I become stronger by sacrificing my lifespan, becoming invincible in the world.

"A set of soft-lined armor, lightweight, but with good defensive capabilities."

Lin Chen gestured to the name, "And a knife. It doesn't need to be fancy, it needs to be tough, sharp, and suitable for battlefield combat."

Shi Jian pondered for a moment: "The soft armor is woven from 'ice spider silk' mixed with refined iron wire, making it light yet tough, and difficult to penetrate with ordinary swords. As for the sword... does my benefactor have any special requirements?"

"It must be able to penetrate armor." Lin Chen recalled the weight of Han Li's ghost-head broadsword. "If necessary, it should be able to withstand heavy weapons without chipping its edge."

"That requires repeated forging with 'Hundred-Refined Steel' and the addition of a small amount of 'Cold Iron' to increase its rigidity." Shi Jian nodded. "However, the materials are not easy to find, and the construction period is long, requiring at least several months."

"Money is not a problem." Lin Chen took out the ten taels of silver that Han Li had given him from his pocket, plus a few taels of loose silver that he had found on the bandit leader.

"These are for the deposit. You just need to buy the materials; I'll make up the rest if you need more. The deadline isn't urgent, but the quality must be excellent!"

Shi Jian refused Lin Chen's money and solemnly said, "My benefactor is too kind. You saved my life, how can I accept your money? I will do my best to help with the equipment."

Seeing that Shi Jian insisted on not accepting the money, Lin Chen had no choice but to give up.

After seeing Shi Jian off, Zhao Tiegu closed the door and said in a low voice, "Boy, when do you plan to return to Ghost Cry Pass? Staying for an extended period is disobeying orders!"

"Let's stay in Blackrock City for a few days for now." Lin Chen walked to the window and looked at the bustling crowds on the street outside. "Scarface Wang won't let me go. The situation at Ghost Cry Pass is unclear. Blackrock City is a mixed bag, so it's a good opportunity to fish in troubled waters and investigate thoroughly."

"So what are your plans next?"

"Let's first figure out the power dynamics here." Lin Chen turned around. "The Shi family seems to have considerable resources and should be able to help us gain a foothold, but that's not enough. We need intelligence, we need allies, and even more so... we need to improve our strength."

He touched his chest.

The divine jade was slightly warm, conveying a clear message:

Current lifespan reserve: 168 years

[You may attempt to evolve the second move of the Bloodbath Blade Technique, "Blood Shadow Chain," estimated to consume 120 years of lifespan.]

Success rate: 92%

The evolution of sword techniques is urgently needed.

Today's battle made him acutely aware of his own shortcomings in martial arts skills.

While the "Wolf's Gaze Step" is ingenious, it lacks powerful offensive techniques.

The "Blood Battle Slash" is decent in power, but it lacks variety. If it could be combined with more refined sword techniques, its combat power could increase by at least 30%.

"I need to go into seclusion for a few days."

Lin Chen said to Zhao Tiegu, "These next few days, I'll trouble you to keep an eye on things for me, especially my room. Don't let anyone near it."

Zhao Tiegu's eyes narrowed: "Kid, don't worry, leave this to this old man. You can rest assured!"

Lin Chen nodded. "Thank you for your trouble, Elder Zhao. I need to go into seclusion for a few days to recover properly."

Zhao Tiegu quickly took his leave and went outside.

Lin Chen sat cross-legged on the bed, immersing his entire mind in the divine jade.

[Is this confirmed as an evolution of the second move of the "Blood Battle Sword Technique," "Blood Shadow Chain"?]

[Consumption: 120 years of lifespan]

Success rate: 92%

"confirm."

……

The moonlight outside the window was cold and clear.

Inside the guest room, Lin Chen's aura fluctuated wildly.

Occasionally, one or two sharp blade intents would spill out uncontrollably, leaving faint white marks on the wall.

The night is long.

Time passed in silence.

After some time, the streets outside gradually became noisy, a sign that the night market was starting.

Lin Chen finished his practice and opened the window.

As dusk settled over Blackrock City, twinkling lights began to twinkle.

The tavern echoed with shouts of drinking games, while a soft, melodious pipa tune drifted from some brothel, mingling with the final cries of vendors before closing up shop.

The air was filled with the aroma of roasted meat and the spiciness of cheap liquor.

Just then, the faint sounds of several patrons talking loudly drifted from the lobby downstairs, mixed with the clattering of bowls and plates:

"...Have you heard? The distinguished guests from the capital are almost at the northern border!"

"Another 'border patrol'? It happens every year, just for show."

"This time it's different! I heard a prince is personally leading the team, along with his fiancée...tsk tsk, she's a famous beauty in the capital, the eldest daughter of the Su family!"

"The Su family? The one from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion?"

"That's her! I think her name is... Su Qingxue? I heard she's as beautiful as a celestial being, proficient in all the arts, and a martial arts prodigy..."

"The prince brought his fiancée to this desolate place? More like a sightseeing trip, isn't it?"

"You don't know anything! They're here to 'comfort' the border troops and win them over! And by the way... hehe, I heard it's also related to the selection of concubines or something, anyway, there's a lot more to it than meets the eye..."

The sounds came out intermittently, gradually fading away as someone got up to pay the bill.

By the window, Lin Chen's knuckles were slightly white as he held onto the window frame.

Su Qingxue.

The name was like a poisoned ice spike, piercing my heart unexpectedly.

He slowly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his eyes were like a bottomless, icy pool.

In the distance, the deep chimes of the clock tower, the tallest in Blackrock City, rang out to mark the time.

thump -- thump -- thump --

Each sound seemed to strike a chord in people's hearts.

......

Ten days later, at Ghost Cry Pass.

The ironwood city gate slowly opened amidst the heavy creaking of the winches, releasing a small, dusty squad.

Lin Chen rode his horse at the front. Behind him were Zhao Tiegu, Li the Cripple, and Shi Jian—the old man insisted on testifying in person.

Behind them were several able-bodied men from the Shi family, escorting the carriage loaded with evidence and some of the seized supplies.

The scene inside the pass was no different from when I left; it was still dilapidated and cold, with the air filled with the smell of livestock and cheap charcoal.

But Lin Chen could sense that many gazes were being cast from the corners of the barracks and behind the crenellations of the city wall, carrying scrutiny, curiosity, and some indescribable meaning.

As soon as they stopped their horses in the open space inside the pass, a group of soldiers surrounded them. The leader was an unfamiliar officer with sharp eyes and his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"Lin Chen?" The officer looked him up and down. "Captain Chen ordered that you go see him immediately upon your return."

Lieutenant Chen? Chen Hong?

Lin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly. Where was Scarface Wang? Logically, the first person their scouts should have seen upon returning was their superior, Scarface Wang.

Zhao Tiegu lowered his voice and said, "Kid, something's not right. Scarface Wang... seems to be in trouble. Things have been a bit tense in the area these past few days."

Lin Chen nodded, asked no further questions, dismounted, and said to the officer, "Lead the way."

The group was taken to a barracks next to the drill ground.

This place is much more spacious than Wang Balian's dilapidated mud house, and there are guards with halberds at the door.

Upon entering, one sees Chen Hong sitting imposingly on a hard wooden chair, with several trusted confidants standing beside him. Zhang Kui is among them, his head bowed, his eyes darting around, avoiding eye contact with Lin Chen.

Chen Hong's expression was very unpleasant, not from anger, but from a gloomy and cold one.

He was toying with a jade pendant in his hand—the very same one that Lin Chen had taken from him after killing three assassins in Black Wind Gorge and later returned to him.

"Lin Chen," Chen Hong said calmly.

"You've got some nerve. Deserting the unit without permission, murdering a colleague, robbing military supplies, and bringing back a group of people of unknown origin… Tell me, what should I do with you?"

Lin Chen was slightly taken aback.

Back when Chen Hong was escorting him from the capital to Ghost Cry Pass, he was intimidated by the strength he displayed and proceeded with extreme caution the entire way.

This behavior is truly perplexing.

However, Lin Chen was too lazy to dwell on these things.

"Captain Chen," Lin Chen said, clasping his hands in a respectful but not arrogant manner.

"This humble general was ordered to escort the convoy to Blackrock City. On the way, we were robbed by the Sandstorm Bandits, who colluded with Fatty Wu. Fatty Wu wanted to kill us to cover up our crimes and sell us to the enemy. This humble general was forced to fight back. I have Captain Zhou Yong and the brothers of the patrol battalion as witnesses."

Lin Chen paused for a moment, then continued, "The rescued people are virtuous artisans from the northern border, who can testify to the crimes of Fatty Wu and Scarface Wang. The seized supplies, as well as their ledgers and secret letters detailing their collusion with the outside world, have all been brought back for your inspection, Captain."

After saying that, Lin Chen presented a bundle wrapped in oilcloth with both hands.

Chen Hong didn't take it, but just stared at him, his fingertips tapping lightly on the armrest of the chair.

The barracks were silent except for the crackling of the torches.