Having seen countless famous mountains and rivers, the lingering melancholy in my heart caused by my Old Master's aging has never completely dissipated.
Chen Lang led Mu Ningxue and Aurelia to a secluded courtyard nestled against the mountains and by the water to rest for a while. Looking at the picturesque scenery before them, they lost their interest in continuing their journey.
He stood on the bluestone steps in the courtyard, gazing at the distant, rolling mountains, feeling somewhat lost, unsure of where to go next.
The Tianshan Mountains were sealed off by heavy snow, and I dared not venture into the Kunlun Mountains. I had already explored all the other scenic spots, but this aimless leisure could not ultimately overcome the hidden longing in my heart.
Just as he was lost in thought, the special communicator at his waist suddenly emitted a faint white light. It was the Chen Clan's exclusive emergency communication signal, which would only be triggered when a major event occurred within the clan, allowing them to communicate across thousands of miles.
Chen Lang paused slightly, then slowly picked up the communicator, his fingertips moving with a hint of hesitation that he himself was unaware of.
In fact, from the moment he left the Chen Clan, he had been waiting for this news, his heart constantly on edge, always prepared to accept the ending he had long anticipated.
At the same time, he was desperately praying that the message would come later, much later, or even never come at all.
Humans have always been contradictory and complex.
Even though I had long seen through the natural cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death, even though I had personally witnessed the Old Master's frail and aged appearance, and even though I had made all the necessary mental preparations, when I was actually facing that moment, I still clung to a sliver of hope and was still unwilling to accept it.
The message on the communicator was brief, sent personally by Fourth Master Chen Shan. Each word was heavy, yet carried a hint of relief.
His Old Master, Chen Jin, has passed away.
In his message, Chen Shan said that the Old Master passed away peacefully, closing his eyes with a smile. He left peacefully, without any pain or worries.
In the first half of his life, the Old Master was trapped by the internal and external troubles of the Chen Clan, bearing the humiliation and burden of the family. He was full of resentment and regret. Even though he appeared to be living a glamorous life on the surface, he was actually living a repressed and difficult life inside.
But in the latter half of his life, watching Chen Lang rise step by step, sweeping through the Holy City, washing away the humiliation of the Chen family for decades, watching the family regain its glory, and watching the descendants grow into towering and powerful figures, all the resentment and regrets were completely released in the last days.
He may not have been able to personally witness every moment of Chen Lang's conquests, nor to personally experience the glory of the family's revival, but Chen Lang was his descendant, the child he watched grow up and protected all the way.
For the Old Master man, having such descendants, witnessing the Chen family's revival because of him, and seeing humanity find peace because of him, is the greatest blessing of his life, leaving him with no regrets.
Chen Lang held the communicator, his fingertips turning slightly white, and remained silent for a long time.
There was no roaring, no loss of composure, but the aura around him suddenly turned somber, and his originally relaxed and carefree mood was instantly shrouded in a heavy sadness.
The Old Master had been there for him when he was just starting out, who had paved the way for him, who had lived a proud and dignified life, and who remained his pillar of support even in his old age, had finally left this world.
Mu Ningxue and Aurelia noticed his unusual behavior and stepped forward, gently taking his hands on either side. They didn't say much, but simply stayed by his side, offering him this silent comfort.
They all understood that Chen Lang, at this moment, didn't need any extra words, only their company, to help him face this parting, and to accompany him on his final journey with the Old Master...
Chen Lang, carrying Mu Ningxue and Aurelia, sped back to the Chen Clan, remaining silent the entire way, his body shrouded in an unyielding calm and sorrow.
The Old Master's funeral was conducted in a dignified and peaceful manner, entirely thanks to Fourth Master Chen Shan and the clan elders. There was no extravagance or commotion, but the arrangements revealed deep respect for this departed elder.
After the funeral arrangements were finalized, everyone in the clan assumed that Chen Lang would naturally take over as clan leader.
After all, he is a once-in-a-century prodigy of the Chen family, a great contributor who washed away the family's humiliation, and the strongest person in the human world today. With him in charge of the Chen family, the family can undoubtedly reach new heights.
However, Chen Lang directly declined, never once having the slightest thought of taking over the position of clan leader.
He knew his own nature all too well, and he understood his destiny all too well.
He spent his life fighting on all sides and was used to being unrestrained. He was not suited to being confined to a clan courtyard, managing clan affairs, balancing internal relationships, and dealing with various forces.
After much deliberation, Chen Lang solemnly passed the position of clan leader to Chen Ming.
In terms of raw strength alone, Chen Ming may not be the strongest member of the Chen Clan besides Chen Lang. There are several elders in the clan who have been in seclusion for many years and whose cultivation far surpasses his.
When it comes to managing the clan, coordinating affairs, and dealing with people, Chen Ming is truly outstanding. He is steady, thorough, fair, and moderate in his work, which earns him the trust of the clan members. Moreover, he is only middle-aged and is most suitable to shoulder the heavy responsibility of being the head of the Chen clan.
Moreover, with Chen Lang, the pillar of stability, by their side, and Fourth Master Chen Shan, the clan leader, the two powerful backers were firmly in place. Even if someone in the clan had their own thoughts, they dared not voice any objections. Instead, they were completely convinced of Chen Ming's new clan leader's authority. As a result, the Chen Clan transitioned smoothly without any turmoil.
After settling the clan affairs, Chen Lang did not choose another place to live, but instead directly settled his residence in the courtyard where the Old Master Chen Jin originally lived.
According to the Chen clan rules, this courtyard was originally the exclusive residence of the clan chief, and the newly appointed clan chief Chen Ming, should move in here.
However, Chen Ming knew that Chen Lang's position in the clan was too special. He was a meritorious member of the family and the most beloved descendant of the Old Master. In addition, Fourth Master Chen Shan had already moved back to his old courtyard in the back mountain and was unwilling to get involved in clan affairs anymore. Therefore, Chen Ming insisted on letting Chen Lang live in this courtyard.
Chen Lang looked at the familiar courtyard, at the plants and trees that the Old Master had planted himself, and remained silent for a long time before finally accepting the offer.
For a long time after that, Chen Lang stayed indoors and rarely stepped out of the courtyard.
Mu Ningxue and Aurelia understood his thoughts and quietly stayed by his side, never disturbing him. They simply took care of the trivial matters in the courtyard and kept him company in this little world full of memories.
Chen Lang often sat on the stone bench in the courtyard for a whole day, gazing at the spot where the Old Master used to sit and at the familiar furnishings in the house, his heart filled with complicated thoughts.
He suddenly understood that the Old Master's insistence on his departure, his unwillingness for him to stay by his side in his final days, was not because he didn't care, but because he cared too much.
The Old Master had been proud all his life and didn't want him to see him in his miserable state of being bedridden and unable to take care of himself. He only wanted to leave his energetic, dignified, and composed self in his memory forever.
Perhaps on the day he left the Chen Clan with his two daughters and set off to travel across China, the Old Master already considered that meeting as the last time the grandfather and granddaughter would see each other.
There was no wretchedness from illness, no sorrow from life and death, only a clear mind, a gentle smile, and a gratified compliment. A clean and dignified end, leaving the best image forever for the descendants who cared most.
A gentle breeze blew through the courtyard, rustling the branches and leaves. Chen Lang slowly closed his eyes, the sadness in his heart gradually turning into relief...