Chapter Fourteen: Strolling Through Qingyang

After leaving the main hall, Lin Nian'er led Ye Sansi and Liu Lingshuang to the guest room where Li Taiyi was resting. They found Taiyi sitting on the bed, leaning against the headboard. Sansi, seeing that Taiyi was safe and sound, rushed forward, jumped onto the bed, and hugged Taiyi tightly, laughing, "Taiyi, you're all right! That's wonderful."

Lin Nian'er covered her mouth, chuckling softly. Liu Lingshuang made a face at the two men and said, "You two grown men hugging on a bed, have you no shame?"

Li Taiyi smiled at Sansi and said, "Brother Sansi, I'm fine—you... you can let go now." Ye Sansi released him, climbed off the bed, scratching his head. "I knew you were skilled in martial arts, you'd be fine, haha." Liu Lingshuang teased, "Tsk tsk, and who was ready to kill someone at the news of Taiyi getting hurt?"

"Brother Sansi, I heard you even challenged that disciple from Tianluo Mountain for my sake. That man’s martial arts were far superior to mine. You weren’t hurt, were you?" As he spoke, Li Taiyi turned Sansi around to check him over.

Liu Lingshuang chuckled, letting out a soft hum. "Hurt? This fellow nearly destroyed the entire Qingyang City!" Lin Nian'er exclaimed, "Young Master Ye's immortal arts are so powerful! My father locked me in my room early on, so I missed the duel. What a pity! If we travel together in the future, I must see it with my own eyes."

Liu Lingshuang wrapped an arm around Lin Nian'er and said, "Sweet Nian'er, Sansi can't just use his immortal arts whenever he likes. When you travel with us, why bother watching Sansi? Taiyi and I are much stronger than he is, haha!"

Li Taiyi interrupted their banter, asking, "But what happened? Brother Sansi, why did your immortal arts advance so rapidly all of a sudden?"

"Right, Taiyi, I wanted to ask you too. Just now, it seemed Sansi was possessed by ‘Heaven’s Fury’, his eyes full of killing intent, his body shrouded in chilling cold—it was freezing to the bone. He lost all sense and was impossible to wake."

Sansi scratched his head, agreeing with Lingshuang. "Exactly, Taiyi. I remember only fragments of what happened. My head still feels a little dizzy."

Li Taiyi lowered his head, pondering, murmuring to himself. Suddenly, he looked up. "I once heard my father speak of this—it’s called ‘Sword Spirit Possession’. It's a kind of sacrifice: the sword-bearer gains the sword spirit’s full power, but their mind is completely handed over to the sword spirit. It's an extremely potent artifact ability, but usually lasts less than half a stick of incense."

Liu Lingshuang thought for a moment. "But Sansi endured a whole stick of incense and still didn’t wake up. It was only after I kept calling him that he finally came to."

"Heaven’s Fury is not an ordinary immortal weapon—it’s the supreme among swords. Perhaps this is the power of the Heaven’s Fury sword spirit!"

Liu Lingshuang asked worriedly, "Does this sacrifice harm the sword-bearer? Sansi doesn't seem well—I’m afraid for his health." Li Taiyi sat up, facing them, perched on the bed’s edge. "The sacrifice consumes the sword spirit’s life force, not the wielder’s. Moreover, it only happens with the sword spirit’s consent."

Ye Sansi took Heaven’s Fury from his back, holding it in his hands. "Even if I only half understand what Taiyi says, I think I get it. You shouldn’t fight on my behalf—it’s not good for you. Don’t do it again." But Heaven’s Fury gave no response.

Liu Lingshuang looked at Heaven’s Fury and laughed, "Truly, the sword follows its master—even its temper is fierce! Don’t let it possess you again, it's too dangerous." Lin Nian'er giggled, "How fascinating! I’ve only ever heard of such immortal arts, never seen them. It’s my good fortune to meet you all. I look forward to seeing them in action one day."

Lingshuang burst out laughing. Lin Nian'er asked curiously, "Miss Liu, what’s so funny? Did I say something wrong?"

"Haha, no, no—it's just that the dignified daughter of the magistrate says the same things as a wild man from the mountains, both as inexperienced in the world as each other! Truly, a match made in heaven!"

"A wild man from the mountains? Who might that be?"

Ye Sansi raised his hand. "That would be me!"

Lin Nian’er looked down, her cheeks flushed, and nudged Lingshuang with her elbow, whispering, "Miss Liu, you really do talk nonsense."

Lingshuang burst out laughing. "Oh, dear Nian’er, you’re blushing!"

Lin Nian’er turned her face away toward the door. "I am not! If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll ignore you—hmph!"

"Alright, alright," Lingshuang said, moving her face close and making a funny face, "Bleh!" Lin Nian’er, amused by Lingshuang’s antics, gave her a gentle push. "You really are the mischievous one."

Taiyi poked Sansi with his finger, gesturing for him to lean in. In a low voice, he said, "Brother Sansi, look at that—so this is what women are like. Hmph, just now they teased us for hugging on a bed, and now they’re flirting themselves. Really, such behavior!"

Lin Nian’er suggested, "It’s still early. Why don’t I show you around the Lin residence?"

"Sounds good, but Taiyi—"

Taiyi stood, stretching his limbs. "This little injury is nothing; I’ve rested for more than two hours. Moving around will do me good."

With that, Lin Nian’er led the way out of the room, Lingshuang wrapped an arm around her, and Sansi offered Taiyi a supportive hand as they followed behind.

After showing them around the Lin residence, they arrived at the garden. Inside, clusters of vibrant flowers bloomed everywhere. Not only that, but among the ordinary blooms were many spiritual branches and immortal herbs. Taiyi crouched for a closer look, excited. "If I’m not mistaken, this must be a Sky-reaching Bamboo shoot." Lin Nian’er nodded. Taiyi wandered further, crouched again. "This—this should be Western Phoenix Red Grass."

Lin Nian’er said, "Young Master Li, you have sharp eyes. I can’t even name all these rare plants, yet you recognize them all." Taiyi stood and replied, "Haha, I traveled the martial world with my father when I was young, so I learned a lot. How did you come by all these treasures?"

Lin Nian’er approached a nearby water jar, scooped out half a ladle, then walked over, sprinkling water among the flowers as she spoke. "These treasures aren’t mine. My father loves rare flowers and herbs, so he put up notices offering generous rewards to anyone who brings them to the Lin residence. Over the decades, they've accumulated like this." As she spoke, she scattered drops of water among the blooms.

Taiyi exclaimed, "The growing conditions for these spiritual branches and immortal herbs are so demanding, yet they thrive here. Remarkable!" Lin Nian’er agreed, "Yes, my father hired many experts to tend them. According to each herb’s nature, we plant compatible ordinary flowers nearby to help them thrive. Some are kept in cold storage. I’ll show you sometime—apart from my father and the people of Qingyang, no one cares for these plants as much as he does."

Seeing Taiyi so absorbed, Liu Lingshuang quickly said, "Such immortal things shouldn’t be stared at by mere mortals like us. Let's not disturb them."

Taiyi nodded repeatedly, "You’re right."

As Ye Sansi left the garden, several maids approached. Seeing Sansi and Lin Nian’er, they stopped to greet, "Miss, young master," then left. Scratching his head, Sansi asked, "Why do they still call me young master?" Lin Nian’er laughed, "Best not mention this to others—let it be our secret. If word spreads, it could cause trouble."

Sansi pouted, "Fine. People down here care too much about fame and fortune—life is full of worries. Sigh." Liu Lingshuang patted his head. "You wild man, you do know a thing or two. Come to think of it, you’re right, haha!"

Sansi laughed awkwardly and stretched. "Let’s go out; it’s too quiet here. The outside is livelier." Lin Nian’er agreed, "Good idea. Even though I’m from Qingyang, I’ve never really explored the city. With you all with me, my father will have no reason to keep me at home."

Liu Lingshuang wrapped an arm around Lin Nian’er. "Nian’er, let me be your guide and show you around Qingyang City. How about it?"

"Miss Liu, wonderful!"

Lin Nian’er thought to seek permission from her father in the main hall before going out. But upon arrival, he was not there—the steward said the master had gone to the yamen.

Lin Nian’er considered, "Then I’ll go to the yamen to inform my father. If he comes home and finds me gone, he’ll worry." The steward agreed, "That’s best. If the young miss leaves without my informing the master, he’ll surely blame me."

On the steward’s orders, the guards at the gate let the four of them out. Once outside, Liu Lingshuang remarked, "Is this really your home? So many rules!" Lin Nian’er sighed, "There’s nothing I can do. My father only means well. We have many enemies, and countless people would love to kidnap me to threaten him. I’ve been protected in the residence since childhood and have grown weary of it. That’s why I want to go out and see the world."

"Haha, it's nothing," Liu Lingshuang said, waving a hand. "It just means your father is a good official—punishing evil and promoting good. Don’t worry, Nian’er, from now on we’ll protect you. Rest easy." Lin Nian’er nodded.

Qingyang City was bustling with people. The many snacks and trinkets dazzled Ye Sansi. At a street corner, he saw a crowd, and, curious, hopped up and down. "Taiyi, Lingshuang, Nian’er, look at all those people—something fun must be happening!" The four of them walked over, stood on tiptoe, and saw two people performing acrobatics—fire-breathing, breaking stones on their chests, and sword-swallowing.

Ye Sansi was entranced, muttering, "Amazing! I want to learn that someday." Li Taiyi said, "Brother Sansi, those are acrobatics, not immortal arts." Liu Lingshuang laughed, "He just wants to learn whatever he finds impressive—so ambitious!"

After watching for a while, Lin Nian’er said, "It’s getting late. Let’s go to the yamen to see my father first; we won’t be long."

The others nodded. They had barely taken a few steps when a commotion broke out behind them. Turning, they saw several constables arresting the two acrobats, who struggled and shouted, "We’re good people! What did we do wrong? Why are you arresting us? We’re innocent!"

The head constable replied, "Innocent or not, you’ll come to the yamen. The magistrate will decide."

Lin Nian’er approached and asked, "Brother Yuan, what is this about?"

The constable, seeing Lin Nian’er, saluted. "Miss? Why are you out here? It’s dangerous. Let me escort you home."

Lin Nian’er shook her head, stepped closer, and asked, "Brother Yuan, I’m fine. Tell me, what crime did these two commit?"

Constable Yuan answered, "To be honest, Miss, I don’t know. I’m only acting on the magistrate’s orders to bring them in. That’s all."

"We’re heading to see my father anyway. We’ll go together."

"Yes, Miss—"