A Little Intelligence

The disheveled, young child anxiously peered around, trying to wipe dust and grime off his body.

He cautiously glanced inside the gate, vaguely seeing familiar men and women in the courtyard talking.

After much hesitation, he still didn't know how to speak.

Currently, rumors were spreading throughout Changling County, but without exception, they all said the scholar living in this courtyard possessed great talent and virtue, had an immeasurable future, and would surely have a bright path ahead. It was even said that the County Magistrate Lord and others seemed willing to visit and befriend him.

This showed how far his reputation had spread; he was already quite well-known within Changling County.

If he, a mere beggar, were to approach rashly...

Would he be looked down upon?

But as he agonized, the courtyard gate was suddenly pulled open.

"Little Mister, you look even more disheveled than you did a few days ago," Lin Tianlu said with a smile as he walked out. "Don't tell me you're here to beg for more money and food?"

"Mister?! I, I... no..."

The child stumbled back two steps, his face a mask of panic, his hands flailing as if trying to explain.

Lin Tianlu softened his expression slightly and said gently, "No need to be nervous, I was just joking.

But why have you come here today, little mister? What is it you wish to discuss?"

Seeing that this handsome scholar was still as gentle and kind as ever, the child blinked, secretly relieved in his heart.

This Mister is truly a great benefactor.

But he still clutched the hem of his clothes, only daring to say timidly:

"I... I've come to do business with you, Mister."

"Oh?" Lin Tianlu raised an eyebrow, crossed his arms, and chuckled lightly. "What kind of business do you have, little mister?"

"Mister, when we first met, you asked me about that vengeful spirit. I didn't pay it any mind then, thinking you were just teasing me."

The child's eyes flickered, and he took a deep breath. "But Mister showed great power a few days ago, dispelling the evil aura at the cloth shop, saving people from peril, slaying demons and monsters, earning the praise and admiration of everyone in Changling County. I thought... Mister might be interested in that demonic entity."

Lin Tianlu was somewhat surprised.

This little child actually had such insight?

Looking closely at the child's tense posture as he mustered his courage, he couldn't help but chuckle. "Little mister, you've certainly grasped my interests."

Hearing this, the child's head immediately shot up, his face filled with delighted surprise. "Are you serious, Mister Lin?!"

"Of course, I am."

Lin Tianlu nodded with a serious expression. "That demonic entity is full of unknowns for me, worthy of exploration like a vast sea of books. Moreover, I myself have read many books on strange tales, so naturally, I wish to understand it more deeply. As for the business you mentioned just now..."

"I, I want to trade information about these demonic entities with you!" the child quickly replied.

"Information?"

"Mister can tell at a glance... I'm a beggar who lives by begging, but my hands and feet are quick, my ears are sharp, and I can hear all sorts of gossip inside and outside the county. I basically know what's happening in every household. If any place truly has a demonic or foul presence, I can inform Mister Lin immediately."

The child's tone was a little excited, as if eager to prove his worth.

Lin Tianlu gazed silently at his dirty, anxious face, pondered for a moment, and then suddenly smiled.

"One piece of news for a hundred coins, how does that price sound?"

The child's eyes immediately lit up. "M-Mister, is it really a hundred coins?!"

A hundred coins! That was a fortune he could barely earn in a month of begging!

"It is indeed. However, the news cannot be false. If I discover you deliberately fabricating false information to cheat me out of money, I will immediately cancel this deal and report you to the authorities."

"No, no! Please don't worry, Mister Lin! I absolutely won't make things up intentionally!"

At this point, he swallowed and said in a small voice, "Mister Lin, I have a piece of news right now..."

"Oh? Something happened in the county again?" Lin Tianlu asked curiously.

"About five miles north of the county, at the home of Cheng Yanghua, Patriarch Cheng, something seems strange. There are rumors that eerie laughter can be heard from their mansion every night, and especially these past two days, there have even been sounds of chopping meat. Searching for the source of the sound, they can't find it, which is very bizarre."

"With such strange occurrences, hasn't Patriarch Cheng reported it to the authorities and asked the officials to come and search?"

"He hasn't reported it yet. Perhaps Patriarch Cheng doesn't want his family matters spread, and wishes to handle it privately." The child pondered for a moment, then added, "I heard that Patriarch Cheng is a very prideful man. In his youth, he was hot-tempered and easily angered, and couldn't stand outsiders pointing fingers at him. Although he has restrained himself since getting married, his wife died early, and his personality has become unpredictable and strange."

"You seem to know quite a lot," Lin Tianlu smiled.

"I-I just heard some rumors that circulate on the streets occasionally," the child said, shrinking his shoulders. "Perhaps Patriarch Cheng... might not be as prideful as others say."

"It's fine. The fact that you specifically remembered these things is commendable," Lin Tianlu said slowly. "Please wait here a moment, I'll go inside to get the money for you."

The child's face immediately broke into a surprised smile, and he nodded repeatedly.

While waiting, he even carefully wiped his hands, trying to make them look cleaner.

When Lin Tianlu returned and handed him the reward, the child stared blankly at the coins in his hand for a long time, and finally lowered his head and sobbed softly.

"Why are you crying all of a sudden?"

"It's because Mister Lin... gave me a chance!" The beggar child quickly wiped away the tears, clutching the coins in his hand as if they were precious treasures. "I'll work hard!"

Lin Tianlu smiled and patted his shoulder. "Make good use of your 'specialties,' and you'll eventually be rewarded. However..."

"I still need to warn you about a few things. Gathering information from outsiders is fine, but you must never go exploring those demonic entities yourself. If you encounter them personally, your life could be in danger!"

"Mister Lin, I will remember your words firmly!"

The child's expression faltered for a moment, then he quickly added, "I almost forgot one thing. That Patriarch Cheng seems to be dining at Tianhai Tower tonight. If Mister Lin doesn't mind, you could go to the restaurant and speak with Patriarch Cheng in person."

"Tianhai Tower?"

Lin Tianlu shook his head and chuckled, "What a coincidence."

"Mister?"

"It's nothing. I'll handle the rest myself. You go ahead and take this money to get a good meal to fill your stomach, and while you're at it, wash your face and change into some clean new clothes."

"Okay, okay!" The child's cheeks flushed slightly as he carefully tucked the copper coins into his embrace before running away along the corner of the wall...

His honest demeanor, bowing every few steps as he ran, was quite amusing.

"Senior. Who was that child just now?"

Hua Shuya approached silently.

Lin Tianlu waved his hand, "Just a pitiful child I met by chance at a restaurant. He's quite clever and bright. He just told me about some strange occurrences in the county."

"Then, Senior, what are your plans..."

"I'll be meeting someone at Tianhai Tower tonight."

Hua Shuya's beautiful eyes lit up upon hearing this, and she said with a sweet smile, "This junior will instruct the establishment to prepare a fine banquet!"