Volume One: The Lonely Beta Test Chapter Fifteen: Azure Dragon Stronghold, a Land of Blessings

"Very well, very well. But before we continue, I have something to say to everyone." Lin Feng paused, gathering his thoughts.

"As you all witnessed just now, the leader of those bandits was from Goguryeo, specifically sent from the north to disguise as thieves and rob us of our wealth. In the past, they feared the might of our great Han and dared not trouble our people. But now that the Han seems weakened, they make their move, utterly forgetting the kindness we've shown them. Such ungrateful wolves, tell me, how should we treat them?" Lin Feng addressed the crowd in simple words, knowing most were common folk.

"Hmph, if we catch them, we should slaughter those mongrels on the spot," Zhang Meng said fiercely.

"Master Meng is right. Kill them, then skin them and break their bones."

"Exterminate those treacherous wolves!" Han Dang chimed in, his teeth clenched with anger. "These past years, I've traveled throughout Youzhou, and seen many cases like the kidnapping of Lord Lin. Most of them are done in secret by those barbarian tribes. Every year, when our Han harvests its grain, they send troops to invade, murdering, burning, and abducting our women—there is no wickedness they won't commit.

Aside from old General Gongsun in Youzhou, there are no heroes among the officials to protect us. As time passes, they truly believe we fear them. Now the imperial court can't reach us in this remote frontier; it is time for old debts and new grievances to be settled. I, Han Dang, will show them the blood and courage of the men of Han!"

"That's right, Hero Han speaks the truth. We common folk are bullied so much that we've given up the more remote lands and now crowd together for safety. I haven't visited my distant kin in ages," another villager agreed after Han Dang spoke.

"Hmph, if not for the help of our Han, those dogs would still be living as savages, eating raw meat and wearing skins. Now they've learned a little from us and repay kindness with resentment, killing our people and stealing our goods. Such wolf-hearted tribes deserve no tolerance. We should don armor and take up arms, rise up and strike back, to show them the iron backbone of the Han!" Lin Zhen said angrily.

"Indeed, the dignity of the Han shall not be violated!"

The crowd, stirred by these words, felt their pride as sons of Hua Xia swelling within them. This was precisely the effect Lin Feng desired; though only a beginning, it affirmed the correctness of his vision.

"Immortal Lin, at this moment when our tribe is in peril, you must be heaven-sent to save us border folk. Please accept our bow!" The elder spoke, leading the crowd to kneel and bow again.

"Everyone, please rise!" Lin Feng called them up, then solemnly declared, "Since Heaven has granted me this miraculous opportunity and bestowed this great art upon me, I shall lead you to drive out those wicked foreigners and restore peace, so as not to squander Heaven's favor!"

As soon as Lin Feng finished, Lin Zhen stepped forward, knelt, and cupped his hands. "I, Lin Zhen, will do my utmost to assist the immortal in expelling the invaders!"

"Han is willing to serve the immortal loyally!"

"From this day forth, my life belongs to Feng!" Zhang Meng declared.

"We brothers shall follow our big brother to the end of our days, never complaining!" After Lin Zhen's pledge, Han Han, Zhang Meng, and Lin's brothers knelt in turn, vowing allegiance to Lin Feng.

"We common folk will always obey Immortal Lin's command!" All the townspeople knelt as well.

Hundreds of eyes shone with fervor as they knelt, pledging loyalty to Lin Feng. Lin Feng was so moved he could barely speak; his lips trembled, afraid that if he spoke, he might stutter and ruin his image.

Seeing Lin Feng silent for so long, the elder asked with some disappointment, "Immortal, do you disdain us and refuse our sincere hearts?"

---

"Not at all! Please, everyone, rise!" Lin Feng quickly explained, "Seeing everyone so united just now, I was deeply moved, and lost my composure. I beg your forgiveness!"

Despite his elevated status in their eyes, Lin Feng chose honesty, believing sincerity would only bring him closer to the people.

After speaking, Lin Feng went forward to help Lin Zhen and the others up one by one, expressing his gratitude and calling the rest to rise.

"The night is deep. After supper, please return home and rest early. Tomorrow I will need your help."

"Immortal, whatever you require, we are at your service," they replied.

When the crowd finished their meal and dispersed, Lin Feng called Lin Zhen and the others, assigned tasks, and finally retired himself, exhausted from the day's turmoil.

The next morning, as the rooster crowed, Lin Feng's room was already lit. He worked until the dawn sun shone from the east, then extinguished the lamp, opened his door, and exercised briefly in the courtyard before returning inside. After breakfast was brought by the maid, he sat in the yard for half an hour, then went back in and shut the door. No one knew what he was doing.

Lin Feng was not the only early riser in the Lin family. Lin Zhen left with his men at daybreak. Even Lin Qing, usually the last to rise, was up early, leading others to the county town, while Zhang Meng and Han Han took twenty men to the Lin family farm east of town.

The townsfolk were up early, too. Young and strong men headed east, others gathered at the City God Temple. Whether young or old, all were spirited and alert, unaffected by the late night.

"Li Tong, come here and show me where Qinglong Mountain is," Lin Feng said, pointing to a small map he had just finished.

Though he had drawn the map, he didn't know where Qinglong Mountain was, for even famous towns had changed names over the ages, let alone an obscure mountain like Qinglong.

Li Tong was the black-clad man captured the previous night. After last night's terrifying interrogation, the mass denunciation, and the 'baptism' of Lin Feng's magical arts, he had willingly abandoned his criminal ways and become Lin Feng's loyal follower. Lin Feng had even served him a bowl of porridge at supper, which made him so happy he couldn't sleep, quite unlike a man just publicly shamed at a gathering.

Since breakfast, he had been waiting nearby for the immortal's instructions, never imagining his fortune in being able to share a room with such a powerful immortal and witness the creation of magical items. He thought it must be the blessing of his ancestors, making up for his past disgrace, and resolved to live honorably from now on.

He was even considering buying some yellow paper to send offerings to his ancestors, asking the immortal to consecrate a memorial tablet. Despite standing still, his mind never stopped racing with such thoughts, so much so that he didn't even notice Lin Feng calling him.

Lin Feng saw that Li Tong still hadn't responded, standing there dazed, his skin twitching. Was he stupefied from last night's ordeal, or just nervous from being summoned? Lin Feng put down his pencil-like tool and approached, "Li Tong, what's wrong?"

"Oh! Immortal, I don't have enough money to pay you yet!"

"Pay me?" Lin Feng asked, puzzled.

Li Tong finally came to his senses, realizing the immortal was speaking to him and panicked, "Immortal, forgive me—I was distracted and neglected you!" He dropped to his knees and kowtowed.

"Get up!" Lin Feng told him. "What was that about not having money to pay me?"

Lin Feng had been busy since dawn and was tired, his tone and expression less than pleasant. But Li Tong took it as anger, so he explained the reason for his distraction, hoping for forgiveness.

---

"This is a good deed. Once things settle, I'll help you with it. Come look at the map with me."

Li Tong was delighted and knelt again to thank him.

"Come quickly. Ah!" Lin Feng sighed, frustrated by these ancient customs—the constant kneeling and kowtowing were troublesome.

Li Tong stood by the table, staring at the map but unable to make sense of it, his brow furrowing deeply.

"Immortal, I am dull and cannot find it."

Though Li Tong had worked as a scout, he had never seen a map; their bandit lair certainly had no maps, much less anyone to teach him. Lin Feng hadn't considered this before.

"Look, this is the county town," Lin Feng pointed to the central dot. "When you return from the county, which gate do you use?"

"The north gate, but after leaving, I don't go straight north—it's a bit to the east. And now, in midsummer, the morning sun rises from behind the mountain to the right of our stronghold."

Li Tong pondered, "Also, our stronghold is surrounded by mountains on both sides, with a wide plain in the middle. At the ends of the mountains, there's an isolated small hill at the center of the plain. We can only enter or exit through the valley between the small hill and the two big mountains; there's no other way. As long as that pass is guarded, no one can get in—not even the government troops."

He finished with a hint of pride.

"Is there anything else?" Lin Feng asked.

"Oh, right! A river originates from Qinglong Mountain and curves through the plain, forming a sizable pond at the valley exit on the right. The gate to our stronghold is built over the pond, with a fixed bridge connecting to the valley inside and a drawbridge on the outside," Li Tong replied.

"If you leave the north gate and head east, that puts the stronghold northeast of the county town. It's midsummer in the northern hemisphere, so the sun rises behind the mountain to the right, meaning Qinglong Stronghold faces north to south," Lin Feng muttered, tracing the map. "Mountains flank both sides, with a plain in the middle—a hall; a small hill in front as a screen; the outer mountains are steep and narrow, the inner slopes wide and gentle, like a chair."

Lin Feng studied the map and mused, "Hmm... Isn't this the ideal blessed land sought by geomancers? Qinglong Stronghold is quite fascinating!"

Li Tong gazed at Lin Feng with awe. "The immortal's arts truly are profound!"

"Here—does this look familiar?" Lin Feng pointed to a spot on the map.

Li Tong scrutinized it, then said, "It looks very similar. But it shouldn't be."

"Why not?" Lin Feng asked, serious.

Li Tong pointed to the northern foothills of the plain, earnestly replying, "Immortal, if it were, there should be houses of the stronghold here—but I don't see any!"