Although a seductive fragrance brushed his face, Lin Tianlu remained utterly focused and soon settled his mind, looking down upon the scenery within Taiyi Mountain inside his body.
In the distance, he saw gray energy billowing from that proud, solitary white lotus. It was highly unusual.
"So it really was caused by yin energy."
Lin Tianlu simply gathered Spiritual Energy into his palm and abruptly slapped the girl's fragrant shoulder.
Cheng Yishi shuddered from head to toe. The yin energy around her immediately dispersed, while the gorgeous, lotus-like patterns on her chest sank into her skin, leaving behind only a faint cluster of pale jade markings like unopened buds, decorating her heart.
The bewitching allure that had seemed capable of seizing souls also withdrew inward, and she seemed to return to her usual refined and dignified self.
"..."
She blinked her beautiful eyes in considerable confusion.
Seeing that her expression had improved, Lin Tianlu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
It was all thanks to Madam Mao's frequent visits to his Household to help him train his composure.
Although the girl before him had an equally graceful and enviable figure, she was still far inferior in size. She simply was not as shocking.
This is manageable. I can withstand it.
He steadied his mind somewhat, but when he glanced at the ample flesh resting against the girl's slender arm, he coughed lightly and hurriedly turned around, facing away from her.
"Miss Cheng, please deal with this calmly and don't panic. You simply aren't familiar with controlling the yin energy in your body, which affected your mind.
"But there's no need to worry. This yin energy won't harm you. You only need to cultivate your character, get more sunlight, and you won't lose control like this again."
Hearing no violent commotion behind him, Lin Tianlu relaxed his tone. "Naturally, that yin energy also offers you certain benefits. With a little cultivation, you may even gain abilities like a ghost sorcerer, making your daily life more convenient."
Cheng Yishi silently listened to his patient explanation and instruction. Lowering her head to glance at her disheveled clothing, she could not help showing a troubled expression.
Sir... did he misunderstand something?
"Miss Cheng, have you put your clothes back on?"
"...Please wait."
Cheng Yishi let out a faint sigh before fastening her silk robes once more, covering the spring light she had exposed.
But when she looked at Lin Tianlu again, several traces of admiration quietly surfaced in her eyes.
Even with a beauty in his arms, he had never wavered, remaining such a refined gentleman. Perhaps only someone with an open and upright heart could cultivate astonishing power and carry righteousness at his side.
If she pressed him any further, Sir might grow displeased.
With that thought, Cheng Yishi said softly, "Sir, you may turn around now."
Lin Tianlu turned back and cupped his hands with an embarrassed smile. "Miss Cheng, I offended you just now."
"Sir, there is no need to blame yourself. It was merely that my mind was thrown into confusion for a moment."
Seeing how considerate and gentle the girl before him was, Lin Tianlu finally set down the great weight in his heart. He said solemnly, "If your yin energy becomes stagnant or difficult to circulate in the future, you may come to me again."
"Thank you for your concern, Sir." Cheng Yishi bowed gracefully, her pink lips gently pursed. "But for such kindness, I truly have no way to repay you."
"Actually... Oh, right!"
Lin Tianlu slapped his palm in sudden realization and hurriedly said, "Please wait here for a moment. I'll go fetch something."
He quickly ran to the study and brought back a map, then pointed out to the girl the map coordinates he had obtained earlier.
"Miss Cheng, do you know this place?"
"This is... Fuyang Commandery?"
Confusion appeared on Cheng Yishi's face. "Why does Sir take an interest in this place?"
Lin Tianlu pondered before explaining, "It would be difficult to explain the reason clearly, but this place has a significant connection to me. If I could learn something about Fuyang Commandery, that would naturally be even better."
Cheng Yishi smiled openly. "Please rest assured, Sir. Fuyang Commandery is one of the central hubs of the Central Province, situated on an important route. It is also along the trade route of the Cheng Family, and we send people there every month to purchase materials. In a few days, I'll dispatch several people to make inquiries. Perhaps they'll find something that interests you."
"I'm truly grateful!" Lin Tianlu bowed with cupped hands. "Sorry for the trouble, Miss Cheng."
"Being able to help Sir is my good fortune."
Her eyes glimmered as she soon bent gracefully at the waist. "It is getting late, so I won't impose for long. But... may I still visit Sir at your home in the future?"
Seeing the girl's slightly raised, limpid eyes, Lin Tianlu laughed. "Miss Cheng, you may come whenever you wish. I would never shut the door and refuse a visitor."
Only then did the girl blossom into a tranquil and elegant smile.
The two soon left the main hall, and he accompanied her to the gate.
Just as Lin Tianlu was about to cup his hands and bid her farewell, Cheng Yishi suddenly glanced toward the inner courtyard.
At the same time, Mao Ruoyu's figure had somehow appeared in the shadows of the corridor. Their gazes met at the same instant.
Then both their eyes narrowed.
This woman... she doesn't seem alive!
This woman... she reeks of foxlike allure!
At that moment, their gazes were sharp as blades and swords, yet they broke apart the instant they touched.
"Miss Cheng?"
Only after Lin Tianlu called out in confusion did Cheng Yishi discreetly withdraw the corner of her gaze. She once again revealed a gentle smile, clasped her hands, and bowed. "Sir, please see me no farther. I already have a carriage waiting."
"Have a smooth journey." Lin Tianlu said solemnly, "If you feel unwell in any way, don't force yourself to endure it alone."
"Mm..."
He watched the girl board the carriage and depart along the road before slowly closing the courtyard gate.
Only then did he raise his head and let out a long sigh.
He had never expected that he, too, would perform the deed of Liu Xiahui—when a beauty had thrown herself into his arms, he had instead helped her regain her composure.
If this happened in modern times, people would probably mock him until not even his skin remained intact.
Still, he truly had not felt much desire.
The girl's Household had just suffered a great upheaval, and she had only recently untied the knot in her heart that had driven her to seek death. To take advantage of her mental turmoil and take her body would truly have been inappropriate.
Of course—
"Fortunately, Madam Mao never made such a move."
Lin Tianlu clicked his tongue softly.
But after pondering for a moment, he took out the half of the broken token hidden in his sleeve, his gaze turning somber.
This matter deserved attention.
The following day at noon.
After eating, Lin Tianlu came alone to the courtyard. With his hands behind his back, he gazed at the sky in silent thought.
There were probably quite a few dark and tangled matters in this world.
There might be an organization lurking in the shadows behind the father and daughter of the Cheng Family. Even if it was merely a possibility, it could not be underestimated.
Although he had Spiritual Energy protecting him and a robust constitution, able to suppress evil influences with a wave of his hand, if there truly was some Demonic Sect or similar sect behind these ghosts, and its cultivators could move mountains and overturn seas with a wave of their hands, changing the heavens and replacing the sun, then if the two sides clashed, could he still gain the upper hand...
That remained hard to say.
Even now, he had yet to witness the true strength of the "cultivators" of this world.
Moreover, the only things he could currently call "techniques" were the spirit-soul shackles summoned from the phantom of Taiyi Mountain and the newly learned Soaring Dragon Phantom Step.
Everything else was merely manipulating some Spiritual Energy by following his instincts.
"I still need to learn some proper martial techniques."
After pondering briefly, Lin Tianlu simply went over to the nearby locust tree and snapped off a branch. Imitating Hua Shuya's usual sword movements, he assumed an opening stance.
He followed the thirteen forms of the Thirteen Forms of the Army-Breaking Sword one by one. With his current physique, he managed to perform them rather convincingly.
But after casually swinging through three or four moves, Lin Tianlu stopped with an awkward expression.
"All right, this is the women's version of the sword technique."
The Thirteen Forms of the Army-Breaking Sword were bold and unrestrained, but they had clearly been specially modified, carrying a trace of feminine softness.
No wonder the waist kept twisting back and forth.
"If only I'd asked Mr. Mo Hong for another sword manual back then... Though the manual he used was probably an old-man version of a health-preserving sword technique?"
As he muttered to himself, he casually waved the branch twice, straightened his back, and practiced the Army-Breaking Sword again.
Now that's better. Much smoother. It has the right flavor.
BOOM!
Dark clouds suddenly blanketed the sky, and thunder rumbled as if torrential rain were about to pour down.
Lin Tianlu glanced at the rapidly darkening sky, hurriedly tossed down the branch, and called back toward the house, "Madam Mao, do you still have any clothes hanging outside? It looks like an autumn rain is about to fall!"
CRACK!!
Another peal of thunder exploded, but its power was even greater this time. The sound of wind and thunder grew increasingly startling!
At the same time, inside the house, Mao Ruoyu's face had gone pale as she stared out the window in horror.
This suffocating, oppressive feeling...
Was this really just a sign that autumn rain was coming?
Before you continue