Chapter 52: Lingxiaozi of the Tianshan Sword

Li Xingyun was, after all, the future Duke of Tang, possessing an exalted status. Since he had personally come to pay a visit, Lingxiaozu naturally had no reason to refuse him.

Lingxiaozu not only received Li Xingyun in person, but also treated him with great warmth.

Upon examining the broken Dragon Spring Sword, a look of regret and shock crossed his face. "When the Weapon Codex was previously published, I heard that the Dragon Spring Sword had been severed, and I still had some doubts. I never expected..."

Gao Wu wore an embarrassed expression, knowing that the Dragon Spring Sword had been broken by the Heaven-Seeking Sword, and Zhou Zhiruo had been summoned by him in the first place.

"Master, how do you think this Dragon Spring Sword should be recast?"

"It is not difficult. Although the Dragon Spring Sword was forged from extraterrestrial meteoric iron, the technique is not overly complex. You only need to find another piece of extraterrestrial meteoric iron, and I will recast it for you!"

Li Xingyun was overjoyed, realizing he had found the right person. "I have long since prepared the extraterrestrial meteoric iron. Please take a look, Master!"

The Infernal Councilor had long anticipated that extraterrestrial meteoric iron would be required, and thus had prepared it in advance.

Lingxiaozu accepted the piece of meteoric iron from Li Xingyun, inspected it for a moment, and said, "This will do. If Your Highness the Heir will wait a little over a month, this old man will recast the sword for you!"

"Very well, many thanks, Master!"

At this moment, Lingxiaozu turned his gaze to the Crimson Fire Ice Sword at Gao Wu's waist and smiled. "Is this young master's side sword the Crimson Fire Ice Sword?"

"Indeed it is. Senior recognizes this weapon!"

"Haha, this sword was forged by this old man himself! May I have a look at it?"

Gao Wu immediately unbuckled the sword and handed it to Lingxiaozu.

"This young master's martial foundation belongs to the fire attribute, and you frequently use fire swords, yet you have never utilized an ice sword!" Lingxiaozu observed the blade, his fingers sliding gently across it as he sensed the aura emanating from the weapon.

"That is indeed the case."

"This sword is not quite suitable for you. You ought to seek out a fire sword in order to unleash your maximum combat potential."

"In other words, this sword is better suited for a martial artist with dual ice and fire attributes?"

"Precisely!"

"I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Senior!"

Upon departing from the Tianshan Sword Sect, Li Xingyun let out a long breath of relief and once again expressed his gratitude to Gao Wu. "Brother Gao, thanks to your assistance, otherwise I wouldn't have known when the Dragon Spring Sword could ever be recast."

"Brother Li is too polite. Between the two of us brothers, there is no need for such formalities!"

"Haha, quite right. Come, let us head to Guixiang Pavilion tonight and properly celebrate!"

***

"Ah? Guixiang Pavilion again?"

"What? Could it be that Brother Gao is a regular at Guixiang Pavilion?"

Gao Wu hurriedly denied it. "Not quite, though it is true that I happened to visit once a couple of days ago."

"Securing a table at Guixiang Pavilion is no easy feat!" Just as Li Xingyun finished speaking, he remembered Gao Wu's current status and chuckled self-deprecatingly. Gao Wu was now a member of the Seven Stars Tower, so having a meal at Guixiang Pavilion was truly nothing out of the ordinary.

However, Li Xingyun continued, "You may have been to Guixiang Pavilion, but the young ladies have yet to experience it. Today, we must bring them along to broaden their horizons!"

Gao Wu thought to himself, *'The horizons of those three ladies are exceptionally high; what rare delicacies have they not seen before?'*

On second thought, the dishes at Guixiang Pavilion did possess a unique character and were clearly crafted with genuine care. Bringing the ladies there to taste them would indeed be a wonderful idea!

And so, after a lapse of several days, Gao Wu once again stepped into Guixiang Pavilion.

This time, Manager Yang was only slightly startled before immediately stepping forward with a warm smile. "Young Master Gao, you have arrived!"

"Hey, Old Yang, do not mistake the person. The one treating us tonight is this Young Master Li!"

As Gao Wu spoke, he gestured toward Li Xingyun.

Li Xingyun was dressed in a lavish crimson robe—though not overly flamboyant, it was immensely precious. Coupled with his handsome appearance and dashing demeanor, he instantly captured Manager Yang's attention.

"Young Master Li, this way please, inside please!"

"The Tianyun Chamber!"

Upon hearing the name of the private room requested by Li Xingyun, Manager Yang beamed with even greater delight. Those capable of reserving a room in the 'Tian' tier were invariably wealthy or noble.

Gao Wu asked abruptly from the side, "Is your young mistress not in the pavilion today?"

Manager Yang calmly swept his gaze over the young women following behind the two men. Each of them possessed superior beauty, not one of them inferior to his own young mistress.

*‘Could it be that they are here to intimidate our young mistress?’*

Manager Yang thought to himself, while aloud he replied, "The young mistress went to the imperial palace today and is not within the pavilion!"

Gao Wu nodded, saying no more as he followed Li Xingyun into the Tianyun private chamber.

On the second floor, inside the room shared by the Xiao siblings, Xiao Buqi looked over the reservation details and muttered to himself, "The Duke of Tang's estate! Could it be that young master who is also listed on the Literary Prodigy Codex?"

At that moment, Manager Yang walked in and reported, "Young Master, the guests for the Tianyun Chamber have arrived, and that Gao Wu is with them as well."

"Why has he come again? Was the room booked by him?"

***

"No, there is also a young master surnamed Li!"

Xiao Buqi abruptly stood up, his eyes gleaming with the excitement of receiving news regarding a fellow peer.

"The heir to the Duke of Tang, Li Xingyun, it must be him!" Xiao Buqi paced back and forth across the room a few times before slapping his folded fan sharply against his palm. "No, I must go and see him!"

Xiao Ruoruo walked in from outside, her expression slightly fatigued as she asked with a light laugh, "Who is my older brother planning to go and see?"

"Sister, you're back! Come, have a cup of tea!"

Xiao Buqi attentively poured a cup of tea for his sister. Although he had been named to the Literary Prodigy Codex, he was well aware that compared to his sister, he still fell somewhat short.

"The Tianyun private chamber was reserved by the Duke of Tang's estate today. Does my sister know who has come from there?"

"Hehe, judging by how excited Brother is, could it be that the heir to the Duke of Tang, Li Xingyun, has entered the capital?"

"Indeed! If your older brother is not mistaken, that Li Xingyun is right now inside the Tianyun private chamber."

Xiao Ruoruo held her teacup in contemplative silence. "According to the Great Zhou laws, dukes and heirs are not permitted to enter the capital without an imperial summons. If it truly is Li Xingyun, then he has entered the capital privately and certainly wishes to keep his identity hidden. Brother, it would be best for you not to go and meet him!"

Xiao Buqi slapped his forehead; that was indeed the case, a point he had completely failed to consider just moments before.

He hurriedly changed the subject. "What did His Majesty want with Sister today?"

As there were only the two siblings in the room, Xiao Ruoruo did not conceal anything and said to Xiao Buqi, "Recently, the military campaign in Northern Liang has been going poorly. Demons have repeatedly violated the borders, and some have even sneaked into the capital to steal intelligence. Brother, you should still exercise caution when going out recently!"

"The audacity of those demons, daring to come all the way to the capital!" Xiao Buqi retained the righteous fervor of a scholar. "And that Prince of Northern Liang, as the sole Prince of a different surname, instead of thinking of repaying the state, how can he allow demons to cross the border?"

"Brother, watch your tongue!" Xiao Ruoruo sternly warned. "The Prince of Northern Liang has guarded the frontiers for decades, ensuring the borders remain secure and rendering monumental service to Great Zhou. You must not speak recklessly regarding right and wrong concerning the Prince of Northern Liang!"

"Understood!" Xiao Buqi hurriedly lowered his head in acknowledgment of his mistake.

Whenever this younger sister turned serious, he had no choice but to temporarily retreat and avoid her edge!

Inside the Tianyun private chamber, the group happened to be discussing this very matter. Zhao Liying spoke while eating, "Our hall master only said we are to capture spies, but where are these spies? How are we supposed to know? Every day feels like running around like headless flies!"

"Spies must of course be sought out by oneself; can you possibly expect them to turn themselves in?"