Eternal Tale

In the courtyard.

A wisp of misty rain lingered as Chen Xun’s figure suddenly appeared. A voice immediately came from inside the house: ”Moo~”

”Big brother is back!”

”Brother Xun!”

Three faces with bright smiles sat by a specially made stove, welcoming Chen Xun’s return.

With a gentle smile, Chen Xun walked slowly inside, saying, ”I went to discuss the Dao with that old gentleman today. I gained some insights and benefited greatly.”

Black Bull ran up, sniffing Chen Xun with a puzzled look in its eyes. It couldn’t quite appreciate the old blind man’s paintings, preferring more straightforward art.

”Wow, it seems big brother really encountered a stroke of luck,” Nangong Heling said, her eyes curved with a smile, holding Little Chi in her arms. ”Master Dao was right; big brother is truly a person of long-lasting fortune.”

”Sister Crane, you’re right about that, Little Brother agrees!” Little Chi growled softly, his eyes full of certainty.

Chen Xun waved his hand, casually found a spot to sit down, and said calmly, ”Where’s all this talk of fortune coming from? That old gentleman has been here for so long, and no one has found any fortune.””Moo!”

”But big brother, others can’t understand it, and neither can I...”

”If it were in the past, I wouldn’t have understood either. Bull and I would just glance and walk past. Who would care? Who knows how many opportunities we missed before.”

”Hehe.”

”Third sister, don’t think about fortune falling on your head. Your big brother’s success is like when the water reaches, the channel forms. Meeting that old gentleman was just a coincidence. He’s just a mortal, and our art paths happen to align, that’s all.”

Chen Xun remained calm, taking out a cup of health tea to drink. ”Bull, don’t you think I’m right?”

Black Bull nodded vigorously, mooing in agreement, its tail wagging along.

”I’m off to paint. Ah, inspiration is flowing,” Chen Xun said with a smile, getting up and swaying as he walked outside. The rain-soaked world carried a unique scent and freshness, as if it had cleansed the heavens and earth.

Black Bull’s eyes widened slightly and quickly followed, eager to see what Chen Xun would paint.

Inside the house, Little Crane smiled, ”Fourth brother, it’s great to be with big brother~”

”Sister Crane, it sure is!”

”Second brother said he’ll take us to build the Celestial Path Track in the future. He’s already discussed it with big brother.”

”Woof~~ Roar~!”

Little Chi’s eyes lit up, flopping on the ground with a low growl, ”No problem, Little Brother is strong!”

”Anyway, we won’t be separated.”

”Roar roar!”

Little Chi and Little Crane continued chatting, though Little Chi was talkative and dense. In just a few years, too many things had happened in the mortal world.

Chen Xun and Black Bull moved two rocking chairs into the courtyard, laughing under the heavy rain, clinking their cups together, exuding a sense of freedom from head to toe.

Time gradually slipped away with the pattering sound of rain.

...

The years in the mortal world were like the lively and bustling moments when fireworks exploded. People cheered and chased after that fleeting beauty in an instant.

However, the passage of time mercilessly took the fireworks away, leaving only the lingering smoke of memories. In the blink of an eye, ten years had passed in a hurry.

Qiongyang Town, Double Tree Alley.

Zhou Guanghan had married five years ago to an ordinary family just a few streets away, not far from the alley. But in the past six months, she had returned less frequently.

Her husband treated her well, a rather ambitious young man, whom Chen Xun had once examined.

However, on the day of the wedding, he wanted to host the ceremony, but the groom’s family didn’t allow it... so he just took his family to attend the banquet and gave some gifts.

Zhou’s father and mother were also gradually aging. Zhou Guangdai had married into a good family in the big city, but it seemed... their lives hadn’t changed much.

Yet, they had no extravagant hopes for repayment. Raising their three children to adulthood and understanding etiquette was enough. They could still make a living by setting up a stall.

Zhou Guangyi hadn’t returned home for two years, nor had any letters arrived, as if he had vanished into thin air. No one knew if he was dead or alive or where he had gone.

Zhou’s mother had more white hair overnight, although she had mentally prepared herself long ago. The world wasn’t easy to navigate, and she didn’t know what had happened to Guangyi over the years.

Chen family, courtyard.

Nangong Heling’s face was without makeup. Although twenty years had passed, her face only showed some signs of age, still retaining the appearance of a young woman, envied by many.

However, in this grand world, there were martial arts masters, martial saints, and even immortals. The locals here were much more accepting than ordinary people.

Chen Xun, on the other hand, was different. He had fully embraced his age, appearing to be in his forties, even carrying a sense of authority and age.

From a somewhat inexperienced youth, he had wandered the alley daily, reaching the age of forty, finally becoming a respected elder in the alley.

For any major events in the alley, he was qualified to participate. If he endured a bit longer, he could step onto the grand stage of Qiongyang Town and participate in the election of the town mayor.

Wherever he went, the young men in town would respectfully call him Old Xun!

Nangong Heling was making flower cakes today, the sweet aroma filling the entire courtyard. Black Bull and Little Chi followed her closely, eagerly waiting for the first bite!

She turned her head and called out, ”Big brother~ Big brother!”

”What is it?!” came a response from under a Crane Spirit Tree. A middle-aged man in coarse clothes was painting, but his brush was not a paintbrush; it was stones, dirt, and yellow leaves on the ground...

”Guangyi hasn’t returned for two years, big brother, aren’t you worried?”

”Ah, it’s not a big deal. A young man going out to explore the world, only gone for two years, what’s there to worry about? Back when your second brother and I left the small village, it took us a thousand years to return.”

”Moo moo~~ Moo moo!!”

Black Bull let out a long cry, a flash of excitement in its eyes.

”Oh... big brother, is Guangyi in danger?”

”In fifty years, he will be invincible in the martial world, able to establish a sect and become a giant in the martial world. His eight meridians are open, his true apertures are clear, and his staff... hmm, I added a little something.”

Chen Xun said calmly, as if he were talking about something trivial, ”But what kind of existence he wants to become depends on himself. This grand world is vast; my divine sense can’t cover it all in one breath. There’s even an ocean.”

Nangong Heling gasped in surprise, realizing that big brother truly understood martial arts. She had thought he only learned medicine in the mortal world.

However, a Mahayana Realm powerhouse... in the entire grand world of immortals, such a person would be a formidable presence. Guiding a mortal disciple in martial arts was incredibly simple.

Little Chi rolled his eyes and growled, ”Brother Xun, isn’t that Guangyi kid supposed to uphold justice in the world...”

”Moo? Moo!”

”Exactly, why else do you think I taught that kid martial arts? Besides, he has a good temperament. The Zhou family’s upbringing was very strict.”

Chen Xun smiled faintly, his hands still busy, ”I hope he doesn’t go astray. If he’s tired of upholding justice, he can return to the alley to retire, just don’t become a villain.”

”Hehe, big brother, you’re so kind.”

”Hahaha...”

Chen Xun laughed heartily, embellishing his drawing board. Black Bull peeked half its body out of the house, looking at the drawing board under the tree’s shade.

Recently, it had taken a liking to Chen Xun’s paintings, not for the scenes depicted but for the vibrant colors, which felt strange and comforting.

It was like the feeling of floating in a small pond, very pleasant.

Nangong Heling also enjoyed staying by Chen Xun’s side, watching him paint. She always felt that big brother had gained a unique aura of friendliness, and his paintings were quite mysterious.

Although she still couldn’t understand them, she no longer found them unappealing. Brother’s painting skills had improved significantly over the years.

While they were each busy with their tasks, a few urgent footsteps and shouts suddenly came from outside:

”Brother Chen Xun!”

”Big Brother Chen Xun!”

”Uncle Chen!”

...

Several shouts came from outside the door. They didn’t come in but looked into the small courtyard, anxious like ants on a hot pan.

”Hmm? What’s going on?”

”Uncle Chen, Aunt Wang, Aunt Wang’s old illness has relapsed, and she’s vomiting blood uncontrollably. The doctors in the alley say she doesn’t have long to live, but Aunt Wang said to come find you quickly!”

”I see.”

Chen Xun slowly got up, his brows full of calmness, no longer feeling the urgency and helplessness he had long ago. He walked out of the small courtyard gate, glanced at everyone, and said calmly:

”Let’s go, everyone. Even if Aunt Wang is on the brink of death, I, Chen Xun, will bring her back.”