The Dead Have Passed; the Living Must Go On

In the backyard, Chen Xun and the Big Black Ox opened their eyes wide as they stared at the century-old wild ginseng. Compared to the countless nights when their Essence of All Things had been drained dry, what did it amount to now?

"Old Ox, we're going to get rich."

Chen Xun stared until his eyes went straight. This wild ginseng had been cultivated with all his and the Big Black Ox's strength using the green liquid. "It'll start at gold, absolutely."

"Moo!!" The Big Black Ox was thrilled. It had never even seen gold before.

"At this age, it'll definitely be something countless wealthy households in the city fight over. It can keep someone alive."

Chen Xun swallowed hard. Most herbal medicine books had records of it; it could be called a divine treasure of the mortal world. "Old Ox, should we sell it?"

"Moo? Moo."

The Big Black Ox hesitated, then shook its head. They did not lack money; they already had enough for their daily expenses. This was their treasure.

"Alright, then we'll keep it in case of emergencies." Chen Xun nodded, feeling that selling it would be too much of a pity—an injustice to the Essence of All Things spent over those countless days and nights.

"Old Ox, let's cultivate some other medicinal herbs. A few decades will be enough. Otherwise, it'll draw too much attention, and one day something will go wrong."

"Moo!"

The Big Black Ox nodded gravely. Chen Xun had told it many stories about how possessing jade became a crime, and it understood.

During their years in the Ningyun Mountain Range, they had only picked ordinary medicinal herbs. They had never encountered the legendary spirit medicines. How could anyone have such good luck in a lifetime?

Yet after the cultivators' battle in the heavens that day, the commoners and nobles of Pan Ning City became restless, their hearts burning with the desire to seek immortality. Great waves of people headed towards the Ningyun Mountain Range.

There were even many swindlers who conned others until their homes and fortunes were ruined, while bandits murdered people and seized their goods. The coffin business, on the other hand, began to boom.

These martial sects, too, began unwilling to be left out. Disciples the immortal sects don't want, I want! Matters the immortal sects won't handle, I'll handle!

Thus, all sorts of widely celebrated tales of chivalry and righteousness gradually emerged, and the wild man of the Ningyun Mountain Range was slowly forgotten.

Time seemed able to let go of everything.

Leisurely Ages passed. With nowhere to return to, another five years slipped by in the blink of an eye.

Over these five years, Chen Xun had added all his Longevity Points to the Essence of All Things. He and the Big Black Ox had finally ground their way to the third layer of the Qi Condensation Stage.

The neighbors who had once called him brother had all grown old or passed away. Chen Xun and the Big Black Ox handled quite a few funerals, running about to help their families.

On an autumn night, the sky was high and the dew thick. Cold moonlight spilled across the earth, so gloomy, yet illuminating one spirit hall after another. It seemed more people had left this year.

Without realizing it, early autumn nights had grown longer; the gentle breeze blew, making the desolation all the heavier.

Chen Xun stood outside a spirit hall and played the suona. Leaves fell without a sound. His heart could not help but grow dim, and he silently sighed.

Those familiar smiling faces were vanishing one by one. Perhaps, as time passed, those smiles would gradually blur in his heart as well.

Murmured weeping filled every corner of the spirit hall. Chen Xun slowly walked through it. He had helped with all that needed helping. What else could he do now? Only eat at the feast.

"Brother Chen Xun, thank you."

"My condolences. My condolences."

Chen Xun rose and spoke softly, forcing a trace of a smile. "We have already performed the rites. On the Road to the Yellow Springs, no little ghost will dare block the way."

Their family members nodded gravely, only gripping Chen Xun's hand tightly, their eyes filled with tears of gratitude.

"Moo moo~"

Outside the spirit hall, the Big Black Ox called softly. The bells on its body jingled, blessing those who had passed away.

The dead had passed; the living had to carry on.

It seemed they could no longer stay on this street. Chen Xun and the Big Black Ox were too unusual. More and more people came looking for them, and they seemed no longer interested in the blacksmith shop.

The next day was a quiet morning. All was still, and the wind carried biting cold. The old trees beside the street had turned withered yellow.

The sound of the door closing was very soft. Chen Xun and the Big Black Ox left. He cast one final look down the street, and without realizing it, time folded his gaze into layer upon layer of marks.

They were like travelers through time, hurrying past like mere passersby. No one knew where they had gone.

That blacksmith shop never opened again. The neighbors all said Chen Xun had probably died far from home. Many years later, they only remembered that there had once been a blacksmith whose hammering was ferocious as hell.

One month later, at night, Pan Ning West City.

This was the most prosperous place in the city. Those who could live in the western district were either rich or noble. A single plot of land cost a sky-high price; commoners would fall to their knees at the sight of it, and even dogs would shake their heads.

A group walked along the bustling street. The men were imposing and refined, while the women were delicate and extraordinary. Their eyes were filled with curiosity, yet every movement carried an air beyond the mundane.

"The mortal world is still more exciting."

One of the girls smiled, her voice crisp as a clear spring. "Being stuck cultivating in the sect all the time, I can only play with spirit beasts in the mountains."

"Junior Sister Ye, you are mistaken. Let me say a few words."

A stern-faced man shook his head slightly. "That is because you have never seen a cultivators' city. Pan Ning City is merely a drop in the vast sea. The breadth of heaven and earth is beyond your imagination."

"Ah... Senior Brother Yu, really... truly?"

Junior Sister Ye grew excited, her little face reddening. "Has Senior Brother Yu been there?"

Senior Brother Yu's expression turned solemn. His stern face became even sterner as he said earnestly, "I have not."

Everyone's faces twitched. "..."

"Yi, what is that?"

Junior Sister Ye seemed to have suddenly spotted something astonishing and hurried over. The others could only follow helplessly, but upon seeing it, they were all startled.

It was a small "house" with four iron wheels beneath it. There was even a signboard on the little house that read: "Xun's Snacks."

It looked like a shop, yet also like a stall. It occupied a large area, surrounded by crowds in a blazing bustle, its popularity already through the roof.

The boss sweated freely, carrying a huge pot in his hands as flames surged outward. From time to time, he added seasonings that surprised the diners.

There was also a window in the little house, and from within stretched a black ox's head... using its black hoof to collect copper coins and even give change.

Quite a few skewers were laid out outside. Their fragrance drifted for ten miles, and after smelling it, the entire group could not help feeling a little hungry.

With such a thriving stall, naturally its peers were jealous. But the boss had three Mountain-Splitting Axes strapped around his body, and whenever he bent down, the eight-pack abs casually revealed made everyone become brothers.

"Boss, I want this!"

Junior Sister Ye said happily. She wanted to eat everything. "And that, that one too."

"Young Lady, first come, first served, right? Go pay first."

The boss spoke with utmost bluntness. Those waiting in line felt wonderfully satisfied when they heard it. Eating here just felt good.

"Senior Brother Yu, come pay quickly!!" Junior Sister Ye called, hopping in place as she repeatedly sniffed the fragrance with her delicate nose, intoxicated.

Senior Brother Yu felt uncomfortable all over as he pushed through the crowd and came to the window. He took out a piece of silver and slowly locked eyes with a big black ox, one glance stretching into ten thousand years.

Senior Brother Yu was dumbfounded, his mouth opening slightly. Why was it a cow?

The Big Black Ox was dumbfounded too. It blew out a breath through its nostrils. Why was he giving so much? It could not calculate the change.