NO_NAME
patreon
Chapter 255: Traveling Together
🕑 Added 2024-09-27 04:31:12 +0000 UTCLin Xiao remained silent as he followed behind Lin Dayou, contemplating his father's words.
Lin Dayou continued, "Although your father hasn't read many books, the most important thing in life is to have a sense of reverence for everything in this world. Once you have that, then you need a spirit of ambition."
"Whether you want to temporarily hide the sect or continue developing it as it is now, I can't say what's right or give you much advice. I just want you to know that being afraid is normal, it's how it should be. If you're not afraid of anything, that's not being fearless, that's just being reckless."
"Whatever you decide to do, your father will support you."
Moved by his father's words, Lin Xiao looked up with teary eyes and said, "Dad..."
Seeing Lin Xiao's emotional expression, Lin Dayou waved his hand dismissively, looking a bit exasperated. "Alright, alright, it's not that big of a deal. You're almost thirteen now, and you're still acting like you did when you were a kid, always about to cry."
Lin Xiao sniffed and replied, "When did I ever cry? By the way, Dad, how long has it been since you used the Dust Removal Technique? There's a smell on you. Your son is a Golden Core cultivator now, and my sense of smell is really sharp. Standing this close to you, it's really overwhelming."
Lin Dayou felt a twitch in his temples, and his hand itched to teach his son a lesson. Swiftly, he lifted his foot, pulled off his straw sandal, and prepared to throw it. After all, with his cultivation now, he had plenty of time to make new straw sandals since his farm work had become so much easier.
Sensing danger, Lin Xiao quickly turned and ran, his feet moving as fast as they could. As he fled, he didn't forget to call back, "Dad, remember to use the Dust Removal Technique! Or maybe just take a bath! If you can't do the Dust Removal Technique right, it's not shameful!"
Lin Dayou, exasperated, pointed his straw sandal in the direction Lin Xiao had fled. "You little rascal! If you have the guts, don't run! Complaining about your old man now, are you?"
But Lin Xiao was already out of sight, and only his voice echoed from afar, "Thanks, Dad—"
Lin Xiao dashed all the way to the foot of the mountain. Once he was sure his father wouldn't chase after him, he let out a long breath, cast an Invisibility Spell, and began walking toward the village. He wasn't really planning anything; after the deep conversation with his father, his mind felt a bit cluttered, and he wanted to clear his head.
With his Golden Core-level Invisibility Spell, even if he walked right next to a mortal, they wouldn't notice him—it was as if he were truly invisible.
On the first day of the new year, lanterns hung in front of every door in the village. Each household was busy with New Year's visits. Whenever guests arrived, the host would throw a few firecrackers into the stove to add some festive noise. Children went door to door collecting candies and seeds, adding to the lively atmosphere.
It was evening by now, and many visitors from neighboring villages were starting to say their goodbyes. People exchanged farewells at the gates, walking with their guests to the village entrance, where they parted ways under the night sky, leaving Shuishui Village behind.
Walking along the village path, Lin Xiao felt his mind gradually relax as he took in the festive scene.
As he wandered, Lin Xiao came across Li Zhanying, who was also strolling through the village. Given the encounter, it seemed inappropriate to avoid each other.
Lin Xiao stepped forward, bowed in greeting, and said, "Happy New Year, Elder Li."
Li Zhanying smiled warmly when he saw Lin Xiao. "Happy New Year, Sect Master Lin. I didn't expect that you, like this old man, enjoy wandering through the village. Would you care to accompany me for a while?"
Hearing this, Lin Xiao thought to himself that he was just wandering alone anyway, so he nodded and replied, "Thank you for the invitation, Elder. It would be my honor."
And so, the old man and the young man strolled together through the winter landscape of Shuishui Village.
As they walked, Lin Xiao asked, "Elder, how long do you plan to stay in Shuishui Village?"
Li Zhanying didn't answer immediately. He first took in the scenery for a while before turning to Lin Xiao with an honest and amused expression. "To be honest, the reason I left the capital this time was that I've been in seclusion for two years without making any progress. I thought a change of scenery might do me some good."
Lin Xiao was surprised by his candor. "Elder, is it really appropriate for you to tell someone like me that you've hit a bottleneck in your cultivation?"
Li Zhanying laughed heartily, his hands clasped behind his back as they continued walking. "What's wrong with it? If I can't break through, my lifespan will soon come to an end, and within a few years, I'll just be bones. If I do succeed, what do I have to hide?"
"Besides, Sect Master Lin, would you spread this news?"
Having lived for so long, cultivating in solitude in the imperial city for many years, Li Zhanying had long since come to terms with many things. He had his principles of protecting the country, but he no longer held onto any obsessive attachments.
Lin Xiao instinctively shook his head but didn't offer any guarantees not to spread the news. He knew that Elder Li wasn't looking for empty promises.
The two of them walked to the edge of the mountain stream, where they stopped to gaze at the frozen waters.
Li Zhanying spoke, "I wish to ask something on behalf of my Li family, the royal family. Would Sect Master Lin be willing to provide an answer?"
Lin Xiao nodded. "Please go ahead, Elder."
Looking out at the majestic, mysterious mountains under the night sky, Li Zhanying softly asked, "Will Lingxian Sect ever become an enemy of my Li family, of the court, or of Puruo Kingdom?"
Hearing this, Lin Xiao understood that the elder was worried that his sect might one day seek to overthrow the current dynasty. Perhaps when the Li family allied with each sect in the past, they asked similar questions and made certain agreements.
What Lin Xiao didn't know was that when the Li family negotiated with the three great sects, they hadn't asked for such guarantees. Their relationship had been purely based on mutual benefit, with both sides knowing they were evenly matched in power.
But Lin Xiao didn't know this detail. He thought for a moment and replied, "As long as the Li family, under the leadership of the court, continues to act in the best interests of the nation and its people, with no harm to the state or its citizens, Lingxian Sect will never interfere."
He had no ambition for power or wealth. As long as the rulers acted justly, he had no desire to cause trouble.
Upon hearing Lin Xiao's response, Li Zhanying seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and nodded. "That is good to hear. With your words, I am satisfied."
He then glanced at the sky and said, "The night is growing late. I shall take my leave, and Sect Master Lin should also head back."
The two parted ways by the mountain stream, and Lin Xiao returned to the mountain. After the conversation with his father and the walk through the village, Lin Xiao finally felt less lost and more at peace.
Feeling reinvigorated, he headed to the sect's main hall, eager to finally check out the New Year's gift from the system!
After tightly closing the doors to prevent any interruptions while he unwrapped his gift, Lin Xiao excitedly opened his personal storage.
Previous Chapter | | Next Chapter
