San Fang Qi Xiang, Wen Ru Fang.
Within the estate of the Lu Shan Sect.
Lin Zitong and Lu Jing sat in meditation on cushions, each holding a fishing rod. The vertical fishing lines sank into the lakebed, where numerous fish could be seen circling the lines.
Suddenly, the fishing line in front of Lu Jing twitched, startling the fish and creating small ripples on the calm lake surface.
Shortly after, Lu Jing opened his eyes. He glanced at Lin Zitong beside him and couldn't help but sigh.
Not long after, Lin Zitong also opened her eyes. She smiled and said, "Martial Uncle Sect Leader, I concede."
Lu Jing said helplessly, "I never thought that at my age, my heart could still be restless while yours remains tranquil. I am truly ashamed."
Lin Zitong modestly replied, "Perhaps the fish in this lake were just mischievous?"
"You don't need to comfort an old man!" Lu Jing waved his hand. "The fish in our Lu Shan Sect have been raised here since they were young and have long possessed sentience. Even if someone were dancing on the bank, they would remain indifferent. If it weren't for my disturbed state of mind startling them, these fish would not have reacted."
Lin Zitong didn't offer further words of comfort, as Lu Jing's words were indeed the truth.
Lu Jing praised, "When my senior brother chose you as his final disciple, many within the sect opposed it, including myself. But now, I increasingly realize that my senior brother's foresight was correct. The legacy of the Lu Shan Sect can only be passed to you. Even I am merely the acting sect leader. The position of Lu Shan Sect Leader will eventually be yours."
Lin Zitong's heart jolted, as if she had already guessed what Lu Jing intended to say.
Lu Jing continued, "In the past, I longed to be the sect leader. Now that I have been sect leader for over a month, I realize I was merely admiring flowers in a fog. Actually holding the position makes me feel constrained. Now I understand my senior brother's past actions and decisions."
Lu Jing had a volatile temper, a completely different type of person from Lu Jingsheng. Under his management, the Lu Shan Sect was faring much worse than when Lu Jingsheng was the sect leader. It was precisely because Lu Jing realized this that he conceived a bold idea.
"I asked you here mainly because I hope you can participate in the Luotian Grand Ceremony at Longhu Mountain after the Qingming Festival," Lu Jing put down his fishing rod, finally revealing his thoughts.
"Alright."
To his surprise, Lin Zitong agreed without a second thought.
This left Lu Jing somewhat bewildered. "You... you agreed so easily? Didn't you even ask me why I wanted you to attend the Luotian Grand Ceremony?"
Lu Jing had prepared a lengthy speech to persuade Lin Zitong to participate, but she had agreed without any hesitation.
Lin Zitong smiled and said, "Shouyi will also be attending the Luotian Grand Ceremony."
This time, Lu Jing was completely dumbfounded.
He stared blankly for a long moment before saying with resignation, "So you're attending the Luotian Grand Ceremony not for the Lu Shan Sect, but for that brat? If Senior Brother were still alive, I wonder if he would slap Yan Shouyi to death. I certainly have the thought myself."
After a pause, Lu Jing added, "Yan Shouyi belongs to a folk sect. Why would he attend the Luotian Grand Ceremony? Does he have the qualification?"
Lin Zitong considered for a moment, "He should, shouldn't he? Don't you forget his connection with the venerable Senior Zhang Shantong of Longhu Mountain?"
"That is true."
Lu Jing nodded, not thinking further.
In fact, in this world, no one was more qualified to attend the Luotian Grand Ceremony than Yan Shouyi, because he possessed the Dragon Tiger Secret Text.
"Zitong, my senior brother often praised your intelligence. Can you guess why I want you to attend the Luotian Grand Ceremony?" Lu Jing asked.
Lin Zitong answered without much hesitation:
"Sect Leader Martial Uncle's intention is for me to achieve a good ranking at the Luotian Grand Ceremony, make a name for myself, and gain recognition from the various sects. Then, I can legitimately return to take over the Lu Shan Sect. This way, both inside and outside the Lu Shan Sect, I will be able to command respect."
"Truly unparalleled intelligence," Lu Jing gave Lin Zitong a thumbs-up, his eyes filled with even greater admiration.
However, in the next moment, Lin Zitong said, "But, Sect Leader Martial Uncle, for this Luotian Grand Ceremony, I can only watch from the sidelines and cannot participate."
Lu Jing was stunned. "Why?"
Lin Zitong quietly touched her stomach.
Lu Jing's pupils contracted, and he said in shock, "When... when did this happen?!"
"On our wedding day," Lin Zitong replied, looking down with a blush.
Lu Jing couldn't help but stand up and pace, constantly scratching the top of his head.
He felt a prickling sensation on his scalp.
After pacing back and forth several times, Lu Jing stopped and pointed at Lin Zitong's stomach, saying, "What kind of incredible luck does that kid have, to be so precise?!"
Lin Zitong smiled awkwardly.
"Damn it! I'm calling him right now to give this ungrateful brat a good scolding! You two are still young and not ready to be parents!"
Just as Lu Jing was about to call Yan Shouyi, Lin Zitong quickly stopped him. "Sect Leader Martial Uncle, wait... Shouyi he... he doesn't know about this yet."
"He doesn't know you're pregnant?!" Lu Jing was even more shocked. "What kind of games are you young people playing nowadays?!"
Lin Zitong lowered her head. "He is burdened by a life-threatening tribulation, and his enemies are watching him covetously. I'm afraid that if I tell him about this, he will be distracted..."
"You..."
Lu Jing looked troubled. "What is to be done now!"
If Lu Jingsheng were here, he would calmly seek a solution. But Lu Jing, with his hot temper, couldn't help but complain first when faced with a problem. This was why Lu Jing felt he was not suited to be the sect leader.
However, Lu Jing was, after all, an experienced elder. After some complaining, he managed to calm down and think of a countermeasure.
Lu Jingsheng pondered for a moment and then asked gravely:
"Zitong, have you made up your mind to give birth to the child?"
Lin Zitong frowned. "I will not abandon my child."
"Alas, of course, I'm not suggesting you abort the child," Lu Jing said. "It's just that having a child too early may not be beneficial for yourselves, nor for the child's growth. If you wish to postpone this matter, I might have a way."
"A way?"
"It's to temporarily inhibit the child's development, keeping the child in its current state. When you feel the time is right, you can lift the restriction and allow the child to continue developing... Of course, this method will not affect the child's health," Lu Jing said. "But it will have a certain impact on you."
Lin Zitong fell silent after hearing this.
Lu Jing sighed. "Think it over carefully. I'm merely offering you another option. No matter what decision you make, I will support you unconditionally. How about this, go home first, and after a few days when you've considered it, come back to the Lu Shan Sect to find me."
Lu Jing believed that Lin Zitong needed a long time to consider such a matter, so he was prepared for her to leave.
However, just as he turned to leave, Lin Zitong had already given her answer:
"Let the child... wait for now. Sect Leader Martial Uncle, tell me, what should I do?"
Lu Jing stopped, and asked with his back to Lin Zitong, "Are you absolutely sure?"