Fleeing Far Away, True Feelings

The wine cup in Ye Mingshan's hand dropped to the floor, and he stood up with a face full of horror.

"Li Xin? Li Xin?!"

He quickly called out his companion's name several times, but the only response was deathly silence and the bleak autumn wind blowing in from outside the window.

"..."

The smile on his face had long since vanished. He kept looking around, his eyes filled only with fear and confusion.

What on earth had happened?!

Although Li Xin's strength was not yet at the level of an evil spirit, and he had only recently regained his spiritual form, he had still cultivated for many years and possessed considerable strength. He was by no means someone ordinary people could deal with...

But why had he turned to ash right before his eyes, without even a trace of yin energy left behind?!

Immediately, his expression changed drastically.

Li Xin had said earlier—

that he was tracking that official's daughter?

"Could it be... he was counter-attacked?!"

Ye Mingshan hurriedly looked out the window, his eyes filled with even greater terror.

How far apart were they?!

No!

What kind of Daoist in this world possessed such heaven-shattering ability to easily kill a ghost from a distance?!

Recalling the various rumors he had accidentally overheard in the marketplace today, his face began to turn pale and then purple. He could no longer pretend to be a normal person.

"--Run!"

He immediately turned around, without the slightest hesitation, and fled!

This Changling County was simply a dead end, a place he absolutely could not stay!

The fact that the evil spirit stationed there had been annihilated was not a coincidence, but rather proof that a truly terrifying enlightened expert resided here! With his cultivation level, if he dared to linger any longer, he would likely suffer the same tragic fate as Li Xin!

"Hey? Young master, young master—"

The madam, with her heavily painted face, hurriedly shouted from behind, chasing after him: "You haven't paid yet!"

However, her pace was ultimately not fast enough. She could only watch as the once handsome and dashing young man with a fair complexion ran away as if he had gone mad, not even taking his outer robe or luggage. One of his cloth boots even flew off as he ran.

"..."

The madam was stunned.

Even the few people passing by on the street looked at him with bewildered expressions.

That man earlier was so handsome with his rosy lips and white teeth, they hadn't expected him to be a freeloader who ate and ran without paying?

The next morning.

As Hua Shuya walked into Lin Tianlu's mansion, her steps suddenly halted. She looked at the strange Sophora tree that had appeared in the courtyard with a hint of surprise.

Strange.

The Sophora tree in Senior's mansion seemed to be quite lush.

But this Sophora tree had no leaves, it was bare. Only its branches were smooth and lustrous, appearing as if carved from jade.

"Did something happen in the courtyard yesterday?"

She murmured with a puzzled expression.

It had been late when she returned yesterday, and she hadn't had time to check for any anomalies here. After eating her pastries, she had hurried back home to bathe and rest.

"Oh? Miss Hua, you're here just in time?"

A soft voice came from the corridor. Turning her head, she saw the graceful Mao Ruoyu walking by with several plates of hot porridge and snacks, gently calling out, "Quick, sit down."

"Madam Mao, please leave this chore to me." Hua Shuya quickly stepped forward to take the plates.

Mao Ruoyu smiled faintly, "Miss Hua, just as Mister said, you are truly knowledgeable and well-behaved."

"Se-Senior is praising me?" Hua Shuya's expression flickered slightly, but she quickly lowered her head with a blush, quickening her pace into the side hall. "It's just Senior's excessive praise. There is still much for this junior to learn."

As if feeling a little shy, she quickly coughed lightly. "May I ask where Senior is now? Why doesn't it seem like Senior is in the courtyard?"

"Master Lin went to Old Mr. Nie's house next door early this morning." Mao Ruoyu covered her mouth and chuckled softly. "It seems they have a good relationship."

"It is natural for knowledgeable people to gather. I've heard that Old Mr. Nie is very learned, and his Nie family is one of the few scholarly families in Changling County."

Hua Shuya neatly arranged the bowls and chopsticks on the table before turning her gaze to the Sophora tree in the courtyard.

"Madam Mao, may I ask about that tree in the courtyard..."

"Miss Hua, don't you know about the incident yesterday?"

"I was outside the county chasing thieves the entire time."

The young girl showed a trace of bewilderment. "At that time, the sky was overcast, and it seemed like it was about to pour rain, so I found a place to take shelter from the rain. Not long after, the rain stopped and the sky cleared... Wait, I faintly heard rumbling thunder at the time. Could it be related to this tree?"

She quickly looked at the Sophora tree in the courtyard.

Mao Ruoyu quickly recounted what she had seen yesterday.

As her voice faded, she pointed to the sword hilt in the tree and said, "That is the Sophora Sword, named by Mister."

"This—"

Hua Shuya listened in astonishment, feeling like she had never heard of such a thing.

She leaned closer to get a better look, but was quickly drawn to something else.

On the tree trunk, there seemed to be very faint markings.

She frowned, concentrating, and gently traced the barely perceptible patterns with her fingers.

Like a person, like a shadow, like a sword...

In a daze, a profound Dao rhythm seemed to wash over her heart. Her beautiful eyes unfocused, and a familiar figure quietly appeared in her mind, smiling gently, holding a wooden sword.

Hum—

The sword hummed and moved, swift as lightning and fire. Its edge was without sharpness, yet it seemed to possess an unparalleled craftsmanship.

The agile sword technique seemed to contain the momentum of a troop's advance, yet it also merged with supreme Sword Intent, elusive and unfathomable.

In just a few breaths, the young woman withdrew her finger, her expression now solemn and reverent.

This is... a sword technique left by a Senior.

"Born from the advance of a troop, it opens a boundless and smooth path for the Sword Dao."

Hua Shuya lightly pursed her pink lips, her eyes complex.

The Sophora Sword in the tree seemed to sense something and hummed and trembled, drawing the young woman's gaze again. It was as if a heroic spirit surged within her heart, making her want to draw the sword and test its moves, to break through into the new realm that lay just within reach.

But...

The young woman, who had just raised her right hand, quickly gritted her teeth and lowered it.

Mao Ruoyu quietly walked over and asked in surprise, "Miss Hua, aren't you going to grasp the sword and try it?"

Hua Shuya said softly, "This sword belongs to a Senior. It is not convenient for me to touch it casually."

"Miss Hua, you are skilled with a long sword. I thought you would be very interested in this divine weapon."

"I already owe the Senior too much kindness. How can I be so greedy?"

There seemed to be a determined reserve in the young woman's beautiful eyes. After a moment of thought, she quickly severed the last trace of hesitation in her heart.

"This sword has no fate with me."

"..."

Mao Ruoyu looked at the young woman beside her, her eyes filled with shock.

Although she didn't understand the art of swordsmanship, she knew how important such a divine weapon was to a martial artist. Moreover, this sword contained the essence of lightning and fire, and even possessed a profound Dao realm. It was likely a secret treasure of the heavens, no less than a divine weapon of immortals. Perhaps there was no other sword in this world more precious than the Sophora Sword.

Yet, this Miss Hua showed no lingering attachment or greed.

She was... so loyal and righteous.

Mao Ruoyu sighed inwardly.

With a slight movement of her mind, she gently took Hua Shuya's slender hand and said softly, "Miss Hua, having your company, Mister Lin is truly blessed by heaven. You should cherish it."

"Mao, Madam Mao?"

The solemnity on the young woman's pretty face immediately vanished, replaced by charming shyness. Her waterfall-like black hair rippled as she said, "Madam Mao, please don't tease me. If the Senior hears this, I... I won't know what to do."

Seeing the young woman's blushing face, Mao Ruoyu couldn't help but chuckle.

She hadn't expected that the usually dignified and serious Miss Hua would be so intelligent and lovely.

Hua Shuya lowered her beautiful eyes and murmured, "Besides, it is clearly Madam Mao who is more in tune with the Senior."

"Huh?"

Mao Ruoyu's expression froze.

Immediately after, as if sensing something, the two of them looked at each other silently. Both of their faces turned red, appearing shy.

After a moment of speechless awkwardness, they returned to the main hall together, not knowing how to continue the conversation.

Autumn leaves drifted down, and the warm sun shone pleasantly.

In the quiet and serene pavilion of the mansion, wisps of tea fragrance rose from the cups.

In the pavilion, only a handsome scholar and a white-haired old man were playing Go.

"Old Mr. Nie, please make your move quickly."

Lin Tianlu sat by the Go board, took a sip of warm tea, and urged with a smile.

Nie Qingyuan, sitting opposite him, held a white piece, lost in thought.

--So comfortable.

Feeling the thrill and tension of the game, Lin Tianlu almost shed tears.

Finally, someone could play Go with him.

Ever since he transmigrated to this world, everyone he met who played Go with him either spat blood or panted like an ox, each one acting as if their old illness had flared up.

He hadn't expected that Old Mr. Nie next door could finally play a serious, normal game of Go, which truly surprised him.

Moreover, his learning results were quite fruitful. Now he could finally play Go. What a joyous occasion!

From now on, even if he had to reveal the chessboard and pieces, he wouldn't have to hide and play Gomoku anymore.

Of course, Gomoku was still somewhat enjoyable, but it lacked a certain sophistication.

After waiting for a while, Lin Tianlu chuckled, "Old Mr. Nie, why haven't you made your move yet?"

"Ah! Let this old man ponder a bit longer!"

Nie Qingyuan stroked his white beard, waved his hand grandly, and said calmly, "Master Lin, you seem a bit impatient. The way of Go lies in calming the mind and centering the spirit, in maintaining composure. Sometimes, a game between two masters can last for three days and three nights before a winner is decided, not based on skill, but on that fleeting moment of brilliant inspiration when someone makes that earth-shattering move."

"Oh, this..."

Lin Tianlu was stunned.

Before his transmigration, he truly didn't know that playing Go could be so mentally taxing. All his understanding of Go came from a few cartoons he watched as a child and various news reports, so his knowledge was naturally superficial and broad.

"It seems I was too hasty," Lin Tianlu nodded thoughtfully.

No wonder Go was called the ultimate brain sport; it truly shouldn't be underestimated.

He had only memorized a few game records and felt confident. To face such a highly respected and knowledgeable elder was truly too flippant and arrogant of him.

"It's not too late for Master Lin to know now."

Nie Qingyuan stroked his beard and smiled leisurely, soon turning his attention back to the chessboard.

However--

A faint sheen of sweat appeared on his forehead, and he sighed inwardly.

This Master Lin's Go... is truly unfathomable.

Hua Shuya (looks very similar).jpg