.......
Lin Chang'sheng's home was not far from the main street of East Street.
The sounds of fierce fighting over here had already woken up the sleeping residents of East Street. Most of them hid in their homes, locked their doors tightly, and paid close attention in this direction. Such bloody vendettas among the Jianghu were nothing new to them.
This was just like those previous gang wars.
"It's coming from Chang'sheng's place!"
"I wonder how he's doing!"
Yan Zhen was also startled awake by the waves of screams. She stood by her window, worry deep in her beautiful eyes.
"No, I still have to go check on him."
After thinking it over, Yan Zhen decided to throw on her clothes, open the door, and, by the moonlight, carefully made her way toward Lin Chang'sheng's home along the long street.
At this moment.
Because the sound of fighting had died down, quite a few residents poked their heads out from their homes to look this way.
.........
Lin Chang'sheng quickly searched the bodies of the Min Nan Five Tigers, the Canglang Blade Master, the Purple Thunder Flying Knife, the Lingnan Double Eagles, and the others.
He collected over 700 taels of silver, most of it in silver notes, a smaller portion in broken silver, and a few copper plates as well.
One Secret Manual of the Six Kills Life-taking Saber Technique, one Grass Flying Secret Manual, eight bottles of Qi Blood Pills, and a Golden Saber Sect Token!
"Not a bad haul at all!"
Lin Chang'sheng stashed away the two secret manuals and the 700-plus taels of silver, stuffing a big sack so full it bulged.
"These bodies are a bit of a problem though."
Lin Chang'sheng frowned as he glanced at the more than 100 corpses.
Dump them all in the Grand Canal?
Even if he carried two at a time, that was fifty trips—he'd be at it until dawn!
"Forget it, these people showed up in the middle of the night with blades; they're basically bandits. Killing them is just serving justice for the people!"
"Tomorrow I'll let Chen Ling know to come handle it—should be able to get a bit of bounty out of it!"
Lin Chang'sheng dragged these hundred-plus Jianghu travelers to the edge of the bamboo grove, quietly making up his mind not to bother with them anymore and just wait for Chen Ling to handle it with the constables.
"Chang'sheng! Are you alright?"
Lin Chang'sheng was just about to go back inside and deal with his spoils when he suddenly heard a familiar voice.
He spun around and, at a bend more than ten zhang away, saw a graceful woman with a generous bust draped in a large coat, looking at him with deep concern in her beautiful eyes.
"Sister Zhen, what brings you here?"
Seeing Yan Zhen, Lin Chang'sheng felt a bit surprised, his heart warming.
There had been fighting here and plenty of screaming. While all the neighbors were locking themselves up tight, only Yan Zhen had come out, worried for his safety.
"There was fighting by your house. I was worried about you, so I came to take a look. Seeing you're fine, I'm relieved."
Yan Zhen glanced at the mess by Lin Chang'sheng's door, frowning. "Chang'sheng, what exactly happened just now?"
"Sister Zhen, I don't really know. Some Jianghu folks had a fight out front, quite a few people died, and the culprits ran off. The government office people will handle it in the morning. Let me walk you home first."
Lin Chang'sheng spoke lightly.
With over a hundred bodies here, he feared Yan Zhen would be scared if she saw it.
"Oh, so that's it. As long as you're okay, I'll head back then."
Yan Zhen nodded at his words, reassured that Lin Chang'sheng was unhurt.
Immediately, she and Lin Chang'sheng walked home together, one in front and one behind.
Lin Chang'sheng saw Yan Zhen safely to her door, then turned and went back.
"Wait, there was blood on Chang'sheng just now!"
"He didn't tell me the whole truth!"
"Could it be...?"
Yan Zhen stood at her window, watching Lin Chang'sheng's departing figure, and suddenly thought of a detail.
Even though it was night, she had caught sight of no small amount of blood on his clothes by the moonlight. If he had blood on him, that meant he'd taken part in the fight!
If Lin Chang'sheng was in the fight and emerged unharmed, that meant his martial arts were no joke!
"Forget it, I'll check on him during the day tomorrow."
Thoughtful, a contemplative look flickered in Yan Zhen's beautiful eyes as she murmured to herself.
......
"Chang'sheng, you saved my life, but because of me, you've gotten into a lot of trouble. I really feel terrible about it."
"I haven't told you the whole truth. Actually, I had no choice."
When Lin Chang'sheng returned home, Yu Wenjing was standing at his bedroom door, deep apology in her beautiful eyes. She continued, "My surname isn't 'Yu', it's 'Yu.' My real name is Yu Wenjing........"
"At first light, my people will come to pick me up. Would you... come with me?"
Longing filled Yu Wenjing's beautiful eyes.
Hearing her words, Lin Chang'sheng didn't reply—he'd already guessed as much in his heart.
"I know you love your bow and arrows, I'll find you the Divine Bow most suited to you. If you love the Martial Dao, the strongest Martial Arts Techniques, Qi Blood Pills, even Dragon Blood Pills—I can give you all of them!"
"Chang'sheng, come with me."
Yu Wenjing's stunning face was sincere.
"Wenjing, I once saw two sword flashes in the sky, a man and a woman flying on swords. I yearn for the kind of life where I soar through the world with a sword, drink and sing at will—not to be bound by duty."
Lin Chang'sheng took a deep breath, speaking slowly.
"Chang'sheng... I know what you saw were cultivators. As far as I know, cultivating immortality requires a Spirit Root. Without one, it's impossible."
Yu Wenjing was a little amazed after hearing Lin Chang'sheng's words.
She had never expected Lin Chang'sheng's ambitions to be this grand—even aiming for cultivation immortality!
Yu Wenjing knew.
The odds of a regular person possessing a Spirit Root—
Were about one in ten thousand, if not one in a hundred thousand.
Rather than chase such a distant dream on the Immortal Dao, perhaps it was better to stay grounded and focus on the Martial Dao.
"I know."
Lin Chang'sheng murmured, admitting he knew that embarking on the Immortal Dao required a Spirit Root, though he had no idea if he had one himself.
However, he had his system panel.
Even without a Spirit Root, maybe he could carve out a different path to immortality?
Yu Wenjing gave Lin Chang'sheng a long, searching look, then finally sighed and said, "Since you're set on this, I won't say more. But you probably don't know much about cultivation sects, do you?"
Lin Chang'sheng shook his head.
"Well, I know a few things. To the west of the Great Yu Kingdom, there's a sect called the Liuyun Immortal Sect. They recruit disciples once every ten years, and next spring it'll be time again. But their requirements are strict."
"Not only do you need a Spirit Root, but if it's not a good one, they still won't accept you."
"But there is one exception. In the Liuyun Immortal Sect, elders or higher-ups who make major contributions may obtain a White Cloud Cultivation Order. The descendants of those elders or higher-ups, even if their Spirit Root is a bit lacking, might be accepted as an exception."
"But no matter what, a Spirit Root is still required!"
Yu Wenjing said seriously.
"Oh?"
Lin Chang'sheng's heart skipped a beat. He remembered the token in his pack, with a white cloud engraved on it. He recalled that Ling Ziyu had shown up to reclaim that token, only to get killed by him.
"Chang'sheng, I really do hope you'll come with me. Won't you reconsider?"
Yu Wenjing looked at Lin Chang'sheng with genuine sincerity.
"Thanks for your kindness, but I still want to try my luck at the Liuyun Immortal Sect!"
Lin Chang'sheng answered firmly.
That day, he saw those two flying swords soaring across the sky—he had envied it ever since, unable to get it out of his head!
In this new life in the Cultivation Realm, wouldn't it be a waste if I didn't pursue cultivation immortality?