40: Chapter 0040 Absence Makes the Heart Blossom

[Ding! You have obtained one "Grenade".]

Lin Xiao looked at the black object in his hand, feeling both amused and helpless.

"This works too!?"

Although the quantity was a bit low, in this age of cold weapons, it could be considered a hidden trump card.

Lin Xiao was quite satisfied; it could be used to ambush enemies at a critical moment.

He placed the grenade into his storage space and began to meditate and rest.

When dawn arrived, early in the morning, a servant from the Prefects Mansion came to report that Su Wansha had arrived.

Lin Xiao took Qin He and Yao Gang and headed to the main hall.

Qin He looked at Lin Xiao, his expression somewhat strange.

"Commander Lin, why do I feel that you have become stronger again?"

"Perhaps so. After all, while you were resting, I was practicing my cultivation."

Lin Xiao said with an inscrutable expression.

Qin He was filled with admiration; the back in front of him seemed even more majestic!

He felt that as long as he followed closely in Lin Xiao's footsteps, his future would be bright!

Lin Xiao also remembered something and turned to look at his two subordinates.

[Qin He, 26 years old, grandson of the Blade Mountain Grand Elder, Deputy Commander of the Shibao Border Army, Aptitude: mystic grade]

[Technique 1: Flowing Fire Blade Technique (27 years of cultivation) Grade: mystic grade (upgradable)]

[Technique 2: Spirit Snake Movement Technique (20 years of cultivation) Grade: mystic grade (upgradable)]

[Tags: Blade Mountain Successor (Special), Blade Master, Troop Commander]

Huh? Has Qin He's "seal" been lifted?

In one go, even his technique cultivation had increased by several years!

Lin Xiao was very satisfied. It must be because he had broken through his inner demons over these past two days!

He then looked at the big, dark-skinned childhood friend!

[Yao Gang, 21 years old, soldier of the Shibao Border Army, Aptitude: yellow grade]

[Technique: Pig-Slaughtering Blade Technique (12 years of cultivation), yellow grade]

[Tags: Forging Prodigy (Legendary), Butcher]

Lin Xiao was suddenly stunned. What does this mean? This kid is a super craftsman?

"Yao Gang, do you know how to forge iron?"

Yao Gang scratched his head. "Yes, I learned for a few years from the blacksmith next door when I was a kid. Didn't you know that? Later, my dad wanted me to go back and learn how to slaughter pigs, so I stopped."

"Then do you like forging iron or slaughtering pigs more?"

"I like forging iron. Slaughtering pigs is boring; it's always the same old thing. Forging iron is so much more exciting!"

Yao Gang looked depressed. "It's a pity I don't have the chance. If we weren't at war, I'd want to open a blacksmith shop!"

Lin Xiao muttered to himself. If he wanted to build an army, he would definitely need to get a military factory running.

This big dark guy was truly a great helper sent by heaven!

"Don't worry, I will work hard to help you open that blacksmith shop soon!"

"Really? Hehe, then I'll be waiting!" Yao Gang was happy and laughed.

Arriving at the main hall, Su Wansha had already changed into men's clothing.

[Su Wansha, 22 years old, daughter of the Baishui City Registrar, owner of Baiyu Pavilion, Aptitude: yellow grade]

[Technique: Water Cloud Sword Technique (7 years of cultivation) Grade: yellow grade]

[Tags: Talented Woman, Business, Cooking]

Seeing these tags, Lin Xiao thought to himself, no wonder she runs a restaurant!

Seeing Lin Xiao approach, Su Wansha stood up and performed a man's bow.

"Greetings, Commander Lin!"

Lin Xiao waved his hand. "Young Master Su, no need for formalities!"

Su Wansha couldn't help but roll her eyes at him.

"There is good news and bad news. I wonder which one Commander Lin would like to hear first?"

"I prefer suffering first and sweetness later!"

Su Wansha nodded and said, "My teacher said he will not see you."

Lin Xiao was not surprised.

"Then what is the good news?"

Su Wansha took out a piece of paper and handed it to Lin Xiao.

"This is a question my teacher wrote for you. If you can provide an answer that satisfies him, he will consider meeting you."

Lin Xiao took the paper, opened it, and found three characters written on it:

"One, Two, Three."

There was nothing else!

"What is this? Counting?" Qin He looked puzzled.

"Great Confucian scholars aren't all that amazing, right? I recognize these three characters!" Yao Gang smacked his lips.

Su Wansha looked at Lin Xiao with curiosity.

"My teacher appreciates people of talent and learning. Commander Lin is overflowing with poetic talent; why not compose a poem using one, two, and three?"

Lin Xiao thought for a moment, then asked someone to bring a brush.

After he wrote a few characters on the spot, Su Wansha's beautiful eyes revealed a look of astonishment!

Looking at Lin Xiao again, the woman's gaze became even more complicated, carrying a hint of admiration and a hint of confusion.

This man made her understand him less and less.

"Although I am not sure if this is what my teacher was asking you, but... I really like your answer."

Su Wansha murmured, "The people are the most important, the state comes second, the ruler is the lightest... This ranking of one, two, and three is truly bold!"

What Lin Xiao had written was exactly Mencius's "The people are the most important, the state comes second, the ruler is the lightest."

He didn't know what Zhu Ming meant, but since he was a Great Confucian, he thought he would probably like this kind of thing.

"Please, Young Master Su, present this to Elder Zhu and tell him I am sincerely seeking his guidance."

"I will definitely convey it!"

Su Wansha picked up the paper and turned to leave, walking even faster this time.

Not long after the woman left, a figure in black floated into the hall.

"Miss Leng is back!?"

Qin He and Yao Gang were both very happy; this meant the Border Army would arrive soon!

Lin Xiao also heaved a sigh of relief. Although there was no chaos in the city at the moment, once the news of Official Lu Yang's death was made public, it would be hard to say.

[Leng Bingyan, 21 years old, disciple of Sword Forest, daughter of Western Shu General Leng Duo. Aptitude: Earth Grade]

[Tags: Sword Forest Successor (Special), General, Assassin]

Lin Xiao couldn't help but click his tongue. This woman is actually material for leading troops? And she's an assassin? What a contrast.

"Upon receiving your message, General Zhao immediately agreed and summoned the residents of Stone Fortress overnight to rush here."

"After all, time waits for no one. We don't know when the Northern Barbarians will kill their way back."

Leng Bingyan said, "The people are already outside the city gates, but the Baishui City garrison won't open the gates."

Lin Xiao had guessed this long ago, so he took the others and rode quickly to the city gate.

When the city guards saw Lin Xiao holding the Prefect's token, and considering his fierce reputation from last night, they naturally didn't dare to stop him.

Soon, the city gates were wide open.

Lin Xiao rode out on his horse and saw General Zhao Kuan and the others, who had been traveling through dust and wind.

"General Zhao! Thank you for your trust, you've worked hard!"

"You kid," Zhao Kuan patted Lin Xiao's shoulder hard and laughed. "You even dare to go against Prince Bai, what does this general have to fear? Hahaha!!"

A group of Border Army soldiers laughed one after another. Although they were very tired, everyone was very happy to be able to reunite in Baishui City.

Lin Xiao felt moved. Although he always told himself he was an outsider, the trust these people had in him was something he could truly feel.

"Husband!!"

A soft call made Lin Xiao's heart shake!

He looked through the crowd and immediately found the woman who was wrapped up tightly but still couldn't hide her graceful figure.

Xiao Qingxuan's eyes were brimming with tears as she ran over quickly.

Lin Xiao went up and hugged the woman, not caring that so many people were watching, and kissed her heavily!

"Wife! I missed you to death!"

A small separation is like a new marriage!

Xiao Qingxuan gently punched the man. "You wanted to scare me to death. How did you suddenly turn the entire Baishui Prefecture upside down?"

"On the way here, hunters in every county were spreading the news that Official Lu Yang had been assassinated and Prince Bai's rebel party had been killed. This was all your doing, right?"

Lin Xiao chuckled, thinking to himself that this woman really understood him.

He took one look at Xiao Qingxuan's information and was suddenly shocked.