Chapter 53: A Tender Heart, The Azure Lotus Sword
“Mr. Lin! Could you come here for a moment? I need to speak with you.”
Mao Ruoyu’s voice, laced with a hint of urgency, startled Lin Tianlu. He quickly put down his book and turned to see her standing in the corridor, her expression serious.
Mo Danyan, who had been diligently studying, also looked up.
Her eyes widened as she took in Mao Ruoyu’s impressive figure.
It seemed to have shaken her worldview.
Lin Tianlu coughed lightly. “Miss Mo, please continue with your studies. I have something to attend to.”
“O-okay!” Mo Danyan nodded quickly.
But as they left, she blinked her bright eyes, lost in thought.
…
“Sir, why is there Yin energy lingering in the courtyard?”
As soon as they reached the backyard, Mao Ruoyu asked directly. “Was there a ghost attack last night?”
“No, it wasn’t that.”
Lin Tianlu felt a bit awkward. “Do you remember Miss Cheng, Madam Mao?”
“Miss Cheng…?”
Mao Ruoyu’s eyes widened as realization dawned upon her.
She quickly approached him, her voice filled with concern. “Are you alright, Sir? Are you feeling any pain, numbness, or tightness in your chest?”
Lin Tianlu was taken aback by her reaction. “Why are you asking me these questions, Madam Mao?”
“That woman is filled with Yin energy, she’s not fully alive. If you were intimate with her, your Yang energy might be weakened, leading to serious illness!” Mao Ruoyu’s voice was laced with anxiety.
Lin Tianlu froze for a moment, then quickly reassured her. “Don’t worry, Madam Mao, my Yang energy is strong. It won’t be affected by a bit of Yin energy. And although Miss Cheng possesses a lot of Yin energy, she’s still alive. It’s not as dangerous as you think.”
Mao Ruoyu’s expression softened.
She had just realized that the man’s Yang energy was incredibly potent. Ordinary Yin energy wouldn’t even make a dent.
She sighed in relief. “I’m glad you’re alright, Sir.”
Lin Tianlu pondered for a moment. “Madam Mao, it seems you know what happened last night.”
“I… sensed it.” Mao Ruoyu blushed, turning her head slightly. “The Yin energy in the air was quite unusual. It had a sweet scent to it. I could tell that… there had been some intimacy in the courtyard last night.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled awkwardly. “Last night, Miss Cheng and I…”
“I understand.”
Mao Ruoyu interrupted him, her expression serious. “She must have seduced you, Sir. I could tell from afar that she had ulterior motives. And now she’s actually done such a… shameless thing!”
Lin Tianlu sighed, feeling a headache coming on. He quickly explained, “It wasn’t like that, Madam Mao. Although Miss Cheng did offer herself to me, I didn’t exactly refuse.”
Mao Ruoyu’s eyes widened slightly. “Sir, are you in love with Miss Cheng?”
“Love is a strong word… She’s attracted to me, and I was overcome by desire…”
“Mr. Lin, could you tell me… how you met and got to know Miss Cheng?”
Mao Ruoyu’s eyes were filled with an unprecedented seriousness.
Lin Tianlu, although embarrassed, recounted the events in detail.
The beautiful woman listened intently, her brows furrowing occasionally, her expression thoughtful.
After he had finished, she sighed softly, a hint of resentment in her eyes.
“Sir, that was… rather reckless.”
“You’re right, Madam Mao.” Lin Tianlu didn’t try to defend himself. He bowed seriously. “I’ll take full responsibility for the consequences of my actions. I will—”
“How… how could you do such a thing in the courtyard, Sir?”
“Eh?”
Lin Tianlu was stunned, looking at the blushing woman before him, unable to comprehend her words.
“Madam?”
“Even if Miss Cheng offered herself willingly, you should have taken her to your room, Sir.” Mao Ruoyu said seriously, as if trying to suppress her embarrassment. “Such matters should be handled with discretion. How could you do it in the open like that… If someone had seen you, both your reputations would be ruined!”
Lin Tianlu was speechless. “Madam Mao, are you saying…”
“Don’t worry, Sir, I’m not a prude.”
Mao Ruoyu lowered her head shyly, mumbling, “That Cheng girl has a tragic past. It’s natural for you to feel sympathy for her. And with a beautiful woman offering herself, what man could resist? You’re young and full of vigor… I’m not blaming you.”
“As for my feelings for you, Sir—”
She looked up at him, her eyes filled with a seductive charm, and smiled faintly. “I trust you, Sir. And I’m willing to continue living with you.”
Lin Tianlu’s lips twitched, and he bowed apologetically. “I’ve disappointed you with my foolishness, Madam Mao.”
“It’s not too late to realize your mistake, Sir.”
Mao Ruoyu quickly covered her burning cheeks, trying to compose herself.
But her expression quickly turned serious, her voice cold. “Although that Cheng girl has a tragic past, to come here in the middle of the night and seduce you… It’s truly… I’ll have a word with her tonight!”
Lin Tianlu chuckled awkwardly. “Please be gentle with her, Madam Mao.”
“Don’t worry, Sir.”
Mao Ruoyu smiled again. “I’ll just give her some advice. I know my limits.”
Although her smile was gentle and beautiful, Lin Tianlu couldn’t help but feel a chill down his spine.
Seeing his awkward expression, Mao Ruoyu’s gaze softened, and she said softly, “Besides, I’m also willing to…”
“Madam?”
“N-nothing!” Mao Ruoyu quickly shook her head, her cheeks flushing red. She changed the subject, holding up the clothes she was carrying.
“Sir, I had these clothes tailored for you. Why don’t you try them on and see if they fit?”
She unfolded the garments, revealing a long, elegant robe with embroidered clouds.
“You’ve gone through so much trouble for me, Madam. I’m truly…”
“There’s no need for such formality between us.”
Mao Ruoyu smiled playfully and held the robe out to him. “Besides, isn’t Miss Cheng inviting us to the Ascension Immortal Restaurant tonight for dinner and moon gazing? I noticed that you only have a few scholar robes in your wardrobe. You should wear something more appropriate.”
“You’re truly thoughtful, Madam.”
Lin Tianlu accepted the robe gratefully and put it on.
After fastening the buttons, he spread his arms and nodded. “Your taste is impeccable, Madam. It fits perfectly.”
“…”
But Mao Ruoyu looked a bit dazed.
Lin Tianlu frowned and called out softly, “Madam Mao?”
“Hmm… Eh?”
Mao Ruoyu snapped back to reality, her eyes sparkling with surprise. “After spending half a month with you, Sir, I never realized how handsome you are.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled awkwardly.
He had never really cared about his appearance. After all, it was the same face in both worlds.
But Mao Ruoyu’s heart was racing.
She had always seen him in his simple scholar’s robe, his aura gentle and ethereal. But now, wearing this festive attire, his handsome features were accentuated, giving him an air of nobility and confidence.
“Ahem! Have you prepared your outfit for tonight, Madam Mao? If not, I can also…”
“I’ve already prepared everything, Sir.” Mao Ruoyu chuckled softly, covering her lips with her hand. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything. You can focus on instructing this… little sister. I’ll go and check on Miss Hua.”
“Thank you, Madam Mao.” Lin Tianlu carefully took off the robe, folded it, and handed it back to her.
“It’s no trouble at all.”
Mao Ruoyu smiled, her head bowed slightly, and walked away.
Lin Tianlu sighed in relief, feeling the weight on his shoulders lifting.
Madam Mao’s understanding and kindness made him even more grateful.
“Oh, right!”
But Mao Ruoyu suddenly stopped and turned around, her face flushed. “Sir, please don’t… do that with Miss Cheng again. If you can’t control yourself, you can… you can play music with me… to calm your desires.”
“…” Lin Tianlu’s lips twitched, and he chuckled awkwardly.
…
In the pavilion…
Mo Danyan put down her book, her face troubled. “Sir, the later parts of this book are quite difficult…”
“That’s enough for now.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and closed the book. “I didn’t give you these books to expect you to master them in a day. I just wanted you to calm your mind and stimulate your thinking. It will be beneficial for your practice.”
He walked over to the flower bed, broke off a small branch, and tossed it to her.
“Show me your most proficient sword technique.”
“O-okay!”
Mo Danyan quickly stood up, walked to the center of the courtyard, took a deep breath, and began to swing the branch with vigor.
Although it wasn’t a real sword, her movements were still powerful and precise, her internal energy flowing smoothly. Each strike was clean and sharp, clearly honed through years of practice.
After executing the final thrust, Mo Danyan exhaled and turned to Lin Tianlu.
“Sir…”
“That’s enough.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and took the branch from her, his gaze turning serious. The movements he had just witnessed flashed through his mind.
Although he hadn’t practiced martial arts for years like these warriors, his body, infused with spiritual energy, possessed an extraordinary aptitude and comprehension. He had effortlessly memorized the sword technique just by watching her.
After a moment of contemplation, he raised his wrist and began to perform the movements, his pace slow and deliberate, each gesture clear and precise.
Mo Danyan looked puzzled.
“Is this the technique you want to teach me… Eh?”
She quickly silenced her doubts and focused on observing the subtle nuances of his movements.
His swordsmanship was incredibly fluid and natural, each move flowing seamlessly into the next. The more she watched, the more astonished she became. Her right hand, her sword hand, even twitched instinctively, as if she were holding a real sword, its blade humming softly.
The truth of swordsmanship she had been seeking… seemed to be right before her eyes!
Clang—
A soft chime brought her back to reality.
She realized that Lin Tianlu had returned to her side, a smile on his face.
“Hold onto this sword carefully.”
He handed her the branch.
Mo Danyan took it, her eyes widening in shock, her mind reeling.
She closed her eyes, gasping for breath, her body radiating heat.
But the most astonishing thing was the faint image of an azure lotus blooming behind her as the heat dissipated.
“Hmm?”
Lin Tianlu was also surprised by this strange phenomenon.
This scene seemed familiar…
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