Chapter 218: Sheltering a Girl, An Unwanted Intrusion
The sudden appearance of the scholar startled the young woman.
“Wh-who are you?”
She hadn’t even noticed him approach…
Where had he come from?
But looking closely, she saw that he was a handsome and refined young man, his clothes of high quality, suggesting a comfortable, if not wealthy, background.
“My name is Lin Tianlu. I’m traveling with this young lady. We’re staying at this inn tonight.”
Lin Tianlu smiled gently and bowed slightly. “I heard some commotion outside and opened the door to see what was happening. Please forgive my intrusion.”
“Senior?”
Hua Shuya peeked out into the hallway, her expression curious. “Shouldn’t you be with Madam? And this young lady…”
“Don’t worry, I booked another room earlier, in case Miss Yun Yue needed it. It’s currently unoccupied.”
Lin Tianlu turned back to the young woman and smiled. “It’s a long night. I was just looking for someone to chat with. Your timing is perfect, Miss.”
“…”
The young woman lowered her eyes, a flicker of surprise on her face.
So these two were traveling together?
But her surprise quickly faded as she looked at Hua Shuya’s beautiful face, then recalled their mention of “Madam,” her mind racing.
“—Thank you for your kindness, Sir.”
She curtsied gracefully, her movements delicate and demure.
She looked up at Lin Tianlu, a sweet and innocent smile on her face, her eyes studying his features, her smile widening slightly.
“My name is Hu Siqi. You can call me Siqi, Sir.”
“A beautiful name.”
Lin Tianlu nodded slightly and gestured towards the next room. “Why don’t you come with me, Miss Siqi? Let me know if you need anything. I’ll be happy to help.”
“Th-there’s no need, Sir. I just need a place to stay for the night. I’ll be leaving tomorrow morning.”
Hu Siqi bowed again, her voice hesitant. “Even if there’s no bed or blankets, it’s fine. I can sleep on the floor. I won’t disturb you.”
“There’s no need to be so formal, Miss Siqi. As a scholar, it’s my duty to help those in need.”
Lin Tianlu’s smile was enigmatic. “As long as you’re comfortable.”
“Eh?”
Hu Siqi was startled.
She hadn’t expected such a response.
Hua Shuya was also surprised, but she exchanged glances with Lin Tianlu and nodded, not wanting to interfere.
“S-since you’re so kind, Sir, I gratefully accept your offer.”
Hu Siqi’s eyes sparkled with a hidden delight.
…
Candlelight flickered, illuminating the empty room.
Hu Siqi closed the door and sighed in relief.
She turned to see Lin Tianlu lighting the other candles, dispelling the shadows.
“Thank you, Sir, for taking the time to accompany me.”
“It’s no trouble. I have nothing else to do.” Lin Tianlu put down the candle holder and wiped the table and chairs with a cloth.
Hu Siqi frowned slightly. “I’m still a bit confused, Sir. I heard you and that young lady mention another woman, your wife, who’s in the next room. Why are you…”
“We’re not officially married yet. The wedding is next month. There’s no need to rush things.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled softly and gestured towards a chair. “Why don’t you sit down, Miss Siqi? You’re not wearing any shoes. You must be tired.”
Hu Siqi glanced at her bare feet and nodded, her lips pressed together. “Thank you, Sir.”
She carefully sat down at the table.
“With your kindness and consideration, Sir, your wife must be very happy.”
“She’s just a bit shy.” Lin Tianlu chuckled.
Although they had shared a room in the Lunar Valley, it was mostly to appease Martial Aunt. Now that they were back in Changling, there was no need to sleep together every night.
“Then…”
Hu Siqi’s voice was hesitant. “Why did you invite me here, Sir? Is there something you want to talk about?”
“Just some casual conversation. There’s no need to be nervous, Miss Siqi.”
Lin Tianlu stroked his chin, his eyes curious. “But it’s already past curfew. Wandering around outside at this hour is dangerous. You might be arrested. Even if you didn’t encounter those thugs, the authorities would have caught you.”
Hu Siqi’s eyes welled up with tears, and she wiped them with her sleeve.
“You don’t understand, Sir. My parents are ill, and I have a younger brother to take care of. I have to work to support my family. I have no choice.”
Lin Tianlu bowed slightly, his expression apologetic. “I apologize for my insensitive question, Miss Siqi. Your situation is truly difficult.”
“It’s fine, Sir. I’m used to it.”
Seeing her tears subside, Lin Tianlu continued, “I’m curious, how do you manage to avoid the authorities every night? Once or twice is understandable, but you said you’ve been doing this for a while now. Do you have a secret route, a way to avoid their patrols?”
“Eh?”
Hu Siqi was startled.
After a moment of silence, she nodded quickly. “Y-yes. I grew up in Anshi County. I know all the streets and alleys. I can easily avoid the night watchmen.”
“I see.”
Lin Tianlu nodded, as if he understood.
“But how did you enter this inn?”
He asked curiously, “I remember clearly that the inn is locked up tight at night. Only the windows on the second floor are open, small enough for a cat to slip through. How did you manage it?”
“And judging by your slender figure, and the fact that you’re not wearing any shoes, I doubt you possess any special martial arts skills.”
“I just…”
Hu Siqi’s face paled, her voice trailing off.
Even she, slow as she was, could sense the change in the atmosphere.
This scholar seemed to suspect something. He was testing her, trying to get her to reveal something.
He hadn’t invited her here out of kindness, but to play with her!
“…”
“Why aren’t you answering, Miss Siqi?”
“You already know who I am, Sir.” The gentle smile on Hu Siqi’s face vanished, replaced by a cold and menacing expression. “There’s no need to pretend.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled. “I just want to understand the situation.”
“Do you think you have me cornered?”
Hu Siqi’s eyes narrowed, and she secretly gathered Yin energy in her hand, hidden beneath her sleeve.
Her mind was racing.
From the moment she entered the room, she had been observing this scholar, sensing his aura. He was just an ordinary mortal, not a cultivator or a ghost practitioner. He was weak and frail, easily subdued even by an ordinary constable.
So…
“What a pity.”
A sinister smile appeared on her lips. “You’re too confident, Sir. That young lady with the sword, although she possesses some martial arts skills, she’s too far away to help you.”
She suddenly stood up and slammed her hand on Lin Tianlu’s shoulder.
“Hmm?” Lin Tianlu’s eyes widened slightly, staring at her hand on his shoulder.
Seeing her attack connect, Hu Siqi chuckled, her voice seductive, her demeanor changing completely as she tilted her head and said mockingly, “Silly scholar, you shouldn’t be so kind to damsels in distress. It might get you into trouble. And you’re getting married soon, aren’t you? Yet you’re still flirting with other women?”
“Your acting skills are quite impressive, Miss.”
Lin Tianlu sighed softly. “I suspected you were putting on an act, but I didn’t expect such a drastic transformation.”
“A woman’s heart is a deep ocean. We don’t reveal our true thoughts to just anyone. If we were so easily read, we wouldn’t survive in this world.”
Hu Siqi walked around the table, her movements graceful, and reached out, her fingers playfully tracing his chin, as if teasing him.
But Lin Tianlu brushed her hand away.
“Your words suggest a hidden story, Miss. I’d like to hear it.”
“How did you…”
Hu Siqi quickly withdrew her hand, her face filled with surprise and confusion.
He had been affected by her Yin technique. Even if he was still conscious, his body should have been paralyzed.
But how had he managed to block her attack?!
“You thought I was helpless, didn’t you, Miss?” Lin Tianlu chuckled. “A man’s heart can also be a deep ocean. Don’t be so arrogant and overconfident. You might capsize.”
“You—”
Crash!
The door suddenly burst open, and several burly men, their swords drawn, stormed into the room.
Their bloodlust and menacing auras terrified Hu Siqi, who stumbled back, her face pale.
“H-how did you find me?!”
“We’ve been searching for you, demoness! And you thought you could hide in a guest’s room!”
The leader of the constables stepped forward, drawing his sword, his face grim. “Surrender now! There’s nowhere to run!”
Clang, clang, clang!
The other constables also drew their swords, the tension in the room escalating.
These constables were clearly experienced fighters, their bodies radiating a bloodthirsty aura.
“I-I…”
Hu Siqi was terrified, her lips trembling, her mind blank.
Although she possessed Yin techniques, she couldn’t muster the will to resist, her body frozen with fear.
She glanced at the gentle scholar sitting beside her, as if seeking his protection, reaching out instinctively—
But the leader of the constables roared and swung his sword!
“Aah!”
Hu Siqi screamed and covered her head with her hands.
But the descending blade suddenly stopped in midair.
Sparks flew as metal clashed against metal. The middle-aged constable’s eyes widened in surprise.
A woman stood before him, her sword blocking his attack.
Where had she come from?!
There was no one else in the room, nowhere to hide!
“Hiss—”
As they saw her face, the constables gasped, their expressions filled with awe. The middle-aged constable instinctively lowered his sword and stepped back.
Under the flickering candlelight, the woman’s beauty was breathtaking, her skin flawless and radiant, her aura ethereal and captivating. But there was also a chilling coldness about her, a sense of power that kept them at bay, like a master cultivator, inspiring both awe and fear.
The leader of the constables sheathed his sword and bowed respectfully.
“M-may I ask who you are, Master?”
“I was resting in the next room when I heard the commotion. So I came to intervene.”
Hua Shuya lowered her sword, her voice calm. “Your attack was reckless. You almost injured this young lady and Master Lin. That was quite rude.”
“M-Master Lin?” The constables were confused.
Lin Tianlu stood up and bowed slightly. “Officers, you should be more careful. Don’t accidentally injure innocent people. It would reflect poorly on your superiors.”
“This…”
The middle-aged constable was speechless for a moment.
But he quickly regained his composure and bowed respectfully. “Please forgive my rudeness, Sir. I was too hasty, eager to capture this demoness. I almost injured you. I hope you won’t hold this against the authorities.”
Leave a Reply