Seeking Guidance at Your Doorstep

Hua Shuya retreated repeatedly until her back hit a pillar in the corridor, stopping her steps. She felt a wave of numbness in her arm.

She clicked her tongue inwardly, subtly flexing her sword-wielding hand.

This old man... his power was incredibly profound.

Although he appeared aged, in terms of pure internal energy, he was likely above the Azure Spirit Realm, far surpassing her!

If he hadn't been holding back, and she hadn't seized the moment to unleash a move from the Sword Intent she had only recently begun to grasp, her weapon might have been disarmed within a few moves, leaving her unable to fight.

"I never expected I'd have moments of misjudgment. Young lady, at your age, to possess such cultivation and realm, you are truly formidable." The old man sheathed his sword and stood, saying calmly, "I wonder, was the evil spirit at the cloth shop extinguished by your hand?"

"Evil spirit?"

Hua Shuya frowned slightly. "What nonsense are you talking about?"

"Hmm?"

Seeing the young lady's unusual reaction, the old man looked somewhat surprised.

This girl... wasn't the expert who eliminated the evil spirit?

Then who was it--

"Huh? We have a guest?"

An unfamiliar voice suddenly sounded from behind.

The old man's expression changed drastically. He quickly turned his head to look, finally spotting Lin Tianlu's figure.

"This... how can this be?!"

This person was slender, with a face as beautiful as jade, appearing every bit the dashing young scholar.

Yet, he had stepped into the courtyard without the slightest sound of footsteps, his aura deep and unfathomable, to the point that the old man hadn't sensed any movement at all. If the other party hadn't spoken, he wouldn't have even known someone was behind him!

Gazing closely, he increasingly felt this person before him was unfathomable, like an abyss gradually absorbing his mind and Sword Intent, as if falling into an incomprehensible, pitch-black cage, nearly becoming lost and dazed.

Who on earth was this person?

The old man's pupils constricted, sweat beaded on his forehead, and a sense of unease suddenly arose in his heart.

He had roamed the jianghu for decades, encountering many extraordinary individuals, but he had never met anyone as bizarre and unpredictable as this!

With this thought, he subtly tightened his grip on his sword hilt, faint sword light flickering in his aged eyes, his full power circulating throughout his body.

"Senior, you're back?"

Hua Shuya's slightly surprised voice made the old man's expression falter.

Senior?

"What are you both holding swords for?"

Lin Tianlu walked into the courtyard with a strange expression, hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping back and forth.

Was there a conflict?

He subtly condensed his gaze, hiding his hands in his sleeves.

Before either party could speak, he quickly reached out and snatched the longsword from the old man's hand.

"Hey! Mister, you're already this old, and you're still carrying such a sharp weapon. If you accidentally cut the neighbors, the compensation for medical expenses won't be a small sum."

The old man: "..."

Lin Tianlu secretly breathed a sigh of relief as he successfully disarmed the old man.

Fortunately, the old man's reaction was slow enough. Otherwise, if they had struggled, he really would have worried about getting a few cuts.

"Miss Hua, you shouldn't be holding your sword either. It's not very glorious to fight with an elderly person."

Under the old man's stunned gaze, Lin Tianlu helped sheath the longsword back into its scabbard behind him.

Then, he completely disarmed and took it away.

He even went on to comfort him earnestly, "Mister, if there's any conflict, you don't need to bother with a junior. Wielding knives and swords is dangerous after all. If the yamen saw this, they might have to sit in prison for a while."

"Old, old man I..."

"Senior, this person seems to have come specifically to find you." Hua Shuya, seeing that the situation had been controlled, simply sheathed her weapon.

"Looking for me?"

Lin Tianlu's expression was slightly dazed.

His thoughts raced, and then he cupped his hands towards the old man, smiling, "I don't know what important matter brings you to my door, Mister?"

"You, you..."

The old man instinctively clenched his right hand, speechless.

At this moment, he was utterly shocked.

Considering himself a sword dao master, there weren't many martial artists in this world who could snatch a sword from his hand.

But this pale-faced scholar before him--

Had taken it away so casually and naturally.

He himself didn't even have the slightest bit of resistance... No, it was that he hadn't reacted in that instant!

After a brief moment of thought, the old man broke out in a cold sweat, his body chilled to the bone. He quickly cupped his hands and bowed:

"It was I who was too presumptuous just now, offending a master's domain. I only intended to probe a little, but I never expected that a true master from Changling County actually existed. My insight is truly shallow."

"Huh?"

Lin Tianlu was stunned for a moment.

What was this old man playing at?

He was confused, but he quickly replied, "Your grand gesture, old sir, is too much for this humble student. There's no need to be so formal."

"You are too kind, sir."

The old man breathed a sigh of relief and then took the opportunity to cup his hands towards Hua Shuya not far away: "And to you, young lady, I must also offer a sincere apology. I was too offensive just now; I was simply excited to see your skill."

"It's alright. You don't need to worry about it, old sir." Hua Shuya returned the bow with neither subservience nor arrogance.

Seeing his humble and proper attitude towards Lin Tianlu, her originally tense expression also eased.

"Let's not stand here any longer. Why don't we all sit down and have a good chat?" Lin Tianlu suggested.

The old man's face lit up, and he immediately praised repeatedly, "Excellent, excellent!"

After the three were seated, the old man quickly explained his identity and background.

It was only then that Lin Tianlu realized that this somewhat disheveled-looking old man wasn't a troublesome neighbor, but a martial arts master who roamed the world, named Mo Hong.

I wonder if it's true or not...

Lin Tianlu secretly sized him up a few times.

He couldn't see any trace of a peerless master's demeanor or aura; he looked more like an ordinary old grandpa who needed help walking.

He couldn't help but glance at Hua Shuya sitting beside him.

The young lady quietly nodded, indicating that what he said was indeed true.

"But may I ask the old sir's purpose for coming here?" Lin Tianlu asked curiously.

"To be frank, I, this old man, have been traveling the world for many years, only seeking improvement and breakthroughs in swordsmanship and martial arts."

Mo Hong sighed deeply. "But after traveling far and wide for many years, I couldn't find any opportunities. Instead, I've seen too many demonic and evil creatures in various parts of the human world, making me increasingly feel the shackles of my own realm.

Now that I've just set foot in Changling County, I only intended to rest for a few days before setting off again. However, I didn't expect that as soon as I entered the county, I heard about a strange fire that happened here yesterday, burning the cloth shop to ashes, yet the shopkeeper was unharmed. So, I inquired with the county residents and learned of your heroic deed, sir."

Speaking of which, Mo Hong cupped his hands and said solemnly, "With a master like you residing in Changling County, it is truly a blessing for the people."

"It was merely a series of coincidences," Lin Tianlu said with a sheepish smile, waving his hand.

"But why did the old sir specifically come to find me..."

"I, this old man, have come in search of an opportunity for a breakthrough in my realm," Mo Hong said in a deep voice. "Just now, I exchanged a few blows with this young lady. To have such martial arts attainments at such a young age, she must have received much guidance from you, sir. May I ask... if you could also offer me some guidance?"

Looking at the eager expression on the old man's face, Lin Tianlu was speechless.

Guidance?

Guidance for a martial arts master?

Even sparring with Hua Shuya made him a little nervous. Discussing martial arts realms with an old man might just be asking for trouble.

If he accidentally sprained his leg or foot, he wouldn't be able to bear the responsibility.

"I apologize, old sir."

Lin Tianlu shook his head helplessly. "I was fortunate enough to gain some means to contend with demons and monsters through a fortunate encounter. But in terms of martial arts, I don't have much skill. Miss Hua's achievements are entirely due to her own extraordinary talent and have nothing to do with me."

Mo Hong's expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly said, "But your aura is as natural as heaven and earth, unfathomable and elusive. You must have reached the Heavenly Human realm. Just being able to converse with you for a while would be more than enough for me!"

"You flatter me too much, old sir."

Lin Tianlu pondered for a moment and chuckled, "Fine, since the old sir insists on staying. I can't stop you. If it's just a casual chat, I do have some free time."

Mo Hong's eyes immediately lit up, and he stood up abruptly, "Good! Then I, this old man, will go prepare some food and wine. I will definitely come to seek your guidance later this evening!"

"Ah... please go slowly, old sir."

Lin Tianlu stood up, cupped his hands, and watched him leave.

He left quite decisively and heartily.

It's just that looking at the old man's gait... it was like he was skipping, truly cheerful.

How could this be a peerless master?

Hua Shuya, standing beside him, pursed her cherry lips and whispered, "Senior, he is indeed very powerful. It's just... not as powerful as you."

"Then it's nothing."

Lin Tianlu sighed faintly.

He couldn't even compare to a scholar; how powerful could he be?