Chapter 14: A Lingering Fragrance
The sun blazed high in the sky, casting a warm glow over Changling County.
The previous night’s demonic incursion had shaken the town, leaving a trail of fear and uncertainty in its wake.
Whispers and rumors filled the streets, and curious onlookers gathered near the charred remains of the fabric shop, eager to catch a glimpse of the aftermath.
Among the throng of people, an elderly man in simple hemp clothing, a long sword strapped to his back, crouched down near the shop’s entrance. He carefully picked up a handful of ash, his weathered face etched with a thoughtful frown.
“Ethereal flames, harmless to flesh and bone. A lingering aura of yin energy, a faint echo of a spirit’s scream.”
He stroked his white beard, his eyes narrowed in contemplation. “These are the remnants of a vanquished spirit. To think that such a powerful entity would appear in a small town like Changling County… and that someone here was capable of defeating it.”
He glanced at the charred remains of the shop, a flicker of excitement dancing in his eyes. “The intensity of those flames… it was no ordinary spirit. Even the embers could have burned a mortal to ash. A Pure Yang realm martial artist would have been incinerated.
Yet, someone walked through those flames unharmed, even venturing into the heart of the inferno to confront the spirit. Such power… it’s extraordinary!
But who could it be? Such a master would surely be elusive, a hidden dragon rarely seen by mortal eyes.”
He sighed, brushing a few stray ashes from his hat, preparing to leave.
But then, a snippet of conversation caught his ear.
“That scholar… he really rushed into the burning shop alone… and saved Old Zhang?”
“We all saw it with our own eyes. There’s no doubt about it.”
Two young men, dressed in simple cotton robes, sat at a nearby breakfast stall, their voices hushed as they discussed the previous night’s events.
One of them, a tall, muscular youth, leaned closer to his companion, his voice barely a whisper. “Those ghost flames… they were terrifying. No one dared to go near the shop. But that scholar… he didn’t hesitate. He charged into the inferno and carried those men out, and he wasn’t even burned!
The elders say it was a demon, and that the scholar’s righteous aura, his pure yang energy, protected him from the flames.”
His companion, his mouth full of steamed buns, nodded in agreement. “To think that such a virtuous man would reside in our humble town. To repel evil with nothing but his inner strength… it’s truly inspiring. I wonder which academy he teaches at? Or perhaps he’s a newly appointed scholar?”
“I’m not sure. I heard he’s from another town…”
“Excuse me, gentlemen.”
A deep, resonant voice startled them. They turned to see an elderly man, his face creased with age, his eyes bright with an eager intensity.
Despite his simple clothing, he exuded an air of authority, a hint of something otherworldly.
The muscular youth felt a surge of respect. He rose to his feet, bowing politely. “Sir, can we help you?”
“I’m just a humble traveler, passing through your town. I overheard your conversation about the fire at the fabric shop. Could you tell me… where I might find the man who saved those people?” The old man’s voice trembled with anticipation.
The youth, sensing his urgency, hesitated for a moment before pointing towards a nearby street.
“I don’t know him personally, sir. But I heard he lives on Stone Workshop Street, to the north. I’m not sure exactly where…”
He was about to shake his head apologetically when both he and his companion froze, their eyes widening in disbelief.
The old man… he was gone.
Vanished into thin air.
“Th-This… a ghost?!”
They scrambled back, their faces pale with terror, their shouts swallowed by the bustling crowd.
But the old man was already gone, his movements swift and silent, his form blending seamlessly with the throng of people.
…
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit room, filled with the delicate fragrance of incense, Mao Ruoyu stirred from her slumber.
She groaned softly, her eyelids fluttering open. She sat up, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders. Her ample bosom strained against the loose fabric of her robe, her every movement sending ripples of temptation through the air.
“How… how did I get home?”
She blinked, her mind foggy, the events of the previous night slowly returning to her.
Her face paled, her throat tightening with fear.
“That scholar…”
She swallowed hard.
She hadn’t seen it with her own eyes.
But there was no doubt in her mind… that the spirit had been destroyed by that scholar.
“Madam Mao, you’re awake?”
A cheerful voice from beyond the door startled her, sending a shiver down her spine.
The door creaked open, and Lin Tianlu entered, carrying a tray laden with breakfast.
“Y-You! What are you doing in my house?!” She scrambled to pull the blanket up to her chin, her eyes wide with alarm.
Lin Tianlu set the tray down, quickly averting his gaze. He smiled apologetically. “You fainted last night, Madam Mao. You were quite shaken by the fire. I asked some kind women to bring you home.
Please don’t worry. I didn’t do anything improper. They helped you change your clothes. But… I apologize for entering your room without permission.”
He bowed deeply, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “I brought you some porridge and tea. You should eat something. You look a bit pale. I also have some tonic prepared for you. It’ll help restore your energy.”
Mao Ruoyu stared at him, speechless, her mind reeling.
He hadn’t killed her?
…
Lin Tianlu sat in the main hall, browsing a book he had found in the house.
The archaic script had initially given him a headache, but the scholar’s memories were proving helpful. He was starting to get the hang of it.
The illustrations, however… they were a different story. They were abstract, to say the least.
“Ahem…”
A soft cough startled him out of his reading.
He looked up to see Mao Ruoyu standing in the doorway, her figure as alluring as ever in a flowing silk robe. Her hair was pulled back in a simple braid, her face adorned with a light touch of makeup. She smiled apologetically, her voice soft and melodious. “Sir, please forgive my earlier outburst. I was… not myself.”
“There’s no need to apologize, Madam Mao.”
Lin Tianlu set aside his book, returning her bow. “I was touched by your concern last night. You risked your own safety to follow me to the fire. It was my pleasure to help you.
But your house seemed rather empty. Many of the rooms were unoccupied, covered in dust and cobwebs. I had some free time, so I took the liberty of cleaning up a bit.”
Mao Ruoyu’s eyes widened, her voice laced with urgency. “Please, sir, don’t misunderstand. It’s just that… like you, I only recently moved back to Changling County. And I’m… not as strong as I used to be. I haven’t had the energy to clean properly.”
Lin Tianlu nodded thoughtfully. “You do seem a bit frail, Madam Mao. You shouldn’t overexert yourself. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
“I’m ashamed to have burdened you with such trivial matters.”
She bowed deeply, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
Lin Tianlu chuckled. “It’s nothing, Madam Mao. Neighbors should help each other. But there’s something I’m curious about, if you don’t mind my asking.”
“Please, sir, ask away.”
“I didn’t see your daughter last night. I searched the entire house.”
He frowned, his voice laced with concern.
“Madam Mao, where is your daughter?”
Her face paled, her hands clenching into fists beneath her sleeves.
