Chapter 89

Busy! Busy! Busy!

This was a true reflection of Lin Sha's life recently, almost too busy to catch a breath.

In early winter, the news of Wu Yingxiong's return spread widely. Old Wu specially organized a grand welcoming ceremony. Lin Sha not only had to help maintain order in the government office but also had to personally patrol the nearby areas to deter any lawlessness. He just wanted to ensure that the nearby forces wouldn't cause trouble in the near future.

Lin Sha didn't mind much, treating it as a training exercise for his men. Everywhere they went, they were warmly welcomed by the local gentry, receiving plenty of wine, meat, and silver.

At the welcoming banquet hosted by the Prince of Pingxi's mansion, Lin Sha had his first close encounter with the heir Wu Yingxiong.

To be fair, Wu Yingxiong was quite handsome, exuding an air of nobility by the standards of this era. His demeanor and speech were measured and refined, making him very likable.

As a rising star of the Yunnan army, Lin Sha naturally received special treatment from Wu Yingxiong.

There was no choice; when Wu Yingxiong took over the Prince of Pingxi's mansion, he would need the support of military newcomers like Lin Sha. The old generals who had fought alongside Old Wu were outwardly respectful but inwardly skeptical.

From this perspective, Old Wu and Wu Yingxiong truly had no intention of rebelling against the Qing. Otherwise, Wu SanGui's most favored son wouldn't have been living in Beijing as a 'hostage' for so long.

Once a war broke out, Wu Yingxiong, as a hostage, would be the first to suffer!

Lin Sha wasn't very familiar with the early years of Emperor Kangxi's reign. Most of what he knew came from the TV series "The Kangxi Dynasty," where Wu Yingxiong was definitely a tragic figure!

Lin Sha was no longer a newcomer in the political arena. Since becoming a powerful fourth-rank commander with over a thousand troops under his command, he was well-versed in official jargon and could easily handle social situations. He managed to应付 Wu Yingxiong with a few jokes, but it wouldn't be easy for Wu Yingxiong to win him over!

Once the banquet was over, the recent commotion came to a temporary end.

Lin Sha, with a slight alcohol smell, returned to his residence in a relaxed mood.

At the banquet, he had learned that Princess Jianning would travel to Yunnan in the spring to marry Wu Yingxiong. This meant that he would soon meet the group of martial artists around Wei Xiaobao!

The Venerable Master Jiunnan, the Fat Arhat of the Divine Dragon Sect, and the members of the Heaven and Earth Society...

Just thinking about it made his blood boil. He really wanted to spar with them to improve his internal martial arts skills!

...

"Annoying, Big Brother Lin, you drank again?"

As soon as he sat down in the main hall, a petite and fragrant figure quickly walked in. Mu Jianping's small face was full of concern, and her cherry-red lips pouted in dissatisfaction.

"Can't help it, Wu Yingxiong is back, I had to show some respect!" Lin Sha smiled lightly, his face flushed but natural. He pointed to a chair, inviting Mu Jianping to sit down, and asked curiously, "I've been so busy lately that I haven't had much time to chat with you, Little Princess. How have you been? Are you comfortable at home?"

"Hmph, Big Brother Lin, you understand now, do you plan to make it up to me?" Mu Jianping raised her small face, less reserved and more playful after getting to know Lin Sha better, though she always maintained some restraint.

"What kind of compensation do you want, Little Princess?" Lin Sha looked at the innocent and lively Mu Jianping with amusement and teased her.

"Then... "

Mu Jianping supported her chin with her right hand, her eyes twinkling as she clapped her hands and laughed, "Big Brother Lin, you don't have to do anything, just spend three days playing with me, okay?"

Looking at Mu Jianping's pure and beautiful face up close and hearing her coquettish voice, Lin Sha suddenly felt a strange emotion. For some reason, the Little Princess seemed to have a bit of a womanly charm?

Subconsciously nodding "okay, okay," he immediately drew a joyful cheer from the Little Princess, who danced around excitedly like a child who had just received a favorite toy.

I must be seeing things, I must be seeing things...

Lin Sha rubbed his forehead, shaking his head to dispel the sudden thoughts.

"Sir, the guard from General Hu's side is here to visit!"

At that moment, the captain of the guards, who was acting as a steward, walked in, looking straight ahead and respectfully reported.

"Oh, the guard from General Hu's side?"

Lin Sha's eyebrows twitched, and he asked with interest, "Is it the expert from the Diancang Sect who sparred with me last time?"

The steward respectfully replied, "Yes, sir!"

Lin Sha pondered for a moment, then waved his hand and instructed, "Bring him in!"

As the steward left, Little Princess Mu Jianping got up to leave, "Since Big Brother Lin has a guest, I'll take my leave..."

Fang Yi, who had been inseparable from her, also stood up, despite her great curiosity.

"No need!"

Lin Sha smiled calmly and waved to stop her, "I don't have much of a relationship with that guard. Since he's here, it's probably about martial arts matters. You can stay and listen if you want!"

"Then I won't be polite!"

The Little Princess, who hadn't really intended to leave, immediately sat back down, her large, bright eyes wide with curiosity and excitement.

This little girl!

Lin Sha couldn't help but laugh softly, finding the Little Princess's childish behavior endearing.

Fang Yi stood silently behind the Little Princess, trying to blend into the background and ignoring Lin Sha, especially since he and the Little Princess seemed to be flirting.

Soon, the sound of footsteps was heard, and the steward led the guard into the main hall. After the formalities, the steward left, leaving the guard to speak with Lin Sha, with the two beauties listening in.

"Sir, my uncle invites you to gather at Fuxian Tower in three days..."

Although surprised by the presence of the two beauties, the guard didn't pay much attention. The traces of martial arts on the two women revealed their identities. After some polite conversation, he felt the atmosphere was right and presented a beautifully crafted invitation.

"Oh, I wonder what Elder Qian wants from me?"

Lin Sha's heart stirred, but he remained calm as he took the invitation and asked curiously.

"My uncle has long admired your reputation as a 'martial fanatic' and wishes to meet and exchange skills with you!"

The guard smiled calmly and gently threw out the bait.

"Alright, I accept!"

Lin Sha thought for a moment and then agreed readily, but he warned that he would bring several dozen guards, and hoped Elder Qian wouldn't mind.

"Big Brother Lin, why did you so easily agree to Elder Qian's invitation from the Diancang Sect?"

After Lin Sha saw the guard off and returned to the main hall, the Little Princess, who had been sitting still, finally couldn't hold back and jumped up, curiously asking Lin Sha...