Chapter 83

"What did you write all night? No matter how hard you try, it won't do any good."

Hwaryun, who had approached Lian to see off the departing people, pouted her lips.

She had seen Lian put the letter he had given her into the baggage carelessly.

"Still, family is family... We don't know when we'll see each other again like this."

"It almost seems like they're strangers. They didn't even look at us when we were in trouble, but now that we seem to be rich, they've come here hoping to get some scraps. Why should you even bother with them?"

"..."

Lian, who had been momentarily taken aback, suddenly laughed when she sensed the somewhat stern resolve in Hwaryun's words.

Though Hwaryun spoke coldly and harshly, a closer look revealed that it wasn't so.

Family should support each other in times of difficulty; those who don't aren't family, so she doesn't like them.

Isn't this what Hwaryun is saying?

It was similar when they talked about family before. One should not expect anything in return when trusting and following someone; love is something to be given without limit...

Hwaryun always acted as if she was more mature and understood the ways of the world. So Lian would say that she was too naive and worry about her, but upon closer inspection, Hwaryun seemed much more naive.

Where in the world is there unlimited love or loyalty without any return?

'Sometimes I think she's so naive that it's scary, especially when she talks about being entangled with someone like Machanqiao.'

Moreover, Hwaryun, who talked about giving without expecting anything in return, was actually the type to keep track of everything she received and try to pay it back, which made Lian laugh even more.

"Why are you suddenly laughing?"

"Hmm. It's because it helps me too. If I tell them how to do things and they get stronger, it's good for me too."

And my luck index will definitely go up.

Reflecting on past experiences, the distance, method, or emotion didn't matter.

Jin Jiege had given her the luck index several times—she seemed to have seen the review document I wrote for Jin Zhongha, and I don't know how many times she has seen it—and now Tai Xuzhen and Ye Yun, who had left far away, occasionally raised her luck index.

Hwaryun stared at Lian intently, with a look that seemed both pitiful and exasperated, a look that didn't suit her young face at all.

"Give that servant to your cousin. Don't think about bringing him here."

Then the topic suddenly changed, and Lian realized what Hwaryun was worried about.

She was worried that after seeing Lian leave messages for the distant relatives who couldn't even stay in the family estate, she might feel sympathetic and decide to take in Dan Mu Jun's servant.

"I won't, I won't. Chenga said he would take the servant first."

Although the master had ordered it, Dan Mu Xianyao was furious that the servant, who had served spoiled food to the family, should not be taken in, but Dan Mu Cheng remained firm.

How could Dan Mu Xianyao be so frustrated that she even came to Lian?

— Can't you do something about it! Chenga will at least listen to you!

But Dan Mu Cheng finally decided to take in the servant after Lian quietly persuaded Dan Mu Xianyao.

— The servant is full of gratitude for Chenga saving him, so there's no need to worry.

— Still...

— Chenga is taking responsibility for his words with actions. Wouldn't it be disappointing to scold him or prevent him?

— It's better to be disappointed than to be in danger!

Dan Mu Xianyao was stubborn, but finally gave in.

— Then, Lian, can you keep an eye on it?

— What?

— When you two are together, can you check if the servant has any ulterior motives or if he is serving Chenga well? I'll definitely pay this debt back.

— Of course...

Dan Mu Xianyao pressed the promise a few more times and finally left satisfied when Lian nodded.

'If I say it's fine, will it be fine?'

It wasn't a request she would normally make to a cousin she didn't get along with, but Lian didn't refuse.

In fact, the servant's only concern was 'How can I serve Young Master Chenga well?' If he had any other intentions, his concerns would change, and she would know.

"I promised to only take in people with better qualities than me, sister."

"This sister keeps her promises."

Lian said confidently and tousled Hwaryun's hair.

Hwaryun, whose hair was now a mess, sighed deeply, seemingly satisfied as long as Lian didn't take responsibility for the servant.

* * *

Bai Yiming was really surprised when the boy appeared at his quarters, even though he had been waiting for him all along.

"Oh, oh, you're here..."

"You didn't run away? I thought you'd be long gone by now."

"You told me not to run away..."

Of course, he had run away once and come back, but he didn't say that. The boy looked at him with a mischievous smile.

"You've been working hard, I see."

"U, ah, yes, yes. Thank you... Thank you."

"What for? For hitting you?"

He couldn't bring himself to say 'yes.' Bai Yiming twisted his lips. The boy laughed at his appearance and started moving the chopsticks he had left with the snacks.

He lightly tapped his limbs, moving as if he were a reed.

"Is there something you want to tell me...?"

"I'm not your teacher, so what can I tell you? I have something to do, so follow me."

The boy said this and leaped out the window. Bai Yiming hurriedly followed, but unlike the boy, he landed with a dull thud. His face turned red.

"You need to take a deep breath before moving and circulate the energy inside your body while moving."

"But you suddenly went out the window just now."

"If a sword suddenly comes at you, will you just stand there and get hit and die?"

"Why do you keep talking about death..."

"If I tell you and you still can't do it, what's the point of living?"

"..."

Bai Yiming's eyes suddenly widened. He had been making excuses, but upon reflection, the boy was actually teaching him a technique.

The experience of a master like Nogosu is priceless!

"Ah, no, no, I'll remember. Yes, take a deep breath before moving, yes!"

"Be quiet."

"Yes..."

After that, he followed the boy silently. They went through a path he didn't know near Huabielou and arrived at what seemed to be the wall of an old manor.

'This old wall looks familiar...'

"Someone will come out soon. Follow them."

"What?"

"Follow them and see if they're planning anything strange or making any odd plans."

"Me?"

"Yes."

The boy nodded and looked at him intently. Bai Yiming swallowed hard and said,

"Actually, I've never learned how to hide... Isn't it too much to ask?"

The boy looked at him with a slightly surprised expression.

"Are you that stupid?"

"That's the effect of inner strength! I... didn't have inner strength until now."

"Even so, to have built up outer strength to this extent... Ah, never mind. Watch carefully."

"What?"

Right here, right now?

Bai Yiming's eyes widened as the boy moved without waiting. He took just one step to the side and disappeared from his sight.

"Where, where did you go..."

"Here."

"..."

The boy appeared behind Bai Yiming, who almost screamed.

"Did you see?"

The words "How can you see someone disappear?" almost came out, but Bai Yiming nodded vigorously without making any excuses.

The boy smiled and said,

"Listen carefully. The core principle is 'oneness of self and surroundings' (物我一體). It's about being aware of your surroundings without being conscious of yourself. Don't think of yourself as a great person. Don't even think that you've accomplished something. You are nothing."

Although suddenly scolded, Bai Yiming was determined to listen carefully to whatever the boy said.

"But that's not all. When you walk, think about the parts of the path you don't step on. When you drink, think about the parts of the cup your mouth doesn't touch."

"Yes, yes."

"Being hidden means being like that. But just because it's not used doesn't mean it's not necessary. Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's gone. Now, do you understand what hiding is?"

"What?"

But before he could ask, the back gate at the end of the wall opened, and the wall guards pushed something out.