Chapter 406: Gentle Persuasion, Wives United
As the sun began to set, the evening glow illuminated the sky.
Cheng Yishi carried a bowl of warm, sweet porridge into the pavilion, a smile in her eyes as she looked with amusement at the figure sitting there.
Although she had just woken up and sobered up, she had already heard about what had happened earlier today. Seeing this unfathomable First Elder having been punished, she couldn’t help but feel a secret sense of satisfaction.
“First Elder, have something to eat first.”
“Hmm?”
First Elder put down the brush in her hand, glanced at her, and said listlessly: “You’re up early. I thought you wouldn’t wake up until nightfall.”
Seeing her dejected appearance, Cheng Yishi suppressed a smile and covered her mouth with her hand: “I didn’t drink too much last night, so I’m still relatively sober.
But I didn’t expect you, First Elder, to take advantage of everyone being asleep, turning love into hate, driven by jealousy, and secretly bullying that innocent Ruoyu.”
First Elder’s eye twitched, and she touched her forehead, sighing: “I wouldn’t stoop to fighting with you juniors—”
“I was just joking, First Elder.”
Cheng Yishi chuckled, then quickly changed the subject: “Drink this porridge first, and then continue copying scriptures.”
“Alright~”
First Elder couldn’t help but smile wryly, taking the bowl and taking a sip.
…The taste wasn’t bad?
She scooped up another spoonful, her heart surprisingly calm. Although she had been embarrassed and punished by the Valley Master, sitting here quietly, reading and copying scriptures, was actually quite relaxing.
Besides, she knew that Lin Tianlu wasn’t truly angry, just a bit annoyed.
However—
“That ‘girl,’ First Elder’s weapon, is quite interesting.”
Cheng Yishi chuckled: “I just passed by the study and saw Master Lin and that girl sitting there, reading and studying together, he looked like a private tutor, teaching diligently.”
First Elder’s expression turned strange as she silently took another sip of porridge.
That weapon was a spirit born from a sacred artifact, also a fragment of her own soul.
It could be said that it was a part of her.
However, a newly separated soul fragment was still “pure,” like a newborn baby. Born from baleful energy, a demonic soul transformed into a bloodthirsty weapon, naturally, it wouldn’t have emotions like compassion, kindness, or affection.
She also knew that her own nature, shaped by thousands of years of cultivating secret techniques, was cruel and ruthless— “I heard from Ruoyu that that weapon girl had a terrifying aura and was ruthless, it made me quite worried.”
Cheng Yishi tapped her chin lightly and chuckled: “But just now, seeing her in person, she was as docile as a sheltered young lady, sitting properly with her eyes focused, even reciting along with Master Lin diligently, like a well-behaved house cat~”
“…Ah?”
First Elder almost spat out her porridge.
“Before I left, it seemed that weapon girl was even trying to write~” Cheng Yishi clapped her hands and chuckled: “Perhaps in a few days, she’ll learn how to read and write!”
“I…”
First Elder’s expression stiffened slightly.
What was that Tianlu boy doing with her weapon?!
…
Inside the study.
Lin Tianlu’s expression was serious as he rolled up his sleeves and helped grind ink, occasionally glancing at the beautiful woman before him.
In her human form, this weapon’s appearance was almost identical to First Elder’s, as if they were twins. But unlike First Elder’s lively expression, this woman’s face remained cold and indifferent, without any emotional fluctuations, like a puppet.
But it was precisely this lack of emotion that made her like a blank slate.
After about an hour of patient teaching and interaction, she had gone from being silent and unresponsive to recognizing and writing characters, even understanding some simple texts.
“—Very good.”
Lin Tianlu nodded slightly: “You’re doing well. Continue reading these books later, it will help you mature.”
‘First Elder’ put down the brush, took the three books expressionlessly, and bowed slightly, imitating the etiquette she had been taught.
“Remember, although you’re a weapon, you have a heart and a soul, and you’re also First Elder’s weapon. You must set a good example for the disciples of Lunar Valley, be a role model they can respect, don’t kill indiscriminately, and don’t be cruel or barbaric.”
“Can’t I… be decisive?”
“Against truly wicked villains, naturally, you should use all your power to eliminate them, without any hesitation or mercy. You must also know how to eradicate them completely, leaving no hidden dangers.”
Lin Tianlu said seriously: “But don’t harm good people. And when faced with complex situations, don’t jump to conclusions, think carefully before acting.
And also, what happened today, Ruoyu is a disciple of Lunar Valley, also your junior. Although it was for training, you shouldn’t have been so ruthless.”
He continued, musing: “I don’t expect you to become a gentle and refined lady, but at least learn to control your baleful energy and killing intent, learn to restrain your malice. Only then can you truly become a powerful weapon, and not just a tool for killing.”
“…”
‘First Elder’ stared at him intently with her snake-like eyes, without blinking.
Lin Tianlu didn’t avert his gaze, meeting her eyes calmly, and asked softly: “Do you have a name?”
“I am called ‘Shashen’ (God of Slaughter).”
“Quite a domineering name.”
Lin Tianlu’s voice softened, and he said gently: “This name, ‘Shashen,’ I believe the ancestors of Lunar Valley intended for you to be a weapon to defend against enemies and eliminate evil, a symbol of unyielding resistance. But if you become a tool for harming your own people, it would tarnish this name.”
Shashen’s pupils contracted and dilated slightly, and she slowly nodded: “I understand.”
“That’s good.”
Lin Tianlu smiled: “Then you can go back now. After you finish reading these books, if you’re still interested, you can come and ask me for more, and I’ll answer your questions. The more you learn and understand, the more you can help First Elder.”
He chuckled: “Since you’re one with First Elder, a part of her soul, you should already know quite a bit.”
Shashen was silent for a moment, then leaned closer, extending her head towards him.
Lin Tianlu was slightly stunned: “What are you doing…?”
“I saw.”
Shashen said expressionlessly: “After you finish teaching Hua Shuya, you always rub her head.”
Lin Tianlu was speechless, then he couldn’t help but chuckle, reaching out and rubbing her head: “You truly are ‘First Elder’.”
Their minds and memories were connected, they were practically the same person.
It was just that after the sacred artifact was refined, her soul split, creating two distinct personalities. Or rather, this Shashen was the cruel and ruthless, darker side of First Elder, brought forth by the sacred artifact.
“Hu—”
Shashen’s lips moved slightly as if she were exhaling softly, feeling the warmth of his hand on her head. A ripple seemed to appear in her usually cold and indifferent eyes, her face softening slightly.
But then, her eyes suddenly narrowed sharply, as if she had sensed a terrifying enemy, staring intently.
Lin Tianlu was slightly surprised, but he quickly realized that this fierce gaze wasn’t directed at him, but rather…
He reached into his bosom and took out the ancient broken sword.
“Hmph!”
Shashen recoiled as if facing a formidable foe, baring her sharp fangs, her eyes crimson as she stood up defensively.
Lin Tianlu hadn’t expected such a strong reaction, and he quickly concealed the broken sword: “Are you… feeling unwell?”
A purple light suddenly flashed, and Shashen transformed into a long and beautiful, amethyst serpent, shooting towards him like lightning, her fangs sinking into the hilt of the sword.
Crunch, crunch, crunch
Lin Tianlu instinctively released the broken sword and watched with a strange expression as Shashen coiled around it, her purple scales flickering as if hundreds of tiny blades were tearing at the sword, the crunching sound echoing.
But a strange light suddenly erupted from the ancient broken sword, its impact sending Shashen flying backward, the sword spinning and returning to Lin Tianlu’s hand.
“Hiss—”
The purple serpent stared at the broken sword with cold eyes, hissing continuously, but after a moment of silence, she seemed to have calmed down.
Lin Tianlu, a puzzled look on his face, half-knelt on the ground and asked curiously: “Why did you suddenly attack just now, Miss? Is there something special about this broken sword?”
“Hiss…”
But the purple serpent didn’t seem to want to explain, just glancing coldly at the sheathed sword before looking away indifferently.
“…”
She slightly raised her elegant head and opened her mouth.
Seeing this, Lin Tianlu’s heart stirred, and he couldn’t help but smile, extending his finger again, condensing spiritual energy.
Then, Shashen flickered her tongue and approached, gently and carefully licking his finger, her scales shimmering with a brilliant luster as she slowly coiled around his arm, her head engulfing half of his finger, sucking gently, a continuous cool sensation.
As she sucked on his spiritual energy, the purple serpent’s eyes glanced at his chest, a hint of provocation in her cold gaze.
…
Mao Ruoyu stretched her now recovered body and prepared to go to the study.
She wondered how her husband and that weapon girl were… getting along.
“Hiss—”
A purple shadow flashed past the study door, making the beautiful woman yelp in surprise and instinctively take a few steps back.
Then, she saw a long purple serpent crawling along the corridor, several books coiled around its tail, a strange sight.
As their eyes met, the serpent stopped abruptly, raising its head.
Mao Ruoyu felt a sudden unease, pressing her lips together tightly and clenching her hands instinctively.
“…”
But after a moment, the purple serpent lowered its head slightly, flicking its tongue as if apologizing, then slowly slithered away with the books.
Mao Ruoyu blinked blankly, watching it leave.
“That serpent… could it be… that weapon from before?”
“She seems more comfortable in her serpent form than her human form.”
Lin Tianlu quickly emerged from the study: “Ruoyu, are you still feeling any discomfort?”
“Ah… I’m fine now.”
Mao Ruoyu quickly turned around, smoothing her dress, and smiled gently: “That spiritual spring in the secret realm is truly extraordinary. Just soaking in it for a while relieved all my pain. And the Valley Master also treated my injuries, I’m full of energy now, even ready for another spar.”
“I can see that.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and gently caressed her smooth cheek: “However, there’s no need to push yourself so hard in the future.”
Mao Ruoyu blushed slightly, and after a moment of thought, she whispered: “You don’t have to blame First Elder too much, Tianlu, after all, I agreed to it. I wanted to improve my cultivation, so I won’t be a burden to you, someone you have to constantly protect…”
“I understand.”
Lin Tianlu smiled gently and took her hand: “The deeper our involvement with the various factions in the demon and ghost world, the greater our fame, the more trouble we’ll attract. Some might come with good intentions, but there will also be enemies seeking revenge. Since they know that I’m difficult to deal with, they will naturally target you instead.”
Mao Ruoyu lowered her eyes slightly, a worried look on her face.
This was the unease she had been harboring.
She was afraid of becoming a burden, a hostage used against Tianlu, that’s why she wanted to improve her cultivation and become stronger, not so weak and helpless, at the mercy of others every time she encountered danger.
She had never cared about her own strength before.
If she truly craved power, she wouldn’t have left Lunar Valley and wandered the world alone.
But—
Now that she had a family, she didn’t want to lose this happiness.
Even if it meant suffering and enduring injuries, it was better than the pain of separation and loss.
“—Ruoyu, look at me.”
Lin Tianlu’s smile faded, his expression turning serious.
Mao Ruoyu looked up, slightly puzzled: “Husband?”
“There’s no need to push yourself.”
Lin Tianlu said seriously: “If you’re forcing yourself to cultivate and train just to avoid being a burden to me, there’s no need.
For me, fame and fortune are meaningless. We can find a secluded place, unknown to anyone, and live a simple life, farming and weaving, there’s no need to worry so much.”
Mao Ruoyu’s face was filled with confusion, and she murmured: “But… but…”
“With me and Yue’er here, you’ll be safe.”
Lin Tianlu’s gaze was firm as he said each word clearly and deliberately: “Even if you were just an ordinary woman, Ruoyu, weak and defenseless, without any knowledge of Yin techniques or magic, I can still protect you, you don’t have to worry about any danger.”
Mao Ruoyu pursed her lips slightly, her eyes darting away: “Then I would be… a burden to you, my husband…”
“I’m your husband.” Lin Tianlu gently cupped her face and murmured: “It’s my duty to protect my wife, there’s no need for you to feel guilty.”
Saying this, a smile appeared on his face, and he gently tapped her nose: “You’re just too kind and caring, always taking care of everything, from our daily meals to housework, even pushing yourself so hard with your cultivation.
If you continue like this, I’ll truly become a spoiled, lazy, and useless scholar, how could I face my disciples then?”
Mao Ruoyu blushed slightly, her eyes flickering, and she murmured softly: “I’m not… that…”
But she didn’t know how to retort.
“So, it’s fine for you to relax sometimes, Ruoyu.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and said: “Of course, if you still want to reach a higher level of cultivation, I’ll help you find a more… relaxed and leisurely method, so you don’t have to fight and kill all the time.”
“Eh?”
Mao Ruoyu’s eyes widened slightly: “There are such… methods?”
Lin Tianlu simply smiled and pointed at himself:
“Do you think such miracles exist in this world?”
“…”
Mao Ruoyu was speechless.
Just as her husband had said, the most fitting example was right before her eyes.
“There’s more than one path to cultivation and longevity.” Lin Tianlu’s face showed a hint of emotion, and he shrugged: “Fighting against heaven, fighting against others, even if one achieves immortality in the end, they would probably be battered and bruised.”
As he spoke, he conjured a paper flower as if performing a magic trick and chuckled: “Perhaps, reading, writing, and playing music can also lead to immortality. Even folding paper flowers, with enough sincerity, might give birth to a paper fairy.”
Mao Ruoyu took the paper flower and couldn’t help but chuckle, giving him a playful glare: “Cultivation isn’t that simple.”
But she quickly closed her eyes and sighed softly.
Then, she opened her beautiful eyes and said gently, gathering her hair: “I’ll listen to you, my husband, and I won’t push myself so hard with my cultivation anymore. I’ll be more careful in the future.”
Lin Tianlu bent down and kissed her forehead, looking at her beautiful and flushed face, and he took her hand again, saying gently: “If you have any worries or concerns, don’t keep them bottled up inside. Since we’re married, we’ll face everything together, helping and supporting each other.”
“…Mm.”
Mao Ruoyu leaned against him, her heart filled with a sweet warmth and reassurance.
“…”
But after a moment of tender embrace, the beautiful woman’s face became even redder, and she raised her eyes slightly, a playful smile on her lips: “My… husband?”
“Cough, cough, cough!”
Lin Tianlu coughed awkwardly: “It’s just a normal reaction for a man, after all, you’re incredibly alluring, Ruoyu.”
With her incredibly beautiful body in his arms, feeling her soft and ample bosom pressed against him, her slender waist beneath his hands, what man could resist such seductive charm?
“You’re not hiding your desires at all, my husband.”
Although Mao Ruoyu was incredibly shy, her ears burning hot, she still narrowed her eyes slightly, a playful smile on her face: “It seems that since arriving at Lunar Valley, my husband has accumulated quite a bit of… ‘fire.’ Surrounded by so many beauties, it must be both a blissful experience and a difficult trial~”
Lin Tianlu scratched his cheek and chuckled: “You understand me so well, Ruoyu.”
Since meeting the elders of the valley, the “pressure” had indeed increased, he hadn’t even had time to… enjoy his usual… hobbies.
After all, the women in this valley were incredibly seductive and alluring, their cultivation of the Moon Shadow Breath giving their every move a captivating charm, their smiles and frowns filled with tenderness and affection, far more stimulating than any erotic books or paintings, not to mention their numbers— Mao Ruoyu smiled indulgently and leaned closer, whispering something in his ear.
Then, her face flushed crimson as she pulled back shyly, lowering her head, her exposed shoulders turning a delicate pink.
Lin Tianlu chuckled inwardly and playfully patted her plump and perky buttocks, eliciting a soft moan.
“Go and take care of Shuya now, I’ll make her some sobering soup later, I have something to discuss with Seventh Elder.”
“…Mm, I understand.”
Mao Ruoyu sighed softly, her voice seductive: “Remember to bring back Xuanling safely, that little girl.”
“Naturally.”
Lin Tianlu turned slightly serious and nodded: “Everything is prepared, there won’t be any problems.”
