Chapter 74

The same night, at Shidingzhai.

Musan Su had just returned from a banquet, which was jointly hosted by the heads of major merchant houses. Only the top leaders of the merchant associations in Donglin City were invited to attend.

Musan Su initially thought something significant had happened, but to her surprise, the most discussed topic throughout the banquet was Jin Yutang.

This previously obscure merchant house had recently caused a stir throughout the city, with everyone talking about it, especially today, due to a "Bursting Flame Sword." This made the heads of other merchant houses unable to remain calm, and they gathered to discuss a strategy.

Donglin City was not large, and the territories had already been completely divided. The emergence of Jin Yutang, seeking to snatch food from the tiger's mouth, was naturally something the other merchant houses could not tolerate.

Unfortunately, no unified strategy was formed at the banquet. After all, each merchant house had its own agenda, and without sufficient benefits, how could they be expected to stand on the same front?

Most importantly, Jin Yutang's sudden rise was too abrupt. In just two days, it caused such a commotion that other merchant houses had no time to prepare. By the time they wanted to stop its rise, it was already too late.

Musan Su was not interested in suppressing Jin Yutang. She was well aware that in the eyes of the three major local powers—Wu Family Merchant House, Jibaoxuan, and Chenjinji—Shidingzhai was still an outsider, and the competition was extremely fierce.

Therefore, Musan Su had no intention of getting involved in such matters.

Upon returning to Shidingzhai and reaching her residence, Musan Su was taken aback to see someone already waiting there.

"Wang Lin, has something happened?" Musan Su asked.

The person was indeed Wang Lin. Seeing Musan Su, his expression became somewhat complicated. "Miss Musan, have you heard about what happened at Jin Yutang today?"

Why is it Jin Yutang again!

Musan Su frowned, somewhat absentmindedly, "I know, what about it?"

Wang Lin took a deep breath and probed, "Miss Musan, do you know the origin of the Flame Spirit Sword?"

Musan Su immediately showed interest, inviting Wang Lin into her room and seating him. "Have you found out who the master spirit engraver is?"

After the events of the banquet, Musan Su was also curious about the spirit engraver who could create such a unique Bursting Flame Sword. The sword's enhanced power even earned it a new name, Flame Spirit Sword, which was a great honor for a spirit engraver.

Like the heads of other merchant houses, Musan Su was also considering that if she could find this mysterious spirit engraver, she would use every means to bring him into Shidingzhai!

Wang Lin shook his head. "I don't know who made the Flame Spirit Sword, but I do know who sold it to Jin Yutang."

Musan Su's spirits lifted, her eyes bright. "Oh, tell me more."

Wang Lin hesitated for a moment before speaking in a low voice. "Miss Musan, do you remember when Lin Xun came yesterday?"

Musan Su was displeased. "Why bring up that boy now? Could it be that..."

Suddenly, she seemed to realize something, her face changing. "You can't mean that little brat Lin Xun, right?"

Wang Lin nodded bitterly.

Seeing this, Musan Su's previously excited mood vanished, her face showing mixed emotions. After a long while, she said, "You mean the spirit weapon he came to Shidingzhai to sell yesterday is the Flame Spirit Sword that has caused a stir in the city?"

Wang Lin, though noticing Musan Su's mood, nodded. "Yes, I personally appraised the sword yesterday and confirmed it again today at Jin Yutang. It's definitely the same sword Lin Xun brought yesterday."

Bang!

Musan Su crushed the teacup in her hand, her chest heaving dramatically, revealing her intense inner turmoil.

Indeed, she never expected such a coincidence. She had just proudly expelled a boy she had long resented, completely severing ties with him.

And today, she learned that this boy was the one behind Jin Yutang's sudden rise!

Worst of all, if she hadn't made that decision yesterday, the unique Flame Spirit Sword would have belonged to Shidingzhai!

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Musan Su was displeased, giving Wang Lin a cold look.

Wang Lin smiled bitterly. "I had already agreed on a price with Lin Xun yesterday, but Miss Musan, you were firm in your decision, so I had no choice..."

Musan Su was angry. "You didn't say the Flame Spirit Sword was powerful yesterday!"

Wang Lin felt wronged and defended himself. "I did tell you yesterday. You said it was just a Bursting Flame Sword, and even if it was unique, it wasn't significant."

Musan Su was taken aback, suddenly remembering that she had indeed said something like that yesterday, feeling a bit frustrated.

She wasn't concerned about the Flame Spirit Sword itself; she was more interested in who the spirit engraver was!

A spirit engraver who could create such a spirit weapon would bring immeasurable benefits to Shidingzhai if brought in!

Clearly, since Lin Xun possessed the sword, he must know its origin. But she, Musan Su, had personally ruined everything...

Thinking of this, Musan Su felt a deep regret. If she had known, she wouldn't have turned her back on the boy yesterday.

"That little brat is simply infuriating!"

Musan Su cursed inwardly. She realized that every time she encountered this boy, she ended up in a bad situation. Yesterday, she thought she had vented her anger, but today, she faced the consequences.

Could this little brat be her nemesis?

Musan Su felt a headache, her anger having no outlet, making her beautiful face look resentful.

Wang Lin couldn't help but say, "Miss Musan, this could actually be a good thing. In Donglin City, perhaps only Jin Yutang and we know that the Flame Spirit Sword came from Lin Xun. This is our advantage. If we find Lin Xun, we can find the mysterious spirit engraver. If we can bring this spirit engraver into Shidingzhai first, it would be a great fortune!"

Musan Su hesitated. "Are you suggesting I reconcile with that boy?"

Wang Lin was taken aback. "Miss Musan, do you have a deep grudge against Lin Xun?"

"No." Musan Su shook her head. There was no deep grudge, just... personal grievances!

Wang Lin smiled. "Since that's the case, I'll represent you and meet Lin Xun tomorrow. I believe if we show enough sincerity, he won't hold a grudge."

Musan Su, thinking of having to humble herself before Lin Xun, felt her anger rise. She frowned and waved her hand. "No need!"

Wang Lin was stunned.

Musan Su said coldly, "Lin Xun is only at the Fifth Level of True Martial Realm and has just come from the remote Fiyun Village. With his status, how could he possibly know the mysterious spirit engraver? I think the Flame Spirit Sword might just be something he obtained by chance, and it's not worth putting much effort into him."

Wang Lin couldn't help but say, "But what if..."

Musan Su replied, "Even if this boy has a connection with the mysterious spirit engraver, we can deal with it later. Our priority now is to observe and see what role Lin Xun plays in this matter."

With that, Musan Su had regained her usual confidence. Making her, Musan Su, humble herself? Impossible!

Wang Lin sighed, feeling dispirited, and said no more, getting up to leave.

"Starting tomorrow, send people to keep an eye on Lin Xun's every move. See who he interacts with daily; perhaps we can find clues to the mysterious spirit engraver." Musan Su gave one last instruction.

Wang Lin nodded and left.

Their entire conversation revolved around the "mysterious spirit engraver," but neither of them could have imagined that this spirit engraver was Lin Xun.

After all, Lin Xun was only at the Fifth Level of True Martial Realm. How could he possibly create a spirit weapon?

In the history of the Ziyao Empire, there were indeed spirit engravers who could create spirit weapons at the True Martial Realm, but they were extremely rare, with only a few appearing every few hundred years.

Could Lin Xun be one of these rare spirit engravers?

Neither Musan Su nor Wang Lin would believe it.

Moreover, the Flame Spirit Sword was extremely unique, capable of increasing the power of a low-tier human-grade spirit weapon by twenty percent, something even ordinary spirit engraving masters couldn't achieve!

So, subconsciously, not only Musan Su and Wang Lin, but even Jin Yutang's Gu Yanping, considered the mysterious spirit engraver and Lin Xun as two separate individuals.

Wang Lin left, but Musan Su felt inexplicably restless. Lin Xun's image kept flashing in her mind.

Musan Su bit her full, lustrous lips, her beautiful face changing under the light, sometimes gritting her teeth, sometimes frowning, and sometimes lost in thought...

"That little brat must be sent by heaven to torment me!"

In the end, Musan Su let out a soft sigh.

...

In the night, Lin Xun successfully created another Flame Spirit Sword, just as he had done before. However, compared to the previous times, he no longer felt much surprise.

The only thing that satisfied him was that after lighting the second soul star in his sea of consciousness last night, his perception had clearly improved, becoming more acute and resilient. This made his spirit engraving more skillful and effortless.

Not long after, Xia Zhi returned from the night. Seeing Lin Xun already sitting on the bed in deep meditation, she didn't disturb him. She heated some water, washed up, and lay down on the bed, looking at Lin Xun's sharp profile, lost in thought.

She had read the intelligence about the Wu Family Clan that Diao Pangzi had sent. She knew it was a tricky situation for Lin Xun and had decided to do something about it.

However, at that moment, Lin Xun suddenly opened his eyes and said, "I don't oppose you fighting in this area, but regarding the Wu Family Clan, I already have a plan, so I can't allow you to take risks."

His expression was unusually serious, even stern.

Xia Zhi's large, crescent-shaped eyes widened, and she stared at Lin Xun for a long time before softly nodding and closing her eyes. But she felt a slight unease in her heart. He... actually understands what I'm thinking?

Xia Zhi didn't realize that a faint smile had appeared on her lustrous lips, as if she was very happy...