Lu Man said, "Are you still being so distant with us? You can't just sit here and do nothing. Hangzhou is one of the ten provinces of the Beggars' Sect. Something happened at the headquarters of the Kuangyi Sect. It's hard to say that so many spies in the Beggars' Sect don't know the whereabouts of your adoptive father. You'd better pay a visit to the Dharma Protector Zhu first. If he can help you find out, it will be twice the result with half the effort."
Lin Jianlan stared at Lu Man and thought to himself, "I didn't think of this. I was just worried. Sister Man is indeed much more mature and stable than me." Lu Man felt embarrassed and said angrily, "Brother, your apology is too insincere. You asked us for help but didn't even treat us well. I came back angry and hungry!"
Lin Jianlan said hurriedly: "It's my fault. I will host this dinner. You two came and left in a hurry. I suggest you treat it as both a welcoming party and a farewell party!"
The three of them went out, but it was already late. Although Lin Jianlan had lived in Hangzhou for a long time before, he was restricted from going out freely and didn't know much about the restaurants and bars on the market. Instead, Lu Man found out about a relatively elegant and well-known place. With Lu Man comforting him in a sweet voice, although Bai Zongping occasionally ridiculed Lin Jianlan, he still looked tolerable on the surface.
After returning from a satisfying meal, Lin Jianlan said goodbye to Lu Man and Bai Zongping at the crossroads. Seeing the two figures disappearing, he could still vaguely hear Lu Man's voice, either angry or laughing. It was not until a cool breeze blew across his face that his reluctance to leave was blown away a little. He slowly walked towards the place where he was staying. As soon as he entered the guest hall, he saw the owner greet him and asked, "Sir, are you staying in room number two?"
Lin Jianlan nodded, and saw that the owner's face instantly became respectful, and he said: "Someone has changed the guest's room. Please follow me." After that, he went upstairs. Lin Jianlan was very puzzled and a little angry in his heart. He thought to himself: "This owner doesn't know the rules. How can he change the guest's room casually ?"
The shop owner walked to a room, pushed open the door and stood sideways beside it. Lin Jianlan noticed that there was a light on in the room before he opened the door. Now that the door was open, he could see the situation inside clearly. Under the flickering candlelight, a girl in plain clothes was lying on the table. She seemed to have fallen asleep. Her long hair tied up with a gold ring hung down. Perhaps under this dim light, her face showed a hint of warmth. Her thin lips were slightly pursed and her brows were slightly wrinkled.
Although Lin Jianlan was extremely surprised, he couldn't help but sigh and feel sad when he saw this scene, thinking to himself: "In her dreams, she wouldn't look so cold, but she still frowned . Has she always been so worried all these years?" Thinking of this, he felt that Yin Yin's experience was somewhat similar to his own. They both lost their fathers, but his character seemed to be much weaker. So he accepted the shameful things his father had done before and forced himself not to pursue his whereabouts. But Yin Yin was different. He still refused to admit it. With such a thin body, he kept seeking answers.
"After that confrontation, wasn't I also very angry about Cao Shujian being a lackey of the imperial court? And now I'm helping Xie Zhongju and Brother Yuan disband the Taihu rebels, what do you say? Who among the martial artists gathered in Taihu doesn't hate the imperial court and want to make a big move? If they knew, they would probably scold and hate me, right?" Lin Jianlan just stood silently at the door, with complicated emotions. Seeing some expensive external medicines on the table, he couldn't help but whispered, "Yin Yin."
Cao Yinyin did not wake up. Lin Jianlan only felt a figure flash before his eyes and stood outside the door. It was Qin Tianxiong, the current deputy leader of the Kuangyi Gang. It turned out that he had been guarding Cao Yinyin in the house. He did not say anything when he came out. He just quietly closed the door and said softly: "Handling the affairs of the gang every day is too tiring for her. If Mr. Lin does not mind, let the leader take a rest here for a while."
Lin Jianlan knew that the door was closed, but he still took a look at it, turned around and said, "Deputy Gang Leader Qin, Gang Leader Cao, what brings you here in person? What can I do for you?" All the turmoil in his heart just now was suppressed, without revealing a single trace.
Qin Tianxiong said, "Mr. Lin was stabbed by Madam Wan during the day, and he also fought with the gang leader. He didn't get treated in time, and the gang leader was worried, so he asked me to find some medicine to visit him. But he never thought that Mr. Lin was still outside at this time."
Lin Jianlan said, "Thank you both for your concern. My wound is no longer serious. I appreciate your kindness. Please take the medicine back. It's getting late. I'm sorry for the inconvenience for you to stay here, Boss Cao. Please go back." As soon as he finished speaking, the door opened. Cao Yinyin was standing in the room. He was obviously woken up by the two of them. He looked tired, but he did not show any displeasure at Lin Jianlan's cold words. He went straight to Qin Tianxiong and said, "Deputy Boss Qin, I want to talk to Young Master Lin alone. Please wait outside the door for a moment." His tone did not allow Qin Tianxiong to refute him. He did not ask Lin Jianlan whether he agreed or not, and went straight into the room.
Lin Jianlan looked back at Qin Tianxiong and saw a hint of uneasiness and worry on his calm face. He didn't know what was going on between the two of them. He stepped into the room in confusion and saw Cao Yinyin sitting at the table. He had to turn around and close the door. After thinking for a while, he gently pushed it open, leaving a small gap, and then strode in. He also sat at the table, waiting for Cao Yinyin to speak.
After waiting for a long time, Cao Yinyin did not say anything, but Lin Jianlan could not sit still anymore. Just as he was about to speak, Cao Yinyin said, "Mr. Lin, during the duel today, the internal energy in your body, which was originally balanced between yin and yang, suddenly increased greatly. You are quite worried about this, right?"
Lin Jianlan was surprised and said, "Yes, after the duel, the Yang energy has gradually calmed down."
Cao Yinyin said: "Master Lin, don't worry. If you can't turn your internal energy into yang when it encounters yin and yin when it encounters yang, how can you say it is harmonious? Master Lin should be happy that your limbs can sense the external environment and then adjust spontaneously. You are only one step away from mastering this internal family method."
Lin Jianlan knew very well that in the martial arts, one step is easier said than done, but it is extremely difficult. The last level is more energy-consuming than all the previous ones combined, and it is also extremely dangerous. If one is not careful, this step will lead to falling into the abyss. He nodded and said, "Thank you, Boss Cao, for your guidance."
Cao Yinyin said: "Why thank you? Master Lin is very talented. If he calms down and thinks about it, he will gain some insights. I said too much."
Seeing that her expression had softened slightly, Lin Jianlan said with a glimmer of hope: "Boss Cao, regarding your uncle's matter...can't you still not let it go?"
Cao Yinyin said: "Mr. Lin, you and I have different standpoints, so naturally we see and think differently."
Lin Jianlan said: "But facts are facts. Uncle Qing also said that Cao Zongguan had persuaded him to work for the court in person."
Cao Yinyin continued, "You believe what he said because he is your adoptive father. If there is no such relationship, how can you judge whether what he said to the people in the martial arts world is true?"
Lin Jianlan said anxiously: "Can't the father and son of the black team also testify? Besides, the letter is indeed a false accusation..."
Cao Yinyin sneered and said, "This is even more ridiculous. I don't think the black team is lying, but what if my father was also deceived and suffered? What if that letter is really the evidence of Lin Longqing's crime? Mr. Lin, don't think about yourself as an insider. After this farce, my father was disgraced and died tragically in the gang, while Lin Longqing returned to the Kuangyi Gang, washed away his stigma, and eliminated the threatening opponent. He is the one who benefited the most."
Lin Jianlan was stunned by what she said, but he didn't know how to refute. If he continued to argue like this, he might end up quarreling. Cao Yinyin said again: "Mr. Lin, in fact, you don't need to get involved in this mess of grievances in our family. Wouldn't it be better to withdraw and not meddle in other people's business?"
Lin Jianlan said: "Uncle Qing saved my life, I can't just ignore it."
Cao Yinyin sighed, "That's all I have to say. In fact, we both understand that it's useless to talk about this matter if we can't convince each other. I also know that Master Lin will not leave Hangzhou in the short term to find out the whereabouts of Lin Longqing. What I can do is not to send someone to follow you to find out the whereabouts of Lin Longqing."
Lin Jianlan smiled bitterly and said, "I couldn't be more grateful to hear you say this."
The two of them fell silent again. Lin Jianlan secretly raised his eyes and glanced at her. He saw that her clothes seemed different from the daytime, but she was still dressed in mourning and had a cold expression. Cao Yinyin suddenly turned her head and looked at Lin Jianlan. Lin Jianlan avoided her gaze in panic and asked, "Why are you wearing mourning?"
Cao Yinyin didn't expect him to ask this question. After a moment's pause, he said, "My grandfather passed away."
Lin Jianlan said "Oh" and thought to himself, "Tang Yan once said that Yinyin has been loved and respected by her grandfather since she returned to Yujianmen with her aunt. But her grandfather passed away, which was a big blow." Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel sad for her, but heard Cao Yinyin stand up and say, "Master Lin, putting aside other things, I don't have any hatred towards you. On the contrary, I always feel guilty. I wonder if Master Lin has blamed me and my mother."
Lin Jianlan looked up in surprise and saw Cao Yin looking at him with two inquiring eyes with clear eyes. He couldn't help shaking his head. Cao Yin said: "I'll take my leave now. If Mr. Lin doesn't mind, maybe he will come to visit often. I have heard about Miss Wan's affairs since I was a child. I have instructed my men to go to Chang'an to inform the nearby hall masters to send people to inquire. I hope she is fine." After that, he walked towards the door.
Lin Jianlan didn't expect that she still cared about Wan Xiu's matter. He stood up hurriedly, walked a few steps and said, "Yin Yin... I, I am very grateful that you care so much."
Seeing that the door was not closed, Cao Yinyin was stunned for a moment, then opened the door and turned around and said, "You don't have to thank me. Deep down in my heart, I don't want to care about the Miss Wan you are so worried about . Deputy Gang Leader Qin, let's go." After that, she went downstairs, leaving Lin Jianlan standing outside the door for a long time, not knowing why the two of them came here. He turned around and went into the house, and saw a pile of medicine on the table. If they came here specifically to deliver these things, there was no need for the gang leader and deputy gang leader to come here in person. The brief conversation with Cao Yinyin did not involve anything important. The last sentence Cao Yinyin said made Lin Jianlan's heart beat wildly, and he didn't know what she meant.
Just as he was wondering, he saw something like a letter under the long sword. Lin Jianlan leaned in to take a closer look at the candlelight and saw that the packaging was very exquisite and elegant, with the words "Lin Jianlan" written on it. He quickly pulled out the letter, which turned out to be an invitation. The surface of the letter rustled in his hand, and it glowed with a faint silver light under the candlelight. There was a blooming peony at the bottom. He opened it and saw that it was written on the inside: "Late spring is about to pass, and the wind is clear in early summer. I invite you to visit Luoyang in half a month to enjoy the flowers and talk about martial arts and Taoism. Isn't it a pleasure?" Looking at it carefully, the signature was "Su Xinke of Huawang Mansion". Lin Jianlan thought to himself: "This Su Xinke seems to be the person who sent the invitation. What is Huawang Mansion? Oh, wait, Sister Man just mentioned the 'Huawang Festival', is this what she is talking about?"
Lin Jianlan took the invitation in his hand and read it over and over again. He was more and more certain that this was the priceless invitation that Lu Man mentioned. However, why was it sent to his residence? Moreover, this was a temporary place to stay, and it was so accurate that it was unbelievable. He had no reputation and had no interest in the so-called "Flower King Festival", but he easily received the invitation. He felt it was strange and inexplicable, but he was confused and couldn't figure it out. He had to repack the invitation and poured some hot water to clean the wound.
The wound was not very deep, but it was not bandaged in time and stuck to the clothes. When it was torn, Lin Jianlan grimaced in pain and cried out in pain. Instead, he became more sober. While applying the wound medicine, he thought to himself: "Sister Man and the others went to Chang'an, but they didn't know that the 'Flower King Festival' was in Luoyang. I'm afraid it will take more trouble. Well, if Brother Yuan comes back from Taihu, I will go to Luoyang and give them the invitation. It can be regarded as repaying the favor."
With too many things on his mind, Lin Jianlan got up and packed up before dawn. The medicine Cao Yinyin sent was indeed effective, and he felt much better. He quietly adjusted his breath in the house for a while before going downstairs. He saw that the owner had already settled the bill at the counter. When he saw Lin Jianlan coming downstairs, he hurried out and said, "Would you like something for breakfast, sir?"
Lin Jianlan said, "No need. I have to trouble the owner to change my room back to the original one. I can't afford such an expensive room."
The shop owner smiled and said, "This is the property of the gang. Since Master Lin is a distinguished guest arranged by the deputy gang leader, he should live in the best place. As for the rent, there is no way to talk about it. How dare I charge you?"
Lin Jianlan thought to himself, "So this random pick is actually the property of the Kuang Yi Gang. Uncle Qing is not here, so I can't spend much. It would be nice if I could save this money." He stopped insisting, nodded, and went out. He didn't know if Zhu Chenghong would still hold a grudge against him for breaking into the formation and taking the bell that day. Although it was not good to go empty-handed, it was also not proper to visit the guardian of the Beggar Gang as if holding a gift was like giving alms, which was not decent. He hesitated outside the door for a long time before running towards the Beggar Gang's branch.