Chapter 432: Chen Family Village

Heaven-Reaching River.

The river's surface is broad; at a glance it stretches vast and mighty, its water glimmering to the sky, as if it truly reaches the heavens.

The current is not swift, yet it carries a deep, powerful momentum, the sound of the waves steady like a muffled thunder, unceasing day and night.

The river waters nourish the living beings on both banks.

Villagers have lived by the river for generations, digging canals to channel its water for irrigation; they also steer small boats, cast nets to fish, as the river's aquatic bounty is abundant and its flesh tender, serving as a vital source of food and income.

It should be a pastoral scene of harmonious coexistence between people and nature, a tranquil, prosperous countryside.

Yet, this place is shrouded in a bleak cloud of sorrow.

Although the crops in the fields are lush, the farmers' faces show no hint of harvest joy; instead their brows are furrowed, their eyes filled with deep worry.

Occasionally a small fishing boat returns; even with a bountiful catch, the fishermen aboard are dejected.

The village women and children often gather, whispering, and when they look toward the riverbank before the village, their eyes are full of awe and unease.

The whole village is enveloped in a suppressive, fearful atmosphere, as if an invisible shadow grips everyone's throat.

Following the villagers' uneasy gazes, in the prominent spot near the vast banks of the Heaven-Reaching River ahead of the village, a temple suddenly stands!

Above the temple gate hangs a brand‑new ebony plaque, its three bold characters outlined in gold paint—

Inspiration Temple!

"Inspiration Temple."

Yu Lin halted, his gaze lingering on the plaque for a moment before lightly scanning the temple interior.

He took in the whole scene inside—at the center a clay statue is enshrined, with large ears, dressed in a brocade robe, fashioned like a Dragon King, yet lacking the solemn majesty of a true river dragon deity.

The ritual altar is barren, bearing little trace of incense.

He did not enter, nor did he do anything about the evidently problematic temple; he simply turned away nonchalantly and walked toward the nearby village.

At the village entrance stands a somewhat weathered boundary stone engraved with the three characters "Chen Family Village".

In an open area before the village gate, several young children are frolicking, you chase, I chase, their laughter crisp.

The clouds of worry on the adults' faces seem not to affect these innocent, carefree children; they remain immersed in simple childhood joy.

While playing energetically, a boy about eight or nine years old, the fastest runner, failed to watch his step and collided with Yu Lin's leg, letting out an "Ow!" and falling flat on his bottom.

The boy brushed his bumped forehead, didn't cry, and upon looking up saw he had struck a stranger—a handsome, well‑dressed adult—so he quickly scrambled up, vigorously dusting his trousers, his small face showing clear remorse:

"S-sorry! Sorry! I didn't mean to, I… I…"

He fidgeted, grabbing his ear and scratching his cheek, as if searching for an apology.

Suddenly his eyes lit up; he rummaged in his pocket, produced a thumb‑sized sphere wrapped in rough grass paper, and, shyly, presented it before Yu Lin, saying:

"I—I'll treat you to candy! My father made it himself… it's so sweet!"

His words barely finished when his attention was completely drawn to Tu Shan Zhi poking its head out of Yu Lin's bosom.

The snow‑white, fluffy fur, especially the few gently swaying, furry tails, instantly made the boy's eyes widen, prompting an exclamation of awe:

"Wow! What a beautiful fox! So white, and so many tails!"

That shout instantly drew the other playing children over.

They swirled around, encircling Yu Lin and Tu Shan Zhi, each little face filled with wonder and affection.

Pointing, chattering, their courage was great; they seemed to have little guard against strangers.

Yu Lin, seeing this, gave a slight smile, gently pushed the crude candy the boy had offered back, and said warmly:

"It's fine, keep the candy for yourself."

He watched the children's eager, curious eyes, felt a stir, reached into his seemingly ordinary pocket, and pulled out a handful of multicolored candies, emitting an alluring, pure sweet fragrance.

For these rural children, who seldom taste refined sweets, the aroma was an irresistible temptation.

"Glug…" Several children involuntarily swallowed, their eyes fixed on the crystal‑clear candies in Yu Lin's hand.

Yu Lin shook the candies in his hand and said with a smile:

"Come, I'll ask you a few questions."

"If anyone can answer, I'll treat them to candy, okay?"

"Me! Me! I can answer too!" a girl with twin braids, looking about ten, raised her hand first.

"Alright, any of you may answer." Yu Lin nodded, his gaze sweeping over each little face:

"Then, first question: whose house has an empty room? I'm passing through today and would like to stay one night."

The children glanced at each other, then their eyes collectively settled on a boy who was relatively better dressed, his face the whitest and cleanest.

"Chen Li, your house is the biggest, surely you have a spare room!"

"Exactly, Chen Li, looks like you'll get this candy first!"

The boy named Chen Li was pushed forward by his peers, but he quickly shook his head and waved his hands, a hint of fear on his small face:

"No, no! I can't just bring someone home! I have to go ask my father first!"

"If my father refuses, I… I'll get beaten again!"

He said this while subconsciously patting his own backside, looking still shaken.

However, his eyes shifted to the tempting candies in Yu Lin's hand, and he added:

"But… brother, if you really want to stay, I can take you to ask my father! If he agrees, it's fine!"

Yu Lin nodded, "Alright, that counts as your answer."

He pulled out a few candies and slipped them into Chen Li's hand.

The other children, seeing this, grew even more eager, shouting:

"Brother! Brother! Ask us too! We know as well!"

Yu Lin smiled, pulled out another handful of candies, and casually asked a few simple questions such as "What crops are most abundant in the village?" and "When are the fish most plentiful in the Heaven-Reaching River?"

The children eagerly answered, each receiving several candies, their pockets bulging, their little faces beaming with satisfied smiles.

Yu Lin clapped his hands, indicating the candy had been handed out: "All right, I'm out of candy."

"Chen Li, can you now take me to ask your father?"

Chen Li already had a candy in his mouth, happily sucking the sweet flavor, and upon hearing that, he quickly nodded and said, in a muffled voice:

"Alright! Follow me, big brother! My home is at the east side of the village!"

Thus, Chen Li led the way at the front, while Yu Lin was surrounded by a group of children who had just gotten a taste of sweets and were jubilant, marching grandly toward the village.

Yu Lin's expression was calm, the children chattered, truly resembling a suddenly arrived "Children King".

However, before they reached Chen Li's home, the party was blocked by a middle‑aged man.

The man was about forty, wearing a half‑worn scholar's long robe, his face thin and gaunt, his brows bearing the same heavy sorrow as the other villagers.

His gaze lingered on Yu Lin for a moment, then glanced at the conspicuously striking Nine-Tailed White Fox in his arms, finally settling on the excited children, his eyebrows subtly furrowing.

He stepped forward a few paces, bowed his hand toward Yu Lin, and in a calm yet clearly wary voice said, "Young master, please stay your step."

"I am Chen Wen, the village head of this Chen Family Village; may I ask where you come from, and what important business brings you to our Chen Family Village?"