Inside the Lin Family Fortress council hall, the Eight Immortals table had been polished to a gleaming shine. Two Mystic Iron Short Knives rested at one corner of the table—the fortress's armament samples, carrying a hint of a martial arts clan's deep foundations.
Daoist Zhang wore a green robe embroidered with the "Mystic Heaven Martial Pattern" and sat upright in the grand chair at the head of the room, his knuckles unconsciously stroking the handle of his Mystic Iron Duster, his bearing solemn and imposing.
Instructor Li stood beside him with a hand on his sword. His shiny silver lamellar armor glinted with a cold sheen beneath the morning light, while the Heart Protection Pattern on its armor plates faintly circulated with the white glow of internal breath—he was clearly maintaining constant vigilance, wary that this remote fortress might conceal martial arts experts.
Lin Zhao sat in a wooden chair opposite them, with Zhao Tieying standing behind him, both hands resting on the Mystic Iron Saber at his waist—he was the Lin Family Fortress's Armament Instructor, a Peak Martial Master whose strength had declined somewhat. Though he was no match for Instructor Li at his peak, he could still barely put up a fight.
Lin Zhao deliberately lowered his eyes, his face carrying the particular unease of a young man. His fingertips lightly clenched the hem of his clothes, even revealing a trace of nearly imperceptible panic—every one of these subtle expressions fell into Daoist Zhang's eyes.
Sure enough, just a young lad who has never weathered the storms of martial conflict, Daoist Zhang thought to himself.
Before coming here, he had already investigated the surrounding fortresses, and he had paid particular attention to the Lin Family Fortress, which had once produced a "Mystic Dragon Centurion."
Rumors had long said that this hereditary centurion was young and shallow-rooted. Now that he had seen him in person, it was indeed as expected.
After clearing his throat, Daoist Zhang set down his teacup and said solemnly, "Centurion Lin, I have come this time to discuss a matter—the Celestial Masters' Manor wishes to purchase your fortress lands and the iron mine behind the mountain."
His words were direct, without the slightest detour. In the world today, the Celestial Masters' Manor was the greatest controller of martial arts resources in the north. It not only governed the Martial Arts Order, but monopolized more than half of the mystic iron ore veins. Annexing fortress lands in the name of "protecting the realm" was an everyday occurrence.
Martial arts branch temples across the region openly and covertly controlled vast numbers of tenant farmers and mines. Purchasing estates from fallen martial nobles had long been customary.
Zhao Tieying's expression changed at once, and he instinctively looked toward Lin Zhao—the iron mine behind the mountain was the foundation of the fortress's forging of martial weapons. Without it, their future dealings with Iron Mask martial masters would be cut off.
Yet Lin Zhao did not rush to refuse. He merely lowered his head and looked at the edge of the table—he wanted to see just how much the Celestial Masters' Manor was willing to offer.
If they truly could purchase the fortress lands and iron mine, and the price was enough for him to buy all the Body Tempering Pills and obtain the Mystic Ice Breathing Technique, then selling was not entirely out of the question.
But on second thought, the fortress lands were the tenant farmers' foundation, while the iron mine was the lifeline of forging. Without these two, even with the Proficiency Panel, it would be difficult for him to rapidly increase his strength.
Seeing him remain silent, Daoist Zhang took it for hesitation and immediately continued with a smile. "Five thousand taels of silver. This is twice the price offered to Frostwind Fortress and Panyan Fortress. First, it is in consideration of your late father, the 'Mystic Dragon Centurion,' who once contributed to protecting the northern realm. Second, we know your fortress's yearly income does not even reach three hundred taels—this sum is enough for you to buy ten bottles of Pangolin Dragon Essence, forge twenty sets of Mystic Iron Plate Armor, and cultivate and maintain armaments without worry for the rest of your life."
He paused, and his tone gained a little more of the flavor of "thinking for your sake." "Centurion Lin should know that the Lin Family Fortress lies in a remote location, and its mystic iron vein is no rich mine. Its natural foundation is weak, and it is destined never to amount to much.
"Rather than exhausting your efforts guarding this poor fortress, why not sell it to the Celestial Masters' Manor? Take the silver to Northern Garrison City and seek a future in martial arts. Would that not be better than suffering here?"
After saying this, Daoist Zhang raised his teacup and took a light sip, his gaze certain—given such generous terms, he did not believe this "timid" young centurion would refuse.
But how could he know that the current Lin Zhao was no longer the ignorant boy he had once been?
Five thousand taels of silver seemed like a great deal, but with his current Guaranteed Exquisite forging skill, he could earn over a thousand taels every three months. He would make it back in less than five years.
Moreover, the fortress lands supported the tenant farmers. Their children could practice the Basic Slash and Stab Technique, forming the foundation of the fortress's future armaments. The iron mine behind the mountain might not be rich, but it was enough for him to forge weapons and armor. He absolutely could not give it up.
Besides, the Lin Family had been rooted here for two hundred years. The ancestral hall held tablets for generations of ancestors, and the fortress residents recognized the Lin Family name. If he sold the fortress lands and iron mine, he would become a sinner who had betrayed his ancestors and broken faith with his people. Who would still be willing to follow him afterward?
"Thank you for Daoist's kind intentions, but I must decline." Lin Zhao raised his head and shook it, his tone earnest. "My Lin Family has been rooted here for two hundred years. Every brick and tile in this fortress is soaked in the blood and sweat of our ancestors. The iron mine behind the mountain is the basis for forging armaments. Without the mine, even the estate guards would not have handy blades to wield. How could we defend against mutant beasts? The tenant farmers within the fortress all regard me as family. If I sell the fortress lands, they will have no land to farm. Would they not starve to death?"
Zhao Tieying quietly sighed in relief beside him—this was the backbone a descendant of the Lin Family should possess!
Back then, the Furong Manor and Iron Felt Mountain estates had been lost because martial masters serving the Feudal King had coveted them, and the Lin Family lacked the strength to protect them at the time. But the Lin Family Fortress was their final foundation. It absolutely could not be lost.
"Oh? Centurion Lin will not reconsider?" Daoist Zhang still wore a smile, but his tone acquired an undeniable hardness. Even the tassels of his Mystic Iron Duster straightened tautly—he had not expected a young centurion to dare refuse him. Displeasure had already risen in his heart, but years of martial cultivation kept it from showing on his face.
"There is no need." Lin Zhao lowered his eyes. He appeared nervous, but his voice remained steady. "If Daoist came here to purchase the fortress lands and iron mine, I fear you will return disappointed. Even if I agreed, the fortress's tenant farmers and estate guards would never accept it—they would rather die than leave the land where their ancestors lived."
Though he was weak now, he could never retreat when it concerned the foundation upon which he stood.
Previously, when the Wild Jackal Gang had abducted Zhang Laochui, losing one artisan had not prevented the fortress's affairs from operating. But if they lost the fortress lands and iron mine, their roots would be severed. Even with the Proficiency Panel, it would be difficult to gain a foothold in this high-martial world.
Seeing his resolute attitude, Daoist Zhang stopped beating around the bush and changed tack. "In that case, we shall set aside the matter of purchasing the properties for now. This Daoist will await Centurion Lin at Northern Garrison City whenever you wish to discuss it. Now, for the second matter—the issue of your fortress's unpaid Military Supply Tribute."
He set down his teacup, his gaze sharp as a blade. "Centurion Lin should know that your three fortress lands and one iron mine must all pay Military Supply Tribute to the Celestial Masters' Manor—either in mystic iron, weapons, or silver in lieu. After your father passed away, Furong Manor and Iron Felt Mountain were occupied by others. The Celestial Masters' Manor showed much consideration and did not pursue you for payment. As for the Lin Family Fortress and the iron mine behind the mountain, because they were so remote, the Celestial Masters' Manor also turned a blind eye and did not press for payment."
At this point, he paused and said each word distinctly. "However, the martial arts sect regulations state: all properties within the Celestial Masters' Manor's protected territory, regardless of whether tribute was collected before, may be traced back retroactively. In other words, from the time your late father inherited the centurion's position, the Celestial Masters' Manor may demand the Military Supply Tribute unpaid over the past hundred years. It was the Manor's consideration not to demand it before; demanding it now is likewise in accordance with sect regulations. Centurion Lin, how do you intend to settle this century of unpaid tribute?"
His tone was calm, but it carried the pressure of an Entering Martial Master, making the air in the hall seem to freeze solid.
Lin Zhao sneered inwardly, but his expression did not change. "What tribute should be paid will naturally be paid."—He had not enjoyed even a fraction of those so-called "considerate exemptions." The profits from Furong Manor and Iron Felt Mountain had long since gone into the Feudal King's coffers, yet the Celestial Masters' Manor was now using this as an excuse to force him to pay the Lin Family Fortress's old debts. They were clearly bullying him because he was young and without support.
In the end, it was because his father, a Peak Martial Master, was gone, and the Lin Family no longer had anyone capable of shouldering matters. All manner of demons and monsters wanted a share of the spoils.
The Celestial Masters' Manor was still being "courteous," at least by mentioning "purchase." When Furong Manor had been seized back then, the Feudal King's martial masters had come directly to threaten them. If Zhao Tieying had not resisted with his life, even Lin Zhao would have been taken away.
The taste of weakness is truly suffocating! Lin Zhao cursed inwardly, while maintaining a respectful expression.
He knew that even nobles could not openly refuse the matter of Military Supply Tribute—the Celestial Masters' Manor controlled the northern martial arts resources. If he dared refuse payment, he would be branded with the crime of "defying orders to protect the realm." At that point, they would send a guardian Martial Master Corps to "suppress" them, and his tiny Lin Family Fortress would not be able to withstand it at all.
He did not fear Daoist Zhang, a mere Martial Arts Daoist. What he feared was the giant web behind the Celestial Masters' Manor—the martial arts branch temples spread throughout the north, hundreds of Entering Martial Masters, and the guardian Martial Master Corps made up of seven Entering Grandmaster Warriors. That was a blade sharp enough to level all resistance.
Lin Zhao possessed the Proficiency Panel. As long as he stayed alive, becoming an Entering Grandmaster Warrior or even a Legendary Master Warrior was inevitable.
Thus, he knew that some things had to be endured when they ought to be endured—Daoist Zhang had shifted from purchasing his property to demanding tribute, offering him a way down rather than directly seizing it. That could already be considered "merciful."
"Very good. Thank you for your cooperation, Centurion Lin." Daoist Zhang nodded in satisfaction and took a document from his sleeve, handing it over. "This is the calculated total of unpaid tribute—ten thousand taels of silver. In consideration of your late father's contributions in protecting the realm, the 'late fees' shall be waived. According to sect regulations, unpaid tribute incurs an additional ten percent each month. We shall only collect the principal. Please settle it as soon as possible, Centurion Lin."
Clearly, this had been planned in advance—first discuss purchasing the properties, and if he agreed, so much the better. If he did not, they would force him to pay the old debt. Either way, they intended to squeeze oil from the Lin Family Fortress.
Lin Zhao accepted the document. When his gaze swept over the words "ten thousand taels of silver," his fingers suddenly clenched tight, the knuckles turning bluish white. He began cursing in his heart at once—this old Daoist was indeed black-hearted, actually tracing the accounts back to the year his father had first inherited the centurion's position!
A century of tribute—even at fifty taels per year, it would only amount to five thousand taels. These ten thousand taels were plainly double the proper sum!
Raging waves surged within his chest, nearly impossible to suppress.
When his father had been alive, the Celestial Masters' Manor had never once mentioned demanding payment. Less than five years after his father's death, they had appeared with a century-old debt, even calling it "waiving late fees." They had truly gone too far in bullying others!
But he took a deep breath and still forced down his fury.
In this high-martial world, rules were written for the strong. Where could fairness be found? Weakness was the original sin.
"Ten thousand taels is no small sum. I can only pay it in installments." Lin Zhao tried to keep his tone steady, though his fingertips still trembled faintly.
"Installments are acceptable, but interest must be added." Daoist Zhang sipped his tea as though making casual conversation. "According to the Celestial Masters' Manor's sect regulations, the monthly interest is one percent. In addition, you must pay the Military Supply Tribute the Lin Family Fortress owes over the next ten years—from this year onward, fifteen hundred taels annually. After the ten years are settled, you may resume paying the usual two hundred taels each year."
How was this collecting tribute? This was clearly usury under the banner of martial arts! Lin Zhao knew that the Celestial Masters' Manor's main sources of income were precisely this "tribute interest" and its iron mine monopoly—how else could the grain paid by tenant farmers support hundreds of martial masters?
"Fine." Lin Zhao gritted his teeth and agreed.
It was not yet time to tear all pretenses with the Celestial Masters' Manor. Even if he had to pay fifteen thousand taels over ten years, he could only accept it for now.
This old Daoist had played his cards well. He clearly intended to slowly grind him down through interest, but in ten years, who knew whether Lin Zhao might break through to become an Entering Grandmaster Warrior?
At that time, let alone fifteen thousand taels, even a hundred thousand taels, he could earn it back!
After signing the contract, Daoist Zhang left in grand fashion with Instructor Li.
As Instructor Li departed, he deliberately released a thread of Peak Martial Master pressure. It shook the leaves from the old locust tree beside the fortress gate in a rustling shower—an utterly naked threat.
Lin Zhao stood at the fortress gate, narrowing his eyes as he watched the pair's retreating backs. A flash of killing intent flickered through his eyes before reason forcibly pressed it down.
Zhao Tieying sighed softly beside him, then lowered his voice. "Young Master, why not find an opportunity to strike on the mountain road during their return journey? You and I can join forces, then have the Mystic Arm Snow Ape launch a sneak attack. Dealing with Instructor Li would not be difficult—that Daoist Zhang is merely a Martial Arts Daoist. His internal breath focuses on nourishment and regulation, and he has little fighting strength."
"Useless." Lin Zhao shook his head, his tone helpless. "Kill one Daoist Zhang and one Instructor Li, and the Celestial Masters' Manor will send ten more, a hundred more. Behind them stands the entire Celestial Masters' Manor. Unless we can wipe out the northern guardian Martial Master Corps entirely, it would only bring more trouble."
He paused, clenching his fist until his knuckles whitened. "Money is not urgent. Fifteen hundred taels a year—we will pay it. But this debt, I will reclaim with both principal and interest sooner or later. The day I become an Entering Grandmaster Warrior, I will make the Celestial Masters' Manor understand that the Lin Family Fortress is not so easily bullied!"
After speaking, he turned and returned to the fortress, walking straight toward the Blacksmith Shed—anger could not resolve his predicament. Only becoming stronger was the true foundation.
He was far too weak now. Apart from making a few harsh declarations, there was nothing else he could do.
Whether it was the Celestial Masters' Manor or the Wild Jackal Gang, they dared bully him for no reason other than Zhao Tieying's advancing age and gradually declining internal breath, while Lin Zhao himself had yet to break through to an Entering Martial Master.
All he could do was endure and cultivate bitterly.
No matter how furious an ordinary person became, they could not fight a fierce tiger. How could someone who was not even an Entering Martial Master stand against a colossal force like the Celestial Masters' Manor?
I have the Proficiency Panel. I will surely grow stronger in the future. I cannot throw away my life over a moment of impulsiveness, he encouraged himself. My most urgent task is to first cultivate the Mystic Dragon Breathing Technique to completion and break through to an Entering Martial Master!
After this incident, Lin Zhao cultivated with even greater diligence.
Across both his past and present lives, he had never worked this desperately—during the day, he practiced the Mystic Dragon Breathing Technique and studied the Mystic Wolf Breathing Technique. Whenever his internal breath was exhausted, he consumed Mystic Dragon secret medicine. At night, he soaked himself in the Blacksmith Shed, forging iron. After forging weapons, he practiced the Three Talents Slash until his wrists ached so badly he could not hold a sword. During idle moments, he still had to handle fortress affairs, inventory the iron mine, and arrange the tenant farmers' cultivation. All matters weighed upon him, leaving barely any chance to catch his breath.
Year 23 of Jiajing, midsummer.
This was the most pleasant season of the year for the Lin Family Fortress, neither cold nor hot. The mountain breeze even carried the fragrance of wild fruits beloved by the Mystic Arm Snow Ape.
Two months had passed since Lin Zhao began practicing the Mystic Wolf Breathing Technique.
Just as he was on the verge of giving up and planning to try the Black Bear Breathing Technique instead, one morning, after completing the final round of the "Silver Wolf Stance" according to the manual, he suddenly felt his entire body lighten—a faint yet clear silver-white internal breath slowly rose from his dantian and traveled through his meridians, exactly like when he had first begun the Mystic Dragon Breathing Technique!
Lin Zhao was overjoyed and immediately opened the Proficiency Panel in his mind:
-Mystic Dragon Breathing Technique: Third Tier (6769/10000), Internal Breath Refinement 52% -Mystic Wolf Breathing Technique: First level (1/1000), internal breath attribute: Silver Frost (excels at increasing speed and concealing tracks) -Three Talents Slash: Third Tier (7568/10000), special effect: Advanced Shocking Force (when infused with internal breath, can shatter lamellar armor below the Entering Martial Master level) -Beast Taming: Third Tier (complete), special effect: Heart of Beast Taming (can command the Mystic Arm Snow Ape to transport iron ore and keep watch for enemies) -Martial Arts Blacksmithing: Third Tier (5563/10000), special effect: Guaranteed Exquisite (the Pulse Protecting Pattern compatibility of forged weapons and armor increases by 30%)
"I finally got started!" He was so excited he nearly jumped up. The Mystic Wolf Breathing Technique being recorded by the Proficiency Panel meant he had truly broken through the limitation of Bloodline Bound—despite lacking the Mystic Wolf Fortress bloodline, he could still practice this breathing exercise!
Now that he had entered the door, things would be easier going forward—even if progress was slow, as long as he cultivated every day and supplemented it with wolf meat, since Silver Frost internal breath required beast meat for nourishment, he would eventually cultivate it to completion!
It had been a long time since he had felt this excited. This was not merely a breakthrough in one breathing exercise—it meant that in the future, he could gather martial arts techniques from across the world, cultivate the strengths of a hundred schools at once, and make up for his own shortcomings.
In an instant, the gloom brought by the Celestial Masters' Manor's forced tribute vanished completely. He even began envisioning the future: once he cultivated the Mystic Wolf Breathing Technique to completion, he would seek out the Black Bear Breathing Technique—Silver Frost internal breath would make up for speed, Black Bear internal breath for strength, and Mystic Dragon internal breath for cold defense. With all three combined, even a Peak Entering Martial Master would be someone he could fight!
"Old Daoist Zhang, just you wait!" Lin Zhao gritted his teeth, turned, and threw himself back into cultivating the Mystic Wolf Breathing Technique—the silver-white internal breath flowed through his meridians, and even his footsteps seemed several degrees lighter.
Time slipped away, and before long, it was the End of Fiery Month.
Lin Zhao personally carried ten sets of "Mystic Iron Plate Armor with Pulse Protecting Patterns" and nearly a hundred "Hundred Refinements Mystic Iron Sabers" forged during this period, returning to the Xuanyao Tavern in Northern Garrison City—he intended to trade with Iron Mask martial masters again, still using the alias "Rakshasa Shen Luo."
This transaction went very smoothly. Iron Mask saw that the Pulse Protecting Pattern compatibility on the armor he forged was exceptionally high and even gave him an additional fifty taels of silver. In total, he sold them for one thousand one hundred and fifty taels of silver.
Unfortunately, he did not encounter the martial master who had sold Pangolin Dragon Essence last time. When he inquired at Ruibao Hall, he learned that Pangolin Dragon Essence was still monopolized by the White Horse General, Zhu Chenhao, so he could only return to the fortress with the silver.
The arrival of one thousand one hundred and fifty taels of silver finally eased the fortress's financial straits—for the very least, the first installment of this year's "tribute" was now accounted for.
However, a new problem arose—the mystic iron mine in the mountain behind the fortress had already been exhausted. A new problem arose—the mystic iron mine in the mountain behind the fortress had already been exhausted. If they wanted to forge more weapons and armor, they would have no raw materials.
Left with no choice, Lin Zhao relied on fragments of "geological memories" from his previous life and led the Mystic Arm Snow Ape to search along both sides of Qixia Mountain—the ape was immensely strong and could also sense the presence of metal beneath the earth.
After spending half a month, they finally found a small open-pit mystic iron mine several dozen li upstream of Qixia Mountain. The ore vein was not rich, but it was enough for the fortress's forging needs, resolving their ore crisis.
To ensure the iron mine's supply, Lin Zhao rearranged the fortress's manpower. Aside from one hour of Basic Slash and Stab Technique training each day, the estate guards spent all remaining time mining, chopping wood, and making charcoal. The blacksmith apprentices were expanded to ten, led by Zhang Tiechui, and were responsible for forging ordinary weapons. As for the most important armor and weapons with Pulse Protecting Patterns, he still forged them personally for the time being.
He planned to turn Martial Arts Blacksmithing into the fortress's pillar industry while ensuring agricultural production. Once Zhang Tiechui broke through to become a Formal Martial Artisan, he would find a way to reclaim Zhang Laochui from the Wild Jackal Gang, allowing him to devote more of his energy to cultivation.
In this way, mining, charcoal-making, smelting, and forging each had clear divisions of labor, greatly increasing efficiency.
In just one Furnace Month, the fortress forged fourteen sets of Mystic Iron Plate Armor and one hundred and fifty Mystic Iron Sabers, enough for the next transaction with Iron Mask.
Time flew by, and before long, it was Wheat Harvest Month—the Lin Family Fortress's winter wheat welcomed a bumper harvest.
After the tenant farmers finished gathering this year's wheat, Lin Zhao calculated the yield and discovered with pleasant surprise that, because he had introduced Northern Cold-Resistant Wheat Seed and had Zhao Tieying use his faint internal breath to improve the soil's fertility, the wheat yield had actually risen five percent compared to last year!
In the cold northern lands, this was practically a miracle.
He understood that in this high-martial world, the best way to mobilize manpower was to ensure laborers could eat their fill and gain real benefits—only when the tenant farmers had enough grain would they be willing to let their children participate in armament training; only when the estate guards were paid sufficiently would they be willing to risk their lives mining and forging.
Beyond farming and forging, Lin Zhao's cultivation also received a double blessing.
The Mystic Wolf Breathing Technique progressed at a tremendous pace—its body-tempering supplementary materials were far simpler than those of the Mystic Dragon Breathing Technique. Its primary ingredient was the meat of Mystic Mane Fierce Wolves, supplemented by a small amount of Ice Spring Stone powder.
He ate wolf meat daily and circulated the breathing exercise. In only four months, he had cultivated it from first level to the heavy stage (899/1000). His Silver Frost internal breath could now increase his speed by twenty percent, even making the Three Talents Slash several degrees faster.
What delighted him even more was that the Mystic Dragon Breathing Technique had also made a substantive breakthrough—with the support of the Mystic Dragon and his day-and-night bitter cultivation, its proficiency had reached 9876/10000, and his Internal Breath Refinement had broken through to 80%. He was only one step away from "Third Tier completion and charging toward Entering Martial Master"!
Before you continue