Chapter 52: A Young Prodigy
“Miss Mo, you…”
“I-I’m fine!” Mo Danyan rubbed her slightly red forehead and quickly shook her head. “I have thick skin and strong bones. It’s just a bump on the table, it’s nothing.”
“…”
Had this girl bumped into even harder things before… Was she practicing Iron Head Kung Fu?
Lin Tianlu chuckled helplessly.
“Please be more careful, Miss Mo.”
After a moment of thought, he said seriously, “But as for taking you as my disciple, let’s discuss that later.”
Mo Danyan’s body stiffened, and her expression dimmed.
“…I apologize for my impulsiveness, Sir. I’ve made things awkward.”
She bit her lip, her head bowed, her pitiful expression quite endearing.
“Don’t be sad, Miss Mo. Although I’m not accepting any disciples at the moment, I’m happy to offer some hospitality to a friend’s great-granddaughter. It’s no trouble at all.”
Lin Tianlu smiled gently. “If you have any difficulties, I’ll help you as an elder.”
Mo Danyan’s eyes lit up with joy, and she smiled sweetly. “Thank you, Mr. Lin!”
She bowed politely again, her demeanor truly adorable.
But Lin Tianlu still had a question.
“Miss Mo, how old are you?”
Mo Danyan blinked her bright eyes. “I’m twelve years old, Sir.”
“Cough!”
Lin Tianlu almost choked on his tea.
Twelve years old?!
This girl clearly looked like a young woman, although her face was still somewhat childish. But her figure was well-developed, and her martial arts skills were impressive… She was really only twelve?!
“S-Sir, are you alright?” Mo Danyan asked, her voice filled with concern.
“I’m fine.”
Lin Tianlu quickly waved his hand, his expression a bit strange.
Did girls mature so quickly in this era?
No, wait. According to ancient customs, girls were often married off at the age of twelve or thirteen. It wasn’t that unusual for this girl to have a mature figure… But then again, girls in modern times also matured quite early.
Could it be that he had simply spent too little time around girls in his youth and hadn’t noticed?
Thinking back on his thirty-plus years of life across two lifetimes, his teenage years had been spent either studying diligently or hanging out with his friends. He hadn’t had time for “silly girls.”
After all, girls can’t compare to video games and the Five Classics.
Remembering his arrogant and self-assured younger self, Lin Tianlu sighed inwardly.
He had been so shallow and naive.
“Ahem!”
He cleared his throat, banishing those thoughts, and continued, “Miss Mo, you’re only twelve years old, and yet your martial arts cultivation is already approaching the Pure Yang realm?”
He didn’t have a clear understanding of the general level of martial arts in this world. His only points of reference were Hua Shuya and Mo Hong.
Compared to Hua Shuya when she first arrived on Mount Taiyi, this girl… could she be a true prodigy?
Mo Danyan smiled proudly, then quickly composed herself and replied respectfully, “Yes, Sir. I’ve been receiving guidance from the elders in our sect since childhood, and I’ve also been personally instructed by my great-grandfather. That’s why I’ve reached this level.”
“Sect?”
Lin Tianlu raised an eyebrow. “Are you a member of a sect, Miss Mo?”
“It’s a sect founded by my great-great-grandfather, called the Heavenly Path Sect. Although it’s technically a family sect, we occasionally accept talented disciples. It’s quite prestigious in the Fengchen Kingdom.”
“And Old Master Mo Hong…”
“My great-grandfather is the former sect leader, but he stepped down a long time ago and has been traveling the world, seeking enlightenment.” Mo Danyan clasped her hands before her, her voice formal. “The current sect leader is my father, Sir.”
There were actually sects in this world… But they were different from what he had imagined.
Lin Tianlu pondered.
So Old Man Mo Hong was a martial arts master, the leader of a sect?
But he had seemed like an ordinary martial artist, not someone with spiritual energy or earth-shattering powers… Although his voice had been quite loud, almost disturbing the neighbors.
“Do you know anything about immortal sects, Miss Mo?”
“Immortal sects?”
Mo Danyan chuckled softly. “There are no such things as immortals in this world… Uh.”
But she quickly stopped herself, a shiver running down her spine.
She remembered the terrifying thunder she had witnessed a few days ago, its destructive power unforgettable. And then, the encounter with the ghost had made her realize the fragility of a mortal body.
Perhaps there were truly immortal sects in this world…
She shook her head. “I’m not aware of any immortal sects in the Fengchen Kingdom, Sir. You’re the first transcendent master I’ve ever met.”
“Thank you for your answer, Miss Mo.”
Lin Tianlu pondered.
It seemed there were indeed no immortal sects in this world, or at least they were hidden from the public. Instead, it was a world dominated by mortal martial artists.
“Well, let’s not dwell on that. Since you’ve come all this way, Miss Mo, let me give you a small gift.”
Mo Danyan’s eyes lit up. “You’re so kind, Sir. I…”
“Here, I just finished this recently.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and picked up a few scrolls from the stack of books beside him.
Mo Danyan’s eyes widened as she took the scrolls and saw the title written on them.
—Three Hundred Tang Poems
“Tang poems… from which dynasty?”
“Just consider it a general term, Miss Mo.” Lin Tianlu smiled faintly. “Reading these poems will cultivate your literary taste and appreciation.”
“Oh, oh…”
Mo Danyan nodded obediently, her face a bit dazed.
—Eh?
So her great-grandfather had sent her to Changling County to find enlightenment, not to learn martial arts…
But to learn literature?
…
On the street outside…
Mao Ruoyu was walking home, carrying a few sets of newly tailored clothes.
With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, she had naturally bought new clothes and some fruits and snacks.
But…
“This year’s Mid-Autumn Festival will be different.”
She looked ahead, a soft smile on her lips.
In previous years, she had always spent the festival alone in her cold and empty house, fiddling with her Yin techniques and medicinal herbs.
But now, her life had changed dramatically in just half a month. Even just a few casual conversations and jokes with Lin Tianlu were enough to fill her heart with joy.
This was a warmth she had never experienced in her twenty years of life, a dream come true.
“I wonder if these new clothes will fit Sir.” Mao Ruoyu clutched the garments tightly, her happiness evident.
Naturally, she had also bought a new outfit for Hua Shuya. After the feast, the three of them could stroll along the Moon Bridge in the center of Changling County and enjoy the beautiful moonlit scenery.
“Madam Mao, the festival is approaching. You seem quite cheerful.”
A gentle voice came from behind her. Looking up, she saw a familiar old man walking towards her, bowing politely.
“Old Master Nie.” Mao Ruoyu quickly curtsied.
“Let me offer you my early greetings for the festival, Madam Mao.” Nie Qingyuan chuckled. “But could you please convey a message to Master Lin for me?”
Mao Ruoyu nodded slightly. “Please speak, Old Master.”
“Ever since my grandson received the study guide and practice questions from Master Lin, I’ve heard him screaming and wailing while studying, day and night. He even started crying and banging his head on the floor, tearing up books and scrolls. It’s been quite chaotic at home.”
Mao Ruoyu: “???”
What… what had happened?
She panicked. “Old Master Nie, Mr. Lin didn’t mean to—”
“Don’t worry, Madam Mao, I’m not here to complain.”
Nie Qingyuan stroked his beard and laughed heartily. “My grandson is quite arrogant. After reading a few books, he started thinking he was the smartest person in the world, looking down on his peers.
Master Lin’s questions have truly humbled him, forcing him to face his weaknesses. He’s much more subdued now and has started studying diligently again. I’m quite pleased with his change of heart.”
“And those essays and poems are full of insightful references. Master Lin’s literary skills are truly extraordinary. I’m ashamed that he took the time to create such a masterpiece for my grandson, despite his busy schedule.”
Mao Ruoyu sighed in relief, a gentle smile appearing on her face. She curtsied. “I’ll convey your message to Mr. Lin, Old Master.”
“Then I won’t disturb you any longer, Madam Mao. Please continue on your way.”
Nie Qingyuan smiled and bowed.
…
Watching the old man walk away, Mao Ruoyu’s eyes were filled with surprise.
She knew of Nie Qingyuan’s reputation, but for such a learned scholar to praise someone so highly…
Master Lin was truly extraordinary.
She smiled proudly, her steps quickening.
As she reached her house and pushed open the gate, she let out a soft exclamation.
She saw Lin Tianlu sitting in the pavilion with a woman, reciting poetry?
Had Sir opened a private school in his home?
She was puzzled and was about to enter the courtyard to ask, but then she froze.
There was… a strange, lingering Yin energy here!
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