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Chapter 399: The Teacup
🕑 Added 2024-10-26 14:45:04 +0000 UTCAfter casually asking a passing Foundation Establishment cultivator for directions to the Qinglian Sect's camp, Lin Xiao headed in that direction.
Inside the command tent:
"Have you heard of the Lingxian Sect, Xun Fang Zunzhe?" Zhi Yu Zunzhe asked as he took a light sip of tea, though his eyes remained fixed elsewhere, avoiding Xun Fang Zunzhe.
Xun Fang Zunzhe gently lifted the lid of his tea cup with his jeweled fan, glanced at the tea, and sighed with disappointment.
"Young Chang still doesn't know how to brew a proper cup of tea. The color is too murky, neither clear nor bright. I’ve told him countless times: before trying to master other tea blends, he needs to perfect the basics. But does he listen?" He smirked, his alluring eyes turning toward Zhi Yu Zunzhe.
"Don't you agree?" he asked, his tone dripping with playfulness.
Zhi Yu Zunzhe's face darkened as he prepared to respond, but before he could speak, Xun Fang Zunzhe had already risen, gracefully sweeping his sleeves as he left.
"It's noon already, and I haven't fed Ying Ying yet. I’ll be on my way," Xun Fang’s voice trailed off, his vibrant figure already gone from the tent.
Steam still rose from the teacup he left behind.
Zhi Yu Zunzhe heavily set his own cup down, his expression darkening as he stared at the tent flap, lost in thought.
Lin Xiao soon arrived at the Qinglian Sect’s camp, which was smaller and more isolated due to the sect’s modest size. There, he easily found Zhao Yunzong.
Thanks to the care and treatment from the Qinglian Sect, Zhao Yunzong had recovered significantly. He was leaning against the bed, looking much more spirited.
"Lin Daoyou!" Zhao Yunzong's eyes lit up as he saw Lin Xiao, and he tried to get up to greet him.
"There's no need for that, Zhao Guozhu!" Lin Xiao quickly stepped forward, firmly pressing Zhao Yunzong back onto the bed to stop him from getting up.
Zhao Yunzong smiled wryly. "I must apologize for this. It was an unforeseen situation. In the end, it was you who saved Yuan San-ge, and for that, I owe you a great deal of gratitude."
After regaining consciousness and seeing that Yuan Jinsheng, although gravely injured, had survived, Zhao Yunzong had learned about what had transpired in the Jishi Mine and the crucial role Lin Xiao had played in their survival.
But Lin Xiao hadn’t come to hear his thanks. After politely addressing the two Qinglian Sect disciples who were attending to Zhao Yunzong, he asked, "I have some matters to discuss with Zhao Guozhu. Would you mind stepping out for a moment?"
Surprised by Lin Xiao's respectful tone, the two disciples quickly nodded and replied, "Of course, please take your time."
They respectfully bowed and left the tent.
Zhao Yunzong, now even more curious, watched as Lin Xiao cast a soundproofing barrier. Once it was in place, Lin Xiao met his gaze directly and asked, "Zhao Guozhu, may I ask what brought you to the Jishi Mine?"
Zhao Yunzong hesitated for a moment before sighing with a faint smile. "Ah, so that's what you’re curious about. Honestly, it’s not something I planned to share, but since you and Yuan San-ge both owe our lives to your timely intervention, I see no harm in telling you."
He paused, then began to explain, "Since ancient times, every mortal nation has had its own national seal. If the national seal is lost, the fate of the kingdom is in peril. Throughout history, kings have changed, dynasties have shifted, but the seal remains the same and cannot be replaced."
Zhao Yunzong placed his hand over his chest, continuing, "The seal is tied to the ruler’s lifeblood. Now that I have ascended as the new king, I can sense the presence of the national seal. It was this connection that led me to the vicinity of the Jishi Mine, where I sensed the seal."
"Without the seal, one cannot truly control the kingdom. My ancestors have said that to lose the seal is to lose the nation. I went there hoping to reclaim it, not expecting to run into you and Yuan San-ge."
"After what happened, as you know, I was gravely injured. I believe the injury was related to the seal. However, since I woke up, I’ve lost all connection to the seal. At first, I feared something had gone wrong at the capital, but Jiang Daoyou informed me that there have been no significant disturbances. Frankly, I’m at a loss now."
Seeing Zhao Yunzong’s honesty, Lin Xiao felt somewhat relieved. He reached into his personal storage and retrieved the national seal.
Although he had already gotten a sense of Zhao Yunzong’s character through their brief encounters, Lin Xiao was still cautious. He had considered returning the seal anonymously if Zhao Yunzong had been evasive. After all, national secrets tied to such an important artifact could potentially provoke mistrust or even hostility.
But the system's mission to establish diplomatic relations with the kingdom had ultimately persuaded Lin Xiao to take the risk and inquire directly.
He hadn’t expected Zhao Yunzong to be so open, even revealing the deep connection between the national seal and the royal family.
As Lin Xiao wordlessly produced the jade seal, Zhao Yunzong’s eyes widened in shock.
"The seal?! Lin Daoyou, is this really…?" Zhao Yunzong exclaimed, his voice trembling with disbelief.
Lin Xiao nodded, handing the seal over to him. "The national seal of Huan You Kingdom has been returned to its rightful owner. Zhao Guozhu, please take better care of it this time."
Lin Xiao’s words carried a deeper meaning—he wanted to ensure that the Zhao clan would remain in power, particularly if they were to establish diplomatic ties.
Zhao Yunzong, however, didn’t overthink it. Gazing at the seal, which he had only ever felt connected to but never seen, he carefully accepted it, cradling it in his hands as he let out a long sigh of relief.
"Lin Daoyou, you are truly… my savior."
"Rest assured, Daoyou. Huan You Kingdom has always been ruled by my Zhao clan. Centuries ago, a moment of carelessness allowed traitors to seize power, but I will never let the seal fall into the wrong hands again!"
With that, Zhao Yunzong brought the seal to his chest, closed his eyes, and focused.
The jade seal glowed faintly before its light gradually dimmed, merging seamlessly into Zhao Yunzong’s body.
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