Good Deeds, Good Rewards

The end of the month had arrived, and the autumn wind had already quietly brought with it a hint of chill.

In the courtyard, a graceful figure stood holding a sword, silently savoring the feeling of the breeze caressing the blade.

Hua Shuya was not wearing clothes suitable for strenuous activity today. Instead, she wore an elegant ruqun, a flowing silk scarf draped around her. Exquisite embroidery adorned the light gauze at the hem of her skirt, further accentuating her graceful and striking figure.

With the sword in hand, the girl's previously sharp and fierce aura gradually receded. She was consciously controlling her sword momentum.

After several nights of intense cultivation, her martial arts realm had now approached the Azure Spirit realm, her condensed pure Yang transforming into Azure Spirit internal energy.

The reason for such rapid progress in her martial arts was undoubtedly thanks to the phantom sword techniques she had seen on the Sophora tree. The moves were already deeply etched into her mind.

Hua Shuya felt both grateful and reverent. Focusing intently on her practice, she had further optimized and simplified the Thirteen Forms of the Army-Breaking Sword, achieving a state of complete mastery.

Thank you so much, Senior.

After a long period of contemplation, she suddenly opened her beautiful eyes, and the tip of her sword abruptly turned towards the Sophora tree in the courtyard.

After several days of watering, the tree had regrown some tender shoots. But what was most astonishing was the Sophora Sword embedded in the center of the trunk—

As if sensing the girl's sword momentum, the Sophora Sword trembled, and the branches of the Sophora tree shook, sending ripples across the air like water.

Hua Shuya's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly. She immediately swung her sword in a horizontal sweep, and a series of sharp metallic clangs echoed. Waves of air surged, and her slender figure was repeatedly pushed back until she was forced to the corner of the wall, barely managing to block the aerial attack from the Sophora tree.

"Hoo—"

She sheathed her long sword, rubbed her slightly sore wrist, and bowed respectfully towards the Sophora tree from afar.

For the past few days, she had often sparred with this sentient Sophora tree. Although she still couldn't withstand even three moves, practicing daily gave her a clear goal.

"Miss Hua, if you're tired, come sit and rest for a while."

A gentle chuckle came from the pavilion.

The girl gathered her hair and looked back. Upon seeing the familiar figure, she couldn't help but smile and walked into the pavilion with a light, brisk pace.

"Senior, is your painting finished?"

"I just casually sketched a few strokes; it hardly counts as a painting."

Lin Tianlu, dressed in a blue robe and white trousers, had a faint smile on his fair and handsome face as he set aside the brush in his hand.

On the Xuan paper, he was painting a rather lifelike Sophora tree.

Hua Shuya leaned closer to examine it: "Although I don't understand painting techniques, this painting looks very beautiful."

"I was just sketching the Sophora tree in the courtyard."

Lin Tianlu picked up the Xuan paper and blew on it lightly. Looking at the ink reflection on the painting, he nodded with satisfaction.

Fortunately, even without my spiritual energy, I still have some skills I can show off in this world.

At least, this ink sketching, I'm quite good at it.

It's not like I painted some 'chick pecking rice' picture, nor do I have any top scholars around me.

He chuckled inwardly and casually put the painting away.

"The leisure and relaxation are over; it's time to get down to business."

Hua Shuya listened with some curiosity: "What are you going to do, Senior?"

Lin Tianlu picked up a book from a pile of ancient texts beside him and gave it a gentle shake: "Naturally, I'm going to be an examiner."

"An examiner... Who are you testing, Senior?"

"Miss Hua, you were out on official business and wouldn't know, but two days ago, old Mr. Nie from next door specifically paid a visit and pleaded with me to write some notes for his grandson." Lin Tianlu chuckled: "That old Mr. Nie comes from a scholarly family, and his grandson has been studying poetry and etiquette since childhood. He's preparing for the imperial examination when he's a year older. As a neighbor, it's no trouble for me to help."

Hua Shuya suddenly understood.

She clearly remembered that her Senior always referred to himself as a scholar.

"I recall the general examination content usually involves the Five Classics Commentary..."

"No."

Lin Tianlu wagged his finger: "Ordinary students have probably read these general examination textbooks thousands of times. Why would I need to write imperial examination questions? It would be redundant. Old Mr. Nie probably wouldn't ask me to do such a tedious task."

"Then what type of questions are you preparing, Senior?"

"I'll write some miscellaneous studies questions. The goal isn't to increase his knowledge, but just to broaden the child's horizons."

Lin Tianlu smiled slightly.

Yes, these questions...

Most of them are brain teasers, purely for educational entertainment.

Of course, besides miscellaneous studies, the main subjects are equally important. I've also compiled my research and observations from this period, along with the knowledge and experience of a scholar over ten years, into Comprehensive Textbook Exercises, Huanggang Secret Papers, and Houxiong Case Studies, writing dozens of pages. I've specifically wrapped them with the notes to be given away.

All to give the child I've never met a little surprise.

I imagine that child will surely be moved to tears?

Knock, knock—

Just then, there was a knock on the courtyard gate.

The girl quickly put down the book in her hand and hurried to open the main gate.

"Huh?"

As soon as the door opened, a stranger was spotted outside.

A middle-aged man stood nervously outside, and as their eyes met, his expression immediately changed. He quickly clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "I have specifically come to meet Master Lin. Please forgive me, Miss!"

Hua Shuya was taken aback.

Why did this person look so flustered?

"Are you looking for me?" Lin Tianlu walked over upon hearing the commotion, curiously asking, "May I know who this gentleman is..."

"Master Lin, I was the shopkeeper you saved at the cloth shop." The middle-aged man quickly bowed again. "My name is Zhang Songlin, from Changling County, with ancestral roots here."

"It's you?"

Lin Tianlu quickly recalled the incident and said with a gentle smile, "Shopkeeper Zhang, you've recovered quite well. You look much better now."

"All of this is thanks to Master Lin's selfless rescue back then."

Zhang Songlin repeatedly bowed, his expression sincere and emotional. "I had lost consciousness and didn't know it was Master Lin who rushed into the sea of fire to save us. I was only told after I woke up. However, I was weak for the past half month and could hardly get out of bed. It's only been these two days that I've recovered enough to move, so I immediately came to thank Master Lin in person."

As he spoke, he quietly stepped back two paces, took a deep breath, and prostrated himself on the ground.

Lin Tianlu was slightly startled and quickly stepped forward to help him up. "Shopkeeper Zhang, you must not perform such a grand gesture!"

"To me, Master Lin is like a savior, a second parent. How can you say it's too grand a gesture?" Zhang Songlin shook his head and insisted on kowtowing. "If Master Lin hadn't risked danger to save us, my poor mother, who is blind, and my wife and children would have been left alone and uncared for.

Master, you saved our entire family. How can I not kowtow in gratitude!"

Lin Tianlu's eyes widened, and he remained silent for a moment.

Then, he broke into a gentle smile and carefully helped him up from the ground. "Shopkeeper Zhang, I appreciate your kind intentions. Since everything is safe now, after you rest for a while, you can continue to live a stable life.

Through this ordeal, I believe Shopkeeper Zhang has gained some insights into life and will cherish this beautiful time even more. A complete and happy family is the most important thing."

"Master Lin's teachings are deeply etched in my heart," Zhang Songlin said with a solemn clasp of his hands, a hint of tears of emotion in his eyes.

"Besides coming to express my gratitude, I also have a small gift for you. Please accept these two bolts of fine silk."

He hurried to the corner of the courtyard gate and lifted two rolls of silk with effort. "After much thought, this is all I can think of to repay you. Please do not refuse, sir."

Lin Tianlu paused for a moment before solemnly accepting the silk. "Thank you, Shopkeeper Zhang."

Seeing that he had accepted the gift, Zhang Songlin finally showed a smile of satisfaction. "If Master Lin wants to make any new clothes in the future, you can always order them from my cloth shop. I will have the best tailors sew them for you. However...

Master Lin, I hope you can understand. The cloth shop still needs repairs inside and out, so I cannot stay any longer."

"Shopkeeper Zhang should go and attend to your business first. I have no such formalities here," Lin Tianlu said with a kind smile. "Once the cloth shop is repaired, I can bring my friends to patronize it."

"Master, please wait and see. I will do my best."

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries and soon bid farewell.

Lin Tianlu watched as the other man hurried away on foot.

Hua Shuya had been silent for a long time beside him. She finally spoke, "Senior, the clothes that person was wearing..."

"The cloth shop caught fire, which must have dealt a significant blow to his family. I can see that they are struggling financially."

Lin Tianlu glanced at the bolts of cloth in his arms and smiled slightly. "After some time, we'll go and patronize his shop. It's a good opportunity to get some new clothes."

"Senior does indeed need new clothes..."

"Miss Hua is the one who needs to buy more new clothes," Lin Tianlu said with a sideways smile. "With such a beautiful and youthful appearance, wouldn't it be a shame not to dress up properly?"

Hua Shuya's pretty face flushed upon hearing this, and she nodded gently.

Seeing the young girl's shy demeanor, Lin Tianlu felt a surge of emotion.

Unknowingly, he had been in Changling County for over half a month. Apart from the initial bewilderment, he had now adapted to life here. Several days after the lightning strike, he had also become aware of the power he possessed.

He had probably become an immortal or a god.

Even if he wasn't an immortal, he at least had abilities beyond ordinary people, no longer a mortal.

His mindset was quietly changing.

There might still be many things he was confused about, but he would no longer belittle himself. His state of mind was calm and serene, possessing a bit of an immortal aura. Living a leisurely life at home now was quite carefree and enjoyable.

Perhaps—

This current life was his tempering in the mortal world.

"What are you thinking about, Senior?"

A clear, ethereal voice sounded in his ear. Lin Tianlu replied without thinking, "Naturally, I was thinking about you... Cough!"

He quickly chuckled sheepishly. "Miss Hua, please don't take it to heart. I just said it without thinking."

But the young girl's beautiful eyes widened, her cheeks flushed, and with a shy and hesitant gaze, she quickly lowered her head and remained silent.

Lin Tianlu gave an awkward smile.

Indeed, cheesy pickup lines were best avoided. He got goosebumps just saying them.

If you like this book, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it.