Chapter 6. Dual Cultivation

Chapter 6. Dual Cultivation

Guan Lei and the others failed to subdue Lin Nuo and were defeated by him in just a few moves—talk about low-tier fighters going up against high-tier, and still getting beaten!

Since private duels inside the sect were punishable by heavy fines, if Lin Nuo seriously injured them, he’d probably face trouble himself.

So he held back, inflicting only minor injuries, which was pretty normal after some practice.

There was no need to attract attention for the sake of three incompetent losers; his main target was Su Kexin.

Besides, he was certain they wouldn’t dare to mention today’s beating. Getting hurt by Lin Nuo would be too embarrassing to admit.

Without their earlier bravado, Guan Lei and his group found their voices faltering.

“Lin Nuo, you can insult me, but don’t insult my master…”

Guan Lei had just been hit by a hidden weapon and then kicked fiercely by Lin Nuo, still trying to catch his breath.

Lin Nuo sneered, “Calling himself a master of righteousness, his disciples gang up on others at the back of the mountain; that’s just rich. But really, your master is the most useless among the various sect leaders, so naturally, his disciples aren’t much better.”

Guan Lei retorted, “You, you have no right to say that!”

Lin Nuo merely scoffed and stayed silent.

What qualification, you ask?

The qualification is that I, Lin Nuo, killed that useless master.

But he couldn’t say that out loud.

After all, that was something that happened after he became a demon.

Lin Nuo stepped up to Guan Lei and kicked him hard again, sending him rolling over ten meters.

“Cough… cough…”

Guan Lei spat out some grass, looking even more pitiful.

“You all can roll back now.”

With that, Lin Nuo turned his icy gaze away from Guan Lei and the others and walked toward the bamboo forest.

“Master is not in the bamboo forest…”

“Heh.”

Lin Nuo chuckled coldly, slowly disappearing deep into the bamboo grove.

He knew that Master Wu Feng wasn’t here, and he was aware that Guan Lei and his three brothers had set an ambush for him. He’d come here mainly to go to a certain place, and of course, he took the opportunity to deal with those three losers along the way.

Lin Nuo walked down a dim path and spotted a beam of light ahead.

“I’ve arrived.”

Lin Nuo reached a trailhead, which felt like a cliff’s edge, and took in the breathtaking view of Tianling Mountain.

This path was one he cherished dearly; the lush bamboo leaves created a serene, quiet atmosphere, the gentle breeze blowing away his restlessness.

It was a place he’d stumbled upon long ago; whenever he faced something upsetting, coming here to enjoy the beautiful scenery would ease his troubled heart.

“It would be nice to have some strong liquor right about now, too bad there isn’t any.”

Lin Nuo found a spot to sit down, leaning against a bamboo stalk.

After so many years, returning to this peaceful place felt good.

He’d wait until the sun completely set before heading back.

A while later, the rustling of bamboo leaves mingled with soft, rhythmic footsteps.

“Is someone there?”

Lin Nuo quickly became alert, gripping the hilt of his sword at his waist.

Could it be Guan Lei and the others? If they dared to interrupt my peace and quiet, it seemed I hadn’t hit them hard enough.

Lin Nuo looked in the direction of the footsteps and saw a graceful and elegant girl stepping out from the bamboo grove.

“Just as I thought, you’re here.”

The girl revealed a gentle smile, walking lightly toward Lin Nuo.

Lin Nuo relaxed his grip on the sword hilt and concealed his hidden weapon in his sleeve.

Not an enemy.

“It’s getting late. I saw you hadn’t come back and figured you’d be here. Every time you’re feeling down, you always come here.”

The girl casually adjusted her long skirt and sat down next to Lin Nuo.

This trailhead wasn’t a secret just for Lin Nuo; his senior sister, Liu Shuqin, knew about it too.

“If you have anything on your mind, you can share it with me. Maybe it’ll help you feel better.”

“Nothing much,” Lin Nuo replied with two words, focusing his gaze back on the scenic view below.

Liu Shuqin wasn’t deterred by Lin Nuo’s cold response; in fact, she thought he needed comforting even more when he was in a bad mood.

With a warm smile, she said, “I know the Spirit Realm assessment must have been a big blow for you today. It’s alright; it’s just a temporary low. Being accepted by the master means you have potential. Don’t be discouraged; things will get better. Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west; one can’t always live in the past, and no one knows what the future holds.”

Lin Nuo glanced at her.

Sorry, I really am stuck in the past (literally).

And I actually do know the future.

As for potential, it’s the potential of a villain.

That old hag Han took me in as a disciple just to gain support from the Lin family.

Old profiteering mentality.

“I didn’t mind it,” Lin Nuo responded softly.

“Alright, alright, as long as you didn’t mind,” Liu Shuqin said, gently taking his hand.

“Recently, the master has been busy and may not have noticed you. Shili has a cold personality; even if she doesn’t respond to you, it doesn’t mean she rejects you. Junior Martial Sister Kexin might be doing better; don’t put too much pressure on yourself. You have your own shining points. Recently, I’ve leveled up in my cultivation and can spare some time to guide you. Let’s work hard together.”

Her warm palm, patient comfort, and motherly words radiated with a nurturing glow.

Liu Shuqin, a year older than him, cared for him like a gentle big sister who would accompany him during his low times.

However, to Lin Nuo now, it merely felt like pity for the weak.

“No need.”

Lin Nuo gradually withdrew his hand from hers.

“Now that you’ve reached the sixth level of the Spirit Realm, you’ll have more opportunities to go out and train; there’s no need to waste your time on me.”

Lin Nuo’s words struck home with Liu Shuqin.

Indeed, with great power comes great responsibility. Now that she had advanced to the sixth level of the Spirit Realm, she would inevitably be going out to carry out dangerous tasks, while Lin Nuo was still at the second level—he’d at most be sent to catch some bandits or something. There would hardly be opportunities for them to meet, let alone for her to help him cultivate.

Liu Shuqin said firmly, “At least until I go out, I’ll do my best to help you advance your skills.”

Lin Nuo couldn’t understand why she was so determined to help him.

Perhaps it was because of her kindness.

“Do as you wish.”

Lin Nuo didn’t bother arguing further; it was pointless. In the end, if she went out to train, she wouldn’t be concerned about him anyway. What was the use of saying so much?

He had already read the script.

“When will you go back?” Liu Shuqin asked.

“When the sun sets.”

“Alright, then I’ll stay with you.”

Liu Shuqin insisted on staying, and Lin Nuo didn’t try to persuade her to leave—he could enjoy the view, as long as she didn’t pester him.

Liu Shuqin fell silent, quietly sitting next to Lin Nuo, their shoulders just a finger’s width apart.

Lin Nuo didn’t like sweet talkers, but he couldn’t say he disliked Liu Shuqin.

The two sat in silence until the sun went down.

……

After returning to his room, Lin Nuo took down his long sword and hung it on the wall.

Every day after training, he had to reflect on his shortcomings and strengths.

He flipped through the calendar; the day for going out to train was fast approaching.

Honestly, there wasn’t much to look forward to. Relying on his current level, he’d just be suppressing beasts attacking villages or bandits raiding homes.

But he could test out the actual power of demonic techniques.

Knock, knock.

Someone was knocking at the door.

“Come in.”

The door opened gently, and the white-haired little girl, Ruo’er, entered with a tray of food.

“Dinner’s ready, young master.”

She closed the door and placed the tray on the dining table.

“Young master, I heard the Spirit Realm results came out today.”

“Yes, second level of the Spirit Realm,” Lin Nuo replied blandly.

“Don’t be sad, young master; it’ll get better.”

Ruo’er spoke softly,

“Young master, why don’t we try it again? Maybe we’ll succeed this time.”

“Try what?” Lin Nuo asked, puzzled.

“Dual… dual cultivation…”

Ruo’er’s little face flushed as she slowly began to untie her clothes…

—