Chapter 264: Silk-Like Teasing
Cheng Yishi, puzzled about who might have gone to the Lin Mansion ahead of them, quickly paused, hesitating: “Martial Aunt, you said you had something to discuss with me, is it really about the marriage?”
“Indeed.”
Ninth Elder crossed her arms, the casual gesture causing her slender figure beneath the loose black robes to practically spill out, making Cheng Yishi’s eyelids twitch. She inwardly muttered that this mother and daughter were truly alike in some ways.
“Tianlu and Ruoyu have both spoken to me about you, and I had no objections when I was at Lunar Valley. After all, this is a choice you young people made yourselves, and as an outsider, I naturally have no right to interfere. Even though I raised Ruoyu, I can’t act like a wicked mother and obstruct things.”
“Then what does Martial Aunt want…”
“Come to think of it, I can’t give you a good meeting gift for now.” The corners of Ninth Elder’s mouth lifted slightly, revealing a kind smile: “So, I’ll teach you some Yin techniques in this illusion. I don’t expect you to become incredibly powerful overnight, but it should give you some self-preservation skills against strong enemies. Consider it a small wedding gift from me.”
Teaching her techniques?
Cheng Yishi was stunned and couldn’t help but whisper: “Isn’t this too valuable…”
“That Shuya girl has already learned a few Moon Shadow Secret Techniques in Lunar Valley. Wouldn’t it be unfair to leave you out?”
Ninth Elder suddenly brought her two fingers together and gently tapped Cheng Yishi’s forehead.
Cheng Yishi’s body trembled, her slightly dazed eyes gradually closing, as if she had focused her mind and entered a state of comprehension.
“Not bad, you truly have extraordinary talent.” Seeing this, Ninth Elder nodded slightly, murmuring with satisfaction: “And just like Ruoyu, your Yang energy is abundant, your soul full and translucent like jade. You are truly blessed.”
“But as for this girl’s character, I’ll have to take this opportunity to understand her better.”
Ninth Elder released her finger and sat down opposite the stone table, picking up the teacup and taking a sip.
The atmosphere returned to calmness. Looking at the serene lake outside the bamboo pavilion, her gaze gradually drifted.
“Time flies, truly fleeting. I didn’t expect the wedding day to arrive so soon. I wonder… if Tianlu is ready.”
“However, with ‘that one’ there, the tension might dissipate quite a bit.”
…
Inside the Lin Mansion.
A strange aura now flowed through the once quiet pavilion.
Lin Tianlu put down the Go stone in his hand and looked curiously at Xueshan sitting opposite him.
The child seemed to be racking his brains, trying to figure out the next move, but he couldn’t find a solution, his eyes welling up with tears of frustration, truly making one feel pity for him.
However, upon closer observation—
A chilling coldness was emanating from Xueshan’s body, transforming into silk-like cold air that lingered around him. With each breath, it was exhaled from his slightly parted lips and then slowly inhaled into his lungs. Even he himself hadn’t noticed this strange change, still focused on the Go board, refusing to place the Go stone in his hand.
“Interesting.”
Lin Tianlu smiled slightly, his curiosity piqued.
He knew very well that his Go game contained a subtle power that could sometimes allow people to glimpse some mysterious and strange realms, even increasing their cultivation level.
However, this power currently seemed to only be effective on those with extraordinary talent. At least when he played against Old Master Nie next door, such a phenomenon hadn’t occurred.
And now, Xueshan’s strange state…
“It seems this child has some natural talent?”
“Wah!”
Suddenly, Xueshan screamed as if he had seen something terrifying, waking up covered in sweat.
He clutched his chest and gasped for breath, sweat pouring down his face, his voice hoarse: “W-Why did I suddenly…”
“What did you see just now?”
“I-I suddenly saw a lot of ice and snow blowing onto my face, freezing me solid.” Xueshan replied instinctively.
Then, he paused slightly, waving his hands nervously: “Sir, don’t worry, maybe I just spaced out for a moment and accidentally recalled some past events.”
“Past events?”
“This…”
Xueshan hesitated, his expression darkening: “My family was harmed on a snowy night. I only vaguely remember the snow scene that night.”
Lin Tianlu’s smile froze, and he scratched his cheek awkwardly.
He hadn’t expected that a casual question would accidentally touch upon someone else’s painful past. It was truly inappropriate.
“Do you remember the enemy who harmed your family?”
“I don’t remember.”
Xueshan pursed his lips and shook his head: “I was very young at the time, and even my parents’ faces are blurry now. I don’t know what happened back then.”
Lin Tianlu was silent for a moment, then quickly put away the Go stones. With a gentle smile, he stood up and patted Xueshan’s thin shoulder: “Since you don’t remember, there’s no need to dwell on it. Seeing how sweaty you are, go to the backyard and take a good bath. If the cold wind blows on you, you might catch a cold, and it won’t be pleasant to spend the New Year with a runny nose.”
“But this game…”
“Let’s say you won today, Xueshan.”
Xueshan immediately panicked: “T-That won’t do! Sir clearly had the advantage, and I would have been defeated in three moves, how can—”
“It’s just a friendly match, why take it so seriously?”
Lin Tianlu helped him up from his seat and led him towards the backyard with a chuckle: “If you like, we’ll have plenty of opportunities to practice our Go skills in the future. If there’s a chance, you can also play with Old Master Nie next door, he might like you, little guy.”
“…Okay!”
…
After a while, Lin Tianlu put down his rolled-up sleeves and returned to the courtyard alone.
Recalling Xueshan’s blushing and shy expression when he was about to change his clothes, he truly experienced the unique joy of taking care of a child.
Of course, he wasn’t shameless enough to stay any longer like a creepy old man. After preparing hot water and clean clothes for him, he naturally tidied up and left quietly, giving the child some private space to relax…
“This child is so much more adorable than those so-called brats.”
Lin Tianlu touched his chin, reminiscing, and couldn’t help but chuckle.
But when he was around ten years old, he seemed to have been one of those mischievous brats himself.
“…Eh?”
Just as he returned to the pavilion to put away the Go board, he suddenly let out a soft exclamation, noticing something amiss.
The Go stones on the board had been moved.
Lin Tianlu looked around, a puzzled look on his face. Ruoyu and the others had already gone out, even Yun Yue had been half-pulled, half-pushed out the door. Only he and Xueshan were left.
Who would have entered the courtyard and deliberately moved the Go stones?
“I didn’t expect there to be such an interesting little fellow in your house.”
A charming whisper drifted into his ears like the wind.
“Although there’s no Yin energy, his soul displays a rather remarkable and wondrous rhythm.”
Just then, a mature and seductive chuckle sounded behind him: “If he were properly cultivated and trained, he might become a remarkable ghost practitioner in the future, renowned throughout the land.
But that child’s foundation is also very pure and clear, quite the handsome lad, and his heart is free of any evil thoughts, pure and flawless. For such a child to catch your attention, it’s bound to arouse some fantasies~”
Lin Tianlu’s eyes widened slightly, a surprised look on his face.
But after a moment of silence, he quickly nodded in realization, a smile appearing on his lips: “So it’s you.”
“Oh? Could it be that you can easily recognize my identity just by hearing my disguised voice?”
A hint of teasing appeared in the soft voice: “Or did you mistake me for another woman?”
“Although the voice is affected, the charm in your words is hard to conceal or fabricate.”
Lin Tianlu spread his hands casually, explaining: “And recalling the women I’ve interacted with, the most alluring one is undoubtedly—” Hiss!
Before he could finish speaking, he gasped.
A cold and slender finger had touched his neck, and an incredibly sexy and voluptuous body pressed tightly against him. Even through several layers of clothing, he could clearly feel the wonderful softness and tenderness.
A faint fragrance lingered in his nose, and a gentle breath brushed against his ear: “So in your eyes, I’m the most alluring one?”
The sweet and tender whispers brought a temptation that could make one lose themselves in ecstasy. At the same time, he could feel a jade-like white hand reach from under her arm and brush against his chest, gently caressing and teasing.
“Since that’s what you think… then I really should live up to your expectations and let you savor this dreamlike feeling.”
Along with the charming and mature whispers and chuckles, the long, beautiful legs hidden beneath the black robe bent slightly and lifted, her alluring body entwining around him like a graceful snake, gently rubbing and caressing.
Immediately, Lin Tianlu grabbed the hands that were wandering over his body, his lips twitching: “Just speak normally, why are you touching me everywhere! If you continue to fool around, don’t blame me for throwing you out, regardless of your identity!”
“Hmph! Sometimes you’re like a blockhead, completely insensitive to romance. I really don’t know how you managed to win over those three girls.”
“That’s irrelevant!”
Lin Tianlu quickly turned around to look behind him.
But as soon as he turned his head, a discarded black robe was thrown at him.
Just as he was about to wave away the robe covering his face, he felt a voluptuous and tender body embrace him again, forcibly pressing his shoulders down as they sat together on the long chair.
“Hehe~”
Through the translucent fabric of the black robe, he could vaguely see a half-naked woman sitting astride him in a seductive posture. She lightly touched her red lips, a mischievous and sweet smile appearing on her face: “I was released from prison specifically to see you again. I didn’t expect that after so long, you’re still so straightforward.”
