Chapter 335: Visiting Relatives

Lin Ke is not the type to wait passively.

Earlier, through his own self-built intelligence system, he had confirmed that the single mother was in the Jiang clan manor.

He rarely goes out on ordinary days; even when he does go out, he only goes to various Daoist temples and Buddhist monasteries to burn incense, worship gods and pay respects to Buddhas.

Regarding Daoist temples, Buddhist monasteries, gods, and Buddhas, Lin Ke harbors doubts in his heart, but he has never voiced them.

Let's wait and see first—whether something slightly strange will pop out, like ancient witchcraft or evil witchcraft.

No rush, no rush.

What needs immediate action now is visiting relatives.

After finishing the visit, cutting off one of the few ties in this world, Lin Ke will be able to go into battle more lightly equipped and focus on completing this trial.

On the morning of the second day after arriving in Tianshui Commandery city.

Lin Ke left the inn early, hailed a carriage, and headed to the Qingyun Temple in the northern suburbs.

Since Governor Hu took office, he has strongly promoted and supported the development of the mechanical industry—electricity, automobiles, trains, and engineering machinery; those with conditions must adopt them, and even those without conditions must do so.

The provincial capital is closest to Governor Hu, so the mechanical industry naturally develops fastest there.

Tianshui Commandery, meanwhile, is the stronghold of the most hardline conservative faction.

The major clans, led by the Jiang Clan, have joined forces to resist Governor Hu's policies.

These clans rely on real estate, minerals, aquatic products, farmland agricultural output, and lending to various handicraft industries as their profit base, controlling the entirety of Tianshui Commandery.

Not to mention just Governor Hu himself—even if the current ruler came in person, unless he brought a large army, he could not do anything outrageous in Tianshui Commandery.

And the Mechanical Martial Arts, which most owners of the mechanical industry support, is the most outrageous heresy in Tianshui Commandery.

Lin Ke hasn't ridden a carriage in many years; he's not used to this swaying.

Fortunately, having practiced Human Immortal Martial Arts for ten years in this life, his bodily control has reached the point where intention follows thought and body follows intention; he can make his body sway slightly with the carriage's rhythm to dispel discomfort.

The incense offerings at Qingyun Temple are not particularly flourishing.

Ordinary common folk generally like to go to Buddhist monasteries to burn incense.

Daoist temples and priests that one may or may not believe in are indeed rather aloof.

However, among the upper society of Tianshui Commandery city, Qingyun Temple enjoys great fame.

The temple abbot possesses superb medical skill, a treatise on health preservation, and the secret talent of interpreting omens to pray for fortune, winning the hearts of many nobles.

The Daoist temple most frequently visited by the single mother is none other than Qingyun Temple.

Today is the fifteenth, and it is again the day each month when the single mother goes to Qingyun Temple to burn incense and pray for blessings.

"My lord, we've arrived."

The carriage driver steadily stopped the carriage and said respectfully.

In the provincial capital they address one as "Mister"; in the commandery city they call one "My lord"—rather interesting.

Lin Ke paid the fare, got off the carriage, and walked toward Qingyun Temple with a steady pace.

The fine attire he deliberately wore today gave him a handsome appearance and noble bearing; though alone, without attendants, and riding only a rented carriage, he looked like a noble among nobles.

Upon entering the mountain gate, a guest Daoist came forward to meet him.

Qingyun Temple is a place of tranquility; the guest Daoist bowed, exchanged greetings, then silently stood beside Lin Ke without offering any explanation.

If Lin Ke had questions, he could certainly ask, and would definitely receive an answer.

After paying respects at the Hall of the Spirit Officials, Lin Ke proceeded to the main hall, the Hall of the Three Purities, of Qingyun Temple.

Gazing at the three heavenly venerable statues enshrined in the hall, Lin Ke's thoughts grew subtle; he did not know what he was thinking.

As the recently unlocked knowledge memories increased, Lin Ke increasingly sensed the awkwardness and strangeness of this world.

To say it is false, yet everyone Lin Ke has encountered is genuine.

Although his wizard rank is not high—having just entered the third-level wizard—Lin Ke cannot be judged by ordinary standards.

With the aid of various blessings and fortunate circumstances, Lin Ke began to comprehend the rules early on; he could be said to have half a foot stepped into the threshold of the sage.

In the wizard world, the so‑called sage refers both to wizards of fourth level and above who deserve everyone's respect, and to those who have begun to perceive the world's true essence and the truth of the cosmos.

If one says that, in the seventeen years before the knowledge memories were unlocked in this world, Lin Ke could not tell whether the people he encountered were real or fake.

Then, as the knowledge memories unlock more and more, if Lin Ke still cannot distinguish real from fake, he would be letting down the blessings and fortunate circumstances that helped him prematurely grasp the rules.

To say it is true, yet it is everywhere tinged with awkwardness and strangeness.

The extreme split between Human Immortal Martial Arts and Mechanical Martial Arts, and how Lin Ke keeps seeing the Mechanical Martial Arts as more like an armored warrior than a martial artist—we won't elaborate further.

The origins suspected to be the ancient witchcraft that venerates heaven, earth, and the spontaneously arising Fang Technique, and the evil witchcraft suspected to stem from extraterrestrial objects—we won't go into detail.

Speaking solely of the Daoist faith represented by these three heavenly venerable statues before us, it is hard to explain clearly.

In the wizard world, Lin Ke had never heard before that there exists a xianxia world among the myriad realms!

Having combed through the wizard world's histories and records of major wars, he finds not a trace of anything related to immortals.

Yet in this world there are abundant Daoist temples and Buddhist monasteries, and the immortals and deities enshrined are mostly familiar to him.

Only the scriptures—because Lin Ke lacks understanding, he does not know whether they are the same.

Even so, this is still quite strange.

"Sir Layperson, your courtesy is noted; I am the humble Daoist Jingxu, and I have seen you, layperson."

Just as Lin Ke stared fixedly at the three heavenly venerable statues, his thoughts wandering, the guest Daoist quietly withdrew and fetched the abbot of Qingyun Temple, True Person Jingxu, to receive this noble guest whose aura made him feel unable to speak.

Lin Ke's train of thought was disrupted, but he was not annoyed; he returned the bow with a smile: "Ke Lin has met True Person Jingxu."

"Master Ke Lin, the humble Daoist has prepared clear tea in the quiet chamber; I wonder if I might have the honor to invite you to step over for a leisurely chat."

True Person Jingxu waved his whisk and pointed in a direction.

"To be able to discuss the profound and the Dao with True Person Jingxu is an honor for me, Ke."

Lin Ke immediately agreed.

"Layperson, please."

Please go first, True Person.

But we need to decide on title translation: "True Person". We'll use "True Person". So line: "Please go first, True Person."

After exchanging pleasantries, True Person Jing Xu led the way, with Lin Ke following behind.

Soon, they arrived at a quiet room in the side hall.

The room was small, only a square one zhang in size, with nothing else inside; a low table with a tea set and two futons lay on the low platform.

It was spotlessly clean, the windows and tables gleaming, no incense burned, and the air fresh.

The two sat facing each other on the low couch, and True Person Jing Xu poured two cups of clear tea.

Though called clear tea, it was indeed clear tea.

The tea was clear and bright, with no other hue, its fragrance subtle and delicate.

Even a casual sniff could cleanse the heart and dispel worries.

This unadorned tea-brewing skill deeply impressed Lin Ke.

Some blocked memories surfaced again, reminding Lin Ke of the tea leaves he had produced in the wizard world.

Biased! So biased!

He sighed repeatedly in his heart at having lost the essence of the tea way, yet his expression remained unchanged; after thanking True Person Jing Xu, he lifted the teacup and took a small sip.

Good tea!

The tea lingered briefly in his mouth before going straight down, and Lin Ke praised it without cease.

What's good about it?

True Person Jing Xu smiled and asked.

It's good for purifying the mind and reducing desires.

Lin Ke likewise smiled and answered frankly.

I wonder if the layperson has already purified his heart?

True Person Jing Xu also lifted his teacup and took a light sip, then asked casually.

Lin Ke did not answer, but instead countered: I wonder if True Person has already freed himself from desire?

Ashamed!

True Person Jing Xu pondered seriously, his face showing shame, yet without evasion he replied, My cultivation is insufficient; I have not yet freed myself from desire.

In that case, I, too, have failed to purify my heart, and my mind is filled with many worries.

Lin Ke went along with that, then shifted the conversation and asked, I have heard that True Person is skilled at interpreting lots; may I be so fortunate as to draw one? True Person Jing Xu shook his head slightly and said solemnly, Drawing lots is no substitute for seeking oneself; they are merely a few pieces of rotten wood—what good is shaking them?

Then why does True Person still willingly interpret lots for people?

Lin Ke inquired curiously.

Those who seek lots seek peace of mind; I interpret not the lots, but the knots in the heart.

True Person Jing Xu hid nothing, directly stating his true thoughts and practice.

I see.

Lin Ke nodded, as if deep in thought.

At that moment, the door of the quiet room was knocked twice; a middle-aged Daoist stood outside and said, Abbot, Miss Jiang has arrived.

Please wait a moment, layperson; I'll be right back.

True Person Jing Xu first gestured for the middle-aged Daoist to leave, then spoke to Lin Ke with an apologetic tone.

True Person, please do as you need; I am fine here.

Lin Ke showed great magnanimity, without any blame.

Many thanks for your understanding, layperson.

True Person Jing Xu bowed, rose, and left the quiet room.

Lin Ke sat quietly in the quiet room, leisurely sipping tea, with no immediate plan to meet the single mother.

True Person Jing Xu left the quiet room, and his expression turned solemn.

The middle-aged Daoist and the guest Daoist who had initially received Lin Ke were waiting on the path from the side hall to the Hall of the Three Purities; upon seeing True Person Jing Xu, they immediately bowed and paid their respects.

True Person Jing Xu lightly waved his whisk, indicating that no further ceremony was needed, then asked, Did Miss Jiang come alone? Is anyone from the Jiang clan accompanying her?

Replying to the abbot, the Third Young Master of the Jiang mansion accompanies her.

The middle-aged Daoist spoke in reply.

Hmm.

True Person Jing Xu nodded, feeling considerably more relaxed, then turned to the guest Daoist and asked, Are you sure you didn't mistake her?

The guest Daoist said cautiously, Replying to the abbot, I cannot be entirely certain, but after accompanying that layperson into the Hall of the Three Purities, I saw his visage change slightly; after the change, his face resembled that of Young Hero Lin Ke of the Eight Extremes Martial Hall, whom Miss Jiang greatly concerns herself with, by more than ninety percent.

What a trouble.

Upon hearing this, True Person Jing Xu could not help but sigh.

If this matter is not handled well today, it will bring great trouble to the Clear Cloud Temple.

I only hope that Young Hero Lin has not come to Tianshui Commandery with a vengeful mind.

Let's go see Miss Jiang first.

For a moment, True Person Jing Xu could not think of how to break the situation, so he could only calm himself with stillness, first observing how the situation would develop.

Before entering the Hall of the Three Purities, True Person Jing Xu still wondered why Miss Jiang had also gone to Gold Mountain Temple to pay homage to the Buddha, while Young Hero Lin had specifically chosen the Clear Cloud Temple.

I have seen the True Person.

Miss Jiang has already offered incense to the three Heavenly Honored Ones in this lifetime; she was sitting quietly on a futon, and upon seeing True Person Jing Xu approach, she proactively greeted, Sorry to disturb your cultivation again, True Person.

Miss Jiang, you're too polite.

True Person Jing Xu bowed and smiled, saying, Miss Jiang, you have an affinity with the Dao; coming to the Clear Cloud Temple, how could that be considered a disturbance?

Miss Jiang gave a faint smile, without taking up the conversation.

"Lay practitioner, this way please."

Seeing this, Zhenren Jingxu forced himself to lead Miss Jiang to the quiet room in the guest hall of the side hall.

This is Miss Jiang's habit.

Each time after offering incense to the Three Heavenly Honored Ones, she would request a lot and ask Zhenren Jingxu to interpret it.

This time's bamboo lot she had obtained was already held in Miss Jiang's hand.

The quiet rooms in the guest hall of Qingyun Temple are certainly more than one, but not many—only three.

Zhenren Jingxu deliberately arranged the quiet room for receiving Lin Ke in the westernmost one, separating it from the easternmost one that Miss Jiang usually goes to.

This is the limit of what Zhenren Jingxu can do.

"Huh? Are there still worshippers in the temple today?"

By the time they reached the vicinity of the three quiet rooms lined up in the guest hall, Zhenren Jingxu, the middle-aged Daoist, and the guest Daoist had not yet noticed anything, when Miss Jiang let out an exclamation of surprise.

The three Daoists followed Miss Jiang's gaze and, to their astonishment, discovered that the lay practitioner who bore a striking resemblance to the young hero Lin was standing under the apricot tree in front of the quiet room, quietly enjoying the view.

"This is Ke Lin, the lay practitioner."

Zhenren Jingxu let out a slight sigh and made a brief introduction.

Events unfolded in the direction he least wanted to see.

If the lay practitioner really is the young hero Lin, after changing his appearance and hiding his identity, what could he be seeking?

Naturally, it is to first secretly meet his mother, then determine how to face the Jiang clan of Tian Shui Commandery, who took only Miss Jiang away and abandoned the young hero Lin.

Over these years, every time Miss Jiang drew a lot, she did so for her abandoned son.

What happened back then, Zhenren Jingxu knows very well.

He only hopes that the Jiang mansion's third young master, who usually dislikes temples and monasteries, will, as usual, stay outside the mountain gate and not enter the temple.

Lest the enemies meet and their eyes redden with hatred.

"Ke Lin?"

Upon hearing that name, Miss Jiang's heart was inexplicably touched.

After carefully examining his appearance, she nonetheless felt somewhat disappointed.

"Zhenren, I am a little tired."

She sighed, and Miss Jiang spoke with a desolate expression.

"Jiang lay practitioner, this way please."

Zhenren Jingxu heard the implication in her words and led Miss Jiang to the easternmost quiet room.

As they passed Lin Ke, who was admiring the view under the apricot tree, the hearts of the three Daoists clenched, fearing Lin Ke would on the spot recognize his kin.

Fortunately, Lin Ke showed no unusual reaction; he merely glanced calmly at the four of them before continuing to enjoy the scenery.

This made the three Daoists involuntarily let out a long sigh of relief.

Behind the four, Lin Ke's brow furrowed slightly.

With his eyesight, how could he fail to see that the single mother's body remained weak and her martial cultivation had not yet recovered?

Did the Jiang clan of Tian Shui Commandery bring the single mother back for ten years without considering treatment, or did the single mother refuse it?

This is a question, very important.

In the easternmost quiet room, Miss Jiang felt uneasy, always feeling that she had just missed something.

She even forgot to hand the bamboo lot she was holding to Zhenren Jingxu, remaining silent for a long time.

Zhenren Jingxu dismissed the middle-aged Daoist and the guest Daoist, then personally poured tea for Miss Jiang.

The clear tea, upon entering her mouth, took effect, calming Miss Jiang's mind so she no longer frowned in contemplation.

"Please, Zhenren, interpret the lot."

Miss Jiang, burdened with thoughts, placed the bamboo lot on the tea table.

"Is it heavenly will?"

Zhenren Jingxu picked up the bamboo lot and, upon looking, let out a sigh of lament in his heart.

The gist of the lot: lost and then regained, but the process is tortuous, and in the end one must still lose.

Having set down the bamboo lot, Zhenren Jingxu seemed to envision a bloody storm, and thus remained silent for a long time.

"Zhenren?"

Seeing this, Miss Jiang could not help but ask, "Is this lot unfavorable, or...?"

Zhenren Jingxu heaved a heavy sigh, made a decision, and shouted loudly:

"Lay Practitioner Lin, please come in for a chat."