Chapter 54: Mo Lin

Lin Yang brought Aunt Yu back to the Lin Residence, and after returning, he stayed there for another seven days. On this particular day, Mo Yang came to find Lin Yang.

“Brother Lin, I have a favor to ask,” Mo Yang said as he approached.

“Brother Mo, whatever you need, just say the word. I’ll do my best to help,” Lin Yang replied, curiosity in his eyes.

“I mentioned before that I wanted to leave Mo Lin in your family's care. I was hoping you could speak to your father about it.”

“So that’s it. I’ll take care of it,” Lin Yang promised without hesitation.

“Alright then. Lin’er, call Uncle Lin.” Mo Yang pulled Mo Lin out from behind him.

“Uncle Lin.” The boy, with his tanned complexion, seemed completely at ease. After all, he had seen Lin Yang several times at Jiang Chen’s house, even if they’d never spoken.

“Come on, Lin’er, follow me.” Lin Yang took Mo Lin by the hand. The boy was mischievous as a monkey; if he didn’t hold on to him, who knew where he’d run off to, even if he couldn’t actually escape.

With Mo Yang and Mo Lin in tow, Lin Yang made his way toward the main hall. Sensing a stifling atmosphere along the way, he tried to lighten the mood with conversation.

“Little Lin’er, did your father tell you he’s leaving you here?” Lin Yang decided it was best to explain things to Mo Lin, to prepare him emotionally.

“I know,” Mo Lin replied, bowing his head, clearly troubled. “But I know my father is doing this for my own good,” he added stubbornly. He knew he was about to part from his family, but he had already accepted his fate. Such is the harshness of reality.

“Alright, then. From now on, live well here. A peaceful life is all you need,” Lin Yang said, unsure how else to comfort him. The mood was heavy, so Lin Yang picked Mo Lin up and hurried to the main hall.

When they entered, Lin Youcai was nowhere to be seen. Lin Yang looked around until he spotted the steward. “Steward Liu, where’s my father?”

The steward, summoned by Lin Yang, quickly dismissed the maidservant he’d been reprimanding.

“Young Master Eight, the master is in Madam Yang’s courtyard,” the steward said, straightening his aged spine and giving his back a good thump to loosen it up.

“Here, Steward Liu, take this,” Lin Yang said, offering a pill designed to strengthen and rejuvenate the body, moved by the steward’s advanced age.

“Thank you, young master! Thank you!” Steward Liu accepted the pill joyfully, about to kneel in gratitude before Lin Yang stopped him.

“Steward Liu, you’re too old to be kneeling all the time,” Lin Yang chided with a sigh.

“Yes, sir.”

“You may go. I’ll go find my father now.” With that, Lin Yang left for Madam Yang’s courtyard, while Steward Liu, delighted, returned to his room, eager to take the pill at once. He knew Lin Yang was a cultivator, and such a pill could greatly enhance his strength and longevity—a priceless treasure for an ordinary martial artist.

Meanwhile, Lin Yang and Mo Yang arrived at Madam Yang’s small courtyard. When he saw his mother, Lin Yang was overjoyed to find her playing with little Lin Shu. Nearby stood Lin Youcai, easily weighing two hundred pounds, both elders’ faces aglow with smiles.

Around Lin Shu were several other young children, likely the sons and daughters of Lin Yang’s siblings. The children ran about cheerfully, their innocence and joy painting a lively scene.

“Let’s go in,” Lin Yang said, carrying Mo Lin and guiding Mo Yang into the courtyard to where his parents sat.

“Father, Mother.”

“Yang’er, is something the matter? Why are you carrying Mo Yang’s child?” Lin Youcai asked unhurriedly, setting his teapot on the table and popping a pastry into his mouth, as if determined to add to his considerable weight.

Lin Yang pulled Mo Lin forward. “This is Mo Yang’s son.”

“I know, I know,” Lin Youcai waved his hand dismissively. As a merchant, his powers of observation were keen.

“Mo Lin does not have a spiritual root, so he cannot remain long in the world of cultivation. Mo Yang wishes for him to live as a wealthy man among mortals. However, he lacks reliable friends or family among mortals, so he hopes to leave Mo Lin in our care, to be raised in the Lin family.” Lin Yang explained, hoping his parents would understand the status of mortals in the immortal world.

“I see. The heart of a parent is truly pitiable. Since Mo Yang is a good friend to you, Yang’er, and trusts us so deeply, he can rest assured. I promise that the child will be safe and well cared for here,” Lin Youcai said, understanding Mo Yang’s intentions. He also saw the value in befriending a cultivator—it was a safeguard for the family. Thus, he agreed without hesitation.

“Thank you, Elder Lin.” At last, the weight in Mo Yang’s heart was lifted. After all, there is a world of difference between pressuring someone into agreement and having them accept willingly. He hoped Lin Youcai would treat his son with genuine care, since he could not always be present in the mortal world.

He had considered placing his son in the nearest mortal settlement to Zijin Town, but it seemed unsafe. After much thought, he resolved to entrust Mo Lin to Lin Youcai, where his son would be secure and his future assured.

“It’s nothing. We’ve taken a liking to the boy these past few days. We might as well accept him as a god-grandson,” Lin Youcai said, wanting to put Mo Yang’s mind at ease. Formally acknowledging Mo Lin as kin not only gave Mo Yang a reason to stay but also ensured the boy would be truly welcomed.

“Very well. Lin’er, kneel and greet your grandfather,” Mo Yang instructed, pulling Mo Lin forward.

“Grandfather,” Mo Lin said timidly, falling to his knees.

“Oh, my good grandson!” Lin Youcai exclaimed, lifting Mo Lin into his arms, comforting the boy as if he were truly his own grandson.

“By the way, I’ve gathered all the children from the neighboring families these days. When you have time, test them for spiritual roots,” Lin Youcai added. He had summoned all the young children—legitimate and collateral, from every branch of the family—so long as they bore the Lin surname.

The Lin family was quite prominent in Yue Country. In ancient times, becoming a wealthy merchant required some family influence in the bureaucracy or local government; otherwise, one risked being devoured entirely.

“Is that so? How many are there?” Lin Yang was surprised by his father’s initiative and had no idea how many relatives’ children there were. It seemed Lin Youcai wanted to turn the family into a clan of cultivators, or he wouldn’t have gone to such lengths.

“Not that many. There are over a hundred children under twelve—more than ninety boys and fifty girls. That’s the entire Lin family’s next generation,” Lin Youcai replied, offering a staggering number. With so many children, they could easily start a school, all surnamed Lin—making Lin Yang a free laborer for the family.

“So many?” Lin Yang was astonished.

“Hmph, I haven’t even brought in those with Lin family blood from outside. I considered it, but since they no longer carry the Lin name, I let it be,” Lin Youcai said.

“Alright, let’s wait until dawn tomorrow to test for spiritual roots. Tonight is out of the question,” Lin Yang said, resigned to being roped into more free labor. Ancestor Linghu and Master Zhong would have been delighted.

“Don’t be in a rush. Not everyone has arrived yet—at least half are still on their way. Those here now live close by,” Lin Youcai explained.

“Let’s schedule it for three days from now. By then, everyone should have arrived,” Lin Youcai decided, settling the matter firmly.

…