Lin Shen stood facing two middle-aged men at the entrance of Lin Family Fortress. One of them was around forty years old with a thick beard and dressed in yellow robes. The man next to him looked slightly younger and wore green robes.
A servant sprawled on the ground cried out, "Master, someone is causing trouble here!"
The man in green barked, "You worthless slaves, what kind of posture is this sprawled on the ground? Get up at once!"
The servants groaned, "We can't get up, Master. For some reason, it feels like our bodies are weighed down by thousands of pounds. We simply can't rise."
Another servant nearby added, "Forget getting up, we can't even budge an inch."
Recognizing these two middle-aged men as Lin Tiannan, the master of Lin Family Fortress, and his steward Lin Zhong, Lin Shen said, "This poor Taoist came here today on business, but seeing that your esteemed estate's servants are somewhat lacking in discipline, I decided to overstep my bounds and teach them a lesson."
With that, Lin Shen tapped the ground once more with his staff, allowing the servants to finally scramble up, though each of them was left aching all over.
One servant muttered, "What a load of nonsense, he's just a fortune-teller. Most likely here to swindle a reward..." Before he could spit out the word "money," Lin Shen made a slashing motion across his own mouth, and that same servant received another resounding slap across the face.
Lin Shen remarked, "When a guest is discussing serious matters with the host, what gives a servant the right to interrupt? I just told you to keep a guard on your mouth."
The two middle-aged men stared in shock for a moment before the man in yellow cupped his hands and said, "I am Lin Tiannan, master of Lin Family Fortress. (Gesturing toward the man in green) This is my steward, Lin Zhong. Please forgive my servants for their offenses, Daoist Priest."
Lin Shen waved a hand dismissively. "Think nothing of it, think nothing of it."
"May I ask what brings the Daoist Priest to our humble doors today? How may we assist you?"
"This poor Taoist goes by Anuosi, and I have come specifically on account of your esteemed daughter."
"Ruer? What is wrong with her?"
"There are too many ears about in a place like this. Let us continue this conversation elsewhere."
"How discourteous of me. Lin Zhong, serve tea. (He swept his hand outward and pointed inside) Daoist Priest, after you!"
Lin Shen walked inward alongside Lin Tiannan and Lin Zhong. Meanwhile, one of the disgruntled servants decided to make trouble; he sneaked off to the back garden where Lin Yueru was practicing her swordplay and shouted, "Miss! Miss, something has happened!"
Finishing her stance, Lin Yueru asked, "Awang, what is it? Disturbing my practice!"
The servant reported, "Miss, some stinky Daoist priest showed up outside the estate today. I tried to drive him away, but he wouldn't leave, and used sorcery to beat the living daylights out of us."
"Such audacity! Where is my father?"
"Don't even ask. Instead of fighting the evil Daoist, the master got completely charmed by a few words he said. You'd better go take a look, Miss."
Furious, Lin Yueru snapped, "Fine, old Daoist! I'm going to go change my clothes, and then I'll teach him a proper lesson."
"Hurry up then, who knows what else he might pull off next."
As Lin Yueru headed toward her chambers, the servant gloated to himself, Let's see if your stinky Daoist hide stays in one piece this time.
Upon entering the main gate, there was a wooden raised platform in the middle of the front courtyard, measuring several zhang on each side. It was covered with a red carpet, with wooden steps on all four sides.Racks stood beneath the platform, displaying sabers, spears, swords, halberds, axes, *yuè*, hooks, and forks.
Lin Zhong explained, "Daoist Priest, this is where we usually hold martial arts duels. The reception hall is just past the front courtyard. Please follow us."
Entering the reception hall, they found a pair of grand master chairs and a square eight-immortal table directly ahead, flanked by two more chairs and smaller tables on either side. Several shelves lined the walls, displaying various antiques.
Once Lin Tiannan and Lin Shen were seated, a maid brought in tea. As Lin Shen took his cup, he muttered offhand, "Thanks."
He initially intended to take a few sips, but remembering something he once heard in a cross talk routine—"In a situation like this, the tea served is meant strictly for looking, not for drinking"—he set the cup back down.
Lin Tiannan inquired, "Is something wrong, Daoist Priest? Is the tea not to your taste? This is top-grade West Lake Longjing."
"No, I'll let it cool for a moment. I'll drink it once it's cooler."
"Very well then. Daoist Priest, you mentioned earlier that you came regarding my daughter. Might I ask what guidance you have?"
"This poor Taoist has heard that the fortress master is at his wit's end over your daughter's marriage prospects. Am I correct?"
"Indeed. To be frank with you, Daoist Priest, I have only this one daughter. She is eighteen this year and long overdue for marriage, but every time I bring the subject up, we end up quarreling. Do you have any way to resolve this dilemma, Daoist Priest?"
Lin Shen began putting on a show, pinching his fingers together while chanting, "One, two, three; two, two, three; seven, eight, nine, ten, recite the true incantation..."
Lin Zhong whispered to Lin Tiannan, "Master, can this Daoist really be trusted? What if he's just a fraud looking for reward money?"
Lin Shen thought to himself: You could at least lower your voice when talking about me, I heard every word. But I have to put on a front; if I'm too direct, no one will believe me.
After a moment, Lin Shen stopped and announced, "Fortress Master, I have cast a divination. There is a way to resolve this."
Lin Tiannan's face instantly lit up with a smile. "Please enlighten me, Daoist Priest."
Holding up four fingers, Lin Shen declared, "Four words: Martial arts matchmaking tournament!"
Exchanging a glance, Lin Zhong and Lin Tiannan spoke in unison, "A martial arts matchmaking tournament?"
"Precisely. Given your esteemed daughter's competitive nature and obsession with strength, only someone stronger than her can keep her in check. In half a year's time, the outcome will be certain."
"That makes sense. But Daoist Priest, you might not know this—my daughter's martial prowess has been unmatched across Suzhou since she was thirteen. Nowadays, she scarcely meets an opponent in the entire Jiangnan region."
"Your daughter only scarcely meets an opponent in Jiangnan; that doesn't mean she is invincible across the world. With the Lin family's reputation, if you issue a broad hero post, I refuse to believe you won't find the right person. Moreover, my divination reveals two characteristics about this individual: first, he is one year older than your daughter; second, while he practices martial arts, he is a late starter who took up the path midway. Of course, you shouldn't write it quite like that when you issue the hero post."
Lin Shen thought: Honestly, I might as well just hand them Li Xiaoyao's ID card, but I shouldn't say too much.
"Then could the Daoist Priest also calculate whether the union between this person and my daughter will bring good fortune or misfortune?"
"Ah, as for that... I can only say..."
At that exact moment, a fierce shout rang out: "Which crooked-nosed old Taoist is spouting nonsense in our estate to hoodwink my father?!"
A young maiden stormed into the reception hall from the back courtyard.
As she rushed to Lin Tiannan's side, he said, "Ruer, why are you here? (Glancing at Lin Shen) Ah, Daoist Priest, this is my daughter, Lin Yueru. I didn't expect her to run over here on her own. (Looking at Lin Yueru) Ruer, greet the Daoist Priest."
Lin Yueru glared at him hostilely. "So you're the one hoodwinking my father. What business of yours is it to meddle in my affairs?"
Lin Shen thought: Some servant must have gone running to Yueru to badmouth me.
Giving a dry cough, Lin Shen said, "This poor Taoist calculated that the Lin Fortress Master was troubled to his wits' end by your affairs, and thus came to offer resolution. All things are simply bound by fate."
"You fake Daoist priest, what gives you the right to make decisions about my life with a single word? Get up and take a sword strike from your grandmother here!"
Lin Tiannan barked, "Ruer, show some manners!"
Turning to her father, Lin Yueru snapped, "Dad, I refuse to get married!"
"Stop throwing childish tantrums, this matter is not up for discussion. Lin Zhong, immediately begin preparing for the martial arts matchmaking tournament!"
Lin Zhong cupped his fists and replied, "Understood, Master!"
Lin Yueru protested, "I won't have any matchmaking tournament! If you want me to compete, fine. (Pointing at Lin Shen) Let me fight this old Daoist. If he wins, I'll agree to it; otherwise, I ask that Father have him thrown out."
Put on the spot, Lin Tiannan looked anxiously at Lin Shen. Lin Shen remained completely composed, sipping his tea. Lin Tiannan asked, "Daoist Priest, what do you think of this...?"
Turning back to Lin Shen, Lin Yueru sneered, "Well, fake Daoist, do you dare have a match with this young lady? If you don't have the guts, obediently kowtow three loud times and call me 'Grandmother' three times, and I might spare you."
Silently finishing his tea, Lin Shen set the empty cup back on the table and thought: This Lin Tiannan really is a complete pushover when it comes to his daughter. It seems I won't get out of here without a fight, and since Yueru is young and hot-headed right now, she certainly could use a lesson.
He stood up, saying, "Fortress Master, this tea is quite good. (Looking at Lin Yueru) A fight isn't out of the question—it'll be a good chance to stretch my limbs. However, Miss Lin, I hope you stick to your word. If you lose, you will honestly and obediently submit to the martial arts matchmaking tournament."
Pointing toward the duel platform in the front courtyard, Lin Yueru challenged, "As if I'd ever lose. Old Daoist, after you."
Lin Shen gestured toward the platform as well and said, "Miss Lin, after you!"
(End of Chapter 11)