Chapter 53 - After Failing to Find Immortality

"Mr. Lin! Could you come over for a moment? I have some matters I'd like to discuss." The sudden, familiar voice caused Lin Tianlu to pause. He quickly set his book aside and turned to see Mao Ruoyu standing in the corridor, her face stern. Not far away, Mo Duanyan, who was also deeply immersed in her reading, instinctively turned to look. Her eyes widened, utterly captivated by Mao Ruoyu's striking figure. It seemed this sight was profoundly shocking for the young girl. Lin Tianlu cleared his throat gently. "Miss Mo, please continue your reading. I have some matters to attend to." "Y-Yes!" Mo Duanyan nodded repeatedly. As the two of them walked away, Mo Duanyan blinked her watery eyes, deep in thought. ... "Sir, why is there a lingering presence of yin energy in this courtyard?" The moment they reached the back courtyard, Mao Ruoyu got straight to the point. "Could it be that a vengeful spirit or fierce ghost attacked last night?" "That's not the case." Lin Tianlu felt a bit awkward. "Madam Mao, do you remember that Miss Cheng?" "Miss Cheng...?" Mao Ruoyu seemed to realize something, her eyes gradually widening. Suddenly, she stepped closer urgently. "Sir, are you unwell? Any pain, numbness, or chest tightness?" Lin Tianlu was taken aback by her reaction. "Why is Madam Mao asking such questions?" "That woman is filled with yin energy, unlike a living person. If you rashly engaged with her, your yang energy might be damaged, causing serious illness!" Mao Ruoyu's expression was growing more anxious. Lin Tianlu was stunned for a moment, then quickly reassured her. "Please, don't worry, Madam Mao. My yang energy is strong enough to handle such yin disturbances. Although Miss Cheng has an abundance of yin energy, she is still alive and poses no danger as you fear." Mao Ruoyu's expression softened. It was then that she realized the man's yang energy was unusually vigorous, likely rendering ordinary yin energy completely ineffective. She exhaled in relief. "I'm glad you're unharmed, sir." Lin Tianlu pondered for a moment. "Madam Mao, it seems you have some idea of what happened last night." "I... figured it out." Mao Ruoyu's face flushed slightly, and she turned her head away, speaking softly. "The lingering yin energy in the air had a peculiar sweetness to it. Just a small analysis, and I knew what transpired in this courtyard last night." Lin Tianlu chuckled awkwardly. "Last night, Miss Cheng and I..." "I understand." Mao Ruoyu abruptly interrupted, her expression turning more intense. "That Miss Cheng must have intentionally seduced you. Even from a distance, I could sense she harbored ill intentions. Now it appears she really carried out such shameless actions!" Lin Tianlu felt a headache coming on and quickly explained, "It's not what you think, Madam Mao. Though Miss Cheng did offer herself, I did not refuse at the time." Mao Ruoyu's beautiful eyes widened slightly, murmuring, "Sir, does that mean you and Miss Cheng have mutual feelings?" "Mutual feelings might be putting it too strongly... Miss Cheng has been quite affectionate towards me, and I... succumbed to momentary desire..." "Mr. Lin, could you tell me — how you and Miss Cheng met and came to know each other?" Mao Ruoyu's eyes shone with unprecedented seriousness. Despite his embarrassment, Lin Tianlu recounted the entire story. As she listened, Mao Ruoyu occasionally frowned and pondered deeply. By the time the tale was finished, she wore a complicated expression, lifting her gaze to him with a slightly resentful look. "This action... was rather rash, sir." "Your criticism is deserved, Madam Mao." Lin Tianlu didn't argue, bowing his head respectfully. "I will bear the consequences of my actions, and I promise—" "How could you do something so shameful in the courtyard?" "Eh?" Lin Tianlu was momentarily stunned, looking at the blushing beauty in front of him, unsure of what to say. "Madam?" "Even if Miss Cheng offered herself, you should have taken her indoors." Mao Ruoyu seemed to forcefully suppress her shyness, seriously instructing, "Matters between men and women are serious and shouldn't be conducted in the open. If discovered, her reputation and yours would be ruined!" Lin Tianlu was taken aback. "Madam, are you saying..." "There's no need to be nervous, sir. I'm not a narrow-minded person." Mao Ruoyu looked down coyly, murmuring, "Miss Cheng has a pitiful background. It's understandable that you would feel sympathy for her. How can any man resist when a beauty offers herself? You are at the peak of your youth... I hold no grudge against you." "As for my feelings toward you—" At this point, she lifted her watery, tender eyes, filled with a myriad of emotions, giving a slight smile. "I trust your character and am willing to continue living with you." Lin Tianlu smiled wryly, feeling deeply appreciative. "I've been too foolish before." "At least you understand now." Mao Ruoyu quickly tried to cool her reddening face. But soon, her gaze turned steely again, her expression darkened. "Even if Miss Cheng has a tragic past, to visit at midnight and seduce you... that shows a lack of virtue. Tonight, I must have a good talk with her!" Lin Tianlu laughed awkwardly. "Please, be merciful, Madam Mao." "Don't worry, sir." Mao Ruoyu's smile returned, soft and lovely. "I'll only instruct her properly. I know my limits." Though her smile was beautiful and gentle, Lin Tianlu couldn't shake the feeling of a chill down his spine. Seeing his stiff smile, Mao Ruoyu's gaze softened, her voice turning tender. "Besides, I... am also willing..." "Madam?" "It's nothing!" Mao Ruoyu shook her head quickly, her cheeks flushed, clearly trying to change the subject as she lifted the clothes she was holding. "Sir, this outfit was specially tailored for you. Could you try it on to see if it fits?" She unfolded the neatly folded garments, revealing a refined and elegant embroidered robe. "Your care for me... truly, I..." "After all this time together, there's no need for such formality." Mao Ruoyu gave a whimsical smile, bringing the robe closer. "Plus, didn't Miss Cheng invite us to the Ascendant Pavilion tonight for dinner and moon-gazing? I noticed your wardrobe has only a couple of scholar's robes, which seem too plain. You need something more suitable." "You're too kind, Madam Mao." Lin Tianlu gratefully accepted, carefully donning the robe. After fastening the last button, he spread his arms and nodded. "Madam has an excellent eye. It fits perfectly." "......" At that moment, Mao Ruoyu seemed somewhat dazed. Lin Tianlu frowned slightly, calling softly, "Madam Mao?" "Hmm... Ah?" Mao Ruoyu snapped out of her daze, her eyes sparkling with joy. "After spending half a month together, I never realized how handsome and dashing you are, sir." Lin Tianlu chuckled awkwardly. Handsome or not, he never really cared, as his face hadn't changed since his reincarnation. However, Mao Ruoyu's heart fluttered a bit. To her, Lin Tianlu usually wore simple, white scholar's robes, giving him an aura of gentle elegance. But now, in this festive attire, his handsome features stood out, exuding a grand and imposing presence. "Ahem! Madam Mao, do you have your evening attire ready? If not, I can..." "I've already prepared." Mao Ruoyu covered her mouth with a giggle. "Don't worry, sir. I'll take care of everything. You can focus on instructing this little sister. I'll go check on Miss Hua." "Thank you, Madam Mao." Lin Tianlu carefully removed the robe, folding it neatly before handing it back to her. "It's no trouble at all." Mao Ruoyu chuckled softly, her slender figure drifting away. Lin Tianlu let out a long sigh, feeling a bit of the burden on his mind lift. Madam Mao's graciousness filled him with even more gratitude. "Ah, by the way!" Just then, Mao Ruoyu stopped and turned back, her face flushing. "Sir, please avoid intimate relations with Miss Cheng from now on. If it becomes unbearable, perhaps... we could play some music together to ease your desires." "......" Lin Tianlu's lips twitched, laughing awkwardly. ... In the pavilion. Mo Duanyan set her book down with a troubled expression. "Sir, the later parts of the book are quite difficult to understand..." "That's enough for today." Lin Tianlu smiled, closing the book in her hands. "The point of reading these books is not to master them in one day but to calm your mind and stimulate your thoughts. It will benefit your practice." As he spoke, he strolled over to a flower bed, plucking a slender branch and tossing it to her. "Show me your most practiced sword technique." "O-Okay!" Mo Duanyan quickly stood, inhaled deeply, and began to move with vigor, swinging the branch with all her might. Even though it wasn't a real sword, under the influence of internal energy, her moves were still formidable. The forceful winds created by her strikes rippled through the air, each move crisp and clean, clearly honed through years of meticulous practice. After finishing with a powerful thrust, Mo Duanyan exhaled deeply, turning to look at Lin Tianlu not far away. "Sir..." "That's enough." Lin Tianlu smiled as he accepted the branch the young girl handed to him, his expression pensive as he quickly recalled each move he had just witnessed. Though he hadn't spent years mastering martial arts like these practitioners, his spirit energy protected him, and his mind was sharp and clear. With just a moment’s thought, he had already memorized the sword techniques he had just seen. After a brief contemplation, he raised his wrist and began to silently replicate the sword moves. Though his motions were smooth and gentle, each move was precise and vividly clear. Mo Duanyan felt a flicker of confusion. "Is this what you intend to teach me, sir...?" Her curiosity piqued, she quickly suppressed her confusion and began to carefully observe the subtleties and essence of the soft sword techniques. Upon closer inspection, she noticed a remarkable natural fluidity to the moves. The transition from one move to another seemed seamless and perfectly coordinated. The more she watched, the more astonished she became, her right hand—habitually used for wielding a sword—trembling slightly as if she held a real sword that resonated and hummed in her grip. The swordsmanship truth she had been tirelessly pursuing... seemed to be right before her eyes! Ting—— A crisp resonance echoed, snapping Mo Duanyan back to the present. It was then that she realized Lin Tianlu had returned to her side, still smiling. "Hold on to this sword." As he spoke, he gently handed the branch back to her. Mo Duanyan, partly understanding and partly puzzled, raised her hand to accept it, her pupils shrinking as a wave of realization hit her. Closing her eyes abruptly, she breathed heavily, her delicate frame surrounded by ascending tendrils of heat. Most strikingly, a shadow of a blue lotus silently bloomed behind her, diffusing with the rising warmth. "Hmm?" Seeing this unusual sight, Lin Tianlu was somewhat taken aback. This scene... why did it feel so familiar?