Chapter 11: Unfathomable Swordsmanship
Shame washed over Hua Shuya.
Master had clearly held back, his casual stance suggesting he had used barely a fraction of his true strength.
And yet…
She hadn’t even been able to withstand a single, effortless blow. She had even needed his comforting words to soothe her wounded pride.
Faced with his gentle teasing, she couldn’t bring herself to offer any excuses.
Lin Tianlu, oblivious to her inner turmoil, twirled the branch in his hand, a thoughtful frown on his face. “Martial arts are quite fascinating. I should study them more closely. I wonder what kind of power a true master could wield.”
Hua Shuya’s heart skipped a beat. She discreetly hid her trembling hands within her sleeves, forcing a calm tone. “From what I’ve learned, the highest realm of martial arts is the Five Meridian Grandmaster. A Grandmaster can control their qi to attack from a distance, even amidst a battlefield, their stamina seemingly inexhaustible.”
“That sounds impressive,” Lin Tianlu admitted, his eyes widening slightly.
To fight against a thousand men… it was like something out of a martial arts novel.
He imagined himself wielding a sword, his movements enhanced by his spiritual energy, a true sword immortal soaring through the heavens.
He chuckled, shaking his head to dispel the fantastical image.
There was no point in dwelling on such distant possibilities. He had more pressing matters to attend to, like deciding what to have for lunch.
“By the way, Hua Shuya, what are your plans for the next few days?”
She snapped out of her thoughts. “Master, I intend to stay in Changling County for a while. I have no other pressing matters. As for lodging… I’ll purchase a vacant house nearby.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled. “As you wish, Hua Shuya.”
This girl… she was truly wealthy.
“Master… would you mind if I visited you from time to time?” she asked hesitantly, her voice barely a whisper. “I’d like to… continue learning from you.”
“Of course not. This house is yours, after all. You’re always welcome.” He smiled gently. “Besides, it gets a bit lonely here. It’s nice to have company.”
“Thank you, Master!”
A radiant smile lit up Hua Shuya’s face.
For a moment, she looked her age, a youthful beauty brimming with joy and gratitude.
…
But as Lin Tianlu turned and walked back into the house, her smile faded, replaced by a look of deep contemplation.
She glanced down at her hands, her fingers trembling slightly. Her arms felt weak, as if drained of all strength.
What troubled her most was…
The moment their branches had met, she had lost the will to fight.
It was as if her mind had frozen, her body turning to ice. She had felt nothing but a bone-chilling emptiness, a complete absence of thought or emotion. It wasn’t until her branch clattered to the ground that she had snapped out of it.
Such a thing…
It was inconceivable to her.
As a martial artist, she had been trained to cultivate her willpower, to focus her mind, to channel her energy into every movement. And she had been eager to impress her master, to showcase her skills.
She bit her lip, her cheeks flushing with shame.
To have shown such weakness in front of him… huh?
She blinked, her gaze falling on the two branches lying on the ground.
They were gone.
Reduced to dust, scattered by the morning breeze.
A faint chill touched her chest.
She glanced down, her eyes widening in alarm.
There was a small tear in her robe, revealing a sliver of delicate skin beneath.
It wasn’t a lack of focus that had caused her to falter. It was…
Fear.
In that instant, she had felt the cold embrace of death.
One exchange, and the outcome had been decided. If Master hadn’t held back, even with a simple branch, he could have pierced her heart.
She took a deep breath, a strange mix of fear and excitement coursing through her veins.
His swordsmanship… it was unfathomable.
“Hua Shuya, let’s go.”
“Huh?”
She jumped, turning to see Lin Tianlu emerging from the house, carrying a bucket and several cleaning supplies. “M-Master, what are you doing?”
“Didn’t you just buy the house next door?” He smiled, holding up a broom. “I have some free time. I thought I’d help you clean it up.”
“B-But you can’t do that!” Hua Shuya protested, waving her hands frantically. “That’s menial labor. I’ll take care of it…”
“We’ll do it together.”
He thrust a small wooden basin into her hands. “Household chores are everyone’s responsibility. There’s no shame in it. Besides, you’ve been so generous to me. It’s the least I can do.”
“Master…”
Hua Shuya bit her lip, her heart warming at his unexpected kindness.
He treated her with respect, with genuine warmth, like an equal, not a subordinate.
She touched the tear in her robe, a strange tingling sensation spreading through her body.
…
Hours later, Hua Shuya leaned against a pillar, wiping the sweat from her brow.
They had cleaned the entire house, inside and out. Even the high eaves and rafters had been dusted, thanks to her agility.
And Lin Tianlu had worked alongside her, sharing the burden without complaint.
“Hua Shuya, come have some tea and pastries.”
Lin Tianlu sat on the veranda, beckoning her with a smile.
“Coming, Master.” She smiled back, hurrying over to wash her hands and face.
She smoothed back her hair, straightened her robes, and approached him, her cheeks flushed with a delicate pink.
“These are from the neighbor who gave me the pastries last night. I brought some over for you to try.”
He opened the wooden box, releasing a fragrant aroma that filled the air.
Hua Shuya’s stomach rumbled in anticipation.
She hesitated for a moment, then spoke in a soft, shy voice. “Master, may I… try one?”
Lin Tianlu chuckled. “Go ahead.”
“Thank you.”
She carefully selected a pastry, taking a small bite. Her eyes widened as the flavors exploded on her tongue, the soft, chewy texture melting in her mouth. She couldn’t help but let out a soft moan of pleasure.
It was the most delicious pastry she had ever tasted!
Even the chefs in her household couldn’t compare!
“Delicious!”
“Right?” Lin Tianlu beamed. “She’s a truly talented baker. I wonder where she learned her skills.”
Hua Shuya devoured the pastry, savoring every bite.
If only every day could be like this… enjoying delicious treats, spending time with Master…
She shook her head, a wave of drowsiness washing over her.
“Have some more if you like, Hua Shuya.” Lin Tianlu pulled out the Go board, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “But perhaps we could play a game while you eat. I studied some Go manuals today. I think I’m ready for a rematch… huh?”
He frowned, noticing that Hua Shuya had fallen asleep, her head resting against the pillar, her breathing slow and even.
“…”
She had fallen asleep that quickly?
He stared at her, a mixture of amusement and concern on his face.
“Come to think of it, she hasn’t rested since we left Mount Taiyi.”
He chuckled, removing his outer robe and gently draping it over her shoulders.
Despite her martial prowess and her unwavering determination, she was still a young woman, vulnerable and in need of rest. Her sleeping face was serene and beautiful, her skin as smooth and delicate as porcelain.
“It would be nice to play a soothing melody on the flute right now,” he mused.
But he glanced at the jade flute tucked into his robe and shook his head, a wry smile curving his lips.
He wouldn’t risk waking her.
He didn’t want to get noise complaints from the neighbors. He had spent all morning making a good impression.
He picked up a pastry, his mind wandering.
He was surrounded by a beautiful woman, sound asleep, yet all he could think about was fried chicken.
“Maybe I’ve seen too many… images in my previous life. I’ve become immune to feminine charms.”
He chuckled to himself, pulling out a book and settling down to read.
Yes, books were far more interesting than… other forms of entertainment.
