Chapter 65: The Goodwill of the Profound Sword Sect

Xiao Xiao blinked upon hearing this and said, "Then let's set off now! When Senior Sister was leaving, she specifically told me that if there was a chance, I must invite Big Brother Lin to visit the mountain!"

Having left the mountain for a long time, Xiao Xiao was overjoyed to be reunited with her father. However, since she had chosen the path of martial arts, advancing her cultivation remained her top priority.

She immediately decided to return to the Profound Sword Sect.

The journey to the Profound Sword Sect took three days by horse.

As Xiao Xiao's father and head of the family, Xiao Qiang could not easily leave his post, so this trip was made solely by Xiao Xiao and Lin Shan.

After traveling for three days, the two arrived at the foot of a towering mountain.

Even from the base, Lin Shan could already see the majestic pavilions and storied buildings rising up the mountain slopes.

Built against the mountain, the Profound Sword Sect possessed an imposing and magnificent aura.

At the foot of the mountain stood a massive gate, next to which was a three-zhang-tall boulder inscribed with three large red characters:

"Profound Sword Sect"

Gazing at the stele of the Profound Sword Sect with a trace of pride on her face, Xiao Xiao turned to Lin Shan and said, "Big Brother Lin, this is the Profound Sword Sect."

Two disciples standing guard at the gate spotted Xiao Xiao and called out excitedly, "Junior Sister, you're back?!"

Xiao Xiao waved back in response, "Senior Brothers, I'm back."

The two disciples quickly trotted down and showered Xiao Xiao with warm inquiries about her journey. Lin Shan stood aside with a gentle smile. After quite a while, they finally remembered there was someone else present, and one of the disciples asked, "Xiao Xiao, who is this?"

Xiao Xiao introduced them, "Senior Brother, this is Lin Shan, the patronized martial expert of our Xiao family. He has come here today to discuss an important matter with the Sect Master."

Hearing the name "Lin Shan," both disciples looked somewhat surprised. One of them turned to Lin Shan and said, "So you are Senior Brother Lin, Senior Sister Mu Qing's savior."

It seemed word of his deeds had already spread throughout the Profound Sword Sect.

*This Mu Qing really is an open and straightforward person,* Lin Shan thought to himself. Ordinarily, most people would not broadcast such a humiliating experience of being rescued, especially someone like Mu Qing, who was a Bone-Forging realm martial artist.

"It is indeed me," Lin Shan replied, cupping his fists with neither subservience nor arrogance.

"Guests have arrived, and we have been remiss in our welcome."

The two disciples quickly cupped their fists in return, took care of the horses, and escorted the two to the front parlor to serve tea.

After Lin Shan and Xiao Xiao waited in the hall for a short while, Mu Qing hurried in. Upon seeing Lin Shan, she laughed heartily, "Brother Lin, it has been many days! Have you been well?"

Lin Shan stood up and said, "Miss Mu, Lin Shan has come uninvited this time because there is a matter I wish to discuss with the Profound Sword Sect."

He had always been a straightforward person by nature.

Fortunately, Mu Qing shared the same temperament and did not find Lin Shan's directness offensive. She sat down beside him and said, "Please speak your mind, Brother Lin."

Lin Shan unslung the weapon from his back, removed the cloth wrapping it, and pointed to it, saying, "I have a group of brothers who forge exceptionally fine weapons. I wish to break into the weapon trade with the government of Gaotang Prefecture, but Linghu Chang advised me that this business is monopolized by the Guling Mountain of Gaotang Prefecture, which is why I have sought you out."

Mu Qing's gaze shifted to the weapon on the table. She picked it up, inspected it, and remarked, "Hmm... The quality is much better than those from Guling Mountain."

"Brother Lin, I won't keep it from you. In truth, we have long desired to get a foothold in this business, but the craftsmen are almost entirely under Guling Mountain's control, and training new ones cannot be accomplished overnight. Your proposal, Brother Lin, aligns perfectly with our Profound Sword Sect's ambitions. We can finally get involved in this trade now. I will go and invite the Sect Master and the Grand Elder at once to discuss this properly."

"Then I shall wait here," Lin Shan said.

He had not expected things to go so smoothly. Mu Qing headed toward the inner hall as soon as she finished speaking.

Xiao Xiao whispered beside him, "Big Brother Lin, Sect Master Grandfather is a very good person. Just make sure not to lack courtesy when you meet him later."

Lin Shan nodded.

There was a bit of a wait. The Sect Master of the Profound Sword Sect was named Yan Bin. Along with Wu Zhenghao, they were the only two Innate realm masters in the entire sect. Given their busy schedules or periods of deep seclusion, it was impossible for them to appear the very moment Lin Shan wished to see them.

After waiting for a little over an hour, Lin Shan suddenly sensed an overwhelming aura approaching. He quickly stood up and saw Wu Zhenghao walking in alongside a kind-faced elderly man.

This man was naturally Yan Bin, the Sect Master of the Profound Sword Sect.

Lin Shan hastily bowed and saluted, saying, "Lin Shan pays his respects to the Sect Master and the Grand Elder."

Yan Bin chuckled and said, "Little Friend Lin, no need for such formalities. You first saved Xiao Xiao, and then Mu Qing; you are a great benefactor to our Profound Sword Sect. Mu Qing has already told me the purpose of your visit. Our sect has long wanted a hand in this trade, so your arrival, Little Friend, is like being handed a pillow just as you feel sleepy."

Lin Shan replied, "Then we will still need the Sect Master to run about making arrangements. Sect Master, why not take a look at my goods first?"

Yan Bin nodded, picked up the weapon, and examined it closely. After a moment, he nodded in approval, "This craftsmanship far surpasses that of Guling Mountain. If we present this to the Prefect..."

Yan Bin set the weapon down and asked, "Little Friend Lin, what is the manufacturing cost of this item?"

Lin Shan gave his previous reply.

Upon hearing this, Yan Bin's eyes showed even greater satisfaction. "The quality is superior to theirs, yet the price is identical. Even if the Prefect intends to favor Guling Mountain with this business, he will find it hard to silence public opinion."

Subsequently, Yan Bin looked at Wu Zhenghao and asked, "Elder Wu, what are your thoughts?"

Wu Zhenghao smiled and said, "Sect Master, since we have decided to get involved in this business, we can begin operations immediately. My suggestion is to write a letter to the Prefect at once, and I will make a trip to the prefecture myself."

Yan Bin replied, "If you are willing to make the trip, that would be for the best."

At this point, Lin Shan offered no further opinions. He possessed self-awareness; with his strength currently only at the Blood-Consolidating realm, he was not qualified to participate in their high-level decisions.

In this different world, strength ultimately reigned supreme.

After Yan Bin and Wu Zhenghao finished their discussion, Yan Bin asked again, "Little Friend Lin, can you also manufacture armor?"

Lin Shan answered, "Sect Master, certainly. I can go back right now and bring over a sample. Both standard lamellar armor for ordinary soldiers and full heavy armor are available."

As the matter was of great importance, Yan Bin dropped the polite pleasantries and said directly, "Then I must trouble Little Friend for another trip."

Being equally decisive, Lin Shan stood up immediately and said, "I will go right now."

Accompanied by Xiao Xiao, Lin Shan returned to the foot of the mountain, mounted his horse, and departed. Once they reached a secluded spot, Lin Shan tethered the horse and returned to the primary world.

In the primary world, Geng Hao was currently busy, with all three men working together in the workshop. Lin Shan saw that a set of lamellar armor was already hanging on the rack, and the three of them were now forging a full set of heavy armor.

This matter could not be rushed, so Lin Shan simply had to wait.

Knowing that Lin Shan was in a great hurry, Geng Hao did not rest that night, and the three men worked overtime.

By the following day, the full set of heavy armor was finally forged.

The style of the full armor closely resembled the "mountain pattern armor" of the Tang dynasty. Securing the items, Lin Shan immediately hid in the small room and returned to the different world.