Chapter 243: Exotic Delights, One After Another
Lin Tianlu and Hua Shuya glanced at the crowd and saw a woman with a graceful figure dancing by the roadside.
Her face was veiled with a translucent scarf, her emerald green dress flowing as she moved, her dance captivating and graceful. Two children scattered flower petals around her, adding to the enchanting atmosphere. The onlookers included not only men but also many women, all captivated by her performance.
But what was most striking was…
The dancer had long, shimmering golden hair, and her faintly visible features hinted at an exotic, Western appearance. She was clearly not a local.
“I didn’t expect to see a Westerner in Changling County.”
Hua Shuya was surprised.
As the granddaughter of Prince Zhengyang, she was naturally well-traveled and knowledgeable. Western visitors were extremely rare, mostly appearing in the capital or major provincial cities, rarely venturing to remote counties like this.
Seeing one performing on the street was truly unexpected.
Judging by the expressions of the onlookers, the dancer’s golden hair was indeed eye-catching. Many whispered amongst themselves, curious about her identity and origins.
Lin Tianlu chuckled. “It’s good to have some cultural exchange.”
At least the Western dancer’s performance was genuinely skillful, relying on elegant and classical movements rather than suggestive displays.
Otherwise, the women wouldn’t be so captivated.
If she were performing some vulgar dance in broad daylight, she would likely have been pelted with rotten vegetables.
“Cultural exchange… is it?”
Hua Shuya nodded thoughtfully.
Just then, a boisterous laugh echoed through the street.
“Boy, why are you running! Stop and fight me!”
“Madman!”
A figure darted through the crowd with remarkable agility and speed.
The man who had laughed was also skilled in lightness techniques, leaping and bounding over the heads and shoulders of the crowd in pursuit.
The two men chased each other through the street, causing quite a commotion, the startled cries of pedestrians adding to the chaos as they stumbled and dodged.
“Your sect’s Thousand Mile Steps, is it only used for running away?! Draw your weapon!”
Angry shouts drew closer, indicating that the two were rapidly approaching.
Lin Tianlu frowned, seeing that the pursuing man was about to step on an elderly woman’s head. He focused his spiritual energy and flicked his finger.
Snap!
“Huh?!” The man’s expression changed drastically. He felt as if he had been struck by lightning, his footing faltering, his lightness technique disrupted. He flailed wildly, about to fall headfirst.
But just as he was about to crash to the ground, he felt a gentle force on his shoulder, neutralizing his momentum, allowing him to land smoothly.
“This…”
The man was bewildered.
Snapping out of his daze, he looked at the scholarly-looking man beside him.
Lin Tianlu, supporting his shoulder, chuckled. “My friend, it’s best to be more careful in a crowded street like this. You could easily hurt yourself or others if you’re not careful.”
The man opened his mouth, feeling an inexplicable pressure, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
Despite his usual arrogance, his voice was hesitant. “M-My lightness technique is top-notch. How could I possibly…”
“Running around on people’s heads and shoulders is disrespectful. If you were to injure an elderly person, would you stop to compensate them for their medical expenses?”
Lin Tianlu cupped his hands. “But I see you were chasing another man. Do you have some sort of grudge against him?”
The man forced a smile.
“That man is also skilled in saber techniques, like me. I’ve heard of his sect and simply wanted to spar with him.”
“If you want to spar, it’s best to do so outside the city where there are no people, to avoid injuring innocent bystanders.”
Hearing the continued admonishment, the man snapped out of his daze, recalling the sudden change in his momentum a moment ago. A fiery fighting spirit surged within him.
—This scholar might be an unfathomable expert!
This thought sparked an eager anticipation for a match. He instinctively placed his hand on the hilt of his saber.
Yi Heng had spent years challenging strong opponents, honing his skills through constant sparring and battles.
He had never been afraid, even when facing Grandmasters, even if it meant serious injuries. He believed that through perseverance, he could overcome any adversity and forge his own path!
And now…
This might be the perfect opportunity to test his skills against a true expert!
Clang!
The glint of a saber flashed, a silver light accompanied by a sharp whistle.
Yi Heng grinned fiercely, his eyes wide, channeling his energy to the limit, drawing his saber in a flash, the force of his Qi creating a gust of wind.
“Expert, take—”
Thud.
Just as he drew his saber halfway, a hand pressed against the hilt, gently pushing it back into its sheath. The saber’s aura instantly dissipated.
“…”
Yi Heng froze, stuck in an awkward, half-drawn stance.
Meanwhile, nearby pedestrians noticed the commotion and paused, exclaiming, “Mr. Lin?”
“There’s no need for alarm, everyone. This martial artist was just a bit overzealous, using his lightness techniques in the street. I’ve already given him a warning.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and bowed to the onlookers.
“Martial artist?”
They glanced at the man’s saber, their expressions filled with unease.
“Mr. Lin, it’s best to stay away from him. What if he suddenly attacks…”
“Don’t worry. If he causes trouble here, I’ll be the first to take him to the authorities.”
The townspeople relaxed, and many approached to greet Lin Tianlu warmly.
Lin Tianlu returned their greetings with a smile.
“…”
Only Yi Heng remained frozen, staring blankly at his saber.
Fine cracks had appeared on the hilt, spreading to the guard, then crumbling into dust.
Having used his saber for almost half his life, he could sense that only the blade within the sheath remained intact. The rest of the weapon was completely shattered, unusable.
Could this be… the power of a Grandmaster?
No!
He had sparred with several Grandmasters before, and none of them had displayed such casual, overwhelming power, able to effortlessly break through his defenses, shatter his saber’s aura, and precisely destroy only the hilt, preventing him from using his weapon in public.
“If you act recklessly and hurt someone, I’ll take you to the authorities myself.”
A cold voice echoed beside him.
Yi Heng looked up to see a beautiful, heroic young woman walking past him, her expression calm.
Suddenly, he felt an immense pressure, and sweat poured down his forehead.
This woman was so young, but her martial arts prowess… was at least equal to his!
What kind of monstrous talent was this?!
“…”
After a while, the oppressive pressure dissipated, and Yi Heng felt as if he had been pulled out of water, drenched in sweat, clutching his chest and gasping for air, almost losing his balance.
He wiped the sweat from his face with a trembling hand, still shaken, and looked back, only to find that Lin Tianlu and the woman had disappeared. The street had returned to its usual bustling activity, with only a few passersby glancing at him curiously, wondering why a sweaty man was standing motionless in the middle of the road.
Recalling his experience, Yi Heng was stunned. “H-How… how is this possible—”
“Do you know who that man was?”
A husky, seductive female voice echoed beside his ear, startling Yi Heng. He turned around abruptly.
The golden-haired dancer, who had been performing earlier, now stood quietly in a corner, unnoticed by the passing crowds.
Yi Heng’s eyes widened, a shiver running down his spine.
The golden-haired woman’s gaze was calm and unwavering. “It seems… you don’t recognize him.”
“W-Who are you…?”
“You seek to cultivate through martial arts, but it’s best to temper your arrogance. One day, you might encounter an insurmountable foe and lose your life. That expert just spared you. Don’t act recklessly and harm innocent people.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the mysterious golden-haired woman vanished into thin air like smoke.
The surrounding pedestrians didn’t notice a thing, as if she had never existed!
This shocking scene, in broad daylight, left Yi Heng stunned and speechless. He stumbled back, his body trembling.
“That woman… wasn’t alive!”
His heart pounded with fear. He instinctively reached for his saber, only to remember that it was broken. Panic surged through him, and he looked around frantically.
Before coming to Changling, he had heard rumors about this place, stories of powerful experts and lurking evils. But only now did he truly believe that Changling County was a den of monsters!
And this ‘hero’s feast’… was fraught with danger!
…
Lin Tianlu and Hua Shuya had bid farewell to their neighbors and were returning home.
“These martial artists are quite hot-blooded and arrogant.”
“Cultivating one’s body can easily lead to heightened emotions and impulsive behavior.”
Hearing her senior’s words, Hua Shuya chuckled softly. “That’s why most cities and towns have regulations for martial artists, preventing them from using their skills in public. Ordinary people can’t defend themselves against them.”
Lin Tianlu asked curiously, “But that brute just now…”
“Perhaps the city guards were negligent, or perhaps he bribed them?”
Hua Shuya replied thoughtfully. “But judging by his lightness techniques, he probably scaled the city walls and snuck in. After all, there are very few martial artists in Changling County. They likely don’t have the resources to track down such a skilled individual.”
Even if Changling wanted to tighten security, how many people could catch a highly skilled martial artist?
Lin Tianlu nodded in understanding. “That’s a problem we can’t ignore.”
“I might have to go to the magistrate’s office today to help out.” Hua Shuya apologized. “I’m sorry, Senior, I have to go out and…”
“There’s no need to apologize.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled and waved his hand. “If you can help Magistrate Tang maintain order in Changling and prevent any violent conflicts, that would be a great deed. Besides, I’ll be marrying Ruoyu and Yishi soon. It’s best if the county remains peaceful. Constant fighting and killing would be quite disruptive.”
Hua Shuya nodded seriously. “I’ll do my best to maintain order so you can focus on your wedding preparations, Senior.”
“But it sounds like you’ll be quite busy, Shuya…”
“I remember your teachings, Senior. I should be kind and helpful to others.” A gentle smile appeared on Hua Shuya’s face. “I’m happy to help keep Changling safe. It’s no trouble at all.”
Lin Tianlu gave her a thumbs-up. “You’re becoming more and more mature and responsible, Shuya.”
His disciple was truly reliable.
Despite her young age, her maturity and resolve were rare among her peers.
Hua Shuya tucked her hair behind her ear, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. “You flatter me, Senior. I also have… ulterior motives…”
“It’s natural to have personal motivations.”
Lin Tianlu was about to say something more when he frowned slightly, sensing a strange gaze from afar.
It wasn’t a hostile gaze, but… strangely curious.
He stopped and followed the gaze, spotting a figure behind the curtained window of a nearby restaurant.
Hua Shuya noticed his pause and asked, surprised, “What’s wrong, Senior?”
“Someone is watching us. From that restaurant across the street.”
Hua Shuya’s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly followed his gaze.
But she couldn’t see anything unusual…
“Could it be another martial artist from out of town? A Grandmaster, perhaps?”
“Perhaps… not a martial artist.”
Lin Tianlu narrowed his eyes, a smile playing on his lips. “Since they’re watching us, I might as well go over and meet them. Pay them a visit.”
