It was said that when the casualties of any battle reached over half, all sword cultivators of the Hidden Official lineage would convene to deliberate.

On this day, someone visited the Bixia Retreat, adhering to protocol and remaining outside the gate.

Sword Immortal Kuxia would be temporarily departing the Great Wall of Sword Qi for a time, needing to escort Jin Zhenmeng, Yu Juanfu, and Zhu Mei to Upside-down Mountain, then onward to the Southern Sea Continent, before returning.

Before his departure, Sword Immortal Kuxia brought the three to visit the Bixia Retreat. With them were three young children: two budding sword cultivators and one rare candidate for a pure martial artist.

Lin Junbi, having received a special dispensation from the Hidden Official, was allowed to go out to see them off.

This showed that Lin Junbi held a rather special place in the Hidden Official’s heart.

As Lin Junbi walked towards the gate of the retreat, he felt a pang of emotion. Could it be that that Mr. Cui hadn’t foreseen all of this?

Could it be that he had risked his life, barely managing to turn the tables on the chessboard Mr. Cui had left behind, only because Mr. Cui himself no longer made any moves?

Arriving at the gate, Lin Junbi made a respectful bow, remaining silent as a wordless farewell.

Yu Juanfu, uncharacteristically, spoke to Lin Junbi for the first time.

Yu Juanfu smiled and said, “Lin Junbi, stay alive if you can. When you return to the Central Earth Continent, you’re welcome to make a detour and visit the Yu family. There are people of my generation in the family who have been adept at chess since childhood.”

Lin Junbi forced a smile and said, “Please, Miss Yu, don’t play matchmaker with such clumsiness!”

Yu Juanfu smiled brightly, “We’ll see when we meet again.”

Lin Junbi hesitated for a moment, then took a step back, bowing apologetically, “I once had some underhanded schemes. I apologize to Miss Yu for that.”

Yu Juanfu laughed, “Your master has good judgment, but alas, his student is not capable enough. Lin Junbi, since you are so forthright, I will definitely play matchmaker.”

Indeed. Indeed!

Mr. Cui had predicted it again.

That was close.

Don’t let Yu Juanfu’s rough exterior fool you; the daughter of the Yu family would not be simple.

Yu Juanfu said nothing more, rubbing the head of a little girl beside her. The little girl would be her disciple, and she would follow her to learn fist techniques, traveling the Vast World together!

As for the other two sword cultivator seedlings of similar age, their aptitude was not top-notch in the Great Wall of Sword Qi, but they were still quite remarkable in the Vast World. What sect wouldn’t want more sword cultivators? Moreover, the so-called “not top-notch” was in comparison to geniuses like Qi Shou, Pang Yuanji, Situ Weiran, and Guo Zhujiu. Earth Immortal sword cultivators were still rare in the Vast World.

Jin Zhenmeng said, “Junbi, when you return to our hometown, if you don’t mind me having deserted the fight, and still consider me a friend, I’ll look for you to drink!”

Lin Junbi nodded, “I do mind a bit, but if the wine is really good, I’ll hold my nose and drink it before cursing you.”

The reserved Jin Zhenmeng rarely laughed so heartily. He took a step forward and patted Lin Junbi on the shoulder, “The young man before me is the Lin Junbi in my heart! The number one talent of our Shao Yuan Dynasty.”

Sword Immortal Kuxia was very pleased.

Zhu Mei was also somewhat happy. This harmonious scene was long overdue.

Zhu Mei’s words were concise and to the point, “Lin Junbi, see you at home.”

Lin Junbi smiled and nodded.

Entering the gate, Chen Pingan leaned against the screen wall, holding his sword-nurturing gourd and drinking wine. After tucking it into his belt, he said softly, “Junbi, if you left the Great Wall of Sword Qi right now, you’d be ahead. You haven’t lost anything so far. You could gain even more next, but you could also lose a lot. Generally speaking, it’s time to leave the gambling table.”

The white-robed youth from the Central Earth Continent, a genius sword cultivator, had a touch of vivacity in his eyes, “Big risks, big rewards!”

Lin Junbi smiled again, “Besides, I’m sure the Hidden Official wouldn’t let me die in the Great Wall of Sword Qi.”

Chen Pingan asked, “Out there, scheming against people, that’s still natural for you, but do you find it more enjoyable than playing chess with people?”

Lin Junbi hummed in agreement.

Chen Pingan said softly, “Don’t lose your old skills, and get used to things like what happened outside. That would be very good.”

Lin Junbi nodded.