Bustling with Visitors, Tigress?

After the old man left, the courtyard quickly returned to silence.

Lin Tianlu was about to return to his study when a sudden knock echoed.

"Who is it?"

He quickly strode forward and opened the large door, only to see a young man in white standing outside, exuding an elegant scholarly aura.

"Are you..."

"My name is Hu Sheng, an ordinary scholar from East Street."

Hu Sheng offered a gentle smile, cupped his hands, and said, "I've heard that Mister Lin possesses great talent, so I've come to bother you with a visit. Seeing you now, you are indeed exceptionally handsome, which makes me feel ashamed and humbled."

"Not at all, not at all. Mister Hu, you too are exceptionally talented."

Lin Tianlu realized, and quickly returned a smile and a bow.

The two stood at the doorway, exchanging pleasantries for a while. Before long, the scholar said his goodbyes contentedly and departed.

Lin Tianlu returned to the courtyard carrying two scrolls of handwritten poems.

Hua Shuya, who was quietly contemplating the Sword Dao in the courtyard, couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Senior, that person at the door..."

"He was just visiting and bringing a gift," Lin Tianlu said with a smile, shaking the scrolls. "Perhaps it's a case of scholars appreciating each other."

Hua Shuya nodded slightly and closed her eyes to concentrate again.

Knock, knock--

The knocking sounded again.

Lin Tianlu let out a soft "Oh?" and hurriedly put down the scrolls, quickly going to open the door.

"Mister Lin, I've long admired your name!" A bearded, burly man boomed with laughter, announcing loudly, "I am Liu the Butcher from Wuyuan Village. I've come specifically to chat and visit you!"

"You're too kind, too kind--"

A period of time later.

Lin Tianlu returned to the courtyard carrying half a chicken.

Hua Shuya opened her eyes again and asked in surprise, "Senior, that person just now was..."

"A butcher."

Uh... that sounds a bit ambiguous.

Lin Tianlu pondered for a moment and changed his words, "A cook who specializes in slaughtering chickens and pigs. He said he wanted to come and receive some good fortune, and this chicken is also a gift."

"You are truly famous in Changling County, Senior," Hua Shuya said with a slight smile.

Not long ago, she had already learned about the ghost incident from last night, but unfortunately, she hadn't witnessed Senior's heroic presence firsthand.

"I just don't know what strange image those messy rumors have painted of me."

Lin Tianlu shook his head and chuckled.

That Liu the Butcher had actually said he charged into the sea of fire and personally tore apart the malevolent demon, his righteous aura intimidating all directions...

As if that demon was a chicken to be torn apart.

Torn apart just like that.

Knock, knock--

The knocking sounded again.

Lin Tianlu sighed, put down the chicken, and went to the door to greet the visitor once more.

"Mister Lin, I am the schoolteacher from Zhou'an Township."

"You're too kind, too kind..."

"Mister Lin, my name is Wang Anqing from the next street."

"Hello, hello..."

Visitors came one after another to pay their respects, making the place as noisy as a bustling market.

And Lin Tianlu's face was about to crack from smiling.

He never knew that saving someone once would cause such a stir in the county town. Judging by the situation, the visitors outside were not only not decreasing, but they were even starting to queue up.

"Mister Lin, I am from the county... huh?"

But as the middle-aged man stepped forward to bow and greet him, he suddenly felt a sense of unease, and sweat broke out on his forehead.

Glancing sideways, he saw a graceful woman dancing with her sword in the courtyard. The sword's edge shot out a cold glint, whistling through the air. Just a glance from her eyes felt like a sharp sword piercing the heart, causing an immediate chill. His face instantly turned pale, and he hastily put down the gift, cupped his hands, and quickly bid farewell.

"Mister Lin, it's me, Dongbao!"

"Mister Lin, I came all the way here, cough cough cough!"

"Mister Lin, I... ah!"

"Lin... cough! Ugh!"

Not long after, the visitors outside the door began to rapidly dwindle, until the place returned to its former quiet solitude. Only one last guest stumbled away, covering his mouth.

Lin Tianlu stared, completely bewildered.

What's going on...

Are they all having a seizure?

He turned his gaze back to the courtyard. Hua Shuya was sitting upright in the hall, tidying her hair and tilting her head. "Senior?"

"Miss Hua, do I smell bad?"

Hua Shuya repeatedly shook her head.

Lin Tianlu rubbed his chin, speechless. "That's strange. Why did that visitor look like he was about to vomit at the end?"

"..."

The moon was bright and the stars were few, but dark clouds could not hide them.

Lin Tianlu sat cross-legged in the courtyard, leisurely raising his cup to sip tea.

With this rare moment of peace, he naturally had to enjoy it and relax.

But Hua Shuya, sitting opposite him, frowned deeply, lost in thought as if quite nervous.

And all of this was, of course, because of the black and white chess game on the stone table.

The young woman holding the black pieces pondered for a long time, unable to place a single move.

Although only a few moves had been made, the chess piece in her hand felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, difficult to control.

After a long silence, Lin Tianlu couldn't help but speak:

"Miss Hua, you've been holding that chess piece and trembling for half an hour. Are you really not going to make a move?"

"Please, please, Senior, wait a moment!" Hua Shuya's pretty face flushed, a mix of shyness and urgency, her voice trembling slightly.

"I... I'll find the right spot to place my piece very soon!"

Lin Tianlu felt a bit speechless.

There were only six pieces on the board in total, three black and three white. It shouldn't take this long to think, right?

Is she trying to achieve the Great Transformation of the Demonic Heavenly Being or the Great Harmony of Heaven and Earth?

Seeing her agonizing over it again, Lin Tianlu sighed and simply pointed to the center of the board. "When in doubt, play the Tianyuan."

Hua Shuya's eyes brightened, as if guided, and she accurately placed the black piece into the board.

Lin Tianlu then smiled. "Finally, it's my turn."

As he spoke, he picked up a white piece, about to place it.

But a soft panting sound echoed in his ears. He looked up and was stunned to find the young woman already covered in sweat, her long robes and dress soaked through as if she had just been fished out of a well!

"Miss Hua, what is this..."

"Listening to Senior's guidance has truly been infinitely beneficial!" Hua Shuya sighed deeply, as if expelling all the impurities within her. She seemed reborn, her mind clear and serene.

The moment she started this chess game, the scenery of the courtyard was no longer in her eyes.

Instead, it was the star-filled chess game she had seen on Taiyi Mountain, using all living beings as pieces and heaven and earth as the board. The two players moved their pieces as if gambling with the principles of the Heavenly Dao, each move a test of their state of mind, elevating their souls.

Because of this, those mere three black pieces had completely drained her energy.

And that last piece, she had racked her brain, exhausting all her strength, unable to find an opportunity. It was like a towering mountain, as if there were thousands of obstacles.

But this move to Tianyuan...

It was flawlessly executed.

Hua Shuya felt her state of mind reach perfection, a surge of heroism making her want to shout to the heavens.

But as soon as she opened her mouth, she suddenly realized she was still in front of her Senior, and quickly and sheepishly closed her cherry lips.

"Miss Hua, you should go clean up first."

Lin Tianlu averted his gaze and coughed lightly. "The evening breeze is quite cold, be careful not to catch a chill."

Hua Shuya blinked her bright eyes, as if sensing something, and looked down. She saw that her clothes were now semi-transparent, her skin flushed and radiant like a flower, her slender waist appearing delicate, and the outline of her chest binding faintly visible.

"..."

After a moment of stunned silence.

The young woman's face suddenly turned red. She lowered her gaze, wordlessly clutching her sleeves protectively in front of her chest, and fled as if escaping.

But as she reached the corner, she quickly stopped and looked back, saying softly, "Senior, I'm going to... bathe and change my clothes first."

"Cough! Go ahead."

Only after her footsteps faded did Lin Tianlu breathe a sigh of relief.

"Fortunately, this girl has a gentle personality and is sensible. If she had screamed, I probably would have experienced social death among the neighbors."

"Hahaha! Mister, I've returned!"

But at this moment, a loud laugh echoed leisurely in the night sky.

Mo Hong, light as a swallow, soared over the courtyard wall and landed in the pavilion with just two steps.

"Old Mister, you're a bit late," Lin Tianlu said with a smile as he rose and cupped his hands, his eyes shining slightly.

This lightness skill is quite impressive.

It seems the title of 'master'... carries some weight!

"Please forgive me, Mister. It was I who wasn't mindful of the time. I was only thinking of seeking your guidance, and I had to prepare some fine wine and dishes. I went around Changling County, picking and choosing for a long time before I found something suitable," Mo Hong said with a chuckle, placing the wine pot and carved wooden box in his hand on the stone table.

"It's only been a day, and yet there are already many interesting rumors circulating in the market. It's as if that young lady has been portrayed as a shrew with strict family rules... Hmm?"

However, he quickly let out a soft exclamation and looked at the chessboard on the table with surprise: "This game of chess..."

Lin Tianlu chuckled, "I was just playing a few moves with Miss Hua to pass the time."

"This, this..."

The old man's expression grew increasingly strange and heavy, his face flickering, his breathing becoming rougher.

Seeing this, Lin Tianlu quickly swept the pieces off the board, "Old Mister, please don't be angry. It's just a young person playing casually; please don't take it seriously."

But as all the pieces rolled off the chessboard, the old man's eyes suddenly widened, bulging like copper bells, a flush nearly rising to his face.

After a long moment of stunned silence, he slumped back into his seat, lost in thought, muttering incessantly:

"How could this be, how could this be--!"

Seeing his sudden, strange, and somewhat deranged demeanor, Lin Tianlu couldn't help but feel a pang in his teeth.

Could it be another patient with a health issue?

Can't a person just play chess in peace? Why does everyone relapse into old illnesses upon seeing a chessboard?

Is this trying to force him to develop a psychological trauma related to black and white pieces?

But fortunately, the old man didn't vomit blood and faint like Hua Shuya did, requiring immediate medical attention. After taking a few deep breaths, he gradually calmed down.

However, the way he looked at Lin Tianlu now carried a hint of reverence.

"Mister's realm is indeed beyond that of ordinary people. This game of chess... is truly marvelous! I fear there isn't another such game of chess to be found in this world. For that Hua family girl to discuss the Dao with Mister all night is truly a blessing from her ancestors, making one extremely envious!"

Indeed.

There truly isn't anyone else in this world who takes half an hour to play a game of Gomoku.

Lin Tianlu's heart stirred, and he asked in surprise, "Old Mister, you know Miss Hua?"

"Hehe~ As I wander the four seas, I naturally meet many people. I also recognize the Thirteen Forms of the Army-Breaking Sword that the Hua family girl uses," the old man said with a smile, stroking his beard. "I just didn't expect that the Hua family girl, at such a young age, would have cultivated her family's sword techniques to this level. I fear she is no less skilled than her father."

"The Hua family, are they very famous?"

"Mister, have you only just arrived in Fengchen Kingdom?"

"It is as the old Mister says. My encounter with Miss Hua was purely coincidental. I settled in Changling County upon her recommendation."

"So that's how it is." The old man nodded as if understanding, "The head of the Hua family is King Zhengyang of Fengchen Kingdom, whose prestige spreads far and wide. His six sons are all exceptionally skilled in martial arts, truly dragons among men. That Hua family girl must be King Zhengyang's granddaughter."

King Zhengyang?

His status is quite extraordinary.

Lin Tianlu took a sip of his tea.

No wonder that girl is swimming in wealth, buying two mansions without even blinking an eye.

"Mister seems to have known already?"

"I'm just not interested in royalty and nobles," Lin Tianlu shrugged. "Miss Hua also never flaunted her identity."

"It is I who am vulgar."

Mo Hong chuckled twice, raised his wine cup, and said, "My apologies, I'll drink this one first to make amends."

Gulping it down in one go, Mo Hong's lips curved upwards, about to praise it, when his face suddenly turned red, and he clutched his mouth, coughing repeatedly.

Clearly, he had choked while trying to speak.

Lin Tianlu: "..."

This old man... truly doesn't seem like a peerless master.

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