Eternal Tale

The old blind man’s eyes were clear, his face exuding a trace of peace and tranquility, as the breath of life had completely faded away.

The painting under his brush was bathed in the afterglow of the sunset, reminiscent of the day they first met outside the alley, where an old blind man silently painted, occasionally sipping murky old wine that seeped into his heart.

The evening breeze outside the house blew gently, slightly stirring the painting, as if bringing good news.

Chen Xun’s warm smile deepened, his gaze gradually shifting outside the house. ”Sir... the mortal path is complete, not in vain for the rest of my life. I will keep this painting and let Chen Xun perfect the immortal path that follows.”

He carefully placed the old blind man onto a chair, his gaze calm and focused.

Chen Xun picked up a broom and began to clean the entire house, doing it himself without using any mana.

Every speck of dust here was a mark of the old blind man’s life, bearing the weight of his later years.

His movements were light and cautious, as if bidding a final farewell to the old blind man’s departure.

Chen Xun was neither impatient nor sorrowful, focusing solely on restoring the house to a state of peace and cleanliness, each action filled with reverence for life and respect for the passage of time.

Gradually, the house regained a fresh atmosphere, the dust gently swept away, and light streamed through the windows, casting bright shadows on the floor.The walls of the entire house exuded a faint woody fragrance, as if the memory of the old blind man still lingered in this space.

Chen Xun stood quietly in the center of the house, gazing at this small space steeped in the sediment of time.

He understood that dust would eventually gather again, and time would mercilessly pass by.

However, in his heart, he would always hold respect and gratitude for the old blind man, and that serene and peaceful mindset would accompany him forever.

Chen Xun solemnly clasped his hands, his eyes as calm as an ancient well, with no ripples in his heart.

Perhaps the power of time truly smooths a person’s heart, having witnessed life and death, no longer lamenting sorrow, leaving only awe and endless tranquility.

Unconsciously, he no longer evaded, nor felt powerless, nor lamented the passing of spring and autumn...

The old blind man was an abandoned orphan, and the people in the alley did not know his exact name. This ancestral home had been passed down for a long time, said to have existed since the establishment of Double Tree Alley.

The neighbors only knew his surname, Ying.

Nothing else was known, and Chen Xun and the others never delved into others’ affairs, always referring to him as the old gentleman.

Over the years, he had vaguely mentioned his final arrangements to Chen Xun, once wanting to be buried in a green mountain outside the town, evolving with heaven and earth and time, turning to dust without concern.

But in recent years, his mindset seemed to have changed, wanting to be buried under an old tree in the ancestral home, as he had no descendants and would not disturb others.

Being buried in this small world in his heart was a good resting place.

Night fell.

For the first time, the old blind man’s ancestral home was brightly lit, with many neighbors coming to pay their respects. Chen Xun and Black Bull also began to host the funeral, the sound of suona and bells echoing in the courtyard, as falling leaves bathed in the night wind gradually withered.

However, the neighbors only stayed for a few incense sticks before leaving. The old blind man’s acquaintances had long since passed away, and most of these people were younger generations, unfamiliar, just going through the motions.

Little Crane stood silently in the corner, her eyes filled with sorrow, watching her eldest and second brothers skillfully perform the rituals, seemingly without any sadness, similar to the emotions of her fourth brother.

She sighed softly, glancing away, feeling an inexplicable urge to escape, suddenly realizing she didn’t quite like this mortal world...

She no longer wanted to see these neighbors pass away one after another in just a few decades. The fundamental difference between immortals and mortals was not cultivation or vision, but the inescapable lifespan.

Little Crane suddenly felt weary of the mortal world, her expression gradually dimming, not wanting to interact with any mortals, and even feeling an urge to escape from fellow cultivators.

”Enter the grave~~”

As she was lost in thought, a deep voice came from the courtyard. Chen Xun and Black Bull lifted the coffin, and Little Chi also stood up to hold it, slowly and leisurely lowering it into the ground.

Neighbors came and went in the courtyard, chatting and laughing, with some even suggesting a gathering with some drinks to bid farewell to the long-lived elder.

At this moment, suspended cars stopped outside the alley, and a group of people emerged, exuding a refined and amiable aura, accompanied by martial artists with swords, clearly of extraordinary origin, either wealthy or noble!

This scene left the people of Double Tree Alley trembling with shock... weren’t these the people from the old Nie family?!

Twenty years ago, Nie Yu had mastered some medicine, starting as a handyman in a medical hall, working for ten years, then returning to the alley for five years without leaving, before finally packing his bags and disappearing.

In just five years of practicing medicine outside, he had achieved such a status?! It completely overturned their understanding. What kind of astonishing medical skills had Old Chen imparted to him...

”Little, Little Nie?”

”What little Nie, call him Doctor Nie!”

”My goodness... isn’t this Nie Yu, truly returning in glory.”

...

The surrounding people clicked their tongues in amazement, their eyes shining, seeing Nie Yu in a favorable light. If this story spread, who wouldn’t gain face?

Nie Yu, dressed in blue, was over thirty, with a calm demeanor. He smiled and said, ”It’s me. I came back this time to visit Old Chen. I’ve opened several medical halls in the town and have a few herb fields outside.”

”If any of you need medical treatment or medicine, feel free to come to ’Pingtai Medical Hall,’ no need to worry about the cost.”

”Wow!”

Someone’s eyes lit up, slapping their forehead, ”So that medical hall was opened by Doctor Nie, huh? That place has cured many difficult diseases, comparable to cultivators!”

”Indeed, the herbs are the cheapest in our city, I heard even the mayor has been there.”

...

The neighbors started chattering, praising Nie Yu to the skies, admiring him for remembering to come back and see his old neighbors after becoming successful, staying true to his roots!

Especially those suspended cars, some young people were almost drooling at the sight, realizing that practicing medicine could earn spirit stones, comparable to martial arts!

They all had some thoughts, considering that Old Chen was still in the alley. Although aged, he was still vigorous.

If Old Chen could teach them a few tricks, wouldn’t they be able to move to a big city and buy a suspended car in a few years?!

Some people on Nie Yu’s side frowned slightly, remaining silent.

”Husband...” a dignified woman called softly, ”Does Old Chen live here? Should we bring his family...”

”No need, Old Chen is a descendant of a family of physicians, indifferent to fame and fortune, naturally free-spirited, don’t do anything unnecessary.”

Nie Yu slightly furrowed his brow, shaking his head, ”I’ve only learned a fraction of his medical skills, still need to travel and see more, today I came just to say goodbye.”

”Understood.” The woman nodded softly, looking down at the two children at her feet, ”When you meet Old Chen later, remember to be polite, understood?”

”Got it, Mother!”

The two children nodded with a smile, curious about what Old Grandpa Chen looked like.

”Let’s go.” Nie Yu stepped into the alley, his eyes scanning the familiar yet unfamiliar surroundings, sighing softly, quickening his pace slightly.

The group followed, exuding an extraordinary aura, envied by onlookers, who continuously praised, saying that Double Tree Alley not only produced the chivalrous Hero Zhou but also a benevolent divine doctor!

They exaggerated as much as they could, and why not? It was to build good relationships, as everyone had illnesses big or small, and they would rely on him a lot in the future.

But when Nie Yu and his family arrived outside the old blind man’s ancestral home, they were all stunned...

Old Chen was hosting the funeral with Black Bull, one playing the suona, the other shaking a bell, looking just like street performers in the martial world...