Three months ago, Author: Xun Chun Xu Zhou
Chapter 2: Fate is Beyond Human Control
Chu Weiyang seemed to be devouring his meal without paying attention to the burly man.
He wolfed down the food in a few bites, finished the meat in the bowl, gulped down the soup, and then placed the bowl down.
The young man licked his chapped lips as if savoring the taste, then turned his head to look at the burly man.
"To live until now, you've already gained a lot! Do you remember Zhang Laoqi? He was the same age as you, but he started forgetting who he was a few days ago. Wu Er, who had the same cultivation level as you, froze to death beside me half a month ago. What's more important than age, cultivation, and what else? Every extra day we live from now on is a bonus, be content with what you have!"
Immersed in this Demon-Sealing Cave, Chu Weiyang witnessed the life and death of others the most.
The supposed life-and-death crisis that should bring great terror had been seen too much for too long...
It was hard to say which was more important compared to the few pieces of meat in the bowl.
With that, Chu Weiyang pursed his lips and looked at the bowl in the burly man's hands.
"Since you don't have many days left, why not share those few pieces of meat with me? I'll remember your kindness. When the day comes for you to leave, I'll be there to take care of you, making your departure more dignified."
Upon hearing this, the burly man couldn't help but laugh and cry.
"Forget about the meat. In this ghostly place where we struggle to survive, who has the luxury to think about dignity after death? It's better to eat well before leaving."
Saying so, in between his words, the burly man finished his meal in the bowl in no time.
Seeing no more benefits, Chu Weiyang no longer looked at him.
He folded his hands, leaned carefully against the stone wall, and was about to close his eyes to rest.
But as he settled down, the burly man seemed to be in a talkative mood, whether due to the fear of life and death or knowing he no longer needed to cultivate.
He sat there, gazing at Chu Weiyang for a long time.
After a long silence, the burly man suddenly asked, "Speaking of which, do you remember who you are?"
Chu Weiyang didn't answer immediately.
He suddenly opened his eyes and stared into the deep darkness of the cave, gazing intently.
After a while, the young man nodded.
"I can remember vaguely, not the details. I vaguely remember growing up in the countryside, and when I was seven, my family suffered a disaster, with nothing to harvest, starving everywhere. We chewed on grass roots and tree bark until my parents, unable to bear seeing their child suffer, tearfully sold me to Panwang Yuanzong in exchange for half a bag of grains."
"After that, I never saw them again."
"Then in Panwang Sect, Zhang Laoqi taught us literacy and scriptures at that time; then Wu Er taught us martial arts and trained our bodies. Finally, it was supposed to be you, the Elder transmitting techniques, teaching us cultivation methods. But just as I started learning for less than two months, people came to arrest us, and the whole family was imprisoned in this Demon-Sealing Cave."
"After that, in a daze, day and night, I don't know how many years have passed."
After saying this, Chu Weiyang heard the burly man sigh beside him.
"It's hard for you to remember so clearly."
Chu Weiyang shrugged.
"Elder, don't worry about me. This Demon-Sealing Cave consumes lives, but there are traces to follow. First, seal the meridians with impure energy, preventing any progress in cultivation. Then erase consciousness, dying in a daze."
"Now, I'm cultivating the 'Nourishing Qi Technique' and still gaining some benefits. I don't think I'll perish in these few days. Relax, I'll follow behind you."
"It has to be this way to maintain order between seniors and juniors."
The burly man grinned, as if wanting to laugh, but then stopped himself.
He scratched his head helplessly, with a nostalgic look on his face.
"Since you entered the sect at the age of seven, you've always been talkative. Even as a small child, you had a lot of witty words. I remember clearly, thirty miles south of Yushui River mouth, in Anping Village, I bought you with half a bag of grains."
"Now thinking back, if I hadn't done that, your fate might have been different."
"Perhaps in that great disaster, you might have perished early; perhaps you could have luckily survived and not suffered in this Demon-Sealing Cave with Panwang Yuanzong..."
"I always think... your current tribulations are due to my karma."
"Let's not beat around the bush. I'll tell you straight. Forget about Panwang Sect, remember the 'Five Organs Absorbing Qi Technique.' Starting today, I'll pass it on to you."
"On the third day after Wu Er's death, you indirectly asked me how I've lived this long, right? I didn't tell you before because there wasn't enough food. If we both cultivated this technique together, we might have starved to death early."
"Now that my time is near, and there's more food for everyone, I can hold on for a while longer. With me looking after you, you can improve your cultivation. Otherwise, when I'm gone, this technique will be a deadly poison to you!"
"The lineage of Panwang Sect..."
"In fact, there's not much lineage left. It's said to be a sect, but it's just a few people. Even someone like me can act as the Elder transmitting techniques... If it weren't for the disciples of Sword Sect coming to kill us that year, Panwang Sect's downfall was inevitable."
"Forget about Panwang Sect, remember the 'Five Organs Absorbing Qi Technique.' When the time comes, pass it on and continue the lineage..."
Perhaps feeling too touched, Chu Weiyang chuckled.
"Your words are getting farther and farther away. What lineage, what continuation? Is the impure energy we refine daily fake? It's a poisonous practice! No matter how exquisite the technique is, it can't save your life. Can it save mine? Even if it can grant immortality, if I'm trapped and die in this Demon-Sealing Cave, I'd rather end it myself!"
Hearing this, the burly man sighed.
"That's true, but when death is near, one always wants to live."
"Moreover, only by living can one wait for that faint glimmer of hope!"
"I may not wait for it, but I want you to."
"Suddenly increasing the refinement of impure energy is not a normal phenomenon. The demonic energy in the cave is as dense as usual, not like the mineral veins are depleted... In any case, abnormal occurrences must have a reason. Although the glimmer of hope seems faint, it may not be unattainable..."
"Little Chu, don't beat around the bush with me."
"Today, I want a sincere answer from you. Will you cultivate the 'Five Organs Absorbing Qi Technique'?"
Upon hearing this, Chu Weiyang almost instinctively nodded.
"Cultivate! Who's beating around the bush with you! I am willing to cultivate it!"
With that, Chu Weiyang raised his withered arm and gently patted the burly man's arm.
"Elder, you saved my life with half a bag of grains. It's hard to repay you now, but when the day comes for you to leave, I'll kowtow to see you off."
Many books are hard to find now, so cherish what you have.