Chapter 35: Past Events

Monkey?

The old man must hold a high status in the Lin family, perhaps akin to a supreme elder, to use such a term without restraint.

Li Tan thought to himself, while modestly replying, “You flatter me. What’s the use of reading so many books if one cannot attain the Dao? I’m merely an ant.”

“Many years ago, I asked my unworthy descendants why they cultivated—to become stronger, to see broader horizons, to marry pretty wives. Their answers varied, but in the past decade or so, you’re only the second one to mention the Dao.”

The old man’s eyes showed a hint of admiration as he gently stroked his beard.

Li Tan was momentarily stunned. He had long since grown accustomed to the Dao being an intangible and distant ideal for cultivators in Linjiang. Speaking of it now inevitably made him seem somewhat unique.

Still, he wasn’t overly concerned and, out of curiosity, asked, “Who was the first person to say that?”

“That person…” The old man seemed lost in thought, gazing at the bookshelf while his mind drifted through time. After a moment, he wore a slightly melancholy expression. “He was a wandering swordsman.”

A wandering swordsman, also known as a lone cultivator, usually roams the continent without a fixed residence, driven by personal purposes. Their abilities vary, but generally, they lack the resources to rival the great sects and thus rarely reach the pinnacle.

To pursue the Dao as one’s cultivation purpose, that swordsman must have had some strength. Why would he specifically come to Linjiang, a remote and desolate place?

Curious, Li Tan asked, “What was that swordsman’s name?”

The old man gently shook his head. “Long forgotten. Anyway, it’s getting late. Take the book home and read it.”

Judging from the old man’s reaction, he definitely knew something, but clearly wasn’t willing to say or thought Li Tan wasn’t qualified to know yet.

Li Tan didn’t insist further, politely following the old man’s suggestion as he feigned reluctance and asked, “But there are rules against taking original books away, aren’t there?”

“Pfft, it’s just a tattered book, not a martial technique or cultivation method. Who cares about such rules? Go on, leave.”

Perhaps affected by the previous conversation, the old man seemed somewhat downcast.

Li Tan nodded, exchanged a few polite words, tucked the book into his pocket, and left holding the young eagle.

On his way back, however, he got lost due to the vastness of the place, taking a long detour before finding the direction of his courtyard. Along the way, he passed through an area resembling a city within a city. Above the main gate was a large plaque inscribed with the words “Household Department” in flowing calligraphy.

Under the plaque, two guards were chatting.

“Did you hear? When Yuan Shao’s older brother learned what Li Tan did, he got so angry he tore the roof off.”

“Don’t remind me. I was on patrol nearby. A huge rock came crashing down right on me. I nearly soiled myself.”

“Talk about lucky! Haha, but we won’t be bored these couple of days. Yuan Shao’s older brother definitely won’t let Li Tan off the hook.”

“Exactly! When there’s action, there’s reward. Speaking of which, what do you think Li Tan will do?”

“Taking down Lin Jingwu? That shows he’s capable. But taking down Lin Yuan? That’s just plain stupid. Who cares about that guy? Just a pitiful nobody who can’t cultivate and was taken in as a son-in-law. He should curl up and survive quietly instead of stirring up trouble and trying to show off. Hmph, he’s asking for death.”

Li Tan overheard their conversation from afar. As he reached the side of the main gate, he suddenly spoke up, “What are you two so happy about?”

The two guards looked up, startled. They immediately straightened up and shut their mouths respectfully.

“Troublesome times,” Li Tan thought. Already annoyed by the troubles awaiting him tomorrow, he grew even more irritated upon hearing their ill-intentioned remarks. Yet, there was little he could do—rumors could only be silenced by absolute power.

Ultimately, the root of his trouble was his insufficient strength.

“Huang Tower, even renting a house earns some rent. What have you ever given me for staying in my dantian?”

He couldn’t help but complain a bit, quickening his pace as he walked away.

The two guards’ expressions relaxed slightly before they started badmouthing him again.

But just as they began, another voice suddenly cut in, “Li Tan is the Lin family’s son-in-law. Since when have you two been qualified to talk about him?”

The two guards froze, turned around, and saw Lin Cui glaring at them furiously. Their hearts sank, and they immediately knelt down, repeatedly shouting “We’re wrong” and “We’ll never dare again.”

“Go take your punishment yourselves.”

Without another word, Lin Cui turned and left in the same direction as Li Tan.

She had come to visit Xue’er, but coincidentally overheard the guards’ idle gossip, which inexplicably angered her. She immediately scolded them. As for why she was angry, the reasons were somewhat hard to explain—apart from defending the Lin family’s reputation, there seemed to be other factors at play.

Walking along the bluestone path, Lin Cui felt somewhat annoyed upon seeing the young eagle in Li Tan’s hand.

She had been racking her brain for ways to deal with Lin Yuan’s upcoming challenges tomorrow, yet Li Tan still had the leisure to play with birds. This wasn’t the most luxurious building in Linjiang, but it was certainly the grandest, located right at the bustling city center, surrounded by thick city walls.

The City Lord’s Mansion belonged to the central dynasty and, as a neutral force, maintained basic order in Linjiang City.

“Father,” said Mingde, who had just returned from the Fallen Immortal Domain, kneeling beside the sickbed after washing up and changing into a light blue robe. Lying there was a gaunt middle-aged man—his father, Ming Yulong.

“De’er… cough… cough… Where have you been these past couple of days?”

Ming Yulong’s voice was hoarse.

Ming De’s heart quivered. He forced a laugh and casually replied, “Just hanging out with some friends.”

Ming Yulong turned his head, his eyes fixed on Ming De as he sternly asked, “Do you think your father has dementia?”

“No! Absolutely not!”

Ming De shook his head vehemently.

Ming Yulong tightly shut his eyes before reopening them, taking a deep breath as he gently reprimanded, “Then tell me the truth! Why did someone spot you outside the Fallen Immortal Domain?”

“Father…” Ming De lowered his head, his expression conflicted, his chest tight with unspoken words.

Sighing helplessly, Ming Yulong said, “Go ahead, tell me. I won’t blame you.”

After a short pause, Ming De bit his lip, resolved himself, and revealed the truth.

Of course, he omitted the part about the danger he encountered and selectively mentioned only some details about Li Tan. After careful consideration, he also temporarily left out Chen Yuanxun and the fake medicine incident.

After finishing his account, a complex expression flickered across Ming Yulong’s face, as if he wanted to say something, but it was soon drowned out by a wave of helplessness.

The undercurrents in Linjiang and the turbulence within the City Lord’s Mansion—how could he not see them?

If only he were ten years younger, what storm couldn’t he weather? Alas, having fathered a son late in life, his old wounds had flared up, compounded by various other factors, leaving him a hero past his prime. The former glory, like his golden armor, had gradually gathered dust, its brilliance long gone.