Told You I Can Turn Back Time
Chapter 86: The Hermit’s Abode (Five Updates for Subscription and Monthly Pass Requests)

Chapter 86: Chapter 86: The Hermit’s Abode (Five Updates for Subscription and Monthly Pass Requests)

Early the next morning, Puppet Girl slowly sat up and found that Lin Xing and Jing Shiyu were still sound asleep.

"How can these two sleep in so late," Bai Yiyi thought to herself, "Didn’t we agree to get up early today to continue our journey?"

After waiting for what felt like ages, the two finally woke up, and Bai Yiyi immediately noticed something was amiss.

She observed that the relationship between Lin Xing and Jing Shiyu seemed even closer than the day before.

"Hmm?" Bai Yiyi silently mused, "Did they do something sneaky while I was asleep?"

"Did Jing Shiyu secretly give Lin Xing lessons, imparting skills to him as if to take on the role of master and disciple?"

Thinking this, Bai Yiyi felt her position as master increasingly precarious, yet she felt helpless against the watchful Jing Shiyu.

"Damn it, I’m proficient in a myriad of martial arts, yet Lin Xing specializes in Taoist techniques, leaving me, the old ancestor, unable to display my abilities..."

"The best plan for now is to quickly master the puppetry and gain stronger power, so that I control my fate, not heaven."

The myriad thoughts swirling in Bai Yiyi’s mind naturally remained undetected by Lin Xing and Jing Shiyu.

The two rode side by side, continuing their journey toward their destination, with Jing Shiyu acting like a teacher, answering Lin Xing’s various questions and helping him understand the current world affairs, the martial factions...

"Oh? You know about the second and third inheritances?"

"Indeed, Shi Lin Temple has a so-called ’Great Master’ from the third inheritance, and it’s rumored that the god-monk Kong E had already mastered this legacy thirty years ago."

"However, rumors are just rumors, as the god-monk Kong E hasn’t left Shi Lin Temple for many years. Whether he has mastered the third inheritance, or whether he is alive or dead, remains a mystery in the martial world."

Bai Yiyi, who was eavesdropping, nodded secretly: "So that’s how it is."

...

Two days passed by in a flash.

Lin Xing and Jing Shiyu arrived at a mountain valley.

Looking at the mist-covered valley, Jing Shiyu said, "This is the place. The recluse I mentioned is living in this valley."

Gazing at the thick mist, Lin Xing asked, "The fog is so dense, how will we get in?"

Jing Shiyu replied, "Have you forgotten the clairvoyance technique I taught you? With the exploratory skills of my Taoist sect, this thick fog is nothing."

"But you haven’t learned clairvoyance, nor do you have the Heavenly Eye or Dharma Eye, so this time I’ll lead you into it."

They then tied their horses nearby.

"Hold my hand tightly," Jing Shiyu extended her hand, grabbing Lin Xing and walking forward.

Lin Xing turned to Puppet Girl: "Hold my hand tightly."

Puppet Girl stiffly lifted her hand and followed Lin Xing in, while her other hand clutched tightly to her cat doll.

Lin Xing could feel waves of spiritual thoughts constantly emanating from Jing Shiyu; her eyes emitted a lucent green glow as if she could see through the heavy fog, guiding them through twists and turns within the valley.

About half an hour later, the fog in front of them gradually dispersed, revealing a sunny village with green hills and clear waters.

Lin Xing exclaimed in surprise, "There’s actually a village inside?"

Jing Shiyu nodded and said, "Originally, the recluse chose this secluded valley and set up a diversionary array on the outside to live undisturbed, seeking a serene and leisurely life away from the chaos of the world."

"Unfortunately, he was accustomed to luxury from a young age and found that he couldn’t survive alone in the valley after just a few days."

"So he saved a group of refugees and led them to cultivate the fields and weave in the valley. Since then, he doesn’t have to do any work himself; all the dirty and tiring tasks are left to the villagers, allowing him to lead an easy life with everything provided for..."

As the trio stepped into the village, the refugees initially tensed and feared at the sudden appearance of the three strangers.

But once they saw Jing Shiyu, they relaxed and even began to greet him proactively.

Lin Xing curiously asked, "They all know you?"

Jing Shiyu nodded and replied, "I too had helped this esteemed person and together we saved these refugees, so they recognize me."

The three of them proceeded and reached a large courtyard at the very end of the village.

From afar, Lin Xing saw a middle-aged man lying on the roof, basking in the sun and snoring loudly, his rumbling breath spreading out like thunder, causing the surrounding tiles to tremble slightly.

"Senior, it’s been a long time since we’ve met."

Following the sound of Jing Shiyu’s voice, the middle-aged man who had been sleeping suddenly opened his eyes and flashingly descended from the roof.

Next, they saw him stepping with an extraordinary gait, creating a string of afterimages, as he walked up to Jing Shiyu with an elegant demeanor.

It was only then that Lin Xing got a clear look at the man’s appearance: a tall, slender figure with greying temples and eyes as bright as stars.

If Lin Xing were to sum it up in his own words, it would be that of a handsome middle-aged man.

Even though he seemed unkempt, there was a unique charm in every movement he made.

"Shiyu, what made you think of visiting me?" the middle-aged man asked with a warm smile, his tone revealing affection.

He immediately glanced over at Lin Xing and frowned, asking, "Who is this kid?"

Jing Shiyu answered, "He’s the disciple I’ve taken a liking to."

"Oh, a disciple." The middle-aged man laughed and his gaze softened as he looked at Lin Xing and began to intimately enquire about his well-being.

Lin Xing, somewhat unclear about the relationship between the two, looked at Jing Shiyu with confusion and asked, "Who is he?"

The middle-aged man said kindly, "I’m Shiyu’s father, you can just call me ’Uncle’."

Jing Shiyu said helplessly, "When I met him, he was severely injured. After I saved him, he insisted I was his daughter."

The middle-aged man showed no reaction to her words, as if he couldn’t hear what Jing Shiyu was saying.

Jing Shiyu shook her head and added, "He’s a bit delusional, every time someone tells him I’m not his daughter, he can’t hear it."

The middle-aged man then looked at the Puppet Girl and inquired, "And who might this be?"

Lin Xing replied, "This is my friend."

After the introductions, the middle-aged man led Jing Shiyu and Lin Xing into the courtyard, laughing heartily, "Wife! Look who’s back!"

"Shishu, your sister has come back."

"Shiyu, look at your brother, hasn’t he gotten much taller since your last visit?"

"Come, come, let’s have a meal together, and let your mother cook up some good dishes for you."

"Wife, look, this is the new disciple Shiyu has taken on, isn’t he an outstanding figure?"

The middle-aged man clapped Lin Xing on the shoulder, saying, "Haha, they’ve been cooped up in the village all day and are feeling suffocated; they haven’t been very talkative these last few days, don’t take it to heart."

Lin Xing looked at several empty chairs, his gaze filled with confusion as he turned towards Jing Shiyu.

Jing Shiyu shrugged helplessly, "Like I said, he’s sick, he imagines his own family."

The middle-aged man’s expression changed, and he said unhappily, "Shiyu, why are you saying that again? Are your mother and brother not sitting here just fine? Why are you pretending not to see them again?"