I am the old, fiery-faced man from the senior department.

"As for me, I'll probably stay with you until you get tired of me."

Returning to Chapter 31: Living for a Better Tomorrow

With Bai Zhantang's matter resolved, the two, having lost interest, packed their things and continued their journey, preparing to set up the third cauldron outside Zhongyue.

But before arriving at Zhongyue, Ah Xi has prepared some basic science facts for you.

None of the Five Sacred Mountains are mountains with only one independent peak.

These are mountain ranges where many peaks converge, collectively known as Yue.

Since it is a mountain range, it must have a main peak.

The main peak of Zhongyue is Junji Peak.

If climbers ascend Junji Peak and look out into the distance, they can fully enjoy the beautiful scenery of Zhongyue.

Looking up, one sees Shaoshi Peak standing guard to the west, Jishan Mountain facing south, the Ying River flowing in front, and the Yellow River like a ribbon to the north.

Leaning against the rock and looking down, the peaks and valleys unfold beneath your feet, towering and jagged, giving you the feeling of "viewing all the mountains as small".

The clouds, mist, and wind among the mountain peaks change in an instant, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene.

As a poem says: "Thirty-six peaks like a hair bun, travelers come and go with a relaxed face. White clouds suddenly gather, all in the midst of nothingness and mist."

Zhongyue is not a desolate place. Several famous families of the Great Yan Dynasty have established their sects here to continue their lineage.

Because of the beauty of the mountains and the spirit of the waters, it has become common for talented people to emerge from the Central Peak.

Such a beautiful and spiritually rich place is naturally an ideal location for gathering the earth's energy and establishing its veins.

Even during the day, this excellence will not be overlooked.

"Oh! I can see it now!"

After traveling for another six or seven days, the two finally arrived near Zhongyue.

“There’s a village over there. Let’s stay there for the night, Xiaobai.”

I've had enough of sleeping on carts and in beds in the wild, and I've had enough of those annoying mosquitoes.

"Okay, let's find a place to stay."

These days, because the number of mosquitoes has gradually increased, and because he has his own electromagnetic shield that repels mosquito bites, Nian has been following him around almost all day to get some peace and quiet, either snuggling in his arms or hanging on his back. After a week of this, even he was starting to feel the strain.

"Hehe, I know you've worked hard."

Nian lay on Bai Zhou's back, gently pinching and kneading his face with both hands.

"Then tonight, I'll make sure you feel really comfortable."

"..."

There was no response during the day.

How to say it.

He was a little embarrassed to say it.

He was torn between wanting to and not wanting to.

He thought it was because doing so could indeed relieve fatigue and drowsiness, but every time he did it all night long, so instead of relieving his fatigue, he became even more tired because of the excessive frequency.

That would be a huge loss.

"Hey, don't worry."

Knowing what Bai Zhou was worried about, Nian spoke up to assure him:

"Just once, just to help you relax, I'll never let you get so tired again."

"Really?"

In that case, Bai Zhou was a little tempted.

Don't you believe me?

"I believe you, of course I believe what you say, elder sister."

If it's just once, there shouldn't be any problem.

Seeing that Bai Zhou agreed, Nian revealed a triumphant smile.

"Grandma! We're tourists who've come all this way and are quite tired! Would we be willing to stay the night at your place? We'll be leaving tomorrow! We won't be a bother!"

During the day, he called out loudly to an old woman named Walper.

"What! This old woman doesn't sell feathered eggs! Nor does she raise feathered beasts!"

"We are travelers! We would like to stay at your house for the night! Is that alright?"

"Stay? Sure! Come on in! I'll make room for you!"

The old lady was a very kind person, but she was a little hard of hearing.

Fortunately, after persistent questioning during the day, the old woman agreed to let them stay overnight. She even kindly vacated the west room for them.

Thank you so much!

"Want some pickled vegetables? Or how about some porridge? It's for lunch, don't mind!"

"No need, no need! We have food!"

"There are enough chopsticks! Don't worry!"

It took a lot of time and effort during the day to finally get the old lady, who hadn't finished chatting, back to her room to rest.

Watching Bai Zhou talk to his grandmother, Nian was so happy he could hardly breathe, and he collapsed onto the kang (a heated brick bed) clutching his stomach.

"That was so much fun! Little White, the way you looked just now was hilarious!"

The yearning child imitated the old woman's mannerisms to amuse the daytime.

"Phew... Although Grandma is a very kind person, talking like this is too tiring."

The conversation finally ended, and Bai Zhou sat down next to Nian, chuckling softly.

"what's wrong?"

Seeing that Bai Zhou looked like he had thought of something interesting, Nian put his arm around his shoulder and asked curiously.

"Oh, it's nothing."

He glanced at the year, turned his head away, and his tail twitched incessantly with his laughter.

"Oh! Tell me quickly! I want to hear it!"

This sight only heightened Nian's curiosity even further.

"I suddenly thought about whether my older sister might do this in the future."

Whenever he thought of the old woman's appearance, Bai Zhou couldn't help but imagine Nian looking like that old woman, and then make her speak and listen like the old woman.

"Goo-"

I instantly became unhappy.

Nian stared at him, lightly tapping her arm with her fingertips, thinking about how to punish this despicable younger brother who had no respect for his sister whatsoever.

"I would never do that!"

Nian reached out and pinched and kneaded Bai Zhou's face.

"But you, Little White, might end up looking like that!"

“Every day, he would slowly stroll around the yard with his cane. In the afternoon, he would lie on the rocking chair, holding two walnuts, and bask in the sun.”

The year describes the old age life of most ordinary people.

"If you have someone you love by your side, that kind of life... feels wonderful."

The year did not cause any harm to the daytime; on the contrary, it made him quite yearn for it.

"...You really are something."

There's nothing more to say this year.

However, Bai Zhou's tendency to always think positively is actually a good quality.

"Alright, alright, the moon is so big now, go to sleep."

The old woman patted the quilt that the old woman had taken out, which was originally made for her daughter-in-law, and greeted Bai Zhou.

"well."

He blew out the candle and took off his shoes to get onto the kang (heated brick bed) during the day.

"Her husband went to war and never returned, leaving behind an orphan and a widow at home."

"My son finally grew up and married a virtuous wife, but who knew he would contract tuberculosis at such a young age and pass away a few years later."

"The daughter-in-law went out to pay respects to her ancestors, but was caught in a sudden downpour and disappeared without a trace. She passed away along with her son, leaving her alone at home."

Bai Zhan reflected on the old man's life.

"Sister, you mean this old lady..."

By day, gazing at the dark rooftops, he asked the year.

Was her life filled with more happiness and joy, or more suffering and pain?

"How would I know?"

Although she said that, her eyes were full of joy.

She lost her loving husband, but she still has her children to hold onto, giving her hope to keep living.

"The son she raised with great care was gone in the blink of an eye, a tragedy of a parent outliving their child. But she still has a dutiful daughter-in-law, and the two of them support each other and can continue to live on."

“The dutiful daughter-in-law is gone, and she was already nearly seventy years old. She should have been able to end her life and leave this hateful world.”

"But she didn't give up easily. Her husband, son, and daughter-in-law were all gone, but she still had herself, and she was still living for herself."

Leaning against the shoulder of the daylight, Nian gazed at the bright moonlight streaming through the window and smiled happily.

"This is what it means to be alive. I absolutely adore that way of trying to live."