014. The Young Friend's Innate Genius

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Lin Shan nodded and said, “Indeed, I did give it, but I have no great compassion. The old gentleman mentioned he possesses a family heirloom health cultivation technique. I was interested in such things, so I made a trade with him.”

Xiao Qiang immediately grew curious.

“So, Mr. Lin is interested in martial arts. When I was young, I once visited Wu County, the capital of Wu Kingdom. There, extraordinary practitioners who had achieved mastery could fly through the sky and vanish underground as if it were nothing. They even had the skill to send flying swords thousands of miles away to sever an enemy’s head.”

Lin Shan suddenly understood that he had come not to a low-level martial arts world; the ability to fly or wield flying swords indicated at least intermediate martial prowess.

“Heh, you flatter me, Mr. Xiao. I just heard too many tales in my youth, so…”

Before Xiao Qiang could respond, a maid suddenly appeared and said, “Master, the young lady has woken up. She says she feels much better now.”

Xiao Qiang hurried into the room. Before entering, he remembered Lin Shan was still there. Turning around, he cupped his hands toward Lin Shan and said, “Mr. Lin… I will go check on my daughter.”

Lin Shan smiled gently. “Please, Mr. Xiao.”

About half an hour later, Old Lu Yun returned first. He handed over a dozen sheets of paper to Lin Shan and said, “Young friend, this is the family’s secret cultivation technique, called the Eternal Spring Method. I have no heirs, and if I were to die, this technique would be buried with me. Today, I pass it on to you, but…”

Lu Yun’s expression suddenly grew serious. In a deep voice he continued, “Though the Eternal Spring Method is not a supreme technique, if practiced diligently without interruption, one’s body becomes much stronger than ordinary people. If you ever plan to pass it on to others, you must first test their character, so this technique does not fall into evil hands.”

Lin Shan accepted the papers and smiled. “Old sir, are you not afraid I might be a villain?”

Lu Yun stroked his beard. “You have a kind heart and an open nature. I trust you.”

Lin Shan neither confirmed nor denied, instead turning to study the “Eternal Spring Method.” As he read, he realized that although he recognized all the characters, their combination made little sense to him.

After struggling through a page, feeling as if his head might explode, he reluctantly put down the papers and said, “Old sir, I do not understand a word of what is written here.”

Lu Yun was very surprised. “Young friend, do you not know about the meridians and acupoints?”

It was no wonder he was surprised. Since Lin Shan had cured Xiao Xiao, Lu Yun naturally assumed he was skilled in medicine, unaware that it was merely the power of anti-inflammatory drugs.

Lin Shan honestly replied, “To be frank, the cure for Miss Xiao was all thanks to medicine. I have no knowledge of medical arts.”

Lu Yun was dumbfounded, stunned for a while before nodding. “I see... no matter. I will teach you.”

He was a kind and benevolent elder, determined to help others wholeheartedly.

Upon hearing this, Lin Shan immediately stood and bowed deeply to Lu Yun.

Lu Yun was indifferent, but Lin Shan could no longer maintain his pretense. Their initial exchange was a mutual trade, but now Lu Yun was offering him extra knowledge as a gift.

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“Thank you very much, Old Sir,” Lin Shan said.

Lu Yun smiled. “It’s nothing.”

Then, Lu Yun began explaining the meridians and acupoints to Lin Shan.

An hour later, Xiao Qiang emerged from the room. His entire demeanor was transformed; his spirit and vigor were completely renewed, and a slight smile played at the corners of his mouth.

Seeing this, Lin Shan and Lu Yun knew that Xiao Xiao’s condition had greatly improved. Lu Yun smiled and said, “Master Xiao, congratulations. It seems your daughter is out of danger.”

Xiao Qiang looked at Lin Shan and said, “Thanks to Mr. Lin’s miraculous healing.”

“I once said that whoever saved my daughter would be greatly rewarded. Brother Lin, here is one hundred taels of gold as a token of my gratitude. If there is anything else you desire, just say the word!”

After speaking, Xiao Qiang clapped his hands. A charming maid struggled to carry a box as she came forward. She was one of the two maids who personally served Xiao Xiao, apparently named Lele.

Lele was lovely and sweet, bowing her head with a slight blush as she handed the box to Lin Shan. “Sir… this is for you.”

Lin Shan stretched out both hands. “I will accept it, with thanks.”

He took the box.

“It’s really heavy…”

In his mind, Lin Shan quickly calculated: one tael equals 50 grams, so one hundred taels equals 5,000 grams of gold. With the current price of gold surpassing 700 per gram, multiplying 700 by 5,000 came to a staggering 3.5 million.

He was rich.

Lin Shan suppressed his excitement, unwilling to lose composure in front of others.

Seeing Lin Shan’s calm demeanor, Xiao Qiang admired him but was also curious.

“Strange, I’ve never heard of such a person before.”

He couldn’t help but ask, “Brother Lin, forgive my bluntness, but are you a local?”

Lin Shan shook his head. “No, my hometown was destroyed by war long ago. Since then, I have traveled widely for study and trade.”

He casually fabricated an excuse to deflect.

Afterward, Xiao Qiang invited Lin Shan to a banquet. Unable to refuse, Lin Shan attended.

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Five days later, under Lu Yun’s guidance, Lin Shan practiced the Eternal Spring Method for the first time.

Unexpectedly, it went smoothly. Lin Shan immediately felt the flow of Qi, which amazed Lu Yun greatly.

“I practiced for five years before I felt Qi... Young friend, you truly are a prodigy.”

Lin Shan was not particularly elated. After practicing once, he indeed felt much more energetic. Years of hard work and overtime had taken a toll on his health, and he hoped the Eternal Spring Method could help restore it.

“Thanks to your guidance, Old Sir.”

Lin Shan stood and thanked Lu Yun again. At that moment, someone knocked on the door. A voice called from outside, “Mr. Lin, Old Master Lu, the master requests your presence.”

The two entered the Xiao family’s main hall. Besides Xiao Qiang, a young woman was present.

This young woman’s attire was quite different from that of ordinary girls: she wore a black and red fitted outfit, her long black hair tied high in a ponytail at the back of her head.

Her features were delicate and beautiful, her skin pale as snow. Her eyebrows were slightly thick, adding a touch of boldness to her appearance.

Upon Lin Shan and Lu Yun’s arrival, the young woman’s gaze immediately fixed on Lin Shan, her cheeks flushing faintly. Lin Shan’s heart stirred as he instantly guessed her identity.

It must be Xiao Xiao, without a doubt.

Their eyes met briefly, and Xiao Xiao shyly looked away.

Lin Shan couldn’t help but recall the sensation when his fingers brushed her skin during treatment.

Now that Xiao Qiang was here, he wondered if Xiao Xiao had told her father about that incident.

Xiao Qiang, seeing them arrive, beamed with joy and said, “My daughter has finally recovered, thanks entirely to the help of these two gentlemen. Xiao Xiao, why don’t you thank them?”

Xiao Xiao’s complexion had returned to normal. She stepped forward confidently and cupped her fists. “Thank you, sirs.”

In her, there was none of the usual restraint or modesty common among women of this era.

Xiao Qiang sighed with a bitter smile. “Alas, Xiao Xiao has always loved martial arts, never acting like a proper young lady. Three years ago, I sent her to the Xuan Sword Sect. She recently returned home and learned of a nearby bandit lair. She insisted on wiping them out, but ended up gravely injured herself...”