Watching Yao Zhensheng walk into the house, Ling Chen stood up by himself and walked to the two empty wine jars, a peculiar glint flashing in his eyes.
The next morning.
Ling Chen crawled out of bed, looking at the bright sunlight streaming through the window. He walked out of the room, only to see Yao Zhensheng already up, wielding an axe and chopping wood. Ling Chen greeted him, and Yao Zhensheng pointed to the table outside the house, saying, "Breakfast is there, eat it while it’s hot."
Breakfast was simple, two stead buns and a bowl of millet porridge. Ling Chen wasn’t picky; after days of hunger, he’d eat anything.
After breakfast, Yao Zhensheng walked over to Ling Chen and pointed to the large mountain to the north, saying, "Do you rember the path I took you up the mountain yesterday? Follow that path all the way up, and when you reach the top, you’ll find a cave, where soone will be waiting for you."
"You an... the person who saved ?"
Yao Zhensheng nodded, "That’s right. You have many questions, don’t you? He will help answer them."
"Mr. Yao, aren’t you coming with ?"
"I won’t be going, and perhaps we may never have the chance to et again." With that, Yao Zhensheng turned around and continued chopping wood.
Watching the busy Yao Zhensheng, Ling Chen said nothing more and headed straight up the mountain. Following the winding mountain path, it took Ling Chen about an hour to finally reach the summit. Upon arrival, Ling Chen imdiately spotted the cave Yao Zhensheng ntioned.
Outside the cave, Ling Chen didn’t rush in but instead surveyed the surroundings. At that mont, a low voice suddenly ca from inside the cave, "Why are you hesitating outside when you’re here? Are you afraid to co in?"
Upon hearing the unfamiliar voice, Ling Chen hesitated for a mont, then stepped inside. The light inside the cave was very dim, and it grew darker as he ventured further.
After walking about ten ters, Ling Chen stopped, choosing not to proceed further. It was pitch black ahead, and he couldn’t see his hand in front of him. Who knew if there might be danger lurking? It was best to be cautious. From his current position, he would be able to escape imdiately should there be any danger.
"Who are you? Why did you save ?" Ling Chen asked.
"I believe you should have guessed who I am." The unfamiliar voice replied, "Perhaps you don’t know, but I’ve been following you these past days, observing you in secret."
Startled upon hearing this, Ling Chen realized this person had been monitoring him, yet he hadn’t noticed. This showed the person’s extraordinary skill. Ling Chen asked, "Why were you watching ?"
"Because you know people like , and I find you very intriguing."
People like him... At that mont, Ling Chen’s heart raced, and he guessed the person’s identity, "You... you’re... He Zhishen?"
"It seems you’re not too dim."
It was indeed him! Ling Chen was internally shocked. Back in the ancient tomb, the person in the stone coffin vanished without a trace, and now it was clear he had been secretly following Ling Chen. No wonder he knew where Ling Chen was imprisoned. The thought that the person before him was another century-old anomaly made Ling Chen feel a complex array of emotions.
"So you saved to learn about the person like you?"
"Pretty much," He Zhishen replied. "You should know, people like are rare in this world, so finding soone like is extrely difficult. I tried in the past, but it was all in vain. Hundreds of years of solitude are beyond your imagination, which is why I chose to bury myself. If you hadn’t opened the ancient tomb, I might have slept forever."
"Ling Chen, arrange for that person to et with . Consider it repaynt for saving your life. How about it?"
Faced with the request, Ling Chen hesitated. "What, are you unwilling?" Seeing Ling Chen’s delayed response, He Zhishen asked.
"It’s not that I’m unwilling, it’s just... that person’s situation is more complicated. Unlike you, who are whole, he now only has a head and can’t speak. So even if you et, communication won’t be possible." Pausing, Ling Chen shifted his tone, "Can I ask, if you were to et, what would you discuss?"
"Of course, we’d discuss the question that’s troubled us for centuries. If I’m the only one like this in the world, it ans I’m very special, but since there are others like , there must be a reason. I’ve been searching for the answer to this question for centuries. Now, the world has changed and progressed. Perhaps I can find the answer."
Ling Chen thought for a mont, then asked, "Have you practiced martial arts?"
"Yes, I started practicing at five, and in thirty years, I broke through to the realm of the Heavenly List, then spent another fifty years reaching the pinnacle of martial arts mastery. From that mont, my life underwent a trendous change."
"Seems like my guess was correct."
He Zhishen asked, "What do you an?"
"Every person with immortality has reached the pinnacle of martial arts mastery. Simply put, your martial arts realm has surpassed the Heavenly List, reaching another unknown level. As practitioners of martial arts, we all understand that besides strengthening the body, martial arts also unlocks potential and breaks physical limits. Perhaps the unknown level you’ve reached has surpassed human limits. I believe this is the most reasonable explanation."
"Life limits..." He Zhishen said, "Your guess is indeed reasonable."
"Mr.... Mr. He..." Ling Chen struggled with how to address He Zhishen and finally called him ’Mr. He’. After all, given his age, he absolutely deserved the title.
"Everyone seeks longevity, and many would stop at nothing for a few more years of life. In this world of billions, only you have such long lives. Isn’t that good?"
"Perhaps you think it’s good, but to , it’s the beginning of pain. My appearance doesn’t change, and I won’t age. So we can’t stay in one place too long, about ten years; if people notice I haven’t aged, I must leave. Otherwise, I’ll beco a ’monster’ in people’s eyes, hunted by everyone. Consequently, I must keep moving, constantly eting strangers. When those strangers beco your friends or family, all you can do is watch their lives end while you’re powerless to help. Do you know how painful that feels?"
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