Chapter 408: The Winter Lotus Blooms, As If An Old Friend Has Arrived!
"Elder Brother Mu, why did you make Xiao Lin the Honorary Guest Officer of the Crane Immortal Sect?"
After leaving the Bai Mei Nightclub, Liu Zijian glanced at Liu Xiaolin, who was licking a lollipop, and felt a knot of unease form in his stomach.
This kid? The Honorary Guest Officer of the Crane Immortal Sect? Is this a joke?
Lin Mu stopped in his tracks. "Because I’m helping the Crane Immortal Sect."
"What?"
Liu Zijian was even more stunned.
Making Xiao Lin, a four-or-five-year-old kid, their Honorary Guest Officer... and that’s considered helping them? Elder Brother Mu, what are you even thinking?
It wasn’t surprising that Liu Zijian thought this way. Thanks to his connection with Lin Mu, he had some understanding of the Martial Arts World.
For instance, the Crane Immortal Sect was the only ancient martial sect in Jiangbei, boasting numerous disciples and countless experts. He had even heard that the Sect Leader of the Crane Immortal Sect, Liu Qingshan, was a figure on the Heavenly Ranking.
A sect with such powerful people needs help? And help from a child, no less?
Lin Mu glanced at Su Ke’er, who understood immediately and led Liu Xiaolin a short distance away. She knew Lin Mu had something he needed to say to Liu Zijian alone.
"Zijian, have you ever considered that Xiao Lin’s future is different from others?" Lin Mu said seriously. "His life is destined to be extraordinary."
Liu Zijian looked over at Liu Xiaolin and took a deep breath. "Elder Brother Mu, I know. I’ve known ever since you told me Xiao Lin has that... Limitless Sword Body."
"Although I don’t understand the ways of you Martial Artists, I know Xiao Lin has his own path to walk. As his father, all I can do is support him."
A shadow of sorrow flickered across Liu Zijian’s face.
"But he’s just a child in the end. I’m worried..."
After all, Liu Xiaolin wasn’t even five years old yet. If he truly became a Martial Artist, he would face countless life-or-death crises. How could his father not be anxious?
"That’s why I’ll keep him with me for a while." Lin Mu patted Liu Zijian’s shoulder. "Zijian, you’ve seen it for yourself. The world of Martial Artists isn’t a peaceful one. It’s a world of clashing swords and dark schemes, utterly ruthless and bloody."
Lin Mu paused, then said hesitantly, "Xiao Lin is your son, so there’s something I have to tell you. If you don’t agree to him becoming a Martial Artist, or even becoming someone like me, I can stop it right now. I would even seal his Sword Body and let him live an ordinary, peaceful life."
"I..."
Liu Zijian was suddenly at a loss for words. His head hung low, his expression fraught with conflict.
"It’s alright. Take your time to think, and let me know when you’ve decided," Lin Mu said with a smile. "Zijian, you just need to remember one thing. You are my brother, Lin Mu’s brother, for this life and all lives to come!"
"Xiao Lin isn’t just your son. He’s my son, too!"
With that, Lin Mu turned and walked toward Liu Xiaolin.
"Xiao Lin, come with me. I have something to tell you."
Calling for Liu Xiaolin, Lin Mu headed toward a nearby park.
It was just dawn, and a few elderly people were already exercising in the park. They wore relaxed smiles, greeting familiar friends and chatting about their daily lives and household matters.
He led Liu Xiaolin through the park until they stood before a man-made lake. The lake’s surface was shrouded in a fine mist, like a scene from a painting.
Liu Xiaolin was a little nervous, keeping his head down, not daring to meet Lin Mu’s gaze.
"You’re the one who has been subtly influencing Xiao Lin this past year, aren’t you?" Lin Mu suddenly asked, his back still to the boy.
Liu Xiaolin’s whole body jolted, and his head snapped up.
But his eyes were no longer innocent. Instead, they held a profound, ancient weariness.
"Correct."
Liu Xiaolin spoke. His voice was still that of a child, but his tone was filled with a sense of sorrow and resignation.
"To be honest, I never expected this child’s talent in the Sword Dao to be so immense. He comprehended the Sword Heart in just one short year." ’Liu Xiaolin’ spoke, his tone a mixture of admiration and relief. "To forge the Sword Heart, crystallize the Sword Bone, harmonize Yin Yang, transform into the Infinite! The Limitless Sword Body... it is truly a rarity in this world. Terrifyingly so!"
Lin Mu turned to look at ’Liu Xiaolin,’ a meaningful smile playing on his lips. His tone grew colder. "You know that’s not what I’m talking about."
"Alas." ’Liu Xiaolin’ heaved a long sigh, a wry smile on his face. "I never thought I had hidden myself so well, and yet you still saw through it. You truly are worthy of..."
’Liu Xiaolin’ clamped his mouth shut before he could finish. In that instant, he had felt a bone-chilling killing intent.
Even if he hid himself perfectly, and his Divine Soul completely fused with the child’s, his opponent still had a way to drag ’him’ out and utterly annihilate ’his’ soul.
"I admit," ’Liu Xiaolin’ said with a bitter smile, "when I first took the opportunity to possess this child, I intended to use him to resurrect myself. But I never anticipated that you had also left a countermeasure inside his body. When I was about to make my move, it delivered a fatal blow that nearly scattered my soul."
"There’s a lot you don’t know," Lin Mu said, a mocking curve to his lips. "For example, your relationship with the Crane Immortal Sect."
"Liu Mubai? The Crane Immortal Sect has always been passed down through the Liu family. I wonder, which generation’s Sect Leader are you?"
’Liu Xiaolin’—or more accurately, Liu Mubai—had a look of utter shock on his face. "How did you find out?" Then, a bitter smile spread across his lips. "But of course. What in this world is unknown to Lin Wudi? I thought I had hidden that sword strike perfectly, but I see you discovered it as well."
He was, of course, referring to Liu Xiaolin’s battle with Qing Yun.
Although Qing Yun’s cultivation level was not high, his comprehension of the Crane Immortal Sect’s sword techniques was quite profound. Even with the Limitless Sword Body and a forged Sword Heart, it should have been impossible for Liu Xiaolin to shatter his opponent’s killing move in a single strike.
The only other possibility was that Liu Xiaolin himself knew the weaknesses of the Crane Immortal Sect’s sword techniques. But Lin Mu had never taught the boy any Sword Dao. He had only left a strand of Sword Qi to help temper his Divine Soul and forge his Sword Heart.
Therefore, it could only have been Liu Mubai. The very same Sword Talent who also possessed a sword body!
The moment Liu Su had appeared, Lin Mu understood.
Liu Mubai had to have a relationship with the Crane Immortal Sect. And a deep one at that. Otherwise, Liu Su would never have appeared so suddenly. Liu Su had been summoned by Liu Mubai!
"You’re correct, but not entirely," ’Liu Mubai’ said, gazing at the lake’s surface. "I am not the Sect Leader of the Crane Immortal Sect. The sect was founded by my wife."
Lin Mu was slightly surprised. He knew there were many old stories behind this, tales unknown to the outside world.
’Liu Mubai’ seemed unwilling to say more. He bowed deeply to Lin Mu. "Thank you for letting this child become the Honorary Guest Officer of the Crane Immortal Sect. This is a kindness I, Mubai, will hold in my heart!"
As he finished speaking, Liu Xiaolin’s body trembled, and an overwhelming Sword Qi erupted from him.
SWISH! SWISH!
The lake water rippled, the Sword Qi glittering on its surface.
The people exercising in the park all cried out in alarm, their eyes drawn to the lake.
"Look!"
In the lake, withered lotuses suddenly sprouted new leaves and blossomed one after another, filling the entire park with their fragrance.
Lotus flowers blooming in the dead of winter... like an old friend returning.
But the old friend didn’t come. Instead, he had already departed.
Watching the vague figure disappear over the lake, Lin Mu sighed inwardly.
He gently patted Liu Xiaolin’s head. "Kneel and bow three times toward the lake."
"Oh!"
Without asking why, Liu Xiaolin obediently knelt and touched his forehead to the ground three times in the direction of the lake, his eyes turning slightly red.
"Godfather, I feel like crying."
"A man doesn’t shed his tears lightly."
"Yes! I’ll remember that!"