Chapter 16: The Sage

At this moment, Li Lin frowned slightly, puzzled.

Generally speaking, only “family” may enter one’s own backyard.

After all, the backyard houses female relatives.

You might say the county office’s backyard is a public space—once granted permission, entering is no issue.

But entering another family’s private backyard is improper; what if you disturb the womenfolk?

Li Lin was about to confirm again when he saw Huang Qi had already walked far away; he had no choice but to follow the stone path toward the backyard.

Along the way, he passed several Huang family servants, whose glances at him were strange.

Not long after, Li Lin reached the backyard and immediately spotted Huang Qi, who sat before a round green stone table, sipping tea contentedly.

Across from him sat a young girl in a green robed skirt.

The moment Li Lin appeared, Huang Qi caught sight of him with the corner of his eye, rose, and bowed with a smile: “Brother Kun Ge, we’ve been waiting for you.”

Li Lin returned the bow: “Brother Zi Jing, my sudden visit came without a gift—I apologize.”

“Don’t say that—it was I who invited you unexpectedly; the fault is mine.” Huang Qi smiled, then pointed to the girl in the green robed skirt: “This is my younger sister; I cannot yet tell you her given name. Call her ‘Second Sister,’ just as I do.”

His words sounded intimate; the girl stared at Li Lin in surprise, for she knew well how proud her elder brother was—and yet he treated this Spirit Hunter with such regard.

Rare indeed.

Though surprised, the girl in the green robed skirt remained composed, offering a graceful curtsey: “Brother Li.”

Her tone was neither warm nor cold, perfectly balanced.

“Madam Huang,” Li Lin bowed in return, matching her demeanor.

Though Huang Qi told him to call her “Second Sister,” he kept his distance in his heart.

Seeing their behavior, Huang Qi sighed faintly and said: “Brother Kun Ge, please sit.”

Li Lin sat as instructed.

The girl gently moved her slender hands and poured him a cup of clear tea.

The tea was fragrant, the cup exquisite—translucent porcelain, unadorned, yet when filled, faint floral and avian patterns emerged on its surface.

Li Lin’s family had once owned a set of such cups; they were expensive.

After thanking her, he took a small sip and asked: “Brother Zi Jing, why did you invite me here?”

“It’s not a major matter,” Huang Qi said slowly. “Your father recently informed your Spirit Hunters: Jincheng will host a gathering of Spirit Hunters. All participants will gain something, and the top performers will receive great fortune.”

Li Lin smiled: “I’ve heard.”

“Not tempted?”

“Tempted.”

“Won’t you strive for it?” Huang Qi laughed. “I can help you.”

“No need,” Li Lin shook his head. “Fairness matters. Among the dozen or so Spirit Hunters in the county, no matter how you rank them, I wouldn’t be chosen.”

Hearing this, Huang Qi sneered: “Fairness? If fairness truly existed, Zhao Hao wouldn’t even be attending.”

Zhao Hao was the one whose uncle was Jincheng’s Assistant Prefect.

The girl beside them whispered: “Brother, please be careful.”

“No harm. We’re family—no one will hear.”

Li Lin’s expression remained calm: “That too is fairness. I can’t expect to match generations of other families’ progress with merely half a year of winter training in the coldest months and summer training in the hottest.”

The girl raised an eyebrow, visibly surprised.

Huang Qi paused, then said: “Brother Kun Ge, your view is truly unusual.”

Li Lin smiled again: “I know you mean to help me, but often, lacking virtue to match one’s position is a serious problem.”

“Lacking virtue to match one’s position?” Huang Qi’s expression twisted. “Brother Kun Ge, in my eyes, you are a man of noble bearing—if even you lack virtue to match your station, then Zhao Hao…”

Li Lin gently waved his hand, cutting him off: “Brother Zi Jing, what, in your heart, is ‘virtue’?”

Huang Qi answered without hesitation: “The sages said: filial piety as foundation, benevolence as supplement, propriety as manifestation—that is virtue.”

This was indeed the belief most scholars accepted.

Li Lin smiled: “But my elders once warned me: the sword at the sage’s waist—that is ‘virtue’!”

The Huang girl blinked, as if suppressing a laugh.

Huang Qi, however, first looked stunned, then fell into deep thought.

Li Lin sipped his tea in silence.

After a long while, Huang Qi sighed softly, bowed deeply, and said: “Thank you, Brother Kun Ge, for your insight.”

“You’re too formal,” Li Lin stood. “It’s growing late—I must go buy supplies at the market. I won’t trouble you further.”

“Brother Kun Ge may stay the night—we can share a bed and talk by candlelight.”

Li Lin instinctively shuddered—who wants to share a bed with you? You’re mad!

He quickly refused: “Lately, the wandering ghosts at Shangtikou Village have been particularly active—I must return to guard it. I’m uneasy staying away.”

Huang Qi was disappointed, but Li Lin’s reason was noble and valid; he could only say: “Then when we meet again, let us speak at length of life and the moon.”

“Agreed.”

Li Lin smiled and turned to leave.

Before leaving the backyard, he glanced unconsciously toward the small bamboo grove to the west.

There, a red-clad shadow was hidden among the bamboo—clearly a woman.

Hmm… it was that Hu Ji he’d seen before—she’d been eavesdropping.

Was this girl so disfavored that she couldn’t even appear openly?

But that didn’t make sense—just now, the County Magistrate clearly doted on her.

Still, none of this concerned Li Lin—he walked quickly away, for he truly needed to buy essentials for the village.

Not long after Li Lin left, Huang Yan emerged from a wooden door at the rear of the backyard.

He too had been eavesdropping.

He looked toward the bamboo grove: “Come out. A girl hiding like that—what sort of behavior is that? If you wish to listen, sit properly. You’re my eldest daughter—what are you afraid of?”

The golden-haired, blue-eyed girl stepped out, looking embarrassed, then found a round stool beside the stone table and sat.

Huang Yan naturally took the seat of honor.

“Ling’er, what do you think of this Li Xunshou?”

“What do you mean?” Huang Ling blinked, then pouted unhappily: “Are you setting me up for a match?”

The Huang father and son both burst into laughter.

They indeed had that intention.

Seeing both father and brother so, Huang Ling frowned: “Next time, tell me first.”

“Ah, that’s trivial,” Huang Yan asked. “What do you think of this Li Xunshou? He’s one of the few suitable matches in Yulin County.”

(End of Chapter)