Visits from Other Factions

After exchanging a few simple words with Su Yuanshan, Lin Fan bade everyone farewell and turned to return to Sunset Glow Courtyard.

Within the small courtyard, a breeze rustled the leaves. The glory and clamor outside seemed to have been shut away.

Lin Fan stepped into the courtyard, walked to the familiar bluestone platform, and slowly sat down cross-legged. The rewards bestowed from outside, the general's title, the millions of taels of silver—these were all worldly possessions, and he absolutely could not become lost in them. Only by strengthening his own cultivation could he secure the true foundation for survival.

He closed his eyes, and his mind swiftly settled. A faint pearly-white aura slowly rose around him, and before long, he had immersed himself in cultivation once more.

Su Qingwei stood some distance away, silently watching Lin Fan meditate. She tightened her grip on the longsword in her hand and began practicing as well.

News that an Imperial Court envoy had come to the Su Residence to bestow honors upon Lin Fan spread through the entire town in less than half a day, as though it had grown wings.

The imperial edict, the reward of three million taels of silver, the title of General Pacifying the Lands that did not require him to serve at court, along with that imperial gilded plaque—each and every one became a hot topic of discussion in streets and teahouses.

The news spread outward along the official roads, and the jianghu sects and martial arts families within dozens of miles soon learned of it as well.

In just two or three days, visitors arriving at the door to offer congratulations became an unbroken stream.

Some were leaders of nearby gangs, bringing generous gifts in hopes of befriending the now high-ranking Lin Fan. Some were local