Chapter 557: Lin the Hero’s Hint

Chapter 557: Lin the Hero’s Hint

Lin Nuo wasn’t superstitious, but he found the oddities of other places intriguing and often played around with them.

The guiding stick was no different. The people of Huan Tian City believed in it and relied on its power, and it was crafted by an esteemed elder recognized within the city, much like how a monk would offer relics in a temple.

As for its effectiveness, believers claimed it had merit, while non-believers dismissed it. It merely pointed in a direction, and if someone said that direction led to good fortune, there was a certain probability to consider. Any little event could be interpreted as a sign of the stick’s divine indication.

Folklore even circulated that Tang Seng used such a stick which pointed westward, thus setting off on his journey… truly a laughable tale, right?

To Lin Nuo, it was merely a tax on stupidity; he wouldn’t spend money on it.

But if it were a gift, he could accept it—use it for now.

The stick’s head was currently pointing north. Got it, he just needed to avoid heading that way.

“It’s not a big deal.”

Lin Nuo foolishly hoped the stick would emit a dazzling light or something magical would appear, but nothing happened.

“Alright, this toy isn’t fun at all; go on and let Ruo’er play with it.”

Lin Nuo picked up the guiding stick and decided to give it to Ruo’er, or let her use it to play with cats, tigers, or foxes—probably more practical.

But while the user took it lightly, the observer was thoughtful. Luo Xiaoxue witnessed the entire scene and memorized the direction.

Having spent more time with Lin Nuo, she had developed an awareness. Lin Nuo was low-profile and subtle, never straightforwardly explaining things; she had to explore and grasp the intrigue on her own.

Was he intentionally showing this to her?

Highly likely. If she lacked even this insight, how could she ever be worthy of him?

As Luo Xiaoxue pondered, she remembered that direction, thinking perhaps something awaited her there.

“Lin the Hero, you really don’t believe in this guiding stick, do you?”

“I don’t believe in it. It’s just a toy; do you believe it?”

“Me? I don’t believe either, but could you give it to me?”

“Got a cat to play with?”

“No, it’s just that I rarely come to Huan Tian City. I hope to have something to remember it by. If you don’t need it, please give it to me,” Luo Xiaoxue pleaded.

“Fine.”

Thinking Ruo’er was still young and picking up superstition wouldn’t be good for her in the long run, he handed the guiding stick to Luo Xiaoxue.

“Thank you, Lin the Hero.”

“I’m heading back; play by yourself.”

With that, Lin Nuo left, suddenly wanting to visit a nearby fish pond for some fishing.

Fish ponds were the best choice for fishing; nowhere else had that vibe.

Luo Xiaoxue held the guiding stick, imitating Lin Nuo’s action, tossed it up, and saw it land pointing north.

She tried again, and still, it pointed north.

How curious; it was the same direction, consistently.

Was it really that accurate?

Just then, Liu Shuqin approached and noticed the guiding stick in Luo Xiaoxue’s hand, saying:

“Miss Luo, did you buy a guiding stick?”

“You arrived just in time! This stick really can guide, can it point the way?”

“That’s just a rumor in Huan Tian City; it’s mostly a psychological effect. Each toss points in a different direction, and people say the first direction indicates good fortune. In truth, it’s just a matter of probability; luck does not depend on the stick.”

“I don’t see it that way. Look.”

Luo Xiaoxue demonstrated by tossing the stick again, which pointed north yet again.

She found it strange; how could it be so?

“Why does your guiding stick…?”

“Because Lin the Hero gave it to me.”

“He gave it to you? Why would he do that?”

“He thought it was important, so he gave it to me, which means I’m also important to him,” Luo Xiaoxue intentionally fibbed.

“Miss Luo, one should be careful with words. If Lin Nuo truly valued you, he wouldn’t just give it to you. There’s likely more to it—a hidden message.”

Liu Shuqin replied, feeling uneasy at Luo Xiaoxue’s implication of her importance to Lin Nuo. If that were the case, she’d already be married, wouldn’t she?

“If it’s Lin Nuo’s, it’s definitely not ordinary. Why don’t we follow the direction of the stick and see where it leads?”

“Exactly my thought.”

Luo Xiaoxue and Liu Shuqin reached a consensus; they always maintained a united front when it came to believing in Lin Nuo.

With that, the two of them ventured in that direction, walking for a long while until they reached a river where some fishermen were netting fish.

If they kept going, they would exit Huan Tian City, but nothing particularly special seemed to happen.

Could it just be psychological? Were the previous tosses mere coincidence?

Yet, they dismissed their doubts; they had to trust Lin Nuo. Maybe they had overlooked something critical.

Then they stumbled upon something: a fisherman shouted,

“Someone! Someone’s floating on the water!”

Hearing the fisherman’s cry, they immediately rushed over to the cluster of fishermen, and upon arrival, they confirmed someone was indeed floating on the river, slowly drifting away, about to exit Huan Tian City.

The fishermen hastily tried to retrieve her, needing to know if she was alive or dead.

Liu Shuqin and Luo Xiaoxue approached to take a look and discovered a woman with disheveled hair and dirty clothes, unconscious and drifting on the water.

Her long hair concealed her face, and they couldn’t see her features yet.

Is she dead?

Liu Shuqin inspected the woman and noted a faint breath and signs of life. If they didn’t act quickly, she might perish.

Being skilled in medicine, Liu Shuqin immediately began to treat the woman, stabilizing her faint breath.

Luo Xiaoxue glanced at the woman, feeling she looked familiar.

“This woman…”

“What’s wrong? Do you recognize her?” Liu Shuqin asked.

“Yeah… this seems to be Han Xiao, my confidante.”

“Really? Wasn’t she killed? No, we still have no evidence she was murdered.”

Upon hearing Luo Xiaoxue’s words, Liu Shuqin was even more alert, feeling this indeed resembled Han Xiao.

Although her face was obscured, she could discern the body shape and style—there were similarities.

But for now, she was unconscious and would need time to awaken.

“Great, great! I thought she was killed! Thank heavens… she’s still alive.”

Luo Xiaoxue felt immense joy; this was fantastic for her as she had also been searching for Han Xiao but had yet to find any clues.

Suddenly spotting Han Xiao was excellent.

The role of this confidante was crucial for her; her loyalty and reliability were vital, plus the princess role would require her involvement instead of Luo Xiaoxue handling it all herself.

Then she recalled the guiding stick.

“I don’t think it’s the stick’s magic; rather, it’s Lin the Hero. He must have tampered with this stick, hinting at something to us. Look.”

Luo Xiaoxue tried once more, and the stick’s head pointed directly toward Han Xiao.