Martial Arts Master: The Lin Family Sword God, who swept through the Five Mountains and Four Sects

……

"Tian'er, eat more! Don't go into seclusion this time. Spend some time with your mother. I really want to hear you tell me how you earned the name 'Deadly Sword' with just a sword."

As she spoke, Madam Wang placed food into Lin Tian's bowl, her eyes filled with affection.

"Yeah, brother, what's the martial arts world really like?" Lin Pingzhi sat next to him, looking at him with wide eyes and full of curiosity.

"The martial world?" Lin Tian chuckled. "It's all fighting and killing, backstabbing and scheming. There's not much joy and vengeance in it."

"It can't be that bad..." Lin Pingzhi frowned. "Isn't it said that chivalrous heroes travel the world on horseback, upholding justice and riding swiftly through the land?"

"Stop reading those fictional stories!" Lin Zhennan interrupted coldly. "Pingzhi, the saying 'the world is a dangerous place' isn't an exaggeration. If you had half the drive of your brother, you wouldn't still be stuck in the third-rate!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Pingzhi immediately shrank back and awkwardly replied, "Yes, Father..."

After scolding his son, Lin Zhennan turned to Lin Tian, ​​his tone softening: "Tian'er, the entire martial arts world was in an uproar over the battle that destroyed the Qingcheng Sect half a month ago. In the past half month, major sects such as Shaolin and Wudang have sent letters one after another, condemning Qingcheng's actions as contrary to the righteous path, and they have all invited you to be their guest."

He paused, then added, "In addition, Liu Zhengfeng of the Hengshan Sect is holding a ceremony to cleanse his hands of worldly affairs today, the fifteenth of the month, and has specially sent you an invitation, hoping that you can attend."

"Mm." Lin Tian nodded.

All of this was within his expectations. That's how things have always been in the martial world—the annihilation of the Qingcheng clan was like a candle being extinguished, no one to collect the bodies. Moreover, they were the ones standing on the moral high ground. He just hadn't expected Liu Zhengfeng to take the initiative to send an invitation.

"All the sects that sent letters have returned generous gifts. Father, please take care of this. As for Liu Zhengfeng's retirement from the martial arts world..." Lin Tian smiled slightly, "I'll make the trip myself."

"What? You're going to attend Liu Zhengfeng's retirement ceremony?" Lin Zhennan was stunned, then his face was full of shock.

"What's wrong?" Lin Tian raised an eyebrow. "Something wrong?"

Lin Zhennan sighed: "It is indeed a bit troublesome. Our Fuwei Escort Agency was originally quite well-known in the south, but its foundation in the north is still shallow. Now that this battle has made a name for itself, it is a good opportunity to expand. Just then, a wealthy merchant from Fuzhou entrusted us to escort a batch of goods to Xi'an, worth nearly one million taels of silver. This is the largest escort mission our agency has undertaken in twenty years."

He paused, then continued, "The problem is, there's no branch office in Xi'an, and there are seven or eight major strongholds along the way, so the risks are considerable. Originally... I wanted you to personally oversee this trip."

"It's alright." Lin Tian smiled. "Today is only the seventh day of the month, and there are still forty days until the fifteenth of next month. If we travel quickly, we can reach Xi'an in about twenty days, and then go to Hengshan. There will be plenty of time."

"Well... thank you for your hard work." Lin Zhennan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

……

Xi'an was one of the most important ancient cities and towns during the Ming Dynasty.

In less than twenty days, Lin Tian had already arrived with his escort.

"Young Master, this journey has truly broadened my horizons!" Chief镖头 Cui grinned, his eyes filled with admiration. "We wiped out seven mountain strongholds in one go! With our deadly sword drawn, which bandit didn't kneel and beg for mercy? From now on, on this route through Shaanxi, who will dare to block our path?"

He looked at Lin Tian's back, his tone full of awe.

Having been a镖师 (bodyguard/escort) for two or three decades, every trip was filled with anxiety and trepidation, like walking on thin ice. This trip, however, was as easy as a leisurely outing to enjoy the scenery.

"Hehe." Lin Tian chuckled lightly, his expression indifferent.

Along the way, they raided seven mountain strongholds. Although it was a clandestine operation, the strongest enemy they encountered was only a second-rate character. He dropped a blank card, but Lin Tian didn't even glance at it, too lazy to pick it up.

"Young Master," Chief Escort Cui said, bowing. "The head escort instructed that you still need to rush to Hengshan to attend the Golden Basin Washing Away Ceremony. Then I, Old Cui, will not accompany you any longer. I will return to Xi'an first and find a suitable location to open a branch office."

"Yes, thank you for your hard work, Chief Escort Cui." Lin Tian nodded with a smile, his tone polite but not distant.

……

There were still thirteen or fourteen days until Liu Zhengfeng retired from his criminal life. The journey from Xi'an to Hengshan, even at a fast pace, would take at most five or four days. With plenty of time, Lin Tian decided not to rush and leisurely strolled around the city.

Although martial arts have declined in this world, it is currently the height of the Ming Dynasty, and the prosperity of its cities far exceeds expectations. The streets and alleys of Xi'an are crisscrossed, wine flags flutter, and the city is bustling with noise and activity.

Lin Tian was strolling around when he suddenly stopped in front of a brothel, his entire body instantly petrified—

Holy crap... what version am I wearing?

……

The madam of a brothel may not be particularly beautiful, but she must possess two essential skills: first, a silver tongue that can transform even the most ordinary girl into a celestial being; and second, a keen eye that can tell at a glance how much money a customer has and how much they can fleece.

The brothel owner standing at the door soliciting customers immediately set her sights on Lin Tian.

The silk fabric of that outfit was clearly from "Ji Qing An," a century-old brand in Beijing; the jade pendant hanging at his waist was pure white and lustrous, worth at least three or four thousand taels of silver.

The madam's eyes lit up, and when she saw Lin Tian standing there dumbfounded, she was overjoyed.

This kind of naive girl is probably a rich young master who ran away from some grand mansion. It's her first time in a place like this, and she's blushing with embarrassment. She's the easiest to fool and the most willing to spend money.

With a swaying, lithe waist, the madam gracefully approached, her voice so cloying it could drip oil:

"Oh my, handsome young man, is this your first time here? Don't just stand there, come in! Our girls at 'Like Water Flowing Years' are the most skilled and gentlest in all of Xi'an. We guarantee you'll be intoxicated tonight and want to come back tomorrow."

Like flowing water...

Lin Tian's heart skipped a beat.

Xi'an, at the foot of Mount Hua, coupled with the name "Like Water Flowing Through the Years"...

An extremely annoying thought flashed through his mind.

Narrowing his eyes, Lin Tian asked in a deep voice, "Madam, I heard your top courtesan is called Dongfang Bubai? Is that true?"

The madam was taken aback, then clapped her hands and laughed:

"Oh my, young master, you're really perceptive! I thought you were some clueless newbie, but I never expected your judgment to be so accurate! Indeed—our Miss Dongfang only shows herself once every few months, and ordinary people can't even get a glimpse of her. And coincidentally, she's choosing a lover today! With your looks and bearing, young master, your chances are excellent! Even if you don't get chosen, don't worry, we have countless beauties here; with your looks, you could pick anyone even with your eyes closed!"

Lin Tian froze on the spot, his mind in turmoil.

Did I... really wear a fake Swordsman outfit?

Shaolin Temple remained Shaolin Temple, and its name was not changed to Lingjiu Palace; his cheapskate father continued to run Fuwei Escort Agency, and did not suddenly appear as the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

He had always believed that he was living in the authentic world of "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer".

So now, Dongfang Bubai is actually working as the top courtesan in a brothel?!

"System, which world are we in?" Lin Tian roared inwardly.

"Reporting to the host, the myriad realms are vast and boundless, and the system cannot pinpoint their location accurately. Please explore on your own." The system's reply was crisp and utterly indifferent.

"..."

Lin Tian remained silent for three seconds before finally choosing to shut up.