"You little imp!" Hu Ruilin laughed, shaking his head with a dashing air, then turned, "Feng'er, come with me to pay respects to your Uncle Cao."

"Yes." The youth in yellow nodded toward Xiao He, his expression arrogant, and followed Hu Ruilin up the stairs.

Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow. This Hu Ruilin looked much younger than his teacher, Cao Ya, yet appeared older—it seemed the long lifespans of martial artists here were true.

Logically, with the spiritual energy in this world being sparse, people should have shorter lives; yet, the opposite was true. People here lived to around three hundred years, far surpassing the previous two worlds.

Li Muzhan didn't know if this was the lifespan for ordinary people or for martial artists, but judging by Hu Ruilin's appearance, it was undeniable that martial arts cultivation could keep one young.

He opened his Void Eye, watching them ascend and arrive at Cao Ya's doorway. They knocked, Cao Ya rose to open it, and the two exchanged smiling fist salutes. The youth in yellow also bowed slightly: "Greetings, Uncle Cao."

Cao Ya waved a hand, indicating they needn't be so formal, and smiled, "It's been a year since I last saw Feng'er. You've grown into such a fine young man!"

"The boy is unaccomplished," Hu Ruilin replied with a wry smile. "Little skill, but plenty of pride... Say, Brother Cao, have the people from the Mo Hu Gang come looking for trouble?"

Hu Ruilin nodded, gesturing for them to sit down before calling out loudly, "Xiao He, bring tea, and call Miao'er over."

"Yes," Xiao He chirped sweetly, going to Cao Miao's door and knocking. "Miss, the Master is calling for you. Master Hu and the others have arrived."

Cao Miao, reading inside, put down her book upon hearing this. Her eyes lit up, and after tidying her clothes, she gracefully emerged from her room and came over.

She entered the room with a delicate bow: "Father... Uncle Hu, Brother Hu."

Hu Ruilin appraised Cao Miao carefully; she wore no veil. Her exquisitely beautiful melon-seed face was as white as jade, and her delicate eyebrows made her appear utterly captivating and pitiable.

Hu Ruilin chuckled, "Heh heh, Niece, you grow lovelier with every passing day. I wonder which lucky young man will claim you? Are you engaged yet?"

Cao Miao's cheeks flushed red as she lowered her graceful head.

Cao Ya shook his head, laughing, "Brother Hu, don't even mention it. This girl is proud to a fault, hasn't set her eyes on anyone. It's giving your old friend a headache!"

Hu Ruilin laughed and shook his head, "With such beauty in a niece, one must indeed choose carefully. Why not let her become my daughter-in-law!"

"Uncle Hu!" Cao Miao looked up quickly at the youth in yellow opposite her, letting out a playful protest.

"Heh heh..." Hu Ruilin laughed, "Brother Cao, are you willing to part with her?"

Cao Ya shook his head, smiling, "I don't get to decide that; we must ask the Madam."

Hu Ruilin sighed and shook his head, "Alas... Brother Cao, you are perfect in every way... except for this one point I can't stomach! How can a dignified man be controlled by his wife? It truly undermines one's prestige!"

Cao Ya smiled, "I do it for peace and quiet. It's unavoidable."

************~~ShuShu.net

The two men chatted and laughed freely, speaking without reservation. Li Muzhan shook his head; their friendship was clearly deep, forged over many years.

Judging by Cao Miao's expression, she clearly favored the youth in yellow, and when the youth in yellow saw Cao Miao enter, his eyes lit up, and his entire demeanor changed—he obviously was fond of Cao Miao as well.

The pair were indeed a match made in heaven, a handsome scholar and a beautiful woman. Although seeing a beautiful woman belonging to someone else caused a slight discomfort, he quickly suppressed it. He didn't want to attract any more romantic entanglements with women; the priority was finding the demonic artifact, returning to his original world, and thoroughly venting his accumulated frustration. As for achieving eternal life, he no longer held out hope.

He had initially believed that this world, Xuanqing Heaven, being a higher plane than his own, should possess richer spiritual energy and grant people longer lives, thus making cultivation for longevity more effective. Immortality, though ethereal, seemed to hold a sliver of possibility. Having witnessed the reality here, he had abandoned the notion of eternal life.

Xiao He brought in the tea, saying sweetly, "Master, shall I call the Young Master over?"

"He is studying; let's not disturb him for now." Cao Ya waved his hand. Xiao He murmured an "Oh," and turned to leave the room.

Li Muzhan's brow twitched, and he remained silent in contemplation.

There must be a profound reason why Teacher did not want me to meet this Hu Ruilin. This Teacher must not be underestimated; his wisdom is exceptional, perhaps even surpassing my own, otherwise, I wouldn't have been so willing to become his disciple back then.

"Young Master?" Hu Ruilin laughed. "Brother Cao, when did you acquire another son?"

Cao Ya shook his head, chuckling, "He is a student I recently took in."

"Anyone who captures Brother Cao's eye cannot be ordinary. Let's meet him," Hu Ruilin suggested cheerfully.

Cao Ya replied, "He needs quiet to study right now. It won't be too late to meet him at dinnertime."

"It seems Brother Cao is unwilling to concede, wanting your disciple to bring you honor?" Hu Ruilin observed. Cao Ya sighed, "The world of bureaucracy is perilous. Though his talent is decent, who knows how far he can go? Moreover, success in imperial exams depends half on human effort and half on destiny—it depends on whether heaven has ordained it for him."

Hu Ruilin nodded solemnly, "Then we must let the younger generation become better acquainted."

He knew his old friend had exceptionally sharp judgment and was extremely demanding; anyone he took as a disciple must be virtually guaranteed success in the civil service exams.

Cao Ya sighed, "This boy has developed other notions, which worries me even more."

"Tell me about it," Hu Ruilin inquired.

Cao Ya explained, "Lately, we've been harassed by the Mo Hu Gang, and the boy has concluded that scholarly pursuits are useless. He thinks martial arts are the way to go and wants to abandon literature for combat."

"Heh heh, it seems he's been provoked. This is my fault for leaving," Hu Ruilin chuckled, shaking his head with regret. "When faced with such matters, it's natural for spirited young men to develop such ideas."

"This boy is terribly stubborn," Cao Ya sighed, shaking his head. "He keeps pestering me. I reconsidered and thought it best if he practices some basic foundational techniques—not to fight or kill, but merely to strengthen his body."

Hu Ruilin laughed, "That makes sense. One needs a good physique for studying, after all."

Cao Ya said, "Brother Hu, I must ask a favor of you regarding this matter. Just pass on some rudimentary foundational arts to him; I don't expect him to become some master."

Hu Ruilin considered it, then smiled, "Since Brother Cao asks, how could I refuse? How about this: I will teach him the introductory cultivation method of the Yin Hu Zhai (Drinking Tiger Studio)."

"That would be best," Cao Ya said, cupping his fists in thanks.

Hu Ruilin smiled, "Now I'm even more eager to meet this nephew. Receiving such high regard from Brother Cao means he is no ordinary person."

Cao Ya smiled and shook his head, "Has Brother Hu's trouble been resolved?"

"It's mostly settled," Hu Ruilin nodded. "I feel there was something strange about the whole affair..."

Cao Ya nodded, "Yes, someone was maneuvering behind the scenes, someone who doesn't wish to see me alive."

"It seems I came at the right time," Hu Ruilin said. "It's a good thing Old Xu and Xiao He were here... I heard Song Zimo is already dead?"

Cao Ya laughed, "Forget about it. Once past the Bai Huai area, the Mo Hu Gang is no longer a concern."

As the two men spoke, Cao Miao unconsciously looked up and listened. The youth in yellow, however, kept staring at Cao Miao, unable to control his eyes, which made her cheeks flush crimson with embarrassment.

Li Muzhan coughed lightly, slowly stepped out of the room, approached this area, and walked into the room. Xiao He was standing to the side and rushed to meet him upon seeing him enter: "Young Master!"

Li Muzhan nodded and offered a fist salute: "Teacher."

Cao Ya nodded faintly, "Wuji, you've arrived at the perfect moment. Greet Uncle Hu. He has already agreed to teach you a cultivation art!"

Li Muzhan saluted Hu Ruilin with a cupped fist: "Wuji greets Uncle Hu."

"Good, good! Truly a man of distinction!" Hu Ruilin sized up Li Muzhan and laughed, "It is your fortune to be accepted as Brother Cao's disciple. Many wish to become his student but cannot; you must cherish this opportunity."

Li Muzhan responded with a simple "Yes."

Hu Ruilin scrutinized Li Muzhan. Although he had moved beyond judging by appearance, he was inwardly surprised by Li Muzhan's rather ordinary looks.

He appears so unremarkable, yet he earned Brother Cao's approval. He must possess extraordinary talent and should not be underestimated.

He pointed to the youth in yellow, "Wuji, this is my son, Xiao Feng, Hu Xiaofeng."

"Greetings, Brother Hu," Li Muzhan said, cupping his fist.

"Hmph." Hu Xiaofeng returned a curt fist salute, clearly arrogant.

He could sense that Li Muzhan carried no aura of a martial artist; clearly, he knew nothing of combat. Standing before Li Muzhan, he felt like a tiger facing a sheep, capable of crushing Li Muzhan at any moment, thus breeding a sense of superiority as he looked down on him.

Xiao He secretly pursed her lips, then handed a teacup to Li Muzhan: "Young Master."

Li Muzhan accepted the cup, his expression calm and serene, seemingly unconcerned by Hu Xiaofeng's arrogance. This caused Hu Ruilin to nod inwardly, feeling even more troubled about his son, but knowing this was not the time to scold him. He pretended not to notice, resolving to speak to him privately later.

"Wuji, Brother Cao mentioned you wish to learn internal arts. Let me check your pulse," Hu Ruilin said with a smile. "We'll see if you can practice the Yin Hu Zhai method."

Li Muzhan extended his hand. Hu Ruilin took his wrist and observed for a moment before turning back with a smile, "Brother Cao, perhaps we should let Wuji switch to practicing martial arts instead!"

"Why?" Cao Ya asked.

Hu Ruilin wore an expression of admiration as he gazed at Li Muzhan: "Truly excellent material! His meridians are completely open—he is genuinely prime material for martial cultivation! Once he starts, his progress will be meteoric!"

"Uncle Hu, is the Young Master's aptitude better than Young Master Hu's?" Xiao He asked.

Cao Ya glanced at her. She quickly stuck out her tongue, shrinking behind Cao Miao.

Hu Ruilin chuckled, "One cannot compare the immeasurable to the measurable!"

Xiao He's bright eyes immediately flashed, her delicate eyebrows conveying clear joy, and Cao Miao also showed a pleased expression.

Cao Ya shook his head, "Forget it. At his age, starting martial arts is late. How can he catch up when he's more than a decade behind others? It's better for him to focus on scholarship."

Hu Ruilin quickly waved his hand, "Brother Cao, you are mistaken. With Wuji's talent, he could catch up in less than two years and definitely become a top master!... Surpassing me would be no problem!"

Cao Ya shook his head without hesitation, "Fighting and killing are too dangerous; let's drop it."

"Alas..." Hu Ruilin sighed helplessly. "Brother Cao, deep down, you prioritize literature over martial arts. But this boy is a rare genius in cultivation—it's a pity not to practice!"

For more novels, visit storyread.net.