“The master casually bestowed the character ‘Yun,’ so let’s call him Lin Yun,” the noblewoman said.
After speaking, she turned and left.
“Aunt Yan, this… this…”
The maids beside her felt sorry for Aunt Yan. Her child was born, yet the father, despite being in the residence, did not come in person.
“Give me the child,” Yan said, her voice weak.
Once the child was handed to her, she held him gently.
“Yun’er, even if your father doesn’t come to see you, your mother will take good care of you and love you,” she said, looking at the child in her arms with a smile as warm as a spring breeze.
The infant, who had been crying, suddenly quieted down.
…
Three years later, in the Yiyuan courtyard at the back of the Lin Residence, Yan was teaching Lin Yun about the geography and culture of the Ancestral Land.
As the son of an immortal, three-year-old Lin Yun developed physically and intellectually much faster than ordinary children.
Though only three, he was already one meter forty tall.
Over these three years, his mother had taught him much, giving him a complete worldview of the Ancestral Land.
Of course, Lin Yun also knew that his father had many heirs, and since his mother was of low status, he was merely a concubine’s son, thus receiving little attention.
At that moment, Lin Yun’s father, Lin Guangde, strode into the courtyard.
“Greetings, Master!” Yan, startled and flattered, immediately stood and bowed.
“Father,” Lin Yun also stood up promptly.
For three-year-old Lin Yun, this was only the third time he could remember seeing Lin Guangde.
Lin Guangde walked past Yan and approached Lin Yun.
“Lin Yun, you are now three years old. From today, you will begin learning cultivation. This is your master, Agui, who will guide you in the basics. However, cultivation depends mainly on yourself. It is a path that requires enduring hardship,” Lin Guangde said.
“I can endure hardship!” young Lin Yun replied with determination.
Lin Guangde smiled, “Is that so? I’ll be watching closely. Words are easy, but actions are not.”
This was the first time Lin Yun saw his father smile.
Yan, witnessing this, was delighted, as it was the first time her son had earned his father’s approval.
The man named Agui stepped forward, “Young Master Lin Yun, from today, I will teach you.”
“Greetings, Master Agui,” Lin Yun bowed to him.
“Yan, you’ve done well these past few years. Though the child is only three, he is already so polite,” Lin Guangde said, still smiling.
“Thank you, Master!” Yan, overwhelmed with gratitude, bowed again.
Since her encounter with Lin Guangde, she had rarely seen him, let alone received his praise.
“Yun’er, here are three weapons. Choose one you like.”
Lin Guangde waved his hand, and his attendants stepped forward, each holding a weapon: a spear, a short sword, and a short knife, all sized for a child.
“Yun’er, remember what your mother told you. Go ahead,” Yan gently patted Lin Yun’s shoulder.
Lin Yun nodded and stepped forward.
His mother had previously told him that his father was skilled in spear techniques, a specialty of the Lin family, and had instructed him to learn the spear.
Lin Yun passed the short knife and the short sword.
As he passed the short sword, he suddenly stopped. After a few seconds, he reached out with his small hand and picked up the sword.
“It feels so familiar,” Lin Yun said, touching the sword with a smile.
Upon touching the sword for the first time, Lin Yun felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity, though he couldn’t recall why.
This instantly made up his mind.
“Father, I want this one,” Lin Yun said, smiling.
“Lin Yun, you haven’t looked at the spear yet. Keep looking before you decide,” Lin Guangde said.
“Father, I… I want the sword,” young Lin Yun said eagerly.
Lin Guangde’s face darkened, and he turned to Yan.
“Yan, what are you playing at? Didn’t you tell him?” Lin Guangde scolded her.
“Please forgive me, Master. It’s my failure,” Yan quickly knelt.
“Hmph,” Lin Guangde snorted and turned to leave.
After Lin Guangde left, Lin Yun hurried to help his mother up.
“Mother,” he said, assisting Yan to her feet.
