Chapter 163 - 157: Yun Han

Chapter 163: Chapter 157: Yun Han

A palace maid of Cold Mountain Palace performing a salute with her Lifebound Sword was the most esteemed etiquette she could show. Originally, this salute was reserved only for the master of Cold Mountain Palace.

Li Heng had been feeling a pang of melancholy, but Han Mu’Er’s sudden gesture left him a little bewildered, unsure of what to say.

Name: Han Mu

Category: Lifebound Equipment.

However, the longsword Han Mu’Er presented piqued Li Heng’s interest.

The weapons Li Heng had seen before were either Soul Energy Equipment or non-Soul Energy Equipment. It was the first time he had ever seen the words "Lifebound Equipment."

"Lifebound Sword?"

He was curious, as it was the first time he had seen such a thing. Without thinking, he spoke the words aloud.

Though he had spoken casually, his words struck a chord with Han Mu’Er. When she heard him say the words "Lifebound Sword," she froze once more.

"Honored Guest, you... you know of Lifebound Swords! You..."

"The Cold Mountain Celestial Palace of old! Even imperial officials had to bow to an ordinary palace maid from the Celestial Palace. How is it that today... a palace maid of the Celestial Palace would lose her composure like this?! Interesting! Oh! And you, Brother, my apologies for this sudden visit. I hope you will forgive the intrusion!"

Just as Han Mu’Er’s expression changed and her words became jumbled, the door to Li Heng’s room opened without him noticing, and Hua Lingyan appeared in the doorway.

Li Heng was momentarily stunned by Hua Lingyan’s sudden appearance. He then saw that the status of her name was still yellow, unchanged. With that, he calmed himself and adjusted his composure.

"No intrusion at all! I have been waiting for you for some time, Brother! Hongyu, Mo Ya, go find that man from before. I wish to appraise the Yun Han!"

Although the status of her name wasn’t hostile and she seemed to show no malice, Li Heng couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.

’After a moment’s thought, he decided on a plan just in case. If things go south, I’ll just grab the stuff and run.’

’Either way, with one Yun Han and one Yin Bone Paper Fan, I’ve already made a killing.’

"One moment, Honored Guest!"

Upon receiving Li Heng’s command, Hongyu and Mo Ya didn’t hesitate. They bowed to him and swiftly departed from the room.

Now, the only people left in the room were Han Mu’Er, still kneeling with her Lifebound Sword held in a reverse grip; Hua Lingyan, standing by the door; and Li Heng, leaning against the window, lost in thought.

"Brother, please have a seat!"

The atmosphere was delicate, and with the newcomer being a polite Soul Saint, Li Heng naturally reciprocated the courtesy.

However, the only place to sit in the room was the wooden bed. Li Heng knew she was a woman disguised as a man, so the moment the words left his mouth, he realized his blunder. He didn’t expose her, however, and maintained a perfectly natural facade.

Upon hearing Li Heng, Hua Lingyan’s gaze flickered to the wooden bed. A smile touched her lips, and though she entered the room, she did not take a seat.

"’In this mortal world, what one can’t keep / Is a rosy cheek from the mirror, or a blossom from the tree.’ I’m afraid that within ten thousand li of Li Liang City, only you, Brother, possess such poetic talent! I just wonder... for whom did you recite that line?"

’Are Soul Saints’ ears really that sharp?’

’I only murmured that softly out of a fleeting emotion. I can understand the people in the room hearing it, but how did Hua Lingyan... right... Soul Saints really are incredible.’

"You jest, Brother! I’m just a common scholar, unworthy of such praise. As for that line... I don’t know who it was for either. If you like it, please, feel free to use it."

Hua Lingyan fell silent for a moment before replying, "The line is wonderful, but it is a pity not to have heard the entire poem. Therefore, at today’s Hundred Flowers Assembly, with the exception of Miss Hua Meng’Er, you may choose any one of the other treasures or beauties, Brother. Such a small expense... is something I can still afford."

"Honored Guests! My apologies for the interruption! This is the personal sword of the Young Palace Master of Cold Mountain Palace, Yun Han. Please appraise it!"

As Li Heng and Hua Lingyan were in the middle of their conversation, the middle-aged man from before appeared at the door with Hongyu and Mo Ya.

His tone was respectful and his posture deferential. The Soul Master, a cultivator in the Soul King Realm, approached Li Heng with his waist bowed, presenting a longsword that radiated a cold light with both hands.

"A fine sword indeed!"

The middle-aged man’s sudden arrival interrupted the conversation between Hua Lingyan and Li Heng. Hua Lingyan took the opportunity to glance at the Cloud Cold Longsword he presented, her expression indifferent.

Li Heng smiled but said nothing as he took the Yun Han.

Name: Yun Han

Category: Soul Energy Equipment

Value: Mythical

Effects:

1. Wielder’s Strength +25, Agility +25.

2. Swordsmanship Proficiency +8.

3. Swordsmanship Versatility +20.

4. Increases wielder’s Charisma by -1 to +10.

5. Increases the wielder’s ability to comprehend the Solitary Cold Sword Intent. Prerequisite: The wielder must have already comprehended one of the following Sword Intents: Snowflake, Cold Ice, or Hoarfrost.

6. Due to its material, if the user’s affinity with the Cold attribute is below 20, they will be afflicted by cold poison.

7. Each strike has an extremely high chance of freezing the moisture in the air.

8. Rumored to be the personal sword of Cold Mountain Palace’s Young Palace Master, Lv Si Han, but is in fact the personal sword of Cold Mountain Palace’s Tenth-Rank Palace Maid, Zheng Xinzhi.

[Do you wish to consume 1,000,000 Soul Energy, 1,000 Epic Points, and 100 Mythical Points to upgrade this equipment?]

’The personal sword of Cold Mountain Palace’s Tenth-Rank Palace Maid... Zheng Xinzhi?!’

An idea sparked in Li Heng’s mind. He casually stored the Cloud Cold Treasure Sword in his medium-sized Space Stone.

Then, forcing a smile, he said, "If you would be so kind, please bring me that jug of Snowflake Brew."

The middle-aged man had been quite pleased to see Li Heng’s serious expression during the appraisal, which was occasionally broken by a faint smile.

Despite the earlier misunderstanding, seeing Li Heng’s reaction now made the man feel confident that the deal was secure.

But when he saw Li Heng put the Yun Han away without a single comment about the sword itself, and then ask for the Snowflake Brew, he felt an inexplicable sense of unease.

But then he thought, ’He probably needs to appraise the Snowflake Brew as well.’ So he went and handed the Snowflake Brew to Li Heng, who, just as naturally, stored it away in his medium-sized Space Stone.

At this point, Li Heng still hadn’t said a word. The middle-aged man’s feeling of unease intensified, but he maintained a calm exterior, quietly waiting for Li Heng to speak.

"It truly is a fine sword! And the Snowflake Brew is pure! Oh, right, you said... this is the personal sword of the Young Palace Master of Cold Mountain Palace?"

Only after confirming that the Yun Han, Yin Bone Paper Fan, and Snowflake Brew were safely stored in his medium-sized Space Stone did Li Heng finally speak to the middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man nodded with great certainty. "But of course! Please rest assured, Honored Guest. Snow Feather Tower would never tarnish its own reputation, especially during a grand event like the Hundred Flowers Assembly. How could Snow Feather Tower possibly dare to slight a guest of your esteemed status!" His tone was exceptionally firm, his words ringing with sincerity.

Li Heng nodded at his words and replied with a casual air, "I naturally have faith in Snow Feather Tower and the Hundred Flowers Assembly. However, I do have a personal matter I’d like to ask about. I was wondering if you might be able to clear up some confusion for me?"

The middle-aged man replied, "Honored Guest, you are too kind. Please, do not hesitate to ask."

Li Heng: "I wonder if you... happen to know of a palace maid from Cold Mountain Palace named Zheng Xinzhi?"