Funeral

Several days later.

A formal apprenticeship banquet was held.

Chen Sheng sat in the seat of honor, looking at the youth presenting him with tea.

Gradually, he recalled what it had been like when he had taken a master himself.

"Twenty-three years ago, in this very place, under these very circumstances, it was just like today."

Qin Yuan raised the Tea Cup above his head, his voice steady.

"Master, please have some tea."

As Chen Sheng accepted the Tea Cup, his fingertips brushed against the youth's faintly trembling wrist.

He secretly laughed. He was still just a child, after all.

The warm tea slid down his throat.

Chen Sheng set down the Tea Cup and pointed to his wife beside him.

"This is your Master's Wife."

Then he pointed toward the elderly man seated to the left of the seat of honor.

"This is your Master's Grandfather."

Qin Yuan respectfully kowtowed, the sound of his forehead striking the Blue brick ringing out clearly.

"Greetings, Master's Wife. Greetings, Master's Grandfather."

Huang Wangyou hurriedly helped him up, warmth filling her eyes.

"Get up. From now on, we're family."

Huang Yueyang stroked his Goatee, sizing up the youth's handsome features. He exchanged a glance with Chen Sheng and nodded lightly.

Just then.

A brisk set of footsteps sounded beneath the corridor, accompanied by a bright laugh.

"Father, Mother, I finally made it back!"

Everyone looked up.

They saw a spirited girl striding over with a longsword on her back, several fallen leaves still caught in her hair.

She was none other than Chen Sheng's daughter, Tang Xichen.

Four years had passed.

She had smoothly entered the Qi Condensation Mid-stage and had now reached the Qi Condensation Fifth Level, catching up to her mother.

The High-grade Magic Sword and matching sword art Chen Sheng had specially purchased had allowed her Sword Skill to advance by leaps and bounds.

Huang Wangyou pretended to scold her.

"Where have you been fooling around this time?"

Tang Xichen grinned.

"I went to the Martial Arts Arena to practice swordsmanship."

"Enough of that. Let me see my Junior Disciple Brother."

With that.

Tang Xichen swept her gaze over the hall, and her eyes were immediately drawn to Qin Yuan. She crossed the room in a few steps and studied him from head to toe with great interest.

"You're my Junior Disciple Brother?"

Qin Yuan grew somewhat awkward under her scrutiny and lowered his eyes slightly.

Tang Xichen did not mind in the least. A radiant smile appeared on her face as she reached out and patted his shoulder, neither too lightly nor too hard.

"You look rather steady, but you're a little too short."

"Eat more meat from now on, and practice swordsmanship with me more often. You'll grow taller and strengthen your body."

"By the way, Junior Disciple Brother, what's your name?"

Tang Xichen was far too enthusiastic. The usually composed youth actually blushed, his words stumbling.

"Qin... Yuan."

Tang Xichen burst out laughing and spoke bluntly.

"We're family. Don't be shy."

Huang Wangyou shot her a glare and shielded the youth.

"No manners at all. You're not allowed to bully your Junior Disciple Brother."

"Your Junior Disciple Brother is over five years younger than you. When you were his age, you were much shorter."

Tang Xichen gave a sly smile. "I don't remember that."

She looked at Qin Yuan, tilted her head as she repeated his name, then suddenly laughed aloud.

"Qin Yuan, what a fine name!"

"My name is Tang Xichen. From now on, I'm your Senior Sister."

She removed the longsword from her back and set it on the table, the Sword Sheath striking the wooden tabletop with a crisp sound.

"If anyone bullies you from now on, just give them my name!"

When Qin Yuan looked up, he happened to meet her flower-like smile and quickly lowered his head.

"Thank you, Senior Sister."

Time slowly passed.

Chen Sheng began teaching Qin Yuan medicinal theory and how to process Medicinal Ingredients.

Then.

He was surprised to discover.

This Disciple possessed considerable talent for comprehension.

Qin Yuan could quickly understand and absorb the knowledge Chen Sheng taught him. He grasped it the moment it was explained.

Moreover, Qin Yuan was exceptionally diligent, carrying much of the drive Chen Sheng himself had possessed in his youth.

The more Chen Sheng taught, the more energized he became, and the more attention he devoted to this Disciple.

As the saying went, reviewing the old brought new understanding.

Through teaching, Chen Sheng gradually organized everything he had learned himself.

In the blink of an eye, two months passed.

Medicine Room.

After Chen Sheng tested his Disciple on yesterday's lessons, a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

"Not bad! Not bad!"

"It seems you've truly taken it all in."

With that, he began that day's lesson.

Before long, the lesson was over.

Qin Yuan respectfully saluted him.

"Master, this Disciple will go prepare medicine."

Chen Sheng waved a hand. "Go on."

Very soon.

He watched his Disciple busily moving back and forth between the medicine shelves.

Chen Sheng shook his head helplessly.

He had his own little scheme, and he had discussed it with his wife and Father-in-law.

He had hoped to follow the example of himself and Huang Wangyou, and bring Qin Yuan and his daughter together.

At present, however, there had been little progress.

One was focused on studying the art of pill refinement.

The other spent every day practicing swordsmanship and cultivating qi, devoted solely to the Dao.

Not even the slightest spark had arisen between them.

Chen Sheng stopped dwelling on it.

"So be it. Children and grandchildren have their own blessings."

Another month passed.

Qin Mansion.

Qin Yuan knelt on the floor, staring at his Grandfather on the bed, his face streaked with tears.

Ever since Qin Yuan had taken a master.

It was as though Qin Dajiang had severed his final attachment. His body declined at a rate visible to the naked eye.

At this moment.

Qin Dajiang lay in bed, his withered complexion gradually turning rosy. It was the last flicker before death.

He tightly grasped Chen Sheng's hand and spoke his final words.

"Xiaoyun, my years of savings are in the Storage Bag beside me."

"I'm entrusting Yuan'er to you."

Chen Sheng quickly agreed. "Uncle, rest assured. I will treat Yuan'er as my own son."

Upon hearing this.

Qin Dajiang showed a relieved expression. He called Qin Yuan to his side, looked at him lovingly, and urged him to be obedient and study hard.

Qin Yuan's eyes were red and swollen as he nodded earnestly.

"I'll be obedient and study pill refinement properly."

"Grandfather... I don't want you to leave."

At those words, the youth could no longer hold back his sobs.

Qin Dajiang held his hand.

"Silly child, everyone faces this day. Grandfather is going to see your Grandmother and your father."

"Take good care of yourself. Don't be so competitive, and pass on the family line soon."

With that.

It seemed he had no regrets left. He slowly closed his eyes and fell silent forever.

At that moment.

Qin Yuan could no longer endure it. He began to weep bitterly.

Chen Sheng looked at him and sighed inwardly.

After a while.

Once Qin Yuan had vented his grief.

Chen Sheng gently patted his shoulder.

Then placed the Storage Bag from the table into his arms.

Another two days passed.

Under Chen Sheng's arrangements, Qin Dajiang's funeral proceeded in an orderly manner.

Qin Dajiang's friends came one after another to pay their respects.

Chen Sheng received the guests, keeping Qin Yuan at his side so they could meet and carry on the bonds of the previous generation.

Evening.

The visitors gradually dwindled.

In the Mourning Hall.

Qin Yuan knelt blankly before the coffin.

Huang Wangyou, who had come with Chen Sheng, was immediately overcome with maternal concern, but Chen Sheng held her back.

"Let him accompany Uncle on his final journey."

Huang Wangyou nodded upon hearing this.

Pill Workshop.

In the courtyard.

Tang Xichen was playing with her younger brother.

She had already visited the Mourning Hall during the day.

When she saw her parents return, she immediately asked in surprise.

"Where's Junior Disciple Brother? Didn't he come back with you?"

Chen Sheng shook his head.

"That child had depended on his Grandfather since he was little. He can't accept it all at once and is still kneeling in the Mourning Hall."

Upon hearing this, Tang Xichen recalled the vacant look in her Junior Disciple Brother's eyes during the day, and pity rose in her heart.

"Then I'll go see Junior Disciple Brother."

Huang Wangyou stopped her.

"No rush. That child hasn't had any food or water all day."

"I had the kitchen make meat porridge earlier. Bring him a bowl as well."

Tang Xichen nodded at that.

Qin Mansion, Mourning Hall.

The cold wind blew through the dilapidated door panels, producing a sound like a mournful wail.

Qin Yuan looked at his Grandfather's face, and the strength he had feigned during the day immediately crumbled.

He buried his head against the ground, tears streaming endlessly as low sobs escaped his lips.

Just then.

"Junior Disciple Brother?"

A clear voice rang out, carrying the girl's characteristic brightness.

Qin Yuan sluggishly turned toward the sound.

He saw a spirited girl striding over with a clay pot held in both hands.

The meat porridge in the clay pot bubbled away, steaming hot.

Tang Xichen took out a bowl and spoon from her Storage Bag, ladled out a bowlful, and held it before the youth.

"I heard you haven't eaten anything all day."

"Have some, or you really won't grow any taller."

Qin Yuan looked up and saw Senior Sister's bright phoenix eyes staring straight at him, filled with concern.

Warmth rose in his heart.

He instinctively accepted the bowl and spoon, only then realizing how badly his hands had stiffened and gone numb.

Seeing this, the girl could not help but giggle.

"See? This is what happens when you don't eat. Circulate your spiritual power and recover a little."

"I'll feed you."

She scooped up a spoonful of porridge, blew on it, and brought it to his lips.

"Open your mouth."

Qin Yuan's face flushed slightly. He obediently opened his mouth and ate the porridge. Looking up at the girl's radiant smile, a special feeling quietly took root in his heart.