Chapter 80: The Sun and Moon Sect Prevails

“Goodbye, Daddy… Niannian will be good.”
“Little Linlin, you must come back soon. Master will be waiting for you…”
“Niannian, remember not to eat too many sweets or you’ll get cavities. Master, you should also check on the more intelligent demons around Twin Pearl Peak—I suspect some are absorbing spiritual energy.”
“Don’t worry, Little Linlin, take good care of yourself.”
“Niannian will miss Daddy. Daddy, you must miss Niannian too.”
“Mm, Daddy will definitely miss both Niannian and Master.”

At the summit of Twin Pearl Peak, Jiang Yuni held little Niannian in her arms. The “mother and daughter” waved as Jiang Lin, riding a horse conjured from spiritual energy, grew smaller in the distance. Jiang Lin, standing atop the horse, waved back in farewell.

Only when the two on Twin Pearl Peak had vanished from sight did Jiang Lin reluctantly turn his gaze away. He couldn’t explain why this parting felt like leaving wife and child behind in the countryside while he went off to the big city to earn a living, but the truth was, he already found it hard to leave Master and Niannian.

Still, it was better than before, when Master was left all alone in an empty nest. At least now, little Niannian kept her company—Master would no longer be lonely.

As for Master teaching Niannian, Jiang Lin had asked her not to instruct the child in the Sun and Moon dual cultivation method just yet; some basic sword techniques would suffice. It wasn’t that Jiang Lin feared Niannian’s progress would be too swift or wished Master to hold anything back. Rather, he suspected that there was something not quite right with the Sun and Moon dual cultivation. Though, back in the Maze Secret Realm, it had suddenly begun to run smoothly for him, as if years of accumulated junk on a computer had finally been swept away.

But Niannian was a dragon. The dragon clan surely had its own inherited cultivation methods. If the Sun and Moon dual cultivation conflicted with those ancient dragon techniques, it might become a hindrance in Niannian’s path.

Even if he was a little afraid of being incinerated by Niannian, he couldn’t let his fears get in the way of her journey on the Great Way.

Moreover, the Sun and Moon dual cultivation was fundamentally sword-based, with its mental discipline playing a supporting role—it was a practice for sword cultivators, but not everyone could become a sword cultivator.

The essence of sword cultivation lay in the birth and nurturing of an innate flying sword. The human race, due to their unique constitution, found it somewhat easier to nurture such a sword, though it was still rare. For demonkind, it was even rarer; not even the ancient true dragon clan was an exception.

Jiang Lin had once asked his grandmaster about how the dragons cultivated. Legend held that most dragons forwent swords and pursued their own laws of heaven and earth. While there were tales of true dragon sword cultivators in antiquity, it was said that, in the heat of battle, they’d often abandon their swords for fire-breathing or simply swipe at foes with their claws…

So, letting Niannian practice swordplay was mainly to comfort her, but above all…

“Yoo-hoo~~~”
Jiang Lin reined in his spiritual steed, which rolled its eyes at him before dissolving into the air. Jiang Lin drifted gently down in front of a school.

The school was called “Sun and Moon Academy,” founded by a fallen scholar. It was said this failed Confucian intellectual once set out to become an official but, during the spring imperial exams, forgot to bring his admission slip…

As if that weren’t enough, the night before, he’d gotten drunk and awoke to find a young woman in his bed. Though she weighed three hundred pounds and looked like a tank, she was the prime minister’s daughter…

Rumor had it the scholar simply couldn’t handle the “tank” and fled in the night. Others whispered he ran because he couldn’t bear her daily “steamrolling.” Yet some claimed the “tank” story was a fabrication—that she was just a courtesan, and the prime minister’s daughter, who fancied the scholar, had arranged the whole affair to frame him.

No one really knew the truth. Jiang Lin had asked the man himself, but he only smiled, shook his head, and muttered something about the many ways to write “fennel beans”…

After joining Sun and Moon Sect, the scholar’s academy flourished. Every family that wished their children to study sent them here—after all, it was the only school within the sect.

Seeing Jiang Lin descend into the courtyard, the scholar paused his lecture and smiled.
“In a quarter of an hour, we’ll begin a quiz. Keep reciting. Anyone scoring below sixty today—I’ll have a word with your parents!”

The classroom erupted in groans as the scholar stepped outside and saluted Jiang Lin.
“Young Master Jiang.”

“Master Kong.” Jiang Lin returned the Confucian salute.

Master Kong smiled. “You may simply call me by my name, Young Master Jiang.”

Jiang Lin’s brow twitched.

No way would he call this man by his name. His surname was Kong, and his given name was… Baba.

“Haha, Master Kong, you really do have a sense of humor. In that case, I suppose no one will appreciate the latest fan art I’ve drawn…”

As he spoke, Jiang Lin produced a small sketchbook.

No sooner had he done so than Kong Baba snatched it up and, with an air of righteousness, tucked it into his sleeve.

“Haha, Young Master Jiang, you jest. Please don’t take offense. But is there something you need today?”

“Oh, yes. You know I have a daughter.”
Master Kong nodded. “I’ve heard. The girl named Niannian, yes? Young Master Jiang, your reputation as a new-age lady’s man is well-deserved—even a dragonkin…”

He coughed and quickly changed tack as Jiang Lin narrowed his eyes.

“Well, here’s the matter.” Since Jiang Lin was pressed for time and needed to reach Eastwood City, he cut to the point. “I’ve already discussed this with Master. In a few days, I’ll bring Niannian here to study. The Confucian classics are important for her to learn. I hope you’ll take good care of her.”

Hearing this, Master Kong grew solemn and bowed deeply. “Since you entrust her to me, Young Master Jiang, I may not be worthy, but I shall do everything in my power to teach and guide her.”

“Thank you, Master Kong.” Jiang Lin returned the bow and, with a deft sleight of hand, slipped the scholar another sketchbook glowing with holy light.

“Oh, Young Master Jiang, I mustn’t…”

Master Kong feigned protest, but his hand obediently tucked the book away.

Jiang Lin grinned, draping an arm over the scholar’s shoulders. “If any rascal dares approach my Niannian with ill intent, Master Kong, what do you propose we do about it…?”

“Rest assured, Young Master Jiang. I’ll make sure that boy’s homework doubles—no, triples!”

“Haha! I knew I could count on you, Master Kong. I leave her in your hands.”

“Safe travels, Young Master Jiang.”

After exchanging bows, the two parted. Only when Jiang Lin had ridden far off did Master Kong withdraw his gaze. He patted the sketchbook in his sleeve—a work of peculiar but captivating art—and strolled back to his classroom.

Kindred spirits are rare in this world.
But among the halls of Sun and Moon Sect, they are plentiful.