"However, we had a conflict with Miss Lin yesterday, so it wouldn't be appropriate to trouble you."
Liu Jinyuan was surprised. These people seemed upright and righteous, not like troublemakers. Curious, he asked, "You had a conflict with my cousin? Could you tell me what happened?"
Li Xiaoyao, always straightforward, recounted the events of the previous day.
After hearing the story, Liu Jinyuan sighed and shook his head. "My cousin is too impulsive. No matter what, she shouldn't have tied you to a tree and whipped you."
Li Xiaoyao felt like he had found a kindred spirit and nodded vigorously. "Exactly! You're a decent guy, bookworm. At least you know right from wrong."
Liu Jinyuan gave an awkward smile, unsure whether to thank Li Xiaoyao for the compliment or be offended at being called a bookworm.
Zhao Ling'er tugged on Li Xiaoyao's sleeve, signaling him to sit down and stop talking.
Liu Jinyuan cupped his hands and said, "If you are worried about this matter, there's no need. My uncle, as the leader of the martial alliance, is broad-minded. Besides, I'm willing to mediate the misunderstanding."
Xu Changqing glanced at Chu Yang. He also wished to resolve the conflict, as Lin Tian'nan's status was significant, and Shu Mountain had dealings with him. Offending him unnecessarily would be unwise.
Chu Yang nodded slightly. "Then let's go pay our respects to Master Lin."
Liu Jinyuan smiled. "At noon today, my cousin is holding a martial competition for her suitors in front of Lin Manor. You may come with me."
The group returned to their rooms to pack. During this time, Xu Changqing discreetly asked the innkeeper about Liu Jinyuan's identity. Upon confirming he was indeed the top scholar, he finally relaxed.
"This is strange. Yesterday, Junior Brother was with us the whole time. We never saw Young Master Liu. How did he see us?"
"Could it be another artifact from the sect leader?"
"Just how many treasures does Junior Brother have?"
Xu Changqing had always regarded Chu Yang as a younger brother, but now he couldn't help feeling a bit jealous. He also wanted such favoritism.
While the others were packing, Chu Yang remained in the main hall, conversing with Liu Jinyuan.
As a top scholar, Liu Jinyuan had an impressive wealth of knowledge, but to his surprise, Chu Yang was equally well-read. No matter what topic he brought up, Chu Yang could respond insightfully.
Though brief, his words carried profound meaning, as if they were distilled wisdom from countless experiences.
Gradually, their conversation became increasingly broad, spanning astronomy, geography, state governance, and even poetry and literature.
What began as casual discussion evolved into an exchange of ideas, with Liu Jinyuan growing more and more admiring of Chu Yang.
By the time Li Xiaoyao and the others came downstairs, the group set off toward Lin Fortress.
Along the way, Liu Jinyuan continued asking Chu Yang questions with increasing reverence, like a student before his teacher.
Curious about their discussion, Li Xiaoyao sneakily leaned in to listen. After a moment, he pulled away, his face full of confusion.
Zhao Ling'er asked curiously, "What are they talking about?"
Li Xiaoyao shook his head. "I recognize the words, but when put together, I have no idea what they mean…"
Zhao Ling'er burst into laughter.
Xu Changqing chuckled. "Junior Brother has limited talent in Daoist cultivation, so he spent his childhood reading countless books in the sect's library. No one on the mountain could converse with him. Meeting Young Master Liu today is like finding a long-lost friend."
As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Jinyuan suddenly dropped to his knees and loudly declared, "Master, please accept this student's bow! I beseech you to take me as your disciple!"
Xu Changqing's smile froze.
Zhao Ling'er and Li Xiaoyao were dumbfounded.
"That's what you call 'a long-lost friend'?"
It was only when Liu Jinyuan knelt that Chu Yang realized he had spoken too much.
At first, he had only been making casual conversation. He never expected that his words would have such an impact on Liu Jinyuan, given his advanced knowledge and strong ability to absorb new ideas.
Talking to him didn't even feel like conversing with someone from ancient times, which led Chu Yang to let his guard down.
"Young Master Liu, please rise. I was merely speaking casually. Don't take it to heart!"
Chu Yang reached out and pulled Liu Jinyuan to his feet.
"Master's words are pearls of wisdom, beneficial to both the nation and the people! How could they be mere casual talk?"
"Please, Master, teach me!"
Liu Jinyuan's eyes shone with determination, as if he were about to pledge his allegiance.
"Young Master Liu, don't joke around," Xu Changqing interjected with a smile. "My Junior Brother is a Daoist cultivator. Our sect has strict rules against involvement in worldly affairs."
Liu Jinyuan took a closer look at Chu Yang and Xu Changqing's attire and suddenly realized they were monks. He immediately stomped his foot in regret, his disappointment palpable.
After a long pause, he asked, "Can't you return to secular life?"
Xu Changqing's mouth twitched, his expression turning sour as if he wanted to punch someone.
Li Xiaoyao rolled his eyes. "Are you dumb? Brother Chu is on the path to immortality. Who'd abandon that just to become an official? That would be idiotic."
Liu Jinyuan closed his eyes in anguish. Nothing was more painful than losing such a talent to the pursuit of immortality.
Zhao Ling'er didn't fully understand, but judging by Liu Jinyuan's reaction, she could tell that Chu Yang's knowledge rivaled that of a top scholar.
After the apprenticeship ordeal passed, Liu Jinyuan had no choice but to suppress his disappointment and continue leading the group forward.
Before long, they arrived at the martial competition stage.
The arrogant, red-clad girl from yesterday had transformed into a valiant female warrior in a fitted combat outfit.
Her entire being radiated heroism.
Even passing women couldn't help but swoon over her.
She was so attractive that she charmed both men and women alike.
The tournament had already been ongoing for some time, with several challengers being sent flying off the stage one after another.
It was clear that Lin Yueru's martial skills were formidable, ranking among the best in Suzhou.
Liu Jinyuan chuckled. "My cousin's skills are inherited from our family. Ordinary people can't even get close to her. I fear my uncle will once again be unsuccessful in finding her a match."
Li Xiaoyao scoffed. "She's not that great. I beat her with a single move yesterday."
Zhao Ling'er quickly covered his mouth, but it was too late.
On the stage, Lin Yueru had already locked eyes on him, her expression darkening. "You little thief! You actually dared to show up!"
"Yesterday, you won only because I didn't have my weapon. If you have the guts, fight me again today!"
Hot-blooded and impulsive, Li Xiaoyao was about to leap onto the stage, sword drawn.
But Chu Yang pressed him down with one hand.
"This is a martial competition for marriage. If you win, you have to marry her. Are you ready for that?"
He smacked Li Xiaoyao on the back of the head, making him stumble.
Li Xiaoyao clutched his head in pain, tears forming at the corners of his eyes. "But she called me a thief!"
Before he could protest further, a loud cry erupted from the stage.
"Thief! Don't run!"
Lin Yue'ru formed a sword gesture with her fingers and unleashed the Lin Family Sword Technique from behind Chu Yang. At this moment, she had lost all reason, completely disregarding the rules of the martial world.
Lin Tian'nan shouted sternly, "Yue'ru, stop!"
True Qi surged from Lin Yue'ru's fingertips, forming a sword of energy that shot directly toward Chu Yang's vital point on his back.
This move, [Qi Sword Finger], was a signature technique of the Lin Family Sword Art.
In the past, the Lin Family's ancestor was renowned as a dual master of swordplay and finger techniques. Not only was his swordsmanship extraordinary, but his hand techniques were also unparalleled. Eventually, he reached the level of merging sword and Qi into one.
[Qi Sword Finger] could be considered a luxurious enhanced version of the [Six Meridian Divine Sword]—simpler yet even more violent.
Without turning his head, Chu Yang also formed a sword gesture with his fingers and executed the [Breaking Qi Stance] from the Nine Swords of Dugu. With a single backward strike, he effortlessly shattered the Lin Family's ancestral technique.
Lin Yue'ru stood in stunned silence.
Lin Tian'nan's imposing figure trembled.
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