Chapter 249: This Is the Sword of Your Home

Chi Xiao originally intended to come directly to Yu Lin's side.

But when Yu Lin signaled that someone was present, it obediently stayed in the sky, turning into a small red dragon that roamed among the clouds.

Below.

Yu Lin drank the water Dong Yong poured in one gulp, then laughed, "Thank you."

"Just now I saw an elder outside the house—are they a relative of yours, Dong Yong?"

Dong Yong took the bowl, nodded, and said, "Yes."

"That is my father. Since my mother died of illness a dozen years ago, the two of us have relied on each other ever since."

"It's just that my elderly father was injured while farming in his youth; his health declines day by day, and I don't know if he'll live to see me marry and have children… sigh."

He let out a long sigh, appearing very helpless and sorrowful, with hidden grief beneath.

As for how long he can live.

Yu Lin could tell, at most about three months.

He thought for a moment, then said, "I see."

"I know some methods for tracking birds and beasts; this trip was because I tried to hunt a wild porpoise and was accidentally knocked unconscious by it."

"To repay the debt of saving Brother Dong."

"When my injury heals, I will send some meat and medicinal herbs; then I hope Dong Yong will not refuse."

"If doing good brings no benefit, then there would be far fewer people in the world who practice kindness."

Dong Yong heard this, thought that what he said made sense, and the refusal he had intended to give vanished, so he nodded and said:

"Then thank you, Yu Lin!"

"Yu Lin, do you still remember the way home? I have nothing else today, so I can give you a ride."

Yu Lin waved his hand, "No need."

"My home is nearby; a walk of ten to twenty li gets me there."

"Since the rain has passed and the sky is clear, I won't linger here any longer, Brother Dong. I'll visit another day!"

Having said that, he stood up and walked toward the outside.

Dong Yong, seeing this, hurried to see him off.

Only after Yu Lin left the village gate did he lower his gaze and mutter under his breath:

"Yu Lin is extraordinary…."

Although he had never studied any books, he could see that Yu Lin's speech and demeanor both possessed a natural bearing.

That feeling was far stronger than even that of the Village Chief.

Primarily, Yu Lin was strikingly handsome; he had never seen a man so handsome before.

He guessed he must be a scion of some noble family.

It could be considered a good karmic tie.

Dong Yong shook his head, did not continue to ponder any repayment, and instead turned to think where to go today to cut firewood.

The remaining grain at home was not much…

Whoosh!

When Yu Lin left Dongjia Village, Chi Xiao fell from the sky, swirling close to him, appearing extremely intimate.

"Alright, alright, what are you doing here?"

Yu Lin pressed it down, patted its dragon head, and gave a slight smile.

Chi Xiao said nothing, but a thought was transmitted, clearly conveying its meaning to Yu Lin:

"I want to follow you!"

"Hm? Want to follow me? That won't do; you must protect Lao Liu's dynasty."

"My help in Liu Xiu's restoration is already over; what follows—life or death—is their business! This is what my master promised me: I will protect them only once!"

"That's it."

Yu Lin thought for a moment; he already had Crimson Sky Sword Qi, and now he also had a real Chi Xiao.

Crimson Sky Sword Qi layered with Chi Xiao…

If he were to slash Ares now, he'd probably cripple him; a few more strikes would make him a patchwork of pieces!

But now he already has a Glove on him.

Hmm.

Never mind, more won't hurt.

Yu Lin nodded and said, "Alright, from now on you'll follow me."

"Great!"

Seeing his agreement, Chi Xiao immediately reverted to its original form and hung from his waist.

Yu Lin thought to himself, "No wonder later generations can't find Chi Xiao; he took it away…."

That missing Imperial Jade Seal won't end up in his hands either, will it?

We'll discuss it later.

Yu Lin didn't continue pondering; instead he sent a Transmission to the Dragon Lord:

"Dragon Lord, what are you and the others doing now?"

"Ah, nothing much, just looking for a few more guys, then wandering around, you know."

"Alright, take your time."

Yu Lin heard this and stopped worrying, then turned and walked toward the nearby city.

In the city.

On the long street, carriages and horses glittered, and the flow of people was like woven fabric.

The market was noisy, with the shouts of vendors and laborers and the endless haggling filling the ears.

There were still scholars and a few alchemists or Daoists walking about, but no one from Buddhism could be seen.

Because Buddhism had not yet been introduced at that time.

And the introduction of Buddhism inevitably leads to Liu Zhuang.

According to the Preface to the Forty‑two Chapter Sutra and the Treatise on Mysterious Questions, Liu Zhuang slept in the Southern Palace at night and dreamed of a golden figure six zhang tall, its neck radiant, flying around the hall.

The next day, he summoned his ministers and asked what auspicious sign the dream represented.

Scholar Fu Yi submitted: "I have heard that in Tianzhu there are enlightened ones called Buddhas, who can lift lightly and fly; they must be divine."

Thus, he dispatched Cai Yin, Qin Jing and more than ten others on a mission to the Western Regions to seek the Buddha's Way.

Cai Yin's party traveled west to the Great Yuezhi Kingdom, where they met the monks She Mo Teng and Zhu Fa Lan from Tianzhu, and invited them to travel east together.

In the tenth year of Yongping (AD 67), they returned to Luoyang on white horses, carrying Buddhist sutras and statues.

The Han Ming Emperor welcomed their arrival and specifically established China's first state‑run Buddhist temple—the White Horse Temple—to commemorate the white‑horse transport of the sutras.

Yes, that is the White Horse Temple later involved in reforming Shaolin Temple.

Yu Lin walked along the street, feeling the gazes of women and girls on the roadside directed at him.

Wherever he looked, the girls there shyly lowered their heads, making him marvel at his still overwhelming charm.

Ahem, a bit narcissistic, sorry.

He gave a light cough, intending to find a tavern for a meal, when suddenly a voice called from behind him:

"Sir, please stay a moment!"

"Hm?"

Yu Lin turned his head, stopped, and looked back.

He saw a youth, clearly dressed far more splendidly than ordinary folk, about fifteen years old, hurrying out of a nearby teahouse.

Behind him followed several robust men who were evidently bodyguards.

That age would be considered young in later eras, yet at this moment it was already an age suitable for marriage and bearing children.

The youth's steps were hurried, his gaze fixed on Yu Lin, more precisely, staring intently at the Chi Xiao Sword hanging at Yu Lin's waist.

He hurried forward, stood before Yu Lin, steadied his breath, and then, with great solemnity, offered a proper bow, displaying refined upbringing:

"I am Liu Jian, I have seen this gentleman."

Liu Jian?

Yu Lin's heart stirred, instantly matching the name with the history he knew.

It turned out to be the eldest son of Han Ming Emperor Liu Zhuang, the one who was made Prince of a Thousand Chariots in the third year of Yongping, but who unfortunately died early the next year and was posthumously given the title "Mourning", the Mourning Prince of a Thousand Chariots—Liu Jian.

Now that he sees it, indeed he was destined for a short life, never fortunate enough to inherit the throne.

Although he has not yet been enfeoffed, it is reasonable to come to the Prince of a Thousand Chariots early to take a look.

From his earlier look, it seems he recognized the Chi Xiao.

Yu Lin returned the courtesy: "Much obliged."

"May I ask what business the young master seeks of me?"

Liu Jian raised his hand, pointed at the Chi Xiao, and said, "Sir, could you draw this sword so I may have a look?"

"I see it resembles the ancestral sword of my family."

Sure enough, it was because of this.

Yu Lin nodded, smiling slightly: "This is the treasured ancestral sword of your family."

"But now it is mine."