Chapter 51: Clouds Disperse, Worries Fade
As dawn approached, the moonlight faded.
The romantic atmosphere dissipated, and Lin Tianlu, no longer his usual carefree self, carefully adjusted the woman’s robes, brushing her hair back from her forehead and wiping away the beads of sweat.
Cheng Yishi lay in his arms, exhausted, lost in a restless sleep, her brows furrowed, her lips trembling. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she murmured in a voice filled with sorrow, “Why… why did you leave me alone…”
“Mother… I miss you…”
Lin Tianlu listened to her mumbles in silence, letting her cling to his sleeve, her nails digging into his flesh. He didn’t say a word.
—Perhaps he had made a mistake.
Although her desire for death had faded, a deep loneliness and pain still lingered in her heart. Her cold and distant family had left her emotionally scarred, twisting her personality, making her possessive and obsessive.
That was why she had clung to him, her savior, as if he were her lifeline, her only hope, almost like a curse.
Family, love, friendship… she had poured all her intense emotions onto ‘Lin Tianlu,’ as if he were a deity, seeking solace and fulfillment in his presence.
The golden and silver aura within the ethereal Mount Taiyi, a manifestation of her burning emotions, was a fleeting glimpse of her true self, a desperate attempt to find meaning in her life.
As he absorbed the golden and silver aura, Lin Tianlu could clearly sense her thoughts and feelings.
Her pain and sorrow resonated with him.
“She’s truly a stubborn woman.”
Lin Tianlu sighed inwardly, carefully picking her up and carrying her out of the courtyard.
The carriage she had arrived in was still waiting outside, but the coachman was gone. It seemed she had rushed here alone last night.
As he carried her into the carriage, she suddenly clutched his robe, her voice trembling in her sleep. “Don’t… don’t leave me…”
“I’m not leaving. I’m just taking you home to rest, Miss Cheng.” Lin Tianlu gently took her cold hand and started driving the carriage.
Cheng Yishi snuggled closer, her furrowed brows relaxing.
…
The sky was still dark, the streets deserted and quiet.
After driving for a while, Lin Tianlu felt a movement in his arms and looked down.
Their eyes met.
“Mmm!”
Cheng Yishi’s face flushed crimson, and she quickly averted her gaze, pretending to be calm as she brushed her hair back.
“I apologize, Miss Cheng. The carriage is a bit bumpy. I must have woken you up.”
“I-it’s alright. I just happened to wake up.”
She stole a shy glance at him, still feeling the tingling warmth in her body.
Recalling their passionate encounter made her heart race. The wild, seductive aura she had displayed in the courtyard was gone.
Lin Tianlu chuckled. “You’re still so shy, Miss Cheng?”
“I just…” Cheng Yishi bit her lip, then buried her face in his chest, her earlobes burning. “You’re teasing me, Sir.”
“I’m not teasing you. I’m just surprised to see this shy side of you, Miss Cheng.”
“…”
Cheng Yishi remained silent for a moment, then murmured softly, “Sir, after today… will you abandon me?”
“Why would you say that?”
“I said before that I would be content even as your temporary companion.” Cheng Yishi clenched her hands, her voice hesitant. “But now… I don’t want to let go.”
“Don’t worry, Miss Cheng, I won’t leave.” Lin Tianlu smiled. “But since you’re awake and calm now, let’s talk about the future.”
“Sir…”
“I know you’re hurting, and I understand why you acted the way you did last night. And I’m not strong enough to resist temptation. I succumbed to my desires and acted like a beast.”
Cheng Yishi’s expression changed, and she quickly covered his mouth with her hand. “It was I who seduced you, Sir. It wasn’t your fault—”
“I did what I did. It has nothing to do with your actions.”
Lin Tianlu shook his head. “If I can’t even take responsibility for my own actions, how can I call myself a man?”
Seeing his resolute attitude, Cheng Yishi withdrew her hand.
“Then what are you trying to say, Sir?”
“I hope that from this moment on—we can forget about the physical intimacy and the past, and instead get to know each other properly, cultivate our feelings, and see if something genuine can develop between us.”
Lin Tianlu smiled at her gently. “Miss Cheng, do you agree?”
“…”
Cheng Yishi’s eyes widened, and she covered her mouth with her hand. After a moment of silence, tears welled up in her eyes.
“Miss Cheng, is something wrong?”
“N-no, it’s just… I’m so happy…” Cheng Yishi quickly wiped away her tears, a joyful smile blooming on her face. “I’ll never forget your kindness, Sir.”
Lin Tianlu smiled. “Then the first thing you need to do, Miss Cheng, is go home and get some rest. Don’t forget about our gathering at the Ascension Immortal Restaurant tonight.”
“Mm.”
Cheng Yishi nodded softly, a hint of seductive charm lingering in her eyes. “I’ll dress up nicely and wait for you there, Sir.”
“Ahem! But what about Miss Hua and Madam Mao…”
“Don’t worry, Sir.” Seeing his awkward expression, Cheng Yishi chuckled softly. “Since we’re starting over, I’ll compete with them fairly. Just bring them along.”
But her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Hehe, I’ll make sure to… treat them well.”
Lin Tianlu’s smile froze slightly.
Miss Cheng’s personality wouldn’t change overnight.
And now, their relationship… seemed even more complicated.
…
After dropping Cheng Yishi off at the Cheng residence, they exchanged a few more words and said goodbye.
Although the maid’s gaze as she left…
Was quite suggestive.
…
The morning sun shone brightly.
Back at his residence, Lin Tianlu sat in the pavilion, a puzzled look on his face.
He closed his eyes and focused inward, sensing the surging flow of spiritual energy within his body. It seemed even stronger now, tinged with a faint golden and silver hue.
He raised his right hand, and the amount of spiritual energy he could gather had increased severalfold, forming a ball of light the size of half his fist.
As for the solitary white lotus on Mount Taiyi within him, although it had closed its petals shyly, its size had also increased slightly.
Lin Tianlu’s expression was strange as he murmured, “I didn’t expect that after a night of intimacy, my cultivation would improve so much. Could it be that this spiritual energy and destiny I stumbled upon are related to some kind of demonic or evil cultivation method, specifically designed for that kind of activity?”
He glanced at the fantasy novel beside him…
Suddenly, it seemed bland and uninteresting.
Perhaps this was the so-called “post-nut clarity”?
Lin Tianlu chuckled to himself.
Or maybe it was because he had stopped suppressing his desires and emotions, allowing his mind to break through?
The path of a cultivator was about following one’s heart… Of course, it had to be within the boundaries of law and morality. He couldn’t commit any crimes, or he would become a lawless villain.
If Hua Shuya found out, she would be disappointed and probably drag him to the authorities with her sword.
“Hmm?”
The sound of footsteps approaching.
Lin Tianlu turned his head and saw a small figure emerging from the corridor. It was the black-haired girl he had rescued from the Li residence last night.
The girl quickly approached and bowed. “Thank you for saving me, Sir. I was exhausted and unconscious last night. I haven’t had the chance to express my gratitude.”
“There’s no need for such formality, Miss. It was just a small effort.”
Lin Tianlu looked at her with surprise, noticing her petite figure and slightly chubby cheeks, like a young girl who hadn’t fully matured yet. But she was quite beautiful, with a good figure. Upon closer inspection, she possessed a unique charm.
“My name is Mo Danyan. May I know your name, Sir?”
“I am Lin Tianlu.”
Lin Tianlu bowed slightly, then a thought suddenly occurred to him. “Your surname is Mo, Miss, and you’re skilled with a sword. Do you happen to know an elderly man named Mo Hong?”
Mo Danyan was stunned. “You know my great-grandfather?”
“Great-grandfather?”
Lin Tianlu was also surprised.
This girl was Mo Hong’s descendant?
“I met Old Master Mo Hong once. We’re acquaintances.”
Mo Danyan’s expression turned serious. “If you’re a friend of my great-grandfather, then I apologize for my previous rudeness, Sir.”
She bowed deeply.
Lin Tianlu was a bit speechless.
Why did it sound like he was also a hundred years old?
“But I’m curious, Miss Mo, why are you in Changling County?”
Mo Danyan replied seriously, “My great-grandfather sent me a letter, suggesting I visit this place. He said there might be an opportunity for me here and told me to seize it. But the terrifying thunder a few days ago scared me, and I’ve just been wandering around the county aimlessly.”
That thunder had been truly terrifying. Even though the storm had passed, it had left a lasting impression on her.
For the first time in her life, she had felt the insignificance and helplessness of a mortal. Her confidence had been shaken, her mind filled with uncertainty. And since the letter hadn’t specified what this opportunity was, she didn’t know what to do, just wandering around Changling County without a purpose.
“I didn’t expect Old Master Mo to have invited you here.”
Lin Tianlu shook his head with a chuckle. “But why were you controlled by a ghost, Miss Mo?”
Mo Danyan’s face flushed with embarrassment, and she mumbled, “I encountered a woman lying injured in an old house. It seemed like she had sprained her ankle, so I rushed over to help.
But before I could speak, countless ghostly figures appeared in the house. I tried to resist, but I was no match for them. They took over my body.”
That female ghost from last night had actually resorted to such a trick?
Lin Tianlu pondered for a moment. “How many times have you encountered such ghosts in your life, Miss Mo?”
“…Only twice.” Mo Danyan’s face darkened as she recalled the unpleasant memories. “The first time was three years ago. This time was much more dangerous.”
Lin Tianlu asked, “Do you know anything about ghosts, Miss Mo? I’m quite curious about these creatures.”
Mo Danyan shook her head. “I don’t know much. No one knows where they come from or why they exist. Their existence is shrouded in mystery. There are some folk tales and superstitions, but they’re mostly just speculation.
Perhaps my great-grandfather knows more, having traveled extensively, but I’m truly ignorant.”
“I see.”
Lin Tianlu pondered inwardly.
This world was indeed different from what he had imagined.
The locals, no, perhaps the people of this entire country, didn’t have a clear understanding of demons, ghosts, and monsters. Even someone like Mo Danyan, from a prominent family, didn’t know much about them, let alone ordinary people.
But these ghosts existed, and they were even roaming freely in towns and cities.
It was a strange and disturbing thought.
“You seem to have something on your mind, Miss Mo.” Lin Tianlu quickly snapped back to reality and smiled gently. “Why don’t you tell me?”
Mo Danyan hesitated. “I… I don’t know how to say it.”
“There’s no need to be so formal.”
Lin Tianlu poured her a cup of tea. “Although Old Master Mo and I are just acquaintances, we do have a connection. If it’s something I can help with, I’ll do my best.”
Mo Danyan hesitated for a moment, then her face flushed red as she bowed deeply. “Please, Sir, take me as your disciple!”
“…”
Lin Tianlu’s smile froze, and he almost spilled his tea.
Another disciple?
The memory of last night’s encounter was still fresh in his mind.
Taking on a disciple was truly an eventful experience. And now…
What had that old man Mo Hong written in his letter?
“I know my cultivation is low, and I’m still young. But after you saved me yesterday, Sir, I was amazed by your power. Now, I just want to… learn from you!”
As he was still in shock, Mo Danyan seemed to have mustered her courage. She bowed deeply, her forehead almost touching the ground.
Thump!
And then, she slammed her head against the stone table.
“Ouch—”
She clutched her forehead, tears welling up in her eyes. She looked so adorable.
Lin Tianlu: “…”
Mo Hong and Mo Danyan were truly cut from the same cloth.
They were both quite clumsy.
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