Chapter 85: The Lantern Street of Candlelight
The morning in He’an Village was still bleak and cold.
But for the hardworking villagers, a day’s work had already begun.
The conspiracy that spanned decades, even centuries, hadn’t left them with any indelible scars. They mourned the departed, but as smoke rose from their chimneys, their simple lives went on.
…
“Don’t worry, Young Master Lin. Just follow this path, and you’ll be able to leave the village smoothly. No one will disturb you two.”
Niu Liang’an bowed respectfully. “We are just ordinary people, and we can’t repay the kindness of you two immortals. We can only offer you a small farewell gift as a token of our appreciation.”
Jiang Xi, who was standing beside him, handed over a package with a smile. “Miss Hua, please accept this.”
Hua Shuya’s face turned solemn as she carefully took the package. “Thank you.”
Lin Tianlu didn’t refuse politely either. He smiled and bowed. “Please see us off here. I hope your lives will be even more fulfilling in the future.”
“To receive the blessings of immortals is a great fortune for our Niu family.” Niu Liang’an smiled broadly and bowed deeply with his wife.
They didn’t have any fear towards these two “immortals.” Although they hadn’t known each other for long, they knew how approachable this couple was.
This farewell might be their last, but it was a precious memory that they would cherish for a lifetime.
…
In Nanfeng County.
As noon approached, Lin Tianlu and Hua Shuya had safely returned to the county and settled into a comfortable private room at a restaurant.
Taking advantage of the free time, he closed his eyes and focused inward, silently observing his internal condition.
As he dispersed the misty spiritual energy, the peak of Jade Peak Mountain appeared in his vision. The scenery on the peak was exactly the same as what he had seen before, without any difference.
“But now that I look at it…”
Lin Tianlu looked back at the towering immortal mountain and sighed slightly. “The size and scale of Jade Peak Mountain is really different from Mount Taiyi.”
Why hadn’t he felt that Mount Taiyi was so vast before?
He put aside his surprise and glanced to the side, his expression turning strange.
The woman in black gauze was bound by the Soul Binding Lock, her clothes tattered, and hung high on a rock. She hung her head, unconscious, her breath so weak that it was almost undetectable.
Upon closer inspection, he could see that the Yin energy within her body was slowly being extracted, making her figure appear blurry.
“This spirit has committed grave sins, and such punishment is only fair… But what should I do with her later?”
Lin Tianlu pondered for a moment, then a thought suddenly occurred to him.
A clear spring flowed in the mountain, quickly sweeping the woman in black gauze into a pool, until she sank to the very bottom.
“Since she’s an evil spirit, I’ll reform her properly. After her punishment is over, she can be reborn and atone for her sins.”
Killing an evil spirit was quick and easy, but Lin Tianlu thought it would be better to “recycle” her. He wanted to see if he could use Jade Peak Mountain as a foundation to nurture a new Jade Peak Mountain spirit, one with a compassionate heart who would help others.
Of course, whether it would succeed or not was still uncertain. He was still exploring and experimenting with this strange ability.
“Hoo—”
Lin Tianlu opened his eyes again.
Then, he saw the girl sitting on the opposite bed.
Although Yu Xuanling had been making a fuss in her body last night, she didn’t seem tired at all. Her current lively appearance was quite charming, and her sharp aura, like an unsheathed immortal sword, was fully on display. Countless people had turned their heads to look at her along the way.
At this moment, Hua Shuya was sitting upright with her legs crossed, her eyes closed as she circulated her energy, slowly regulating the Yin energy and the Essence of Yin within her body, trying to expel the jade pendant as soon as possible and return to her original form.
But…
She soon opened her eyes, a look of helplessness on her face. “It’s still not working.”
“Are you feeling unwell?”
“Senior, don’t worry, I’m fine. It’s just that this Yin energy is very troublesome to deal with. It might not be something that can be resolved in two or three days.”
Speaking of this, Hua Shuya’s eyelashes trembled, and a hint of shyness appeared in her charming eyes. She subconsciously touched her flat stomach.
After waking up this morning, many “unfamiliar memories” had surfaced in her mind, and the strange voice that had been like an auditory hallucination had become clear. Only then did she understand that she had absorbed the jade pendant that Senior always wore. In fact, it could be said that she had merged with that Miss Yu.
“Tha-that Miss Yu is really passionate.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled awkwardly. “If Miss Hua is angry, I’ll find an opportunity to teach her a lesson…”
“It’s okay!”
But Hua Shuya held her forehead, her face flushed slightly. “I’m not angry with Miss Yu.”
Although they couldn’t communicate directly, there was always a strange sense of kindness and gentleness surrounding her deep down, as if Miss Yu was hugging her from behind with a smile, occasionally whispering words of encouragement in her ear…
It’s-it’s just that what she said was a bit embarrassing.
Hua Shuya touched her slightly warm cheeks and took a few deep breaths to calm herself down.
“Are you sure you don’t mind, Miss Hua?”
“Although I don’t know much about Miss Yu’s past, she helped me heal my injuries and even entrusted these powers to me. No matter how you look at it, she is my benefactor.” Hua Shuya said with a slight seriousness. “After resting tonight, I have no objections to letting Miss Yu temporarily borrow my body to communicate with Senior.”
Lin Tianlu shook his head with a smile and patted her shoulder. “Thank you for your understanding.”
“It’s no trouble at all.”
Hua Shuya got out of bed, but she soon let out a soft exclamation. “Senior, what’s this on the table…”
“While you were cultivating just now, I went to the restaurant across the street and bought some breakfast. This meat porridge should nourish your body.”
The girl’s face flushed slightly, and she shyly took the bowl. “Se-Senior, you don’t have to be so concerned and take care of me like this.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled softly. “You looked so frail and weak last night, so I thought I’d let you eat more.”
“Mmm—”
Hua Shuya nervously fiddled with her hair, trying to compose herself before hurriedly starting to eat the porridge.
But after a while of silence, she stopped eating and said nervously, “Senior, why don’t we take a good stroll around Nanfeng County today and set off again tomorrow?”
Lin Tianlu was surprised. “Is there anything in particular that you want to do here, Miss Hua?”
“I just… want to relax and enjoy myself with Senior.”
“Alright.”
Seeing the girl’s shy demeanor, Lin Tianlu nodded slightly. “I heard that there’s a famous Candlelight Lantern Street in Nanfeng County. We can go there for a visit tonight.”
…
Unknowingly, night had fallen.
Nanfeng County was still bustling with activity.
Although it wasn’t a grand festival, it was a lantern festival organized by the Nanfeng Academy to commemorate their predecessors. The Candlelight Lantern Street was decorated with festive lights, lanterns, riddles, couplets, food stalls, and everything you could imagine, almost indistinguishable from any other festival celebration.
Many people on the street turned their heads to look at the graceful and alluring figure walking away.
“That woman… is truly stunning!”
Not only was she beautiful and captivating, but she also possessed a sharp and imposing aura. Every gesture exuded an ethereal and aloof temperament, like a sword immortal descending into the mortal world, a peerless sword lotus untainted by the dust. It was impossible to have any lustful or malicious thoughts towards her.
Only after she had completely disappeared from sight did the pedestrians sigh longingly.
But thinking back to the man who was with her, they felt an inexplicable sense of harmony and a perfect match.
“Strange! When did Nanfeng County have such a golden couple, a match made in heaven?”
…
And now, this untainted and aloof fairy was obediently following beside Lin Tianlu, looking curiously at the various shops and stalls on both sides of the street.
She was still wearing the green gauze robe made of Yin energy, but she had deliberately put on a loose outer robe. Although it couldn’t completely conceal her unusual charm, it did cover up the slightly exposed skin.
“Senior, what do you think of this sachet?”
“It’s not bad.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled softly. “It seems that Miss Hua really likes the atmosphere of this lantern street.”
“It’s always good to be lively.”
Hua Shuya paid for two sachets and glanced at Lin Tianlu’s profile, a faint smile appearing on her lips. “Being with Senior, any place is a beautiful scenery.”
“…”
Lin Tianlu paused slightly, and before he could speak, he saw Hua Shuya hurriedly walking away with a flushed face.
He sighed helplessly. “This girl is really trying to act tough.”
He quickly caught up, and the two of them walked side by side along the lantern street.
Unlike the usual street scene, there were many elegant scholars on the lantern street, either in groups or alone, gathered around the red lanterns hanging above. They were obviously pondering the riddles left by the Nanfeng Academy.
This was also a test and trial for them.
“Senior, what’s the answer to the riddle on this lantern?”
Hua Shuya pointed curiously at a lantern beside her.
Lin Tianlu followed her gaze and saw a red lantern with a strip of paper hanging below it. The words “My generation only drinks wine in this place” were written neatly on it with a brush.
He smiled. “A teacher is present, so refrain from reciting poetry.”
Hua Shuya blinked her beautiful eyes, seemingly pondering for a moment before nodding in realization.
“Senior is truly amazing, you answered so perfectly and appropriately.”
“Miss Hua, you should take this as a lesson.”
Lin Tianlu patted her shoulder with a chuckle. “I didn’t come up with the answer on the spot. I just happened to see it in a book before and memorized it. It’s not a sign of talent at all.
You should pay more attention in the future. Maybe someone will use this kind of trick to deceive innocent girls who don’t usually read poetry.”
“I understand, Senior.” Hua Shuya nodded seriously.
But she then whispered, “But being able to recall it from your memory in an instant is also a kind of literary talent, isn’t it?”
“It’s just rote memorization.”
Lin Tianlu shook his head with a smile.
The two of them continued to stroll leisurely until they reached the riverbank. They saw dozens of boats connected in a row in the distance, their lights illuminating the river, red silk fluttering in the wind, and graceful figures dancing within.
Hua Shuya was surprised when she saw it from afar. “This is…”
“I heard it’s a restaurant called ‘Yan Hong Fang,’ but it’s different from ordinary restaurants. It’s built around these boats so that people can better enjoy the scenery by the lake.”
As Lin Tianlu patiently explained, a man walking past them suddenly fell to his knees with a thud and let out a loud wail, pounding his fists on the ground, blood gushing from his hands.
“Uh?”
Lin Tianlu was stunned, looking at the man’s heartbroken expression, he couldn’t react for a moment.
What was going on?
Had he encountered a professional scammer?
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