Young master, why not become a corpse immortal?

Chapter 311 Two Masters
The old man that Lin Jiang possessed is dying.

The old man already had some health problems, and years of scavenging on the battlefield had given him a host of ailments.

The long journey northward, the accumulated fatigue, eventually became a heavy burden that crushed his frail body, causing most of the old man's body to sink into the mire of death.

Lin Jiang didn't know how Zhao Liulang would react if the old man died, but Lin Jiang couldn't force the cold mist to prolong his life.

Let those who should have died around this time in history simply pass away.

The old man clearly realized this as well. He didn't tell Zhao Liulang about his situation, but instead pondered something to himself.

Similarly, Zhao Liulang was overjoyed on his first day on the dragon throne, but by the next day, his pure joy had vanished like smoke.

Because what he was facing was not the same fighting and killing as before, but the mess left behind after this brutal war.

The entire country was sparsely populated, with few soldiers and generals. The city was surrounded by fierce bandits and soldiers, and in many places, it was difficult to even find a full meal.

The old emperor Dayan left behind a mess, and before he could even clean it up, he left in a hurry.

Unsightly.

Zhao Liulang simply couldn't solve the country's chaotic situation with his elixirs; he didn't even know where to begin.

He had no choice but to temporarily gather a group of elite troops to go out of the city and wipe out the bandits in the vicinity.

After three months of fierce fighting, the bandit army was terrified of Zhao Liulang and was forced to leave the territory of Daxing.

However, Zhao Liulang was still full of confusion at this stage, not knowing whether fighting outside every day could really help Daxing.

Lin Jiang, who could see everything through the fog, could clearly sense that Zhao Liulang's actions had actually increased his prestige.

When thieves robbed them, Zhao Liulang came to their rescue. Even someone with a heart as hard as stone couldn't help but feel a sense of goodwill towards him.

This can be considered as laying a good foundation.

After waiting another month, there was no trace of Da Yandi around Daxing, and Wang Yunian led his group back to Daxing.

Most of these people were dressed in scholar's attire; some were dashing and debonair, others were unruly and rebellious, and all were exceptionally talented.

Lin Jiang spotted a familiar face among the large crowd.

The much younger Wen Zu mingled with the crowd and arrived in Daxing with everyone else.

The face of Wenzu back then is about 80-90% similar to her current appearance, but her temperament is completely different: now she has lost some of her maturity and composure, but exudes youthful vitality and is as lively as a young girl.

Lin Jiang, who saw Wen Zu, guessed that Fa Zu might also be among them, but Fa Zu was now very old and should have been much younger back then; Lin Jiang compared carefully but could not find any trace of Fa Zu in his youth.

Of course, the Dharma Ancestor may have joined later.

With the addition of these literati and scholars to Daxing, the internal problems were greatly alleviated instantly.

Zhao Liulang was thus at ease entrusting the domestic restoration to the Grand Preceptor and others, while he pondered the future direction of Daxing: whether to consolidate its foundation and ignore the conflicts in the south, or to gather an army to contend for the south.

Just then, another rapidly marching army appeared from nowhere in the south, looking like soldiers and bandits fleeing from disaster.

Zhao Liulang naturally refused to let these bandits invade his territory, and immediately led his men straight south.

Before long, the two groups met on a narrow road in the southern part of Daxing.

The soldiers stood facing each other across the road, neither daring to make a move. Zhao Liulang spurred his horse and gazed into the distance, finally spotting the figure of the leader in the ranks.

Lin Jiang was able to make out the general's appearance through the thin mist.

He was a man who bore a striking resemblance to Zhao Liulang, but his face was noticeably more weathered.

He sat high on a chariot, towing a cart piled high with countless rare treasures behind him, while the crowd cheered and clamored.

"Third brother?!"

Zhao Liulang was greatly surprised when he saw the other person's appearance. The other person was just as surprised and happily called out "Sixth Brother" before galloping to Zhao Liulang's side.

The brothers were reunited, and amidst their joyful laughter, Lin Jiang could vaguely see them through the thick fog.

This man was none other than Master Zhao in his youth.

Young Master Zhao was clearly an outstanding general. After the collapse of the divine city, he was separated from his family and wandered alone in the south. Along the way, he made many brothers and, through various coincidences, gathered up the precious treasures scattered throughout the divine city.

He enjoyed great fortune along the way, and he never experienced the suffering that Zhao Liulang endured.

Now, upon hearing that his sixth brother has ascended the throne, the young Master Zhao immediately patted his chest and promised to do his utmost to assist him.

Thus, the Daxing Dynasty, which was on the verge of decline, was suddenly injected with a powerful vitality and gradually regained its vigor.

Everything is thriving.

However, right now.

The old man who had always been Lin Jiang's embodiment quietly left Daxing alone.

……

The old man left the city, seemingly intending to wander further north, but his body ultimately could not keep up.

Finally, he climbed to the top of a majestic mountain, found a dazzling cliff, sat on a boulder beside the cliff, and gazed at the distant scenery.

Gazing at the clouds swirling and changing in the wind, witnessing the sun and moon rising and setting on the horizon in turn.

He sat there quietly for three days without moving an inch.

Finally, on the third day, as the sun rose, he heard Zhao Liulang's urgent shouts from behind.

"Master! Master!"

The old man turned around and saw the dark-faced young man in armor running swiftly up the mountain, with Little Dumpling following behind him.

Time flies, years pass, and after experiencing many trials and tribulations, Zhao Liulang is no longer as naive as he once was.

He was tall and muscular, with a touch of heroic spirit between his brows, truly a handsome young man rarely seen in the world.

But his face betrayed his nervousness:
"Master, why did you leave without a word? Did someone in the city offend you? Just tell me, and whoever it is, I can kill them for you." The old man shook his head.

"No."

"Then have I done something wrong? If you don't want me to be the emperor, I'll abandon Daxing right now and go with you."

"Not at all."

The old man shook his head again.

"Then why did you leave? You should at least tell me."

"I'm going to die," the old man said.

Zhao Liulang's eyes widened immediately, and Xiao Jiaozi rushed forward in a flash:
"Where are you injured? I'll prepare some medicine for you right away..."

“I’m not injured anywhere, I’m just too old. I remember your prescriptions can’t save a dying person.”

"But...but aren't you the Star Pointer? You have so many skills, how could you possibly be limited by old age..."

Zhao Liulang couldn't understand it.

In his view, although his master rarely helped him, the elixir formula he taught him was by no means something an ordinary person could use, and his skills and abilities should not have died because of old age.

Upon hearing this, the old man's lips moved slightly, but he finally let out a long sigh and squeezed out a sentence:

“I…I am not worthy of being called your master.”

"Master?"

“I didn’t teach you your skills. I have almost no skill, and I haven’t even entered the inner hall yet.”

"But... if it wasn't you, then who could it be?"

"Immortal."

"Fairy?"

“Yes.” The old man’s eyes were slightly cloudy, as if he were lost in memories, and he slowly said, “There has always been an immortal within me. I cannot see him, but I can clearly sense him. Every time he imparts his teachings to you, he attaches himself to me. At that time, I cannot control my body, but I clearly remember everything that happens.”

At this point, a bitter smile appeared on his face: "I'm just an ordinary person who benefited from his fame. I'm not worthy to be your master, and you don't need to take care of me in my old age."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Liulang shook his head vigorously. He quickly went to the old man's side and knelt down.

The little dumpling followed suit, arriving at the old man's side and kneeling down respectfully.

"In that case, we actually have two teachers: one who imparts knowledge to us and answers our questions; and the other who raises us. There is no conflict between the two."

Upon hearing this, the old man's lips curled slightly, a smile appearing on his face. He nodded gently, then slowly closed his eyes.

After enduring three days and nights of hardship in this desolate place, the last bit of life force within him dissipated completely.

Seeing the old man collapse, Zhao Liulang rushed forward and pulled him into his arms; Xiao Jiaozi frantically rubbed the pills, trying her best to heal her master.

However, all of this was ultimately in vain.

The old man slowly raised his hand and pushed away the prescription in Xiaojiaozi's hand. He said softly in a hoarse, deep voice, "I'm a little tired. Let me lie down here."

"But Master..."

"Don't disobey me. You've always defied me in the past, but this time you should listen to me properly."

Zhao Liulang knew that words were useless, so he could only let hot tears roll down his cheeks.

The old man's cloudy eyes swept around, and suddenly met Lin Jiang's gaze.

He blinked, as if confirming Lin Jiang's presence, and a smile spread across his face:

"He is quite a handsome immortal."

Lin Jiang remained silent.

"My lord, although these two children are quite large and robust, they are actually not that old. They tend to act impulsively. Could you spare some time to help them?"

“They have already embarked on the right path and do not need my help. They will surely be able to move forward firmly along this path.”

"is it?"

Hearing Lin Jiang's words, the old man felt as if he had received a great promise, and a relieved smile appeared on his face.

He finally closed his eyes and breathed his last.

Zhao Liulang and Xiaojiaozi, standing nearby, wept uncontrollably, overwhelmed with grief.

It took them a long time to stop crying.

As dusk settled and the mountain path wound its way down, Zhao Liulang carried the old man's body on his back, their waists tied together with a rope, and steadily made his way down the mountain.

"Immortal, are you still there?" Zhao Liulang asked.

“…I’m here,” Lin Jiang replied.

"Master, are you still there?" Zhao Liulang asked again.

"I'm here."

“…You’re gone.” Zhao Liulang shed tears again.

He could no longer hear what Lin Jiang was saying.

The brothers, who depended on each other for survival amidst the destruction of the divine city, lost their two masters with every step they took.

One is separated by the Yellow Springs, the other by the passage of time.

How can we possibly see it?

(End of this chapter)