Immortal of the Nine Realms

Chapter 689: Auspicious News

chapter 689: auspicious news

mortal life was relatively simple; as long as there was enough to eat and wear, and one could sleep well and stay warm, time would pass day by day without much fuss.

at some point, zhu kui had taken to moving a stool to sit at the entrance of the courtyard whenever he had free time. he wouldn't engage in conversation with anyone. instead, he would stare vacantly into the distance, lost in thought, leaving everyone puzzled about what was going through his mind.

zhao hu glanced at zhu kui, sitting at the courtyard entrance, and said with sadness, "master, the old man doesn't recognize me anymore."

zhao hu had grown taller than blacksmith zhao, and his strong frame was reminiscent of a bear. he had absorbed nearly seventy or eighty percent of the martial arts techniques fang chen had taught him. if they were to spar, fang chen wasn't confident he could easily defeat zhao hu.

"yeah, he's getting old," fang chen replied softly, nodding.

"master, does everyone get old?" zhao hu frowned slightly. "will my parents also end up like the old man, forgetting things and not even recognizing me?"

"yeah, everyone gets old. life is both short and long, but in the end, no one can escape aging, illness, and death," fang chen said with a smile. "what? do you want to seek immortality?"

"no... it's just that i'm a bit reluctant," zhao hu said, looking at fang chen's graying hair and recalling how his father had shown signs of weakness while forging iron this year.

a bitter feeling filled his heart.

recently, due to a mistake during forging, his father had injured his left hand. he could no longer continue his work in blacksmithing. fortunately, they had accumulated enough savings over the years, so even if his father stopped working, their family could still live comfortably.

"master...."

"what is it?"

zhao hu lowered his head as he spoke. "since life is both short and long, i want to venture out and see the world. staying here all this time leaves my martial arts without a place to be used."

"go ahead; just make sure your parents agree," fang chen said with a smile and a nod.

"master, i'll come back once i've made a name for myself," zhao hu said, nodding earnestly.

fang chen chuckled and replied, "even if you don't make a name for yourself, you still have to come back."

zhao hu remembered these words as he headed back home.

fang chen walked over to zhu kui's side, hearing him murmuring softly, "why can't i remember? i feel like i have a wife and children, but what are their names? why can't i remember...?"

a graceful figure approached. "is the old man getting lost in his own thoughts again?"

fang yunmeng looked at zhu kui briefly. she then looked at fang chen with a smile. "ji liang, i'm preparing to get married. you and those two siblings must come to celebrate in two days. we're not planning a grand affair, just inviting some folks from the village."

fang chen shook his head gently. "he can't be cured anymore."

bu qingchen softly said, "ah... i was planning to get married soon. i'll need to set up a household, which requires money, and i'll need to save some for qingyu's dowry as well. we might as well stop getting the old man his medicine. the silver you saved up is enough for you two to live comfortably. if it doesn't work out, i can help introduce you to a few disciples."

a faint smile appeared on fang chen's face. "you all have your own lives to live; i can understand."

bu qingchen let out a sigh of relief, and a smile suddenly appeared on his face as he raised his cup to toast with the other diners.

the atmosphere instantly lifted.

"the auspicious time has come; let's send them into the bridal chamber!"

"let the fun begin!"

everyone was filled with excitement.

fang chen held his cane in one hand while assisting zhu kui as they walked home in the night. behind them was the lively chatter and laughter.

the next day, bu qingchen brought four children to fang chen's door to learn martial arts.

the fee was four taels of silver a month, of which bu qingchen took two taels.

in the blink of an eye, three more years passed.

today, zhu kui sat at the entrance of the courtyard, his expression suddenly becoming agitated. he stood up and tremblingly reached out into the void. "mother, is that you...?"

"dear, you are here too. where's our son?"

"son, i am your father; do you still remember me? it's good that you've come; it's good that you've come..."

behind him, fang chen stood quietly.

after an unknown amount of time, zhu kui's voice grew fainter until it seemed to turn into a long, ancient sigh.

fang chen slowly walked up to zhu kui, reached out, and checked for his breath.

he was gone.

at that moment, blacksmith zhao, who was carrying a wine jug to find fang chen for a drink, happened to witness this scene. his eyes turned slightly red as he said to fang chen, "master ji, my wife and i will lend you a hand to arrange a funeral for him."

fang chen nodded gently. "thank you."