Eternal Tale

Nighttime at the Wucheng Night Market.

Chen Xun was leisurely selling skewers, the aroma wafting for miles, making Xiao Wuhen secretly swallow his saliva repeatedly.

Father’s cooking skills were truly unparalleled, as if there was nothing in this world he couldn’t cook.

At this moment, a long line had already formed in front of the skewer stall, and the eyes of vendors from all around burned with jealousy. Damn it... Did you put some kind of addictive drug in those skewers? How could they smell so good?!

Some even thought about buying a few skewers to secretly learn the craft.

Unlike before, this skewer stall had no name, and Chen Xun’s expression was calm, without any showy display of his sixteen-pack abs to flaunt his strong physique.

While grilling skewers, he occasionally looked up at the bustling crowd, at the peaceful lights of ten thousand homes, and at the smiles on the locals’ faces.

Unconsciously, he found himself smiling too.

”Master, your disciple has finally done it.” Chen Xun gently looked up at the sky. Compared to the grand world, it was this mundane world that gave him a stronger sense of belonging. He sighed, ”I didn’t let you and Mistress down, did I?”

Whoosh~~~At this moment, countless Wishing Lanterns floated across the sky, preserving the customs of the past, making the entire Wucheng brilliantly lit and quite dreamy.

Chen Xun’s eyes became a bit dazed as he gazed at the dazzling night sky, as if he had returned to the past. Everything seemed unchanged, yet everything seemed to have changed too much, feeling incredibly unfamiliar.

His visit to the mortal world this time was not for enlightenment or to ponder the truths of heaven and earth. He was already in the immortal realm, with no need for unnecessary embellishments.

He just wanted to take Xiao Wuhen around his own territory for a stroll, mainly because he was feeling bored. He had never been in a hurry regarding the immortal path.

At this moment, Xiao Wuhen was busy collecting money while swallowing his saliva, quite busy. Uncle Frog had said that eating meat was bad for his health, so he could only feast his eyes.

Chen Xun, with his calm and easygoing demeanor, stood out from the surrounding vendors, attracting many curious onlookers, which naturally boosted business.

This left Chen Xun a bit amused and helpless. He was no longer in a rush to earn spirit stones, just going with the flow. If he wanted to collect debts, he probably couldn’t finish them all.

But Xiao Wuhen was so happy he was almost in tears, finally understanding what it meant to strike it rich... Father was truly amazing!

Three hours later, the crowd had thinned, and the night was deep.

Xiao Wuhen was there with a bucket, wiping down the grill and pots and pans, sweating profusely, finally realizing how hard it was to earn spirit stones. It was much tougher than sitting and selling wood carvings.

He hadn’t had a moment’s rest, constantly on the move.

Chen Xun smiled slightly, ”Son, take a break, balance work and rest.”

”Father, wipe your sweat!” Xiao Wuhen panted as he ran over, mostly due to excitement and thrill. He handed Chen Xun a not-so-clean cloth.

Without a word, Chen Xun took the cloth and wiped his face, not caring at all.

Xiao Wuhen chuckled foolishly on the side, ”Father, your face is all smudged!”

”You little rascal, daring to laugh at your father, asking for a beating!” Chen Xun’s large hand reached out and smacked Xiao Wuhen on the butt.

”Wow!! Father, I’m sorry!!!” Qian Wuhen screamed, running around in a panic, but he couldn’t escape his father’s grasp and was pinned down for a beating.

Chen Xun laughed heartily, getting more adept with each smack. When teaching his third sister before, he had to maintain some distance, not violating propriety, but with boys, there was no such concern, no need for restraint.

To be honest, he preferred teaching boys, it was much more straightforward.

After a stick of incense, Xiao Wuhen was wilted, pouting and muttering something under his breath.

However, Chen Xun didn’t bother wiping the charcoal marks off his face, seemingly indifferent, and began tidying up.

Half an hour later.

Chen Xun and Xiao Wuhen sat on the ground, resting, quietly gazing at the vast starry sky.

”Father...” Xiao Wuhen murmured, ”I love watching the stars, but now without the sound of the waterfall, it’s so quiet, I’m not used to it.”

”Mm.” Chen Xun responded, wrapping an arm around Xiao Wuhen’s shoulder, ”Do what you love, as long as it doesn’t harm others, it’s right.”

”Hehe.” Xiao Wuhen chuckled foolishly again, ”Father, can I ask a question? Promise you won’t hit me.”

”Alright, ask.”

”It’s just... um, just...” Xiao Wuhen’s eyes lowered, his eyeballs darting around, stammering.

”Hurry up and ask.” Chen Xun chuckled, ”A man shouldn’t be so hesitant, your father hates that, are you asking for a beating?”

”Alright, Father, I’ll say it!” Cold sweat broke out on Xiao Wuhen’s back, and he spoke quickly, ”Where did Mother go?”

After speaking, he almost buried his head in his knees. He had hidden this question since entering Kingdom Qian, wanting to ask his father for a long time, seeing other kids having mothers.

With these words, the surroundings quieted significantly, the atmosphere blending with the deep night.

Chen Xun’s expression seemed touched, softening a bit, ”She left, became part of the starry sky, always watching over you.”

”Father, won’t Mother come back?” Xiao Wuhen gently lifted his head, blinking.

”She will.” Chen Xun raised his arm, patting his little head, ”When our traces in this world disappear, we’ll see her. She’s waiting for us in that world.”

”Father, I don’t understand.” Xiao Wuhen pursed his lips, looking at Chen Xun, murmuring, ”Did Mother pass away?”

”...Mm.” Chen Xun nodded, not hiding anything.

Xiao Wuhen’s mood instantly dropped, but he comforted Chen Xun, ”Father, even though Mother isn’t here, you still have me. I’ll always be with you.”

”Hehe, good boy.” Hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Chen Xun’s eyes, and he chuckled, ”Father will always be with you too, we have so many relatives, what is there to fear?”

”Hehe~~” Xiao Wuhen didn’t dwell on his mother, perhaps because he was showered with love in his past environment, he wasn’t as anxious as one might imagine.

The next day.

The two wandered again, visiting many places, watching street performances, listening to operas, attending temple fairs, and eating many local specialties.

Xiao Wuhen sat on Chen Xun’s shoulders, exclaiming constantly, the world below the mountain was truly fascinating.

However, Chen Xun remained calm and composed, having seen these scenes before, there was no surprise, his mindset was very stable.

But seeing the locals living in peace and contentment gave him a sense of comfort and a bit of accomplishment.

He and Xiao Wuhen wandered through the bustling city, inevitably reminded of a not-so-bright-looking young man from the past.

That young man thought they were immortals, but he and Bull disagreed, believing immortals were those who saved the suffering and upheld the heavens, while they were just small cultivators.

Now he was an immortal, truly having achieved it, protecting a small yet peaceful mortal realm.