Chapter 144: Homecoming
The wheels of the carriage rolled along the official road, the sound blending with the chirping of birds and the buzzing of insects.
Gazing at the clear blue sky outside the carriage window, Mao Ruoyu was lost in thought.
It had been a whirlwind of events in just a few days. Or perhaps even longer, if she counted the six months she had experienced in the dream realm.
Even though everything had calmed down and they were on their way home, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
—She didn’t know how to face Hua Shuya and Cheng Yishi.
She had intended to help them become Lin Tianlu’s wives, but she had unexpectedly fallen for him herself. This was truly…
“Are you feeling troubled, Ruoyu?”
With a flash of light, Yun Yue’s graceful figure appeared, sitting beside her with a gentle smile.
Mao Ruoyu’s eyes flickered, and she said softly, “I feel guilty towards Miss Cheng.”
“I can’t offer any advice on matters of the heart.”
Yun Yue stroked her hair. “But with your relationship, there’s no need to be so nervous. Besides—”
“Ahem!”
Lin Tianlu poked his head into the carriage, chuckling awkwardly. “I’ll explain everything to Miss Cheng, Madam. Don’t worry.”
“See?”
Yun Yue smiled and embraced Mao Ruoyu. “You have a loving husband to care for you now. What’s there to worry about? Tianlu is a responsible man. Just trust him.”
Mao Ruoyu blushed, her voice soft. “I just don’t want to cause any trouble for Sir. I should be the one handling these matters…”
“Silly girl, if you even handle his marriage affairs, wouldn’t that be spoiling him too much?”
Yun Yue chuckled, her eyes filled with amusement.
She glanced at Lin Tianlu, her voice gentle. “Why don’t Ruoyu and I talk to Miss Cheng together?”
Lin Tianlu said with a wry smile, “Are you two trying to spoil me rotten?”
Yun Yue’s smile turned suggestive, her voice lazy. “If I could have a place by your side, I would be overjoyed. I would love to keep you trapped in this world of comfort, never wanting you to leave home again. I would feed you, bathe you, and share your embrace with Ruoyu, enjoying the beauty of this world together.”
Lin Tianlu’s lips twitched.
This fox was a master at turning men into useless layabouts.
Seeing his expression, Yun Yue chuckled softly. “Don’t worry, I’m just worried that Ruoyu might not be able to handle Miss Cheng’s sharp tongue.
Besides, I’m looking forward to meeting Miss Cheng in this world.”
Lin Tianlu smiled. “Perhaps, like me, they’ve already met you in the dream realm?”
Yun Yue paused, her brows furrowing.
It was possible.
“Alright, leave this matter to me. You two don’t have to worry.”
Lin Tianlu rummaged through his luggage and pulled out a Go board with a smile. “If you’re bored, why don’t you two play a game?”
Mao Ruoyu blinked her beautiful eyes and glanced at the fox demon beside her.
“I’m fine with that.”
Yun Yue took the board and the box of stones, her eyes narrowing as she examined the black stones. “But if I win against Ruoyu, can I have a match with you?”
“Sure!” Lin Tianlu smiled brightly.
He hadn’t had time to play Go these past few days, and his fingers were itching for a game.
Mao Ruoyu pursed her lips, suppressing a smile.
—Sister Yun was in for a surprise.
…
In Changling County…
As the sun began to set, a gentle autumn breeze blew through the Lin residence.
Two figures stood facing each other in the courtyard, their swords drawn, their gazes locked in a silent confrontation.
Hua Shuya was wearing a light and revealing dress that accentuated her slender figure, her hair tied back in a loose bun, her sword-wielding posture exuding a charming allure.
Opposite her, Mo Duan’yan stood tall and proud, her youthful face serious, her robes billowing in the wind.
She took a step forward, her sword rising to her chest, its blade glinting in the fading sunlight.
“…”
Leaves rustled as they moved.
Their figures blurred, the sound of clashing blades echoing through the air.
They spun and parried, the sound of metal on metal ringing out as sparks flew.
Thrust, parry, slash, sweep…
Their swordsmanship was fluid and graceful, their movements creating a dazzling display of light and shadow, a blend of sharp precision and elegant beauty, as if they were dancing on the edge of their blades.
But the wind generated by their swords was powerful enough to shatter stone!
Finally, Hua Shuya’s eyes narrowed, and she seized an opening, striking Mo Duan’yan’s chest with the hilt of her sword.
“Cough!”
Mo Duan’yan gasped and stumbled back, her attack interrupted.
“Sister Hua…”
“Your talent is truly remarkable.”
Hua Shuya removed the hairpin from her bun, shaking her hair loose, and sheathed her sword. “To display such skill at the Pure Yang realm, surpassing even those at the Azure Spirit realm, you have a bright future ahead of you. I have nothing more to teach you in terms of swordsmanship.”
Her praise was sincere.
During Lin Tianlu and Mao Ruoyu’s absence, she had been sparring with her junior sister.
And through these practice sessions, she had realized that Mo Duan’yan’s talent was truly astonishing, as if she was born to be a martial artist.
Not only was she a quick learner, but she also adapted and modified her techniques instinctively.
If they were at the same level of cultivation, Hua Shuya wasn’t confident that she could defeat her.
“N-no, Sister Hua. I’ve memorized everything you’ve taught me.”
Mo Duan’yan sheathed her sword and bowed deeply. “And every time I spar with you, your profound sword intent leaves me in awe.”
Seeing her humble and respectful demeanor, Hua Shuya chuckled and helped her up. “If you truly want to learn swordsmanship from me, Miss Mo, there’s no need to be so formal and timid. If Senior sees this, he might think I’m bullying you.”
Mo Duan’yan blushed and whispered, “But I have to be respectful to my elders.”
“Did your father teach you that?”
“My father is busy with sect affairs and doesn’t have time to teach me.” Mo Duan’yan scratched her cheek shyly. “But I’ve read some Confucian classics and learned a bit about proper etiquette.”
Hua Shuya pursed her lips and patted the girl’s head gently. “It must be hard for you, traveling alone at such a young age.”
To be so well-mannered and sensible at such a young age, her life must have been difficult.
“Th-thank you for your concern, Sister Hua.”
Mo Duan’yan blushed, looking as cute and innocent as a kitten.
“Alright, enough sword practice for today. Let’s sit down and rest for a while.”
“Mm.”
Mo Duan’yan followed her obediently. After a moment of silence, she couldn’t help but ask, “Sister Hua, I feel like… something strange is happening in Changling County these past few days.”
Hua Shuya paused. “You noticed it too?”
Mo Duan’yan tilted her head and murmured, “Although I don’t usually gossip with the neighbors, I’ve heard some rumors. It seems something happened at the academy. Many scholars haven’t returned home all night, and it’s become quite a scandal. I heard it calmed down yesterday, but…”
“People are saying that the scholars are addicted to the pleasures of the brothels, and it’s causing problems between husbands and wives.”
“It’s indeed strange.”
Hua Shuya led her to the pavilion and they sat down.
Mo Duan’yan whispered, “The atmosphere in the county is deteriorating. Shouldn’t the magistrate be doing something?”
“I don’t know what the magistrate is thinking, but there have been some strange cases at the county衙government office lately.”
She rubbed her forehead and sighed. “There were incidents at several households outside the city, but when we went to investigate, everything seemed normal. There was nothing unusual.”
With her current senses, she could easily detect the presence of ghosts.
But…
There was nothing.
Perhaps the culprit was using advanced concealment techniques, or perhaps the county衙government office was simply being played.
Mo Duan’yan pondered for a moment, then said, “Sister Hua, should I go to the brothels and investigate?”
Hua Shuya quickly stopped her. “Miss Cheng and I will handle this. You shouldn’t get involved.”
After all, she was just a twelve-year-old girl. Sending her to a brothel was… inappropriate.
Her eyes suddenly narrowed, and she turned to look outside the courtyard.
Knock, knock, knock.
Someone was knocking at the gate.
Mo Duan’yan looked towards the sound and saw a beautiful woman pushing open the slightly ajar gate. She walked into the courtyard with a seductive smile and bowed gracefully. “You must be the renowned female martial artist of Changling County, Miss Hua, am I right?”
“Who are you?”
Hua Shuya stood up, her sword drawn, her expression cold. “It’s extremely rude to barge into someone’s home like this.”
“My apologies, Miss.”
The woman chuckled softly, her eyes glinting with a strange light. “But I’m eager to meet you, Miss Hua, and perhaps even the legendary Master Lin.”
Hua Shuya’s eyes narrowed.
This woman’s true target wasn’t her, but Senior?
“But you’re even more intriguing than I imagined, Miss Hua.”
The beautiful woman’s eyes sparkled with a strange light.
A strange atmosphere descended upon the previously peaceful courtyard.
Hua Shuya quickly shielded Mo Duan’yan, who seemed to be in a trance, and snorted coldly, using her sword intent to dispel the incoming charm technique.
“Hmm? You possess a strange technique similar to Yin magic. Are you truly a mortal martial artist, Miss Hua?”
The beautiful woman looked her up and down. “Or are you a ghost practitioner?”
“You’re not welcome here.”
Hua Shuya’s face was cold as she slowly drew her sword.
But halfway through, her expression softened, and she sheathed her sword again.
“Hmm?”
The beautiful woman raised an eyebrow, a mocking smile on her lips. “Are you admitting defeat, Miss Hua? Are you not going to fight back?”
“There’s no need.”
Hua Shuya chuckled softly. “You should prepare your greetings instead.”
Slap!
At that moment, a large hand landed on the woman’s shoulder.
“I just returned home, and someone’s already eager to meet me?”
“…”
The smile on the beautiful woman’s face vanished.
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