Chapter 516: Just Looking for a Companion?

Mission Complete

Reward: Trait — Holy

Holy: a saintly heart unburdened, saintly virtue boundless, shining perpetual righteousness as a model, lighting the darkness to enlighten the ignorant

Next Wandering Myth countdown: 1 year

The myth is: westward exit from Han Valley

Task: when Laozi exits west from Han Valley, go east of Han Gu Guan

Reward: Trait — Wu Wei

Inside the room, Yu Lin stared at the task information that appeared before him, a flash of insight striking his mind, suddenly recalling something from long ago.

When he went to the Heavenly Court to digest his Golden Core, Lao Jun seemed to casually mention, "... I sense the timing approaching, so head east of Han Gu Guan."

So it was waiting for me here.

Yu Lin twitched the corner of his mouth, feeling no resistance, but rather a hint of "just as I thought" amusement.

Perfect, he'll go to the Heavenly Court to grab a meal with Lao Jun and casually discuss this "timing".

His mind set, he rose to prepare to depart.

Just as he pushed open the dormitory door, a group of people walked toward him.

Leading the group was Director of Civil Affairs Bureau Qin Guohua, followed by several figures often seen in the news.

Behind them was a squad of sharp‑eyed, vigorous guards.

This display... Yu Lin raised an eyebrow, "Well, the top officials are all here, coming in person?"

What big "task" is this now?

The group saw him emerge, quickened their steps, and soon stood before him.

The leading official smiled kindly and extended his hand proactively:

"General Yu, what a coincidence, we were just looking for you."

"Indeed quite a coincidence," Yu Lin smiled, reaching out to shake his hand.

He swept his gaze over the other familiar faces, all nodding.

"Is there something you need me for?"

"Yes," he withdrew his hand, gesturing briefly.

A secretary‑like staff member beside him stepped forward, handing over a finely crafted invitation with a special emblem on the cover.

The official took it, handed it personally to Yu Lin, and explained:

"Recently abroad, especially over in America, a number of... hmm, complicated incidents have erupted, with far‑reaching implications."

"This has caused domestic public opinion to spiral out of control, massive social mood swings, and a somewhat chaotic situation."

"Therefore, the President of Te Li Pu formally sent us a request email, hoping..."

He paused, looked at Yu Lin, his smile carrying a hint of meaning:

"We hope we can invite you to their side as a 'guest', to help stabilize public sentiment and showcase some... proactive strength."

"Oh?" Yu Lin's eyebrows twitched as he took the weighty invitation.

Opening it, he saw a clear bilingual Chinese‑English sincere invitation to Yu Lin, with the signature and seal of the President of Te Li Pu at the bottom.

He closed the invitation, a rather interesting smile appearing on his face:

"I understand."

"Helping me, they'll definitely help," he said lightly:

"After all, ordinary people are innocent, right?"

"But."

He shifted tone, looking at the official, his smile deepening with a teasing "you know, I know" nuance:

"How do you want me to 'help' them?"

The official met his gaze, his smile growing richer like a spring breeze, his words flawless and full of diplomatic art:

"Of course, a help with warmth, with strength, rich in humanity."

"It should reflect our great nation's demeanor, promoting friendly exchange and understanding between our peoples."

He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice, his smile deepening:

"Naturally, everything still depends on General Yu's own thoughts and judgment."

"After all, you're also their 'Saint', and we shouldn't meddle too much in specifics, right?"

As soon as he finished speaking, two apparent accompanying reporters at the rear raised cameras and recorders, snapping and recording this "friendly, great‑nation‑responsible" exchange, flashlights flickering.

After the reporters finished, he smiled and took his leave:

"Since the matter has been conveyed, we won't disturb General Yu's rest."

"If anything needs coordination, feel free to contact me directly. Goodbye."

"Alright, take care."

Yu Lin nodded, watching the group turn and leave under the guard detail, their figures vanishing quickly at the end of the corridor.

He withdrew his gaze, lowered his head to glance again at the invitation, his fingers rubbing the smooth cover twice, a playful curl forming at his mouth.

"Looks like... another overhaul is needed again."

However, there are more pressing matters now.

"First, let's go to Lao Jun's place."

As the words faded, his form flickered slightly, vanishing silently at the dormitory doorway, leaving only an empty corridor.

Heavenly Court.

Dou Shuai Gong.

When Yu Lin strolled over, familiar with the place, what he saw was not the usual Dan Furnace's gentle smoke and Dao Rhythm's ebb and flow, but a rather… down‑to‑earth lively bustle.

Tai Shang Lao Jun, unusually not guarding the Dan Furnace nor lecturing on scriptures, rolled up his sleeves, led Jin Tong, Yu Nv, Jin Jiao, Yin Jiao and a few other youths, and was bustling around a clearly makeshift grill.

On the grill were skewers of meat from some unknown celestial bird or spirit beast, sizzling over open flame, fat dripping, fragrance wafting, mingling with the distinctive pungency of celestial herb, filling the entire courtyard in front of the palace.

Lao Jun held a Palm Fan, fanning the fire at a leisurely pace, while his other hand deftly turned the skewers, a hint of contentment on his face.

Jin Tong and Yu Nv handed over seasonings nearby, while Jin Jiao and Yin Jiao stared eagerly at the soon‑to‑be‑done skewers, a faint glimmer visible at the corners of their mouths.

The blue‑horned ox lounged leisurely on the nearby celestial‑herb grass, eyes half‑closed napping, its tail flicking occasionally, clearly enjoying the relaxed moment.

When Yu Lin arrived, Lao Jun didn't even raise an eyebrow; there was no surprise on his face, as if he had long expected his arrival.

Just as Yu Lin opened his mouth, before the first syllable could leave—

"Come, taste how my cooking is."

Lao Jun flicked his wrist, thrusting a golden‑brown, fragrant, steaming skewer into Yu Lin's outstretched hand, silencing all his unspoken questions.

Yu Lin looked down at the aromatic skewer in his hand, then glanced up at Lao Jun's "eat first, speak later" stance, and, going with the flow, took a big bite.

The meat was fresh, tender and juicy, cooked to perfection, the exterior lightly crisp, the interior delicate and springy, the spices perfectly infused, with a faint trace of ethereal spirit lingering on the tongue, warming his limbs and bones.

"Fragrant, delicious," Yu Lin gave the unreserved appraisal, finishing the skewer in three or two bites.

"As long as you're satisfied," Lao Jun said, his smile deepening like a hospitable neighborly old man, and casually thrust another freshly‑grilled skewer toward him:

"Eat more, eat more."

Yu Lin didn't decline, took the skewer, found a stone stool nearby, and settled in to focus on the delicacy.

Jin Jiao and Yin Jiao, eyes watering with greed, joined in and shared a few skewers; for a moment, in front of Tusita Palace only the satisfied chewing and the sizzle of the meat remained.

When the wind had swept away the lingering clouds and he ate his fill, Yu Lin leisurely took out a napkin, wiped his mouth and hands, then looked at Lao Jun, who was calmly sipping a cup of clear tea.

"Lao Jun," Yu Lin began, his tone direct:

"What trick are you up to this time?"

Lao Jun stroked his snow‑white long whiskers, and, hearing that, merely gave a calm smile.

"I only think,"

"Walking alone, one inevitably feels lonely; the journey is long, having a companion to chat with, to relieve boredom, isn't that wonderful?"

Yu Lin raised an eyebrow: "Just like that?"

"Otherwise? Do I look like someone who is scheming and wicked?"

Yu Lin stared at his face, which read "pure and harmless," for two seconds, and decisively gave up probing further.

"Fine," he shrugged, "I'll trust you this once."

"Pack me some more skewers; I'll take them home as a midnight snack and share them with my friends."

Lao Jun, hearing that, lifted his tea cup, took a sip, his eyelids never raising, and calmly replied:

"Then you grill them yourself."

Don't ask how many times I've revised, how much I've cut; it's all tears, just write more restrained.

Today's first post.