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

Just as they were getting their wine, the old shopkeeper with gray hair and beard suddenly bowed and lowered his head, his voice very low: "Grand Preceptor, there was a commotion in front of your residence just now."

"Huh? What happened?"

Lin Tian was taken aback, took the gourd, and wondered to himself, "Could it be that Lü Buwei is here to cause trouble again? But he was so angry that he vomited blood, he probably can't even get out of bed right now, right? Could it be that doctors these days really have the ability to bring the dead back to life?"

The old shopkeeper hesitated, looking troubled. Lin Tian noticed this clearly and smiled reassuringly, "Old man, please speak freely."

"Oh dear! Alright!" The old man rubbed his hands together and smiled apologetically. "It's your wives who got into a fight with a young lady at the door... Judging from the way they were acting, she's probably... a lover the Imperial Advisor met outside? I'm a bit of a chatterbox, please don't take offense!" Before he finished speaking, he hurriedly covered his mouth and bowed repeatedly.

Lin Tian waved his hand dismissively. The old man meant well; why take it so seriously?

He carried his wine gourd toward the gate, his mind churning: "Madam? It should be Zi Nu and the others... but why would they be arguing with a strange girl? Besides these few in the manor, who else do I recognize? I can barely remember their names. What kind of girl came to cause trouble?"

He uncorked the bottle and took a sip. The wine was slightly cool as it went down his throat, and he was already standing in front of the gate of the Imperial Preceptor's residence.

But then they saw Han Fei, Zhang Liang, and Wei Zhuang standing side by side, their shadows trailing diagonally on the ground.

"You're back from your errand? Did you take care of everything I asked you to do? What are you standing here for?" Lin Tian asked casually.

Han Fei did not answer, but only curled the corners of his mouth into a meaningful smile: "Brother Lin, your female confidantes... are truly everywhere."

Something's wrong! Something's really wrong! That smile seemed to hide a hook, and his words were full of barbs. Lin Tian felt a chill run down his spine, and without saying a word, he shoved the wine gourd into Han Fei's arms and rushed inside.

This guy clearly knows the inside story, but he just won't say it!

A confidante? What the hell! Little Dragon Girl and Dongfang Bubai have arrived? Has the system shown mercy? He hurried through the corridors and courtyards, and before he even stepped into the main hall, he felt the air tighten.

Li Wu and Wushuang Gui remained outside the hall, not daring to step inside. What was even more unsettling was that when Li Wu looked up, her eyes clearly conveyed four words: Young Master, you're finished.

Lin Tian frowned, yet remained extremely curious.

"I'm back!" he called out tentatively.

Before he could finish speaking, a soft cough sounded faintly, both familiar and completely unfamiliar.

He looked in the direction of the sound and was instantly stunned: a dark blue floor-length dress, her black hair tied up low, her eyebrows and eyes like paintings, her demeanor dignified and composed, her whole being exuding a noble and refined aura, as if the moonlight had been solidified.

It was none other than the long-absent Yan Fei—Dong Jun of the Yin Yang School.

When they parted last time, Lin Tian had almost forgotten about her.

His sudden appearance in the mansion today left him momentarily stunned and filled with suspicion.

"You're finally back?" Zi Nu walked slowly out from the back hall, carrying a celadon teapot in her delicate hands. "Miss Dong Jun has come all the way here to visit you and has been waiting for you for a long time."

She glanced up at Lin Tian, ​​her misty purple eyes, which should have been gentle and shimmering, now coldly glared at him, her brows and eyes full of displeasure.

Lin Tian knew she had misunderstood, but he couldn't explain himself, so he could only chuckle awkwardly, "Where are Nongyu and the others?"

Zi Nu had already set out the tea set for Yan Fei. With her slender fingers holding the teapot, she poured water to warm the cups. A slight smile played on her lips as she turned her head without looking back. Her tone was cold and clear: "They've all hidden behind the screen."

"ah--"

"Retreat immediately!"

"I need to see Brother Lin Tian! Don't pull me away!"

Three voices rang out one after another: one coquettish, one anxious, and one pleading. They were clearly Nongyu, Yanlingji, and Honglian.

Lin Tian stood there, his ears burning, and his face flushed.

Even Lian Yanfei seemed to lose her composure slightly, her fingertips unconsciously fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve. She had already gauged the situation from her exchange with Honglian at the door—being a few years older, how could she not understand the subtle entanglements between men and women? In a flash, she realized: the other woman had clearly misunderstood. But this was something she couldn't say directly, and she didn't know where to begin; a subtle awkwardness immediately filled the air.

Lin Tian sat down opposite her, looked up and asked directly, "What brings you here, Dongjun?"

"I've come specifically to return the item to the Imperial Preceptor." Consort Yan's voice was clear and gentle, neither hurried nor slow. "Even Crown Prince Yan Dan has never seen such an exquisite object. He has only heard that it is a rare treasure and has been unable to find the time to return it. That's why I've come to visit today and apologize for the inconvenience."

Before she finished speaking, she had already taken out a long fishing rod from her sleeve—the very rod that Lin Tian had lost while fishing the day before. She gently placed it on the table, her movements composed and her manners impeccable.

Such a person, when they speak, their words are like pearls falling on a jade plate, clear and soothing, making one's heart soften upon hearing them.

No wonder she was able to raise such a beautiful and extraordinary daughter as Gao Yue—just look at Yan Fei's stunning appearance, and you can tell where her talent lies.

"What is this?"

As Zi Nu poured Lin Tian a cup of tea, her gaze fell on the fishing rod, and she casually asked him a question.

Lin Tian gave a brief explanation, and Zi Nu suddenly understood. She then reached out and took the fishing rod from the table, carefully examining it.

Her eyes lit up slightly, and she couldn't help but exclaim, "What a rare item! The pole is neither wood nor bamboo; it's soft yet resilient, firm yet not stiff. Lin Tian, ​​where did you find it?"

"Heh, just some little gadgets from my hometown. If you like them, I'll give them to you; or I can take you to the water's edge another day to try your hand at fishing, casting and reeling in fish, that would be quite fun," Lin Tian replied casually.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony." Zi Nu nodded and smiled, took the fishing rod, and stood up to leave. "You keep Dong Jun company while I take my leave."

Seeing her joy, Lin Tian hurriedly saw her off. Although Zi Nu didn't say much, Lin Tian clearly saw the faint smile that appeared on her lips as she turned and walked into the back hall with her fishing rod.

Women, you really do need to coax them a little. Sigh, it's tiring, but it's worth it.

After Zi Nu's figure disappeared, Yan Fei raised her eyes to look at Lin Tian, ​​her smile gentle and her words tinged with a hint of playfulness: "The Grand Preceptor is surrounded by beauties. No wonder when Crown Prince Yan Dan wanted to give him a beauty to show his affection, the Grand Preceptor didn't even raise an eyebrow—now it seems that he is not aloof and distant, but rather that he already has someone else to go. Today's meeting has made me understand."

"A few ladies?" Lin Tian was slightly taken aback, then smiled. "Just a few close female friends; having one is enough to comfort one's life."

He had no intention of revealing more.

After all, he had no close relationship with Yan Fei, not even a casual acquaintance. If they were truly friends, he should have explained things in detail; but Lin Tian always disliked trouble, so he simply let others speculate and preferred to keep quiet.

Besides—it's not a loss.

"A soulmate? To have one would be enough to comfort one's entire life!" Consort Yan sighed softly, asking seemingly casually, "But with rumors flying all over the city right now, what are the Imperial Advisor thinking?"

Lin Tian's heart skipped a beat. After a moment's thought, he suddenly understood: So that's how it is.

He stopped beating around the bush, his gaze calm and direct as he looked at the poised and elegant woman before him, cutting to the chase: "The envoys from the six kingdoms departed yesterday, and the Yan delegation must have secretly met with Crown Prince Dan the night they arrived in Xianyang. Your Highness sent Dongjun here personally; I suspect his intentions are still tied to my promise to 'help Crown Prince Dan return to Yan,' right? I understand his anxiety; but—this time, what truly appealing bargaining chip has he prepared?"

His initial conditions were clear: no one gets up early without a reason. Empty promises? Sorry, he doesn't practice charity here, nor does he engage in unprofitable deals.

Consort Yan was stunned and paused, never expecting that Lin Tian could see through all the key points in one sentence, even guessing the secret meeting between the Yan envoys, the Crown Prince's entrustment, and even the reasons behind it with great accuracy.

Such meticulous planning made her heart tremble slightly, and she finally understood why the title "Grand Preceptor of Qin" had become increasingly famous in the court and among the people recently.

She sat up straight, her tone softening slightly, tinged with earnestness, and said in a low voice, "The Crown Prince has pondered this repeatedly but still cannot decide on a reward. Today, the Lord of the East has come to our door to earnestly request the Imperial Preceptor's guidance on behalf of His Highness—so that I may truthfully report back."