Capturing Souls and Concentrating Spirit, Returning to the Ordinary

The chains swirled in mid-air like a dancing dragon, clanking like metal, as if forcibly pulling a blurry shadow from Cheng Yishi's body. It finally merged into the faint, ethereal silhouette of mountains behind them, ripples spreading until it vanished without a trace.

"Hoo—"

Lin Tianlu exhaled a stale breath and closed his eyes in contemplation.

Now, observing the Taiyi Immortal Mountain hidden within his body, he saw that on the previously barren cliff, a snow-white lotus had suddenly sprouted, shyly blooming like a bud.

He hadn't expected the Taiyi Mountain, dormant within him for so long, to possess such profound abilities.

This elegant white lotus was actually condensed from Cheng Yishi's spirit, mind, and soul!

"...Mister Lin, why am I... still alive?"

Cheng Yishi's slightly confused and helpless voice soon broke the silence.

Lin Tianlu opened his eyes, his expression calm. "You've already walked through the gates of hell once. Do you want to die again?"

"I, I'm already dead?"

Cheng Yishi grew even more bewildered.

"You said your entire life was spent consumed by hatred, that everything you did was solely to avenge your mother. Now that your blood feud is settled, your karma severed, and you were about to become a malevolent spirit, you claimed your wish was fulfilled and only sought death."

Lin Tianlu sighed softly. "Have you ever lived for yourself?

Immersed in blood vengeance, fixated on hatred, you haven't even experienced the many beauties of the world. You haven't witnessed the countless magnificent landscapes and wondrous sights of this world. To end such a short life here, are you truly—

without a single regret?"

Cheng Yishi parted her lips, but for a moment, her face showed a look of melancholy, and she fell silent.

Looking back at her life, it was indeed as the man before her said... dim and lifeless, utterly uninteresting.

"The first half of your life as 'Cheng Yishi' ends here."

Lin Tianlu flicked his sleeve and turned, walking away with his hands behind his back.

"I am entrusting the chance to live back into your hands. Do not attempt such a reckless act again. And the weight of this life, you shall ponder it well in the second half."

"Lin, Mister Lin!"

Seeing him about to leave, Cheng Yishi hurriedly called out, "We only met by chance, why go to such great lengths to save my life—"

Lin Tianlu paused, then turned back with a relaxed smile:

"Does saving someone require a reason?

Those who kill themselves recklessly don't all truly wish to die."

He waved his hand and spoke no more, quietly leaving the cellar tunnel.

Hua Shuya, who had been watching for a long time, solemnly bowed to Cheng Yishi before following Lin Tianlu.

"..."

Cheng Yishi remained stunned for a long time.

She slowly lowered her head, looking at her hands, which were gradually regaining their color, her gaze unfocused.

The bone-chilling cold that had previously gripped her body was gone. The restlessness and anxiety that had tormented her every night had also vanished.

Her heart felt serene, a peace she had never known before. She quietly recalled the happy moments of her childhood with her mother.

After a long silence, Cheng Yishi's shoulders drooped. She covered her face and wept, as if crying and laughing at the same time.

"Mother...

I truly was, foolish beyond measure..."

The night road was quiet, with only a faint mist in the sky.

Everyone in the Cheng Manor had long since fallen asleep, and with no one on guard, the two figures left the manor without hindrance.

"..."

Hua Shuya followed closely beside Lin Tianlu, unable to refrain from asking, "Senior, why do these demons and monsters exist in this world?"

Even though the two ringleaders had been apprehended, she didn't feel much joy.

The sins they had committed could not be undone, and the lives they had taken could not be brought back. Everything the father and daughter had done in the shadows had already harmed countless beings and broken apart countless families.

"This world is simply like this."

"So... the common people can only be killed in vain, becoming food for ghosts?"

"Miss Hua, there's no need to worry or lament too much. What we can do is act according to our conscience and draw our swords when we see injustice." Lin Tianlu smiled gently and lightly patted her shoulder.

"There are countless miscarriages of justice in this world, and conflicts erupt every year. The number of those who died unjustly and wrongfully is immeasurable. If we were to grieve over and solve and bear the burden of every single life, I fear that even with three heads and six arms, or the ability to transform into thousands, we would be powerless to turn the tide."

Hua Shuya took a deep breath.

"I've made Senior worry. I was just... feeling a bit unhappy."

"It's alright. No one can remain cheerful after witnessing such a human tragedy."

Lin Tianlu's expression turned slightly serious. "But Miss Hua, you must firmly remember that the righteous passion of a martial artist is one of the driving forces for your martial arts advancement. Even if you witness much of the world's cruelty and schemes, that pure heart is the most precious. Do not lose this original intention."

Hua Shuya pondered as instructed, her hand instinctively going to her chest.

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior."

"It wasn't guidance, just seeing the worry on your face, I couldn't help but want to comfort you a little."

Seeing Lin Tianlu's gentle and heartwarming smile, Hua Shuya felt a jolt and quickly averted her gaze, her pretty face flushing, her heart beating a little faster.

But after calming down slightly, she still asked in a small voice:

"Senior, why... why did you let Miss Cheng off the hook?"

"Didn't you just show reluctance?"

"I just couldn't bear to see a young lady with such a conscience die, but she... ultimately became a ghost."

"You are correct."

Lin Tianlu chuckled, "But that Miss Cheng isn't a ghost. Although she's been corrupted by yin energy and is neither human nor ghost, as long as the yin energy within her is suppressed, she can eventually return to her human form.

So I gave her a second chance at life. As for what she does in the future, that's her own choice."

Of course, the Taiyi Mountain hidden within him had already extracted part of Cheng Yishi's soul and trapped it within the mountain. If she dared to use the power of yin energy to act recklessly and harm others, Lin Tianlu could immediately seize that jade pendant and shatter her soul.

Her life and death were entirely in his hands.

But the mysteries of Taiyi Mountain needed to be studied thoroughly upon his return. He hadn't expected this sudden ability himself.

"Senior is truly benevolent!"

Hua Shuya nodded in agreement, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly. Clearly, she hadn't intended to show no mercy either.

However, Lin Tianlu soon frowned in thought.

If he had believed Cheng Yishi's words and killed her then, would that be considered manslaughter?

He couldn't help but mutter to himself.

It seemed he needed to learn the laws of this era; he couldn't carelessly become an outlaw.

Walking together, they unknowingly returned to the front of the residence.

But their steps quickly halted as they saw a small child curled up in front of the gate. Despite shivering in the evening breeze, the child hadn't left.

"Mister Lin!"

The child naturally saw their return and his face lit up with surprise, "You're safe!"

Lin Tianlu looked slightly taken aback, "You're...?"

"I heard from other beggars that Mister Lin seemed to have left with Steward Cheng by carriage," the child said with a shy smile. "I was really worried, but I didn't dare to get too close to Steward Cheng's manor... so I could only sit here and wait for Mister Lin to come back."

As he spoke, he became a little agitated and worried, "Mister Lin, are there really ghosts haunting Steward Cheng's manor?"

"There are indeed," Lin Tianlu nodded slightly. "But don't spread this around. The grievances are mostly the Cheng family's internal affairs."

"I, I understand," the child quickly covered his mouth and whispered, "Then, you and this sister, you weren't hurt, were you?"

"Of course not."

Lin Tianlu chuckled and patted his shoulder, "Come in and sit down."

"Huh?" The child was stunned for a moment.

"You played a part in resolving this, so you deserve to come in and warm up, and have some steamed buns, right?"

"S-Sir?! This is too..."

"It's fine. I don't have many rigid old rules."

After opening the gate and returning to the residence, Hua Shuya quickly put down her long sword and went to the kitchen to steam some buns.

The child huddled in the corner with a nervous expression, not daring to sit down, afraid of dirtying the manor's chairs.

Only when the hot steamed buns were brought to him did he repeatedly bow and thank them, not lingering for a moment, and quickly excused himself with the buns in his arms as he fled.

"This child..."

Hua Shuya looked at the small figure disappearing into the night, feeling a little speechless.

Lin Tianlu chuckled, "He's a kind-hearted child, not much influenced by the common folk, and very sincere."

"He was waiting at the door just now because... he was worried about us?"

"Perhaps he was uneasy, thinking we might be in danger at the Cheng manor. That's why he was waiting by the door."

"To have Senior care for him like this, he truly is a good child." Hua Shuya pursed her lips and smiled faintly. She subconsciously raised her hand to tuck her hair, only to notice she was slightly sweaty. Her pretty face flushed, and she said softly, "Senior, I'll go bathe and change. There are still quite a few bloodstains on my sleeves."

"Go ahead. And get some rest early to calm your mind."

"Mhm."

Soon, only Lin Tianlu was left in the main hall.

He patted his sleeves and stood up, intending to sit alone in the courtyard pavilion for a while, reflecting on the day's events with a sigh.

But at this moment, he suddenly felt something tremble in his embrace. He quickly pulled open his collar and saw the shattered jade pendant hidden within his chest suddenly fly out with a swoosh.

Splat--

Then it heavily collided with the rooftop.

"..."

Lin Tianlu was stunned for a moment.

Has this thing... turned into a skyrocket from absorbing too much yin energy?