Chapter Six: Elder Lin Tian

Upon entering the City Lord’s residence, Lin Xiaobao was led along a pebble-strewn path, following the elegant strains of a zither, until he arrived at a spacious courtyard. At the head seat sat a man in a yellow robe, whose bearing resembled the three examiners Lin Xiaobao had seen earlier, but whose chest bore a golden snowflake emblem. Seated below him was Lord Nie Yun, who, despite his efforts to appear at ease, could not fully conceal his restraint.

Who is this man? Why didn’t I see him at Howling Moon Square just now? Confident in his memory ever since arriving in this world—though not blessed with perfect recall—Lin Xiaobao could remember anyone he had seen even half a year prior. He was certain he had not met this person before.

The man seemed oblivious to the many young women dancing in the courtyard, his profound gaze fixed on the distance, as though lost in thought. When the City Lord’s guard finished his report, Nie Yun stood and said, “You are Lin Xiaobao? This is Elder Lin Tian of the Snow Wind Pavilion. Today, you will have the honor of telling a story for Elder Lin Tian. If you do well, there will be a generous reward from me. If not…”

Though Nie Yun left the sentence unfinished, Lin Xiaobao knew full well the consequences of failing to please. Still, this outcome was already better than he had feared on his way here. So this is Elder Lin Tian? Recalling the expression on Qianyuan’s face when mentioning Elder Lin Tian, Lin Xiaobao realized this was no ordinary figure. He cupped his fists and saluted, “Lin Xiaobao greets Elder Lin Tian!” Even as he spoke, his mind raced through which story he should tell.

Elder Lin Tian did not turn his head, only waved his hand gently. The zither’s music ceased, and the dancing girls sensibly withdrew.

Desiring to cater to his audience, Lin Xiaobao began reciting the tale of The Investiture of the Gods, a story he had told many times before, already skillfully weaving this world’s setting into its narrative. Though Elder Lin Tian seemed distracted at first, he was soon drawn in, listening with keen interest. Observing this, Nie Yun felt very satisfied with his arrangement and resolved to reward Lin Xiaobao handsomely after the event.

At a particularly exciting moment in the tale, Lin Xiaobao leapt onto the railing at the edge of the courtyard, but, overcome by enthusiasm, he misjudged the jump and fell flat on his face.

Nie Yun’s expression changed drastically as he instinctively glanced at Elder Lin Tian. No one in Howling Moon City knew the elder’s status better than he did—one of the five great elders of the Snow Wind Pavilion, second only to the Pavilion Master, and on par with his own daughter’s master. Should he take offense, not only Lin Xiaobao, but even Nie Yun’s own position as City Lord could be endangered.

Noticing Elder Lin Tian’s expression, Nie Yun felt a chill run through his heart. Though he could not immediately interpret the elder’s reaction, it was the first time he had seen such a change in his usually impassive face.

Following Elder Lin Tian’s gaze, he saw that a purple bracelet had rolled to a stop in front of Lin Xiaobao. Even with his keen eyesight, Nie Yun could not determine what material the bracelet was made of.

As Lin Xiaobao hastily snatched up the bracelet and tucked it into his robe, Elder Lin Tian’s expression returned to normal.

“My apologies, I slipped, just slipped!” Lin Xiaobao brushed the dust from his clothes, offering a hurried explanation. Though nervous, his previous life’s experience reading countless web novels had taught him not to appear too servile before such powerful figures.

Nie Yun wished to rebuke Lin Xiaobao, but, unable to discern Elder Lin Tian’s true feelings, he held his tongue.

“How long have you been telling stories?” Elder Lin Tian’s voice held no trace of reproach.

Just as the novels always described, reclusive masters had their own quirks. There was no need to humble oneself too much before them. “Four or five years, I suppose,” Lin Xiaobao replied, growing more at ease.

“You may go now. I wish to speak with this young man alone.” The tone was as casual as that of the City Lord’s guard earlier, but Nie Yun dared not show the slightest displeasure. Judging from Elder Lin Tian’s earlier expression and current attitude, Nie Yun sensed a new opportunity for advancement and quickly excused himself.

The two remained in the courtyard for nearly an hour. No one knew what they discussed—only that the refreshments set out had been thoroughly consumed.

Leaving the City Lord’s residence with a bundle of pastries, enough to last three days by his estimation, Lin Xiaobao headed straight for the pawnshop.

The mere fact that Hu Dequan had been selected as an outer disciple of the Snow Wind Pavilion was enough to make Lin Xiaobao contemplate escape. Now, with the addition of Elder Lin Tian—who, though unfailingly kind towards him and even less so towards Lord Nie Yun—Lin Xiaobao felt all the more uneasy.

Having suffered too much in his previous life, Lin Xiaobao’s first instinct was to suspect Elder Lin Tian’s inclinations. He doubted there was anything about himself that could attract the interest of the elder, other than perhaps his own unspoiled innocence. Lin Xiaobao had his principles: if his admirer were a beautiful woman, perhaps he could endure for the sake of lifelong comfort. But Elder Lin Tian was clearly an old man, which clearly crossed Lin Xiaobao’s moral boundaries. If not now, when should he flee?

Lin Xiaobao was thoroughly familiar with Howling Moon City. After crossing two streets, he could already see, at the far end of the road, a tall building flying a yellow banner with a black character at its center, marking it as a pawnshop.

Suddenly, a group appeared at the other end of the street. Who else but Hu Dequan? Four other youths, his long-standing companions, followed close behind.

They had already spotted him and were running his way. Wasting not a second, Lin Xiaobao turned and fled. Though he felt he had not wronged them, their expressions made it clear they were not interested in reason.

Hu Dequan, though from a fallen noble house, had a father who understood well the power of strength in this world. He had spared no effort in his son’s training, so that by sixteen, Hu Dequan already possessed the strength of a fifth-level martial artist—a teenage prodigy in Howling Moon City. This, too, was why Lin Xiaobao wanted to escape as soon as he offended him.

Lin Xiaobao’s feet moved with astonishing speed, his usual training now paying dividends. Especially in the city’s streets, he knew how to use every advantageous bit of terrain, so that even the fifth-level martial artist Hu Dequan could not catch up. In the blink of an eye, Lin Xiaobao was already nearing the city gate…