Lady, let me explain.

Chapter 80 Xiao Zhao's Request

Lin Yi searched through the group of Western Xia people and found seven porcelain bottles with the inscription: "A gentle breeze of sorrow, its scent will dispel grief."

He gave Zhang Wuji three porcelain bottles and ordered him to use them to detoxify the Shaolin monks.

Zhang Wuji was overjoyed and bowed to express his gratitude.

Lin Yi first returned to the Huashan Sect to detoxify Ning Zhongze and Yue Lingshan, and then to Abbess Miejue, Zhou Zhiruo, and others.

He then ordered disciples of the Huashan Sect to take small porcelain bottles and administer the antidote to the heroes one by one.

This is yet another act of kindness...

Lin Yi then went to a wooden shed nearby, where Zhao Min, also poisoned, slumped in a chair.

Lin Yi helped her sit up, but Zhao Min snorted coldly and said, "How could a Tartar like me be worthy of being rescued by Sect Leader Lin?"

He just cursed those Western Xia people, and he included Zhao Min in his insults.

Lin Yi chuckled and patted her smooth face: "So what if she's a Tartar? A beautiful female Tartar like you deserves to be snatched up and made my wife."

Zhao Min's face instantly turned red. "This antidote stinks! Just like your mouth."

"What, we've slept together before? How did you know?"

After taking a few sips of the antidote, Zhao Min's limp and powerless feeling gradually disappeared, and she punched Lin Yi in the chest with her fist.

Lin Yi managed to control his internal energy, thus avoiding harming her.

At this moment, Duan Yu suddenly ran over and said politely, "Brother Master... Sect Leader Lin, you just displayed great power, truly turning the tide and saving the heroes of the martial world... It's just that you were too bloodthirsty. In this sacred Buddhist place, you should have persuaded those Western Xia people to retreat... By the way, Sect Leader Lin, could you give me a dose of your antidote?"

Duan Yu was a simpleton, so Lin Yi wasn't surprised that he said these things. He said, "There aren't many of these antidotes, so how can I give them to you? The Huashan Sect is currently treating him, so you don't need to worry about it."

Duan Yu simply wanted to curry favor with Wang Yuyan, so why would Lin Yi give him that opportunity?

Lin Yi then continued to help the various sects, starting with the Quanzhen Sect.

Qiu Chuji bowed and thanked him, and Lin Yi continued to the next Beggars' Sect wooden shed.

Huang Rong collapsed to the ground, and Lin Yi had no choice but to help her up. He said solemnly, "I'm sorry, Chief Huang."

He half-lifted Huang Rong up, one hand on her back, the other hand giving her the antidote to smell.

A moment later, Huang Rong was cured of the poison and smiled slightly: "Thank you for saving me, Sect Leader Lin."

Lin Yi blurted out, "How will you thank me?"

Huang Rong was taken aback. Lin Yi didn't wait for her reply. After curing Guo Fu, Lu Youjiao, and several Beggar Clan elders, he rushed to the next wooden shed, where Murong Fu and his group were.

"Young Master Murong, I apologize for my rudeness earlier."

Murong Fu was furious that Lin Yi had made him lose face in front of all the heroes of the world, but he also knew that Lin Yi was currently very powerful and that he should not make enemies with him. Instead, he should try to befriend him.

He forced a smile: "It's a martial arts competition, there's nothing wrong with it. Brother Lin's martial arts are unparalleled, I admire you."

"How dare you?"

Lin Yi cupped his hands in greeting and then cured Wang Yuyan, Azhu, and Abi of the poison.

Although Wang Yuyan and Abi were angry that he had injured Murong Fu, they were also saved by Lin Yi and sincerely thanked him.

Only Azhu remained silent, her face flushed. She glanced at him, then lowered her head, before looking up at him again.

Lin Yi thought to himself, "If I didn't meet Qiao Feng in Xingzi Forest, will he fall in love with me at first sight when he sees my heroic figure at the Lion-Slaying Assembly?"

Seeing that A-Zhu's gaze had moved over again, Lin Yi winked at her, and A-Zhu immediately blushed and dared not look at him again.

Next came the wooden sheds of the Golden Snake Camp and the Red Coat Army.

Lin Yi looked at Xia Qingqing up close and thought she was fresh and refined, extremely beautiful. He thought to himself, "Yuan Chengzhi is a fool. He has such a beauty and he doesn't marry her... Can't he recover lost territory and get married at the same time?"

Yang Miaozhen said, "These Western Xia people are really cunning. If I were to encounter them on the battlefield, hmph... Sect Leader Lin, we owe you a huge favor this time!"

Lin Yi laughed and said, "This can be considered a favor. Those two heroines, female warriors, resisted the foreign tribes and guarded the Han Dynasty's land. The whole world owes you a favor."

Seeing that Lin Yi had clearly made a great contribution, yet he was not arrogant, the two women admired him. Hearing such a hero praise and admire them, they were overjoyed.

Lin Yi then said, "There is something I don't understand."

"What's the matter, tell me!"

Lin Yi looked at Yang Miaozhen: "Fourth Lady, you just stepped down from the stage, and it seems you have something to say. Please tell me why."

Xia Qingqing burst into laughter upon hearing this, while Yang Miaozhen was taken aback, a hint of shyness appearing on her beautiful face...

Neither of them gave a direct answer, and given Yang Miaozhen's expression, Lin Yi had a vague idea of ​​what was going on.

Could it be that she made some kind of vow like Mu Wanqing, promising to marry whoever defeats her...?

That's great! The Red Turban Army has 20,000 elite soldiers and generals. Who wouldn't be envious of this dowry?
Lin Yi had some guesses, but didn't press the matter, so he took his leave.

With so many people on the field, this unexpected turn of events caused some initial chaos.

Master Kongzhi said to the assembled heroes, "Let us rest for a day and discuss how to deal with Xie Xun tomorrow morning."

"All heroes are honored guests of Shaolin Temple. If you have any grudges or entanglements with each other, please refrain from private duels on Shaoshi Mountain for the sake of our temple."

"You are welcome to explore the front of the mountain at your leisure. The back of the mountain is where our temple teaches and stores scriptures, so please refrain from doing so."

The Western Xia people's commotion dampened the spirits of the assembled heroes, who then left the scene.

With so many people from various factions arriving, Shaolin Temple couldn't possibly accommodate them all. Lin Yi led the Huashan Sect down the mountain and back to their lodgings.

Now that he had thrown away the Dragon-Slaying Saber, and no longer worried about thieves eyeing it, Lin Yi felt a great sense of relief.

After having lunch with Yue Lingshan and Ning Zhongze, Lin Yi went out for a stroll.

He is now undoubtedly a top figure in the martial arts world, and with all the heroes gathered at Shaoshi Mountain, he is greeted and bowed to wherever he goes.

Some fanatics even jumped up and down with their hands raised. Lin Yi casually found a few heroes from the Yan and Zhao regions, inquired about the deeds of Yang Si Niangzi, and confirmed his guess.

Yang Miaozhen was beautiful and commanded a righteous army of 20,000 men. Countless men were attracted to her, with Li Quan, the leader of the Loyal and Righteous Army, being the most popular.

So Yang Miaozhen declared that anyone who wanted to marry her had to beat her first.

She wields a pear blossom spear so skillfully that she is invincible in the lands of Yan and Zhao, so despite having many suitors, she remains unmarried to this day.

Lin Yi couldn't help but have some thoughts.

Putting aside the 20,000 Red Turban Army soldiers... wait, it seems we can't put that aside... Yang Miaozhen's big breasts and long legs are also very alluring.

Lin Yi went to Zhao Min's place again before returning.

"Pingzhi, someone is looking for you." Ning Zhongze said, then sighed, seemingly somewhat displeased.

Lin Yi was completely bewildered... Your son-in-law made such a big splash today, why does he look like that?

Lin Yi entered the room and saw a beautiful young girl sitting there; it was Xiao Zhao.

He realized that in broad daylight, Xiao Zhao, a woman, had come looking for him alone; no wonder Ning Zhongze had misunderstood...

"Sect Leader Lin!" Xiao Zhao stood up and bowed.

"Sit down," Lin Yi sat down next to her. "Xiao Zhao, what brings you here?"

Xiao Zhao bowed again: "I've come to ask Sect Leader Lin for help."

Lin Yi smiled, poured himself some tea, and pondered to himself.

What could possibly happen to a young girl like Xiao Zhao? Either Granny Jin Hua is in trouble, or it involves Zhang Wuji...

"You want me to protect Xie Xun?"

Xiao Zhao was surprised, "Sect Leader Lin's insight is truly remarkable, Xiao Zhao is extremely impressed!"

Lin Yi shook his head repeatedly. Seeing this, Xiao Zhao quickly said, "Sect Leader Lin is a paragon of chivalry and has a broad mind. Please allow me to explain the background. Dharma King Xie did indeed commit a crime, but..."

"Are you trying to say that Cheng Kun is causing trouble behind the scenes?" Lin Yi waved his hand and said, "Cheng Kun hates Yang Dingtian and is determined to eradicate the Ming Cult, so he stirred up trouble in the martial arts world. You don't need to say any of that."

Xiao Zhao was startled again. The details were highly confidential; how did Lin Yi know? He seemed to know everything…

She didn't have time to think much. Since Lin Yi knew all this, all the pleading words she had prepared were useless.

Xiao Zhao suddenly knelt down and kowtowed four times to Lin Yi, saying, "Although the Dharma King is guilty, please give him a chance to repent and start anew... Sect Leader Lin, Xiao Zhao begs your mercy."

After kowtowing, she remained prostrate on the ground, soft sobs escaping her lips.

Lin Yi smiled faintly.

Xiao Zhao infiltrated Bright Peak, and although she had no ill intentions, she still managed to outwit Zhang Wuji, demonstrating her cunning.

It's obvious that she's putting on an act now.

"Although there were reasons for Xie Xun's actions, those people died at his hands, and that is beyond doubt. If I protect him, wouldn't I be taking on the sins and consequences for him?"

"Xiao Zhao, let me be frank—I have absolutely no connection with Xie Xun, nor with you. Why would I take on this whole mess just because you shed a few tears? Go back now."

Xiao Zhao continued kowtowing: "I beg Sect Leader Lin to have mercy. I will remember your great kindness and repay you in my next life, even if it means being your ox or horse."

Lin Yi laughed and said, "Why don't you say you'll repay him in this lifetime? That's not sincere. What's so good about Zhang Wuji? You're not even with him anymore, yet you're still going to this lengths."

Xiao Zhao looked up at him, and Lin Yi saw that her porcelain doll-like face was covered with tear stains, and she looked so delicate and fragile that he felt sorry for her. His heart was also moved.

Seeing his expression, Xiao Zhao's eyes were complicated. She made up her mind and said, "As long as Sect Leader Lin agrees to protect Dharma King Xie, Xiao Zhao is willing to serve him as a servant for the rest of her life."

Lin Yi was taken aback, only then realizing that his casual joke had a hint of something... so Xiao Zhao misunderstood.

Lin Yi immediately stood up, turning away from her: "Get up quickly, and don't say such things again. How could I take advantage of this to blackmail you for your repayment? If word got out, wouldn't it make me a laughingstock among the heroes of the world?"

Seeing his resolute attitude, Xiao Zhao had no choice but to cover her tears, slowly get up, and walk out while crying.

If others saw it, they would think that the Huashan Sect had bullied her.

"Xiao Zhao."

Xiao Zhao was taken aback, but seeing a glimmer of hope, she quickly stopped and turned to look at him.

Lin Yi sighed and said, "It is absolutely impossible for me to save Xie Xun. I know that Xie Xun is imprisoned on the back mountain by three monks of the Du generation. If you send Zhang Wuji, I can help him break through the imprisonment and rescue Xie Xun, but if the heroes want to take Xie Xun's life afterward, I will not interfere."

Lin Yi thought to himself that he had learned the Nine Yang Manual that Zhang Wuji had buried, and he owed a favor that he could not repay. He might as well take this opportunity to settle it.

Xiao Zhao was overjoyed to see a glimmer of hope and immediately knelt down to kowtow to Lin Yi in gratitude.

"Master Lin's kindness and virtue will never be forgotten by Xiao Zhao."

Xiao Zhao thought that Lin Yi had softened and decided to help her after she had repeatedly begged him.

Lin Yi's expression was strange, but he didn't say anything.

The favor he owed Zhang Wuji was known only to him in the world, and whether or not he repaid it was irrelevant.

"Wipe your tears and rest for a while before you leave, otherwise people will think that the Huashan Sect bullied you."

……

Later that evening, Zhang Wuji invited Lin Yi to a banquet, which Lin Yi accepted.

During the banquet, Zhang Wuji asked Lin Yi for help in breaking the formation. Lin Yi agreed, but made it clear that he would only help break the formation and would not be involved in anything afterward.

Zhang Wuji was already delighted by this unexpected joy and expressed his gratitude in every way.

Lin Yi probed with his words and discovered that Zhang Wuji was unaware that Xiao Zhao had come to beg him that afternoon. It turned out that Xiao Zhao had been secretly plotting for him...

The two then agreed on their battle plan against the Three Crossing Monks' Vajra Subduing Demon Formation the next day.

(End of this chapter)