NOVEL NEXT Chapter 10: You’re Quite Strong
Chapter 10: You’re Quite Strong
“Thank you, Master!”
Gu Xing didn’t overthink it. After expressing his gratitude, he immediately buried himself in the cabinet, rummaging through its contents.
One moment, he picked up this manual; the next, he examined that one.
Every martial art he glanced at seemed irresistible, making it impossible for him to decide.
“Don’t be greedy. You may only choose one to study.”
Lin Mu’s eyes remained closed as he tapped the cabinet with his cane as a reminder.
Gu Xing was just beginning his martial journey—the worst thing he could do was aim too high too soon.
Ji Wutong, on the other hand, had no such restrictions.
Her martial foundation was already solid. Studying multiple martial arts manuals would only benefit her further.
Yet Ji Wutong’s attention wasn’t on these books at all.
What puzzled her now was: Why did Lin Mu have so many secrets?
His extraordinary medical skills, the friendship of renowned martial figures like Elder Xianyun and Monk Yehe, and a cabinet filled to the brim with martial arts manuals—
And the one who possessed all this was, of all things, a blind man.
“If you weren’t blind, I can’t even imagine how formidable you’d be!”
Ji Wutong couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.
The more she thought about it, the deeper her guilt toward Lin Mu grew.
Lin Mu, as if sensing her thoughts, smiled and reassured her, “Even if I weren’t blind, I’d still just be a physician.”
“My life wouldn’t be any different from how it is now.”
“Then you’re truly fortunate~” Ji Wutong nodded, her expression tinged with melancholy.
For someone like her, burdened with the monumental task of restoring her fallen kingdom, the ordinary life of a commoner was an unattainable dream.
That was why she cherished her time at the clinic so dearly.
As she spoke, Ji Wutong’s gaze was drawn to a handwritten journal in the cabinet. Without thinking, she pulled it out and began flipping through it.
This was a notebook Lin Mu had written before losing his sight.
It contained poems from his past life, methods for creating ice and gunpowder, and a wide array of other inventions.
Back then, Lin Mu had recorded these things to ensure he wouldn’t forget them—
Just in case they might prove useful someday.
But fate had other plans. Before he could realize his ambitions, he lost his vision.
The notebook had been tossed into the cabinet, forgotten until now.
And through its pages, Ji Wutong caught a glimpse of a side of Lin Mu no one had ever seen before.
Compared to the martial arts manuals, this notebook fascinated her far more.
“Spring winds proud, the horse’s hooves swift—
In a single day, I’ve seen all of Chang’an’s flowers!”
“The young nobles east of the golden market—
Their silver saddles and white horses ride through the spring breeze!”
“Meeting with shared fervor, we drink in your honor—
Our horses tied beneath the willows by the tall tower!”
“A spring day’s outing, apricot blossoms scattering over my head—
Whose young master is this on the path, so gallant and free?”
Through these verses, Ji Wutong seemed to see a Lin Mu who was bold, unrestrained, and brimming with life—
A Lin Mu entirely different from the man before her now.
At this moment, she finally understood why Lin Mu cared so deeply for Gu Xing.
Because the Gu Xing of today was the Lin Mu who had not yet lost his sight.
In temperament and age, they were one and the same.
“Perhaps… he also wants to know what he might have been like had he never gone blind,” Ji Wutong mused silently, her gaze lingering on Lin Mu with deep regret.
Lin Mu, oblivious to her thoughts, reclined leisurely in his rocking chair, slightly tipsy as he said, “Before the snow completely freezes the lake, why don’t we go fishing tomorrow? What do you say?”
“Sure, I’ll go with you~”
Ji Wutong nodded, agreeing readily.
The next morning, after breakfast—
Ji Wutong carried the fishing gear in one hand and supported Lin Mu with the other as they slowly made their way toward the river outside the city.
Gu Xing was left behind to mind the clinic.
“Thanks to you, this is the first time I’ve traveled this far in a long while.”
As they walked through the streets of Yanshan City, Lin Mu smiled gratefully.
Since Ji Wutong had resolved to stay, he saw no reason to hold back.
This was the perfect opportunity to venture beyond the city walls.
“If you’re willing, I could take you to Chang’an someday.”
Recalling the poems in Lin Mu’s notebook, Ji Wutong spoke softly.
Though the Great Yu Dynasty differed from the era of Lin Mu’s past life, its capital was coincidentally also named Chang’an.
“Then it’s settled!”
“Promise~”
Chatting and laughing, they eventually arrived at a tributary of the great river outside the city.
After clearing away some weeds and laying out a blanket, the two sat down.
Plop!
Lin Mu casually cast his fishing line, the hook sinking straight into the water.
Ji Wutong had little interest in fishing, so she pulled out Lin Mu’s notebook from her sleeve.
Though the riverside was bitterly cold, neither seemed bothered as they busied themselves with their own tasks.
“With medical skills as impressive as yours, why stay in Yanshan City?”
After a while, finding the silence too stifling, Ji Wutong struck up a conversation.
Lin Mu pondered for a moment before explaining, “The old clinic master once said that though the Northern Frontier is harsh, the hearts of its people are warm.”
“Besides, I like it here. I like everything about Yanshan City.”
Ji Wutong nodded in agreement, recalling how warmly the city’s residents had greeted Lin Mu along the way.
Indeed, compared to the complex social dynamics of Chang’an, the people of Yanshan City were refreshingly simple and honest.
“And what about you? Do you really plan to stay at the clinic forever?”
“My eyes won’t be healing anytime soon, you know.”
Lin Mu turned the question back on her.
“I’m waiting for an opportunity.” Ji Wutong glanced around, ensuring no outsiders were nearby, then continued quietly, “That old emperor in Chang’an won’t last much longer.”
“Once he dies, the Great Yu Dynasty will plunge into chaos.”
“That will be the perfect moment for my Demon Sect to rise up.”
“How long will that take?” Lin Mu pressed.
“Hard to say.” Ji Wutong shook her head. “According to our spies in Chang’an, it could be as soon as half a year or as long as three to five years.”
“Chang’an is unstable right now. The princes’ infighting grows fiercer by the day.”
“Who knows? The old emperor might just drop dead from rage one of these days.”
“Ah—! You’ve got a bite!”
Just then, the fishing rod jerked violently. Ji Wutong quickly alerted him.
Lin Mu reacted swiftly. With a sharp tug of his arm, a fish over half a foot long was yanked onto the shore.
His movements were crisp and efficient, without the slightest hesitation.
“You’re quite strong.”
Ji Wutong eyed him suspiciously. She had seen others fish before.
Usually, they’d tense the rod and wrestle with the fish in the water, waiting until it tired before reeling it in.
No one simply hauled a fish ashore in one motion like Lin Mu just had.
“Maybe it’s because I eat a lot.”
Lin Mu chuckled, offering no further explanation as he cast his line back into the water.
Ji Wutong didn’t press the matter. She gathered some firewood, arranged it neatly, and lit a fire.
Then she skewered the fish on a slender stick and propped it near the flames.
“Would you like some tea?”
“Shall I brew some?”
Without waiting for Lin Mu’s reply, she pulled a tea set from her bag and began preparing it herself.