Twin Dimension Yin-Yang Mirror: Attaining immortality through the martial path
Chapter 88 - 85: The Intelligent Lin Huaiyu in the Snow and Ice, Zhou Ping’an Faces Danger at Every Turn (Seeking First Subscriptions, Seeking Monthly Pass)

Chapter 88: Chapter 85: The Intelligent Lin Huaiyu in the Snow and Ice, Zhou Ping’an Faces Danger at Every Turn (Seeking First Subscriptions, Seeking Monthly Pass)

"How is your injury?"

After leaving Baicao Hall, giving instructions to the recently arrived Offerings and a group of Guardian House Servants tasked with their respective duties,

Lin Huaiyu finally couldn’t help herself and asked.

Her complexion was still pale at this moment, obviously, the shadow cast upon her from being tainted with the stench during the previous clash with the Lishan Sect practitioner hadn’t completely dissipated.

Setting aside the old fellow’s cultivation level for the moment, just his Yin Soul Sword Technique, with its disgusting moves aimed directly at the weak points of the human spirit, was very difficult to deal with.

Moreover, he was quite resilient.

Even with Lin Huaiyu’s breakthrough into the Five Viscera Realm, using the Ninth Turning of Wave Subduing Blade Technique, she only managed to repel and not truly injure her opponent.

Merely scratching a bit of the skin on the neck and drawing a bit of blood.

It did not diminish fighting power.

It had to admit, the heritage of a major sect and the skills of ordinary Jianghu experts were indeed very different, they were genuinely difficult to kill.

A person has no intention to injure a tiger.

But a tiger bears the intent to harm humans...

Don’t think that Zhou Ping’an initially planned to concede so easily.

In fact, he had thought about taking the opportunity to kill the old Taoist outright, then forcefully suppress Tian Shouyi, and take Baicao Hall into his possession.

Unexpectedly, Lin Huaiyu’s sudden move didn’t achieve success.

The opponent was stronger than he had imagined.

And that Tian Shouyi seemed to have some cards up his sleeve that he hadn’t shown yet.

Therefore, he could only settle for the next best thing.

To frame someone on the fly, then generously help to spread the word, guessing that soon there would be a good show to watch.

Since they were destined to be enemies,

With Zhou Ping’an’s temperament, he couldn’t possibly swallow this pride and leave it at that.

If not overtly, then he would make moves in secret.

Seeing the worry and inquiry in the Third Miss Lin’s eyes, Zhou Ping’an felt a slight warmth in his heart, and smiled, "It’s nothing serious, actually. It’s hard to say who had the upper hand, under hard fighting, Tian Shouyi must also have had it hard."

He coughed lightly twice, pulled out a silk handkerchief to cover his mouth, wiping away the bloody trace, but inwardly, he sighed, that County Captain Tian was indeed not one to sit idly by his post, his skills were truly something.

Especially the cold and strict killing intent contained within that one spear thrust, which could actually ignore his mental barriers, infiltrating directly into the sinews and bones, and was extremely difficult to expel.

"Still, we cannot be careless. Later when I go back, I will take a Zhengyang Pill and sort out the sinews.

The Art of War Killing Technique passed down in the army, unlike Daoist and Buddhist Techniques, not only harms others but also oneself."

Lin Huaiyu knew that Zhou Ping’an was not too familiar with some cultivation common sense, so she seized every opportunity to tell him what she knew.

"County Captain Tian cultivates the White Tiger’s Deathly Aura, his marksmanship is the Seven Kills Spear Technique. Although he hasn’t achieved the essence of it, he already has a touch of the western White Tiger’s golden deathly power.

During a staunch fight, permeating the opponent with deathly aura is very hard to defend against.

This secret technique, despite having the downside that it cannot nourish the body for longevity, is exceptionally brutal and invincible in battle formation, even enabling top generals at court to contend against True Martial Realm masters of various sects without being at a disadvantage.

If your Submerged Wave Jin could be cultivated to Five Turns, you would not fear Tian Shouyi’s not fully formed deathly aura erosion... In the next few days, accompany me well in training with the blade."

Lin Huaiyu’s concern was straightforward, completely devoid of beating around the bush.

Saying it was accompanying her in sword training, in fact, was about Energy Training.

Of course, it wasn’t about competing in techniques or a life-and-death struggle.

But like the "push hands" from the other day, it was about perceiving the movement of the energy, merging Sword Energy with intention, leading energy with the mind...

Her idea was actually quite simple.

You haven’t learned yet, no problem.

Just keep perceiving, and you’ll get it.

She believed with Zhou Ping’an’s exceptional talent for comprehension, it wouldn’t be long before he could cultivate the Wave Subduing Blade Force to Nine Turns Great Accomplishment.

"Alright."

Zhou Ping’an felt this way of getting along was indeed very comfortable.

He also wondered what kind of family environment could nurture someone like Lin Huaiyu, who didn’t have a trace of the typical aristocratic young lady’s frailties.

When faced with problems, she never came across as overbearing.

Instead, she would consider things from other people’s points of view.

Silently supportive.

What was the Guangyun Lin Family really thinking?

Was Lin Zhongguang, the so-called "Guangyun’s Number One Blade," brain filled with water?

To actually drive such a talented and well-behaved daughter to distraction, resulting in her running away from home.

Thinking about all the events that had happened before.

The only thing he couldn’t figure out was why Lin Huaiyu had never shown any sign of disappointment about the future prospects of Qingyang Lin Family from the beginning to the end.

Nor did she ever ask why he didn’t take any medicines or gold and silver earlier?

Did she not worry that she would be hindered by the City Guards later, causing her plans for gathering herbs and alchemy to fall through?

"Why doesn’t the Third Miss ask me why I gave up Baicao Hall’s foundation so easily? And why did I retreat so dejectedly?"

Zhou Ping’an was curious.

Lin Huaiyu looked at him with a pair of innocent wide eyes, somewhat bewildered, "Did we give up? Didn’t you already set up a killing game, just waiting for Tian Shouyi to walk into it?"

At this point, she finally couldn’t help but slightly curve the corners of her mouth upward, "What’s given up today, is gained tomorrow, stepping back is actually moving forward... Brother Zhou, has anyone ever told you? You are actually quite crafty."

"No, no, I can’t compare with the Third Miss’s wisdom.

The little schemes in my heart, you see through them clearly and understand them thoroughly.

If that Tian Shouyi were half as clever as you, our days ahead would really be difficult."

It turned out she knew everything.

The two of them complimented each other, without a hint of embarrassment.

...

After returning to the residence and parting ways, Zhou Ping’an still did not take a break.

A minor injury wasn’t bothering him for the time being.

The priority was to take care of business...

To find Tang Lin’er.

This genuine "Protector Deity Messenger" of the Red Lotus Sect seemed to have taken quite a hit today.

At the moment, he was gloomily hiding in a side room, swallowing Blood Fortifying Pills and practicing the Tidal Breathing Technique.

External injuries were easy to heal, but it was a grind to recover from internal injuries—gradually increasing the circulation of blood in the body, replenishing yuan qi, and restoring the damaged areas.

"Feeling any better?"

Zhou Ping’an handed over a bottle of Blood Fortifying Pills and said with a smile, "You are now a Strength-Training Martial Master, and even among them, you’re considered quite skilled.

In a few days, you should be promoted to Offering, and then you won’t have to be so tense."

"If that’s the case, it is indeed wonderful."

Tang Lin’er’s eyes lit up.

Accustomed to a hard life, he was used to living from hand to mouth while in the Red Lotus Sect; his heart filled with resentment towards the high and mighty families while also brimming with envy.

Of course, this was only human nature.

Resenting the perceived injustices of the world, why were wealth and honor not his?

Thinking of how the Offerings in the residence enjoyed exquisite food and wine daily, and how maids took care of their living needs, his heart couldn’t help but grow fervent with desire.

Dependable Village might be up in flames, but this brotherhood was still worth acknowledging.

"Speak your mind; we’re brothers, so don’t be polite. Whatever it is, leave it to me, Old Tang. Climbing up knife mountains or going down into seas of fire, if I frown even slightly then I’m no hero."

"Who are you and who am I; how could I let you do such dangerous things? Sigh..."

Zhou Ping’an sighed.

"It’s just a pity that we fell just short today. County Captain Tian stole a march, snatching Baicao Hall under the pretext of justice. Otherwise, if I had you in charge of Baicao Hall, you could’ve at least been a Managing Elder..."

At this point, Zhou Ping’an’s tone suddenly changed as he asked, "Brother Tang, I won’t conceal it from you, there is something very important, and I need your help with it."

"Eh... there really is something?"

Tang Lin’er had just been thumping his chest, swearing brotherhood, when he was suddenly caught off guard and started coughing violently.

To conceal his embarrassment, he hurriedly picked up a teapot from the table and gulped directly from its spout.

After wiping his mouth and steadying his breathing, he smiled and said, "What’s the matter? Why so secretive?"

"It’s actually a small matter. Earlier, I went with Third Miss into Baicao Hall, didn’t I? After clashing with County Captain Tian and Xiao Changhe of the Lishan Sect, there was no helping it. They were too powerful, so we had to retreat.

However, just before leaving, I happened to find that County Captain Tian dropped something from his robes—a Cloud Cotton Silver-White Silk Kerchief embroidered with a bright red lotus flower..."

"The Purifying World Red Lotus Scripture, no, it’s the Karmic Fire Red Lotus Visualization..."

Tang Lin’er exclaimed suddenly, then turned his head to look at Zhou Ping’an, his eyes filled with shock.

He completely understood: in the previous days, the Red Lotus Sect’s undercover members in the city had secretly sent messages, desperately searching for the whereabouts of the lost Karmic Fire Red Lotus Visualization Method from that day’s battlefield.

Word was that this treasure was brought from the Red Lotus Matriarch by the Fiery Flame Messenger, intended as a reward for the Yunling Saintess in the remote southwest.

The sect followers within the city were already astir with the news; whoever could find this treasure would score a significant achievement, and the Saintess would surely not be stingy with rewards.

Although Tang Lin’er harbored his own little schemes and had long wanted to leave the Red Lotus Army, aside from Zhou Ping’an, no one else knew of this intent.

With regard to the sect’s channels of communication and secret codes, however, he was still very familiar.

With a moment’s thought, he understood whose hands the visualization secret initially was in.

Looking at Zhou Ping’an’s seemingly amused gaze, Tang Lin’er’s eyes slightly lowered as he said with a smile, "So it turns out, County Captain Tian took a treasure off the Fiery Flame Messenger that day...

This task is an easy one for me. I might not have many other talents, but I am well-connected.

I have acquaintances both inside Baicao Hall and in the Army of Guards, so spreading the news to reach the ears of the Red Lotus Sect followers won’t be difficult."

"Thank you, Brother Tang. Once it’s done, I will commend you for your service."

"What talk of service; nowadays, I’m also a member of the Lin Family, sharing its fortunes and misfortunes. For such a small task, there is no need to mention it."

"Brother Tang has a great vision; you are certain to achieve great things in the future."

Zhou Ping’an said farewell with a smile but did not concern himself with how Tang Lin’er would act.

There was no need to ask; this fellow was still hiding some secrets of the Red Lotus Sect.

He might even have a way to secretly communicate with sect followers.

After all, he was a "Dharma Protector Deity General" personally selected by the Red Lotus Holy Maiden. Although his current power was somewhat weak, his identity was not to be taken lightly.

...

"Brother Ping’an, Xiao Jiu worried about you all, how come you only got back now? Sister Xiao Xue and I were so anxious."

Just after leaving Tang Lin’er’s place and not yet back to the east courtyard, he saw a little figure rushing over in panic.

Startled, Zhou Ping’an quickly crouched down and lifted Little Jiu’er.

"Slow down, you could hurt yourself."

This little one, perhaps it was fate that since the moment they met, she’d taken a liking to him.

Now, they were as close as family.

And she wasn’t the least bit wary of him, despite any bad intentions he might have.

"Not afraid, Brother Ping’an will definitely catch me."

Little Jiu’er’s nose wrinkled slightly, her expression turned pitiful as she said, crying, "Little Monkey is still pinned under Mount Wuxing, right? I don’t know when he could come out, drinking copper juice and eating iron pellets is so pitiable."

"Alright, we’ll free him today."

Zhou Ping’an’s expression briefly stiffened.

He thought the little girl had missed him so much.

Turns out, she was wanting to hear a story.

...

Update of ten thousand words, seeking Monthly Pass.

If support is sufficient, there will be an explosive continuation tomorrow.