I created an extraordinary era

Chapter 723 Funeral, Junior

Time flows silently on the bluestone-paved streets of Panlong Town.

As the last withered leaf twirls and falls in the winter wind, fine snowflakes follow, covering the courtyard with a pure white blanket.

Zhang Changsheng sat under the eaves wrapped in a thick blanket, watching his breath dissipate into the biting air. Inside, the smoke and warmth of the fire formed a fortress against the severe cold.

Before we knew it, the icicles on the eaves began to drip water, and the gentle spring breeze carried the scent of thawing earth.

The first hint of green sprouts from the corner of the wall, and tender, pale yellow buds emerge from the branches of the old trees.

Zhang Changsheng's spirits seemed to be awakened by this vitality. On sunny days, he was able to sit in the yard with the help of his children, squinting his eyes to feel the warmth of the sun.

As spring deepens and summer approaches, the sunlight gradually intensifies.

Grapevines grew wildly, weaving a dense green canopy, and cicadas began to chirp tirelessly in the afternoon.

Zhang Changsheng usually takes a nap in the rattan chair, covered with a thin shirt, listening to his daughter talking softly beside him, with a satisfied smile on his lips.

Until one day, a night breeze suddenly brought a barely perceptible coolness, brushing against the edges of the leaves that were beginning to turn yellow.

The sky seemed higher and farther away, and the sunlight, though still bright, was no longer scorching.

The chrysanthemums in the courtyard quietly formed full buds, silently preparing for their final bloom in the cool air.

The seasons quietly change, from a silver-clad world to lush greenery, and then to the clear skies of early autumn.

Time completed a silent cycle in the courtyard.

In the 46th year of the Extraordinary Era, autumn came exceptionally early to Panlong Town, and the old trees in the courtyard began to shed their leaves early.

On this day, Zhang Changsheng seemed to be in exceptionally good spirits, and even drank half a bowl more porridge at noon.

After meal.

He insisted on sitting in the courtyard.

Zhang Yao and Ding Yan helped each other to settle down on the recliner, carefully covering themselves with the thin blanket they had used for many years.

The afternoon sun shone through the sparse branches and leaves, casting a warm glow.

He squinted as he watched Zhang Yao and Ding Yan bustling about in front of him.

Ding Yan rolled up his sleeves and moved the flowerpots to a sunny, sheltered spot, his movements steady and efficient.

Zhang Yao, holding a small shovel and a watering can, bent down and carefully loosened the soil and watered each flower and plant. Her profile looked particularly soft in the halo of light.

An autumn breeze blows, carrying the fresh scent of earth and grass, and a few yellow leaves drift gently down.

Looking at this tranquil and harmonious scene, Zhang Changsheng slowly developed a satisfied and peaceful smile.

That smile was filled with the weight of his life's dedication and the peace of mind he felt at that moment.

I don’t know when.

The smile on his lips hadn't faded when he slowly closed his eyes.

As if drowsy from the warm autumn sun, I can finally fall asleep peacefully.

In the warm light and shadow, his breathing gradually became softer, longer, until it was barely audible.

It eventually came to a quiet end.
He passed away peacefully.

A faint smile even graced the corners of his mouth, as if he had witnessed the most perfect scene in a dream.

There was no painful struggle, no dying words.

In this small courtyard he had guarded his entire life, surrounded by the children he cared about most, Zhang Changsheng's 106-year life finally came to an end.

His life was as ordinary as dust.

Even after encountering Xia Yuan, the ancestor of the extraordinary, he never experienced the scenery above the clouds, nor did he leave a single word in the annals of history.

Zhang Changsheng may have missed out on the magnificent distant horizons, but he never missed a single moment in his life that was worth cherishing.

His wife's smile, his daughter's growth, and the companionship of old friends.
far away.

The small water bottle in Zhang Yao's hand fell to the ground with a "clatter," and the clear water soaked the soil.

She stared blankly at her father, who appeared to be asleep, unable to react for a moment.

Almost at the same time, Ding Yan stepped forward and his fingers trembled as he reached for the old man's breath.

He turned his head to look at Zhang Yao, who was still standing there in a daze, his voice hoarse and heavy:
"Sister Yao, Uncle Zhang... he's gone!"

No reminder from Ding Yan was needed. As a top expert at the eighth level of the Transcendent Realm, he had already noticed the moment Ding Shu's breath disappeared.

She just couldn't believe it.

Only when she heard Ding Yan's reminder did she realize what was happening.

Zhang Yao staggered to the side of the recliner, her knees buckled, and she knelt down beside her father.

She did not burst into tears.

She simply held her father's already cold hand tightly, pressed her forehead against his calloused palm, and her shoulders trembled violently.

for a long time
The suppressed, broken sobs finally escaped from his throat.

This is the pillar of her life, the harbor that will always be there no matter how far she goes or how high she stands.

now.

The pillar collapsed silently, and the harbor fell silent forever!
"It's all my fault, it's all my fault."

Zhang Yao kept murmuring.

If it weren't for her, her father might have become a superhuman with Xia Shu's help, had a longer lifespan, and been able to see a wider world.

Instead of pouring all his heart and soul into his daughter, he ended up confined to this small courtyard until his life was consumed by grief.

Xia Yuan stood in the shadows under the eaves, quietly watching this scene.

He looked at his old friend who had passed away peacefully on the recliner, then at Zhang Yao kneeling beside him, weeping silently, and Ding Yan standing solemnly to the side with red eyes. Suddenly, a huge sadness and emptiness welled up in his heart.

Another old friend has left him.
……

The next day.

Du Yu, who is over ninety years old, and Li Zhengde, who is over eighty years old, also arrived in Panlong Town one after another.

Li Zhengde, once a spirited young man, now has a full head of white hair.

However, he is still in relatively good health.

Accompanying him this time was his eldest grandson, Li Rui, a young man who looked to be in his early twenties, whose features bore a resemblance to Li Zhengde from back then.

Li Rui is 21 years old this year.

He is a third-year student at Jiangcheng Chaofan University, and his cultivation level has now reached the seventh stage of Body Tempering.

He reached the seventh level of Body Tempering when he was in the third year of university. Although he was not considered top at Jiangcheng Extraordinary University, he was quite outstanding among his peers.

With the remaining three years, Li Rui has a high probability of breaking through to the Innate Realm.

If you break through to the Innate Realm in university, you will most likely be able to enter the Extraordinary Academy.

This grandson was also the descendant whom Li Zhengde valued most.

That's why Li Zhengde brought him to Zhang Changsheng's funeral.

As for Du Yu, his physical condition was obviously worse, and he needed to use crutches to walk.

After all, he was 95 years old, more than ten years older than Li Zhengde, and his physical functions were declining significantly.

Given his physical condition, he most likely won't live to Zhang Changsheng's age.

This time, Du Yu did not come alone either.

His youngest son and grandson came over!

Du Yu's son was named Du Zhiyuan.

This person is tall and upright, with a resolute face and sharp yet calm eyes.

Du Zhiyuan graduated from Haicheng Extraordinary University and was already at the Innate Realm thirty years ago. Now, at nearly seventy years old, he is already a Transcendent Third-Order Extraordinary.

Having held a high position in the Haizhou Extraordinary Administration Bureau for many years, he possessed a commanding presence even without anger.

Standing next to Du Zhiyuan was his son, Du Jingming.

He is thirty-one years old this year, with a cultivation level of the second stage of the Transcendent Realm, and his talent surpasses that of his father.

He stood upright and his appearance bore a six or seven-point resemblance to Du Zhiyuan.

But his brows showed less of his fatherly authority and solemnity, and more of the vigor of youth.

Thirty years old is definitely considered young for superhumans.

Even masters under the age of forty can basically be called the younger generation.

Du Jingming's ability to reach the second stage of the Transcendent Realm at the age of thirty-one is truly remarkable, and he has a great chance of reaching the Unity Realm in the future.

This also gave him an inherent arrogance that comes with genius.

"Really, Grandpa insisted that I come."

A barely perceptible sense of irritation swept through Du Jingming's heart.

In his view, the funeral of an ordinary old man who had never embarked on the path of the extraordinary was not worth his family's personal attendance.

Although the Du family wasn't among the top in Haizhou, they were still a well-known and respected family. The father, Du Zhiyuan, held a high position in the Administration Bureau, and the Du family itself was a rising star among the younger generation, with a promising future.

In Du Jingming's opinion, it was rather beneath him for the whole family to come to the funeral of his grandfather's old friend.

Give some money as a token of condolence and send a representative over; that's enough to show your sincerity!
He followed his grandfather and father into the courtyard, his gaze habitually sweeping over the surroundings with a scrutinizing look and a hint of barely perceptible superiority.

This courtyard is so ordinary!

Compared to the Du family's manor in Haizhou, it was practically a shabby abode.

However, when his judgmental gaze swept over a figure under the eaves, Du Jingming's pupils suddenly contracted.

"That's Director Zhang from Lingxiao Academy!"

Du Jingming's expression froze instantly, his back straightened involuntarily, and he even subconsciously slowed his breathing, with fine beads of cold sweat appearing on his forehead.

Yes, he was certain he hadn't misread it.

He had seen Lingxiao Academy from afar when he accompanied the representatives of Xingguang Academy to Lingxiao Academy for an exchange.

Why is that powerful figure from Lingxiao Academy, who stands on the podium with a cool demeanor and sharp words, and who is respected even by the team leader of his own academy, here?

And he was wearing clearly plain clothes?

Du Jingming's inner shirt was instantly soaked with cold sweat.

He swallowed hard, hurriedly lowered his head, and dared not look around anymore. All his sense of superiority and impatience turned into fear and lingering apprehension.

Although the Du family was not bad and had considerable influence in Haizhou, they were insignificant compared to the person in front of them.

The two are not even on the same level.

Even his father, the deputy director of the Haizhou Extraordinary Administration Bureau, is nothing special.

At this moment, Du Jingming finally understood why his grandfather had sent his whole family over!

But how come he had never heard his grandfather mention that he knew Director Zhang's father?

Just then, Du Zhiyuan whispered in Du Yu's ear:

"Father, is that the benefactor you mentioned before who would help our family?"

Unlike his son, who knew nothing, he knew some things.

More than fifty years ago, the original medicine was extremely precious, but my father gave me several bottles directly.

It was precisely because of those original medicines that he was later able to successfully gain admission to Shanghai Extraordinary University.

Later, he even brought himself a Source Crystal that was enough to awaken his powers.

If it weren't for those source crystals, I wouldn't have been stuck at the Body Tempering Realm like my older brother.

But it would have been impossible for him to become a grandmaster so quickly, let alone achieve his current status.

He had asked his father about it, but his father only said that it was a gift from a good friend and told him not to ask any more questions, but just to remember it.

It now appears that it was probably a gift from Master Zhang's father.

Upon hearing his son's words, Du Yu shook his head and said nothing more.

He slowly walked into the courtyard, leaning on his cane, each step appearing unusually heavy.

Looking at Zhang Changsheng's serene expression, her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

His lips trembled, and after a long while, he finally spoke in a hoarse voice:
"Old Zhang has finally gotten ahead of us!"

Seeing his grief, Zhang Yao gently closed her eyes, took a deep breath, stepped forward, and whispered:

"Uncle Du, please don't be too sad. Take care of yourself. My father passed away peacefully."

Although he had no connection with Du Yu's family, Zhang Yao knew about the relationship between Du Yu and her father.

When my father occasionally mentioned this old friend before he passed away, he always had a gentle smile on his face and said that it was a friendship that had been through thick and thin.

A few months ago, he had instructed her that if the Du family ever encountered any difficulties in the future, she could offer some assistance within her power and without violating her principles.

As she spoke, she looked at the two people beside Du Yu.

This look made the two of them very nervous, even Du Zhiyuan, who was of the same generation as Zhang Yao.

Having held a high position in the administration for many years, he was already used to being respected and revered.

But under Zhang Yao's calm gaze, he felt an inexplicable pressure, as if all his thoughts had been seen through.

He subconsciously straightened his back and became even more respectful.

"Greetings, Master Zhang!"

"There's no need to be so formal."

Zhang Yao managed a weak smile, a smile that betrayed her exhaustion, yet she still maintained the proper etiquette.

“We are of the same generation, I am a few years older than you. If you don’t mind, you can just call me Sister Yao.”

These words were like a gentle spring breeze, instantly easing Du Zhiyuan's tense nerves and making him feel flattered.

Given Zhang Yao's status and position, the fact that she allowed him to address her as her brother undoubtedly shows great goodwill and affection!
He readily agreed, his tone becoming much more natural.

"Yes, thank you, Sister Yao."

Zhang Yao nodded, then turned her gaze to Du Jingming, who was still tense beside her.

"You must be Jingming, right?"

“My father mentioned a few days ago that Uncle Du has a good grandson who has already reached the second stage of the Transcendent Realm at a young age and has a promising future.”

"You flatter me. I am unworthy of such praise!"

Du Jingming quickly waved his hand.

He is indeed a genius, but who can he be compared to?

As one of the higher-ups at Lingxiao Academy, the other party had seen countless geniuses.

My talent might be dazzling in the eyes of ordinary people, but it's nothing compared to someone like Zhang Yao.

Hearing this praise made his face burn with embarrassment.

"If you encounter any difficulties in your cultivation in the future, you can come to Lingxiao Academy to find me!"

Upon hearing this, Du Jingming was first stunned, then a surge of immense joy welled up in his heart, almost making him faint.

He suddenly raised his head, looked at Zhang Yao in disbelief, his lips trembling, but he couldn't utter a single word.

Standing beside him, Du Zhiyuan was also deeply shaken; he understood the weight of those words even better than his son.

He quickly pulled Du Jingming, who was still in a daze, his voice trembling with excitement:
"Hurry up and thank Aunt Yao!"

Du Jingming then seemed to wake up from his dream.

"Thank you, Aunt Yao! Thank you, Aunt Yao!"

Zhang Yao waved his hand, saying he was simply following his father's last wish.

After exchanging a few words with the group, he went to other places.

Although there weren't many people this time, they all had a good relationship with her father, so she needed to entertain them.

Zhang Changsheng's funeral proceeded slowly in an atmosphere interwoven with sorrow, gratitude, and subtle interpersonal interactions.

Besides Du Yu and Li Zhengde's family, several old neighbors in the town who had a good relationship with Zhang Changsheng also came. They were all people Zhang Changsheng had known over the years.

Soon, the funeral drew to a close in a solemn and simple ceremony.

The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the courtyard in a warm golden light, and the guests gradually dispersed, with Li Zhengde and Du Yu remaining until the very end.

Before leaving, they visited Xia Yuan in Tanglin Village, but neither of them brought their younger relatives with them.

That evening, the three of them talked a lot.

From their first meeting in their youth to their subsequent development in different fields.
"If you encounter any problems in the future, you can ask them to ask Zhang Yao for help."

Upon hearing this, Du Yu and Li Zhengde paused slightly in their teacups.

The two naturally understood that "they" referred to their children and grandchildren.

Xia Yuan's words essentially pointed out a path for the descendants of the Du and Li families to seek help in critical moments.

This promise is more precious than any gold or silver treasure.

Du Yu's lips trembled as he tried to say something to decline his thanks, but Xia Yuan stopped him by raising his hand.

"Take care of yourselves from now on."

Towards the end.

Xia Yuan raised his teacup, using tea instead of wine.

Du Yu and Li Zhengde also solemnly raised their teacups, and the three rough ceramic cups gently clinked together, producing a crisp sound, like the end of an era.

They all knew very well that this parting might be the last time they saw each other in this life!

Du Yu and Li Zhengde were both very old and their health was already failing.

Today we part ways, and though the mountains are high and the rivers are long, we may never meet again.

The following morning, when the descendants of the Du and Li families came to pick them up, they found that the two elderly people seemed to have unloaded some heavy burden.

Although the sadness of parting was still present in his expression, there was also a greater sense of relief and peace.
(End of this chapter)