"..."
Jia Yucun saw that Daiyu seemed to have taken some of his words to heart, and felt slightly relieved.
But soon, he couldn't help letting out a sigh:
"Alas—!"
"It's good that you've come to terms with it."
"The dead are gone, and the living must carry on... Don't dwell on things and only hurt yourself."
"You should take good care of yourself and focus on your exams. That's what matters."
Then, after thinking it over, he decided to steer the conversation toward something a little more cheerful. Forcing a faint, pleased smile, he looked Daiyu up and down and said:
"As the saying goes, 'If you haven't seen someone for three days, look at them with fresh eyes.' The ancients spoke true!"
"When you and I parted as teacher and student, it hadn't even been two years. But now that we meet again, you've already taken first place in all three rounds of the immortal examinations, and you're about to earn the degree of immortal examination graduate!"
"Such progress is truly astonishing!"
"Your father must be at peace below, seeing how well you've done. He would surely be comforted!"
He wasn't just saying that to be polite. He meant it sincerely. When he'd corresponded with Lin Ruhai, Lin Ruhai had written just the same. At most, Jia Yucun was simply repeating his words.
"Now that you're returning to the capital, you must settle your mind and prepare well for the martial examination. You mustn't slack off, not even a little!"
"If there's anything you don't understand, or you need help weighing your options and making a plan, just come ask me."
Since Lin Ruhai thought he might not leave the Divine Capital again after returning this time, he had considered his words carefully and naturally dared to say