Chapter 64: The Secret of the Hui Character

Li Lin frowned slightly.

He knew his actions against the Qin family of Feirong County couldn’t remain hidden for long, but he hadn’t anticipated Huang Yan discovering it so swiftly.

He smiled and said, “I merely did what I wanted to do.”

“A man with spirit is commendable; when wronged, one must retaliate,” Huang Yan praised unreservedly. “But you were too impulsive. You should have consulted us first—at least my Huang family could have lent you support. The Qin family of Feirong has risen for over twenty years; though lacking deep foundations, their patron is none other than the Imperial Consort in the palace, and they still wield considerable power. You were lucky this time—otherwise, you might have suffered terribly, or even lost your life. Take this as a warning.”

“Thank you, my lord, for your guidance—and for intercepting the Qin family’s plea for help,” Li Lin bowed.

Huang Yan nodded lightly. “Good. Next time, discuss everything with me first. I’m tired now. Qing is eager to ask you something—talk with her.”

With that, Huang Yan rose and left, smiling broadly.

Huang Qing was shy, her face nearly crimson, yet she bravely sat across from Li Lin.

“Elder Brother, you never finished the story you told us last time—could you tell me the rest?”

“Of course.”

At this moment, Huang Qing had changed into a plain ruqun, fitted at the waist to accentuate her upper body’s curves.

And her proportions were exceptional—this attire suited her perfectly.

It revealed her greatest assets without restraint.

Li Lin studied her, and Huang Qing sensed his gaze—but she felt no offense, only delight.

He truly liked her, not just her father’s power.

“Yang Erlang rescued Wukong before Tang Sanzang could, angering Sanzang—Wukong was vital to the Western Heaven’s grand plan. Sanzang immediately soared upward and unleashed the Great Heavenly Dragon, striking Yang Erlang. Yang responded with the Law of Heaven and Earth, transforming into a green lion as tall as a mountain, tearing the dragon apart and hurling Sanzang back to Ling Shan. Just as Sanzang lay mortally wounded, a princess named Bai Xue appeared, saving him with the Nine-Turn Soul-Returning Pill and demanding he become her husband and co-rule the Kingdom of Daughters.”

Huang Qing’s eyes widened in astonishment—she had never heard such a wild tale.

The maid beside her was equally entranced, forgetting to pour tea for Li Lin.

As dusk neared, Huang Ling stepped out of the room and said, “Sister, it’s time to rest.”

Li Lin understood Huang Ling was subtly dismissing him. He stood, pulled two porcelain vials from his sleeve, and said, “I forgot earlier—please give these humble gifts to my lord.”

Huang Qing accepted them with both hands, softly saying, “Elder Brother, rest assured—I’ll deliver them to Father myself.”

Li Lin then took his leave.

Huang Qing stood where she was, watching Li Lin depart through the moon gate.

Huang Ling walked over, annoyed. “He’s gone already—why keep staring? You’ll turn into a stone wife waiting for him.”

Huang Qing blushed and laughed. “Little sister, you don’t understand.”

Huang Ling rolled her eyes. “I understand perfectly—you’re mooning over him.”

“If you say another word, I’ll tear out your tongue.”

Huang Qing shot her sister a playful glare, then walked into the room.

Huang Ling asked the maid beside her, “Hong Luan, what do you think of Li Lin?”

“He’s wonderful,” the maid’s face flushed red. “Li Young Master is handsome, witty, and charming—perfect.”

Huang Ling looked at the blushing maid and snorted. “Another one mooning over him.”

Huang Qing carried the two porcelain vials to the main hall.

Huang Yan sat reading, glanced up at her approach, and asked, “Why didn’t you invite Li Xunshou to dine?”

Huang Qing blushed. “Daughter… can’t bring herself to say it yet.”

“Be bolder next time. Li Xunshou is a rare talent—miss him, and you’ll regret it for life,” Huang Yan murmured, stroking his beard. “I thought him gifted and composed, a promising prospect. But what he did in Feirong County has greatly benefited our Huang family—severing the Qin family’s ties at once and saving us immense trouble. That’s no ordinary feat of talent.”

Hearing her father praise Li Lin, Huang Qing felt immense joy, as if the praise were her own.

“By the way, Elder Brother Li left these for you before departing.”

“Oh?” Huang Yan’s eyes lit up at the vials. He rose, took them, uncorked one, sniffed, and said, “It’s the same miraculous medicine from before. Li Xunshou is thoughtful indeed.”

Seeing her father so pleased, Huang Qing asked, “What’s the use of this medicine?”

Huang Yan coughed lightly. “Just for strengthening the body.”

Oh.

Huang Qing didn’t think further, then returned to her room.

She still had embroidery to do—a red bridal veil with mandarin ducks playing in water—must be finished within half a year, and beautifully.

Li Lin had returned to his “new home.”

After eating and bathing, he sat on his bed and pulled a book from his satchel.

The Book of Nourishing Nature.

The text was extremely obscure, filled with cryptic terms and jargon. Li Lin read through it and understood nothing, gaining only one level of familiarity.

【Body Cultivation +1】

What does this have to do with body cultivation?

Logically, “nature” refers to one’s mind, spirit, or soul—mental power.

How is it linked to body cultivation?

Li Lin was puzzled, read it again—no familiarity increase this time.

He felt disappointed.

He pulled out another book.

The Secret of the Hui Character.

This was a secret manual the Qin family obtained from the palace—it should be powerful.

But it was even harder to understand than the Book of Nourishing Nature.

A bizarre text, jumbled, illogical, with chaotic syntax.

After forcing himself to read it three times, he gained one 【Cultivation +1】.

Without his special ability, Li Lin could never extract anything useful from this book.

Related to cultivation?

Li Lin rejoiced and continued reading.

Again and again.

Ancient sages said: read a text a hundred times, its meaning will reveal itself.

There was truth to that.

After several more readings, Li Lin suddenly felt dizzy.

He instinctively closed his eyes—and felt himself floating in empty space.

Around him stretched a strange, boundless white ocean.

Waves rolled, wind whispered.

Above, a full moon hung.

Transparent ice shards dripped from the moon, forming an icy path that poured directly into his skull.

His Baiwan point throbbed with sharp pain—then Li Lin snapped his eyes open.

He gasped for breath.

He was still on his bed. No ocean. No moon.

No magical icy path.

But his body felt cold—as if invisible frost had seeped into his flesh.

【Secret of the Hui Character +1】

Li Lin stared at the prompt, deeply pleased.

But his body grew colder—he sat cross-legged, activated the Spring Revival Nourishing Art, and transformed his blood and qi.

After a long time, the cold faded—and dawn broke.

Li Lin was deeply curious: what exactly did the Secret of the Hui Character cultivate?

What was that vision? What was that icy path from the moon?

(End of Chapter)