Luo Yuxuan was always so well-liked by children, and the boy named Yuan'er in front of him was no exception.
"My maternal grandfather... my grandfather's family is in Jinling," he answered Luo Yuxuan's question.
From today onwards, he had no home. He had lost his parents and all his relatives. No one would carry him on their shoulders anymore; no one would gently caress his cheek and say, "Yuan'er is the best!"
He still remembered how fast their knives were, and how cold-blooded those people were.
His parents' desperate pleas and the maid's sobs had not made them stop.
Blood stained his eyes and then dripped down as tears.
"Jinling? Do you know your grandfather's name?"
Luo Yuxuan lifted the child from the chair, sat down himself, and then placed the child on his lap.
"I do. In Jinling City, Jin Dao Yan Jun is my grandfather!"
Yuan'er's voice carried a hint of pride; he seemed very proud of his grandfather.
"You are the grandson of Jin Dao Yan Lao?" Luo Yuxuan exclaimed in surprise.
Jin Dao Yan Jun was a renowned figure in the martial arts world, famous for a long time. He couldn't imagine anyone daring to attack Jin Dao Yan Lao's daughter with such audacity. Weren't they afraid of Jin Dao Yan Lao's retaliation?
"Mm, I saw my grandfather last year."
"Then I'll escort you to find your grandfather! You'll be safe once you reach your grandfather's home."
"Brother, thank you!" Yuan'er buried his head in Luo Yuxuan's embrace.
Luo Yuxuan dared not go out again. The journey to Jinling was still about three days away.
He gave money to the waiter, asking him to help buy some children's clothes. Then, he paused and instructed the waiter to buy some girls' clothes as well.
He then asked the waiter to help contact a merchant caravan heading to Jinling, planning to travel with them.
Because of this setback, he became much more cautious and thoughtful.
Lin Yan had seen many people and learned many things along the way. The lives of ordinary people in this world were not as good as in the worlds she had visited in earlier eras.
After all, that was a peaceful and civilized world, whereas the people in this world lived in great danger.
She had already witnessed many instances of collateral damage. Ordinary folk, lacking martial arts skills and fearing retribution, could only endure and accept their misfortune when such events occurred.
Lin Yan seemed to have found a way to earn more points.
She wanted to do something to change this world, to make more people live better lives with more dignity.
Not just those living near the Lishan Sword Sect, but people from other places as well!
When Lin Yan and her group arrived in the capital, her senior brother first found a courtyard to rent.
Then, Lin Yan asked her senior brother to help her find someone who had left the palace, whether a palace maid or a wet nurse.
Soon, her senior brother managed to find a palace maid who had been released from the palace. After giving her a substantial amount of money, he brought her over.
Lin Yan spent a few days learning etiquette. Because she practiced martial arts and had learned modern etiquette, she quickly corrected her posture.
In just a few days, she transformed from a capable martial arts heroine into a noble lady with elegant demeanor, astonishing her senior brothers.
"Yanyan, what are you planning to do like this?" Zhao Yushu said to Lin Yan, feeling unaccustomed.
He truly couldn't get used to his junior sister looking like this; she seemed like a completely different person.
"Every circle has its own rules. If you want to enter a circle, you must adapt to its rules.
We now need to attract the attention of noble families, so we must ensure they find no fault with us."
Lin Yan understood perfectly that official families generally looked down upon martial artists. However, martial artists also didn't hold officials in high regard.
But she needed to leverage their influence to enter this circle and gain sufficient power from it.
Of course, this circle was also divided into different levels. When she negotiated, she would seek out those at the highest tier.
"But Yanyan, we don't necessarily have to open shops in the capital," Zhao Yushu said, not fully understanding Lin Yan's intentions.
"It will happen one day. Junior Brother, you are too naive. Since we've already expanded so much, people will surely become envious.
But we have no power in the official circles. If they don't want us to continue, they will find many ways.
They haven't acted yet simply because they don't know our background. If they realize we are merely a martial arts sect, we'll be like a child carrying gold in the marketplace.
At that time, we won't be able to protect anything we own."
Lin Yan sighed. This world was like this. Without power, one could not protect what was theirs.
Whether it was them or ordinary people, everyone was subject to circumstances.
"Then Yanyan, what should we do?"
"Under the heavens, all land belongs to the king. The greatest power in this world is imperial authority. Since we need a backer, why not find the biggest one?"
Lin Yan's gaze drifted towards the direction of the imperial palace.
"Yanyan, you want to see the Emperor? That must be very difficult!" Zhao Yushu found it rather improbable.
"Is it difficult to see the Emperor? Not really. However, Junior Brother, we don't need to see the Emperor.
The current Emperor has a full younger brother who lives in the capital. His health seems to be poor, and he also enjoys incognito travels. He will be our best target."
Lin Yan had already gathered all the necessary information and devised a plan to meet that prince.
Her original plan was to cure the prince's illness and then, using his banner, protect the Lishan Sword Sect's businesses with his authority.
After all, for the Lishan sect's enterprises, a word from the prince would suffice.
However, after venturing out and witnessing more people and events, she felt she might be able to strike a different deal with the royal family.
"Then I'll help Yanyan investigate this prince's whereabouts," Zhao Yushu quickly offered.
"Junior Brother, be careful. He is royalty, after all. He must have many hidden guards around him. Be cautious. Even if it takes more effort, do not alert them. We cannot afford to offend royalty."
Lin Yan cautioned him. Lin Yan's influence within the Lishan Sword Sect was growing.
If she was once the protected object of everyone in the sect, she was now its strategic mind. This trip was also led by her, with everyone taking orders from her.
"I will. You can trust me," Zhao Yushu assured her, patting his chest.
"By the way, Second Senior Brother mentioned he would go to Nanyang to pick up his fiancée and bring her back to Huyang this time. Junior Brother, please remember to help me give the wedding gift to Senior Brother Song and the others, so they can carry it back."
Lin Yan suddenly recalled that her second senior brother, while delivering goods, would incidentally pick up his fiancée, who was staying at her maternal grandparents' home.
"Is Second Senior Brother getting married soon?"
Zhao Yushu also frowned slightly. He seemed to have heard that his second senior brother would be married upon his return, but he hadn't prepared his gift yet!