220: Chapter 220 Free Meal

"Huh!?"

Lin Xiao was between laughter and tears. With her calling out like that, he had no choice but to give it his all.

General Zhao's eyes also ignited with hope. Such a precious spirit pill—he had spent his life in the military and had only ever seen such things in the imperial palace.

Could it be that he might actually survive?

Lin Xiao went outside, utilized his light movement technique, and sped across the rooftops of Jingmen City.

Zhao Caiwei was responsible for scavenging the military camp, while the pawn shops in the city were all closed at this hour, so he had no choice but to handle it himself.

The patrolling guards were naturally no match for Lin Xiao; they were knocked unconscious before they even realized he was there.

In special times, one must use special means. Lin Xiao didn't mind acting like a thief.

Of course, he still took enough silver from his spatial storage and left it in the pawn shops.

An hour later.

Lin Xiao returned to the courtyard. His accumulated prestige had reached 3,700 points, with 4,300 still needed.

He had even checked the storehouses of several wealthy merchants in the city, but he really couldn't find anything else.

After waiting a while, Zhao Caiwei returned in a hurry on horseback, followed by two personal guards carrying wrapped-up weapons.

"General Lin, I followed your instructions and brought all the top-grade weapons and armor from the Cold Iron Guard, the Yan Kings Army, and the White Kings Army!"

Zhao Caiwei was panting, but her eyes held a glimmer of moisture and anxiety.

"Everyone heard it was to save the Commander, so they were all very cooperative; some even took them out themselves."

"There are only eighteen pieces in total. Although two are of mystic grade, I don't know if it's enough..."

Zhao Cailing exclaimed from the side: "Sister! Isn't this your own White Feather Spear? It's your most cherished treasure!"

"It doesn't matter, as long as we can save Father," Zhao Caiwei said through gritted teeth.

Lin Xiao felt moved; it was clear that Zhao Caiwei and the entire army had done their best.

However, according to a normal estimate, it probably wasn't enough, but time waited for no one.

Just moments ago, Zhao Cailing had already fed the old man the Essence Pill, but the old man seemed to be gradually falling into a sleep, clearly not able to hold on much longer.

Lin Xiao asked the sisters to wait a moment, went into a room, and sent all the top-grade equipment into the mall...

Prestige +150

Prestige +100

Prestige +120...

Seeing only a few pieces left, Lin Xiao felt heavy-hearted.

Sure enough, it still wasn't enough. If there was really no other way, he could only ask General Zhao to offer up his family's Earth Grade weapon, the 'Snow Moon Spear'.

He didn't know if the Zhao family could handle that; after all, just like the Mu Family's 'Fish-Dragon Spear', it was an ancestral heirloom.

Suddenly!

[Ding! Achievement 'Prosperous Wealth' obtained: Acquired over 10,000 points of prestige through exchange. Heaven Grade. Prestige +1000!]

Lin Xiao was stunned for a full three seconds, nearly shouting to the heavens!

Damn system! I almost forgot you had this achievement reward!!

Lin Xiao quickly exchanged the remaining few pieces, causing his prestige to soar directly to 8,300!

Nine Spirits Life-Prolonging Pill! Buy it!!

[Ding! Host has spent over 10,000 prestige in the mall. Rewarded with one 'King's Meal' (Special items cannot be used)!]

[Ding! Achievement 'Squandering Wealth' obtained. Grade: Earth Grade. Prestige +200]

[Ding! The mall is beginning to upgrade. More functions will be added; visible after the next refresh...]

Lin Xiao was taken aback. Oh? An unexpected surprise?

"King's Meal: Can purchase one item from the mall for zero cost, no limit on type or grade (excluding special items)."

Compared to the half-price coupon from last time, this was even more powerful!

This meant that even a Heaven Grade treasure costing tens of thousands of prestige could be snatched up in one go!

However, Lin Xiao didn't have time to go shopping right now; he hurried to General Zhao's room.

Looking at the dying old man who had already closed his eyes, Lin Xiao couldn't be bothered to explain to the two weeping women.

Without a word, he stuffed the pill in...

Time flowed by, and a night passed quietly.

The battle reports of the Jingmen battle, like snowflakes, gradually drifted towards various provinces and prefectures throughout the night...

The next afternoon.

The seat of E Prefecture, Hanyang.

Inspectors Office.

An exquisite carriage stopped, and a plump figure stepped down, along with a beautiful woman wearing a red cloak.

The guards at the Inspectors Office saw who it was and respectfully called out "Master Hu," not daring to block him.

This person was none other than the richest man in E Prefecture, Hu Wengui, and his beloved daughter, Hu Xinyi.

The inspector general, Feng Yuzhang, was his own brother-in-law.

Years ago, when Feng Yuzhang was still a poor scholar, the eldest Miss Hu had already given him her heart, even going so far as to break with her family to accompany her lover to the capital to study.

Later, Feng Yuzhang entered the Imperial Academy, passed the imperial examinations, gained fame, and cherished his wife dearly.

After the older generation of the Hu family passed away, Hu Wengui took control, and with his sister mediating, the two families reconciled.

In present-day E Prefecture, even the prefects had to be polite when they saw this wealthy Master Hu.

"Brother-in-law! Brother-in-law!!"

Hu Wengui was as familiar with the Inspectors Office as he was with his own home, heading straight for the study in the backyard.

"Have you heard!? Jingmen has fallen!! Zhang Shide is dead!!"

Pushing the door open, he saw Feng Yuzhang discussing something in a tense atmosphere with the Chief Clerk and other officials.

Feng Yuzhang felt helpless about this brother-in-law of his.

"I knew about it last night! You are the richest man in the region, yet you are so flustered. What kind of decorum is this?"

Hu Wengui hurriedly asked: "I heard that the Great General of the North, Lin Xiao, raided the place alone, assisted the Cold Iron Guard, killed Zhang Shide, and breached Jingmen City? Is this true!?"

"Master Hu, this is likely a rumor. Even if Lin Xiao is powerful, could he be stronger than General Zhao?"

The Chief Clerk of E Prefecture waved his hand: "The battle report only mentioned that Lin Xiao participated in the battle, but it didn't give details. These are most likely fabrications by storytellers outside."

"What do you know! Didn't Inspector General Jiang Shengyuan of Cang Province get his city gate broken by Lin Xiao alone, and his head lopped off in an instant!?"

Hu Wengui said: "My daughter Xinyi and Princess Ningxiang have been corresponding by letter; these things are all true!"

Hu Xinyi nodded repeatedly from the side. Her heart was surging; she had been hoping to see Lin Xiao, but she didn't expect him to have killed his way to E Prefecture!

Previously in Baishui Prefecture, she had only heard of his poetry but had never met the man himself, which was a great regret.

"Brother-in-law, if you ask me, forget about those White Kings Army troops. Their main force has already surrendered, and the remaining twenty thousand White Kings Army soldiers are nothing to fear!"

Hu Wengui said: "We should immediately head to Jingmen to welcome General Lin, and let the Zhenbei Army enter E Prefecture. That is the will of the people!"

"Hmph, is that the will of the Hu Family Trading Firm?"

Feng Yuzhang sneered: "The Northern Trade Alliance's business can't get in, so look how anxious you are!"

Hu Wengui's face flushed red with anger, "Am I that kind of person? I am worried that if you don't go to welcome General Lin, you will end up like Inspector General Jiang Shengyuan..."

"Audacious!!"

Feng Yuzhang slapped the table and shouted angrily: "Do you really think I have no way to deal with you!? This is simply lawless!!"

"I warn you, the situation in Jingmen is still unclear. Who can guarantee whether the Cold Iron Guard and the Yan Kings Army will continue to attack E Prefecture!?"

"I am an inspector general appointed by the imperial court, guarding E Prefecture. I am not working for Prince Bai, nor for Lin Xiao, and certainly not for the Yan King!"

"If you continue to make trouble, I will punish you with ten military lashes! Even your sister won't be able to save you..."

Before he finished speaking, a graceful female voice came from outside, unhurriedly:

"Lord Feng, what great official authority you have. My brother is ignorant, why don't you just hit me instead?"

A noble-looking woman walked in, and the several officials in the office immediately changed color and left one after another.

"Aunt!" Hu Xinyi called out sweetly.

Lady Hu smiled and touched her niece's face, crow's feet appearing at the corners of her eyes.

"Sister!!"

Hu Wengui looked happy, his face trembling, and he glanced at Feng Yuzhang triumphantly. His backer had arrived!

Feng Yuzhang's mouth twitched as he forced himself to remain calm and stood up: "Madam, you have always been sensible. Why would you come to disturb me while I am discussing official business today?"

Hearing this, Lady Hu swept her eyes coldly:

"I naturally cannot come to disturb you when you are discussing official business on normal days, but today's matter concerns the safety of the entire Feng and Hu clans."

"You have already communicated with the Marquis of Linyuan, expressing your willingness to expel the White Kings Army and let the Zhenbei Army take over military authority. Are you reneging on your word?"

Feng Yuzhang frowned: "I already said, this matter cannot be publicized. Besides, only Lin Xiao came this time, and it's not the Zhenbei Army, but the Yan Kings Army!"

"How do you know it's not the Zhenbei Army? Isn't everyone saying that the Cold Iron Guard has already defected to Lin Xiao?" Lady Hu retorted.

Feng Yuzhang laughed: "Madam, could the Zhao family's loyalty to the Yan King change just like that? This kind of news should not be easily believed!"

"Let's not be in a hurry. Let's wait and see. It is still unknown what will happen between the White and Yan armies in Jingmen..."

Lady Hu, however, disagreed: "If they really wanted to fight, they wouldn't have entered Jingmen City together in peace."

"What kind of person is Lin Xiao? He swallowed the entire Cang Province of Prince Bai, and even made him vomit blood with rage, let alone those few tens of thousands of White Kings Army soldiers?"

"In my opinion, the Yan Kings Army is also in Lin Xiao's pocket. You should go and show goodwill early, lest you bring disaster upon yourself!"

"It is rumored among the people that he is the reincarnation of the God of Killing!"

Feng Yuzhang looked disdainful: "What God of Killing? As scholars, how can we believe in such superstition? This is not something a woman like you should be concerned with..."

Just then, a cry of an urgent report came from outside.

Feng Yuzhang frowned, walked out the door, and took the document that was delivered.

After opening it, Feng Yuzhang's face changed drastically, filled with disbelief!

"Brother-in-law, what is it?" Hu Wengui immediately leaned in.

Feng Yuzhang's face turned pale, his hands trembled slightly, and he swallowed hard.

"The commander of the Cold Iron Guard, General Zhao, is leading twenty thousand Cold Iron Guards, under the banner of the 'Zhenbei Army', heading straight for Hanyang!"