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Year One.
Apart from occasional mischief caused by local minor demons, the Li Shui Empire had not seen any calamities like the Black Tongue Demon.
Thus, the Li Shui King, along with his officials, bid farewell to Ambrose Lu and led the people outside Moyu Town back to their original towns.
After all, with no more demon calamities, it wasn’t convenient to continue living outside Moyu Town with all the difficulties in daily life.
Mark Gu and the second elder also brought Christopher Tong and Leonard Lin to bid farewell to Ambrose Lu.
Mark Gu speculated that the Demon Realm would not rest and would attack again at some point, though no one could predict the exact time—it could be days or even years…
A few years might seem long to the mortal world.
But for the world of cultivation and the realms of demons, it was not long.
So, under these circumstances, Mark Gu decided to take Leonard Lin back to the Cyan Cloud Sect to hold the disciple acceptance ceremony first.
Year Three.
The Immortal who appeared on the night of the Black Tongue Demon’s attack had become a vague memory for the people.
They knew that Immortals existed in the world, but since that night, they had never seen one again.
As time passed, the Li Shui Empire remained peaceful, and the people lived and worked in contentment, planting in spring and harvesting in autumn.
Gradually, they let go of their vigilance against the demons that seemed to have vanished forever.
Immersed in their happy lives.
Mark Gu often brought Christopher Tong and Leonard Lin to visit Ambrose Lu, always thoughtfully bringing fine wine.
He would frequently praise Leonard Lin in front of Ambrose Lu, extolling the boy’s exceptional talent and his character, which was beloved by all the elders in the sect. Even the Sect Master had several times almost taken Leonard Lin as a disciple by force.
And every time this happened, Leonard Lin would scratch his head in embarrassment, while his eyes would glance expectantly at Ambrose Lu, yearning for his teacher’s praise.
Over time, Mark Gu and the others came to understand Ambrose Lu’s personality much better. Although they still deeply respected him, they became much more relaxed and no longer as formal as before.
Mark Gu and Christopher Tong, like Leonard Lin, started calling him “teacher” instead of the more formal “senior.”
Time continued to pass…
Year Five, Winter.
Due to the cold, there were fewer people on the streets of Moyu Town than usual, with most staying indoors to keep warm by the fire.
A man in a cyan robe with a gourd at his waist appeared, his face calm and a slight smile on his lips.
“Ah, teacher, it’s been a while since we last saw you out.”
“Teacher, how do you maintain your skin… You looked like this when I first saw you, and you still look the same now. It’s enviable…”
“Tch, you don’t understand. People’s constitutions are different. Besides, with the vast knowledge of someone like the teacher, it’s only natural to age slower.”
Passersby greeted Ambrose Lu warmly.
Ambrose Lu was not arrogant; he nodded and smiled at each of them, his smile bringing a touch of warmth to the cold winter.
Over the past five years, Ambrose Lu often appeared in Moyu Town, and his unique scholarly aura had long since become deeply ingrained in the hearts of the townspeople.
Everyone had become quite familiar with him, knowing his name was Ambrose Lu, though no one knew where he lived…
It seemed that every time he appeared and disappeared, it was shrouded in mystery.
Ambrose Lu suddenly stopped, quietly looking at a girl ahead. In front of her were two baskets filled with green, yellow, and red fruits.
At that moment, the girl seemed to feel cold, cupping her hands to her mouth to warm them with her breath. Her gaze happened to fall on the man in the cyan robe, and she froze.
Memories flooded her mind. Over the past five years, she had come to Moyu Town countless times but had never seen this man in cyan. Today, she saw him again.
“Bro… Brother…”
Ambrose Lu walked up to her, squatted down, and examined the winter dates in the baskets, asking, “Little girl, how much for these fruits?”
The girl was stunned. Five years ago, this brother had come to buy red fruits and had asked the same question.
But why, after five years, had neither his appearance nor his attire changed at all…
“Brother, how much do you want?” the girl asked softly.
Ambrose Lu looked up and smiled, “If they taste good, I don’t mind buying them all. Can I try one first?”
The girl replied, “Of course.”
Ambrose Lu nodded slightly, reached into the basket, and picked up a winter date.
Under the girl’s expectant gaze, he put it in his mouth.
After chewing a few times, Ambrose Lu smiled and asked, “Do you know what this winter date tastes like?”
“Huh?” The girl was stunned.
Of course, it’s sweet, and it’s both crisp and sweet.
Five years ago, he had asked a similarly strange question…
Ambrose Lu said nothing more, clapped his hands, stood up, and asked, “How much for all of them?”
The girl quickly replied, “Brother, these two baskets of winter dates are fifteen copper coins.”
Ambrose Lu nodded, took out a handful of copper coins from his pocket, and handed them to her, then prepared to carry the two baskets away.
“Brother, wait!”
At this moment, Little Amelia hurriedly called out to Ambrose Lu.
“Hmm?” Ambrose Lu turned his head to look at her.
The girl stared blankly into his eyes, then quickly looked away, her face flushing. She said softly, “Brother, you gave too much. You gave five extra copper coins.”
Ambrose Lu smiled indifferently, “The extra five can cover the cost of the baskets and the carrying pole.”
“No, no…” The girl shook her head repeatedly, came to Ambrose Lu’s side, and took out ten copper coins, placing them in the basket.
Seeing this, Ambrose Lu’s eyes flashed, and he heard the girl say with a smile,
“Brother, I know you’ve forgotten, but Little Amelia remembers clearly. Five years ago, you bought two baskets of red fruits from me and also gave five extra copper coins. This time, I’m returning them to you, even though it’s been five years… I’m sorry.”
“Grandmother said that two baskets and a carrying pole aren’t worth five copper coins. She also said that although we’re poor, we must have a conscience.”
Looking at the girl with a smile as bright as a flower, Ambrose Lu nodded slightly.
He took out a silver coin from his pocket and handed it to the stunned Little Amelia, smiling, “Who says they’re not worth it? And now I think they’re even more valuable.”
Little Amelia looked down at the silver coin in her palm, her hand trembling uncontrollably!
A silver coin…
A silver coin was worth a thousand copper coins!
“Brother, I…”
Little Amelia looked up abruptly, but Ambrose Lu was already gone.
A moment later, Little Amelia tightly gripped the silver coin and bowed deeply in the direction where Ambrose Lu had disappeared.
Straightening up, she seemed to think of something, her expression becoming excited as she pumped her fist!
Then she ran off in a hurry.
“Grandmother’s cane seems to be worn out… And clothes too…”
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