Chapter 48: Master Zhong

At dawn, under the faint morning light, the small town was gradually awakened. Vendors and shopkeepers took their places, beginning to arrange their goods and stalls. Many porridge shops and breakfast stands were already prepared, waiting for customers to arrive.

A thin ray of sunlight fell upon the rooftops, casting a golden glow over the western side of the town. The crowing of chickens and barking of dogs echoed through the air, signaling the town’s revival and its growing bustle.

For those stall owners who failed to secure prime spots, resignation weighed heavily as they moved toward areas with less foot traffic. Some even resorted to physical altercations over disputed positions, though the crowd quickly separated them, after which the quarrel continued with words. The surrounding people seemed to pay no mind—after all, such arguments happened daily; as long as tempers didn’t flare enough to disrupt business, it was tolerated.

When the sun rose halfway, the town’s steward arrived, instructing the vendors to tidy their stall cloths and leave enough space for pedestrians. Occasionally, he collected a small fee from the busiest stands.

Time flowed like a straight line, without beginning or end, its value slipping away moment by moment. Seasons passed—spring followed by autumn—marking a year since Lin Shu’s birth. What had once been a single day now saw Lin Shu as a sturdy one-year-old toddler.

Today was his “choosing ceremony.” Lin Yang invited Zhong Lingdao and Senior Sister Hong Fu. Also present were Jiang Chen, Mo Yu, and Mo Lin’s younger brother, also named Mo Lin. This Mo Lin was already six years old, apparently without spiritual roots—a common occurrence in the town. Though the town was originally formed by cultivators, accepting only their kind, the generations that followed saw many descendants revert to ordinary status, most lacking spiritual roots.

Thus, Xiao Zheng established a rule: those without spiritual roots would be sent to the mortal world to become prosperous gentlemen. Mo Lin, it seemed, would eventually be sent to the human realm.

Lin Yang spread a cloth upon the ground, placing upon it a talisman brush, a small pill furnace, a miniature hammer, books, a spatula, and several toy figurines. The ceremony was suggested by Wang Ling’er; Lin Yang had never considered it himself, but agreed so as not to appear unusual. Still, to determine a child’s future by what he grabs seemed unreliable. By tradition, if only books were laid out, would not everyone become a scholar?

Lin Yang set Lin Shu down upon the cloth. At one year old, Lin Shu was already walking, his body as robust as a three-year-old.

Lin Shu tottered toward a toy figurine and immediately picked it up to play.

“Sigh, why is Shu’er grabbing a toy?” Wang Ling’er lamented, being somewhat superstitious.

“Oh, how could it be so?” Zhong Lingdao interjected.

“It means your son retains the innocence of childhood and will mature late; he’s merely a prodigal who, upon turning back, is worth his weight in gold.”

With this single remark, the scene shifted—what had seemed playful now represented redemption.

“Brother Zhong, come, let’s go inside,” said Lin Yang, who didn’t put much stock in such things, but wasn’t about to contradict his elder.

“It seems my son will surely achieve greatness,” Lin Yang declared, lifting Lin Shu into his arms and handing him to Wang Ling’er. After the ceremony, it would be rude to leave his guests waiting, so he invited his senior brother and sister into the hall for a banquet.

Lin Yang led them to the prepared feast; little Lin Shu was taken away by his nurse. Lin Yang sat at the head, Wang Ling’er beside him, and Yun Ting next to Senior Sister.

Thus, Lin Yang and his seniors conversed, while Yun Ting and Wang Ling’er chatted with Senior Sister. The meal passed in lively, harmonious atmosphere.

As Lin Yang and his senior brother bantered about distant lands, Zhong Lingdao suddenly shared some news.

“Master Liu’s time draws near,” he said sadly. Master Liu had always mentored Zhong Lingdao with utmost devotion, treating him as a true disciple and grooming him as successor, especially since Master Liu had no children of his own. Even upon failing to break through to the Golden Core, he reserved his last resources for Zhong Lingdao, leaving him deeply moved.

“My condolences,” Lin Yang replied, unsure what comfort to offer, knowing Zhong Lingdao was not one for melodrama and would soon recover.

“Well, Master Liu’s passing is a natural end; there’s no cause for sorrow,” Zhong Lingdao quickly composed himself.

“Next month is my ceremony to inherit the sect, as Ancestor Linghu has promised. I hope you’ll attend, Junior Brother Lin,” he continued, revealing the timing of his succession. Lin Yang had expected this; his arrival had not altered fate. Destiny followed its course.

“Then from now on, I should call you Sect Master Zhong,” Lin Yang teased.

“If you call me Sect Master, Junior Brother, that would be too distant. Continue to call me Senior Brother,” Zhong Lingdao replied.

“I do hope Junior Brother Lin will accept the position of Head of the Pill Hall,” Zhong Lingdao finally stated his request.

“But isn’t Uncle Baishi still at the Pill Hall?” Lin Yang asked, curious about the sudden change.

“Alas, Uncle Bai failed to break through to the Core Formation. At his age, a golden pill was of little help; he mishandled it and did not survive long. With no other option, I must turn to you,” Zhong Lingdao explained his predicament.

“Very well, but I won’t stay at the sect for long. If possible, perhaps the Pill Hall could be relocated here,” Lin Yang agreed, feeling it would be excessive to refuse.

“Ah, I never thought of that. Let's move the Pill Hall here—after all, it’s close to Yellow Maple Valley and a source of Ling Stones. We can collect herbs directly here, without slowly gathering them from afar,” Zhong Lingdao decided. Of course, they would need to inform Ancestor Linghu, though he was unlikely to object.

“Alright, then I’ll establish a new small Yellow Maple Valley north of the Purple Gold Mine,” Lin Yang resolved, planning to set up a spirit-gathering array in the area, where the abundant spiritual energy would surely attract many disciples.

…

Having settled matters with Zhong Lingdao, Lin Yang chatted a while longer. An hour later, he saw his senior brother and sister out the door. As they departed, Senior Sister threatened jokingly—if he dared mistreat Yun Ting, she would castrate him.

Lin Yang of course would never harm Yun Ting, nor betray her. He was not the type to seek a harem, nor a lecherous old man.

…