Chapter 18: The Departed, The Living

In the backyard, Chen Xun and the big black bull widened their eyes, staring at the century-old wild ginseng. All those nights drained of vitality—what did they amount to now? "Old Bull, we've struck gold," Chen Xun said, his gaze fixed. This wild ginseng had been cultivated with their utmost effort using the green liquid. "Starting price? Gold, without a doubt." 

"Moo!!" The big black bull was thrilled; it had never seen gold before. 

"With this age, it's bound to be the object of fierce competition among the wealthy in the city—a treasure that could save lives," Chen Xun swallowed hard. The medicinal books had all recorded its value; it could be called a divine object of the mortal world. "Old Bull, should we sell it?"

"Moo? Moo." The big black bull hesitated, then shook its head. They didn't lack money; their daily expenses were already covered. This was their treasure.

"Alright, then let's keep it for emergencies," Chen Xun nodded, agreeing that selling it would be a pity, unworthy of the countless nights of effort. "Old Bull, let's cultivate some other medicinal herbs. A few decades will suffice; anything too conspicuous will eventually lead to trouble."

"Moo!" The big black bull nodded heavily. Chen Xun had told it many stories about the dangers of possessing treasures, and it understood. 

They had spent years in the Ningyun Mountains, gathering only medicinal herbs, never encountering the legendary spiritual medicines. After all, how could one's life be blessed with such luck? 

But after the battle of cultivators in the heavens today, the citizens and nobles of Pan Ning City had grown restless, their hearts yearning for immortality. Large groups of people flocked to the Ningyun Mountains. Among them were swindlers who tricked others into losing everything, and bandits who killed and robbed. The coffin-selling business, however, was booming. 

Even the martial sects couldn't remain idle. "Disciples unwanted by the immortal sects? I'll take them! Matters ignored by the immortal sects? I'll handle them!" Thus, tales of martial chivalry began to emerge, and the wild men of the Ningyun Mountains gradually faded from memory. 

Time, it seemed, could ease all things. 

… 

Years passed like a fleeting dream, and five more years slipped by. During this time, Chen Xun had invested all his longevity points into the vitality of all things, and he and the big black bull had finally ground their cultivation in the Qi Refining stage to the third level. 

The neighbors who once called him brother were now either old or gone. Chen Xun and the big black bull had taken on many funerals, helping the families with all the arrangements. 

On an autumn night, the sky was high and the dew heavy. The cold moonlight bathed the earth, dim yet illuminating the funeral halls scattered across the land. This year, it seemed, more people had passed away. 

As the autumn nights grew longer, the gentle breeze carried a deeper sorrow. Chen Xun stood outside a funeral hall, playing the suona. Leaves fell silently, and his heart grew heavy. He sighed quietly. 

Those familiar smiling faces were disappearing one by one. Perhaps, as time went on, even those faces would blur in his memory. 

Inside the funeral hall, soft sobs echoed. Chen Xun walked slowly through the hall, helping wherever he could. What more could he do now? Only attend the feast. 

"Brother Chen Xun, thank you." 

"My condolences," Chen Xun said softly, forcing a faint smile. "We've already performed the rites; no little ghosts will dare block the road to the underworld." 

The family nodded solemnly, gripping Chen Xun's hand tightly, their eyes brimming with grateful tears. 

"Moo moo~" The big black bull called softly outside the funeral hall, the bells on its body jingling, offering blessings to the departed. 

The departed are gone; the living carry on. 

This street seemed no longer suitable for staying. Chen Xun and the big black bull had become too peculiar, attracting more and more visitors. The iron forge was no longer the focus. 

The next day, at dawn, all was silent. The wind carried a biting chill, and the old trees lining the street were tinged with yellow. 

The sound of the door closing was soft. Chen Xun and the big black bull left. He took one last look at the street, and his gaze was unconsciously folded by time into layers of memories. 

They were like travelers through time, fleeting as passersby. No one knew where they had gone. 

The iron forge never reopened. The neighbors speculated that Chen Xun might have died far from home. Years later, they only remembered that there had once been a blacksmith who was exceptionally skilled. 

… 

A month later, at night, in the western district of Pan Ning City. 

This was the most prosperous area of the city. To live in the western district meant one was either wealthy or noble. A plot of land here was worth a fortune, enough to make commoners kneel and dogs shake their heads. 

A group of people walked along the bustling street. The men were dignified and imposing, the women graceful and extraordinary. Their eyes were filled with wonder, yet their demeanor carried an air of detachment. 

"The mortal world is truly fascinating," a young woman said with a laugh, her voice as clear as a spring. "Staying in the sect all the time, I can only play with the spirit beasts in the mountains." 

"Junior Sister Ye, you're mistaken. Allow me to say a few words," a stern-looking man shook his head slightly. "That's because you haven't seen the cities of cultivators. Pan Ning City is but a drop in the ocean. The vastness of the world is beyond your imagination." 

"Ah… Senior Brother Yu, really… truly?" Junior Sister Ye's face lit up with excitement, her cheeks flushing. "Have you been there, Senior Brother Yu?" 

Senior Brother Yu's expression grew solemn, his already stern face becoming even more rigid. He replied seriously, "I haven't." 

The group's faces twitched: "…" 

"Huh, what's that?" Junior Sister Ye suddenly spotted something intriguing and ran over. The group had no choice but to follow, only to be taken aback by what they saw. 

It was a small "house" with four iron wheels underneath. On the little house hung a signboard that read "Xun's Flavors." 

It looked like a shop, yet also resembled a street vendor. It occupied a large space, surrounded by a crowd of people, bustling with activity and brimming with popularity. 

The owner was sweating profusely, wielding a large wok. Flames roared out, and he occasionally added unexpected seasonings that delighted the diners. 

Inside the small house, a window opened, and a black bull's head emerged… holding a black hoof to collect copper coins, even giving change. 

Outside, there were numerous skewers on display, their aroma wafting for miles. The group couldn't help but feel their stomachs growl as they caught the scent. 

Such a lively stall naturally drew envy from competitors. But the owner, wrapped in three mountain-splitting axes, and the casual reveal of his sixteen-pack abs when bending over, quickly turned everyone into brothers. 

"Boss, I want this!" Junior Sister Ye said joyfully, wanting to try everything. "And that, and that!" 

"Little girl, first come, first served, right? Go pay first," the boss said bluntly. The waiting customers felt a surge of satisfaction; eating here was truly enjoyable. 

"Senior Brother Yu, hurry up and pay!" Junior Sister Ye called out, hopping with excitement, her delicate nose constantly sniffing the aroma, utterly enchanted. 

Senior Brother Yu felt awkward, squeezing through the crowd to reach the window. He pulled out a piece of silver and slowly met the gaze of a big black bull. 

One glance, an eternity. 

Senior Brother Yu froze, his mouth slightly agape. Why was it a bull? 

The big black bull froze, exhaling a breath through its nostrils. Why so much? It couldn't calculate the change.