52: The Test of the God of Kindness

The bustling streets were filled with heavy traffic.

The cries of street vendors rang out incessantly, and the crowds were bustling, creating a lively atmosphere.

Looking at the scene before him, Lin Yue squinted as he surveyed his surroundings; this town was very prosperous, far better than the small village from before.

At least he didn't start as a Beggar this time.

Dressed in fine silk robes, with a face as fair as jade and handsome features—this was the character Lin Yue was playing.

"Young Master, this is bad! The Master is dying!"

Without stopping to catch her breath, a pretty teenage maid pulled Lin Yue along toward his home.

Lin Yue silently followed the maid into the house; it was a grand estate with deep courtyards and many pavilions—truly a wealthy household.

The two hurried to a bedroom. As soon as he entered, Lin Yue saw a frail, weak old man on the sickbed, constantly coughing up dark red blood.

By the bedside, another man in fine clothing stood watching over him. Seeing Lin Yue enter, he frowned and said, "Brother, you've finally arrived. I'm afraid Father isn't going to make it."

The old man caught his breath, and seeing both brothers had arrived, he said weakly, "I have been wealthy all my life and have always been charitable, known as the town's Great Benefactor."

"Now that I am riddled with disease and my days are numbered, you two must listen carefully."

"Troubled times are approaching, and the path of officialdom is treacherous. You two must never enter the imperial court. Simply be honest, wealthy men. In this life, wealth itself is not a blessing. Remember, both of you: let kindness be the foundation of everything you do. Heed my words, and you will surely find fortune in the future!"

Having said that, the old man took his last breath and passed away. Immediately, cries of mourning erupted.

Lin Yue looked at the old man on the bed, a slight smile playing on his lips. This God of Kindness was certainly a good actor.

A few days passed in a flash. After the brothers finished the funeral arrangements, the elder brother, Bai Yuan, said sorrowfully to Lin Yue, "Brother, Father is gone. According to his wishes, we shall split the family property equally. From now on, remember Father's words: be kind to others and accumulate merit through good deeds."

Lin Yue nodded. "Either way is fine." Following that, the two brothers left the estate where they had grown up and established their own households.

Several days had passed within the Secret Realm, but to Lin Yue, it felt like only a few minutes, much like watching a movie. The purpose was to let Lin Yue understand the background story.

The first thing Bai Yuan did after moving out was to hire several laborers and carpenters to build a spacious tiled house for himself and his family.

Although his body was somewhat weak, he led by example in everything he did, handling matters personally. Anything he could do himself, he would never order a servant to do.

At first, Lin Yue did much the same as his brother, Bai Yuan. He first secured a house for himself and hired some laborers to maintain his farmland. Then, having nothing else to do, he would stroll through the streets every day, observing everything in the town.

From time to time, he would help old ladies cross the street or assist peddlers with their carts.

However, he did everything following his heart, without being forced or deliberate.

Just like that, a few days quickly passed. The old father's deathbed prophecy indeed came true; war broke out everywhere, leaving the people in misery. Many refugees from various regions flooded into the town.

Grain prices skyrocketed, and many refugees could not afford food at all, starving to death on the streets.

Seeing the state of the town, Bai Yuan was overcome with grief. Thus, he made a decision to open a congee stall for charity; he could not bear to watch these refugees starve to death.

The next day, Bai Yuan hired several carpenters and spent a considerable amount of silver to build ten large thatched huts in the area where the refugees gathered. Then, he commissioned tailors to sew dozens of quilts.

He had his servants tell the suffering refugees that anyone who could not find a place to stay at night could come and seek shelter for free.

Such kindness was unheard of since ancient times. The refugees were moved to tears of gratitude, calling Bai Yuan a Living Bodhisattva.

Even Beggars begging dozens of miles away heard of this and traveled long distances to seek shelter. Soon, Bai Yuan's reputation as a Great Benefactor echoed throughout the town.

The Town Mayor heard about this and brought his subordinates to investigate. Upon seeing the situation, he praised Bai Yuan repeatedly and sent a plaque to his home.

On the other hand, Lin Yue did nothing except check on his own fields. He continued to wander the streets every day, occasionally helping an old lady cross the road.

Word of Lin Yue's actions naturally reached Bai Yuan's ears. The next day, Bai Yuan came to Lin Yue's house. Looking at his brother, Bai Yu, he frowned and asked, "Brother, your wealth is no less than mine. Now that refugees are everywhere, why aren't you doing any good deeds? Have you forgotten Father's instructions before he passed?"

Lin Yue cupped his fists. "Of course I remember. Don't I help old ladies across the street every day?"

Bai Yuan shook his head. "How can such things compare to providing relief to refugees? Sigh, it seems you've changed."

Lin Yue smiled and said nothing. Bai Yuan could only leave Lin Yue's home in disappointment.

Over the next few days, Bai Yuan continued to distribute congee. However, to his surprise, the war did not subside but instead intensified. More refugees, fleeing and begging, arrived in the town after losing their homes.

Seeing this, Bai Yuan felt deep compassion for the suffering. Ignoring his family's attempts to dissuade him, he forcibly expanded the scale of the congee stall.

But by now, grain had become scarce, and prices were extraordinarily high. Bai Yuan could only purchase it at high prices from grain merchants.

Although he was wealthy, how long could he keep this up?

Bai Yuan's frown deepened day by day.

Lin Yue also heard about his brother Bai Yuan's situation. He merely gave a faint smile, not in any rush. Instead, he would sit at his doorstep when he had nothing to do, observing everything happening in the town.

One day, a Beggar in rags collapsed from exhaustion at Lin Yue's doorstep. Seeing Lin Yue, he cried out with difficulty, "Rich Young Master, could you give me some food to eat?"

"You want to eat?"

Lin Yue asked with a smile.

"Of course I do. I'm nearly starving to death."

Lin Yue stood up, led the Beggar into the courtyard, and pointed at a bundle of firewood. "First, chop this wood. Once you're finished, I'll give you food."

The starving Beggar looked at the firewood in the courtyard and nearly cried. "I say, Rich Young Master, you're so rich, why must you humiliate me?"

Lin Yue walked to the chopping block, placed a piece of wood on it, and swung the axe down hard. "I'll chop with you. We'll eat after we're done."

The Beggar was stunned. If even a wealthy man in silk could do it, how could he feel embarrassed? So, he stood beside Lin Yue, raised his axe, and chopped down with all his might.

By the time the bundle of wood was chopped, the Beggar was panting and completely unable to walk.

As promised, Lin Yue brought out a meal prepared by the cook and handed it to the Beggar. "This is the food you've earned. Go ahead and eat."

Looking at the incredibly sumptuous meal, the Beggar's tears finally couldn't be held back and burst forth!