Zhang Jianxing left the riverside with Lin Bai and arrived at a high mountain behind the Sword Hermitage. The two sat down one after the other, and Zhang Jianxing took two jugs of fine wine from his Storage Bag, handing one to Lin Bai.
"This is somewhere you come often. You seem very familiar with it."
Lin Bai sat beside Zhang Jianxing with a soft laugh and spoke with a smile.
Zhang Jianxing smiled. "I grew up here. Whenever my master scolded me, I liked to run here and spend some time alone. Or, whenever I encountered difficulties in my cultivation, I would come here to find some peace and quiet."
"Later, I learned to steal my master's wine and sneak here to drink it."
Zhang Jianxing laughed.
Lin Bai smiled and clinked cups with him. "Zhang Jianxing—is that your real name?"
Zhang Jianxing chuckled when he heard this. "It is, but it also isn't... My master gave me this name: carrying a sword across the four corners of the world, walking beneath heaven!"
Lin Bai smiled faintly. "Senior Old Man Lone Boat is indeed an extraordinary person."
Zhang Jianxing smiled faintly and said noncommittally, "You're no different, Brother Dongfang. With your cultivation, you'll surely shake the Eastern Continent and make a name for yourself throughout the world one day!"
Lin Bai smiled faintly and shook his head. "Fame and glory aren't what I seek. What I want more is to seal my sword away in the mountains and forests someday."
Zhang Jianxing said, "Looks like we both have our own bitter hardships."
Lin Bai smiled and clinked cups with Zhang Jianxing again before downing a mouthful of strong wine. Though it was not Enlightenment Brew, it had its own distinctive flavor and was exceptionally fiery.
Zhang Jianxing and Lin