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.

let out a cold laugh. "How can a disciple of

voice becoming profound

broken. Temporary forbearance is for the sake of longer-lasting peace. One beating can appease your father's anger, calm

the explanation,

gritted his teeth: "Alright! Master, I'll go back and take the beating right

carefully tucked the ring into his chest, covering it with his ragged clothes, and

evening glow dyed the village's dirt road a

wrong. When he was still several dozen feet from his doorstep, he saw his second brother, Su Yang,

Father's face is practically black as a pot bottom," Su

a head taller than Su

Ming called out

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

you found gold ingots. Spill it, what good stuff did you

beat, his master's

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

long moment but ultimately didn't press further, just patted his shoulder: "Alright,

moment they stepped into the courtyard, a sharp

the learning in the mountains compared to Teacher Zhou's? Did some

was his eldest brother Su Feng's wife, Wang Chuntao. She stood under the eaves with her

face instantly flushed

father Su Shan was squatting on the ground, silently sharpening a firewood knife. The grinding stone scraped against the blade with a harsh "scrape...

Su Ming, her face was full of

slipped the firewood knife back into his waistband, and casually picked up a bamboo strip as thick as a thumb that was

didn't say a word, just crooked

and closed his eyes

stepped forward, blocking Su Ming. "It was me! I told Xiao

a sharp blade. "He plays truant, and you help him lie? The family tightens its

pushed Su Yang aside and snatched the bamboo strip from his

it! Today I'm going to straighten out both

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

air and landed hard on Su

"Smack!"

burning, sharp pain

from the pain, clenched his

remembered his

This is a worthwhile

to play truant?"

Su Ming remained silent.

landed

to his knees, but he stubbornly held his

heart. Tsk tsk, a domestic violence scene. This kid's

Stop hitting him!" Su Yang grew anxious and rushed

and the strip landed solidly

intensified. "It's because you spoil him all the time that he dares to cause such