The thick thunderclouds that had loomed over Changling County silently dispersed.
The county residents who had just been frightened into collapsing onto the ground now wore bewildered expressions, remaining silent for a long while as though their souls had yet to return.
The terrifying pressure that had descended like dark clouds bearing down on the city, combined with the earth-shaking peals of thunder, had thrown everyone in Changling County into fear and panic.
Only after they saw sunlight spilling outside did the county residents emerge from their houses, restaurants, and shops with strange expressions. After confirming that there were no more anomalies in the sky, they began talking among themselves with lingering trepidation.
"That thunderclap just now nearly scared me to death!"
"In all my years... I've never seen such terrifying thunder! Could it be that Heaven was enraged?"
"This autumn wind has become so fresh. When I take a deep breath, it actually feels as though my lungs and organs have been cleansed."
"How... how is this possible—"
Within the county magistrate's residence, County Magistrate Tang stared at the sky in utter shock.
The civil and military officials beside him had all been frightened to the ground by the thunderclaps and had noticed nothing, but in that instant, he had witnessed it with his own eyes—
The purple-black heavenly thunder that had fallen from the firmament had actually stopped and solidified in midair. Then, without warning, it had bent sharply and, in a crooked, slanted fashion he could not comprehend, struck the ground...
It was as though some external force had forcibly slapped it crooked in midair!
"What in the world happened to Changling County...?"
He could not help muttering aloud, his gaze vacant.
On West Street.
Lin Tianlu abruptly halted and looked up at the sky, which had suddenly cleared. His face was blank with bewilderment.
It had still been pouring rain with thunder booming moments ago, yet in the next second, everything had suddenly vanished. The sky had cleared as if it had changed faces.
Wait!
Lin Tianlu's expression soon darkened slightly.
He had been too anxious just now and had failed to notice.
But now that he thought about it, the thunder had come so strangely and suddenly, with such astonishing force. It clearly had not been an ordinary thunderstorm. Could it have been the so-called Heavenly Tribulation?
However, this was not the time to dwell on such trivialities.
Madam Mao still hadn't—
"Master Lin?"
A woman's low moan sounded from his arms, making him hurriedly lower his head. "Madam Mao, don't—huh?"
He slightly widened his eyes.
The beautiful married woman who had nearly fainted in his arms had somehow already returned to normal.
Mao Ruoyu leaned against the crook of his arm, her face flushed. As if nervous, she unconsciously held both hands before herself, but this only caused her ample bosom to strain against her clothes, seeming almost ready to burst free. Its graceful curves pressed against the man's chest, making her already crimson body tremble lightly, as though she were so shy she could hardly bear it.
She hurriedly took two deep breaths, suppressing the faint tremor in her voice. "I-I'm fine now."
Lin Tianlu's expression turned strange.
"You recovered that quickly?"
"Just now, there seemed to be a pressure from the sky that made it difficult to breathe, leaving my chest unbearably stuffy." Mao Ruoyu's voice was gentle and alluring, with a faint undertone of moaning. "Now that the sky has cleared, that stuffiness has vanished. Perhaps the strange phenomenon in the sky contained some extremely yang Baleful Intent, which made my heart tremble a little."
"You truly have no other discomfort?"
Doubt showed on Lin Tianlu's face.
From the sound of it, that thunder really had been somewhat strange.
"I don't think so."
Mao Ruoyu lowered her brows and eyes, her face full of shy embarrassment. "Although I was groggy and on the verge of sleep just now, I vaguely heard Master Lin's rather rude scolding."
"Uh... Madam, please forgive me. I merely—"
"It is nothing. You were anxious because you were worried about my safety, and that actually made me rather happy." Mao Ruoyu unconsciously pursed her lips into a faint smile. "But now that I am unharmed, I hope Master Lin will not become so angry again. I would not want this to ruin your mood."
Lin Tianlu laughed helplessly. "Seeing that you nearly fainted just now, how could I possibly smile?
"Still, let's take you into the clinic for a look. We're already at the door, after all. It would be troublesome if you were left with some lingering illness, so we might as well have the physician examine you thoroughly."
"We're already at the clinic?" Mao Ruoyu's expression froze slightly, and only then did she turn to look beside her.
Her gaze swept around, and she stared blankly when she discovered that the clinic's entrance was right before them. Quite a few people were even glancing at the two of them, their eyes filled with both surprise and envy.
"Mm—"
Mao Ruoyu felt her body grow hot. She covered her face and coquettishly said, "Master Lin, please put me down first. Quite a few people are staring over here."
"You can walk now?"
"N-No problem."
"Then I was being discourteous." Lin Tianlu gave an awkward smile, carefully set the beautiful woman in his arms down, and supported her as they entered the clinic together.
After taking her pulse and conducting an examination, the elderly physician in a long gown stroked his beard and mused, "This young lady's constitution is remarkably healthy. Her qi and blood are abundant, her pulse steady and strong, and her brows brim with irrepressible vitality. Where could there be any illness?"
Lin Tianlu asked in surprise, "Doctor, she truly has nothing wrong with her body?"
"I have practiced medicine and treated patients for several decades. I still have that much confidence."
The old physician chuckled. "This young lady truly has no illness. In fact, I have taken the pulses of all kinds of women throughout my life, but hers is the healthiest constitution of them all, with a perfect figure. Going by those feng shui sayings, she must have the kind of auspicious fate that brings prosperity to her husband and children—a truly blessed destiny!"
"This..."
Lin Tianlu was deeply surprised.
Madam Mao had previously fainted from anemia, then suffered a nosebleed from excessive qi and blood, yet now her body was inexplicably healthy and free of concern?
Confused, he quickly recounted all these abnormal symptoms.
"Such a strange phenomenon?" The old physician also showed surprise and hurriedly took her pulse again.
But after carefully examining her for a long while, he still shook his head.
"Forgive this old man's inadequate medical skill. I truly cannot determine what illness is in this young lady's body."
"I-I'm fine..."
Mao Ruoyu awkwardly interjected, "I feel no discomfort now, so Doctor need not worry."
Lin Tianlu was about to speak, but soon felt a gentle tug at his robe hem. After thinking it over, he nodded slightly. "Sorry for the trouble, Old Sir. Since nothing is wrong, we will not impose on you any longer."
"Master Lin."
But the old physician suddenly spoke. "I've studied a little feng shui, though I can't claim to be proficient. However, judging from the symptoms you described, this young lady may not have anything physically wrong with her. She may have come into contact with something unclean instead. You need only pay a little attention."
"I will remember your warning, Old Sir." Lin Tianlu cupped his hands solemnly.
After paying the consultation fee, he led Mao Ruoyu out of the clinic.
"Master Lin—"
Mao Ruoyu soon lightly pinched his sleeve and said gently, "You truly need not worry. I collapsed back then because I encountered those evil spirits and strange ghosts in the sea of fire. As for the nosebleed a few days ago, it was because the yang qi on your body was so abundant that I... found it somewhat difficult to endure."
Lin Tianlu asked in surprise, "You can sense so-called yang qi as well?"
Mao Ruoyu gently stroked her hair and smiled faintly. "If I can sense yin qi, then naturally I can see yang qi as well. In my eyes, Master Lin is as warm as a blazing furnace."
Curious, he looked down at his hands.
Was his yang qi really that abundant?
He was not exactly some muscular fitness fanatic.
With his delicate skin and tender flesh, he looked more like an utterly ordinary pale-faced scholar.
"Since nothing is wrong, we should hurry home." Mao Ruoyu quietly moved closer and stole a glance at the profile of the man walking beside her.
Recalling how this usually calm and unruffled man had become so frantic because of her, her eyes shimmered, and her voice grew even more alluring. "Master Lin has been so concerned and considerate. I am truly grateful. I shall prepare a few extra dishes today to reward you."
Lin Tianlu laughed. "Then I'll be making quite a profit."
The moment they reached home and pushed open the courtyard gate, a charred stench rushed toward them.
Lin Tianlu hurried into the courtyard, and his expression instantly froze.
"Master Lin? What happened—"
Mao Ruoyu followed him in, took a close look, and also stood rooted to the spot in utter astonishment.
The locust tree that had once flourished in the courtyard had now become a charred, withered tree. Flecks of debris periodically peeled away from its branches and drifted down on their own, making it look utterly miserable.
What in the world had happened?
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