Chapter 46: Chasing to the Door

Two male retainers seemed ready to step between them, but recognizing Li Lin, they stepped back to the side.

After all, Li Lin had visited the Huang residence at least three times, and most inside knew him by now.

“Brother Li, greetings,” Huang Qing bowed slightly, a flush spreading across her face.

She was even nervous, her voice trembling slightly.

Beside Huang Qing was not her sister, but a young maid, no more than sixteen or seventeen, curiously studying Li Lin.

Li Lin smiled and said, “Please sit.”

“Thank you, Brother Li,” Huang Qing sat as instructed, yet kept her head lowered, Bugan look at the man across from her.

The maid, however, boldly scanned Li Lin, though after a moment, her cheeks also turned red.

“Do you usually go out for spring outings?” Li Lin asked, seeking a topic.

“No, I rarely go out,” Huang Qing glanced at Li Lin, then quickly lowered her head again: “Today’s weather was unusually fine, so I came out for a walk—but I didn’t expect…”

That it would rain.

“What do you usually do at home?”

“Embroidery and reading!”

“The Four Books and Five Classics?”

“No… storybooks!”

Saying this, Huang Qing grew even more embarrassed.

After all, storybooks in the Great Qi… were widely criticized by literati.

Storybooks, in truth, were novels.

Li Lin chuckled, “I love reading storybooks too. I remember once reading a supernatural tale about a mortal who gradually cultivated to immortality!”

Huang Qing lifted her head, eyes wide: “Was it exciting?”

“Very entertaining,” Li Lin nodded. “After reading it, I thought I could cultivate too. I clumsily learned a fake cultivation method, convinced I could fly, then jumped off a wall—and twisted my leg. Laid up in bed for half a month.”

Huang Qing burst out laughing; the maid laughed even louder.

The two male retainers were also stifling chuckles.

Then Huang Qing realized she’d been impolite, quickly stifled her laughter, and asked, “Besides that, are there any other unusual storybooks?”

“Many. One that stuck with me told of a monkey born from the stone the goddess Nüwa used to mend the sky…”

Li Lin blended all the stories, sci-fi, and fairy tales he’d ever read into one wildly convoluted, bizarre tale.

He’d barely begun, yet the four in the pavilion sat stunned, mouths agape.

The downpour came fast and passed quickly.

“That black mermaid fitted herself with wind-and-thunder prosthetic limbs, flew up from the sea, and went to Mount Hua to find Yang Erlang, planning to rescue Sun Wukong trapped under the Five Finger Mountain—but Yang Erlang didn’t recognize her, mistook her for a catfish spirit, slashed her to pieces with his halberd, boiled her flesh into soup, and fed the scraps to Xiaotian Quan.”

Ah!

Huang Qing’s eyes widened, her face filled with disbelief.

Mostly because Li Lin’s tale was utterly absurd—full of concepts and plots she’d never heard, let alone understood.

Li Lin looked up at the sky and smiled, “The rain’s stopped. It’s getting late. You should head home, Sister Huang.”

“Ah… oh!” Huang Qing stood, cheeks flushed: “Won’t Brother Li visit our home? My elder brother is surely waiting for you to come and discuss poetry, wine, and the affairs of state.”

“In two days,” Li Lin smiled.

Huang Qing bit her full red lip lightly: “Then your humble sister awaits your honored arrival.”

With that, she hurried off with the maid, as if fleeing.

The two male retainers followed after her.

Li Lin gazed at the lake’s center, where since the rain, a growing aura of resentment had risen, thickening as if something would leap from the water.

But now the rain had ceased, and the resentment slowly faded.

“Truly, Gui s lurk everywhere.”

Li Lin sighed, shook his head, and walked slowly out of the pavilion.

He returned to his newly purchased house, which was now bustling with activity.

A group of people came and went, carrying furniture and belongings inside.

“Be careful! These things are expensive!”

The broker shouted orders from the side.

He turned and saw Li Lin, rushing over: “Master, you’re back!”

Li Lin nodded. “How’s it going?”

“Rest assured, Master, we’ll finish before dark.” The broker then called out: “Old Man Zhang, and you four—come here.”

Soon, an old man and four thin, dark-skinned girls approached—apparently not yet adults.

“Master, these are the servants you purchased. The contracts and property deed are in the black sandalwood box in your study…”

“Thoughtful,” Li Lin smiled.

The broker bowed deeply: “I’m glad you’re satisfied, Master.”

The five “servants” looked timidly at Li Lin.

What else could they do? Their lives and deaths rested entirely in his hands; their master’s nature determined their future.

“Have you eaten yet?” Li Lin asked.

None dared answer; the broker replied, “They haven’t. They just came from the broker’s office.”

The broker knew the kind of place he was in.

Li Lin pulled a silver note from his pouch and handed it to Old Man Zhang: “While it’s still light, go to the market, buy food, and cook six meals. Understood?”

Old Man Zhang nodded, took the note.

“By the way, what are your names?”

“Old servant Zhang Afu.”

“Female servant Xiao Qing.”

“Female servant He Hua.”

“Female servant Xiao Yu Que.”

“Female servant Xing Er.”

Li Lin studied the five, memorizing their names.

Then he entered the courtyard and began inspecting his new home.

He had to admit, under financial pressure, the broker’s office worked efficiently—every room had furniture, even the bedrooms held clean bedding.

Though none were fine pieces, they were practical, and the decor leaned toward sober restraint.

Clearly, their service had been genuinely earnest.

In the study, Li Lin found the sandalwood box. Opening it, he saw the property deed and the indenture contracts.

Li Lin was very pleased, and pulled out another small silver note, placing it in the broker’s hand: “You’ve done well. Here’s extra for your efforts.”

The broker clutched the note, grinning broadly: “Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master!”

Soon after, the broker’s team finished everything. The broker bowed repeatedly, then led his people away.

Li Lin looked at the clean, three-court mansion, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction.

It was the first time he’d lived in such a large house; he couldn’t help but feel moved.

The four girls began bustling in the kitchen; soon, Zhang Afu returned, carrying meat and greens inside.

By evening, the meal was ready.

Li Lin sat in the main seat of the hall… before him lay two meat dishes and a small dish of greens.

The five servants sat in the side hall, where there were no tables—only small stools.

Each held a bowl of rice, topped with a few strands of greens and a sprinkle of meat scraps.

It looked meager, but to them, it was already a lavish meal.

At least they were full, with a touch of fat and flavor.

Only after seeing Li Lin pick up his chopsticks did they dare begin eating.

After dinner, Li Lin bathed, then climbed onto his bed and sat cross-legged to cultivate.

As for Zhang Afu and the others, they’d already assigned themselves rooms—this small matter, they could handle themselves, without troubling their master.

As he cultivated past midnight, Li Lin suddenly woke, sensing a presence ahead. His eyes snapped open, hands forming claws—ready to strike—then froze.

For the figure before him was the Tree Immortal Lady.

“Lady, what brings you here?” Li Lin asked, startled.

(End of Chapter)