Chapter Forty-Eight: Jade of Ice

When Shen Lian returned to Jialan Mountain once more, the fox immortal and his daughter had vanished without a trace, as if they had never existed. The ancient temple lay in utter ruin, desolation everywhere, with cobwebs seemingly spun over many years. He had not noticed anything amiss on his last visit; the courtyard, then spotless and neat, had been nothing but an illusion—proof of the old fox immortal’s profound magical prowess.

Shen Lian knew that although they had parted, their paths would cross again. He hoped by then he would have entered the immortal way.

The famed Sword Manor was in the northeast; the journey from Qingzhou to Sword Manor stretched three thousand miles. With no waterways, Shen Lian traveled by land. The nation he dwelled in was called Great Wei, its capital in the north, with a longstanding tradition of scholarly travels. Shen Lian, sword at his waist, his face fair and refined, looked every bit the young gentleman from a distinguished family out for academic pursuit.

The sole oddity was his lack of servants.

He carried only a pouch of gold leaves, nothing else—simpler than any so-called backpacker of his previous life.

A sudden downpour began, and with only three hundred miles left to Sword Manor, Shen Lian decided not to hurry and sought shelter from the rain in a household.

The place he found was a manor, its entrance boldly inscribed with the words "Su Family Fortress."

His eyes narrowed, stirred by the sight. Those characters had been carved in one stroke, perhaps by blade, cudgel, or sword, their fluidity like drifting clouds and flowing water—utterly natural.

"This family must be involved in the martial world," Shen Lian thought. Even if not, whoever etched those words was surely accomplished in inner energy; their ease and flow, like clouds, was something even Shen Lian could not hope to replicate.

At the height of martial cultivation, one approaches the immortal way.

A revelation dawned upon him.

The profound meaning of those words could only be sensed by someone as spiritually sensitive as Shen Lian; in terms of calligraphy, the characters were not particularly beautiful.

******

Shen Lian now sat within Su Family Fortress; the hall was already crowded with those seeking shelter from the rain.

Spring rain chilled to the bone, but the hosts, thoughtful and courteous, had kindled a fire, dispelling much of the cold.

Among the crowd, there was a group carrying swords and blades, clad in matching attire, their brows fierce and bold. Their leader was a young man, perhaps twenty-eight or twenty-nine, not the largest in stature but possessed of an indescribable aura. Beneath his fitted clothing, Shen Lian glimpsed the vigor of robust blood.

Though the hall’s fire was warm, Shen Lian’s spirit sensed that this young man was himself a blazing furnace—he truly embodied the phrase "brimming with youthful vitality."

Of course, Ling Chongxiao had reached the "White Tiger Subduing" realm, able to lock most of his energy within, so that nothing leaked out; he appeared no different from an ordinary man, but if he unleashed his power, he would far surpass this youth.

Yet for the young man to even vaguely compare to Ling Chongxiao spoke to his skill.

Aside from this group, there was a short-haired monk.

When Shen Lian glanced at him, the monk smiled in return, seemingly without malice.

There were also three imposing figures whose origins were unclear, tall and fierce in demeanor.

These three, whether intentional or not, kept their focus on the young leader’s direction.

Their expressions carried a murderous air, as if ready to strike at any moment.

The young man was likewise wary of them, his gaze cold and stern.

It seemed both sides understood each other well, awaiting something, holding their hands for the time being.

Outside, thunder rumbled, echoing endlessly.

A handsome, smiling young lord appeared leisurely in the hall.

Though the wind and rain raged, chill permeating the air, he carried a folding fan, his demeanor elegant and striking.

His features rivaled Shen Lian’s own in refinement, yet he was more delicate, with an added touch of unruliness.

As the young lord entered, the previously fierce trio broke into smiles.

The three stood up, as did the young leader’s group.

The atmosphere tensed, ready to ignite.

The young lord pointed at the leader, his finger slender and jade-like, veins faintly visible in the firelight—no one would imagine such a person possessed any lethal force.

"You are Li Zhuang."

His voice was clear and crisp, like pearls scattered on jade.

"That’s right, I am Li Zhuang of the Shunfeng Escort Agency. May I ask who you are? These three from the Northern Desert who’ve followed me all this way, are they with you?" Li Zhuang’s breath was strong, his speech resonant and forceful, bearing the manner of a great general.

"How do you know these three fools are with me?" the young lord drawled.

The three hulking, fierce men were the notorious Northern Desert Three Heroes, infamous for their ruthless killings, true desperados of the martial world.

They had grown up together, as close as brothers, and mastered a joint attack technique; over the years, few could best them.

They had vanished from the scene for five years; rumor had it they had fallen to Ling Chongxiao, but here they were, alive and well.

Li Zhuang hadn’t recognized them at first, but after a brief clash, he identified their martial lineage.

He had already lost two brothers, his heart heavy with grief, but he forced himself to keep calm.

He still wondered why the Northern Desert Three Heroes would target this particular escort mission.

Only when the young lord appeared did he begin to suspect.

Now, his most important task was to delay, waiting for reinforcements.

"No matter how skilled the Northern Desert Three Heroes are, they wouldn’t dare rob this escort," Li Zhuang replied, his words tactful, neither provoking the three nor failing to probe the young lord’s identity.

"Heh, what’s Sword Manor to us? The Millennium Ice Jade is something our young master is determined to claim. If you know what’s good for you, hand it over," said the eldest of the three heroes.

Li Zhuang laughed heartily. "I wonder who this young master is, that even the Northern Desert Three Heroes dare disregard Sword Manor."

The young lord, addressed as "young master," smiled slightly. "Who I am, you’re not worthy to know. The Millennium Ice Jade isn’t anything remarkable; it’s just that Ye Liuyun lacks confidence, hoping to use it to pass the ‘Heart-Questioning Path.’ So-called First Young Lord of the Martial World—doesn’t seem so impressive to me."

"I wouldn’t presume to call Young Lord Liuyun the First Young Lord of the Martial World, nor do I know what the ‘Heart-Questioning Path’ is. But his learning, martial skill, and character are all those I respect most in my life. It seems, young master, you must have some misunderstanding with him," Li Zhuang said solemnly.

"What misunderstanding could I have? I’ve never even met him. No need to stall—I know you hail from Demon-Subduing Temple, and that this ruined temple has, in two hundred years, produced its first talent under thirty to master the Mighty Vajra Palm, and bring the Golden Bell Shield to the sixth level. Here’s how it will be: I’ll let you strike me first, see if my body is stronger than your Golden Bell Shield. If I’m unharmed, you take a blow from me. If you’re injured, hand over the goods—I have no wish to shed more blood unnecessarily."