A Lesson Learned

Lin Xiao then sighed and smiled, rose and respectfully bowed to Zhao Yunzhong, saying:

"Xiao, I've learned a lot."

Whether the former king truly died because he wanted to absorb the imperial seal, as Zhao Yunzhong claimed, is no longer important. What matters is that Zhao Yunzhong has successfully told Lin Xiao everything he wanted him to know.

Thus, the situation changed from Lin Xiao originally possessing a small part of the secrets of the Zhao Imperial Clan's imperial seal to now being forced to understand a portion of the secrets of various countries and their imperial seals.

Thus, the Ruler Zhao went from having his private affairs in the hands of others to having Lin Xiao under his control.

However, the key he had in Lin Xiao's possession was indeed a secret among the nations, and it was impossible to easily use it to exchange for Lin Xiao alone.

Thus, in this matter, the two were in the same boat.

Regardless of Lin Xiao's character, he would never easily reveal these matters again.

Zhao Yunzhong smiled and nodded in response:

"Fellow Daoist Lin is an upright and righteous person. I feel an instant connection with you. We should keep in touch more often in the future."

Lin Xiao stood up and smiled:

"That's natural. I also feel a great affinity with the Ruler Zhao. I hope you won't find me troublesome in the future."

The most stable cooperative relationships are those where partners mutually exchange and restrain each other.

This laid a suitable foundation for the future establishment of diplomatic relations between the Lingxian Sect and Huanyou Nation.

However, Lin Xiao did not take the opportunity to propose establishing diplomatic relations at the moment.

Firstly, after the exchange just now, he has clearly fallen behind. Once he falls behind, it won't be so easy for him to catch up now, so it's not a good time to negotiate.

Secondly, Zhao Yunzhong currently in a difficult situation. Friendly cooperation should be discussed when both parties are in a good position. Discussing it when others are down on their luck and one is in a comfortable position would be seen as taking advantage of someone's misfortune and would not be conducive to the healthy development of future cooperation.

However, Lin Xiao did not take his leave.

Instead, he sat up straight again, his eyes fixed intently on Zhao Yunzhong, and said with great interest:

"Then, Your Ruler Zhao, could you also tell me how your Zhao Clan's imperial seal was lost hundreds of years ago, and how the dynasty changed hands?"

Seeing his eager anticipation for an answer, Zhao Yunzhong felt a pang of sadness.

This fellow Daoist Lin, how come he's so sensible one minute, and then...

Finally, unable to resist Lin Xiao's thick skin, Zhao Yunzhong still brought up the humiliating incident involving the Zhao Imperial Clan of Huanyou Nation back then.

Lin Xiao wrote down every single word, including the national seal, the former king, ancient precepts, and bloodline mentioned earlier.

Having many lice doesn't make you feel itchy, and having many secrets doesn't make you afraid of being heard.

Having learned a lesson from everyone, Lin Xiao naturally wanted to enrich his record of experiences as much as possible.

After a long while, Zhao Yunzhong Lin Xiao quickly covered his chest and coughed.

"Ouch... ouch..."

He looked like he had suffered a relapse of an internal injury.

Lin Xiao then reluctantly removed the soundproof barrier and called in the Azure Lotus Sect disciples who were waiting outside.

Attended by the disciples of the Azure Lotus Sect, Zhao Yunzhong drank his medicine while beckoning to Lin Xiao, who was standing to the side:

"Um... Fellow Daoist Lin, take care."

Lin Xiao:...

"Alright, I'll be going then. Your Ruler Zhao, please rest well. Let's get together again when we have time."

Thus, Lin Xiao was effectively kicked out by Zhao Yunzhong.

As luck would have it, as soon as he came out, someone walked right in front of him.

The person was dressed in a light purple dress, with a tassel jade pendant at the waist, and a jade hairpin with bells in the hair.

With a face of unparalleled beauty, yet a hint of melancholy in her eyes, she evoked pity in me—who else could it be but Shen Yingzi?

Shen Yingzi happened to look up and saw Lin Xiao.

"Brother Lin Xiao!"

Upon seeing Lin Xiao, his eyes lit up and he immediately ran over, his movements lively and adorable, yet completely like a little girl.

"I was in such a rush before, I didn't have a chance to thank you," he said, bowing slightly to Lin Xiao. "Thank you so much, Brother Lin, for your timely intervention, which saved my father from disaster. I have no way to repay your kindness, please accept this bow!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he bowed deeply to Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao quickly helped him up.

"Brother Shen, there's no need for that. I was merely doing my small part. Please rise."

After helping Shen Yingzi up, Lin Xiao asked him:

How is your father's health?

Speaking of this, Shen Yingzi's originally bright expression dimmed slightly, and he lowered his head, looking somewhat distressed:

"My father's health is alright, but his cultivation level... Aunt Jiang said that at most he can keep his Golden Core intact, but his cultivation strength is far inferior to that of an average Golden Core Stage."

"Moreover, future cultivation will be even more difficult..."

As he spoke, he murmured self-reproach in a low voice.

"It's all my fault... If it weren't for me, my father wouldn't be like this..."

"Hey, Brother Shen, you've gone too far." Lin Xiao slapped him on the shoulder.

Shen Yingzi looked up at him, puzzled.

Lin Xiao sighed helplessly:

"If it weren't for your father buying you time, you and those girls would probably have become sacrifices to the Grand Preceptor's formation long ago. The fact that you're alive now is the best thing your father could have done by sacrificing his cultivation."

"If you feel guilty or sad, then find a way to repay your father for his sacrifices, instead of hiding your feelings and wallowing in self-pity behind his back."

Looking at Lin Xiao, Shen Yingzi was somewhat bewildered.

"But I don't know how I can repay my father..."

"Then put more thought into it; in short, don't waste time in this self-indulgent mood."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yingzi seemed lost in thought, staring blankly at a certain spot, seemingly pondering something.

The two of them suddenly fell silent in the open space near the tent.

Lin Xiao waited for a while, and seeing that he didn't react, he looked up at the sky again. Thinking about the situation in Euphrates Poplar Village and Tuantuan there, he couldn't help but speak:

"Well... why don't you go back to your tent and think it over? I'll... I'm leaving now."

However, before he could finish speaking, Shen Yingzi suddenly looked up at him, a glimmer of light in her eyes, and said with a hint of hope in her voice:

"Although my father never said it, I could sense that he wanted me to cultivate."

"Brother Lin, what do you think of my cultivation? I've been working hard at it. Although I don't have much talent, my father always says, 'Where there's a will, there's a way!'"

"If I can successfully embark on the path of cultivation, I can find a way to restore my father's health! Then he won't have to walk alone on this long, endless road... He'll have me in his life..."

After hearing these words, Lin Xiao glanced at Shen Yingzi.

As darkness fell, he saw glimmers of starlight in Shen Yingzi's eyes.

"Brother Shen, our sect is still lacking a musician. I see that you have a good talent for music. If you are willing, you can come to the Lingxian Sect Pusi Kingdom and give it a try. Perhaps you can find a different option there."

"Of course, your father can come along if he'd like."