Chapter 64: The Obscure Character Art

Li Lin frowned slightly.

He knew his handling of the Qin family in Feirong County could not remain hidden for long, but he had not expected Huang Yan to learn of it so quickly.

Yet he smiled and said, "I merely did what I wished to do."

"A man with blood and spirit is a good thing; when wronged, one should naturally return the favor." Huang Yan spared no praise: "But you were far too rash in this matter. You should have discussed it with us; at the very least, my Huang family could have offered some assistance. The Qin family of Feirong has risen in power for over twenty years. Though their foundations are insufficient, their backer is that Noble Consort in the palace, who certainly possesses some capability. In this matter, you were merely fortunate; otherwise, you would have suffered at best, or death at worst. Take this as a lesson."

"Thank you, County Magistrate, for your instruction, and thank you for intercepting the Qin family's plea for aid on my behalf." Li Lin clasped his fists.

Huang Yan nodded lightly: "I am glad you understand. In the future, discuss all matters with this old man. Very well, I am somewhat weary. Just now, Qing had some questions she wished to ask you; you two talk."

Having spoken, Huang Yan rose and departed, a smile upon his face.

Huang Qing was very shy, her face almost entirely flushed, yet she bravely sat opposite Li Lin.

"Shixiong, the storybook you told us last time is not yet finished. Could you tell the rest to your younger sister?"

"Naturally."

At this moment, Huang Qing had changed into a different outfit, a plain-colored ruqun with a sash that accentuated the curves of her upper body.

And Huang Qing's proportions were particularly good; this outfit suited her extremely well.

It displayed her great advantages without concealment.

Li Lin sized up the other person, and Huang Qing felt Li Lin's gaze, yet she did not feel it was offensive; instead, she felt somewhat pleased.

This person truly liked her, rather than coming for her father's power.

"Yang Erlang rescued Wukong before Tang Sanzang, which angered Sanzang. Wukong himself was crucial to the grand plan of the Western Heaven. He immediately took flight, used the Great Mighty Heavenly Dragon technique to strike Yang Erlang. Erlang then used the Dharma of Heaven and Earth, transforming into a green lion as tall as a mountain, tore apart the Heavenly Dragon, and drove Sanzang back to Spirit Mountain. Just as Sanzang seemed about to suffer fatal injury, a princess named Bai Xue used the Nine-Turn Soul-Returning Pill to save Sanzang, and demanded Sanzang become her husband, jointly ruling the Kingdom of Women..."

Huang Qing's eyes widened roundly; she had truly never heard such a 'wild' storybook.

The little maid nearby was also so engrossed that she forgot to pour tea for Li Lin.

Seeing the sky about to turn dark, Huang Ling walked out of the room and said, "Sister, hurry back to rest."

Li Lin knew Huang Ling was indirectly dismissing him. He stood up, took two porcelain bottles from his pocket, and said, "I had no chance just now and momentarily forgot. Please, Huang Damei, deliver this humble gift to the County Magistrate."

Huang Qing accepted them with both hands and said softly, "Shixiong rest assured; I will personally hand them to Father."

Afterwards, Li Lin took his leave.

Huang Qing stood in place, watching Li Lin depart through the moon-shaped archway.

Huang Ling walked over and said displeasedly, "The person is already gone, yet you still look; you are about to become a stone gazing for her husband."

Huang Qing smiled shyly: "Little Sister, you do not understand."

Huang Ling rolled her eyes: "I understand everything; it is just that you are in love."

"If you speak nonsense again, I will tear your mouth apart."

Huang Qing glared at her own little sister, then walked into the room.

Huang Ling asked the little maid beside her, "Hongluan, what do you think of Li Lin?"

"Very good." The little maid's face also turned very red: "Young Master Li is handsome and, in conversation, quite witty. Very good."

Huang Ling looked at the blushing little maid and humphed: "Another one in love."

Huang Qing, holding the two porcelain bottles, came to the main hall.

Huang Yan was sitting in a chair reading. Seeing someone approach from the corner of his eye, he looked up and asked, "Why did you not keep Li Xunshou for a meal!"

Huang Qing's face turned red: "Daughter cannot yet bring herself to say it."

"Be bolder in the future. Li Xunshou is truly a rare talent; missing him would be a regret for a lifetime." Huang Yan stroked his beard and sighed: "Previously, I only thought he possessed extraordinary talent and considerable steadiness, a good seedling. But the great matter he accomplished in Feirong County has truly helped our Huang family greatly; it instantly severed the connection between the two Qin families, saving us great trouble. This is not a feat ordinary talented people can achieve."

Seeing Li Lin praised by her father, Huang Qing felt even more joy and pride.

"By the way, this is what Li Shixiong instructed Daughter to give to Father before leaving."

"Oh?" Huang Yan saw the two porcelain bottles, and joy immediately appeared in his eyes. He stood up, took them, uncorked a bottle, and sniffed, saying, "Indeed, the wonderful medicine from last time. Li Xunshou has a thoughtful heart."

Seeing her father so happy, Huang Qing asked, "What is the use of this medicine?"

Huang Yan coughed lightly: "It is merely for strengthening the body and health."

Oh!

Huang Qing did not think much of it, then went back to her room.

She still had to embroider; the red wedding veil with mandarin ducks playing in water must be finished within half a year, and it must be made beautifully.

Li Lin had now returned to his 'new home'.

After eating and bathing, he sat on his bed and took a book from his bundle.

The Sutra of Nurturing Nature!

This book was written very obscurely, with many allusions and technical terms. Li Lin read through it but completely failed to understand any content, gaining only a single increase in familiarity.

【Body Refinement +1】

What does this have to do with Body Refinement?

According to reason, 'Nature' refers to the mind, the original spirit, or the divine soul; it is a person's spiritual power.

How does it relate to Body Refinement?

Li Lin, puzzled, read it again, but this time there was no increase in proficiency.

He felt somewhat disappointed.

He then took out another book.

The Obscure Character Art.

This was a secret manual the Qin family obtained from the palace; it should have been very powerful.

But the result was that this book was even more obscure than the Sutra of Nurturing Nature.

It was simply a strange book with content jumbled and word order scattered.

Enduring the discomfort, he read it continuously three times before gaining a single 【Cultivation +1】.

If Li Lin did not possess a special ability, it would be impossible for him to obtain anything useful from this book.

Related to cultivation?

Li Lin was overjoyed; he immediately continued reading.

Over and over again.

An ancient person said, "Read a book a hundred times, and its meaning will reveal itself."

There is some truth to this saying.

After reading it several more times, Li Lin suddenly felt his head grow dizzy.

He instinctively closed his eyes, then felt himself floating in a void.

Surrounding him was a strange white ocean, vast and boundless.

There were waves, there was the sound of wind.

And above his head hung a full moon.

Transparent ice shards flowed down from the full moon, forming an ice road that poured directly into his brain.

The Niwan first felt a sharp pain, then Li Lin suddenly opened his eyes.

Gasping for breath.

He was still on the bed; there was no ocean around him, and no full moon above his head.

Nor was there that miraculous ice road.

Yet at this moment, Li Lin felt his body was somewhat cold, as if invisible chill had entered his body.

【Obscure Character Art +1】

Li Lin looked at this prompt, feeling quite delighted in his heart.

But as he felt his body growing colder and colder, he sat cross-legged and circulated the Spring-Returning Health Art to transform his qi and blood.

After a long time, he finally no longer felt cold, and at the same time, dawn broke.

Li Lin was very curious: what exactly does the Obscure Character Art cultivate?

What was that illusion about? What was that ice road flowing down from the full moon about?

(End of this chapter)