Now, Lin Yun had realised what was missing from his swordsmanship!
It was the original passion for the art of the sword.
Only by letting go of utilitarian motives could one truly return to that initial passion.
How many ordinary cultivators could let go of such motives?
Even Lin Yun, in the past, couldn’t do it, as his desire for strength drove him to constantly improve.
It was only after becoming a cripple that he could truly achieve this.
More than a month had passed, and during this time, Lin Yun clearly felt his mastery of swordsmanship improving.
As for the exact level his swordsmanship had reached, Lin Yun didn’t deliberately concern himself with it.
He practiced his sword solely out of his burning passion for it.
Everything else, he ignored.
“Phew, I’m a bit tired. I’ll head back to the bedchamber to carve,” Lin Yun said, sheathing his sword, wiping the sweat from his forehead, and preparing to return.
It had been over ten days since he last took a pill. The first few days were pain-free, but now, the torment from the Soul-Breaking Poison was increasing daily.
Still, after only ten days, it was well within Lin Yun’s tolerance.
In the bedchamber.
Lin Yun returned to his chamber, went to his dedicated carving area, picked up a carving knife, and began working on the raw stone before him.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!
The knife danced, and debris fell from the stone.
Lin Yun carved for at least three hours each day.
Like sword practice, his past carvings were driven by utilitarian goals, aimed at enhancing his divine sense.
Now, Lin Yun carved purely for the love of it, without any ulterior motive!
During this time, he had gained many new insights into carving.
As for external rumours, Lin Yun ignored them. He rarely left the prefecture lord’s palace, focusing only on living his life.
Of course, he trained during the day and spent evenings with his family and friends…
Knock, knock, knock.
At that moment, a knock came at the door.
“Brother Lin Yun,” Liang Yuan’s voice called from outside.
“Come in,” Lin Yun responded.
The bedchamber door was pushed open, and Liang Yuan entered.
“Brother Lin Yun, this is an official document from the divine capital.”
Liang Yuan handed the document to Lin Yun.
“Oh? A document from the divine capital?”
Lin Yun took it and opened it.
After reading the contents, a bitter smile crossed his face.
“As expected, it’s come,” Lin Yun said, closing the document.
“Brother Lin Yun, what’s it about?” Liang Yuan asked curiously.
“A transfer. I’m being promoted to deputy first-rank official and recalled to the divine capital to await assignment. You and Huo Zhen are also being promoted half a rank and transferred back to the divine capital,” Lin Yun said.
Lin Yun had long been mentally prepared, so he wasn’t surprised.
“Recalled to the divine capital? And promoted to deputy first-rank? That’s a promotion, but the prefecture lord is a frontier governor with real power, practically an emperor of a region. It’s a big difference,” Liang Yuan said.
Although deputy first-rank was higher than Lin Yun’s current second-rank prefecture lord position, everyone preferred the latter for its immense authority!
“My master has been good to me. Given my condition, I’m unfit to remain prefecture lord. Promoting me is his way of consoling me,” Lin Yun said with a smile.
Of course, Lin Yun wouldn’t blame Emperor Huoyun. What right did he have to complain?
Being a prefecture lord required ability, and as a cripple, what ability did he have to continue?
“This…” Liang Yuan sighed.
He knew Lin Yun had a bright future, but now it was coming to an end.
“By the way, Brother Lin Yun, does the document say who the next prefecture lord will be?” Liang Yuan asked.
“No, it only says the new prefecture lord will arrive in five days,” Lin Yun replied.
He continued, “Give the orders to prepare. We’ll leave for the divine capital soon.”
“Yes,” Liang Yuan agreed.
Lin Yun stopped carving and hurried out of the bedchamber to the wing where Senior Du Yuanzi resided.
After knocking, Du Yuanzi soon opened the door.
“Lin Yun, here about the Metal Bear’s repair? The array inside is quite intricate, and I’m still studying it. I’ve learned a lot, though. Don’t worry, it can definitely be fixed,” Du Yuanzi said with a smile.
“Senior, I’m here to discuss something else. I’m being recalled to the divine capital, and a new prefecture lord will arrive in five days. Can the teleportation array to my hometown be moved? If not, it’ll have to be destroyed,” Lin Yun said.
When the array was built, Lin Yun hadn’t anticipated this day.
“Recalled?” Du Yuanzi was startled.
“I’m a cripple now. It’s normal to be recalled,” Lin Yun said with a smile.
“You’re quite optimistic. The array can be dismantled and reassembled later, though reassembly will take time,” Du Yuanzi said.
“Good. Please help dismantle it as soon as possible, Senior Du Yuanzi,” Lin Yun said.
“No problem. Leave it to me,” Du Yuanzi agreed.
…
After meeting Du Yuanzi, Lin Yun went to see the Palace Master, Su Yan, Jiang Jingwen, Zhao Ling, and Qin Shi.
In the courtyard.
“Lin Yun, why did you call us so urgently? What’s happened?” Palace Master Yun Shang asked.
“I’m about to leave Dongyuan Prefecture for the Huoyun Empire’s capital. The teleportation array here will be dismantled. I want you to return to Earth before that happens. It’s safer there,” Lin Yun said, looking at the five of them.
As a cripple, his future here was uncertain. If something happened after the array was dismantled, they wouldn’t be able to return.
“No! Lin Yun, I’m not going back!” Su Yan said firmly.
“I’m not going back either!”
“Nor am I!”
Qin Shi, Zhao Ling, and Jiang Jingwen spoke up, their tones resolute.
Palace Master Yun Shang stepped forward. “Lin Yun, even if there’s danger ahead, none of us five are afraid! If there’s danger, we’ll face it with you! Even if it means death, we won’t fear it.”
“But…”
Before Lin Yun could continue, Palace Master Yun Shang reached out her slender hand and covered his mouth.
“Lin Yun, if we leave you and return to Earth, what meaning would our lives have if we can’t be by your side? We just want to stay with you until the end, no matter if the heavens collapse or the earth splits!” Her beautiful eyes shimmered, slightly red.
They knew Lin Yun’s Soul-Breaking Poison was incurable, meaning he had only decades left. They wanted to spend those final decades with him, not return to Earth, no matter how great the dangers here.
“Lin Yun, please don’t make us leave. We know you’re thinking of our safety, but… we’re not afraid of danger. Let us be selfish just this once, okay?” Qin Shi said, her voice tinged with tears and stubbornness.
