After Failing to Find Immortality 74

Chapter 74: A Gift of Affection, A Journey to Nanfeng

“Master Lin!”

A voice called out from afar, making Lin Tianlu turn around.

A young girl was running towards them, her face flushed, her breath coming in short gasps.

Lin Tianlu looked at her with a puzzled expression. “I’m sorry, Miss, but…”

“It’s you, Master Lin!” The girl’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as she looked him up and down, then glanced at Hua Shuya beside him, her jaw dropping.

“S-she’s so beautiful… Oh, right!”

She slapped her cheek lightly and quickly handed him a handkerchief. “Please accept this, Master Lin.”

“This is…”

“It’s a handkerchief embroidered by Sister Ren.” The girl smiled sweetly. “She couldn’t come herself, so she asked me to deliver it. She hopes you’ll keep it as a memento, Sir, and she’ll visit you soon.”

Lin Tianlu was a bit surprised.

But looking at the delicate flowers embroidered on the handkerchief, he chuckled softly and bowed. “Thank you, Miss. Please tell Miss Ren that I’ll gladly accept her gift and will prepare a proper welcome for her when she visits.”

“I’ll definitely deliver your message, Sir!”

The girl smiled and curtsied. “Then I won’t disturb you any longer. Have a safe journey, Master Lin and Miss.”

“Farewell.”

Lin Tianlu bowed in return and continued on his way with Hua Shuya.

“…”

After watching them leave, the girl sighed in admiration. “Sister Ren has good taste. This scholar truly has a unique aura, so different from ordinary men. His speech is gentle and refined, just a few words, and he makes you feel at ease. I can’t help but like him.”

“And the girl beside him, she just glanced at us, she didn’t try to stop him… Could it be that they’re not a couple, or perhaps she’s not the jealous type?”

The girl pondered for a moment, then dismissed the thought.

“Woohoo~ I can’t wait to tell Sister Ren!”

She cheered happily and ran back towards the Spring Surge Workshop.

…

As they left Ganchang Village, Hua Shuya glanced at the handkerchief tucked away in Lin Tianlu’s robe and said softly, “It seems that Miss Ren, whom we haven’t met, is quite fond of you, Senior.”

“She’s a woman of strong emotions.” Lin Tianlu raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you jealous, Miss Hua?”

“She’s had a difficult life. To receive guidance from you, Senior, is a blessing.”

Hua Shuya adjusted her backpack, her voice serious. “I wouldn’t do anything to spoil the mood.”

Lin Tianlu chuckled softly.

“You’re so understanding, Miss Hua.”

“I-it’s just my duty, Senior.”

Hua Shuya quickly averted her gaze, her face flushing slightly, and quickened her pace.

…

Two days passed in a blink of an eye.

They had traveled dozens of miles and finally arrived in Nanfeng County.

This place was indeed more prosperous and lively than Ganchang Village, comparable to Changling County.

As they walked through the bustling main street, they even saw a martial arts competition for a bride’s hand in marriage, a sight that both Lin Tianlu and Hua Shuya, who had never witnessed such a thing before, found quite entertaining.

Of course, they were just curious onlookers.

The woman competing for marriage was rather plain-looking. But perhaps because she came from a wealthy family, there were quite a few men eager to participate.

After watching for a while, Lin Tianlu lost interest. The woman’s martial arts skills were just for show. If she actually fought those men, it would be more like a choreographed dance.

You strike, I block, back and forth, like a polite exchange at a dinner party.

It would be more exciting if Guo Jing or Yang Guo were here.

…

“Senior, it seems there’s a crowd up ahead.”

Hua Shuya pointed towards the distance.

Lin Tianlu put down the hairpin he had been examining at a street stall and followed her gaze. A large crowd had gathered, blocking the street, their voices a cacophony of noise.

“Could something be happening?”

“You two aren’t from around here, are you?” The middle-aged stall owner asked curiously. “You seem unfamiliar with Nanfeng County.”

Lin Tianlu nodded slightly. “We’re from Xima Prefecture.”

“I see.”

The stall owner chuckled. “That’s the residence of Magistrate Li of Nanfeng County.”

“The magistrate’s residence?”

Lin Tianlu was even more curious. “Why are there so many people gathered there? Aren’t they afraid of angering the magistrate?”

No one would allow such a commotion in front of their house, right?

Especially a high-ranking official.

“It’s a long story.”

The stall owner clicked his tongue. “I heard that the magistrate’s daughter fell ill a few years ago and hasn’t been able to leave the house. She’s been confined to her room ever since. And there’s a scholar in the county, a talented young man, who was invited by the magistrate to tutor his daughter.

But as they spent time together, it seems the magistrate’s daughter fell in love with the scholar. He wanted to propose marriage, but the magistrate refused… And now it’s turned into this ridiculous situation.”

Lin Tianlu’s expression turned strange. “That sounds complicated.”

“Indeed. Only those involved know the truth. The rest of us are just here for the gossip.”

“Aren’t you going to take a look?”

“There’s nothing to see. I’m not interested in the affairs of young people. I just want to take advantage of the crowd and attract more customers, earn some money.” The stall owner chuckled. “I have a family to feed. I don’t have time for such trivial matters. Whether the magistrate’s daughter and the scholar end up together has nothing to do with me.”

He carefully picked up the hairpin Lin Tianlu had been looking at.

“Sir, you were interested in this…”

“These three.” Lin Tianlu pointed at three beautifully crafted hairpins. “How much?”

“Twenty copper coins.”

“Oh? Your prices are quite reasonable.”

“Hehe, don’t worry about the quality, Sir. These hairpins are all hand-carved by my wife. I guarantee they’re all well-made.” The stall owner’s face was filled with pride. “We can’t cheat our customers. The prices have to be fair. That’s what my wife taught me.”

Lin Tianlu chuckled. “You’re an honest man.”

He paid for the hairpins and put them away.

“Your wife is quite skilled. You should cherish her, working so hard for your family.”

“Of course!” The man chuckled, his smile sincere and simple.

…

After walking for a while, Lin Tianlu turned to Hua Shuya, who had been unusually quiet.

“Miss Hua?”

“Eh?”

Hua Shuya snapped back to reality. “S-Senior, what is it?”

“You seemed lost in thought. Is something bothering you?”

“N-no, I was just distracted.”

Seeing her trying to act calm, Lin Tianlu chuckled softly and handed her the hairpins he had just bought.

“I was planning to find a box for them and give them to you later, but seeing you so troubled, I thought this might help.”

Hua Shuya’s eyes widened as she took the hairpins.

After a moment of silence, her face flushed crimson, and she clutched the hairpins to her chest, her voice filled with embarrassment. “Senior, I’m so sorry. I was being greedy. I didn’t mean to make you misunderstand…”

“It’s alright. It was my fault.”

Lin Tianlu chuckled awkwardly.

Buying gifts for a young girl in front of her was indeed inconsiderate. No wonder she had overthought it.

“I was being silly. But…” Hua Shuya mumbled shyly, brushing her hair back. “Thank you for the gift, Senior.”

As if embarrassed, she quickly changed the subject.

“Senior, look, there’s an academy over there.”

“Hmm?”

Lin Tianlu glanced in the direction she was pointing and saw a group of young scholars gathered in the courtyard of an elegant, traditional-style academy. They were looking at strips of paper hanging on a wooden board, their faces troubled, their hands on their foreheads, their fans clutched tightly.

“These couplets are truly profound and difficult to understand. No one has been able to answer them correctly, even after two days.”

“So difficult! These twelve questions are incredibly challenging!”

“Whoever can answer them all, we must address them as the ‘Number One Scholar of Nanfeng’.”

…

Whispers and murmurs filled the air.

It seemed like there was a poetry competition going on at the academy.

Many townspeople had gathered to watch, creating a lively atmosphere. After listening for a while, Lin Tianlu understood that the academy had issued some challenging questions for the scholars of Nanfeng County to test their skills. The winner would gain fame and recognition.

“Would you like to go and take a look, Senior?”

“I’ll pass.” Lin Tianlu chuckled. “I’m not interested in poetry, especially compared to these experts.”

He wasn’t a scholar competing for fame. Going there would just be a waste of time.

“But your knowledge is also very…”

“Miss Hua, knowledge isn’t meant for showing off or competing with others. It’s about enriching your mind and broadening your horizons. That’s the true value of learning.”

Lin Tianlu said casually, “Like those Confucian classics I asked you to read, the principles within them can help you improve your martial arts. It has nothing to do with others.”

Hua Shuya nodded seriously. “You’re right, Senior.”

“You have a wise perspective, young man.”

A warm voice came from beside them. They turned and saw an elderly man with a kind smile, bowing to them.

“I didn’t expect someone so young to have such insights. It’s truly admirable.”

Lin Tianlu bowed in return, smiling. “Those were just the words of a lazy man. Young people should strive to achieve great things.”

“You’re too modest, young man.”

The old man shook his head, then looked puzzled. “But you two seem to be carrying luggage. You’re not from Nanfeng, are you? Where are you headed?”

“We’re going to Jade Peak Mountain in He’an Village.” Lin Tianlu chuckled softly. “Do you know anything about that place, Sir?”

“Jade Peak Mountain?”

The old man’s expression turned serious. “That place is quite dangerous. The path is difficult to find without a guide.”

“We’ll be careful.”

“Be cautious, young man.”

They exchanged a few more words, then parted ways.

A moment later, a middle-aged man in a brocade robe emerged from the academy, his voice urgent. “Master Yuan, why did you suddenly leave? All the talented scholars of Nanfeng are gathered here. It’s the perfect opportunity to find some promising students.”

“The atmosphere in the academy was too stuffy. I couldn’t stand it.”

Yuan Hong stroked his beard and smiled faintly. “I just happened to encounter a young man with an extraordinary aura. We chatted for a bit.”

“Extraordinary?”

“Indeed.” Yuan Hong’s gaze was distant. “His aura… I’m ashamed to say I can’t compare to him.”

The middle-aged man looked surprised and followed his gaze, but he couldn’t find anyone.