Chapter 18: Seeking a Husband

At this moment, Lin Wuming had only one thought in his mind—

‘Damn, this is f*cking amazing!’

‘Three mid-grade spirit stones!’

That was equivalent to thirty low-grade ones!

And one low-grade spirit stone was worth ten taels of gold, meaning this prize was worth a full three hundred taels of gold!

If he could get those three mid-grade stones, it would be more than enough to heal his junior sister’s injuries—with plenty to spare.

His own cultivation could even surge forward drastically.

“But why would the City Lord suddenly want to host a ‘Ten Thousand Sounds Festival’?”

Lin Wuming asked, somewhat puzzled.

“Ah… that, I’m not too sure either.”

The teahouse manager replied with a shake of his head.

“I’ve only heard rumors that the Wanle Palace might be involved behind the scenes.”

“Wanle Palace?”

Lin Wuming blinked.

That name rang a bell—it was no small sect, and its strength had always been shrouded in mystery.

Unlike the grand and ostentatious sects like the Taixu Hall or Pure Yang Palace, Wanle Palace had always been low-key, with ambiguous allegiances—no one could tell if they were of the righteous path or the demonic one.

Why would Wanle Palace suddenly be interested in hosting a music festival in Luoshui City?

If Liu Yingfeng had still been there to hear that name, she would’ve been shocked.

Ordinary mortals didn’t know the truth, but as a Taixu Hall disciple, Liu Yingfeng certainly did.

Wanle Palace wasn’t even a human sect—it belonged to the demon race.

It was merely a front to help the demon clan blend into human society.

Behind it all, it was said that the White-Clad Demon Emperor, a legendary figure, was the one pulling the strings.

Wanle Palace had always been inactive and discreet, rarely making a move for years.

Now suddenly holding this grand festival—what were they planning?

If news of this spread to either the righteous or demonic factions, panic would be inevitable.

After all, there was no one in the world today who could take down the Demon Emperor.

It wasn’t even an exaggeration to call her the strongest in the world.

Even the Hall Master of Taixu Hall, a Transcendence Realm powerhouse, was said to be half a head lower than that Demon Emperor—because the latter carried the bloodline of a celestial beast.

Of course, Lin Wuming knew none of this.

And even if he did, he probably wouldn’t care.

So what if Wanle Palace and the Demon Emperor were powerful?

What did that have to do with him?

All he cared about was: ‘Can I win those three spirit stones?’

As for who was organizing the event, or for what purpose—that was none of his concern.

“Master Lin…”

Said the teahouse manager.

“The festival begins tomorrow. If you plan to attend, best make preparations today. As for the teahouse—you’re welcome anytime. Whenever you perform, I’ll pay by the hour as promised. Sound good?”

“Excellent. Much appreciated.”

Lin Wuming nodded.

He had to admit—the manager was a pretty decent guy.

“Well then, thank you for your playing this morning. Take the afternoon to rest and prepare. I’ve got errands to run myself.”

With that, the manager took his leave.

Lin Wuming packed up, took his junior sister, and left the teahouse.

They’d earned a fair bit that morning, so he figured they could go shopping—buy her something nice to eat, maybe a few fresh clothes.

The poor girl had been through enough, especially after being bullied by him for so long.

She really was a pitiful one.

Of course, until the mission was complete, Lin Wuming had no intention of showing her a soft face.

No way would he let compassion ruin the plan.

***

While Lin Wuming was taking his junior sister on a stroll through the city, a storm was brewing in the Lin family estate—one of the three great clans of Luoshui City.

“Patriarch! Patriarch! Something big has happened!”

The young gatekeeper, panting heavily, burst into the clan leader’s residence, gasping for air between words.

Lin Tiancheng, currently practicing swordsmanship, frowned in annoyance at the interruption.

He sheathed his sword and said sternly…..

“What’s with the panic? Completely improper. Go get thirty lashes from the steward.”

“P-Patriarch…! This really is big!”

The servant flinched in fear but forced himself to continue.

“Oh? What happened?”

Lin Tiancheng frowned.

This gatekeeper wasn’t known for crying wolf.

Judging by his expression, something serious might actually have happened.

“A disciple from the Taixu Hall is here! A personal disciple!”

“Taixu Hall?!”

Lin Tiancheng’s whole body trembled, stunned speechless.

Even he couldn’t maintain composure—this was no trivial matter.

He frowned and said hastily.

“Understood! I’ll go change immediately. You—go inform all the elders. Have them assemble in the main hall and await our esteemed guest. Not a single one is to be absent!”

“Yes, sir!”

The servant, relieved, turned to carry out the orders.

Soon, the entire Lin family was in motion.

After all, this was a Taixu Hall disciple they were dealing with.

Lin Tiancheng didn’t dare slack off.

In less than half an incense stick’s time, he personally rushed to the gate.

“Patriarch Lin, I hope I’m not intruding.”

Seeing Lin Tiancheng, Liu Yingfeng gave a slight nod.

This man, after all, was technically the head of her future husband’s family.

She had to show some respect.

Lin Tiancheng was caught off guard.

Though the Lin family was one of Luoshui City’s major clans, they were still a nobody in the eyes of a disciple from Taixu Hall—the number one sect under heaven.

Even the emperor would show humility before Taixu Hall’s master.

And this was no ordinary disciple—it was a personal disciple.

Such status was on par with royalty, perhaps even greater than a princess.

“You flatter me, Daoist friend. Your visit brings immeasurable honor to the Lin family!”

Lin Tiancheng wracked his brain but didn’t know how to address her.

“Miss” felt too casual.

“Senior” was probably too formal.

So he settled awkwardly on “Daoist friend.”

Liu Yingfeng was both amused and exasperated.

She smiled and said….

“Just call me Yingfeng, Patriarch Lin.”

“…Very well!”

Lin Tiancheng hesitated a moment, then steeled himself.

“Then, Miss Yingfeng, this way please. The elders are already gathered in the reception hall.”

But Liu Yingfeng shook her head.

“No need for such a grand reception. I’m not here on behalf of Taixu Hall—this is a personal matter.”

“…Personal?”

Lin Tiancheng was confused.

What personal business would a Taixu Hall disciple have in Luoshui City?

“I’ve come in search of someone.”

Liu Yingfeng said calmly.

“To be precise—I’ve come to find my future husband.”

“…Hah??”

Lin Tiancheng was now completely stunned.

She had come to the Lin family… to find her future husband?

His mind reeled.

Was she… planning to marry into the Lin family?

If that were true—this was an earth-shattering opportunity for the Lin clan.

If someone from their family could marry such a figure, it would be a classic case of one man rising to glory and lifting his whole clan with him.

But… Yingfeng?

That name…

It sounded… familiar.

After a long moment of stunned silence, Lin Tiancheng suddenly recalled something—his expression changed to one of shock and disbelief.

He asked cautiously….

“May I ask… Miss Yingfeng… your surname—is it Liu?”