Transmigrated into a Grandpa, Embracing the Laid-Back Life

Chapter 4: Learn to Take a Hit First

A crisp, clear "Master!" rang out, falling on the fallen leaves and resonating within Lin Yu's soul.

Lin Yu's ethereal form almost couldn't hold itself together, shuddering and nearly dissolving into a blur. Inner thoughts: Wow, this kid gets into character fast! Is the newbie village tutorial starting already?

He forcibly steadied his "Mysterious Dust Master" persona, maintaining a voice as calm as an ancient well: "Rise. Under my tutelage, tedious formalities are unnecessary. However, there are three ironclad rules you must never forget, my disciple."

Su Ming lifted his dirt-stained forehead, his eyes sparkling brightly: "Please speak, Master!"

"First, the existence of myself and this ring is the greatest secret of your life. Heaven knows, Earth knows, you know, I know. If one more person learns of it, it will mean death for both master and disciple." Lin Yu's tone carried unquestionable authority.

Su Ming's young face turned serious, and he nodded emphatically.

"Second, think thrice before you act, plan before you move. Do not fight for momentary pride, but seek lifelong peace. Remember, the one who lives the longest is the true winner." This was essentially Lin Yu's blood-and-tears summary of five hundred years of survival tactics.

"Your disciple remembers, Master," Su Ming replied solemnly.

"Third..." Lin Yu paused; he hadn't actually thought of a third rule yet.

His eyes (if a soul form had them) shifted, taking in Su Ming's patched coarse cloth shirt and his bare, scarred little feet. Inner thoughts: This "vessel for navigating the world" is way too shabby! Needs some patching up first!"Third, eat well and grow strong. The physical body is the vessel for navigating the world. If the vessel isn't sturdy, how can one cross the sea of suffering?"

Su Ming was stunned. He had expected some earth-shattering sect rule, not this.

His nose tingled, his eyes reddened again, and he let out a forceful "Mmm!"

Lin Yu mentally gave himself a thumbs up. Perfect! It both demonstrated the master's caring concern and resolved the awkwardness of not having a third rule ready.

Just as he was basking in his own cleverness, Su Ming suddenly exclaimed "Ah!", his little face instantly falling.

"Disciple, what is it?" Lin Yu asked, trying to keep his tone steady.

"Master... I... I need to hurry back home!" Su Ming hopped anxiously from foot to foot. "I snuck out of the village school today! Teacher Zhou must have already told my father!"

Lin Yu: Village school?

Alarm bells rang in his mind. What? There's schooling in the script? My future prodigy disciple is an academic underachiever? The keel of this "vessel" isn't even laid yet, and the captain's about to become illiterate?

"Young child, why would you abandon proper studies to run off into the mountains?" Lin Yu's voice took on a stern edge.

"The characters Teacher Zhou taught today were too difficult... I... I couldn't memorize them, and I was afraid he'd hit my palms," Su Ming's voice grew quieter as he spoke, his head drooping.

Lin Yu almost choked on his soul energy. Well then, after all my careful selection, I ended up with an illiterate host? No, an academic underachiever! How are we supposed to achieve the ultimate retirement plan of "you become the big shot while I lounge around"? Can't read secret manuals, can't recognize pill recipes, how are we supposed to reap benefits later?

"Nonsense!" Lin Yu's voice suddenly rose sharply. "The path of cultivation begins with the first step. Reading and writing are the keys that unlock the door to wisdom! If you can't even open the door, how can you talk about cultivation?" If you're illiterate, how am I supposed to read any secret manuals we might get later? My five-hundred-year-old soul doesn't recognize your local tadpole script!

"Hurry! Return at once!" Lin Yu urged.

"But... I'll definitely get beaten if I go back," Su Ming said with a terrified expression.

Yu's ethereal form seemed to let out a cold laugh. "How can a disciple of mine fear a

his voice becoming profound and

my school, called 'Concealing One's Edge'. A blade that shows its edge too readily is easily broken. Temporary forbearance is for the sake of longer-lasting peace. One beating can appease your father's anger, calm your teacher's wrath, and allow you to continue

by the explanation,

his teeth: "Alright! Master, I'll go back and take

it with his

evening glow dyed the village's dirt road

his head lowered, shuffling along like a little quail that had done something wrong. When he was still several dozen feet from his doorstep, he saw his second brother, Su Yang, leaning against the crooked tree by the courtyard gate, looking in his

face is practically black as a pot bottom," Su Yang came forward and

than Su

Ming called

over, his brow slightly furrowed: "Something's off. You're

like you found gold ingots.

skipped a beat, his

it swing like a rattle drum: "No! Nothing at all! I just... just got

long moment but ultimately didn't press further, just patted

into the courtyard, a

the Su family! So, how was the learning in the mountains compared to Teacher Zhou's? Did some

his eldest brother Su Feng's wife, Wang Chuntao. She stood under the eaves with her hands on her hips, her lips

face instantly

center of the courtyard, his father Su Shan was squatting on the ground, silently sharpening a firewood knife. The grinding stone scraped against the blade with a harsh "scrape... scrape..." sound, each stroke feeling like it was scraping

face was full of worry. She seemed about to say

his waistband, and casually picked up a bamboo strip as thick as a thumb that was leaning against

say a word, just crooked

over and closed his eyes

I told Xiao Ming

brother Su Feng suddenly spoke up. He walked out of the house, his gaze falling on Su Yang like a sharp blade. "He plays truant, and you help him lie? The family tightens its belt to pay for his education alone, and this is

and snatched the bamboo

I'm going to straighten out

glanced at his eldest son and silently stepped aside, giving his tacit

air and landed hard on Su

"Smack!"

sharp

pain, clenched

his master's

This is a worthwhile

to play truant?"

Su Ming remained silent.

strike landed

almost falling to his knees, but he stubbornly held his

in his heart. Tsk tsk, a domestic violence scene. This kid's got tough bones. Good, good, damage

hitting him!" Su Yang grew anxious and rushed forward to

arm back, and the

the nerve to speak!" Su Feng's anger intensified. "It's because you spoil him all the time that