Chapter 295: Successive Defeats, A Night of Tranquility
Came for me?
Lin Tianlu paused slightly.
It was one thing if it were in Changling County, but why would someone specifically follow him all the way to Wuchang Province, claiming to be looking for him?
As for the name Fuxiao, he had never heard of it before and had no impression of this person.
“I happened to hear your name, Lin Tianlu, and came here specifically to take a look. Now that I’ve seen you in person, you have more presence than I imagined, quite different from ordinary scholars.”
Fuxiao looked him up and down appraisingly, clicking his tongue in wonder: “Intelligent eyes, imposing manner, at least the evaluation of a scholar is true, you can be considered a man among men.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled and cupped his hands: “Sir, we don’t seem to know each other, such praise is a bit…”
“It’s fate that we meet here, why bother with worldly formalities?”
Fuxiao flung his sleeve, suddenly grinning fiercely and arrogantly, pointing at him: “Now is the perfect time, let’s have a great battle!”
“…”
Lin Tianlu was stunned.
So, he had encountered a slightly unhinged brute?
“Sir, are you saying… you want to have a great battle here?”
“Exactly!”
Fuxiao spread his arms and laughed heartily: “It’s your honor, Lin Tianlu, to fight me, Fuxiao. Use all your abilities and let me see if you truly possess such earth-shattering power, and if you can entertain me!”
Lin Tianlu’s eye twitched: “Sir, there doesn’t seem to be any deep hatred between us…”
“Are you afraid to fight?!”
Fuxiao’s expression turned to anger, and he shouted: “You have such an unfathomable aura, yet you’re so cowardly, not even daring to fight me, how disappointing!
Since you refuse to fight me to the death, then I’ll take the initiative—”
“Shh, shh, shh!”
Lin Tianlu quickly made a silencing gesture: “Sir! Lower your voice, many people in this inn are already asleep, your shouting can be heard throughout the entire inn!”
“You’re… telling me to be quiet?”
After a brief pause, Fuxiao’s anger intensified: “For the sake of these weak and defenseless mortals, you want me to—”
“Sir, your way of speaking is quite strange and awkward. Since you really want a ‘great battle,’ let’s go outside and talk.”
Lin Tianlu placed his hand on Fuxiao’s shoulder.
“You—”
Being suddenly touched, Fuxiao’s expression changed, and he was about to get angry again.
But at this moment, his expression froze, and he stumbled a few steps, almost losing his balance.
Surprised, he felt an incredibly powerful pressure coming from his shoulder, as if the might of heaven was pressing down on him, making his whole body tremble slightly.
This aura… could this be Lin Tianlu’s true power?!
Fuxiao’s eyes glinted. Instead of anger, an indescribable excitement surged through his heart.
If he truly possessed such astonishing cultivation, it definitely wouldn’t be boring!
…
In the quiet and deserted backyard.
Lin Tianlu scratched his head and looked back at Fuxiao, who had followed him.
This man had been staring at him intently with a “fiery” gaze all the way, making him feel goosebumps all over.
Did this person have some strange fetish?
“Cough! Sir, are you sure you want to have a great battle with me?”
“Naturally!”
Fuxiao put his hands behind his back, his expression arrogant and fervent: “A battle with you will be exhilarating! That is the only reason I came here to find you!”
“Alright, alright.”
Lin Tianlu waved his hand quickly and said helplessly: “I understand, let’s have a battle then.”
Fuxiao’s eyes glinted, and his aura suddenly surged, a terrifying pressure, like an abyss, enveloping the entire backyard.
But the excited and arrogant smile on his face suddenly froze, his aura solidifying.
Because Lin Tianlu had raised his hand:
“Don’t be impatient, sir, wait a moment.”
“What are you…”
Before he could finish speaking, Lin Tianlu quickly ran back into the inn.
Fuxiao stared blankly, momentarily stunned.
What… what was this?
Was he afraid to fight and trying to sneak away?
But judging by his aura, he hadn’t left the inn but was moving around inside.
Or was he trying to stall for time?
As soon as this thought arose, he saw Lin Tianlu running back.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, sir. The ‘great battle’ preparations are complete. If you don’t mind, let’s begin on this stone table.”
“You…”
Fuxiao stared blankly as Lin Tianlu took out an old Go board from behind him.
“A gentleman uses his words, not his fists, naturally, we’ll make friends through literature.”
Lin Tianlu placed two pots of black and white Go stones on the table and chuckled: “Having a ‘fierce battle’ on this Go board should suit your taste, sir, right? The only things I’m somewhat skilled at are Go and Gomoku. If you want to compose poems or match couplets, I’m afraid I’m not up to the task.”
Fuxiao: “…”
He stared blankly at the pot of black Go stones pushed towards him, speechless.
“What? Don’t you like Go, sir?”
Lin Tianlu cupped his hands and chuckled: “After all, your arrival tonight was quite sudden, sir, and I wasn’t prepared. I could only borrow a Go board from the inn, I hope you don’t mind.”
Fuxiao looked up in surprise and uncertainty: “You… do you think I came here specifically to play this so-called Go with you?”
“Were you really planning to compete in literary skills, sir?”
Lin Tianlu said awkwardly: “If we were truly competing in literary knowledge, then I would be making a fool of myself.”
“I clearly said ‘great battle’ just now…”
“The schemes and fierce confrontations on this Go board are naturally the intense battle you desire, sir!” Lin Tianlu smiled again, promoting it like a salesman: “Don’t underestimate this small board, every move is filled with deep thought and strategy, with both fierce attacks and cunning ambushes. Only those with both wisdom and courage can achieve final victory.”
He smiled mysteriously, casually turning a white Go stone between his fingers: “Or is it that, despite your bold words just now, sir, you’re actually afraid of a real confrontation and unwilling to accept?”
Hearing these provocative words, Fuxiao’s expression darkened, and he snorted heavily: “You’re truly a cunning and devious man.”
“What do you say, sir?”
“Since you’re provoking me like this, I naturally can’t back down, I accept!”
Fuxiao sneered repeatedly, picking up a Go stone from the pot: “If you think I don’t know how to play Go, you’re too naive and arrogant.
My skills are on par with even the so-called masters, perhaps even surpassing them. If you lose this battle… don’t think you can use this boring trick to avoid a real fight with me!”
“Certainly.”
Lin Tianlu smiled frankly and spread his hands: “If you’re better than me at Go, sir, I naturally won’t make any more excuses. However… let’s talk after the game.”
A sharp glint flashed in Fuxiao’s eyes, and he sneered arrogantly:
“I will defeat you!”
…
After a stick of incense’s worth of time.
Fuxiao clenched the Go stone in his hand tightly, staring at the board with bloodshot eyes.
The board was covered with Go stones, black and white intertwined, but if one looked closely at the situation, one could see that the black stones were at a disadvantage, struggling on the verge of defeat.
“H-How is this possible—”
Fuxiao’s eyes were bloodshot, his teeth gritted, almost losing control as he crushed the Go stone in his hand.
He couldn’t understand.
How had the situation been reversed? He had clearly had the advantage not long ago, but now he was being completely suppressed, without even a glimmer of hope for a comeback.
He could almost see his army being ambushed and annihilated, only a few scattered soldiers left struggling to survive.
Looking up, he could only see the endless enemy forces closing in, a chilling aura enveloping him, making it hard to breathe.
Lin Tianlu calmly took a sip of warm tea…
He had just brewed it in the kitchen next door during a break.
“Sir, it seems this battle is almost over, do you have any other brilliant strategies?”
Crack!
Fuxiao crushed the Go stone in his fingers and took a deep breath: “I’ve lost this round.
However, I was just careless and didn’t expect you to be so skilled at Go. In the next round, I will definitely turn the tables and crush you completely!”
Lin Tianlu grinned: “It’s good that you have such an unyielding spirit, sir, it’s commendable. But please don’t crush the Go stones again, I’ll have to compensate the innkeeper later.”
“Hmph! I understand!”
Fuxiao snorted coldly, suppressing the slight surge of Yin energy.
He, the dignified East Fuxiao King, wouldn’t lose control and become undignified just because of a lost Go game. He just needed to be more careful next time!
“Let’s play another round!”
“I’m glad you’re interested, sir.”
Lin Tianlu nodded with satisfaction and was about to rearrange the Go board when Fuxiao waved his sleeve, and the black and white stones returned to their respective pots.
“You’re quite impatient, sir.”
“No need to waste time! Let’s play! I must win!”
“Focus and calmness are most important when playing Go, you can’t be so impetuous.” Lin Tianlu shook his head and chuckled, quickly picking up the Go stones again.
Fuxiao’s gaze narrowed, his eyes fixed on the black stone placed on the board.
In the previous game, he had underestimated this man’s Go skills. He hadn’t expected such brilliant strategies and thinking, as if he had complete control over the board.
In that case, he had other ways to win!
Various strategies flashing through his mind, Fuxiao suddenly sneered and quickly placed his stone.
“Victory is already within my grasp!”
…
After a stick of incense’s worth of time.
“N-No, it’s impossible…”
Fuxiao leaned against the stone table, almost collapsing, his face full of disbelief.
This time, he had been completely focused and vigilant. With his thousand years of wisdom, he couldn’t possibly be weaker than others.
But most importantly…
In this Go game, he had sensed a strange and elusive rhythm. It was just a game, yet he felt as if he were truly in a world of black and white, every move shaking heaven and earth, every placement like a grand scheme of the universe, and he was powerless to resist, being dragged into it, trapped in a quagmire.
How could there be such a strange and unpredictable Go game?
“It seems I’ve won again.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled and cupped his hands: “I humbly accept your concession.”
“You—”
Fuxiao suddenly looked up, seemingly furious, his lips trembling.
His clenched hands trembled for a while, but he didn’t explode in anger. Recalling the magnificent momentum of the Go game just now, he felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction, even the anger in his heart dissipating quite a bit.
“…Let’s play another round!”
Fuxiao’s eyes flickered, and he said coldly: “I won’t lose again this time!”
Lin Tianlu chuckled awkwardly: “Sir, it’s getting late, you should go back and rest. Moreover, it’s New Year’s Eve, I want to spend some time with my family. This Go game is really…”
“Let me win against you first!”
Fuxiao’s eyes glinted: “Or are you trying to run away?!”
Lin Tianlu looked slightly embarrassed:
“Your Go skills still need some improvement, sir. If you only rely on reflexes without adapting and strategizing, your moves will be chaotic and disorganized.”
“Are you saying… that I’m still too inexperienced, not even qualified to play against you?!” Fuxiao’s pupils constricted slightly.
Whoosh
Just then, Yun Yue, in her silver fox form, suddenly jumped down from the roof and landed lightly in Lin Tianlu’s arms.
“Hmm?!”
Fuxiao’s gaze narrowed, fixed on Yun Yue.
The man and the fox exchanged glances, and Lin Tianlu quickly smiled:
“Sir, if you don’t mind, how about playing a game with my little fox?”
“You… are you saying I’m not even as good as this fox?!”
Fuxiao’s voice deepened, his gaze cold.
“Don’t underestimate my Yue’er, she’s very intelligent, you might not be her match, sir.”
“Fine!”
Fuxiao suddenly shouted coldly: “If I win against this fox, you have to continue playing with me… no, you have to have a real battle with me!”
“It’s a deal.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and patted Yun Yue’s fluffy tail.
Yun Yue also raised her soft right paw cutely, a human-like smile on her face.
Fuxiao’s face darkened, but he suppressed his anger, grabbed a handful of Go stones, and shouted: “Hurry up and make your move!”
…
After a short while.
Fuxiao leaned against the stone table as if his strength had been drained, almost collapsing, his hands on his forehead, a dazed and disbelieving look on his face.
He had lost both games.
Not to the unfathomable and mysterious man before him, but to the fox in his arms!
Although the fox’s aura was also profound, its cultivation seemingly transcendent, it was… just a fox!
He, the dignified East Fuxiao King, had actually lost to a fox, it was unacceptable!
“Hu hu~”
Yun Yue lay lazily in Lin Tianlu’s arms, playfully raising the Go stone in her paw, a triumphant look on her face.
“So?”
Lin Tianlu chuckled: “Are you convinced now, Brother Fu? Or do you want to play a few more rounds with Yue’er?”
“I… am indeed inferior to you.”
Fuxiao straightened up with some effort, and the dark and gloomy expression on his face gradually improved, returning to a calm indifference.
“Tell me, why did I lose to this fox?”
“Your Go skills are remarkable, Brother Fu, but you’re too competitive and easily angered. Once you lose your reason and calmness, your Go game… becomes full of flaws and weaknesses.”
Lin Tianlu casually put away the Go stones on the table and smiled meaningfully: “Just like you are now.”
Fuxiao was stunned.
He quickly became serious, remaining silent for a while.
After a moment, he put the Go stones back into the pot.
“I lost.”
Fuxiao admitted frankly.
He had no complaints now.
He knew very well that he had lost his composure and become flustered during the Go game just now. Forget about whether this mysterious man had made a move, perhaps any Savage Realm demon or ghost could have severely injured him.
Not to mention that he had lost repeatedly in the game, utterly defeated and humiliated, without any excuse.
Tonight, he had lost completely and utterly.
“—I will come find you again soon.”
Fuxiao stared intently at Lin Tianlu, saying each word slowly and clearly: “I hope that next time we meet, you won’t show any weaknesses. I will challenge you again, until we have a real battle!
Before that, don’t be caught off guard and killed by those insignificant villains and their petty schemes!”
As soon as he finished speaking, Fuxiao turned and left abruptly, disappearing in a flash of light, without any intention of lingering.
“…”
Lin Tianlu watched him fly away and couldn’t help but chuckle: “He’s quite an interesting person.”
“He’s truly powerful, his personality is like a martial arts fanatic.”
Yun Yue twitched her fox ears: “But why did he suddenly come looking for us?”
“It’s unclear for now, and from his words, it seems he already knew me.” Lin Tianlu rubbed his chin, clicking his tongue: “Could he be someone sent by another faction?”
“His cultivation isn’t something an ordinary faction could possess.”
A cold glint flashed in Yun Yue’s lively eyes as she pondered deeply.
This town, and even the entire Wuchang Province… might not be peaceful!
“He might come again tomorrow, I’ll question him properly then. He doesn’t give me a bad feeling, there’s no need to be overly anxious or worried.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and rubbed the fox’s large tail: “Now, let’s sit down and enjoy the moonlight together. I haven’t had a chance to spend some alone time with you these past few days.”
“…I was being overly concerned. However—”
Yun Yue raised her head and looked back at him, a charming smile appearing on her cute fox face: “Do you prefer my human form or this fox form, Tianlu?”
As she spoke, her fluffy fox tail brushed against his face seductively, bringing a strange and soft sensation, a captivating fragrance lingering in the air.
Lin Tianlu pondered seriously for a while and whispered:
“Yue’er as a fox woman is the most adorable and charming.”
“You…”
With a wisp of mist dispersing, a slender finger emerged and gently tapped his forehead. Yun Yue’s figure quickly reappeared before him.
After almost a month, she had finally regained her original form. Behind her tall and alluring figure, several soft and fluffy fox tails swayed gently, her fox ears twitching, her breathtakingly beautiful and otherworldly appearance even more captivating.
Her every smile and frown seemed to illuminate the night, the cold backyard becoming otherworldly and ethereal, like a paradise, making one linger and forget to return.
“You’ve become even more skilled at pleasing women after getting married.”
Her long sleeves danced, her graceful figure swirling like green smoke as she and Lin Tianlu appeared on the rooftop of the inn, bathed in the faint moonlight of the winter night.
The beautiful woman leaned against him, her skirt slipping from her shoulder, her fair and soft breasts almost completely exposed. Her charming face was filled with both gentleness and allure.
She raised her hand slightly, creating ripples in the cup of sake, and whispered with a chuckle: “Tianlu, let’s enjoy ourselves tonight, just the two of us.”
