Celestial Master： I Have an Otherworld

Chapter 494 - 10: Cultivation Technique Advancement (3)

Linghu Qiuchan’s eyes were red, her voice choked with emotion:

"It’s been decades..."

"It’s still here, but mother has already gone."

Fang Zheng patted Linghu Qiuchan on the shoulder, holding her in his arms as his eyes began to glisten with tears.

Not only my mother-in-law,

but also my father-in-law...

After comforting his wife and sending her back to her room to rest, Fang Zheng once again went to the backyard and stood beside Linghu An.

"Time is merciless."

Linghu An gently caressed the rough bark of the Cloud Willow Tree and spoke slowly:

"People of our generation have all passed one by one."

"And now even Ah Xiu..."

"has also gone!"

"Father-in-law." Fang Zheng spoke up:

"Please accept my condolences."

"Condolences?" Linghu An shook his head:

"When you reach my age, you’ll understand that everyone will face their day of departure eventually, without exception."

"You will watch as acquaintances pass away, with fewer and fewer people around, and fewer words to exchange."

"Birth, aging, sickness, and death..."

"Naturally, you’ll come to see it clearly, so there’s no need to console me. I am well aware that this day would arrive."

Fang Zheng bowed his head.

Although the Ling family has Linghu An, a master overseeing it, it has also been fraught with misfortunes.

In the family, eight or nine out of ten elders have passed away.

This is quite normal.

In this world, people marry in their teens, become grandparents in their thirties, and reaching fifty or sixty is considered longevity.

Linghu An may look young, but he is actually quite old. Not to mention his peers, even his eldest son is over sixty.

Throughout the Ling family, only the mother-in-law accompanied him.

Now,

his wife has also left.

"I have made a decision." Linghu An said:

"After taking care of Ah Xiu’s affairs, I’ll take a trip to the East Sea."

"Father-in-law..." Fang Zheng looked up.

"Don’t try to persuade me." Linghu An waved his hand:

"Ah Xiu is gone, and the ties in my heart are gone too. Children and grandchildren have their own fortunes; it’s the same without me."

"Besides..."

"Don’t you still exist?"

Glancing at Fang Zheng, Linghu An smiled softly:

"After I depart, I’ll rely more on you to look after the Ling family."

"Father-in-law..." Fang Zheng opened his mouth, then sighed lightly. The other party’s mind was made up, and persuasion was useless:

"Yes."

"In my life, I have sought many things." Linghu An turned around, his voice leisurely:

"Fortunately."

"I have met a good wife, had a beautiful concubine, and have both sons and daughters. Even my martial arts have achieved some success. What more could I be dissatisfied with?"

He chuckled and said:

"Before me, the Ling family was obscure, but now it can establish itself and thrive in Zhaonan Prefecture."

"Even when facing our ancestors, I have no regrets."

"Father-in-law’s great talent." Fang Zheng cupped his hands:

"The Ling family is proud of you, father-in-law."

"Haha..." Linghu An laughed heartily:

"Honor and disgrace mean nothing to me anymore. The only regret in this life is the martial arts, and I don’t know if I can achieve it."

"Fang Zheng."

"Here."

"You are exceptionally gifted and have a steady demeanor. One day, you will certainly become a Martial Sect Master and a Master, but unfortunately, I may not be able to witness it."

"Father-in-law..."

"Don’t worry." Linghu An waved his hand:

"I’m just speaking from my heart; I mean nothing else."

"Go back!"

"Go accompany Qiuchan. The one most devastated by Ah Xiu’s passing may not be me, but your wife."

......

After crying for a long time, Linghu Qiuchan fell into a deep sleep in Fang Zheng’s arms.

"Is she asleep?"

Du Qiaoyun asked softly.

"Yes."

Fang Zheng nodded, carefully placing Linghu Qiuchan on the bed, removing her shoes and socks, and covering her with a light blanket.

"Sigh."

Du Qiaoyun sighed:

"When we came to the Prefecture City last year, Aunt Xiu’s condition was still good. I didn’t expect that the next news we’d hear was her passing. The illness came too suddenly, and we didn’t even get to see her one last time."

"I hope Qiuchan can recover soon."

"By the way."

She spoke slowly:

"Is Patriarch Linghu really planning to go on a long journey?"

"Yes." Fang Zheng nodded:

"The journey is dangerous, so don’t tell Qiuchan for now, so she won’t worry. We’ll talk later depending on the situation."

"Alright." Du Qiaoyun understood and added:

"I forgot to mention, someone just brought some gifts over."

"Who?"

Fang Zheng was not surprised, as he is a Flawless Martial Artist and the master of the Fang Mansion, as well as Boss Fang Ci.

It’s normal for people to rush to send gifts.

"A young girl named Xiao Qian, quite cute." Du Qiaoyun handed over an invitation:

"The key thing is, the gifts are extraordinarily valuable."

"Oh!"

Fang Zheng raised his eyebrow, took the invitation, and his brows furrowed.

The gifts sent by the other party were not only extraordinarily valuable; a few items were spiritual medicines that could aid in the cultivation of a Flawless Martial Artist.

These things are not something you can obtain just with money.

Du Qiaoyun probably didn’t realize this, so she didn’t pay much attention, instead putting gold and jade artifacts at the forefront.

"Xiao Qian."

Fang Zheng was thoughtful:

"What’s her background?"

"She seems to be a disciple of the Luofu Immortal Sect." Du Qiaoyun smiled and said:

"She has a good relationship with Ping’an."

"Ping’an?" Fang Zheng chuckled:

"Could he have found a friend in the Prefecture City? Call him over."

Since they arrived in the Prefecture City, Fang Ping’an had taken leave from the Martial Arts Dojo to come back and join in the rituals.

"Alright." Du Qiaoyun nodded and cautioned:

"The kid is shy, be gentle with him."

"Understood."

Fang Zheng waved his hand.

A moment later.

"Xiao Qian."

The mention of this name made Fang Ping’an’s face change slightly, then he nodded:

"Yes, she is a friend I met at the Martial Arts Dojo, a disciple of the Luofu Immortal Sect, her master is the Great Mage Fairy Lv Hua."

"Fairy Lv Hua?"

Fang Zheng mused:

"I’ve heard of her."

Fairy Lv Hua, who was of similar age to him, was apprenticed to a Master of the Luofu Immortal Sect and possessed considerable cultivation and ability.

Perhaps not as formidable as the Black Wind Ascendant in his prime, but with the support of the Luofu Immortal Sect, her skills were not lacking.

She was acclaimed as a prodigy with the potential to reach the level of a Master within a hundred years.

"You boy have grown in ability."

Fang Zheng laughed, saying:

"Quietly, you’ve found yourself a bride; not many girls are so eager to meet the parents down south."

"Yes." Fang Ping’an bowed his head:

"There are not many cultivators in the Martial Arts Dojo. I often practice and discuss magic with Xiao Qian."

"..." Fang Zheng looked at Fang Ping’an, his smile slowly fading:

"Today, Xiao Qian came to visit, and the gifts she brought were quite expensive, not typical for ordinary friends."

"Foster Father." Fang Ping’an knelt to the ground with a thud:

"I swear I haven’t done anything in secret."

"You child." Du Qiaoyun hurriedly said:

"Your father didn’t say you did anything. Why are you so afraid? Dear, don’t be so serious."

"Qiaoyun." Fang Zheng shook his head and said:

"It’s obvious the girl is interested in marriage. We need to give an explanation. Ping’an, what do you think?"

"I..." Fang Ping’an lowered his head, voice weak:

"I will follow Foster Father’s arrangement."

"Your own marriage, you should decide." Fang Zheng’s face darkened, scolding:

"Have you no backbone? Has all these years of teaching been eaten by dogs?"

"Dear." Du Qiaoyun’s heart trembled:

"Please don’t be angry."

"Ping’an."

She turned and said:

"Marriage is a significant matter, not to be taken lightly. We have no clear understanding of what you’ve experienced in the Prefecture City these years."

"Now that the girl is visiting, it’s evidently for marriage. You should have some thoughts."

She was angry too, actually.

Even though they say it’s by the orders of the parents and matchmakers, they knew nothing about the situation in the Prefecture City.

Even the name Xiao Qian was heard for the first time today.

These past few years.

Why didn’t the child mention it in his letters?

What kind of relationship do they truly have?

No idea, what useful opinion could they have?

"Aunt." Fang Ping’an looked up, his face pale, eyes flickering:

"I..."

"I don’t know."

"Don’t know, so you don’t want it." Fang Zheng snorted coldly:

"Qiaoyun, have someone send the gifts back later, saying they can’t accept such lavish gifts for no reason."

"Foster Father." Fang Ping’an’s face lit with joy, but also worry, saying:

"Is that alright?"

"What’s not alright?" Fang Zheng stood up:

"You are my son. Can you not decide who to marry? Even a disciple of the Luofu Immortal Sect can’t be so overbearing."

"Come!"

"Follow me to see Princess Qingyuan. With her discerning right from wrong, would they dare use force?"

"Yes." Fang Ping’an hurriedly got up from the ground.

By now, Fang Zheng saw clearly that Xiao Qian liked Fang Ping’an, but Fang Ping’an didn’t feel the same.

However.

The Luofu Immortal Sect was powerful, and the mere Fang Mansion, a rural landlord, wasn’t worth their attention.

Who knows what exposure Fang Ping’an had these years, also worried his refusal might bring trouble to Fang Zheng.

He dared not refuse.

This boy...

Being introverted and quiet is fine, but one should still speak up. If Fang Zheng didn’t understand him, he’d be frustrated to death without getting any answers.

Unlike Fang Heng, who can speak volumes with three hits.

"Xiao Qian..."

On the carriage, Fang Zheng asked:

"What kind of person is she?"

"A bit domineering." Fang Ping’an whispered:

"Also somewhat unruly, though her cultivation talents aren’t bad, but... it’s said her residence houses many men."

"I’ve only heard about it, never been."

"Hm!"

Fang Zheng closed his eyes:

"Remember, such matters should not be hidden from your family."

"Yes."

Fang Ping’an felt ashamed and nodded in agreement.