Great Zhou Martial Immortal

Chapter 40 Mo Family
I haven't acted like a fool in a long time.

Occasionally acting silly can add a sense of novelty. After all, it's easy to get tired of sweet things all the time when it comes to emotional value. A little spice now and then can help warm the stomach and improve appetite.

Lu Chenyuan watched Li Lingyue blush and grit her teeth, feeling that she was like a cat that would bristle at the slightest provocation, and still in its cub stage, trying her best to show that she was inviolable and fierce, but to him she just seemed cute and fierce.

That's quite interesting...

Li Lingyue couldn't stand it anymore. That damned dog of a man, he was showing that smug and disgusting expression again!
He seemed to particularly enjoy seeing her angry; I really wanted to chop him up with a sword.

Forget it, I didn't bring my sword today, I'll spare his life!
"tomorrow……"

She suddenly turned around, her crimson earlobes standing out starkly in the twilight: "Report to the Suiming Pavilion at dawn tomorrow! Then head to the Mechanical City to solve the mechanisms! If I'm late… hmph!"

He said this through gritted teeth, as if he were truly threatening someone, and finally snorted coldly before striding away.

Lu Chenyuan watched her almost fleeing figure and chuckled softly.

The golden lion, carrying an embroidered ball in its mouth, walked over, looked at its master, then at Lu Chenyuan, not quite understanding what they were doing.

Lu Chenyuan was in a good mood and ruffled the big cat's head: "After I finish reading 'Taiyi Fengyunzhi,' I'll play ball with you and play the zither for you. How about it? I'm good to you, right? What do you plan to do to thank me?"

"Ow?"

"That didn't count. It was just a small favor. I only let you smell it."

"Ow!"

"You're so petty, I'm telling you this and you still... Hey! Don't pounce! My new clothes, this is a gift from heaven! Oh my god..."

……

night.

At the beginning of the Xu period.

After serving the troublesome big cat, Lu Chenyuan carried three boxes of pastries, left the princess's residence, walked through several streets and alleys, and returned to Lirenfang. From afar, he could see that the shop door of Langganxuan was still lit, and the candlelight shining through the window paper was particularly warm in the night.

"elder brother!"

Lu Ke'er's clear voice came from the courtyard.

The little girl was sitting on a stone bench, swinging her legs and looking at the stars. Hearing footsteps, she immediately jumped up and rushed out of the courtyard like a happy little deer. When she saw that he was holding a food box, her eyes lit up. She ran over and eagerly lifted the lid, exclaiming, "Wow! It's osmanthus pastry!"

"Eat, eat, and eat!"

Lu Chenyuan pretended to tap her on the head, but she nimbly dodged it.

"This is my wages!"

Lu Ke'er spoke with righteous indignation, grabbed a piece of osmanthus pastry and stuffed it into her mouth, her cheeks puffed out like a squirrel stuffed with pine cones.

Lu Chenyuan could hardly bear to look. Anyone who didn't know better would think she was starving. He said speechlessly, "Miss Lu, you're really generous. You only helped grind some spices, and this is already the ninth box. Haven't you paid off the debt yet?"

Lu Ke'er blinked: "With compound interest, you still owe two boxes... of chestnut cake..."

Lu Chenyuan raised his hand to knock on her, but Lu Ke'er giggled and ran away.

The brother and sister sat down at the stone table in the courtyard.

Lu Chenyuan glanced towards the shop and, through the window of the main hall, vaguely saw a middle-aged woman dressed in an elegant ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) sitting opposite her father, drinking tea. He guessed that it must be Ke'er's teacher who had arrived.

Judging by her attire, she looks like a famous teacher...

They were impressed by Kerr's talent...

Lu Chenyuan's expression was strange as he said to Ke'er, "Give me your hand."

Lu Ke'er transferred the pastry she was holding in her right hand to her left hand and continued eating it, while offering her right hand to her brother.

Lu Chenyuan used three fingers to feel her pulse, channeling his inner energy into her, and carefully sensing her physical constitution.

There are two types of martial arts skills: natural talent and innate ability.

"Talent as bright as a flame" refers to comprehension and spiritual awareness, which relate to the "mind and spirit." Good talent means having a photographic memory, the ability to draw inferences from one instance to another, and a clear and bright mind. "Bone and bone as strong as iron" refers to physique and meridians, which relate to the "physical body." Good bone and bone means having extraordinary bones, broad meridians, and abundant qi and blood.

Lu Chenyuan was exceptionally talented, but his physical constitution was average, with no outstanding features in his meridians or physique.

Among martial arts practitioners, not standing out is already considered a hindrance.

Every martial arts master must be a person with a special physique and extraordinary talent. Even if they are not born with it, they must improve it through their own efforts, just like Lu Chenyuan's body-forging technique. Otherwise, they would never be able to reach the top.

Lu Ke'er is quite talented and very smart, but her aptitude... well, it's no wonder she's a child of the Lu family; each generation is worse than the last, even worse than Lu Chenyuan.

Lu Chenyuan withdrew his hand and sighed.

Lu Ke'er glanced at him: "What mischief are you up to now?"

Lu Chenyuan glared at him and said, "How dare you talk to your brother like that? Don't you want to eat your snacks anymore?"

"I was wrong."

Lu Ke'er admitted her mistake very quickly, forcing a smile and saying sweetly, "Brother, don't be angry, Ke'er will feed you some snacks~"

"No need."

Lu Chenyuan said sarcastically, "I only ate one of your snacks, and I don't know when I'll be able to settle the score..."

"Humph!"

Lu Ke'er said angrily, "Who told you to never come home and always hang around the princess? I'm going to start charging you interest!" After saying that, she turned her body away, deliberately avoiding looking at Lu Chenyuan, and pouted and bit him hard.

Lu Chenyuan was taken aback at first, then laughed heartily without a care in the world.

Lu Ke'er turned her head sharply, glared at him fiercely, pouted, and her eyes welled up with tears.

Seeing that the little girl was about to make a fuss, Lu Chenyuan quickly stopped smiling, flipped his wrist, and produced a small wooden box. The box was carved with an adorable rabbit pattern, and two rubies were inlaid in the eyes.

Lu Ke'er forgot about being angry and her eyes lit up when she saw the lifelike little rabbit on it.

Lu Chenyuan rubbed her little head, handed the box to her, and sighed, "What a jealous little thing."

Lu Ke'er couldn't wait to open the box—with a crisp "click," the music box slowly turned, playing the melody of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Variations." Even more magically, a miniature starry sky projection rose from inside the box, with twinkling starlight shimmering in the night, reflecting on Lu Ke'er's delighted little face.

"Is this the music and rhythm system?"

Lu Ke'er held the music box carefully, afraid of breaking this precious item.

Lu Chenyuan said helplessly, "I made it for you first, but this starry sky projection is quite troublesome. The light source array needs to be custom-made, and there's also grinding the lens and carving the pattern, which is why it was delayed for two days. Why are you jealous of her!"

Lu Ke'er cheered and jumped into her brother's arms, rubbing her little head against his chest: "Brother is the best!"

Lu Chenyuan looked disgusted: "Don't rub your face on my clothes, your mouth is full of pastry crumbs. You're just like that cat!"

Lu Ke'er didn't care about any of that. She hugged him tightly and said in a sweet voice, "No, I just want to rub against you!"

Inside the shop, Lu Yashan shook his head helplessly.

Across from him, a middle-aged woman took a sip of tea and smiled, saying, "Ke'er is blessed."

Lu Yashan sighed, "They've spoiled her a bit, especially lately. Shen Yuan does whatever she wants, and now she's becoming increasingly unruly. Please forgive her, Su Dajia."

Su Wanqing shook her head: "Children are innocent and carefree, which is a blessing. The fact that Lu Ge Ling treats his younger sister so well shows that he is a sentimental person, and it is no wonder that Her Highness the Princess treats him with special regard."

Lu Yashan breathed a sigh of relief. The more the princess valued him, the safer his son would be. As for face and such, they were no longer important.

He said to Su Wanqing, "I am deeply grateful that you are willing to take me as a disciple, but Ke'er's talent is mediocre and her personality is impetuous. I hope that you will take her as a disciple in the future..."

"Be more tolerant?"

Su Wanqing picked up the conversation, shaking her head with a smile: "When I said Ke'er has good potential, did Mr. Lu think I was just flattering her?"

Lu Yashan paused slightly as he held the teacup.

Su Wanqing said, "Ke'er is exceptionally intelligent, but what's even more precious is her pure heart." She lightly tapped the tea table with her fingertips, and a delicate wooden butterfly flew out from her sleeve, fluttering around the oil lamp. "The Mohist school values ​​craftsmanship above all else. This pure enthusiasm is even more precious than those who excel in cultivation. Furthermore, the Mohist school values ​​talent, not innate ability..."

"What is it?"

Lu Chenyuan led Lu Ke'er into the house, where the little girl was holding a music box that was playing a clear melody. Su Wanqing said, "Put the music box on the table first."

Lu Ke'er knew what this person was there for, and obediently put down the music instrument.

Su Wanqing walked up to her, suddenly reached out, and a copper coin slipped from her sleeve.

Lu Ke'er caught it instinctively, but the copper coin remained motionless in her palm.

Lu Yashan was puzzled, but Lu Chenyuan raised an eyebrow and understood somewhat.

"His hand is steady."

Su Wanqing looked at Lu Ke'er with admiration in her eyes: "The most important thing in making mechanical artifacts is a pair of hands as steady as a rock. The more powerful the artifact, the more precise it is, and the more precise the artifact, the more important it is to have a steady hand. When making mechanisms or inscribing runes, even the slightest tremor can destroy the entire work. Rare and precious materials are hard to come by, and often, you only have one chance."

She took out a piece of wood about an inch square, handed over a carving knife, and pointed to the lines on it: "Ke'er, try carving along this line."

Lu Ke'er took the tools, her face immediately becoming serious. She took a deep breath, her wrist hovering in the air, and the carving knife steadily sliced ​​through the wood, wood chips falling down. The carving mark was so straight that it looked as if it had been measured with a ruler.

Lu Chenyuan was also somewhat surprised.

Many people can do this, but Lu Ke'er is only eight years old and has only been cultivating for a short time. She has never been exposed to this kind of thing before, and her true energy is still negligible. Her ability to succeed in one go and perfectly fit the target is purely due to her talent.

This teacher is interesting...

While admiring her inwardly, Lu Chenyuan was also somewhat speechless; she must have been watching her for quite some time now…

Li Lingyue also has a bit of a proud and aloof side. She doesn't seem very proactive on the surface, but she's actually quite considerate behind the scenes.

"That's not even the most difficult part."

Su Wanqing took a candlestick and placed it in front of Lu Ke'er: "Now carve it again."

The candlestick was close at hand, its flame flickering and casting a swaying shadow on the wall.

Lu Ke'er's nose was beaded with sweat, but her hand holding the knife remained as steady as a mountain. This time, the lines she carved were not only straight, but also perfectly consistent in depth.

Su Wanqing nodded in satisfaction: "Being able to remain stable even under the interference of firelight is the talent that the Mo family truly values. When my master took me in, he made me carve on a small boat in turbulent waters for three whole months."

Lu Yashan looked thoughtfully at his daughter's chubby little hands, never expecting that these hands, which often caused trouble, would have such a craftsman's spirit.

He immediately wanted Lu Ke'er to become his disciple, but then he noticed Lu Chenyuan's hesitant expression: "Chenyuan, what's wrong?"

Lu Chenyuan rubbed Ke'er's head and suddenly said, "Those who lack ambition will not achieve wisdom, and those who lack integrity will not succeed in their actions. The purpose of a benevolent person is to promote the benefit of the world and eliminate its harms."

Su Wanqing's eyes lit up: "Lord Lu is so familiar with the Mozi."

Lu Chenyuan hesitated for a moment and said, "I have always admired the Mohist philosophy, but..."

People who are good are bullied by others, and horses who are good are ridden by others.

He understood this principle back in his junior year of college in his previous life. The person who taught him it was his first love at the time, whom he had now forgotten even her name and appearance. He poured his heart out to her, and in return, she asked him one question that he remembered for a lifetime: "Would you fall in love with an ATM?"

He was initially very angry, but later he came to terms with it. There's a saying, "Learn from the barbarians to subdue them." If she could cheat people out of money and feelings without a care in the world, why couldn't he? And if he was going to do it, he had to do it to the best of his ability. So, before he knew it, he became the top male escort in the industry. But he still had his bottom line. He always had a clear price and disdained cheating and deception.

"You've probably heard this saying before, right, Su?"

Lu Chenyuan said calmly, “It’s called ‘Good people don’t live long, but evil people live for a thousand years.’ I don’t want Ke’er to become some selfless Mohist. Sages are meant to be admired, not imitated.”

The room fell silent for a moment, with only the gentle melody of the music box playing softly.

Su Wanqing calmly poured a cup of tea: "Does Lord Lu know that the Mohist school values ​​the word 'choice' the most?"

She pushed the teacup in front of Lu Chenyuan: "The Mohists are not ascetics; we believe in 'acting within our means.' If Ke'er learns mechanical arts, the first thing to learn is self-preservation, and the second is helping others."

Seeing that Lu Chenyuan remained silent, she continued, "Furthermore, the Mohist school is no longer the same as it was a thousand years ago. Now we value 'profit' more—profit for ourselves and others, mutual benefit and win-win."

With a light tap of her fingertip, the wooden butterfly suddenly unfolded its wings, revealing intricate gears inside: "Just like this mechanism, it must be both sturdy and durable, as well as beautiful and practical."

Lu Chenyuan stared at the butterfly and suddenly smiled: "Master Su is indeed very honest."

"At any time, empty talk about benevolence and righteousness is nothing but self-destruction. The reason why the Mohists of the pre-Qin period were able to dominate the world and spread the name of non-aggression was precisely because the Mohists were the biggest 'aggressors' at that time!"

Su Wanqing looked at him meaningfully: "Now that the Mohist school has declined, it has turned to pragmatism. The princess sent me here because she values ​​the Mohist school's pragmatism."

Those who are not pragmatic will not accept such long-term job of protecting people.

Lu Chenyuan was still somewhat hesitant.

Lu Ke'er suddenly interjected, "Brother, I want to learn to be a butterfly that can fly!"

"..."

Looking into his sister's bright eyes, Lu Chenyuan finally sighed: "Remember, no matter what you study, protecting yourself is always the first priority!"

"Know it!"

Lu Ke'er responded cheerfully, then turned to look at Su Wanqing's wooden butterfly with great curiosity.

Su Wanqing smiled slightly and gave the wooden butterfly to Lu Ke'er as a gift. Lu Ke'er was very happy.

Su Wanqing turned to Lu Chenyuan and said, "I haven't yet congratulated Pavilion Master Lu on advancing to the third realm and opening up your divine sense. From now on, when you perform the music ceremony, you shouldn't need anyone else to inscribe the talisman array."

"It's still early."

Lu Chenyuan pressed his temples: "My divine sense is still too weak, as it's only just begun to solidify. The art of talisman arrays is vast and profound, and I still have a long way to go in my practice. However, Master Su's speech is extraordinary; she must be a master of the Mohist school. Why would she join the Inner Guard? To be valued by the princess, her skill in mechanisms must be considerable. Why then…"

Su Wanqing asked, "The Mechanized City?"

Lu Chenyuan nodded.

Su Wanqing chuckled: "The first question is that the Mohists also need to eat, so it's about 'mutual benefit and win-win'; the second question is that everyone has their own expertise, so it's about 'acting within one's capabilities'."

"Hahaha!"

Lu Chenyuan laughed heartily. Very good. Ke'er's master is to her liking. He shouldn't produce a self-sacrificing swordsman. He can rest assured.

at this time.

Suddenly, a loud bird song came from outside.

Su Wanqing formed a hand seal with one hand and casually waved her hand. A black streak of light flew out of the room and into the sky. The next moment, a black shadow descended from the sky like a sharp arrow and flew into the room. It turned out to be a lifelike mechanical bird that was entirely black.

The mechanical bird landed on her right arm, raised its head, and spat out a secret letter.

Su Wanqing took it out, unfolded it, and examined it closely. Her expression changed slightly: "This is bad..."

Lu Chenyuan picked up his teacup: "What's wrong?"

"Information leak..."

Su Wanqing's expression was solemn: "The matter of the Mechanized City and the Heavenly Craft Scroll has now spread to many sects in the martial arts world."

"what?"

Lu Chenyuan couldn't drink the tea he was about to drink, and exclaimed in surprise, "...Xiao Hanchuan?!"

Su Wanqing nodded: "The news came from the Ghost Market, so it should be him."

Lu Chenyuan clicked his tongue inwardly: "Ruthless and decisive! If I can't have it, neither can you..."

Su Wanqing reminded, "The Mechanized City is under strict guard now, and these martial artists have limited ways to sneak in. As the head of the Suiming Pavilion, you happen to have the authority to enter and leave the Mechanized City, so you must be careful."

Lu Chenyuan nodded: "Thank you for the reminder. Please take care of my father and sister."

Su Wanqing said, "Don't worry, it's not just me. You don't need to have any concerns."

Lu Chenyuan was initially relieved, but upon hearing that it wasn't just her...

There's more than one person at Su Wanqing's level...

Lu Chenyuan felt a surge of anxiety: Just how many times has he swiped this?!

(End of this chapter)