Brocade Robe Unparalleled

Chapter 15 Mission Completed
Inside Sizhou City.

The interior of Tianji Salt Shop.

Lin Xuan continued to leisurely sip her tea, while Tian Kun paced anxiously at the door, occasionally lifting the curtain to peek outside.

A series of light yet rhythmic footsteps approached, and Tian Qingluan changed into a sky-blue brocade dress. A kingfisher feather hairpin swayed gently in her hair, adding to her gentle and noble air.

Tian Kun asked impatiently, "Miss, how is the situation in the village?"

Tian Qingluan nodded slightly and said, "We released the people, and the people from Baishi Village have already left."

Tian Kun breathed a sigh of relief and said repeatedly, "That's good, that's good!"

"Mr. Lin, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

Tian Qingluan turned to Lin Xuan, presenting him with a stack of silver notes with both hands, and said, "These are one thousand taels of silver notes. Mr. Lin can exchange them for cash at various money shops. According to our agreement, within ten years, twenty percent of the profits from the Tian family's refined salt sales will belong to you, sir. You can collect them from the Tian Family Salt Shop's Sizhou main branch on the fifteenth of each month..."

Lin Xuan accepted the silver note, took out a small booklet from his sleeve, handed it to Tian Qingluan, and said, "This is the detailed process of the new salt production method, with diagrams of the construction of graded salt fields inside. Please keep it safe, Miss."

This booklet is a graded salt-making method designed by Lin Xuan based on modern saltworks concepts. It can significantly improve evaporation efficiency, shorten the crystallization cycle, and, combined with scientific purification methods, greatly improve salt production efficiency while using less water and ensuring the quality of the produced salt.

Tian Qingluan eagerly opened the booklet. With her knowledge, she only needed a quick glance to determine the feasibility of the new salt law.

The conflict between Baishi Village and Heishi Village has been resolved, and his goal has been achieved. Lin Xuan clasped his hands in a fist salute and said, "The new salt-making method is written in great detail here. I have some other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now."

Tian Qingluan put away the booklet, smiled and nodded: "I'll give it to Mr. Lin."

Lin Xuan just stepped out of the inner room.

Behind him, a fragrant breeze accompanied by a sharp, powerful energy quietly arrived, striking straight at his back!

He turned around abruptly and grabbed a pale fist that was lunging at him.

Tian Qingluan did not struggle, letting Lin Xuan clench his fist. She looked at him with understanding and smiled, "Zhenyue Gong... Mr. Lin is indeed a member of the Jingbian Division."

Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly when Tian Qingluan recognized his identity, but he still let go of her hand the next moment.

Tian Qingluan smoothly withdrew her wrist, took a half step back, gave a graceful bow, and smiled sincerely as always: "Lin Xiaoqi, don't be nervous. Qingluan has no ill intentions. Regardless of whether you are from Zhenyue Division or not, you are a benefactor of my Tian family."

Lin Xuan looked at her and asked in surprise, "How did Miss Tian know?"

Tian Qingluan smiled and said, "In the past, when our two villages clashed, the Jingbian Division would have come to mediate long ago. But this time, there has been no movement. So Qingluan sent someone to inquire and learned that a junior officer from the Jingbian Division was being harassed by Wu Baihu and was sent to mediate the dispute between our two villages. That officer is named Lin Xuan, which is exactly the same as Mr. Lin's name. Qingluan couldn't help but make the connection..."

Lin Xuan did not deny it, and said, "Miss Tian is truly exceptionally intelligent."

Tian Qingluan shook her head and said, "Qingluan is at most a little clever, but Lin Xiaoqi is the real genius. The century-old feud between the Tian and Yang families was resolved so easily by Lin Xiaoqi. Qingluan admires him greatly..."

She looked at Lin Xuan, her eyes sparkling, and asked with curiosity, "Did Lin Xiaoqi create this new salt law to resolve the conflict between our two villages?"

Lin Xuan shook her head and said sincerely, "It's really because your family's salt is too bitter..."

Tian Qingluan covered her mouth and chuckled, her full chest trembling slightly: "Lin Xiaoqi is truly an interesting person..."

She quickly suppressed her smile, her expression turning serious. She gave Lin Xuan a graceful bow: "The new salt law is crucial to the future of the Tian family. Qingluan and the Tian family are deeply in love. Tonight, Black Stone Village is hosting a banquet, firstly to celebrate the resolution of the century-old feud between the two villages, and secondly to thank Lin Xiaoqi. I wonder if Lin Xiaoqi would do me the honor of joining us?"

After a moment's thought, Lin Xuan realized that the conflict between the two villages had been resolved, and he could simply return to report.

Seeing his hesitant expression, Tian Qingluan teased, "What, Lin Xiaoqi, are you worried that I'll eat you up?"

Lin Xuan glanced at her. This seemingly delicate Miss Tian had just casually tested his strength and demonstrated the power of an eighth-grade warrior; her true strength was undoubtedly much greater, far from the "little woman" she claimed to be. However, his mission this time was to mediate the dispute between the two villages, so he decided to go to the scene to avoid any further complaints from Commander Wu.

Thinking of this, Lin Xuan no longer hesitated and nodded in agreement: "How could I dare to refuse Miss Tian's kind invitation?"

Tian Qingluan smiled brightly, her smile as radiant as spring: "It's getting late, let's go together..."

……

Night, Black Stone Village.

The somber atmosphere of the daytime had long been dispelled by the towering bonfire and joyful music. The huge fire blazed fiercely in the open space in the center of the village, sparks crackling and illuminating the joyful faces around them.

The villagers of Black Stone Village and White Stone Village put aside their generations-old grudges and mingled together, singing and dancing around the bonfire.

Baishizhai saved a lot of costs and effort, and could make several times the profit of the past just by selling the mine, so naturally they were happy.

The people of Heishizhai were also immersed in the beautiful dream of their tribe's rise, so how could they not be happy?
Around the campfire, the Miao people's unique lusheng (a reed pipe instrument) and wooden drums played cheerful melodies. Young men and women from both villages held hands, swaying to the rhythm, their skirts fluttering, and laughter filling the air. The air was filled with the aroma of roasted meat, the rich fragrance of wine, and an unprecedented atmosphere of jubilation.

Tian Qingluan changed into a brightly colored Miao ethnic costume. The silver ornaments gleamed in the firelight, making her even more radiant.

During the day, Tian Yunting, the leader of Black Stone Village, and Yang Zhentian, the leader of White Stone Village, along with the elders of their two villages, were exchanging insults from afar, but at night they sat together at the main table, clinking glasses and exchanging toasts, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

Yang Zhentian was beaming, still basking in the satisfaction of having gotten such a great deal. Beside him, the young chieftain of Baishi Village had also put aside his resentment and was now drinking with several young men from Heishi Village who had clashed with him a couple of days ago.

Lin Xuan, as a guest, was seated next to Tian Qingluan.

Tian Qingluan picked up her wine bowl, turned to Lin Xuan, and said in a gentle voice, "Mr. Lin, this bowl is a toast to you!"

Lin Xuan raised his bowl in greeting, without saying a word.

Yang Zhentian looked at Lin Xuan with some doubt and asked, "This young man looks unfamiliar. Is he also from your Black Stone Village?"

Tian Yunting coughed lightly but didn't speak. Tian Qingluan smiled slightly and said, "Young Master Lin is Qingluan's friend. It's his first time visiting the village, so Uncle Yang naturally finds him unfamiliar..."

Yang Zhentian didn't think much of it, picked up his wine bowl, and said, "We're friends now that we've met, come on, let's drink, let's drink..."

"Come on, come on, drink!"

"I'd also like to raise a toast to my young friend Lin!"

……

Just as everyone was enjoying their drinks, a rapid sound of horses' hooves suddenly came from the direction of the gate, accompanied by the clanging and piercing sound of heavy armor clashing, growing louder as it approached.

At the main table, Tian Yunting, Yang Zhentian, and the elders' expressions changed drastically, and they all looked towards the village gate.

"boom!"

With a loud crash, the heavy gate of the stockade was violently smashed open!

Dozens of heavily armored guards, armed with weapons, surged in like a black, raging tide. Their eyes were sharp, as if facing a formidable enemy, and a chilling aura swept over them, even causing the burning campfire to seem to freeze for a moment.

The two men in the lead were none other than Commander Wu.

The other man, dressed in military uniform, had a grim expression. His hawk-like eyes swept across the entire area, but when he saw the bonfire, the singing and dancing, and the two chieftains toasting each other in the main seat, his expression froze...

(End of this chapter)