[Chapter 396: Trip to South Columbia, the Power of Good Deeds]
On July 22nd, Linton bid a reluctant farewell to Madonna and the other ladies, then joined forces with his assistant Meena and two bodyguards. Together with Aunt Kelly and her assistant, the six of them boarded his private jet from Los Angeles International Airport straight to Bogotá.
According to the itinerary, Linton planned to stay in South Columbia for 10 days. His first stop was, of course, his grandmother's hometown in the Cauca region, to pay respects to his ancestors. He also wanted to see firsthand the results of his philanthropic efforts -- visiting newly built schools, hospitals, and roads -- and witness the improvements brought to the local community.
Two weeks earlier, upon confirming Linton's departure date, Aunt Kelly had coordinated with the municipal government of Popayán and the local officials.
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Over the past three years, Linton's charity foundation invested a total of $21 million in Cauca. They had built 20 schools, upgraded clinics, and improved over 160 kilometers of township and village roads, profoundly transforming the lives of countless residents along the way.
Learning that such a generous philanthropist planned to visit personally, local officials placed great importance on his arrival, assigning staff for a warm welcome at the airport.
The moment Linton and Aunt Kelly stepped out of the terminal, they were greeted with cheers and flowers. People waved handmade banners, and the mayor personally welcomed them.
Following the prearranged schedule, the group first visited the municipal office for a brief exchange. The officials expressed their gratitude for Linton's investments and his efforts to lift up the community. They warmly welcomed him to South Columbia and encouraged him to continue expanding the foundation's outreach.
Linton responded, "My grandmother was born here. Supporting her hometown and helping local families build a better life is my responsibility. My foundation will keep working to improve education and infrastructure."
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That evening, they stayed at Hotel Monasterio, a converted colonial monastery in downtown Popayán.
After dinner, local hosts accompanied Linton and Aunt Kelly for a stroll through the city's whitewashed streets, lit softly by lanterns.
However, Aunt Kelly reminded him that while the accommodations in Popayán were comfortable, conditions would be simpler once they traveled into the rural townships. He should prepare himself for that.
The next morning, they toured Popayán's historic center, famous for its colonial churches, plazas, and heritage architecture. The rich history, the ornate facades, and the atmosphere of tradition left everyone impressed.
In the afternoon, the group drove south toward Puelenje Township, where Linton's grandmother's family once lived. There, Cauca's regional leaders received them warmly. After thanking Linton for his heartfelt contributions, they expressed hope that the charity's reach could expand throughout the department.
After three years of investment, Puelenje had transformed. Nearly every nearby village had a new school, paved roads linked once-isolated communities, and clinics provided healthcare that had never been accessible before. The township's economy was growing much faster than neighboring areas, and living standards had improved dramatically.
Other communities in Cauca envied this success, but it was clear why it happened: they had a dedicated benefactor with deep roots in the land. What made it even more remarkable was that Linton wasn't seeking recognition or profit -- he had never even been here until now, sending only assistants to oversee projects. That authenticity made people trust him more deeply.
Now that the core schools and roads were completed, the natural question arose: would the charity continue? Could the foundation's funds extend to other regions?
The regional leaders certainly hoped so. They encouraged Linton to keep investing, ideally across the whole of Cauca, focusing on infrastructure and education to further boost development.
Linton promised to continue investing $10 million that year toward improving education and transportation in underdeveloped areas -- primarily building schools and roads. The regional government would provide a shortlist of locations, and Aunt Kelly, acting as the foundation's ambassador, would inspect and finalize the choices.
Once Linton's charity plans were confirmed, the officials were delighted, and the day ended with warm toasts and handshakes.
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On the third morning, accompanied by local officials, Linton and Aunt Kelly took a chartered bus into the countryside, arriving in Puelenje Township -- the home of Linton's great-uncle, Álvaro Suárez.
Thanks to new highways, the journey was smooth, and the township looked nothing like the struggling place Aunt Kelly remembered from her first visit years ago. Rows of new brick and stucco houses lined the roads, small shops were thriving, and children walked to school in clean uniforms.
Upon hearing of Linton's return, Puelenje had hung a banner across the main street: "Welcome home, Linton! Thank you for your support for our people."
Though the wording was simple, the sincerity behind it moved him deeply.
Great-uncle Álvaro Suárez's home had also transformed. Of his three sons, one worked in education, another in local government, and the eldest was a community leader. Their old adobe house had been replaced with a spacious two-story residence, and neighbors crowded in to personally thank Linton.
What surprised Linton most, however, was the subtle change in his internal energy since arriving. At first, he paid it little mind, but as he drew closer to the township, his cultivation stirred. Though still at the early Celestial Presence stage, his perception sharpened, and his awareness radius expanded from 25 kilometers to 30.
The word merit flashed in his mind. He had gained a trace of the Power of Good Deeds -- said to strengthen cultivation and reduce the danger of tribulations.
It was clear this gift came from his philanthropy and the heartfelt gratitude of those he helped. Yet he wondered: why hadn't this happened before, when he had invested millions in the United States? Was it because gratitude from afar didn't resonate strongly enough? Or because charity at home often failed to reach those most in need?
It seemed both proximity and genuine impact mattered.
Regardless, the gain was invaluable. Charity was no longer just duty -- it was now a path to advancing his cultivation.
After warmly greeting his great-uncle and great-aunt, Linton followed the men of the family to pay respects at the ancestral graves, reflecting quietly on the bond between his family, his philanthropy, and his newfound power.
*****
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