"Bang!"
With the Formation of Horse and Mast array, the fist intent grew increasingly dense. Each punch was stronger than the last, with the latter at least ten percent more powerful than the former. Thus, by the eleventh punch, Lin Zhao's power had already doubled. He landed a heavy blow directly on the old immortal's face, causing his nose to bleed profusely. He looked utterly miserable.
"You little brat, you think I have no temper?"
The old immortal roared, his fortune-telling banner spinning. As he took the punch, the surrounding fiery dragon flames also slammed into Lin Zhao's abdomen. This forced Lin Zhao to retreat repeatedly, his blood and qi instantly in turmoil. This blow was the true strength of a cultivator at the Seventh Realm. Although he was a rogue cultivator, the Seventh Realm was still the Seventh Realm. His aura rapidly rose. He took a step forward, his expression ferocious, and laughed, "What do you call 'asking for trouble'? You didn't have to die originally, but now you are absolutely going to die!"
The fortune-telling banner swayed, and the fiery dragon detached itself, lunging straight at Lin Zhao.
"Hmph!?"
The last time Lin Zhao fought a spiritual cultivator was against Huang Yueran, but that was a sword cultivator. This rogue cultivator before him was vastly different, with all sorts of "immortal techniques" appearing endlessly. Lin Zhao could only defend with his fists, his hands pounding up and down, repelling the fiery dragons one by one. However, his injuries continued to mount. A martial artist at the Third Realm fighting a Seventh Realm cultivator would be considered a miracle. Even though the opponent was a rogue cultivator, a Seventh Realm in name only, he was still at the Seventh Realm, possessing some foundation.
"Brother Lin Zhao!"
In the blink of an eye, seeing Lin Zhao struggling and in grave danger, Su Qingjiu cried out, "I'll go get help!"
"Still want to get help!?"
Old Huang raised his hand, a wisp of flame separating to seal the courtyard gate. He sneered, "Today, everyone except this gifted girl will die. Not a single one will be left!"
Lin Zhao continued to throw punches, his mind racing. He knew he couldn't win relying solely on himself at this point. After shattering a segment of the fiery dragon with a punch, he retreated to the courtyard gate, his fists bloody and battered. He shouted to the outside, "Old Huang, are you and the brothers on patrol?"
"Aren't we?"
From afar, Huang Tingyu's voice drifted over. "It's been a bit chaotic in town lately. I heard a Seventh Realm cultivator is visiting. As the Deputy Commander of the Heavenly Pool Army, how can I not come and take a look?!"
"Huang Tingyu!?"
The old immortal's expression stiffened, and a chill ran down his spine. He immediately stopped attacking and walked to the gate, a smile plastered on his face. "Little friend Lin Zhao, I was just joking with you. Our spar ends here for today. I shall take my leave."
With that, he passed through the wall and appeared outside the courtyard.
"..."
Lin Zhao hurried out of the courtyard, intending to land a follow-up punch on the old immortal's back and also to check if Huang Tingyu had indeed arrived. That Old Huang seemed to have a very high cultivation level, so perhaps he could truly hear Lin Zhao speaking from his own courtyard.
...
As it turned out, on the back street, a cavalry troop of several dozen men was moving slowly. Leading the charge on a black warhorse, with two swords on his back, was none other than Huang Tingyu.
"Wait a moment, fellow Daoist."
Huang Tingyu laughed heartily, calling out to the rogue cultivator who was attempting to flee. He narrowed his eyes, and a thread of his consciousness shot straight into the rogue cultivator's sea of consciousness. Instantly, the old immortal stood frozen as if struck by lightning. After Huang Tingyu's probing, his scheme to take Su Qingjiu and marry her later was completely exposed. At this moment, the old immortal's heart was filled with despair.
"Tsk tsk..."
Huang Tingyu withdrew his consciousness and said playfully, "The widows in Heavenly Pool Town all call me an incorrigible old man, but compared to you, fellow Daoist, I am truly a pure and upright, young and handsome man. Since that's the case, I suppose I can't possibly refuse to give you a chance to live."
The rogue cultivator nodded repeatedly, like a pecking chick. "Fellow Daoist Huang speaks the truth. The Great Dao is difficult to ascend, and it is even more difficult for us rogue cultivators. I implore Fellow Daoist Huang to give me an opportunity."
"Very well."
A smile played on Huang Tingyu's lips. "Answer me one question. If I, Old Huang, am satisfied, I will not only spare your life but also escort you to the south gate of the town and treat you to a drink."
"Please ask, Fellow Daoist Huang!"
"Who is more handsome, me or Commander Chu?" Huang Tingyu asked casually from his horse, his eyes narrowed as he looked at the rogue cultivator, his face covered in wrinkles.
Who was Chu Huaixi? He was a paragon among men, possessing exceptional looks and demeanor. In Heavenly Pool Town, what maiden did not harbor dreams upon seeing Chu Huaixi? Thus, Chu Huaixi's fame was not only due to his cultivation at the Sea-Crossing Realm and his reputation as the foremost general of the Northern Frontier, but also his renown as the most handsome man in the Northern Region.
The rogue cultivator muttered to himself. Although he had never seen Chu Huaixi in person, Chu Huaixi's reputation preceded him. He was certainly more pleasing to the eye than the man before him. However, if he said Chu Huaixi was more handsome, Huang Tingyu would surely be displeased, and he would inevitably be struck by a sword. Everyone knew that Huang Tingyu, the Deputy Commander of the Heavenly Pool Army, was a sword cultivator, but no one knew his exact realm. They only knew that after arriving at Heavenly Pool Ridge, Huang Tingyu had frequently followed Chu Huaixi down the northern mountains, slaying countless demon experts, yet he himself had always emerged unscathed.
This person was not to be offended!
Therefore, the rogue cultivator cupped his fists and said, "Fellow Daoist Huang, you are magnificent and radiant. In terms of appearance, I fear you are no less handsome than Commander Chu."
This statement was very cleverly worded, ambiguous and neither offending Huang Tingyu nor Chu Huaixi. It was the most comforting answer he could give at the moment.
"Oh?"
Huang Tingyu narrowed his eyes on his horse and reached for his sword, smiling. "I am well aware of what my face looks like, how can it be compared to Commander Chu? I despise liars most in my life. It perfectly echoes your own words: 'asking for trouble.' You didn't have to die originally, but now you are absolutely going to die!!"
The rogue cultivator's heart was struck with terror. These were the very words he had spoken to Lin Zhao not long ago. Was the retribution so swift?
"Here's another chance."
Huang Tingyu narrowed his eyes and smiled. "I will count to three. When I reach three, I will draw my sword. If you can escape this strike, I will absolutely not kill you. Now, why aren't you fleeing?"
"Ah!?"
The rogue cultivator hastily urged his fiery dragon and fled on the wind.
"Three!"
Huang Tingyu counted "three" immediately, then drew and sheathed his sword in one fluid motion. Within a flash of sword light, the rogue cultivator plummeted from the sky, already split in two.
"..."
A group of Heavenly Pool Army soldiers looked at Huang Tingyu, especially the middle-aged soldiers who were already very familiar with him. They all wore playful expressions.
Huang Tingyu grinned and said, "I dislike people who lie, but that doesn't mean I myself don't lie. Those are two different matters, don't you agree, old brothers?"
Everyone cupped their fists in unison. "Deputy Commander's words are reasonable. We are all convinced!"
"Hahahaha~~~"
Huang Tingyu let out a hearty laugh and led his men to continue their patrol. As he passed Lin Zhao, he said with a smile, "In the future, if you encounter any more rogue cultivators causing trouble in town, just shout 'Old Huang,' and unless I'm down the northern mountain, I'll be there in moments. Understand?"
"Yes, thank you, Old Huang!"
"You're welcome, welcome!"
Huang Tingyu bowed respectfully to the young man and replied with a smile, "We sword immortals live by the code of righteousness when wandering the jianghu!"
A group of old brothers laughed heartily, pointing at the Deputy Commander's nose. "You are at most a Nascent Soul stage sword cultivator, what kind of sword immortal are you? How shameless, Old Huang!"
"Wahahahaha, I'm willing to be!!!"
...
Lin Zhao brought back plenty of delicious food: braised pork trotters, preserved spiced beef, and a braised pork belly fish. These were all dishes Lin Zhao had requested. They were still warm when brought back. After applying some medicinal ointment to himself, he ate with the two children. They were all full and satisfied.
Just as they finished eating, they heard a knock at the door. Outside stood a middle-aged man in scholarly robes. Lin Zhao didn't recognize him, but Su Qingjiu immediately exclaimed, "Teacher?"
It was the teacher from the academy. The reason Lin Zhao didn't recognize him was likely because he had only recently been transferred from the academy at the foot of the mountain.
"Su Qingjiu."
The teacher smiled slightly. "You haven't been to the academy for a long time."
"My family..."
The little girl's eyes instantly welled up with tears.
Lin Zhao gently stroked Su Qingjiu's little head and said, "Teacher, you likely know about the Su family's situation."
"Yes, I know a little."
The teacher nodded. "I came to ask if Su Qingjiu still wants to return to the academy to study. If so, the tuition for the second half of the year needs to be paid. The Su family is in this state, so I'm a bit worried..."
Lin Zhao frowned. "How much is it?"
"Two Qingfu coins."
"..."
Two Qingfu coins! With Lin Zhao's current financial situation, it was becoming a bit tight. He had already spent a considerable amount from the money he earned selling the deer. Now, he had at most a little over one Qingfu coin left.
"Teacher."
Lin Zhao said respectfully, "Perhaps... perhaps Little Jiu'er can still go to class. I will pay the tuition."
As he spoke, he turned and went back into the house, producing one Qingfu coin and offering it. "There is still one Qingfu coin. I will definitely gather it soon. Starting tomorrow, Little Jiu'er can return to class, right?"
"Yes."
The teacher nodded. "Just try to pay the remaining Qingfu coin as soon as possible..."
"I know, thank you!"
"You're welcome."
...
After the teacher left, Lin Zhao sat down in the courtyard, his mind filled with only two words: get money!
"Brother Lin Zhao..."
Little Jiu'er rested on his lap, tears in her eyes. "Actually... I can choose not to go to school. From now on, I'll go fishing with Brother Lin Zhao and Little Stone, and I'll support myself."
Lin Zhao couldn't help but chuckle. "That wouldn't be very good, would it? There aren't that many fish in Baiyu Stream. With our three fishing rods, we'll have fished them all out within half a year~~~"
Little Jiu'er's tears turned into a smile. "Then I'll listen to Brother Lin Zhao."
"Yes, be good, go to sleep early!"
...
Late at night, Lin Zhao lay between two hastily built small beds, with Little Stone and Little Jiu'er sound asleep. Lin Zhao, however, was preoccupied with the matter of making money. The tuition at the Heavenly Pool Ridge Academy had always been expensive. This was because the town could be attacked by northern fiends at any time, and academies from the secular dynasties in the south were unwilling to send teachers. Those who came were all fearless.
Lin Zhao gazed out the window, his heart at peace.
He had truly been impoverished for too long.
He vividly remembered that year, when Lin Zhao was six years old, his family couldn't afford the tuition. His mother wrote a note to the teacher, hoping for an extension. But the teacher read the note aloud in front of all the students, making Lin Zhao feel the sting of humiliation for the first time in his life.
Later, his seriously ill mother returned from her maiden home. Upon her return, she asked Lin Zhao to shell edamame outside the door. Through the wooden door, his mother cried with extreme sadness. That time, she had visited all her relatives, but she couldn't borrow even a single copper coin.
...
From then on, Lin Zhao stopped attending the academy.
Looking at the moonlight outside the window, the young man shed tears. He missed his mother dearly, that woman whose smile was so gentle.