Yun Jin casually tossed the wine jar over.
Lin Ya's eyes widened in alarm as he scrambled to catch it. Hugging the jar protectively, he couldn't help but glare at Yun Jin. "How can you treat fine wine so rudely? What if it had shattered? What then?"
Yun Jin smiled sweetly. "Master, won't you try it?"
Of course he would.
Lin Ya hurriedly produced a wine pot and two cups, carefully setting them down in front of both himself and Yun Jin.
As soon as he uncorked the jar, the fragrance of the wine spread through the air. Swallowing back his drool, Lin Ya quickly poured himself a cup. Yet just when it reached his lips, he suddenly dropped his eagerness and sipped with practiced elegance, savoring every note.
Yun Jin poured herself a cup as well, drinking at a leisurely pace.
Lin Ya closed his eyes, let the flavor linger on his tongue, then opened them with a sigh of admiration.
"Good wine. Whether it's mortal brew or spiritual wine, I've had my fair share. This is clearly just a mortal wine, but the taste easily rivals that of ordinary spirit wines."
Spiritual wines were brewed with rare and costly ingredients. For a mortal brew to reach this level, it had already touched the pinnacle of its kind.
Yun Jin chuckled. "Spirit wine takes longer to brew. I figured Master would grow impatient, so I prepared this Mistwine for you in the meantime. Once I find suitable ingredients, I'll start on a proper spirit wine."
"Excellent, truly excellent," Lin Ya said as he happily refilled his cup.
"As for that legendary Hundred Flowers Wine, I've already made some progress. I'm just short on a few ingredients. They're not available within the Tianxing Sect, so I'll have to search beyond our borders," Yun Jin added.
"The Hundred Flowers Wine is no ordinary brew. Naturally, it won't be that easy to make. No rush." Lin Ya poured himself another cup without a care.
Hearing that, Yun Jin's expression turned righteously solemn.
"You may not be in a hurry, Master, but how can we disciples afford to slack off? It's only a matter of gathering a few ingredients. I'll head out right away and start the search. It shouldn't take long before I have results."
"Excellent, truly excell..." Lin Ya began responding automatically.
Then he froze.
Something didn't feel right.
He slowly looked up to find Yun Jin already on her feet.
"So you're agreeing to let me leave the mountain, Master? I'll get ready now."
She turned and strode toward the door.
Leave the mountain?
Agree?
When had he agreed?!
Lin Ya shot out a hand.
Yun Jin had already crossed the threshold when a great force yanked her back into the room.
"Master?" Yun Jin blinked innocently. "Is there something else you need?"
Lin Ya stared at her for a moment. "Why do you suddenly want to leave the mountain?"
Yun Jin replied earnestly, "I want to see the world."
Lin Ya let out a cold snort. "Try again."
Yun Jin hesitated, then repeated, "That is the truth."
He didn't press, simply crossed his arms and stared at her with a faint, knowing smile.
The two of them locked eyes in a silent standoff.
Eventually, Yun Jin let out a resigned sigh. "I've already asked Third Senior Brother to come with me this time. He's calm and dependable. Nothing will go wrong."
Lin Ya snorted again. "So you do know you're not dependable."
Still...
Yu Songnian?
That gave Lin Ya pause.
Yu Songnian was always reserved, a man of few words. Of all his disciples, Yun Jin and Yu Songnian had the least interaction. Yet now she had deliberately sought him out to accompany her.
Lin Ya frowned deeply.
After a long silence, he spoke slowly. "What you plan to do outside—does it involve Songnian?"
Yun Jin froze in shock.
She blurted out, "Wait, how can this be? Master, aren't sword cultivators supposed to have more muscle than brain—"
Lin Ya's expression darkened. He smacked her lightly on the head. "Speak properly."
Yun Jin rubbed her head and obediently explained, "Master Qing Yun told me that Third Senior Brother's petrification is because he carries a foreign bloodline. I want to take him to the Yu family to uncover the truth."
A foreign bloodline!
Lin Ya's eyes flickered, then his expression shifted into clarity.
So that was it.
Back when Yu Songnian fell from grace, Lin Ya had long suspected foul play—poison, perhaps. For years, he'd chased down that possibility. He never imagined it would be due to his bloodline.
Lin Ya narrowed his eyes. "The Yu family's Sword Trial Assembly should be starting soon."
Yun Jin nodded.
Clearly, Lin Ya had continued keeping tabs on the Yu family all these years.
After a moment's thought, Lin Ya's lips curled into a faint, mocking smile.
"You and Songnian may go. I agree. But I have just one request."
"Please, speak, Master." Yun Jin hadn't expected it to go this smoothly, and her spirits lifted.
Lin Ya spoke each word with clarity and force. "Let the Yu family witness what a true sword genius looks like."
There was a sharp edge beneath his tone, a hint of suppressed killing intent.
Yun Jin understood instantly.
So Master had a score to settle with the Yu family as well.
That just meant she wouldn't have to hold back when the time came.
"Don't worry, Master. Showing off is what I do best," Yun Jin said with a cheerful grin.
Lin Ya nodded slowly. "The Yu family is the foremost cultivation clan in Lin City. Their power even surpasses some of the lesser sects. Among them, the most formidable are a few Unity-stage elders. The current family head, Yu Lin, is your Third Senior Brother's uncle. As for his talent... nothing worth mentioning. He's been stuck in the Divine Transformation stage for years."
"Yu Lin may be mediocre in skill, but he's sly and calculating," Lin Ya said with a cold laugh. "Truth be told, when Songnian escaped the Yu family and made his way to the Tianxing Sect, it was I who escorted him. If not, he'd likely have died en route."
Seeing Yun Jin's curious expression, Lin Ya added, "Songnian's father and I were old friends."
Yun Jin nodded, understanding.
So when his old friend died and Songnian became an invalid from that strange petrifying illness, Lin Ya had immediately rushed over. He must have rescued Songnian in secret and personally brought him back to the Tianxing Sect.
"Your Third Senior Brother still doesn't know that his father and I were close. For now, there's no need to tell him." Lin Ya let out a sigh, frustration lining his features.
All these years, he had searched in vain—one hand trying to cure Yu Songnian, the other probing the truth behind his old friend's death. Both had come up empty.
When the Yu family learned Songnian had joined the Tianxing Sect, they'd tried several times to reclaim him. Though they failed, Lin Ya had never let go of his anger.
Back then, his injuries had prevented him from confronting them directly.
But now...
Whether to save Yu Songnian or to uncover the secret behind his bloodline, it was time to settle old scores.
"This trip to Lin City—if anything happens, contact me immediately through your transmission talisman," Lin Ya said softly. "I still have a long-distance teleportation talisman. I'll reach you in an instant."
Yun Jin nodded. "Understood, Master."
Only then did Lin Ya finally relax.
"The Yu family... it's time someone paid them a visit."
If not for his current responsibilities within the sect, he'd have gone himself.
Still, with the teleportation talisman in hand, distance posed no obstacle.