Ch 48: The Malevolent Monster Just Wants To Farm

He looked Zong Yu up and down with curiosity. “How strange, you actually thought about whether it’s convenient for me or not?”

In the past, Zong Yu never cared about that. If he was hungry, he simply expected Jiang Lin to cook for him. His world was that straightforward.

It was a bit demanding behavior, but Jiang Lin wasn’t much better. Initially, when he discovered that Zong Yu had a problem with his sense of taste and only found Jiang Lin’s cooking delicious, he took Zong Yu back to White Tiger Ridge purely with the intention of having some free labor.

But after spending nearly a thousand years together, Jiang Lin had come to see Zong Yu as a close family member. Cooking for him wasn’t about weighing benefits and losses; seeing him enjoy the food was satisfying enough. Of course, when it came to squeezing out labor, Jiang Lin was never one to hold back.

What Jiang Lin never expected was that Zong Yu would actually say something that sounded like he was concerned for someone.

He looked at Zong Yu suspiciously, thinking, Could it be that the kid has grown up and finally matured? But Zong Yu didn’t seem like the type to grow up and suddenly become considerate.

Something still felt off. Very off.

Jiang Lin kept his doubts to himself and calmly said, “That won’t do. We haven’t seen each other in so long; I definitely have to treat you well.”

Zong Yu frowned, looking troubled, but he didn’t know how to express what he was feeling to Jiang Lin. After struggling for a while, he finally asked, “Do you need any help?”

Jiang Lin: “…Zong Yu.”

Taking a deep breath, Jiang Lin said, “Come with me. I have something to ask you.”

He turned and walked away first, with the others wisely staying behind.

Jiang Jin, peeking around from behind, asked, “Sister Huaiyin, who exactly is this Brother Zong Yu?”

Huaiyin replied, “He…is an old friend of master.”

“Oh.” Jiang Jin smiled and then asked, “And when did Sister Huaiyin and Qingluo meet Brother? You’re so beautiful; I’ve never heard Brother mention you before.”

Huaiyin felt a chill in her heart. She knew that her existence, Qingluo’s existence, and now the sudden appearance of Zong Yu were all very unusual. This was certainly not something that an ordinary scholar in the mortal world would have as friends, let alone that they all seemed to defer to Jiang Lin.

Jiang Jin wasn’t stupid; she could naturally notice some things.

Huaiyin was also puzzled. If Jiang Lin wanted to keep everything perfectly hidden, it wouldn’t be that difficult. But it seemed like Jiang Lin had no intention of hiding anything from Jiang Jin, casually revealing clues about his true identity.

Huaiyin didn’t understand it, but she knew Jiang Lin always had his reasons for whatever he did.

All she could say was, “We met your brother after he died.”

In a way, that wasn’t untrue.

“I see,” Jiang Jin responded softly and fell silent.

Qin Ling, standing nearby, moved closer, looking at Huaiyin with a probing gaze. “Why would a powerful demon like you, Huaiyin, be willing to follow Jiang Lin around?”

Huaiyin shot him a cold glare, clearly not fond of him. She replied icily, “What business is it of yours? But you, Daoist, why do you keep following my master? What are you after?”

Qin Ling responded with surprising frankness, “I think I might like him a bit.”

Huaiyin: ?

She thought she must have misheard.

The beauty widened her almond eyes, unable to maintain her cold and aloof demeanor. “You…”

Qin Ling smiled and winked at her. “With Mr. Jiang being such a unique beauty, isn’t it normal for me to be smitten?”

Huaiyin… thought to herself that master was indeed quite unique. In terms of appearance, he was definitely a beauty. But to associate “liking” with master just felt strange.

She gave Qin Ling a look that was hard to describe, not sure whether to praise his discerning eye or commend his courage. Yet, deep down, there was a sliver of curiosity: What would master be like if he truly fell in love?

Meanwhile, Jiang Lin and Zong Yu had walked out of the courtyard to a small, scenic hill.

“Speak up,” Jiang Lin said directly. “What are you hiding from me?”

Zong Yu was startled. He carefully studied Jiang Lin’s expression before muttering, “Nothing.”

His attempt to cover up only amused Jiang Lin.

“I’ve been taking care of you since you were this tall…” Jiang Lin gestured to about waist height. “You think I can’t tell when you’re hiding something?”

Besides, Zong Yu was truly bad at lying.

But his response annoyed Zong Yu, who retorted, “I might have looked small back then, but I was actually much older than you. Don’t take advantage of my youthful appearance!”

Such arguments never led anywhere, so Jiang Lin quickly dropped it.

“So, what are you hiding?”

Zong Yu turned his head away. “Nothing!”

Jiang Lin thought for a moment and said, “I understand that everyone has their own secrets. I wouldn’t usually pry. But I just have this feeling…”

His clear eyes fixed on Zong Yu, leaving him no escape. “That the secret you’re hiding might have something to do with me.”

Zong Yu’s heart raced. He had always known Jiang Lin was smart and sharp, but he hadn’t expected to be caught so quickly.

Under those black-and-white eyes that seemed to see through everything, he almost blurted out the truth.

But his survival instinct ultimately won over the urge to confess.

“I won’t say!”

As long as I don’t admit it, Jiang Lin will always just have suspicions!

Zong Yu straightened his back and said calmly, “Fine, I am hiding something from you.”

“Hmm?” Jiang Lin raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue.

“But it’s something extremely important to me,” Zong Yu said stiffly, “and it concerns my life.”

I’m afraid that if I tell you, you’ll kill me, so it really does concern my life.

Hearing the words “life or death,” and before Zong Yu could scratch his head to come up with more, Jiang Lin surprisingly backed off. “Then forget it.”

His retreat was so abrupt that while Zong Yu felt relieved, he couldn’t help but be a bit dissatisfied.

What did he mean by that?

“Why did you stop asking?” Zong Yu questioned.

Jiang Lin answered honestly, “A secret concerning your life is best kept to yourself. We may be friends, but I’m not equipped to bear such a heavy responsibility.”

He phrased it nicely, but it essentially meant, “You guard your own life; don’t involve me.”

It was still the same indifferent Jiang Lin!

Zong Yu glared at him, tempted for a moment to spill everything and see if he could remain so calm and composed. But there was no need.

Taking a deep breath, Zong Yu decided it was best to wait until he was fully mature.

Once he officially matured, all the seals on his bloodline inheritance would be lifted. Then, he wouldn’t need to worry about a mere marriage contract.

Having resolved his thoughts, Zong Yu snorted. “Weren’t you going to cook something delicious for me? It’s getting late, why aren’t you cooking yet?”

Jiang Lin watched his huffy behavior, seeing that he had returned to the same arrogant and unreasonable Zong Yu from before.

It actually put him at ease.

He turned to walk back to the courtyard, feeling in a good mood. “Alright.”

“Why are you following me inside?”

“To help you!”

Jiang Lin: “…”

Something is still not quite right, he thought, puzzled.

Qin Ling watched as the two left and then returned together before heading into the kitchen. From their conversation, it seemed Jiang Lin was going to cook for Zong Yu.

He had known Jiang Lin for quite some time but had never seen him step into a kitchen. In fact, anyone who met Jiang Lin would find it hard to associate someone as ethereal as him with the bustling, earthy atmosphere of a kitchen.

“Jiang Lin… cooks?” he asked in surprise.

Huaiyin responded casually, “What’s so strange about that? Master has been very busy lately, but in the past, when he had free time, he enjoyed cooking up some new and interesting dishes himself.”

Not to mention, it’s not just cooking—master also rolls up his sleeves and works in the fields!

Qin Ling suddenly glanced at Jiang Jin with a knowing smile. “A-Jin, who would have thought your scholar brother has such leisurely pursuits?”

A-Jin had been quietly listening to their conversation, but upon hearing Qin Ling’s words, she looked up, her gaze icy as she stared at him.

Being stared at by a fierce ghost was no pleasant experience. Qin Ling felt a chill run down his spine and instinctively reached for the sword on his back. But the next moment, A-Jin broke into a radiant smile. “Of course, my brother is the best—he can do anything!”

Her response clearly caught Qin Ling off guard. He seemed slightly unsatisfied and suspicious as he glanced at A-Jin but ultimately said nothing more.

Jiang Lin was now a ghost, but he was not like ordinary ghosts. The ingredients had just been purchased using magic from a nearby town, and while he could cook up a meal for everyone, he himself couldn’t eat any of it.

Neither could A-Jin.

Jiang Lin thought for a moment and then pulled out a few spiritual fruits, brimming with energy, from his jadeite space. He handed two to A-Jin, saying, “A-Jin, you can eat these.”

He took one for himself and began to nibble on it absently.

Qin Ling stared directly at Jiang Lin. “You’re really willing to just casually hand out something so valuable.”

A-Jin, hearing this, put down the fruit she had bitten into, suddenly looking uneasy. “Brother, is this very precious?”

Even though she was a fierce ghost, there were many things she didn’t understand. The fruit tasted sweet to her, and eating it made her feel comfortable, warming her usually cold body.

Jiang Lin smiled at her. “As long as A-Jin likes it, it’s not precious. Your brother has plenty more.”

He shot a warning look at Qin Ling.

Catching Jiang Lin’s cold gaze, Qin Ling merely smiled, unfazed.

By the time dinner was over, it was already dark. Jiang Lin asked Qingluo to accompany A-Jin while he took Huaiyin into the capital.

Naturally, Zong Yu intended to follow, and Qin Ling also volunteered to tag along behind the three of them. When Jiang Lin seemed ready to dismiss him, Qin Ling quickly said, “I’m just curious and deeply despise those who commit such wicked deeds. I have no other intentions, and I won’t cause any trouble. I can even help!”

Zong Yu’s lips curled into a sneer as he mocked, “And what could you possibly help with?”

He didn’t like Qin Ling, not only because he sensed something unsettling behind Qin Ling’s smiling façade but also because of the way Qin Ling interacted with Jiang Lin.

Qin Ling wasn’t fond of Zong Yu either, and he retorted, “If you can go, why can’t I?”

Zong Yu scoffed, “The relationship I have with Jiang Lin—do you think you can compare?”

Huaiyin glanced at the two of them, feeling a bit sentimental: Little Zong has certainly mellowed after spending so much time with master.

If it were her back in the Lanruo Temple days, dealing with a weak human like this who dared to provoke her, she would have just crushed him with one slap. Why bother wasting words?