Changling Storm, Misunderstanding Resolved

Time passed like a white steed flashing by, the sky shifted, and dusk quietly descended.

The sunset glow illuminated the land as autumn winds began to rise in Changling County.

An elder with a white beard was meticulously tending to the flowers and plants in his courtyard. With a slight glance from the corner of his eye, he saw a familiar figure walking by outside the gate.

"Master Lin!"

Lin Tianlu, carrying a basket of autumn fruits he had just bought from the market, stopped and looked back upon hearing the call.

"Old Mr. Nie, what is it?"

This person was Nie Qinghe, who was already in his seventies and happened to live nearby.

He was known for his gentle and refined personality, his vast knowledge, and his considerable reputation among the neighbors. They usually greeted each other politely, and over time, they had developed a good relationship.

However, the elder's aged face was filled with worry. He quickly advised, "Master Lin, this old man knows you possess extraordinary talent and are unafraid of evil winds. But lately, Changling County has become increasingly unsettled. It's best if you go out less. Especially during the transition between dawn and dusk... it's always good to be extra careful."

Lin Tianlu smiled gently and bowed. "I will keep your advice in mind, Old Mr. Nie. However, you must also take good care of yourself. Once I've mastered my chess skills, I look forward to a good match with you."

"Excellent!"

Nie Qinghe nodded with satisfaction and waved his hand. "Master Lin, you should head home early. Don't keep the lady waiting."

"Please don't tease me, Old Mr. Nie."

The two men exchanged smiles, bowed, and bid farewell.

Lin Tianlu walked briskly and soon arrived at the entrance of his own courtyard.

Glancing back, he saw a few people passing by, whispering amongst themselves.

Even without listening closely, he could guess the topic of their conversation.

--It was about the incident at Cheng Manor.

The head of the Cheng family was a prominent figure in the county. His sudden death overnight, along with that of his young daughter, had naturally caused quite a stir.

Of course, the Cheng family had clearly suppressed the matter of the ghosts.

After all, Cheng Yishi had people spread these rumors herself. It wouldn't be difficult to use the authorities to help clean up the aftermath now.

"I hope Miss Cheng can overcome this difficulty."

Lin Tianlu shook his head, put the thought aside, and pushed open the courtyard gate.

"Whoa?!"

But a flustered cry suddenly rang out from behind the door.

Lin Tianlu's expression changed in alarm. He quickly leaned in and reached out to steady a figure who was about to fall from a wooden ladder.

"Madam Mao? How did you..."

He carefully helped her down, his gaze oddly fixed on the wooden ladder leaning against the door.

Mao Ruoyu gently patted her chest, breathing heavily as she recovered from the shock. She then managed a weak smile.

"I saw that the trees in your home weren't being properly cared for, so I took some time to help trim them. Otherwise, the branches would have grown over the wall."

"I'm ashamed that Madam Mao had to do such things."

"It's nothing. It's just occasionally... hmm?"

She murmured a couple of times, a delicate blush creeping onto her face, her eyelashes fluttering slightly.

Lin Tianlu paused for a moment, then awkwardly chuckled and retracted the hand that had been around her waist. "My apologies, Madam Mao."

"You were just reaching out to help in a moment of urgency, sir. There's no need to mind such formalities." She shook her head, tidied her dress slightly, and then quietly said, "I'll go to the kitchen to prepare dinner now. Please excuse me."

Watching her hurried retreat, Lin Tianlu couldn't help but scratch his head.

Although Madam Mao seemed to have something on her mind...

He couldn't help but inwardly praise her figure, which was truly exquisite.

"Ah! Being in the same room with such a beauty really makes one's thoughts degenerate."

Lin Tianlu sighed inwardly a couple of times.

Immediately, he calmly went to wash the fruit.

After all, he was an old lecher who had been through the crucible of modern internet culture. He wouldn't be so easily flustered by such small benefits.

"--Lewd pictures, lewd pictures, lewd pictures, lewd pictures!"

He muttered to himself, finally diverting his attention after a few minutes.

As dark clouds gathered, the sky dimmed, and the lights in the county were extinguished.

Silence reigned throughout the neighborhood, with only the gentle sound of the wind.

Lin Tianlu sat alone in the courtyard pavilion, holding a novel, without a trace of weariness.

To be precise, he occasionally needed sleep, purely out of habit from his past life. But now that he had reached an interesting part of the story, there was no need to close his eyes and rest.

"Mr. Lin, you seem to be quite fond of the book in your hands?"

A gentle, warm, mature voice quietly broke the silence.

"Hmm?" Lin Tianlu looked up and saw Mao Ruoyu walking slowly, draped in a light gauze robe. Illuminated by the moonlight, her figure appeared even more exquisitely curved, her subtle allure drawing the eye.

"Why is Madam Mao not yet asleep?"

"I just had something on my mind and couldn't sleep. And I happened to see you sitting here, so I came to take a look." Mao Ruoyu lightly brushed the hair falling to her chest, then sat down opposite Lin Tianlu, her skirt folding as she bent.

She bit her red lips, as if hesitating for a moment, before finally speaking:

"That matter with the Cheng family... was it you who did it?"

Lin Tianlu asked in surprise, "Madam, how did you know?"

Mao Ruoyu pursed her lips and smiled faintly, "Although the Cheng family hasn't announced the full story to the public, combined with the rumors circulating in the neighborhood a few days ago, I assume you are the one who went to the Cheng Manor to eliminate the fierce ghost that had taken root there?"

"Madam is indeed wise." Lin Tianlu had no intention of hiding it and said frankly, "Yesterday, the eldest daughter of the Cheng family invited us to their manor to eliminate a ghost. Little did I know that Cheng Yanghua was colluding with the ghost, becoming an accomplice and causing the deaths of countless innocent people.

He was finally killed by Miss Hua's sword, which was a fitting end to his crimes."

Mao Ruoyu's eyes flickered, and she whispered, "Then, sir... what do you think of these people who collude with ghosts? Will you eliminate them just because their origins are improper and they are tainted with yin energy, in order to uphold righteousness? Or perhaps—"

"Colluding with ghosts is not a crime in itself."

Before she could finish speaking, Lin Tianlu chuckled, "What is wrong with ghosts? They are merely souls produced after death, no different from humans, only their thoughts have gone astray. And those who are said to collude with ghosts are likely just people with spiritual abilities.

To them, it is a unique talent, something to be affirmed and envied, and outsiders have no right to point fingers. Cheng Yanghua deserved to die, only because he wantonly committed murder, his mind was deranged and had already become demonic. If he were not eliminated, other innocent people would sooner or later be harmed by him."

Mao Ruoyu's heart rejoiced upon hearing this.

This scholar, despite possessing great power, was not pedantic.

"Madam Mao."

At this moment, Lin Tianlu smiled warmly.

"Actually, you don't need to be so terrified."

"Eh?" Mao Ruoyu's beautiful eyes widened.

"If you think I would consider you unlucky or unclean, you really don't need to. To me, as long as you have good intentions, you deserve respect and kindness."

These words, which seemed to hint at something, made Mao Ruoyu's heart tremble, "Mr. Lin, do you truly think this way..."

"Madam, you can rest assured."

Lin Tianlu soothed her gently, then quickly smiled warmly, "Today, your face was often tense, and your expression was nervous. Even Miss Hua could tell. Starting tomorrow, please relax your heart. If we see you looking sad and worried, we might feel too embarrassed to eat the meals you cook."

Mao Ruoyu was silent for a long time.

After a while, she sighed softly.

This person... is truly considerate and kind.

Despite possessing such great power, he had no temper or airs, and treated her with such warmth and gentleness.

For a moment, she felt a pang of regret.

She felt that her past attempt to absorb his yang energy was truly despicable.

Recalling it now, it was fortunate that her actions had not truly harmed or frightened the man before her, otherwise, she would have been filled with regret... although with her meager abilities, it wouldn't have had any effect at all.

Mao Ruoyu's heart was filled with mixed emotions, and her tone of voice had unconsciously softened.

"This humble one will remember your words."

"Alright, let's not talk about these heavy matters for now."

Lin Tianlu took a fresh autumn fruit from the bamboo basket beside him and handed it over casually, "Since Madam cannot sleep all night, why not sit here and enjoy the moonlight. If you are really bored, I can accompany you in conversation to pass the time."

Mao Ruoyu took the autumn fruit and smiled gently, "There's no need to trouble you, sir. This humble one is not that lonely. However, what is that jade flute in your hand..."

Lin Tianlu shook his head and chuckled, "I obtained this by chance. A few days ago, it chipped in a few places and couldn't produce a normal sound. Today, I took the time to find a jade craftsman in the market and used some jade material to repair the nicks on the flute. I haven't had a chance to play it yet."

The beautiful woman's eyes brightened, "Sir, why don't you play a few notes? This humble one would love to appreciate it."

"Madam, you jest. I don't understand music theory at all. I'm afraid I'll make a fool of myself when I play."

"But after repairing it, shouldn't you try it out?"

"...That's true."

Lin Tianlu chuckled twice, picked up the jade flute, and brought it to his lips.

"Hoo—"

A gust of airy breath blew from the mouth of the flute.

Mao Ruoyu's lips curved slightly as she heard the sound. She felt that even someone like an immortal had areas where they were still inexperienced.

The sound of the flute was so, so...

She blinked her eyes in slight confusion, looked around, and felt incredibly astonished.

How had the scene before her turned into a majestic, mist-shrouded mountain?

The crisp chirping of orioles and the tinkling sound of mountain springs echoed endlessly, as if flowing into her heart. She felt her heart gradually relax and, unable to suppress her curiosity, she casually pushed aside the bushes and clouds, walking onto a mountain path.

Passing through layers of dazzling, exotic scenery, she unknowingly set foot on the mountaintop, gazing out to take in all the mountains.

Not far within her line of sight, a familiar figure sat with their back to her by a stone table, their posture straight and ethereal, silver hair rippling in the wind as myriad flowers and red leaves drifted down. A melodious flute sound echoed across the peaks.

It was like a hazy, distant memory from childhood, or perhaps a sweet dream buried deep in her heart.

Mao Ruoyu's heart trembled slightly, but she couldn't bear to step forward and break the rhythm.

She hesitated for a long time, then simply found a spot in a peach grove and sat down, hugging her knees, her gaze gently fixed on that figure.

Gradually, she closed her eyes, feeling the music that stirred her soul, as if it were heavenly music, ethereal and enchanting. In this quiet moment, sleepiness began to overcome her.

In her daze, she felt warmth spread through her body, as if a robe of clouds had been gently draped over her.

She subconsciously clutched the corner of the garment, as if releasing all the stress and melancholy of the past years, revealing a pure, sweet smile in her sleep.

"She's really sleeping soundly."

Lin Tianlu draped his outer robe over Mao Ruoyu's shoulders, sighing softly.

"It seems preparing three meals after rushing around today has truly tired her out."

After returning to his original seat, he looked at the jade flute in his hand with a strange expression.

Although after repairing the gap, it no longer emitted that noisy, foul-smelling, strange tone.

But he really didn't have much musical talent; he couldn't even play a normal "do-re-mi" properly.

He had specifically studied sheet music last night and memorized a grand and distant flute piece, wanting to play it once the jade flute was fixed.

Unexpectedly, what he played sounded like a baby's lullaby...

And it was a bit leaky.

He felt like he was going to play himself into depression.

"Fortunately, my wife went to bed early, she probably didn't hear much,"

Lin Tianlu muttered, putting the jade flute back into his embrace.