Chapter 98: How Dare You Disturb My Heart of Dao!-I Have Lots of Revival Tokens(Spicy sauce served with salted fish)

“Madam Qian.”

In the grand reception hall of the Qian estate, Jiang Lin and Qin Xiao greeted her with a respectful bow.

When Jiang Lin looked up, he noticed Madam Qian was gazing at him with a burning intensity. She even sat up straight, reminiscent of those live-stream hosts in his previous life, captivated by something novel and amusing.

Madam Qian possessed an alluring beauty: a delicate oval face, fair skin, and a languid posture that radiated a mysterious charm. On a scale of a hundred, her looks would earn seventy points. Of course, Jiang Lin’s standards had been elevated by constantly observing his master and sparring with his senior sisters in wit and wisdom—so for most people, she’d probably score closer to eighty.

"Lin..." Qin Xiao’s voice echoed in Jiang Lin’s mind.

"I know what you want to say, senior brother, but rest assured. Though I'm not particularly picky about food, among all vegetables, I never touch wood ear fungus," Jiang Lin responded with unwavering seriousness.

"Vegetables? Who asked about your preferences?" Qin Xiao retorted.

"Then what do you mean, senior brother?" Jiang Lin wondered.

Qin Xiao furrowed his thick brows, his mind focusing sharply: "There’s a demonic aura about her."

"How can you tell?" Jiang Lin asked. Cultivators could seal their spiritual apertures to hide their identity completely, and even without such measures, those below the Nascent Soul stage could not distinguish between a cultivator and an ordinary person. The same applied to demons: once they reached the Cave Mansion stage, they could conceal their aura. Unless one had a magical artifact like the Demon-Revealing Mirror—which forced demons below the Nascent Soul stage to show their true form—it was nearly impossible to tell. Jiang Lin suspected she might be a demon, but lacked evidence. The system shop did sell such mirrors, but he couldn’t afford one now. Unless his face was literally stamped with tire tracks, he couldn’t make a definite judgment.

"Have you forgotten my bloodline?" Qin Xiao reminded him.

"Oh!" Jiang Lin’s eyes lit up. "Right, senior brother, you’re a birdman!"

Qin Xiao was the offspring of a firebird and a human. Whether he was more bird than man or vice versa, no one could say for sure. As a descendant of the phoenix, his eyes possessed the ability to pierce through countless forms—the firebird’s eyes were a living Demon-Revealing Mirror.

Though Qin Xiao wanted to scoff at Jiang Lin’s comment, he restrained himself: "She’s a fox."

"Another fox? A white fox?" Jiang Lin asked.

Qin Xiao shot him a look. "White foxes have noble blood and despise filthy humans. They wouldn’t be found in a place like this."

"So just an ordinary fox, then." Jiang Lin relaxed. If she were a white fox, it might relate to the mysterious woman who let him go. He didn’t know how he’d attracted her attention, but if she were behind this, there’d be no point in fighting. That woman was at least a Nascent Soul cultivator; he’d be better off retreating to the inn and clinging to his senior sister—the protagonist—since her side was the safest.

"Indeed, just an ordinary fox," Qin Xiao confirmed.

"How many tails?" Jiang Lin asked.

"Four tails. She’s at the Dragon Gate stage, one realm above us. As for her exact level, I can’t tell. What stage are you at now?"

"Mid-Sea Viewing stage. Senior brother?"

"The same as you." Qin Xiao sighed inwardly. "We should report to senior sister first; otherwise, I doubt we can handle her."

Jiang Lin glanced at the seductive woman sitting in the seat of honor. "No rush. Senior sister is impulsive. You should leave the estate soon, but don’t tell her about this yet."

"No, Lin, it’s too dangerous for you to stay here alone!"

Facing the married woman before him, Jiang Lin spoke with resolute righteousness and tragic determination: "Senior brother! Leave this demon to me! Who else but I?"

Qin Xiao’s eyes grew moist. "Junior brother..."

"Mr. Si is a friend of my son, Duo’er," Madam Qian said as Jiang Lin and Qin Xiao communicated silently. "Duo’er can be mischievous at times, but his heart is good. I hope you’ll be patient with him."

Jiang Lin replied, "Young master Qian is generous and bold. To have such a friend is my honor."

Seeing Jiang Lin's refined scholar’s salute, Madam Qian twisted her body like water-weeds, her movements graceful.

"Mr. Si, are you a Confucian scholar?"

"I am here in Donglin City to study, and as your son has invited me, I may stay in your esteemed residence for a few days. Forgive me for the intrusion."

"It’s no intrusion at all."

Madam Qian descended from her seat, slithering toward Jiang Lin like a snake, her eyes sparkling with heart-shaped pupils.

"Though I am a simple woman, I greatly admire Confucian learning. The Four Books and Five Classics are my heartfelt aspiration. Mr. Si, do you have time these days? I’d love for this inexperienced lady to witness your noble spirit."

Hearing Madam Qian’s words, Jiang Lin couldn’t help but shiver.

This fox demon dares disturb my Dao heart!

"Why not? Scholarship knows no distinction of gender or order. Madam Qian’s admiration for Confucianism brings joy to all scholars." Jiang Lin spoke with gentle grace, his manner as polished as jade. "I am free tomorrow. When shall we meet?"

"Well..." Madam Qian discreetly tapped Jiang Lin's waist three times.

Jiang Lin inwardly complained: What the—! This isn’t indecision; tapping my waist three times means midnight, doesn’t it?

Still...

For some reason, Jiang Lin recalled the story of the monkey whose head was tapped three times by Patriarch Bodhi.

"Would it be convenient for you, sir?" the lady asked softly.

"An elder once told me that learning is not bound by time; morning or night, each has its own flavor," Jiang Lin replied.

"Then, Mr. Si, you must rest well," Madam Qian said, reluctant to part. "Duo’er, take Mr. Si to the rear courtyard, and see that he is well cared for. Be sure to ask him for guidance in your studies."

"No problem, mother."

The three bowed once more and left the main hall.

Within the hall, watching Jiang Lin recede into the distance, Madam Qian licked her crimson lips.

Just as their figures vanished entirely, a woman dressed in plain clothes with an unremarkable face appeared quietly.

"Senior!"

As soon as she appeared, Madam Qian dropped to her knees.

The woman regarded her calmly. "You intend to act against him?"

Sweat drenched Madam Qian’s garments as she replied, her voice trembling, "If it pleases you, senior, I would never—"

"That’s unnecessary," the woman interrupted. "Do with him as you please..."

She reached out and gently lifted Madam Qian’s chin.

"Kill him, if you wish."