“I… I won the match, right?”
While the crowd still stood frozen in shock, Lin Wuming stood up casually, acting as though nothing had happened—completely unaware of what he had just done.
His mind was focused entirely on winning the competition and imagining how he’d soar in cultivation once he got his hands on those three mid-grade spirit stones.
He hadn’t even noticed the uproar he caused.
From start to finish, he had no idea who exactly he had just faced.
All he knew was—he beat a junior, then an elder showed up… and he beat her too.
“…Seems like that’s the case.”
Replied the City Lord of Luoshui, twitching slightly.
This tournament was supposed to be a simple formality—he never expected it to explode into such a dramatic mess.
Now it looked like he’d need to report this up the chain.
As for this youth…
To defeat the Sect Master of the Tianyin Sect in a battle of musical technique—regardless of his cultivation—was an unbelievable feat.
This boy deserved attention.
And when he did report this event, he’d make sure to include all details about this young man.
But what was his relationship with Wanle Palace?
If not too close, perhaps the Empire could try to recruit him…
Talents like this—no matter where they go—are always in demand.
“Well, since I won… Can I have my reward now?”
Lin Wuming looked around.
All eyes were on him now—especially those noble young ladies in their pavilions.
Their wide eyes were practically popping out of their sockets.
If not for propriety, they might have rushed him all at once.
If he didn’t leave now, things would get messy.
While this Wanyin Music Festival wasn’t directly tied to his family, getting too much attention might make it harder for him to deal with his own personal affairs later.
This tournament had been set up for him—and now that he’d won, the City Lord didn’t hesitate.
He ordered someone to deliver the prize: three mid-grade spirit stones.
Lin Wuming snatched them up, stuffed them into his robes, grabbed his junior sister, and turned to flee.
After a few steps, remembering her injuries, he paused—then scooped He Yingying up in a princess carry, striding straight out of the venue.
Everyone stared blankly.
He… just left?
After pulling off such a stunning feat—shouldn’t he bask in the glory?
Woo noble girls?
Wait for matchmakers to line up at his door?
Why run off in such a hurry?
Liu Yingfeng stared at his retreating figure, stunned.
But when she saw He Yingying nestled in his arms, something clicked.
‘This young man—so incredibly talented—was also a man of deep affection.’
The girl in his arms must be very lucky.
Liu Yingfeng sighed softly with envy.
She didn’t seem to mind that the precious gem had been taken—after all, for a direct disciple of the Taixu Hall sect, the monetary value was nothing.
She received dozens of mid-grade spirit stones each month from her sect.
The gem was worth maybe two months of salary—more than fair for watching a legendary battle where even the Tianyin Sect Master was defeated.
Besides, once given away, it couldn’t be taken back—not as a gift to her future husband, anyway.
Letting that boy have it… was fine.
But now she’d have to find another gift.
That… would be troublesome.
As she furrowed her brows in thought, the City Lord of Luoshui was also staring at Lin Wuming’s fading figure.
‘This kid really doesn’t follow any script…’
Still, judging by the girl he was carrying, maybe it wasn’t so surprising.
The two of them probably went off to “celebrate” in private…
Smiling to himself, Luo Haonian looked again at the girl’s face, only partially visible, and suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu.
‘Have I seen her somewhere before?’
There was something familiar about her…
Shaking his head, he reminded himself the tournament wasn’t over.
The next part still needed hosting.
He casually ordered a servant to discreetly find out where the boy was staying, then turned his attention back to the event.
The Wanyin Music Festival continued.
Next was the refined social portion—reciting poetry, playing music, making friends.
But compared to the boy who had just stunned the crowd, all the other noble sons and talented scholars now seemed dull and forgettable.
The girls in the pavilions also seemed uninterested.
Their minds were still filled with the image of that retreating white-robed figure—and how they might steal that wretched girl from his arms…
***
Meanwhile, Lin Wuming, now in possession of the three mid-grade spirit stones, quickly “escaped” the scene and made his way to the Jade Stone Pavilion.
“Senior brother, where are we going?”
He Yingying’s cheeks flushed red from being carried in his arms—but strangely, she also felt… warm and comforted.
“Stop asking. You’ll see soon.”
Lin Wuming replied coldly.
At the shop, he took out one mid-grade spirit stone and exchanged it for ten low-grade ones, then turned two of those into twenty taels of gold.
He then dragged He Yingying across several apothecaries, buying herbs until he had a full bag—spending nearly all the gold.
It was only then that He Yingying realized what he was doing.
She thought back to the moment during the competition when he stood alone on stage—cornered, clearly outmatched, likely to be injured or worse—yet he still clenched his teeth and refused to give up.
Why?
For fame?
Impossible.
If it were for fame, why would he immediately flee the spotlight, dragging her away?
He risked his life, clashed with the Tianyin Sect Master—not for glory—but to win the prize money to buy her medicine!
The realization struck her hard.
Her throat tightened, and she bit her lip, holding back tears.
She didn’t say a word—but everything was etched into her heart.
His kindness to her… she could never repay it in a lifetime.
Yet this deep concern… she would carry it in her heart forever.
And maybe, if one day she was healed—if he didn’t mind…
A faint blush swept across her face.
‘If he doesn’t mind… then I’ll ask Father for permission to marry him.’
‘I’ll love him. Care for him. Grow old by his side.’