Chapter 206: Golden Core

At the moment Yu Lin saw Fengdu Emperor confer a title on Zhong Kui, the monkey hair sent him back again.

He appeared again before Five Elements Mountain.

Upon entering the mountain, he heard Sun Wukong saying:

"He's lucky, this time he directly became a True Lord... but that's what he deserved."

"If I had to work this hard from now on, I wouldn't do it!"

Yu Lin came to his own chair, sat down, and laughed, saying, "Me too."

"It's good to be idle..."

"Great Sage, I might have to leave soon."

"What?! What?!" Sun Wukong jerked his head up, widened his eyes at Yu Lin, and grabbed the leg of his chair:

"Don't go! Little Brother Yu, if you leave, who will bring me food?!"

"Who will keep me company to relieve boredom?"

"Who told you to leave? Tell me, and when I get out I'll go teach him a lesson!"

"You know, although we've only met a few times, we're good brothers!"

Yu Lin shook his head: "No one is making me leave."

"I just need to go back to where I belong."

"Great Sage, you'll also soon reach your five-hundred-year limit, ready to come out?"

"We'll meet again in the future."

Sun Wukong, hearing this, seeing his resolve to leave, could only release the chair leg and let out a long sigh:

"Indeed, there's no banquet that doesn't end."

A flicker of loneliness flashed in his eyes, then brightened: "I'll give you a gift!"

Saying this, he stretched out his hand and gently blew in his palm. A round, golden little ball appeared out of thin air, and an extraordinary fragrance instantly spread.

Just a slight sniff, and it felt refreshing to the heart and spleen; both flesh and spirit felt an unprecedented ease!

Sun Wukong laughed: "This is Lao Jun's Nine-turn Golden Core; I secretly kept a few back then..."

Consuming the Nine-turn Golden Core can increase magical power, forge an Indestructible body, and achieve the Dao fruit of eternal youth.

"Take it, take it, don't stand on ceremony with me!"

He grabbed Yu Lin and shoved the Golden Core into his hand without explanation.

Yu Lin didn't decline, and solemnly thanked: "Then many thanks, Great Sage, for the treasure!"

Although Yu Lin already had an Indestructible body, the effects of eternal youth and increased magical power were indeed tempting.

He was exploring the path to the supreme, and this kind of Immortal Pill was exactly what he needed... to be discussed later.

Yu Lin gathered his thoughts, took out all the delicious food and wine, and piled them into a small mountain:

"Great Sage, I'll first return to Zhongjia Village and come back in a few days."

Sun Wukong waved his hand: "Go on, go on!"

"Farewell."

Yu Lin strode out of Five Elements Mountain, and in a flash disappeared.

Upon reappearing, he was already standing on the hill outside Zhongjia Village.

The sun set westward, cooking smoke curled lazily, and from afar came the laughter of children playing.

Yu Lin entered the village and came to Zhong Kui's home.

He saw Zhong Xiao Mei sitting alone in front of the house, her hands supporting her chin, staring blankly ahead like a statue, motionless.

Only when Yu Lin appeared in her sight did her dull eyes gain a glimmer, and surprise appeared on her face:

"Big Brother Yu, you're back?!"

"Mm." Yu Lin smiled and nodded, looking at her, pretending not to know, and asked:

"You look a little unhappy; what's wrong?"

Zhong Xiao Mei shook her head: "Not unhappy, just... worried because Big Brother has been away from home for so long."

"Big Brother Yu, you must be thirsty; let me pour you some water."

She said this and started to walk toward the kitchen.

But before she could move, Yu Lin grabbed her, pressed her onto the chair, and said:

"I'm not thirsty; come, let me tell you something."

Zhong Xiao Mei instinctively felt that what Yu Lin wanted to say might not be good, perhaps concerning Zhong Kui, and her heart tightened nervously:

"Big Brother Yu, go ahead and say it."

"Your brother is dead."

"............"

Zhong Xiao Mei froze completely on the spot, her expression stiffened as if immobilized, with no movement or sound.

Until Yu Lin saw tears welling in the corner of her eyes, he then spoke again:

"However, turning misfortune into fortune, your brother became a high official below and attained the title of True Lord."

"That is to say, your brother has gained eternal youth and can often come to see you."

"............" Zhong Xiao Mei's tears, which were about to spill, were swallowed back, but the grief still lingered in her heart, leaving her unsure whether to cry or laugh.

Consequently, her expression twitched a bit, making Yu Lin burst out laughing; he took out the handkerchief she had once given him and handed it over, saying, "Wipe it."

Zhong Xiao Mei took it, gave a low reply, then asked: "Well, Big Brother Yu, how long will you stay this time, and when will you leave?"

Yu Lin thought for a moment and replied: "Not certain yet; it depends on you."

Doubt appeared in Zhong Xiao Mei's eyes: "Me?"

Just as he was about to ask in detail, hurried footsteps came from outside.

Du Ping, his face ashen, strode in, about to say something, but the moment he saw Yu Lin, the words on his lips turned into: 'Brother Yu, you're back?!'

"Great, you must stand up for Brother Zhong! He.........."

Yu Lin listened to him finish speaking in detail, then nodded and said: 'I already know about this matter, no need to worry. He these days..........'

Let me briefly explain the matter.

"I just knew Brother Zhong is a talent whether in the Human World or down below!" Du Ping finally let out a sigh of relief, then gritted his teeth and cursed:

"Now the Son of Heaven is dim-witted, the Crown Prince does nothing, causing the world to lose a capable minister!"

"In my view, the Second Prince would make a better emperor than many!"

His words were resonant and forceful, as if that's indeed what he thought in his heart.

Yu Lin didn't comment, but suddenly asked:

"Brother Du, do you know someone named Du Ruhui?"

Upon hearing this, Du Ping's words of anger died on his lips, and an expression of 'as expected' appeared in his eyes.

"Brother Yu, have you figured it out already?"

"He is my paternal uncle."

"But I'm not close with him; I've only met him a few times, after all, the Du family is huge, huge."

Yu Lin nodded: "That's how it is."

"Things have come to this; let's eat first."

"Today we will eat.........."