Eternal Swordmaster
Chapter 702 - 697: Willful 3

Chapter 702: Chapter 697: Willful 3

After signing the contract, the four people faintly felt as if something had been drawn out of them, a little at a time, floating out of their bodies and disappearing without a trace.

However, since the four of them were just ordinary mortals, they were completely unaware that a wisp of their soul power had been separated and condensed into a mark, now controlled by Lin Xin.

"Not bad, not bad, all are good children."

Lin Xin looked at the four of them, and the more he looked, the more satisfied he became.

All of these individuals were from rich and noble families with decent qualifications. With some nurturing, they would make fine protectors of this small world.

He planned to temporarily take root in this small world within a month, and gradually uncover the boundary stone. He needed not just simple talent but the backing of powerful forces and connections.

Besides these individuals, there was another disciple he had resolved to take on as a necessity.

With that in mind, he cast his gaze down the mountain. With his eyesight, he could clearly see through the mist to the thousands of soldiers gathering at the foot of the mountain, and outside, a sporadic few individuals with strong Qi-Blood, probably the retainers and experts from the Capital City, had also been mobilized.

"This is actually good; it saves me the trouble of going door to door."

Lin Xin glanced at the four people inside the cave.

"Now that you are disciples of the Lakeside Mountain Sect, you must not harbor a second heart, or you will be responsible for the consequences. Of course, if you don’t believe me, you can try for yourselves."

With that said, his figure flashed, and he disappeared directly from the cave entrance.

The four of them were left looking at each other.

Lin Xin proceeded down the mountainside, using the white mist to conceal his movements and executing Qinggong. Though Spiritual Energy was insufficient for use, he could still employ Inner Qi to buoy his movements.

With a few quick strides, he descended to the middle of the small mountain. Through the mist, he could see a large number of soldiers in Black Armor holding torches, guarding every vital path in and out of the small mountain with strict vigilance.

There stood a middle-aged man in red, his Qi-Blood extraordinarily vibrant, with a few other high-level retainers beside a golden sedan.

On both sides, there were even guards wielding shields and sabers.

Lin Xin’s feet flashed, and he suddenly dived down from the mountainside, increasing his physical speed to beyond what ordinary people could perceive.

In mid-air, only a gray figure could be seen mingling with the white mist, almost imperceptible unless one followed it closely.

The soldiers were completely unaware, still preparing in groups and mobilizing troops to surround the mountain pass.

Whoosh...

A gentle breeze passed, and the curtains of the sedan were lightly lifted.

Lin Xin flashed by and immediately slipped into the sedan.

Sitting inside the sedan was a man in golden imperial robes, his face stern as he looked at a piece of bamboo slips in his hands.

Suddenly feeling a cool breeze, he looked up.

But he saw that a person had unexpectedly appeared before him.

Despite the great shock in his heart, the man’s expression remained unchanged.

A thought flashed through his mind, instantly understanding the most likely identity of the person before him.

"The Emperor is unwell, so it falls to me, the Prince of the Zhou Fan region, to meet with the Taoist Priest in his stead. May I inquire as to your honored Taoist name?"

He was actually watching Lin Xin calmly, delivering his words smoothly, without any sign of panic or uproar.

A hint of appreciation appeared in Lin Xin’s eyes as he took a seat opposite the Prince.

"Taoist Redflower, descending from the mountains this time to seek and guide those who have fate."

"The fated ones?"

The Prince’s gaze shifted slightly, "I wonder, does the Taoist Priest’s reference to ’the fated ones’ come with any conditions?"

The power of Feng Qing Tang and that person was too immense. He himself was merely a minor prince. This time, he was acting merely as a substitute, filling in for the Emperor in mobilizing troops to encircle and suppress a demon. However, upon receiving the intelligence about the demon’s public display of strength on the streets, he felt gravely concerned.

This Taoist Priest’s martial prowess was definitely at the First Grade Grandmaster Realm.

A simple wave of his hand had left dozens of people fallen, and this connected to the sudden twists during the prior pursuit of the traitors from Feng Qing Tang.

Should he be able to secure this man’s allegiance...

He was desperately seeking wisdom and now longed to recruit a formidable ally.

Upon hearing Lin Xin’s words, intriguing thoughts immediately took root in his heart.

"Conditions?"

Lin Xin smiled faintly, detecting the intention of the man before him.

"I wish to greatly rebuild the Sect, establish a school, gather disciples extensively, and teach the art of Longevity. I am also seeking to recover a lost Secret Treasure of mine.

So..."

The conditions, therefore, were ample financial resources, manpower, influence, and an information network.

Upon hearing this, the Prince felt a flicker of excitement.

When it came to manpower and financial resources, his Zhou territory was second to none, comparable even to the two Huai regions. As for the information network, although slightly lesser, it wouldn’t be a significant problem to search for an item.

Yet, seeing that the Taoist Priest could silently infiltrate his presence from amongst a thousand soldiers, without his Second Grade close retainers or the spear-wielder Huang Sheng noticing, his heart was somewhat stirred.

A feeling of elation began to grow inside him.

He commanded considerable forces, had recruited many hands, but what he lacked was a First Grade Grandmaster Level powerhouse to preside over them.

If this Taoist Priest truly possessed First Grade power, then perhaps this time, he could finally remedy the longstanding shortfall.

"As for people, under my command is ’Three-Order Spear’ Huang Sheng, known in Jianghu as a top expert able to stand against the second-in-command of Feng Qing Tang. There are also the ’Yellow River Dragon’ Zhao Liang, ’Split-Map Saber’ Sun Wuji, and ’Slanting Sun Sword’ Yang Zong, who are all exceptional and valiant masters..."

The Prince remained composed as he introduced each of Lin Xin’s underlings.

"Furthermore, if the Taoist Priest seeks to find something, I can ask the Empress Dowager to make announcements throughout the lands, with the help of the Government and the Imperial Court to conduct the search. My own influence has a vast network of information, sufficient to meet your needs.

As for financial power, I have more than enough to establish a large Sect."

"If the Taoist Priest were to join my Zhou royal residence, I would surely welcome you with open doors and treat you as an honored guest."

Lin Xin listened with a smile, and when he finished speaking, his hands hung lightly as he slowly began to speak.

"I had intended to speak with your father, but since you are so sincere, you will do as well." He had discerned the unspoken ambition deep in the eyes of Prince Jingqing.

It’s those without ambition that are hardest to motivate, for they desire nothing and ask for nothing.

Yet, Prince Jingqing had not expected it to be so easy. He had been ready to lay out a detailed plan, helping this Red Flower Taoist to gradually achieve what he wished to do.

He had carefully thought through every detail of the plan in his mind, but to his surprise, the other party quickly agreed to it.

This left him feeling as uncomfortable as if he’d thrown a punch into soft cotton.

And with a sense of disbelief that he couldn’t quite trust.

"Is...is it really that easy?"

He felt a bit dazed. Shouldn’t a master of such caliber require three visits to the thatched cottage, countless pleas, and a promise of significant benefits before finally agreeing with great difficulty?

But this Red Flower Taoist...?

From his entrance to their agreement, it had been less than ten minutes. It felt almost frivolous.

It made Prince Jingqing somewhat incredulous.

It was too easy how Lin Xin agreed to such a major matter.

"Assassins! There are assassins!"

Only then did someone outside notice something was amiss, shouting loudly.

"Protect the carriage!!"

The sedan curtain was suddenly lifted, and the red-clad man from before leaped in, noticing at once an extra person had appeared inside, unbeknownst to when.

The man’s face showed sudden shock, and he thrust out a short spear toward Lin Xin’s back.

Since Lin Xin’s back was to the door, it was aimed directly at his back, and the spear thrust forth.

Clang!

The spear struck firmly against Lin Xin’s back, piercing his robe and driving into his skin, issuing a sound akin to the clash of metal.

"This poor Taoist is Red Flower, and I have the honor of meeting this layman."

Lin Xin, as if nothing had happened, even turned his head and offered the man a gentle smile.

Shick!

His arm snapped out like lightning, knocking the short spear aside before grabbing the man’s neck with a thud, akin to an eagle seizing a chick. He leaped out of the sedan, landing among the soldiers outside.

The man writhed and pumped his Vigor Qi frantically, yet the hand on his neck was as immovable as cast steel.

His face turned red, his short spear stabbing fiercely toward Lin Xin’s throat.

Clang!

The tip of the spear seemed to bend slightly.

The man was stunned, not just him, but the surrounding crowd of skilled fighters and soldiers were all dumbstruck.

"Is this Horizontal Refinement?!!"

A portly man to the side swallowed hard. He was one of the experts recruited under the command of Prince Zhou, and the man caught by Lin Xin was the crossbowman known in Jianghu as the Three Order Spear, Huang Sheng!

He was the finest fighter in the prince’s estate, with astonishing martial skills that all had been defeated by his spear, not just once.

But at this moment, the Three Order Spear, famous throughout Jianghu, was like a helpless chick in the Taoist’s grip, unable to move.

In the distance, crossbowmen quietly raised their poisoned arrows, aiming at Lin Xin.

"Wait!!"

Suddenly, Prince Jingqing’s shout came from the sedan.

"This man was invited by myself, a hermit of high ability, he is no rebel or traitor; this is all a misunderstanding!"

Prince Jingqing stepped out of the sedan with a dignified look, his gaze sweeping sternly around him.

Instantly, the crossbowmen and the group of skilled fighters ready to attack heaved a sigh of relief.

It wasn’t that they were too timid, but the Taoist had appeared out of nowhere, not even noticed when he entered the sedan.

Additionally, he had exhibited formidable Horizontal Kung Fu, invulnerable to blades and spears, capturing the strongest among them, the Three Order Spear Huang Sheng, with a single move.

If conflict had arisen, it’s likely that many of the people assembled here would have been killed or injured, and still not be able to detain this person.

Now, unexpectedly, he turned out to be one of their own.

A chorus of soldiers and retainers all breathed easier.

"Taoist Priest, would you please release Brother Huang? He is guiltless, having acted rashly out of ignorance. On his behalf, I would like to offer my apologies to you," said Prince Jingqing, showing his adeptness at winning hearts and minds. Even in such times, these gestures of humility that draw trouble upon oneself could easily garner the loyalty of those with less exposure to the world.

"Very well, I’ll give you this courtesy."

Lin Xin smiled and released Huang Sheng.

Shick!

Just at that moment, a flash of cold light shot out fiercely from a very close range, aimed at the back of Lin Xin’s head.

Everyone was too slow to react, and they saw the poisoned crossbow arrow strike hard against the back of Lin Xin’s skull.

Clang!!

There was the clear ring like that of a bell, as the cold light was reflected, falling to the ground, while not a single hair on Lin Xin’s head was harmed.

"What!!!?"

Prince Jingqing was deeply alarmed. This was no longer a matter of martial arts, it was almost akin to demon art.

The people around also swallowed hard, looking at Lin Xin with a mix of fear and awe, hardly daring to look him in the eyes.