Chapter 151: CH. 151 | New Agreement With Zhu
***
The next day.
Lin Tian arrived at the front courtyard alone, his gaze fixed straight ahead as he watched his disciples train. Not long afterward, Wu Yue arrived with Cao Ying.
Wu Yue was dressed in the white and gray robes of a sect elder, just like Cao Ying.
She had always worn her signature red robes before, but after accepting Lin Tian’s invitation, she had begun wearing the sect elder’s robes instead.
"Lin Tian?"
He turned toward them. Both women had already prepared themselves for the trip. However, Lin Tian didn’t want the Zhu Clan to feel intimidated by their presence.
He asked Cao Ying to conceal her cultivation so she wouldn’t frighten them too much. Perfect Nascent Soul, the same level as Lin Tian, was the ideal disguise.
"All right," Cao Ying replied.
She raised her hand, and brilliant crimson qi gathered around her as she began concealing her cultivation. The red aura gradually settled until it matched Lin Tian’s cultivation level.
"Let’s go."
Lin Tian shot out of the sect in a streak of light. Wu Yue and Cao Ying immediately followed him.
The restriction placed on Wu Yue had been temporarily relaxed, provided she remained within three zhang, or about ten meters, of Lin Tian.
It was the first time in years that Wu Yue had been able to leave the Lingxian Sect. Simply stepping outside and breathing the air of freedom brought her a sense of peace.
The three of them increased their speed, arriving at Zhu City within minutes. From afar, the city’s landscape stretched out before them.
They entered through the inspection checkpoint at the main gate before walking into the bustling streets, where people had already begun their daily routines.
Many shops were open, displaying all kinds of merchandise. Lin Tian narrowed his eyes and paused briefly when he noticed a shop selling technique scrolls and various cultivation items.
Wu Yue noticed his reaction, "What is it?"
I think I know what kind of new deal I should make with them.
"Nothing."
Lin Tian resumed walking, with the two women following behind him.
After turning at the first intersection, the three of them stopped before the entrance to the Zhu Clan estate.
The gate guards immediately recognized them. Without asking any questions, one of the guards escorted them through the outer gate and toward the entrance of the clan’s main residence.
The inner gates opened, allowing them to continue forward.
They soon saw the clan’s main hall ahead. The same two young elders who had waited outside the previous day were already standing there, as if expecting Lin Tian’s arrival.
When they reached the entrance, the doors were opened at once, allowing Lin Tian inside.
There, he saw Zhu Wei waiting alone, without any of the other clan elders accompanying him.
The three of them watched as Zhu Wei paced back and forth across the red carpet. The moment the doors opened, he turned around and smiled broadly upon seeing Lin Tian.
"Master Lin...?"
"I’ve been eagerly waiting for your arrival. I’m glad you accepted my invitation," Zhu Wei said with a wide smile as he walked over.
"Greetings, Clan Head Zhu Wei," Lin Tian said, cupping his hands respectfully.
"No need to be so formal. We’ve already met before."
"Come. We can talk over some tea if you don’t mind," Zhu Wei offered.
Lin Tian gave a slight nod. The three of them entered and sat around a wooden table prepared for them, resembling a formal banquet.
Zhu Wei clapped his hands, summoning several female attendants to serve his guests.
"I apologize for not welcoming you properly yesterday. We had a few minor issues to deal with."
"But everything has been settled now," Zhu Wei said.
One of the Zhu Clan attendants, dressed in revealing clothing, approached Lin Tian’s table with a friendly smile and poured tea into his cup.
There was nothing suspicious about the tea. It was perfectly safe and free of poison. Wu Yue and Cao Ying also accepted the tea.
"So, why did you invite me here?" Lin Tian asked. He hadn’t touched his tea, choosing instead to get straight to the point.
Zhu Wei let out a quiet sigh as he poured himself another cup. Lin Tian still hadn’t taken a sip, his sharp gaze fixed on Zhu Wei.
"My wife... Can Ying... died ten years ago during a battle against the Jia Clan. She left me alone to raise Rong’er and Xian’er."
"I raised them with everything I had, ignoring what others thought while continuing to strengthen the Zhu Clan until we became the rulers of this city," Zhu Wei said.
"But Saintess Spring Valley stole that happiness from me... and now I’m consumed by worry."
"I can’t sleep. My cultivation has been disrupted. My life is filled with regret."
With sorrow filling his eyes, Zhu Wei slowly raised his head toward the ceiling of the main hall.
His face looked exhausted. His eyes glistened with unshed tears, while both his hands and legs trembled faintly.
Lin Tian could clearly sense Zhu Wei’s emotions.
The anxiety in his heart had disturbed both his mind and his cultivation. If this continued, the Zhu Clan would eventually decline after losing its leader.
"I never should have given them that order. They still weren’t ready," Zhu Wei said.
He raised a hand to wipe away a tear from the corner of his eye before letting out a self-deprecating chuckle.
"My apologies. It’s rather pathetic for a Nascent Soul cultivator to cry like this."
"Zhu Zirong and Zhu Xian are your precious children. The emotions in our hearts are what allow us to remain true to ourselves," Lin Tian said.
"I don’t mind seeing you like this."
"Thank you, Sect Master Lin Tian," Zhu Wei replied.
"I invited you here because I’d like to continue discussing our agreement."
"The Clone Technique in exchange for protecting my sect. Is that correct?" Zhu Wei asked.
Lin Tian remained silent for a moment.
Although Zhu Wei had asked the question, his expression was one of sadness and resignation.
He took out a teleportation jade token and handed it to Lin Tian. The jade token floated before him, glowing with a crimson light.
"I can’t stay there myself, and the elders have refused to participate because they’re worried about the Three Sect Alliance."
"If you ever need my help, simply crush this jade token and I’ll—"
"It seems there’s something else that interests me more than guarding your sect," Lin Tian interrupted, returning the jade token.
Zhu Wei looked confused.
Lin Tian rose to his feet and walked forward, meeting Zhu Wei’s gaze with calm determination.
Protecting the sect was certainly an attractive proposal. However, after seeing how many new disciples had joined the Lingxian Sect, Lin Tian realized what the sect truly needed.
"What is it?" Zhu Wei asked. "As long as it’s within my means, I’ll do it."
"I need three hundred copies of cultivation techniques: one hundred fifty Mortal-grade techniques, one hundred Profound-grade techniques, and fifty Sect-grade techniques."
Zhu Wei’s eyes widened, so did Cao Ying’s. Wu Yue, however, let out a relieved smile.
She and Lin Tian shared the same concern; the sect had many disciples, yet its library was practically empty.
Zhu Wei wasn’t shocked because he couldn’t fulfill the request. He was shocked because the value of those techniques was far lower than guarding his sect for years.
With this arrangement, the Qin Sect Alliance would never discover the relationship between the Zhu Clan and the Lingxian Sect.
"Forget copies. I’ll give you the original techniques themselves. I’ll personally choose techniques suitable for a growing sect like yours," Zhu Wei replied.
"Anything else?" he asked eagerly.
"I also need fifty array scrolls, fifty artifact refinement techniques, and fifty qi recovery techniques."
"I’ll also need one hundred pill recipes, along with fifty Mortal-grade and Profound-grade weapons."
"Excellent!" Zhu Wei exclaimed with a broad smile as he stood up. "I’ll prepare everything as quickly as possible. Come back in two days."
Lin Tian pointed toward Cao Ying and Wu Yue, "My elders will come to check everything."
"So... you’ll help me?" Zhu Wei asked.
Lin Tian stepped forward, climbed the short flight of stairs, and stopped directly in front of him.
"Give me the Clone Technique—"
"Then I’ll bring both of your children home."