Chapter 30

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Chapter 30: Family Love

     

Watching the two of them walk away, Ou Peng shook his head and said: “These two troublemakers are really hard to handle.”

     

First Elder Hu chuckled and replied: “Let them be.”

     

With that, everyone followed the two and left the hall.

     

Entering the council chamber once again, it was still dimly lit. Ou Peng and the others were surprised, the records in the scriptures were indeed accurate. One day and one night had passed, but the disparity in their martial arts skills was vast. The word ‘opportunity’ was truly profound and unpredictable.

     

After everyone took their seats, Zhang Chengyue stepped forward to report briefly to Ou Peng about the situation within the sect during this time. Ou Peng listened and nodded in satisfaction. Then, Zhang Chengyue stood by quietly.

     

Without asking much further, Ou Peng informed everyone that he would be secluding himself for the next ten days to cultivate. He entrusted the affairs of the sect to Zhang Chengyue for the time being. With that, he dismissed everyone.

     

Once the other members of the sect had left, the Piaomiao Five Tigers began discussing matters once again.

     

Ou Peng addressed his senior brothers, saying: “Brothers, we have consumed all the pills from the secret realm. It would be best for us to seclude ourselves for ten days after returning today, focusing on stabilizing our cultivation. After ten days, we can gather again to discuss the future development of our Piaomiao Sect. What do you think?”

     

There were no objections from the group. They stood up and left the council chamber, each returning home without further discussion.

     

In the evening, Piaomiao Sect appeared as tranquil as usual. Except, after dinner, a maidservant emerged from one of the inner residences, calmly leaving the Piaomiao Sect and heading to a grocery store on the outskirts of the sect. There, she purchased some rouge and face powder before returning. Meanwhile, the shopkeeper of the grocery store left through the back door after finishing a meal, driving a carriage to Pingyang City for supplies. After a short while, he arrived at a large grocery store in Pingyang City, made his purchases, and hastily returned to the Piaomiao Sect.

     

After a while, the accountant in the grocery store in Pingyang City finished his calculations and headed home from the store. As he passed through a dark alley, he suddenly felt the urge to relieve himself. Without hesitation, he entered the alley. However, instead of attending to his needs, he hurriedly made his way to a dark corner where a small door was located. He knocked rhythmically, and the door creaked open. The person inside peeked out, recognized him, and allowed him into the courtyard. Shortly after, the accountant emerged from the courtyard, relieved himself in the alley, and lazily walked away. As he exited the alley, two carrier pigeons flew out from a small house in the courtyard, one following the other, heading towards the outskirts of Pingyang City.

     

Under the cover of night, Pingyang City remained bustling, yet just like the Piaomiao Sect, there was no apparent change compared to usual. The flight of the pigeons seemed to have no impact on the city’s normalcy. Everything appeared calm and ordinary. However, in the seemingly tranquil night, who could truly discern what extraordinary events were unfolding?

     

Dawn arrived swiftly, its sunlight piercing through the darkness like a sword. People began to rise and start their busy day.

     

Zhang Xiaohua also opened his eyes like everyone else, a fleeting glimmer passed through his eyes, unnoticed by anyone.

     

After waking up, the first sound Zhang Xiaohua heard was his grandmother’s cough. Without needing to think, Zhang Xiaohua knew it was already the eighth consecutive day. Moreover, Zhang Xiaohua vaguely sensed that his grandmother’s cough was not ordinary. He could feel the viscous liquid in her throat and body, the kind that obstructed breathing and seemed to sap away her life. It was as if his grandmother’s life was gradually fading away in this viscous substance. Zhang Xiaohua could even sense her emaciation, not in her physical body, but in her spirit.

     

Zhang Xiaohua felt frightened, but he dared not tell his mother because aside from the cough, his grandmother didn’t seem to have any other ailments. She ate a good amount every day, and the village veterinarian, Old Chen, said it was just because of the cold weather and her weak constitution. He assured them that she would get better when spring arrived.

     

However, Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t believe it.

     

Grandmother had another bout of severe coughing, doubling over in pain. Zhang Xiaohua quickly got up, rubbing her back and pouring some water from the teapot on the table. He tested the water temperature and brought it to his grandmother’s lips. After she drank the water, she breathed a sigh of relief and kindly said: “Xiaohua, why did you wake up so early? Rest a little longer, okay? Did Grandma disturb your sleep?”

     

Zhang Xiaohua said: “No, Grandma, I don’t know what’s going on. Recently, I wake up at dawn and can’t fall back asleep anymore.”

     

Grandmother replied: “Ah, Xiaohua, you’ve grown up and become sensible. Grandma doesn’t want to disturb your sleep. I endured for a long time last night, but when it got bright, I couldn’t help but cough. Tomorrow, Grandma will go to the courtyard, so I won’t disturb you.”

     

Zhang Xiaohua said: “Grandma, I’m telling the truth. I’ve been sleeping well at night during this time. I didn’t hear you cough at all. I really couldn’t fall back asleep this morning. Please don’t go to the courtyard, it’s too cold outside.”

     

Grandmother smiled but remained silent.

     

Zhang Xiaohua got up and walked out of the house. The sky outside was adorned with the rising sun, not too glaring but rather charming, resembling the yolk of a duck egg. Playfully, Zhang Xiaohua opened his mouth and took a bite toward the sun, only to unexpectedly feel a warm sensation flow down his throat into his body.

     

Startled, Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but doubt his own senses. Shaking his head, he went to wash his face.

     

The courtyard was as usual, with Mother and Liu Qian having already risen. Mother was busy tending to the family’s poultry, while Liu Qian was preparing breakfast for the family. Zhang Xiaohua watched all this with great joy, feeling that Liu Qian was not just Big Sister Liu but also a prospective sister-in-law. He had a small decision in his heart, perhaps he couldn’t discuss his doubts with Mother, but he could talk to this future sister-in-law. She had read so many books and knew so much, perhaps she could help him find answers.

     

The breakfast of a farmer’s family was quite simple and quickly finished. However, something different from before was that after breakfast, Zhang Xiaohua had to go to the well on the hillside to fetch water. Ever since the collective insomnia episode they experienced after drinking tea together one night, it seemed they all became fond of this well water and wanted to drink it every day.

     

Moreover, they felt that this well water was sweeter than the river water they usually drank, so they started using it for cooking and drinking at home. However, Zhang Cai had planned for the long term and decided to have Zhang Xiaohua fetch water from the well twice a day, morning and evening, without letting others in the village know for now.

     

Zhang Xiaohua finished his breakfast and was about to fetch water.

     

Before leaving, he said to Liu Qian: “Big Sister Liu, would you like to go for a walk with me in the mountains today?”

     

Hearing this, Guo Sufei was very happy and also chimed in: “Yes, Liu Qian, you should go out for a walk. You’ve been working hard these days.”

     

The rest of Zhang’s family also agreed, and after thinking for a moment, Liu Qian put down the dishes she was tidying up and said: “Alright, Auntie, please take care of the rest. I’ll go out for a walk.”

     

Then Liu Qian followed behind Zhang Xiaohua and arrived at the riverside.

     

Once Zhang Xiaohua reached the riverside, he stopped walking. Liu Qian caught up and asked: “Xiaohua, do you have something to tell me?”

     

Zhang Xiaohua forced a smile and said: “Big Sister Liu, you’re so smart. You guessed I wanted to talk to you.”

     

Liu Qian chuckled: “You little imp, what’s on your mind? Tell me, and big sister will listen.”

     

After a moment of silence, Zhang Xiaohua looked at the flowing river and said: “Big Sister Liu, do you think people in this world can live forever?”

     

Liu Qian furrowed her brow and said: “This is not easy for me to answer. Some books say there are no immortal beings in this world, the grave is the end point for everyone; However, other books suggest that ordinary people will die, but there are some who won’t?”

     

Zhang Xiaohua asked curiously: “Who are those people?”

     

Liu Qian replied: “According to some historical records, there are some practitioners who abstain from worldly pleasures and can achieve immortality. However, these are just writings in books, unseen by anyone. Who knows if it’s true or false? On the other hand, death is everywhere, without exception.”

     

Zhang Xiaohua asked again: “Then how can someone who is close to death be saved?”

     

Liu Qian frowned and said: “If it’s an illness leading to imminent death, of course, one should seek a good physician to cure the illness. If it’s poisoning, the urgent matter is an antidote to prevent death. If it’s old age approaching death, then… Oh, right, one could administer a ‘Longevity Pill.’ When I was young, I read a very old book that mentioned a miraculous medicine called the ‘Longevity Pill,’ which supposedly extends the life of people by twenty years when ingested. However, this is probably false, I’ve never heard of anyone actually taking such a pill.”

     

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua stared absently at the rushing stream, murmuring to himself: “Where could one find a Longevity Pill?”

     

Liu Qian, feeling puzzled, remarked: “Xiaohua, why are you suddenly asking so many strange questions today? You want to find a Longevity Pill too?”

     

Zhang Xiaohua lifted his head, his lips pursed as if he were about to cry, his voice slightly hoarse: “Big Sister Liu, I feel like my grandmother is about to leave me. She’s going to die soon.”

     

Liu Qian’s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly approached, hugging Xiaohua’s head and saying: “Xiaohua, my good boy, don’t cry, and don’t worry too much. Your grandmother just has a common cough, it’s a common ailment for the elderly in winter. Didn’t the doctor say so? When spring comes and the weather warms up, your grandmother will be fine.”

     

Tears were welling up in Zhang Xiaohua’s eyes. He said: “But Old Chen is a veterinarian, he doesn’t know how to treat people.”

     

Liu Qian hurriedly comforted Zhang Xiaohua, saying: “Then let’s wait a few days and take your grandmother to town to see a renowned doctor, okay? Grandma will be fine.”

     

Zhang Xiaohua shook his head, continuing to cry as he said: “Big Sister Liu, don’t lie to me. I’m not a child anymore, I can even work in the fields by myself. I know grandmother won’t get better. I can feel something sticky inside her body, making it hard for her to breathe properly and causing her to cough. And I can also feel something draining out of her body every day, Grandma is getting thinner and thinner.”

     

Liu Qian, feeling equally saddened, couldn’t find the words to comfort Zhang Xiaohua anymore. He was such a sensible child, only deep affection and love rooted in blood could sense this passing of life. Liu Qian hugged Zhang Xiaohua’s head, tears streaming down her face as well.

     

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