Chapter 24: The Wisdom of the Elder

Lin Ziang returned home, his steps light and casual, with the sun beginning its descent in the sky. He was greeted, as always, by Asan, the ever-faithful servant, who stood guard at the doorway like a vigilant sentinel.

"You've taken up the job of a doorman now?" Lin Ziang asked with a smirk, noting Asan's unusual position.

"Ah… Well, young master hasn't needed my company lately, and the master hasn't required my assistance either," Asan replied, his face a picture of feigned sorrow. "So, I had no choice but to trade shifts with Linley and become the doorman for a while."

His expression, an exaggerated pout, was almost comical. It was as if he had been wronged in some great way, and his exaggerated look of betrayal made Lin Ziang feel a bit nauseated.

"Enough, that's fine," Lin Ziang muttered, pushing past Asan quickly, trying to escape the awkward exchange. As he brushed past, Asan's expression only became more pitiful.

"Master has become heartless… abandoning this lowly servant…" Asan mumbled dramatically, feigning tears.

Lin Ziang wiped his brow, a bead of sweat forming from the exertion of getting past his melodramatic servant. "I swear, the original me must have had a poor taste in companions," he muttered under his breath.

After wandering around the sprawling Lin family estate for a while, he finally found Lin Zhen, his grandfather, in a small courtyard. The old man, seemingly without a care in the world, was reclining on a rattan chair, sipping tea in the cool afternoon breeze.

Lin Zhen glanced up as Lin Ziang approached, his expression filled with bemusement. "I'm quite comfortable here, boy. Find yourself another spot," he remarked dryly.

"Wouldn't dream of disturbing you, grandfather," Lin Ziang replied with a grin. "After all, I know how to respect the elderly."

"Hmph!" Lin Zhen snorted, his eyes narrowing. "You've grown better at flattery, but don't think you can fool me so easily. Now, tell me, what brings my troublemaking grandson to me today?"

Lin Ziang's smile widened awkwardly under his grandfather's sharp gaze. "Well… you see, I do have something I'd like to discuss."

The old man's eyes twinkled with suspicion. "Out with it, then. What's so troublesome that even a fox like you can't solve it?"

Lin Ziang hesitated for a moment, but then a mischievous grin spread across his face. "It's a matter of great importance! A matter that could determine the future of our family!"

Lin Zhen bolted upright from his chair, his face instantly tense. "What?! Which young lady did you bring trouble to this time?!"

Seeing the old man's agitation, Lin Ziang couldn't help but chuckle. "Calm down, grandfather. I was just teasing you! Do I really seem like the kind to cause such trouble?"

Lin Zhen gave a soft "tsk" and slowly sat back down, his heart rate settling. "Stupid boy!" he muttered, still clutching his chest.

Chuckling, Lin Ziang became more serious. "Actually, grandfather, I came to see if you could lend me a few martial arts manuals. My cultivation is still at a critical juncture, and right now, all I have is a mid-grade human rank technique, the 'Tiger Subduing Fist'. That's hardly enough."

"True," Lin Zhen nodded thoughtfully, stroking his beard. "The martial arts in the family's collection pavilion are… well, let's just say they're rather lacking in quality."

"Exactly," Lin Ziang agreed. "I've never had access to the top floors, but even so, I doubt there's anything truly valuable there."

Lin Zhen chuckled. "Ah, so now you remember you have an old grandfather with a bit of knowledge, hmm?"

Lin Ziang laughed, knowing full well where this was going. "Precisely, grandfather. I was hoping you might have some… private collections of your own."

Lin Zhen's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Aha, so that's what you're after, eh? You want to see if your old man has kept some secret treasures hidden away?"

"Guilty as charged," Lin Ziang admitted with a sheepish grin.

Lin Zhen feigned a frown, then burst into laughter. "Of course, I have something! I am not an old fool, after all."

Lin Ziang's eyes lit up. "So, do you have something above the Mysterious rank?"

"Naturally," Lin Zhen replied, nodding with a smile.

"An Earth rank technique?" Lin Ziang asked, a hint of hope in his voice.

Lin Zhen nodded again, "I have that too."

"Heaven rank?" Lin Ziang pressed further.

Lin Zhen hesitated for a moment, then sighed deeply, "Ah… well, no, not quite that high. Stone City is far too small for such treasures to exist here. A Heaven-rank martial art would attract attention from all over, and we'd never be able to keep it hidden for long."

Lin Ziang nodded, understanding the logic. "True. Even the greatest sects would be hard-pressed to hold on to a Heaven-rank martial art. If one ever appeared here, it would be snatched away in an instant."

Lin Zhen leaned back, relaxing again. "Exactly. But I do have a few good ones. I have two Earth-rank martial arts — a palm technique and a movement technique. Both should suit you well."

"And what about the Mysterious rank techniques?" Lin Ziang asked.

Lin Zhen smiled. "I have three of those. Take them all if you wish. They're just gathering dust now."

As he spoke, Lin Zhen removed a small, ornate storage ring from his finger and handed it over to Lin Ziang. "Here, take this storage ring. I have another one. I was planning to give this to you when you came of age anyway."

Lin Ziang took the ring, feeling its weight in his hand. It was not heavy in the physical sense, but in its significance. His heart warmed with a rare feeling of gratitude. "Thank you, grandfather," he said solemnly.

Lin Zhen chuckled. "No need for thanks. Just don't lose it."

Lin Ziang grinned. "I'll do my best to keep it safe. After all, I am still somewhat dependable."

Lin Zhen laughed, shaking his head. "You think I believe that?"

"That's for you to decide," Lin Ziang replied with a laugh of his own. "But I promise, I won't let you down!"