Chapter 146: Different Talents

After a long silence, Ding Yingqiu said, "My meridians are among the wider ones in my clan."

Li Lin blinked in surprise!

"That doesn't make sense," Li Lin frowned. "I've checked Zhao Xiaohu's meridians too—they're only slightly smaller than mine."

"Could it be that both of you are unusual in some way?"

Li Lin withdrew his hand and said, "I know why you two aren't progressing well. Your meridians are too narrow."

Ding Yingqiu looked pained.

"The qi cultivated by the Yangxing Scripture differs from normal yuan qi and yin qi—it's… larger."

"Can qi even have size?"

Li Lin nodded. "You should feel it yourself: yin qi is a trickle, yuan qi feels like tiny beads, like raindrops. But the qi from the Yangxing Scripture… is a sphere, a hailstone. You must draw this 'sphere' through your meridians, into your dantian, condense it, crush it, break it down into a trickle—only then can it become yours."

Ding Yingqiu rested her right hand on her forehead: "No wonder the Ding family has never crossed the threshold of cultivation in centuries—is it because our family lacks talent?"

Li Lin said nothing.

He could feel the suppressed despair and helplessness in Ding Yingqiu.

After a long while, Ding Yingqiu spoke softly: "Thank you, County Captain, for clarifying this."

Li Lin nodded and stood up: "Then I'll head back."

Ding Yingqiu said nothing; she seemed lost in thought.

Leaving the Ding Fu, Li Lin sighed.

Sometimes, talent really is utterly unreasonable.

Perhaps this is why Zhao Xiaohu, despite his low innate aptitude, still cultivates so steadily.

Li Lin set the Ding family's matter aside—for his three-day leave was over, and now he had work ahead.

He had to lead the Yulin County militia to escort Huang Yan to Jincheng for his new posting, and also deliver over a hundred named Nanman women to Jincheng's Washing Bureau.

This was Huang Yan's achievement, and Li Lin could claim some credit from it.

The next morning, Li Lin did not go to the county government office; instead, he donned his official robes and went directly to the northern city gate.

Five hundred militia were already assembled, and all the Hunting Spirits had arrived.

Over a hundred Nanman women stood clustered nearby.

Their complexion had improved greatly since a few days ago.

After all, having enough to eat and a place to sleep was already a good life for them.

Li Lin's arrival immediately drew attention.

Several militia captains came over to greet him; the Hunting Spirits naturally approached to chat.

Not long after, another caravan emerged from within the city gate.

It was the Huang family's caravan.

Four two-horse carriages, eight donkey carts, over forty retainers, and thirty to forty laborers.

What truly interested Li Lin were the dozen or so martial experts.

Li Lin had never seen these martial experts before—each one brimmed with vital energy.

None of the Hunting Spirits could match them.

Not even Li Lin.

Is this the depth of a noble family?

Li Lin felt a touch of admiration.

Huang Qin also stepped out with the caravan, walked over to Li Lin, her eyes red, and said, "Husband, you must ensure Father reaches Jincheng safely—and you must be extremely careful yourself. I'll be waiting for you at home."

Li Lin nodded.

In truth, the militia escort was unnecessary—the dozen martial experts alone could safely deliver the Huang family to Jincheng.

Li Lin even suspected the bearded old martial expert inside might be Third or Fourth Rank.

This was still only the Huang family's public strength—how much more they held in secret remained unknown.

No wonder Jiang's two Fifth Rank experts vanished the moment they left Jingcheng.

Huang Qin and Hong Luan stepped aside to say their farewells to Huang's matriarch, sister, and younger brother.

Huang Yan walked over, smiling: "Son-in-law, the new County Magistrate arrives tomorrow. For now, County Secretary Jiang Jili is temporarily managing county affairs—I've already warned him. You needn't worry about home. Also, I've brought the Four Marvels Taowu Zhenjun's altar; I've arranged for the Tree Immortal Lady's altar to be handled. Rest easy."

Li Lin bowed and smiled: "Thank you, Taowu Zhenjun."

"That sounds too formal," Huang Yan smiled, eyes half-lidded. "I hope you reach Fourth Rank Hunting Spirit soon—then travel between county and prefecture will be much easier."

"I will strive diligently in my cultivation."

Huang Yan glanced around and smiled: "Then let's set off—the hour is late."

Li Lin nodded and immediately shouted to the nearby captains: "March!"

The captains immediately dispersed, barking orders.

The army moved out.

Protecting the Huang family in the center, they headed toward Jincheng.

Huang Qin and Hong Luan stood at the city gate, waving continuously.

Until the army vanished from sight.

Only then did they slowly walk home.

As they reached their front gate, they saw several martial experts standing outside.

Seeing Huang Qin, they all bowed and said: "Miss Huang, our master ordered us to serve under your command—to move the Tree Immortal Lady's altar to the Zhenjun Temple."

Huang Qin already knew of this; she bowed slightly and said: "Thank you, brothers—but I'm no longer Miss Huang."

"Our master ordered us to call you that—he said you will always be the Huang family's Young Lady."

Huang Qi felt like crying; she knocked on the door, Zhang Afu opened it, then stepped aside.

"Come in."

Several people followed Huang Qi to the rear courtyard and saw two altars.

The larger one stood in the center of the main hall; the smaller one was hidden in a corner.

In the main hall, there was also a very beautiful peach blossom tree.

Seeing this peach tree, the martial artists' eyebrows twitched violently.

At that moment, a servant brought two sticks of incense; Huang Qi lit them and placed them in the incense burner.

"Lady Tree Immortal, we are now moving your divine carriage; please come to the Taowu Zhenjun Temple to enjoy the incense of the ten thousand people. Forgive our impertinence."

Having spoken, she inserted the incense into the burner.

At this moment, Li Yanjing appeared and said, "The Eldest Lady has agreed."

The Eldest Lady!

Huang Qi paused, then understood; she smiled sweetly: "Then please, Sister, go to the Taowu Zhenjun Temple; this is also the Master's human thought."

Huang Qi did not care whether she was the Eldest Lady, but if this Lady Tree Immortal was willing to be the Eldest Lady, then the Li family's safety would have sufficient guarantee.

Li Yanjing said, "The Eldest Lady says to hurry."

Huang Qi nodded and said to the martial artists: "Trouble you, brothers."

The martial artists clasped their fists: "No need for courtesy."

They simply used several hemp ropes to tie around the altars, then pulled together with force, lifting the altars up.

Then the group set off in grand procession toward the Taowu Zhenjun Temple.

This commotion attracted many passersby to stop and watch; some even followed.

Jiang Jili stood on the balcony of the Prosperous Wine Restaurant, watching the Li family carry the altars past, his eyes full of envy and jealousy.

"Great Apparition, Taowu Zhenjun!" Jiang Jili sighed: "The Li family's power is now established; it will be difficult to target them in the future."

A middle-aged man beside him said: "The Huang family highly values this Li Lin; if the Huang family adds another pawn later, it will be even more troublesome."

Jiang Jili sighed lightly: "I always feel that our Jiang family falls one step behind the Huang family in everything."

The middle-aged man smiled bitterly: "This is fate."

(End of this chapter)