Chapter 1014: As Feeble as a Gossamer Thread
Behind this red lacquered vermillion gate is the home of Xu Miaoxiu.
On either side of the red lacquered gate, the walls are not made of reinforced concrete but of burnt bricks, bearing mottled traces left by a hundred years of wind and rain, with reliefs of auspicious beasts on the walls, giving an imposing and grand atmosphere. The vermillion wooden door does not have a doorbell and still retains its original door knocker, adorned with two fierce beasts gripping a circular iron ring.
Lin Tian saw such houses in his childhood, but now they are all renovated into multi-story flat-top houses; such old-style houses are rarely seen.
In fact, these houses are more sturdy and durable than many modern buildings, because ancient people built houses based on experience without the advanced calculations we have today. Therefore, the selection of materials and the construction process placed great emphasis on safety, far exceeding safety levels, allowing them to remain livable even after a hundred years.
The Xu Family gate stood open, and Xu Miaoxiu walked ahead, turning back to say to the group, "Come in."
Lin Tian and the others didn’t stand on ceremony, took their bags, stepped over the twenty centimeters high threshold, and entered.
Xu Miaoxiu’s home is actually quite large, much like the small villa gardens in Kanyue City, with flowers and plants surrounding the yard, and thick ivy climbing along the walls, covering the entire wall.
In the northeast corner of the courtyard, there is also a set of plum flower stakes and a weapon rack.
The most striking is that plum tree in full bloom. There are many buds that are tender.
This is indeed novel. Ordinary plum blossoms bloom from December to February, but it’s already April now, and this place is in South City with a mild and pleasant climate, so the plum shouldn’t be blooming now.
Xu Miaoxiu also noticed everyone’s gaze and explained with a smile: "This is just an ordinary plum tree. Perhaps it’s because of the good mountains and waters of our Xu Family Stream, allowing it to bloom from winter to summer, lasting six to seven months. My father loved this tree very much. I remember him often clutching a wine jug, running under this tree, drinking and murmuring to himself during my childhood."
After speaking, Xu Miaoxiu glanced at Mei Ruyan.
Mei Ruyan was momentarily lost in thought beside them.
Her ’Mei’ surname comes from her mother, whose character is also like this plum blossom, aloof and proud, not competing for brilliance with the flowers around the courtyard, only blooming alone in the corner against the cold.
The man liked drinking and murmuring under this plum tree, perhaps because it reminded him of someone?
Mei Ruyan looked at the beautiful plum blossoms and suddenly laughed. The fragrance is somewhat similar to that on her mother.
However, Lin Tian wasn’t focused on this, murmuring in surprise, "Six to seven months? That’s too long, isn’t it?"
Then, as if recalling something, he walked forward out of curiosity, plucked half a flower, examined it closely, then stuffed it into his mouth, chewing slowly. When the flavor fully spread, joy appeared on Lin Tian’s face.
"What is it?"
Everyone was puzzled by his actions.
"This plum blossom, growing in your Xu Family, truly is the will of heaven," Lin Tian remarked mysteriously.
The crowd was even more bemused, and Miaoxiu and Nao Nao exchanged confused glances.
"Look at this plum blossom, blooming continuously through June without withering, its flowers fall and new buds emerge. I just tasted a petal, it’s bitter yet cool, somewhat like mint. This flower can neutralize your Xu Family’s Charming Skill," Lin Tian said.
"What?" Both Miaoxiu and Nao Nao exclaimed in surprise; the news was enough to shock them.
The reason the Xu Family has stood for centuries is because of their Charming Skill, which can cloud minds and bring fatal threat.
Even someone like Nao Nao, with not much power, could enchant ordinary men to the point of losing their wits, willing to risk everything for her.
If one cultivates a Golden Core, like the ancestors such as Xu Shoujiang, perhaps just a glance could daze a great elder for a second.
In duels between experts, a second is enough to decide life and death.
If what Lin Tian said is true, then this tree is the fatal weakness of the Xu Family!
Hastily, Xu Miaoxiu quickened her pace to the plum tree, mimicking Lin Tian by picking a petal, placing it in her mouth, and chewing thoroughly but didn’t find anything special.
"You’re not deceiving me, are you?"
Lin Tian smiled wryly, "What purpose would I have to deceive you about such a matter? This tree is recorded in the ’Four Pure Sutras of Bodhi,’ sharing roots with the Bodhi, with the effect of opening wisdom and enlightening the heart, and is named Bodhi Plum. The effect of the petals isn’t significant, but if paired with Bodhi Seeds and processed with a simple method, it can completely disable your Charm Technique for a period of time."
"Miss," Nao Nao leaned in, whispering, "If this tree is so formidable, should we cut it down?"
"No!" Mei Ruyan suddenly spoke in a cold, irrefutable tone.
Her words fell, and she glared at the little girl.
Nao Nao felt terribly wronged, just suggesting cutting a tree, and it evoked such a big reaction?
Thinking again that she is the second lady of her own family, Nao Nao didn’t dare retort out of grievance.
Xu Miaoxiu naturally knew the reason, and she softly assured Mei Ruyan, "Don’t worry, we won’t cut the tree. It stands quietly in our home, outsiders don’t know, there’s no danger."
Only after hearing this did Mei Ruyan’s face soften a bit.
Lin Tian also nodded, "Indeed, it shouldn’t be cut! Martial Sect, what do you think?"
The great elder scrutinized the tree top to bottom, then turned to look around, pondering, "Master is wise, this tree really shouldn’t be cut."
Xu Miaoxiu asked, "Why?"
"There isn’t such a coincidence in life. This tree likely wasn’t naturally growing in your Xu Family’s land. It must have been your ancestors who discovered the mystery of this tree and went to great lengths to transplant it here. Although I don’t know the precise reason, looking at the terrain, this place is the center of the Xu Family Stream, and this tree should occupy a very important geographical location for the Xu Family Stream. It might be part of an array, or related to luck, or something else. In any case, it must be tied to some significant matters of your family, and if cut down, the consequences are unpredictable."
Speechless with shock, Miaoxiu opened her mouth, horrified, "It’s that terrible?"
"Yes!" Lin Tian affirmed with certainty, echoing the elder’s sentiment.
Lin Tian didn’t understand much about geomancy or metaphysics; though ’Tyrant Emperor’s Record’ contained arrays, he hadn’t studied them yet and knew little about arrays. His certainty arose from the remarkable coincidence of this tree with the Xu Family.
The great elder also stepped to the side of Bodhi Plum, taking two pink petals, placing them in his mouth, swallowing them without chewing, channeling his inner strength to shred the petals, merging them into his blood.
Instantly, a clarity surged to his mind; though the effect was minimal, it was remarkably apparent, proving Lin Tian’s words about its wonders.