Chapter 169: An Afternoon in the Courtyard, Sharing Stories
Afternoon arrived…
Lin Tianlu rolled down his sleeves and returned to the courtyard, the lingering flavors of the delicious meal still tantalizing his taste buds.
Both breakfast and lunch had been prepared by the Ninth Elder.
He had thought that after tasting Madam Mao’s cooking, even the finest chefs in the imperial palace would pale in comparison. He hadn’t expected to be surprised by any cuisine.
But this mother-in-law’s cooking… was truly “astonishing.”
“Thank you for helping me clean up, Tianlu.”
The Ninth Elder followed him out of the kitchen, a gentle smile on her face.
“It’s just a small task, Martial Aunt. Especially after enjoying your delicious cooking.”
Lin Tianlu turned to her, his voice filled with admiration. “Your culinary skills are truly remarkable.”
For an elder of the Lunar Valley, someone with such high status and profound cultivation, to possess such amazing cooking skills was truly unexpected.
“I don’t like bothering my disciples with chores. I enjoy cooking in my spare time. It’s a way to pass the time.”
The Ninth Elder’s eyes were filled with nostalgia as she reminisced. “More than ten years ago, I learned to cook for Ruoyu, that sweet and sensible girl. And now, I’ve kept this habit.”
Her eyes flickered, and she couldn’t help but ask, “Compared to Ruoyu’s cooking, how would you rate mine, Tianlu?”
“They both have their own strengths.”
Lin Tianlu pondered for a moment. “Ruoyu excels at pastries, sweet and soft, and her stews are rich and flavorful. But you, Martial Aunt, are a master of everyday dishes, with a perfect balance of flavors. Especially that braised pork belly, tender and juicy, not greasy at all.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
The Ninth Elder chuckled softly, clearly pleased with his compliments.
“It seems Ruoyu’s culinary skills have improved during her years of wandering.”
She glanced towards the veranda, her voice filled with a hint of melancholy. “She’s truly grown up.”
Warm sunlight streamed into the courtyard, illuminating the faces of the two women resting peacefully.
After lunch, Mao Ruoyu and Hua Shuya had fallen asleep, leaning against each other in the pavilion. They looked like a beautiful painting, their long hair swaying gently in the breeze, a serene scene that one wouldn’t dare to disturb.
Lin Tianlu was surprised.
He hadn’t expected Hua Shuya to take a nap.
“There’s a calming incense burning in my courtyard. It helps with relaxation and sleep. And the weather is so pleasant today. It’s natural for them to feel drowsy.”
The Ninth Elder’s words made him curious, and he glanced at the flowers growing in the courtyard.
Perhaps it was their fragrance that had this effect.
“Tianlu, come and sit with me by the pond.”
He followed her graceful figure towards the pond.
As they walked, he asked in a low voice, “Martial Aunt, will Ruoyu’s condition recur?”
The Ninth Elder paused.
“You noticed?”
“There’s no significant change in her appearance, but the Moon Shadow Breath within her body is much stronger now.”
“It will recur. I only infused her with the Moon Shadow Breath last night, to soothe the effects of the Yin energy. I’ll have to treat her again in about half a month.”
As he had expected…
Lin Tianlu frowned. “So we’ll have to rely on your help indefinitely, Martial Aunt?”
“I don’t mind.”
“Is it possible… for Ruoyu to learn to cultivate the Moon Shadow Breath herself?”
The Ninth Elder reached the pavilion and sat down, chuckling. “Ruoyu worked so hard to sever her ties with the Lunar Valley. Are you suggesting that she return and become the Moon Shadow Saintess?”
“I’m not asking her to become the Saintess.”
“You mean…”
Her expression turned strange. “You want Ruoyu to obtain the Moon Shadow Breath as an outsider?”
Lin Tianlu said thoughtfully, “I know it’s a bold request, but I want to try.”
“…Tianlu, I’m glad you care so much about Ruoyu.”
The Ninth Elder smiled gently. “But the Moon Shadow Breath is a sacred secret of our Lunar Valley. We can’t share it with outsiders, not even Ruoyu.”
“I understand.”
Lin Tianlu’s expression turned serious. “But I still want to try. Perhaps I can talk to the Valley Master directly. I believe we can reach an understanding.”
Seeing his determination, the Ninth Elder was speechless.
But after a moment of silence, her eyes softened, and she nodded slightly. “Since you’re so determined, Tianlu, I’ll talk to the Valley Master and see if she’s willing to give you a chance.”
“Thank you, Martial Aunt!”
“But let’s not discuss this for now.”
She looked up at the crescent moon hanging in the sky above the estate. “The Soul Moon is at a critical stage of its formation. The Saint Energy will soon manifest. The Valley Master and the others are too busy to deal with other matters. We’ll talk to her after this is over.”
Lin Tianlu looked up as well.
The crescent moon seemed to be even clearer than it had been last night.
“This Soul Moon will gradually transform into a full moon over the next ten days.”
The Ninth Elder explained softly. “When that happens, the Soul Moon inheritance ritual will be complete, and the Lunar Valley will enjoy decades of peace and quiet. Even if a storm approaches, we’ll be able to protect ourselves.”
Lin Tianlu narrowed his eyes, his face thoughtful.
He could sense the immense Yin energy converging towards the crescent moon, drawing upon the entire estate, even the surrounding area, as if transforming the world around them.
Although it seemed peaceful, the power it contained was even greater than that of the Path of the Netherworld!
A faction that had survived for a thousand years was truly extraordinary.
“Alright, Tianlu. Let’s not talk about valley matters for now.”
The Ninth Elder’s voice was soft and gentle. “Tell me about how you and Ruoyu met. I’m quite curious.”
Lin Tianlu looked away and cleared his throat, recounting the events of the past few months.
…
He shared stories of their everyday life, their adventures, and their encounters with danger.
Although he didn’t go into detail about everything, his words painted a vivid picture, captivating the Ninth Elder’s imagination.
As the sun began to set, she sighed softly. “Although your story isn’t filled with grand adventures, it’s a tale of two hearts gradually falling in love. Fate is truly a wonderful thing. You two are a perfect match.”
The Ninth Elder felt a surge of gratitude.
Even from his brief account, she could sense the loneliness and hardship Ruoyu had endured during her years of wandering… It was heartbreaking to think that she had even resorted to desperate measures.
And now, her face was filled with happiness and joy, thanks to this kind and gentle scholar.
“Meeting you was a blessing for Ruoyu, Tianlu.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled. “It’s I who should be grateful. Ruoyu has been taking good care of me.”
“You’re both important to each other.” The Ninth Elder’s voice softened. “I just hope you two can continue to live a happy and peaceful life together.”
“But—”
She changed the subject, glancing at Yun Yue, who was napping on Mao Ruoyu’s lap. “Tell me, how did you get involved with this demon?”
She was still wary of this mysterious fox.
Lin Tianlu chuckled. “Miss Yun Yue also has a tragic past. She was sealed and imprisoned for almost a thousand years, alone in the Netherworld. Until Ruoyu accidentally entered that realm, and they met. Yun Yue finally found a friend.”
“The Netherworld?!”
The Ninth Elder’s expression changed drastically. “You said you encountered some trouble in Jianggai County… Were you trapped in the Netherworld?!”
“Indeed.” Lin Tianlu nodded. “Yun Yue could have taken over Ruoyu’s body and escaped. But she couldn’t bring herself to do it. She created a dream realm where we lived together for six months, hoping to spare Ruoyu from pain.
And I used that opportunity to persuade her to let go of her past and escape with us.”
The Ninth Elder quickly raised her hand. “Wait!”
Her face was filled with shock. “How did you escape from the Netherworld?!”
Lin Tianlu was startled, then he understood. He took out the embroidered, broken sword he always carried. “We used this sword to break through the Netherworld passage and escape from that prison.”
“This—”
The Ninth Elder carefully took the sword, her expression strange as she examined the unassuming, broken blade.
She knew how dangerous and terrifying the Netherworld was. Even she, if imprisoned there, would have been sealed for a thousand years.
But this broken sword… could actually break through the seemingly indestructible seal of the Netherworld?!
Lin Tianlu chuckled. “It might look unassuming, Martial Aunt, but this sword possesses a certain power.”
With a thought, the cold and broken blade trembled slightly and rose into the air, circling around him before gently landing back in his palm.
The Ninth Elder was speechless.
It wasn’t Yin magic, nor did she sense any Yin energy. Only a faint sword aura emanated from the blade.
This sword… was truly extraordinary!
After a long silence, she carefully returned the sword to him, her expression serious.
“Tianlu, this object is far more powerful than I imagined. Don’t let others see it. Remember the saying, ‘A priceless treasure invites disaster.’”
“I’ll be careful.”
Seeing him put the sword away, the Ninth Elder nodded with satisfaction.
She looked at Yun Yue, who was still napping, her expression softening. “This… Miss Yun Yue has truly suffered.”
She hadn’t expected Ruoyu to form such a close bond with a demon, practically becoming sisters.
“I’ll treat her kindly from now on.”
“Miss Yun Yue is gentle and kind. I’m sure you’ll get along well, Martial Aunt.”
Leave a Reply