Chapter 249: Chapter 177: Bringing Your Own Dry Food
Translator: 549690339
“Young Master, do you happen to need an old servant by your side?”
After saying farewell to the Prefecture City Defense Commandant of Anqing Mansion, Feng Qing’an finally set off. He hadn’t traveled long before a cheerful old farmer leaning on a hoe approached him and volunteered his services.
“Old man, even if I needed someone to serve me, I wouldn’t choose an old fellow like you, who’s half in the grave already!”
Seeing the old man blocking his way, Feng Qing’an couldn’t help but laugh.
The old man was not a stranger to him, but one of the many martial artists in the Gang Sha realm who had fought against the Bright Dragon Armor. He was the oldest and most experienced martial artist who could fight fiercely for two hours against the Bright Dragon Armor, but ultimately lost due to lack of strength and blood.
“Young Master, as the saying goes, ‘An old warhorse in the stable still longs to gallop a thousand li.’ Don’t be misled by this old man’s doddering appearance. I can still manage to eat three measures of rice and half a sheep in one meal!”
Understanding the rejection implied in Feng Qing’an’s words, the old martial artist refused to give up. He leaned on his hoe, slowly stood up straight and straightened his back.
Despite this, it only revealed his tall skeletal frame and could not hide his withered figure that time had relentlessly worn down.
“Whether you’re hunting tigers in the mountains or catching turtles in the river, this old man can still lend a hand!”
“You seem to be in good health, old man. How old are you this year?”
Looking at the old martial artist standing tall in front of him who, although just one person, seemed even larger than himself on horseback, Feng Qing’an couldn’t help but ask.
Despite having no intention of taking him in, Feng Qing’an was mainly curious. He wanted to know the lifespan of a martial artist of this level who had undergone two metamorphoses and were thus incomparable to ordinary people.
“My age?”
Hearing Feng Qing’an’s question, the old man was slightly startled and then began to think.
“Eight years ago, a group of my filial descendants held a 200th birthday banquet for me.”
“So, you’re two hundred and eight now!”
Listening to the old man’s age, Feng Qing’an was also slightly surprised, then sighed.
“You’re too old. You should go back and enjoy your remaining years!”
This age, to Feng Qing’an, was genuinely that of his ancestors’ generation. He had no heart to make such an old man serve him.
“Before I crossed hands with your Warrior Armor, I did have the idea of enjoying my remaining years. But after the fight, I couldn’t go back. I only want to follow by your side!”
“Why is that?”
“You may not understand, Young Master. You’re too young!”
“If you’re going to speak to me in riddles like this, please go on your way!” Hearing this, Feng Qing’an was about to send him away.
“Don’t be impatient, Young Master. My thoughts started changing eight years ago during that birthday banquet. Even though the hall was filled with my descendants, I couldn’t feel happy.”
“Isn’t it good to have descendants all around?”
felt that the old man was showing off. This was something many people would wish for but not everyone could achieve.
“I married at the age of fourteen. The children I had were all of average talent. When I turned a hundred, my wives and children had all passed away before me. But I still had over ten great-grandsons to keep me company.
However, by the time I turned two hundred, everyone I knew was buried in the ground. Even though I knew that the children who held the banquet for me were my own flesh and blood, they appeared strangers to me!”
The old man sighed. He, who had shown extraordinary talent in martial arts from a young age, had married an ordinary woman. This was the root cause of his life-long pain.
Practicing martial arts and undergoing transformation, he lived much longer than ordinary people. As a result, he could only watch as his wives, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren died one by one before him, bearing the pain of parting again and again.
Feng Qing’an had nothing to say. He could understand the pain, but he could not truly feel it himself.
“Originally, I wanted to calmly wait for the end of my “lifespan”. But not long ago, I received an invitation to come to Anqing Mansion and cross hands with your Warrior Armor. It was then that I caught a glimpse of the path ahead.
It was at that moment that I changed my mind. Instead of dying quietly on my deathbed, I would rather die pursuing martial arts. Only in this way can I live up to my life!”
The old man calmly explained his thoughts, his face carrying a relaxed and indifferent smile.
Listening to this, Feng Qingan was lost in thought.
The city defense commandant, in his prime, could not let go of his official position. Wealth and honor clouded his eyes. Even when he sensed an opportunity that could change his life, he still chose his hard-earned position after much consideration.
Yet, here was an old martial artist who was near the end of his life. Even in his twilight years, his heart remained unyielding. Upon noticing an opportunity that could allow him to progress further in martial arts, he discarded everything and refused to enjoy his remaining years.
“Young Master, would you take in this old man? Though one foot is already in the grave, I estimate that my other foot won’t step in for another half a Jiazi. In this time, I can still serve the young master.”
“If you want to follow me, then do so. But I won’t slow down because of you!”
After some reflection, Feng Qing’an chose not to refuse again. An elderly martial artist like him, who was wholly devoted to martial arts and was not genuinely immobile, was merely showing signs of depleted energy. Feng
Qing’an decided to observe him. If his performance was satisfactory, Feng Qing’an might consider reversing his condition..
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