab the whip, seizing it in her hand.

"Such insolence at such a young age. Clearly, your parents have not taught you properly!" Her face turned frosty, and with a pull, she yanked the little girl right off her horse.

"You dare fight back!?" The girl, getting back on her feet after landing, looked at Lin Xiaoyu with disbelief.

"Not only will I fight back, I’m going to punish you!" Lin Xiaoyu, who had been simmering with anger throughout the journey, now had a place to vent. As a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment level, she couldn’t believe she was being provoked repeatedly by an ordinary person without any Inner Qi. She pinched her fingers, and like scissors, cleanly snipped the whip in two, and with a flick of her wrist, the cut piece of the whip lashed out towards the girl.

"Stop!"

Suddenly, a figure burst from within the manor like an eagle taking flight.

The girl had not expected her whip to be so easily severed and knowing she had encountered a powerful adversary, grew pale at the sound of the object cutting through air.

The eagle-like figure swooped down and with a wave of the hand, sent a burst of silver light that met Lin Xiaoyu’s segment of the whip in mid-air.

The two collided emitting a sharp snap and fell to the ground together.

Lin Xiaoyu raised an eyebrow, ready to attack once more.

"Let it be," came Lin Xin’s voice from behind her.

Reluctantly, she shot the girl a fierce look before returning to Lin Xin’s side.

The figure landed lightly, helping the little girl up. Recognizing Lin Xin and his companions, the figure’s expression transformed with shock.

"You... are you...!?"

The voice trembled with emotion.

Lin Xin stepped forward with a smile.

"Instructor Ou, long time no see. You’re still so young and beautiful."

The person, clad in dark red tight-fitting clothes with her hair tied in a high ponytail, looking charming and alluring, was none other than Ou Yinghong, one of the villa’s former elders.

"Villa Master!"

Ou Yinghong, unable to contain her excitement, called out loud.

Even though Lin Xin had changed greatly over the years, his distinctive aura and character were enough for her to recognize him at first sight.

Ou Yinghong then turned and gave the small girl a stern lesson.

Only then did Lin Xin learn that the youngster was actually her direct disciple, as well as his own niece.

After making the little girl kneel and apologize to Lin Xin, admitting her mistake, Ou Yinghong quickly escorted Lin Xin into the manor.