Xu Yue was puzzled, the moonlight reflected in her eyes dimming slightly.
"Ah Xian..."
Xu Xian gave a forced smile, took Xu Yue's hand, and placed the small bottle containing two Lifespan Elixirs into her palm. He said softly, "Sister, there are two Lifespan Elixirs in here. In a few years, when Father and Mother truly grow old, give one to each of them."
Xu Yue became even more bewildered and instinctively tried to pull her hand back. "Ah Xian, why give them to me? Give them to Father and Mother yourself."
Xu Xian said bitterly, "I have to go!"
Xu Yue's eyes flickered. "So soon?"
"I'm very busy!" Xu Xian said.
Xu Yue hesitated, then gripped the small jade bottle tightly in her palm. Biting her lip, she slowly nodded.
She didn't ask further.
She was the one who had raised Xu Xian.
No one knew a brother better than his sister.
Xu Xian slowly looked at the man beside her and smiled. "Brother-in-law."
The man looked awkward and at a loss for words.
Xu Xian made a request. "Xiaoman is still young. I'll have to trouble you to take more care of this family."
The man suddenly stopped being nervous. He glanced at his wife, then looked back at Xu Xian and nodded heavily, promising, "Don't you worry. As long as I have a bite to eat, I won't let them go hungry."
Xu Xian cupped his hands and bowed to the two of them. "Xu Xian is unfilial and cannot fulfill his duties at his parents' side. I will have to trouble you, Sister, Brother-in-law, to handle everything."
After his bow, Xu Xian smiled slightly, turned, and paced out of the small courtyard.
Xu Yue followed him to the doorway, her voice low as she said, "Ah Xian, when you're out there alone, remember to take good care of yourself."
Xu Xian raised his hand high and waved, feigning a carefree attitude. "I know!"
With tears welling in her eyes, Xu Yue whimpered like a young cub as she watched Xu Xian walk away. The man beside her pulled her into his embrace and comforted her softly.
"There, there! Don't be sad. The old village chief was right; Ah Xian is an eagle of the high mountains. He is meant to soar like a majestic hawk."
Xu Yue choked out, "I know. I'm just afraid... afraid... afraid I'll never see him again!"
That day.
Xu Xian had returned unannounced, giving Houdao Village a massive surprise. He treated the whole village to meat and wine, leaving behind a courtyard full of supplies.
That night.
Xu Xian left without saying goodbye, just as he had six years ago, departing silently.
He came quietly.
He left quietly.
When morning arrived and sunlight once again bathed this secluded village.
Everything was as it had always been. The children still gathered to play, chasing each other and jumping about.
The elders basked in the sun, chatting at the village entrance.
The women washed clothes, cooked, swept floors, and fetched water.
The young men went out to work, farming and hunting.
Just as the old village chief had said, Houdao Village was the same with or without Xu Xian.
One more person wasn't too many; one fewer wasn't too few.
Upon learning her son had left, Mother Xu stood by the door and secretly wiped away her tears.
Father Xu said nothing, but took his wood-cutting blade and went out, not returning home until dark.
Chu Yi chased after Xiaoman with questions.
"Little Uncle, where did Big Uncle go?"
"My brother is an immortal; of course he went to slay demons and eliminate devils."
"Then when Chu Yi grows up, I want to slay demons and eliminate devils just like Big Uncle."
"Good, Little Uncle will go with you."
"Mhm!"
...
On the back mountain of the past, at the place where he first met Li Qingshan, Xu Xian sat alone for a day and a night...
At dusk.
The sun set in the west, blushing the clouds. In the midst of the sorrowful yellow light covering the world, Wen Qingxue arrived quietly and said leisurely, "Little Grand-Uncle, that's enough. It's time to set off back to the sect."
This was something everyone had to go through. Wen Qingxue knew very well that comfort was useless; one could only find peace within themselves.
In a way, this too was a form of cultivation.
It was said that in the past, when mortals ascended to immortality, they had to pass through three tribulations.
The physical lightning tribulation, the Great Dao immortal tribulation, and the Red Dust Tribulation. The so-called Red Dust Tribulation involved renouncing worldly ties, letting go of the past, releasing obsessions, and mastering one's emotions and desires...
Xu Xian pulled back his thoughts and raised an eyebrow.
"Alright!"
He stood up, patted the dust off his rear, swept away his gloom, and grinned. "Let's go. Back to the sect!"
The three people who had been hiding in the distance appeared before the youth one by one.
Xu Xian said apologetically, "Sorry for making you all wait so long."
Hao Ren said boisterously, "Why are you being so polite with us!"
Zhang Yang followed suit. "Exactly, exactly!"
Lin Qianqian said softly, "It's good that you've come to terms with it."
Xu Xian said calmly, "The bird of the mountain and the fish of the sea walk different paths. There's nothing to 'come to terms with' or 'not come to terms with.' Everyone has their own path to walk, and everyone has their own things to do."
"Not disturbing each other is the greatest beauty in life."
"Let's go. The road back is still very long!"
The youth controlled his sword and flew off with the wind. The four shared a look, their eyes filled with smiles that surpassed the cool evening breeze, as they followed after him.
"Brother Xian, wait for me!"
"Little Grand-Uncle, you're flying the wrong way! That's not the direction of the sect!"
"Ahem, I picked up a mission on my way out."
"You're being this diligent?"
"Can't help it, I'm poor!"
"..."
Two days later, Xu Xian and the group returned to the Wendao Sword Sect.
Zhang Yang had eaten the snake meat and drunk the soup, breaking through to the mid-stage of foundation establishment before returning to Zhujian Peak. Lin Qianqian had touched the threshold of the core formation stage and returned to Tianjian Peak.
The trip had been worthwhile.
Hao Ren went back to the Personnel Hall to report for duty.
Wen Qingxue, on the other hand, turned toward the mortal realm to find Nangong Ning, even asking Xu Xian if he wanted to come along.
Xu Xian refused!
Wen Qingxue teased, "Little Grand-Uncle, are you really not considering taking my Little Ning? You won't lose out, you know?"
Xu Xian said flatly, "If I'm taking anyone, I'll take all of you. Every single one."
Wen Qingxue replied impassively, "Shameless!"
Then she left...
Xu Xian went to the Mission Hall and made a small profit of 5,000 merit points.
Then he headed straight for the Peach Blossom Immortal Abode to find Ye Xianyu.
To his surprise, Li Qingshan was also there.
He greeted them warmly, "Oh, Martial Nephew Qingshan is here too?"
Li Qingshan crossed his arms and remained silent.
Ye Xianyu said calmly, "Back so soon? It wasn't easy to get home; why didn't you stay for a few more days?"
Xu Xian said ruefully, "I wanted to, but I'm busy. I have a pile of things to do."
The two of them gave him identical looks of disdain.
"What do you want from me?"
Xu Xian didn't beat around the bush. He took out two jars filled with snake soup and meat from his storage ring, placed them on the table, and got straight to the point. "Nothing much. I brought you some local specialties. One for each of you."
Li Qingshan was suspicious. "Are you really being this kind?"
He reached out to take one, swept it with his divine sense, and his face instantly changed. His throat bobbed as he stared wide-eyed. "Your village produces this?"
Xu Xian winked. "What else?"
Li Qingshan was speechless. If he hadn't been to Houdao Village himself, he might have actually believed it.
Ye Xianyu also took a curious glance, then lowered her gaze. "Snake meat... from that Xiushe?"
"You know your stuff!" Xu Xian smiled proudly. "Eat it while it's fresh. Don't let it expire. I'm leaving now."
With that, he left.
He left the master and disciple in the courtyard, staring at each other.
Ye Xianyu asked, "What does 'expire' mean?"
Li Qingshan answered, "Probably dialect from his hometown. It likely means to go moldy or rot."
Ye Xianyu gave an "Oh" and said with a beaming smile, "Not bad. This Little Martial Uncle of yours is quite generous."
Li Qingshan wrinkled his nose. This time, he didn't argue with Ye Xianyu; he was indeed quite generous.
He felt somewhat gratified in his heart. At least when Xu Xian had something good, he still thought of him.
He said with a meaningful tone, "I heard Elder Ruan gave him two million merit points. I'm afraid you won't be able to tear his umbrella anymore, will you?"
Ye Xianyu replied nonchalantly, "If I can't tear it, then I won't. It's enough that he's experienced the rain; I never intended to let him stay soaked in the water forever..."
Li Qingshan rolled his eyes and got up to leave.
"I'm going!"
"Where to?"
Li Qingshan tossed and caught the jar of snake meat and soup lazily. "It's the end of the month. I'm going back to pay the servants their wages!!"
"Childish!"
Ye Xianyu sat at the table, one hand propping up her chin while the other poked at the jar in front of her. She pursed her lips and smiled.
"Little Eleven... his temperament is truly excellent."
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