Tea Bowl

After asking a passing Foundation Establishment cultivator where the Green Lotus Sect’s camp was, Lin Xiao headed in that direction.

Inside the command tent.

“Venerable Xunfang, have you ever heard of the Lingxian Sect and its affiliated forces?” Venerable Zhiyu took a small sip of tea from the seat of honor and asked, though he did not even glance toward Venerable Xunfang.

Venerable Xunfang lifted the lid of his teacup with his jeweled feather fan and glanced at the color of the tea inside. He then let out a regretful sigh.

“Xiao Chang still hasn’t learned how to brew tea properly~ The liquor is pale and cloudy—not clear, not bright. I told him long ago that he should first master one kind of tea before anything else, but he wouldn’t listen. He hasn’t even perfected the tea right in front of him, yet he’s already eyeing other varieties…”

As he spoke, he raised the corner of his eye and cast a flirtatious glance at Venerable Zhiyu with his alluring, peach-blossom eyes.

“Wouldn’t you agree?”

At that, Venerable Zhiyu’s expression darkened. He was just about to turn and say something when Venerable Xunfang had already risen, swept his broad sleeve through the air, and started walking away.

“It’s noon already, and my Yingying hasn’t been fed yet. I’ll be leaving first.”

His voice still echoed inside the tent, but that striking scarlet figure had already vanished from within.

The tea in the uncovered cup on the small table was still steaming.

Venerable Zhiyu set down his teacup with a heavy thud and stared darkly at the tent flap, lost in thought.

After learning the location of the Green Lotus Sect’s camp, Lin Xiao headed over.

Since the Green Lotus Sect was a relatively small sect, its assigned camp was in a remote location and was also quite small.

Upon arriving, Lin Xiao quickly found Zhao Yunzhong.

With the care and treatment provided by the members of the Green Lotus Sect, Zhao Yunzhong had recovered considerably. Leaning against the side of the bed, he looked quite spirited.

“Fellow Daoist Lin!”

When he saw Lin Xiao, Zhao Yunzhong’s eyes lit up. He hurriedly tried to rise and greet him.

“Lord of Zhao, there’s no need to move!” Seeing him struggle to get up, Lin Xiao quickly went over and firmly pressed him back down.

Unable to rise because Lin Xiao was holding him in place, Zhao Yunzhong could only smile helplessly.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, I’m afraid I’ve made a fool of myself. The incident happened so suddenly that no one could have anticipated it. In the end, you were even troubled to rescue Third Brother Yuan. I must thank you for that.”

After waking up, Zhao Yunzhong had seen Yuan Jinsheng, who had suffered severe injuries but had at least survived. After breathing a sigh of relief, he had also heard quite a bit about what had happened in the ore cavern.

That was how he learned of the role Lin Xiao had played in the incident.

However, Lin Xiao had not come here to listen to Zhao Yunzhong thank him.

He politely asked the two Green Lotus Sect disciples responsible for caring for Zhao Yunzhong, “I have something to discuss with the Lord of Zhao. Would the two of you mind stepping outside for a moment?”

The two Green Lotus Sect disciples were extremely surprised that this Golden Core cultivator was being so courteous and gentle toward Foundation Establishment disciples like themselves. They hurriedly nodded.

“Of course, of course. Please, True Person!”

With that, the two respectfully withdrew.

Zhao Yunzhong watched them leave, somewhat puzzled. He had no idea what this acquaintance, with whom he had only recently become familiar, needed to discuss with him in private.

After the two men had left, Lin Xiao raised his hand and set up a soundproofing restriction. Only then did he stare directly at Zhao Yunzhong and ask, “Lord of Zhao, could you tell me why you went to the ore cavern this time?”

Hearing him ask about that, Zhao Yunzhong froze. After a long while, he returned to his senses and gave a sighing smile.

“So that is what you wanted to ask. To be honest, this was not something I should have told you. But both Third Brother Yuan and I owe our lives to your timely intervention. I believe you must be a person of utmost purity and kindness, so… there is no harm in telling you.”

“Since ancient times, every nation in the mortal world has possessed its own Imperial Seal. If the Imperial Seal is lost, the nation’s destiny is placed in danger. Dynasties rise and fall, rulers come and go, but the Imperial Seal itself has never changed, nor can it be replaced.”

Zhao Yunzhong touched his chest and continued, “Now that I am the new ruler and hold the reins of government, I can sense where the Imperial Seal is. That was why I sensed that it had appeared near the ore cavern and hurried there.”

“After all, if one wishes to truly govern a nation, one cannot do without the Imperial Seal’s assistance. My ancestors once said that losing the Imperial Seal is equivalent to losing the nation. I simply never expected to encounter you and Third Brother Yuan there.”

“You already know what happened afterward. As for why I was suddenly injured, it was probably related to the Imperial Seal as well. However, after I woke up, I could no longer sense its location at all. At first, I thought some upheaval had occurred at court, but Fellow Daoist Jiang told me that everything was peaceful there. Alas, I truly do not know what to do now.”

Seeing how candid he was, Lin Xiao felt somewhat relieved. He then took the Imperial Seal from his private storage.

Although he felt that Zhao Yunzhong seemed like a decent person based on their previous interactions, they had only just met.

Lin Xiao had considered that if Zhao Yunzhong was hiding something from him, he could return the Imperial Seal by another method without revealing himself.

After all, no one knew how secret and important the matter of the Imperial Seal was to rulers like Zhao Yunzhong. What if it was important enough that, upon learning Lin Xiao also knew about it, the Lord of Zhao developed reservations toward him—or even went so far as to harbor murderous intent?

In that case, there would be no need to take the risk.

However, when he thought of the system’s earlier mission to establish diplomatic relations with a nation, he decided to give it a try.

That was why he had asked the question.

He had not expected the Lord of Zhao to be so honest that he would even reveal the relationship between the Imperial Seal, the ruler, and the nation to him…

Lin Xiao truly had not expected this. It turned out that every nation’s Imperial Seal had been passed down since ancient times, and that the circumstances were actually the same as those of the Imperial Seal of Huanyou.

Beside him, Zhao Yunzhong saw Lin Xiao remain silent before suddenly pulling something from his robes. At first, he did not understand what it meant.

Then he suddenly sensed the Imperial Seal once more.

He stared at the piece of azure jade in Lin Xiao’s hand, his eyes widening in shock.

“This… the Imperial Seal?! Fellow Daoist Lin!”

Seeing his astonished expression, Lin Xiao nodded and handed over the Imperial Seal.

“The Imperial Seal of Huanyou. It has been returned to its rightful owner. This time, Lord of Zhao, make sure you don’t lose it again.”

There was a pointed meaning behind Lin Xiao’s words.

After all, he did not want to establish diplomatic relations with the Zhao royal family only for them to be overthrown by someone else later.

Zhao Yunzhong, however, did not read too much into it. As he gazed at the Imperial Seal before him—a seal he had never seen with his own eyes, yet had always been able to sense—he carefully accepted it and held it in both hands, letting out a long, relieved laugh.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, you truly are… my benefactor!”

“Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Lin. The Zhao Clan has ruled Huanyou since ancient times. Several hundred years ago, we were careless for a time and allowed villains to seize power, which led to the nation changing hands. But I, Zhao Yunzhong, will never again allow this Imperial Seal to fall into another’s hands!”

After saying this, Zhao Yunzhong raised the Imperial Seal to his heart in Lin Xiao’s presence and quietly closed his eyes.

A brilliant azure light suddenly burst from the Imperial Seal. Then, little by little, it sank into his chest.