Lonely Ling Ling

Pity the clogs' teeth imprint the moss, a long knock at the brushwood door goes unanswered.

Ling Ling was idly stepping on the moss-covered stones by the stream not far from Cloud Dwelling Courtyard.

Her gaze kept drifting toward the tightly shut red wooden door of that small courtyard.

It's been over a month now, why hasn't Junior Brother come back yet!

Recently, Yuexing, Sister Yan, and Senior Sister are all away, no one's around to play with me, sigh!

Thinking this, Ling Ling waited in vain for Chen Qinglin's return and slowly walked back to her own courtyard.

Not far from the courtyard, in midair, Fu Shenxing was watching this scene.

He sighed inwardly and said to the person beside him:

"Senior Brother, is this really alright, keeping Ling'er confined on Qingfeng Mountain?"

"I've watched this child grow up, I've long treated her as my own daughter."

"How could I not want Ling'er to be happy? She is my daughter after all." The man beside him was also melancholy.

"Who lives in that small courtyard down there? Does Junior Brother know?" He pointed at Cloud Dwelling Courtyard below.

"This is a disciple I recently accepted, Senior Brother."

"What is this disciple's temperament like?" The man asked again.

"Though I've only taken this disciple under my wing recently, I know he is steady and kind-hearted. The only thing is, he's a Martial Arts Maniac—if he's not training, he's training." Fu Shenxing explained.

"Is that so? A Martial Arts Maniac. In this world, having talent and being willing to work hard, and being Junior Brother's disciple—if he achieves something, it would be a good thing." The man said meaningfully.

"Senior Brother, these two children are still young. I doubt they have such thoughts."

"Whether they do or not, with Junior Brother watching over them, I can rest easy."

The man sighed again:

"Ling'er's illness is a congenital deficiency at the root. With all those resources poured in, she's only reached the Mid Inner Qi Realm."

"If she left Qingfeng Mountain, with her constitution, any accident would be too late to prevent!"

"These years, my wife and I have often been out searching for medicine. We owe much to Junior Brother's care."

"Senior Brother Ling, what are you saying? Ever since I entered Qingfeng Mountain, I've been under your care. Otherwise, how could I, Fu Shenxing, be where I am today?"

"Besides, this child is very well-behaved. She knows her own body and never thought of going out. She hasn't caused me any trouble. Jinzhi is also very fond of Ling'er."

"Well-behaved? I heard that girl Ling'er has nearly stolen all the Spirit Wine you've hidden away. That was brewed with great effort." Ling Daoming laughed.

"Let her drink it. That wine was brewed for Ling'er in the first place. It has some effect of consolidating the foundation and nourishing the origin."

"Junior Brother is truly thoughtful."

"My wife and I owe Junior Brother far too much."

"Such distant words, Senior Brother need not say them again."

Ling Daoming suddenly changed the subject.

"I heard you've been getting quite close to Junior Sister Meng Yunling of Qingzhu Peak lately!"

"What, is the old tree about to bloom?"

"Don't tease me, don't tease me." At this, Fu Shenxing's old face flushed red.

After a round of teasing, Ling Daoming's expression turned serious.

"I'll have to trouble Junior Brother to continue looking after Ling'er. I heard that a Solid Yuan Flower has appeared in Yandu City, Yanzhou. My wife and I will set off immediately."

"Senior Brother, so hastily? Won't you see Ling'er? Though she never says it, I know she longs to see the two of you."

"Alas! If we saw Ling'er, I'm afraid we wouldn't be able to bear leaving!"

"I hope Junior Brother won't tell Ling'er that we came back."

"Senior Brother Ling..."

"I'm counting on you, Junior Brother!" A streak of light flashed and vanished from the spot.

Fu Shenxing looked at the direction Ling Daoming had left, then at Ling Ling, sighed, and disappeared as well.

Ling Ling, who had just left Cloud Dwelling Courtyard, seemed to sense something. She looked up at the sky but saw nothing.

She thought to herself that she was overthinking it—it must be Master!

Head down, she walked along the path, feeling a lonely sense of solitude.

If you find this book enjoyable, to avoid losing it next time, please remember to add it to your bookshelf.

Until she bumped straight into Chen Qinglin's hand.

"Watch where you're going! Senior Sister."

After parting with Xie Jingyun, Chen Qinglin hurried toward Cloud Dwelling Courtyard.

On the way, he saw Little Senior Sister Ling Ling walking alone on the path, so he stood still, wanting to surprise her.

He didn't expect Ling Ling to not look at the road, head down, walking straight ahead. Chen Qinglin reached out and pressed against Ling Ling's bowed head.

Bumping into someone, Ling Ling didn't even have time to apologize before she heard Chen Qinglin's voice.

Looking up...

"Junior Brother, you're finally back!"

Joyfully throwing her arms around Chen Qinglin, this time it was his turn to feel a bit embarrassed.

Scratching his head, Chen Qinglin didn't know where to put his hands, nor where not to.

But having seen Ling Ling wandering alone in the mountains just moments ago, he didn't push her away.

What followed was the unique fragrance of a young girl, along with her soft body, which made Chen Qinglin's mind wander a little.

At first, Ling Ling didn't think much of her own actions, but as she gradually became aware, her cheeks flushed red.

She felt a little shy.

Yet, for some reason, she still didn't let go of the person before her.

They stood quietly like this for a while, until Ling Ling stole a glance at him, then released him with a red face.

If there was any color in the world most beautiful, it would surely be the blush at this moment.

"Ahem, what's wrong, Senior Sister? You seemed down just now." Chen Qinglin tried to ease the awkwardness, deliberately changing the subject.

"Nothing, just bored being alone."

After letting go of Chen Qinglin, Ling Ling's hands didn't know where to rest, and her voice was small and soft. Luckily, Chen Qinglin had sharp hearing, or he might not have caught it.

"Are you heading back now, Senior Sister?"

"Yes... yes!" Ling Ling stood in front of Chen Qinglin, feeling oddly constrained.

"You're almost at my place, and the little courtyard isn't far. How about coming in for a bit?"

"Mm, sure... sure!" Ling Ling had already been reluctant to go back after seeing Chen Qinglin, and now hearing his invitation, she stammered out an agreement.

"Junior Brother, you were gone for so long this time."

"Was I? Maybe it's because it's my first time away from home for so long, so I wanted to stay a few extra days when I returned."

"Speaking of which, I should thank you, Senior Sister."

"Thank me for what?"

"My little sister and younger brother really liked the gifts you picked for them."

"I'm glad they liked them. I was worried they wouldn't."

"And most of all, my parents really liked your gifts too."

"Ah... is... is that so!"

On the mountain path, a pair of young man and woman gradually walked farther away, disappearing around a bend in the road.

The next morning, Chen Qinglin was practicing his sword when a voice transmission came from the jade token at his waist.

"Come to your master!"

He stopped his sword practice, wondering what his master wanted with him.

Returning to his room to tidy his clothes and cap, he then headed to his master's residence.

Speaking of which, this master and his disciples all disliked overly bright colors, and even the little courtyards they lived in were elegant and plain.

Passing through a courtyard gate, he saw his master Fu Shenxing sitting under a peach tree drinking tea.

Beneath the peach tree was a stone table and a few stone chairs, and the tree was full of peach blossoms.

When the wind blew, the petals drifted down with the breeze.

Seeing his master, Chen Qinglin stepped forward to pay his respects, then said, "Master, you called for me?"

"Ah, it's Qinglin. Sit down and talk."