Chapter 2, Sheltering Lin Bo

"As a family, let's not discuss this anymore," Lu Xiaoyi said as she dashed through the door and headed towards the backyard. Holding a knife of meat and two mountain chickens, Lin Bo stood anxiously in the courtyard, bowing to Mei Jinyun.

When Lu Xiaoyi brought this up, Meng Daqiang ceased his persuasion. Understanding the underlying cause, they were all children of their parents, and they were of similar age. Lu Xiaoyi lost his foster mother and wet nurse at the age of eight, and for the first two years in the town, he had committed all sorts of misdeeds to survive. Meng Daqiang and his wife, seeing the poor child, provided him with some food. When Meng Daqiang was on the brink of death, Lu Xiaoyi was able to take out all his savings to seek medicine for him. Later, Mei Jinyun recognized him as a godchild, which led to the formation of a family. Meng Daqiang and his wife, seeing the poor child, provided him with some food. When Meng Daqiang was on the brink of death, Lu Xiaoyi was able to take out all his savings to seek medicine for him. Later, Mei Jinyun recognized him as a godchild, which led to the formation of a family.

"Butcher Hu, do you want to launch a surprise attack on me? You are still a bit too inexperienced!" Lu Xiaoyi shouted triumphantly

Hello, Auntie, my name is Lin Bo, and from now on I will be following Young Master Lu

Butcher Hu grunted twice and said softly: "If you want a wild chicken, go find the poisonous widow; I only have mountain chickens here"

Selection refers to the methods employed by various cultivation sects to recruit mortals as disciples. The fee is one hundred vitality stones per person. One vitality stone is equivalent to one thousand spirit stones. Above vitality stones, there are vitality jades. The three serve as the common currency in the Spirit Gathering Continent, with vitality jade being an essential item for cultivators, and it is extremely rare in the market

Lin Bo glanced at Lu Xiaoyi, and seeing that he did not speak, nodded and said: "Alright, I will remember that"

Hungry, Lin Bo arrived at the west room and saw Meng Daqiang sitting in a recliner, holding a ruler in one hand and a puppet component in the other. He did not speak upon Lin's entrance, merely saying to Lu Xiaoyi, who was busy working, "I checked three of them, and all the dimensions matched."

"You think you can buy me off with a piece of meat? Bring me two more wild chickens!" Lu Xiaoyi has his nostrils pointed to the sky

The selection process is quite simple; it involves paying a registration fee and then placing a fingerprint on a stone.

"Young Master Lu, do you not have puppets to do the work for you? Why must you do it yourself?" When Lin Bo turned around, he saw a birthmark on Lu Xiaoyi's chest, dark and shiny like a bead

The moment she entered, Lu Xiaoyi immediately resumed her image of a well-behaved child, her face beaming with a smile like a spring breeze: "I am back, and today we have meat to eat."

After lunch, Lin Bo followed Qing Qing to the laundry. The task of washing the dyed fabrics was actually quite simple; it involved fetching some dyed materials from a nearby dye house to wash. This work was laborious; the journey was manageable with wooden oxen carrying the goods, but once they reached the river, standing in the water to rinse the fabrics was not so easy. Qing Qing had a sharp tongue, cursing Lin Bo as a "young master with the body of a beggar." Despite this, Lin Bo gritted his teeth and persevered for an entire afternoon. By the time he returned to the house, he was utterly exhausted, lying on the bed without the strength to move.

The greatest setback in Lu Xiaoyi's career was with the poison widow, and naturally, one cannot expose one's own shortcomings.

The thought of selection ignited a flame deep within Lin Bo's heart; I want to participate in the selection, to prove myself, and also for my father

Little Yi, you are already thirteen years old. In three years, you will no longer have the opportunity to participate in the selection, so you must hurry. Meng Daqiang advised, participating in the selection is the only chance to change your identity. However, the success rate of this opportunity is frighteningly low; it is quite good if one out of every hundred thousand can pass.

Lu Xiaoyi spoke in a brusque manner, not even turning back. Carefully, he picked up the wooden block from the ground, treating it as if it were a cherished item, stroking it for a moment before saying: "This is a good piece; with this, I can make the best puppet."

"Can it be better than the puppets of the Thousand Machine Sect?" Lin Bo spoke with a tone of mockery, and Lu Xiaoyi turned back with a cold smile: "In terms of skill, if I say second, no one dares to say first. The strength of the Thousand Machine Sect lies not in their craftsmanship, but in their unique methods of refining puppets to form a puppet army. I have never understood the principles behind this method, but it is only a matter of time."

Lu Xiaoyi did not pay attention to Lin Bo's thoughts; saving him was merely a matter of convenience. Next, it remains to be seen what kind of person this is

"Xiao Yi, in another month, the selection will begin again. Have you saved enough money?" Meng Daqiang forced a smile as he looked at this outsider who was feared like a tiger but was exceptionally good to his family.

Isn't it enough to just join the Thousand Machine Gate? Lin Bo's tone was much more agitated this time

Lu Xiao... Grandpa!" Breathing heavily, Lin Bo struggled to swallow a mouthful of saliva, stammering under a glare. Lu Xiaoyi, whose face looked worse than if he had eaten dog feces, turned around and glared, "If you say another word, I will cut out your tongue!"

Mei Jinyun had a loving expression on her face: "You are back, go wash up. Your godfather is not in good health and cannot travel far, so he was unable to pay his respects..."

Good child, put down your things and quickly go wash up. After eating, I will tidy up a place for you to stay.

Lin Bo did not waste any words and quickly got to work moving things. Lu Xiaoyi then revealed a barely noticeable smile.

Two pheasants were thrown, Lu Xiaoyi tilted his mouth, and Lin Bo immediately picked them up, a very competent follower

This sleep was particularly deep for Lin Bo, as he had experienced too many shocks in recent days. Once he relaxed, the fatigue overwhelmed him, and he slept very soundly. When he finally opened his eyes, the sun was nearing noon. He silently lamented to himself, having just found someone to take him in, how could he indulge in such a long sleep

Mei Jinyun did not mind his excessive sleeping; as a child of considerable age, having experienced so much, she, with her kind heart, was able to understand.

Qingqing came in, carrying a teapot, and said: "I will prepare lunch now, and in the afternoon, I need to go to the river to wash the silk. Lin Bo will come to help move things."

At the roadside meat stall, a burly butcher cast a sidelong glance at the two: "Take my meat, but don't touch my wife"

"Young Master Lu, what is the difference between a mountain chicken and a wild chicken?" Lin Bo could sense that Lu Xiaoyi was not truly a wicked person, so he mustered the courage to ask. Without turning his head, Lu Xiaoyi replied, "You are indeed very foolish! Can't you see he is looking for a way out? The venomous widow? Hmph, I would never deliver myself to her..." As he spoke, he turned his head and shot a fierce glare, nearly uttering the word 'torture'. Lu Xiaoyi did not turn his head: "You are indeed very foolish! Can't you see he is looking for a way out? The venomous widow? Hmph, I would never deliver myself to her..." As he spoke, he turned his head and shot a fierce glare, nearly uttering the word 'torture'.

There is nothing much, it is just fate. Moreover, if it were not for you and my godmother, I would also be a child without parents

Meng Daqiang in the west room glanced at Lin Bo, who had just finished his work, and quietly asked Lu Xiaoyi: "Xiaoyi, on what basis are you helping him?"

In a hurry, I rushed out; there was not a single person in the yard. I went out the back door, quickly washed my face, and saw a mother and daughter washing clothes by the stone steps. I hurried over to greet them: "Hello, Auntie, let me help you."

Lu Xiaoyi waved his hand in great impatience and said, "Hurry up, what are you dawdling for?"

Lin retracted his neck and cautiously followed back.

At night, Lu Xiaoyi, bare-chested, sweated profusely under the oil lamp. The saw squeaked and rattled as pieces of wood of varying sizes fell to the ground. Lin Bo held his knees, staring blankly out the window.

The Meng family's place is not large, and they can only squeeze into one room with Lu Xiaoyi.

Having grown up in the streets, Lu Xiaoyi has become accustomed to the fickleness of human nature and is not one to trust others easily

Lin Bo worked at the Meng family, diligent and earnest, enduring all hardships and fatigue with gritted teeth. Three days passed, and on this day, he got up early again to help with the laundry when he was called by Lu Xiaoyi: "Don't go to do the laundry today, come with me."

"Get up, Xiao Yi is busy in the west room. In three days, we need to deliver a batch of goods. Go see if you can lend a hand," Mei Jinyun said with a smile, sending him off. Qingqing pouted and huffed. Mei Jinyun reached out and lightly tapped her daughter: "Be careful with your temper!"

Lu Xiaoyi, wearing a large pair of shorts, stood under the water pipe, being splashed by the mountain spring water and shouting loudly.

Putting down his belongings, Lin Bo stepped out the back door. Upon exiting, he was taken aback; having lived in the plains, Lin Bo had never seen houses built against the mountains. He had never seen long bamboo pipes serving as channels, bringing spring water right to his doorstep.

Lu Xiaoyi looked at Lin Bodao and said: "Seeing that you are sleeping so soundly, I didn't wake you. Please help move these completed parts and place them on the shelf."

Enough, this time let Qingqing give it a try as well. It would be best if she gets selected, so she doesn't stay at home and keep ruining my belongings. Lu Xiaoyi came over with a grin, reaching out to massage Meng Daqiang's shoulders. From upstairs, Meng Qingqing's little face appeared, her big eyes glaring over, and she shouted in a crisp voice: "Smelly aunt, you are talking bad about me behind my back. I'll smash your doghouse later."

With a whoosh, the sound of the wind breaking, Lin Bo witnessed a piece of meat flying at high speed. Just as it was about to hit Lu Xiaoyi's face, a wooden dog leaped up and bit the meat.

Perhaps, this secret technique must be well concealed, and only inner disciples would have the opportunity to access it. You should rest now; I will go wash up. Lu Xiaoyi's tone was much calmer; usually, he lived alone, but now that he had company, his mood had improved significantly

Butcher Hu, one of the ten evils of the town of Jiang, monopolizes the meat market in the small town, selling meat at high prices

At the dining table, Meng Daqiang sat on the chair, his expression heavy. Back then, he was hanging by a thread; he was saved, but he also developed a chronic fatigue condition. He can still manage some weaving tasks, but the once skillful hands of Meng Daqiang are no longer the same

Every time this girl speaks, she emphasizes the tone of "aunt". As a result of their verbal sparring, Lu Xiaoyi is once again completely defeated, silently eating her meal. A month later, Lin Bo's heart suddenly starts to race violently! In his mind, only the two characters "selection" remain. The delicious food feels like chewing wax.

You know nothing, this is jade wood, the finest material for puppets. A piece of jade wood is worth thirty energy stones. If I do not handle it personally and let the puppet ruin it, I would rather die by crashing my head against it.