Chapter 43: Kindness Rewarded
The end of the month approached, and the autumn wind carried a hint of winter’s chill.
In the courtyard, a figure stood with a sword in hand, silently savoring the feeling of the breeze against the blade.
Hua Shuya wasn’t wearing her usual training attire today. Instead, she was dressed in an elegant ruqun, a silk shawl draped over her shoulders, intricate embroidery adorning the hem of her skirt. Her graceful figure was even more captivating.
With the sword in her hand, her usual sharp and aggressive aura had softened as she consciously controlled her movements.
After days of relentless practice, her martial arts cultivation was approaching the Azure Spirit realm, her Pure Yang energy transforming into Azure Spirit internal energy.
Her rapid progress was thanks to the sword technique she had witnessed in the locust tree’s aura. The movements were etched in her mind.
Filled with gratitude and reverence, Hua Shuya practiced diligently, refining and perfecting the Thirteen Forms of the Star-Breaking Sword until she had mastered them.
—I’m eternally grateful, Senior.
After a long moment of contemplation, she opened her eyes, her gaze sharp. The tip of her sword pointed towards the locust tree in the courtyard.
After days of watering, new buds had sprouted on the tree. But the most astonishing thing was the Locust Sword embedded in its trunk…
As if sensing her intent, the sword vibrated slightly, and the tree’s branches trembled, sending ripples of energy through the air.
Hua Shuya’s eyes narrowed, and she swung her sword in a wide arc. A series of metallic clangs rang out as she was forced back, her slender figure retreating until she was cornered, barely managing to block the tree’s attack.
“Hoo—”
She sheathed her sword and rubbed her aching wrist, bowing towards the locust tree.
She had been sparring with the sentient tree almost every day, although she still couldn’t withstand more than a few moves. But it gave her a goal to strive for.
“Miss Hua, if you’re tired, come and rest for a while.”
A gentle voice came from the pavilion.
The girl turned her head, and seeing the familiar figure, she smiled brightly, walking towards the pavilion with light steps.
“Senior, have you finished your painting?”
“It’s just a quick sketch, hardly a masterpiece.”
Lin Tianlu, dressed in an azure robe, smiled faintly, setting his brush aside.
On the rice paper before him was a lifelike painting of the locust tree.
Hua Shuya leaned in for a closer look. “Although I don’t understand painting, Senior, this looks quite beautiful.”
“I just copied the locust tree in the courtyard.”
Lin Tianlu picked up the rice paper and blew on it gently, nodding in satisfaction as he looked at the ink painting.
Even without relying on his spiritual energy, he still had some skills in this world.
At least he was quite good at ink painting.
He chuckled to himself.
He put the painting aside.
“Time for relaxation is over. Now, back to serious matters.”
Hua Shuya looked curious. “What are you planning to do, Senior?”
Lin Tianlu picked up a book from the stack of ancient texts beside him and said, “I’m going to be an examiner.”
“An examiner… who are you testing, Senior?”
“You’ve been busy with official matters, Miss Hua, so you wouldn’t know. A couple of days ago, Old Master Nie from next door visited and asked me to write some essays for his grandson.” Lin Tianlu chuckled softly. “The Nie family is a scholarly family. His grandson has been studying diligently since childhood, and he’s planning to take the imperial examination next year. It’s no trouble for me to help out as a neighbor.”
Hua Shuya suddenly understood.
She remembered that Senior often referred to himself as a scholar.
“I believe the examination usually covers the Five Classics and their commentaries…”
“No.”
Lin Tianlu shook his finger. “Those standard texts have been studied countless times by scholars. There’s no need for me to write examination questions. It would be redundant. And I’m sure Old Master Nie wouldn’t ask me to do such a pointless task.”
“Then what kind of questions are you planning to write, Senior?”
“I’ll write about miscellaneous topics, not necessarily to test their knowledge, but to broaden their horizons.”
Lin Tianlu smiled faintly.
Well, these questions…
Were mostly riddles and brain teasers, meant to be both educational and entertaining.
Of course, besides general knowledge, the main subjects were also important. He had compiled his recent studies and insights, along with the scholar’s years of knowledge and experience, into a comprehensive study guide, complete with practice questions and mock exams. He had written dozens of pages, carefully packaging them together with the essays.
He wanted to give that boy, whom he had never met, a little surprise.
Surely, the boy would be moved to tears, right?
Knock, knock…
At that moment, there was a knock on the gate.
Hua Shuya quickly put down her book and hurried to open the gate.
“Eh?”
But as she opened the door, she saw a stranger standing outside.
A middle-aged man was standing there, his face filled with anxiety. As their eyes met, his expression changed, and he quickly bowed. “I’m here to see Master Lin. Please forgive my intrusion!”
Hua Shuya was taken aback.
Why was this man so flustered?
“Are you looking for me?” Lin Tianlu walked over, his voice filled with curiosity. “May I ask who you are, Sir?”
“Master Lin, I’m the shopkeeper you saved from the fire at the fabric shop.” The man bowed again. “My name is Zhang Songlin. I’m a resident of Changling, my family has been here for generations.”
“It’s you?”
Lin Tianlu quickly recalled the incident and smiled gently. “You seem to have recovered well, Shopkeeper Zhang. You look much better now.”
“It’s all thanks to you, Master Lin.”
Zhang Songlin bowed repeatedly, his voice sincere and emotional. “I was unconscious at the time and didn’t know that you had risked your life to save us from the fire. I was only told after I woke up. But I’ve been weak and bedridden for the past two weeks. I only recovered recently, and I immediately came to thank you in person, Master Lin.”
He stepped back and took a deep breath, then prostrated himself on the ground.
Lin Tianlu was startled and quickly helped him up. “Shopkeeper Zhang, there’s no need for such a grand gesture!”
“To me, Master Lin, you are like a savior, a reborn parent. Why wouldn’t I show you my deepest gratitude?” Zhang Songlin shook his head, insisting on bowing. “If it weren’t for your selfless act, my poor, blind mother, my wife and children, would have been left alone and helpless, with no one to care for them.
You saved our entire family, Master Lin. How could I not kowtow in gratitude?”
Lin Tianlu’s eyes widened, and he was silent for a moment.
Then, he smiled gently and helped the man up. “I appreciate your kindness, Shopkeeper Zhang. Since everything is alright now, just focus on recovering and living a good life.
I’m sure you’ve learned a lot from this experience. Cherish these precious moments. A happy and fulfilling family is the most important thing.”
“I’ll keep your teachings in mind, Master Lin.” Zhang Songlin bowed deeply, his eyes filled with tears.
“Besides expressing my gratitude, I also have a gift for you, Sir. Please accept these two bolts of fine silk.”
He hurried to the corner of the courtyard and carried over two rolls of silk. “I’ve thought long and hard, and this is the only thing I can offer as a token of my appreciation. Please don’t refuse, Sir.”
Lin Tianlu hesitated for a moment, then accepted the silk with a solemn expression. “Thank you, Shopkeeper Zhang.”
Seeing him accept the gift, Zhang Songlin finally smiled with satisfaction. “If you ever need new clothes, Sir, please come to my shop. I’ll have our most skilled tailor make them for you. But…
Please forgive me, Master Lin. My shop still needs to be repaired, so I can’t stay long.”
“Go ahead and take care of your business, Shopkeeper Zhang. There’s no need for formalities here.” Lin Tianlu smiled kindly. “Once your shop is repaired, I’ll bring my friends over to visit.”
“Please wait for my good news, Sir. I’ll work hard.”
…
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, they said goodbye.
Lin Tianlu watched as the man hurried away.
Hua Shuya, who had been silent, finally spoke. “Senior, the clothes he was wearing…”
“The fire at his shop must have been a huge blow to his family. They’re struggling financially. I can tell.”
Lin Tianlu looked at the silk in his arms and smiled faintly. “We’ll visit his shop in a while and get some new clothes.”
“You do need new clothes, Senior…”
“You should get some new clothes too, Miss Hua.” Lin Tianlu turned to her with a smile. “It would be a shame to waste such beauty.”
Hua Shuya blushed and nodded slightly.
Seeing the girl’s shy demeanor, Lin Tianlu felt a wave of emotion.
He had been in Changling County for over half a month now. After his initial confusion, he had adapted to this new life. And after the incident with the thunder, he had also come to understand his own extraordinary abilities.
He had become… an immortal.
Even if he wasn’t a true immortal, he possessed powers beyond those of ordinary mortals.
His mindset was gradually changing.
Although there were still many things he didn’t understand, he no longer belittled himself. His mind was calm and peaceful, his demeanor possessing a hint of an immortal’s aura. He was enjoying his simple life, free and carefree.
Perhaps…
This life was his trial in the mortal world.
“What are you thinking about, Senior?”
Hua Shuya’s clear and ethereal voice brought him back to reality. Without thinking, he blurted out, “I was thinking about you… Cough!”
He quickly coughed awkwardly. “Don’t mind me, Miss Hua. I just got carried away.”
But the girl’s eyes widened, her cheeks flushed crimson. She lowered her head shyly, unable to speak.
Lin Tianlu chuckled awkwardly.
He should really avoid cheesy pickup lines. They made even him cringe.
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