Chapter 228: The Road to Changling, A Gathering of Experts?
The next morning…
After a quick breakfast, they prepared to depart without delay.
“—Take care, Innkeeper.”
After loading the luggage onto the carriage, Lin Tianlu turned to the middle-aged man standing at the entrance and bowed respectfully. “If you ever visit Changling County, please look me up. I’ll be happy to show you around and treat you to a meal.”
“Thank you for your kindness, Master Lin.”
The innkeeper bowed in return and chuckled. “But I can’t leave my inn unattended. Perhaps when my children are older and can take over the business, I’ll be able to travel.”
Lin Tianlu smiled gently. “Then perhaps we’ll meet again someday.”
“Farewell, Master Lin.”
The innkeeper watched as the carriage disappeared into the distance and sighed softly.
“What a pity!”
“Has that Master Lin already left?”
A middle-aged woman, dressed in simple peasant clothes, approached him curiously.
“Yes.”
“You seem disappointed. Are you envious of him traveling with those beautiful women?”
The woman teased, poking him playfully. “Or are you thinking of taking a young and pretty concubine, just like him?”
“Of course not!”
The innkeeper’s face flushed, and he raised his hands defensively. “What young woman would be interested in an old man like me?”
“If you were younger, you might have different ideas.”
“I… I wouldn’t do such a thing.”
The innkeeper’s awkward smile faded, and he looked towards the distance again, sighing softly. “And compared to Master Lin, I think those two women are the truly fortunate ones.”
“Two women vying for his affection, and you think they’re the lucky ones?”
The woman was surprised by her husband’s words. “You talked with him for half the night. Did you learn something extraordinary?”
“More than you can imagine!”
The innkeeper said excitedly, “His knowledge is vast and profound, his character noble and virtuous. Even in the ancient times, when sages roamed the earth, he would have been considered a genius. And in this era… Talking to him was like receiving enlightenment. He clarified so many things I had been struggling with.”
He couldn’t help but sigh in admiration. “To have had the chance to share a drink with him… it’s a blessing I’ve earned after decades of hard work.”
“He sounds like… quite a remarkable individual.”
The woman was also surprised by her husband’s enthusiastic praise.
She knew how knowledgeable her husband was, a respected scholar in their village.
She had never seen him so excited before.
“What a pity!”
The innkeeper suddenly slapped his thigh in frustration. “If only our son could have met him!”
“Don’t be silly. Huan’er is miles away. He couldn’t have come back in a single night.”
“I know, I know… Just a wishful thought… What a pity…”
…
Snort
The horse snorted, its hooves pounding against the road.
Lin Tianlu patted its back gently and chuckled. “You’ve been working hard these past few days. We should reach Changling today. Then you can rest and enjoy some fresh grass.”
The horse shook its head and snorted again, as if in response. He wondered if it could understand him.
But it was a horse raised in the Lunar Valley. It must be somewhat intelligent.
Lin Tianlu thought to himself, noticing that this horse was indeed different from ordinary horses.
He hadn’t had to use the whip at all. The horse seemed to understand his intentions, following his directions effortlessly.
At that moment, a fragrant breeze wafted through the air.
Lin Tianlu turned to see Hua Shuya emerging from the carriage, her movements graceful as she sat down beside him.
She had returned the jade pendant to Mao Ruoyu, her silver hair and transformed state gone, replaced by her usual youthful appearance.
“Why aren’t you resting inside, Shuya?”
“You’ve been driving all this time, Senior. You must be tired. I came to keep you company.” Hua Shuya smiled faintly, gathering her hair.
She tucked her legs beneath her and glanced inside the carriage, where Mao Ruoyu and Yun Yue were examining a jade flute. “Besides, Madam is teaching Miss Yun Yue how to play a musical instrument. I didn’t want to intrude.”
“Although Yun Yue’s personality has changed, Ruoyu is truly good at taking care of people.”
Lin Tianlu sighed softly.
He patted Hua Shuya’s shoulder. “Would you like me to teach you how to play a musical instrument as well?”
“There’s no need to trouble yourself, Senior.”
Hua Shuya smiled gently and patted the sword at her waist. “I prefer practicing swordsmanship.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled. “You’re truly dedicated. But have you encountered any difficulties in your cultivation lately?”
“Difficulties?”
The young woman pondered for a moment, then sighed softly. “My cultivation has plateaued recently. Although I learned some Moon Shadow techniques in the Lunar Valley, and my physical strength has improved, my swordsmanship hasn’t progressed.”
She looked down at her sword, her voice calm.
“I know that swordsmanship isn’t something that can be mastered overnight. It takes decades for most people to develop sword intent. I’ve only reached this level thanks to your guidance, Senior. I’ll continue to work hard.”
“Swordsmanship…”
Lin Tianlu looked up at the clear blue sky, his voice thoughtful. “It’s a broad and complex path. Techniques, footwork, internal energy cultivation, even the elusive sword intent and sword heart… they all contribute to the power of a sword.
What do you think you’re lacking, Shuya?”
“…Sword intent?”
“I think you’re lacking a reason to wield your sword.” Lin Tianlu smiled and gestured with his hand. “Or do you simply enjoy the act of swinging a sword?”
“…”
Hua Shuya frowned, lost in thought.
After a moment, her brow smoothed, and her aura seemed to brighten.
Lin Tianlu nodded approvingly. “It seems you’ve found your answer.”
“Your words have enlightened me, Senior.”
Seeing her joyful expression, Lin Tianlu couldn’t help but ask, “If you don’t mind, would you share your thoughts with me?”
“It’s…”
Hua Shuya touched her sword, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks. “It’s a secret for now, Senior.”
Before Lin Tianlu could respond, she quickly changed the subject. “But I’m curious, Senior, what are your aspirations?”
“My aspirations?”
“Yes!”
“I would like to live a peaceful and quiet life… but it seems this world won’t allow it.”
Lin Tianlu recalled the recent events, his eyes narrowing, his voice turning serious. “Perhaps I can do something to help.”
The world’s spiritual energy was sealed, but it could also be unsealed.
Mortals were powerless against demons and ghosts because they were simply outmatched in terms of power. But if mortals could access spiritual energy, if they could cultivate…
It was a thought worth exploring.
Seeing his serious expression, Hua Shuya was surprised, but she quickly smiled. “With your abilities, Senior, you can achieve anything.”
“There’s no need for flattery, Shuya. I’m just an ordinary scholar. If it weren’t for your support, I would probably be wandering the streets, homeless and hungry.”
Lin Tianlu’s serious expression vanished, and he chuckled, shaking his head.
It was too early to think about such things.
Clip-clop, clip-clop
The sound of approaching hooves.
Lin Tianlu and Hua Shuya turned to see a man on horseback, riding towards them at full speed. He was dressed in tight-fitting clothes, a sword strapped to his back, his expression serious as he urged his horse forward. He quickly passed their carriage, disappearing in a cloud of dust.
“He’s in a hurry.”
Lin Tianlu brushed the dust from his clothes, his expression strange. “If he keeps riding like that, his horse will collapse.”
Hua Shuya blinked curiously.
Although she hadn’t seen his face clearly, she could sense a powerful aura emanating from him. He was clearly a skilled cultivator.
Perhaps he had an urgent matter to attend to?
“Hahaha! Your ‘Thousand Mile Divine Steps’ are nothing special! You’ve disgraced your sect!”
“Stop running, you old fool! Fight me!”
“If we fight, I might accidentally hurt you~”
“You, you—Just try it!”
Angry shouts echoed through the air.
Lin Tianlu and Hua Shuya turned to see an old man with a white beard and a young man chasing each other, their speed incredible, their movements blurring into afterimages. And their voices were strong and steady, showing no signs of fatigue. They were clearly skilled cultivators.
“Hmm?”
The old man suddenly frowned and looked back, as if sensing something.
Lin Tianlu smiled and waved. “Greetings, Elder. You’re looking quite energetic today. You must be exercising regularly.”
“This boy—”
The old man’s eyes widened in surprise.
But before he could react, a gust of wind swept past him, and he ducked, narrowly avoiding a sword strike. He chuckled. “You cheeky brat, trying to sneak attack a sixty-nine-year-old man! Shame on you!”
The young man, who had finally caught up, roared in frustration, his sword flashing.
But in the blink of an eye, they were gone.
“…”
Hua Shuya’s hand instinctively tightened around her sword, her eyes filled with surprise. “That old man’s cultivation…”
He was undoubtedly a Grandmaster.
Although there was only a single realm difference between the Azure Spirit Realm and the Grandmaster Realm, the gap in power was vast.
Even a brief glance had made her tense, her body instinctively preparing for battle.
“He’s quite strong.”
Lin Tianlu clicked his tongue. “And his taunts are even more impressive.”
The young man chasing him had almost been driven to tears.
Hua Shuya chuckled, relieved. “I’m glad I never encountered such an eccentric Grandmaster before.”
Whoosh
A faint whistling sound.
“Another one?”
Lin Tianlu and Hua Shuya leaned out of the carriage, their movements synchronized.
They saw a blurry figure leaping through the trees, their speed incredible.
Hua Shuya’s eyes widened in surprise. “Such amazing lightness skills!”
Such agility and speed, rivaling even the legendary Flight of the Phoenix technique, were a sign of a true master. And their movements were smooth and effortless, their aura steady, clearly a seasoned traveler, not just a showoff.
“Quite impressive.”
Lin Tianlu watched with interest.
Unlike Old Man Mo, who had trampled through his courtyard, this person was traveling through the forest, a much more entertaining spectacle.
If only he had some popcorn…
They watched as the mysterious expert approached rapidly.
“Eh?”
Hua Shuya suddenly gasped.
It seemed that the expert was planning to use their carriage as a springboard!
She frowned, about to warn him.
But before she could speak, the expert landed on the roof of the carriage, his body light and agile as he prepared to leap again.
Whoosh
“Huh?”
The expert suddenly lost his balance, his feet slipping, his arms flailing wildly as he tumbled through the air, landing face-first on the road ahead, sliding several meters before coming to a stop.
“Hiss—”
Lin Tianlu and Hua Shuya winced.
It seemed he had landed…
…face-first.
“Snort!”
Their horse stopped, snorting disdainfully.
Lin Tianlu scratched his head awkwardly, checking the undamaged roof of the carriage, then glancing at the “expert,” who was still lying motionless on the ground. He murmured, “That wasn’t our fault, was it?”
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