Chapter 400 - 137: Beyond the Three Realms, Outside the Five Elements
Chapter 137 [Outside the Three Realms, Not Within the Five Elements] (10,000 words)
Lu Sisi knew of the old village chief, Master Zhao.
During the Spring Festival, Chen Yan had gone to pay his respects and had mentioned to Lu Sisi that the next time they returned, they should visit the old village chief’s home to have Master Zhao take a look at Lu Sisi.
In Chen Yan’s heart, the old lady held the undisputed number one position, and to him, the old village chief, Master Zhao, was like half a family member.
It was the kind of relationship where even if the old man kicked him a couple of times without reason, he wouldn’t get angry and would instead grin and flatter the old man with: "Your legs are still strong, sir!"
Such was the nature of their relationship!
Lu Sisi noticed that when Chen Yan said, "I’m afraid it’s not possible," his eyes were slightly red.
Without hesitation, Lu Sisi got up immediately, washed at the fastest speed, then dressed and followed Chen Yan downstairs.
Chen Yan was already waiting downstairs with the car keys in hand.
The big G wagon hadn’t been returned to Chu Keqing yet—more precisely, Chen Yan planned to return it, but Chu Keqing didn’t want it back, saying it should be kept for the senior’s use.
Chen Yan didn’t intend to take such advantage of Chu Keqing, so he directly gave Chu Keqing a sum of money to buy the car—only the transfer procedures weren’t done yet.
·
The calls and WeChat messages came from the second son of the old village chief, Master Zhao.
The old man’s health had started to decline as early as last week. Initially, the family suggested going to the hospital for a check-up, but the old man himself was reluctant, saying he knew his own body and didn’t need to be checked.
A week later, which was last night, after finishing dinner, the old man stood from the table and silently collapsed to the ground.
This frightened the family!
They hastily lifted the old man to bed, tried chest compressions, fed him hot water, pinched his philtrum, and even called the village doctor. They also planned to take the old man to the hospital.
But before they could lift him off the bed, the old man woke up himself.
Upon waking, the old man told his family: "Arrange my affairs!"
The family was even more terrified.
How could things be arranged without first going to the hospital!!
Master Zhao had always been physically robust, never encountering small ailments, even at over seventy years old, he was still capable of working the fields.
In terms of physical strength, his middle-aged second son couldn’t even compare to him.
His voice was as loud as a bell, his scolding was powerful, and it really hurt if he kicked you.
He could eat a big bowl of rice at one meal.
He could eat half a bowl of braised pork alone!
He rarely ever experienced backaches or leg pain, and headaches or fevers were hardly seen.
With such a physical condition, arranging affairs?
The family panicked. The old man couldn’t win over the family and was still sent to the hospital. As a result, when the check-up was done, everyone was dumbfounded.
Several of the old man’s organs had already begun to fail!
It was as if, all of a sudden, without any warning, they decided to collectively go on strike.
In the face of his children’s panic, the old man said one thing: "You don’t understand this matter, I know it clearly myself, don’t waste money and effort trying to treat it."
Then, the old man started making arrangements.
The eldest daughter stayed in the hospital with him, while the second son went to the village to organize the posthumous affairs, setting up tents as needed and hiring a funeral team.
The old man also wanted to contribute to the nation by ensuring cremation before burial!
As for the rest, the old man had two requests.
Firstly, the old man didn’t want to wear mourning clothes!
In his words, he looked down upon those flashy and gaudy things and would definitely not wear them!
He asked his family to dress him in a set of old military clothes he brought back after retiring from the army in his youth!
He wanted to leave wearing that set of clothes!
The second request was to notify Chen Yan.
·
Chen Yan drove the car with Lu Sisi, having just pulled out from the garage when he suddenly slammed the brakes, bringing the car to a sudden halt.
"Wait for me a moment."
After explaining to Lu Sisi, Chen Yan jumped out of the car and ran towards the gate of Lin Qingquan’s neighboring courtyard.
This time he didn’t climb over the wall; instead, he politely knocked on the door. Despite his anxiousness, he stood with composure outside, patiently waiting!
Moments later, Lin Qingquan opened the door, looking at Chen Yan with some curiosity: "Young friend?"
"Fellow Daoist, I won’t say any pleasantries. I have an elder relative gravely ill and near the end of their life. Do you have any life-extending elixirs? Should you be able to help, I’d surely..."
Before Chen Yan finished speaking, Lin Qingquan interrupted him with a shake of the head: "No need to say further."
He looked into Chen Yan’s eyes: "Young friend, you are also a cultivator, and should understand that mortal life spans are inherently predetermined by the heavens.
A lifespan is what it is; when it’s reached its end, it’s over.
We cultivators, seeking to comprehend the Heavenly Dao, refine our bodies with Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi to align with the Heavenly Dao, thereby receiving some extra lifespan by its grace.
But mortals are not included in this!
While there are indeed life-extending elixirs, they can only be used by cultivators. If mortals consume them, it would be more harmful than beneficial. At worst, they would be fatally ill, and at best, they would die on the spot!"
Chen Yan felt a chill: "So... so there’s no way?"
Lin Qingquan looked at Chen Yan, sighed slightly, and took out a bottle from his bosom to hand over.
"I don’t have life-extending elixirs, but... here are three ’Qingming Pills.’
These are useless for extending life, but often when a person’s life is nearing its end, they either linger in sickness or are unconscious. The ’Qingming Pill’ can’t prolong life or increase lifespan but can restore clarity to the dying, allowing them to act normally.
The effect of one Qingming Pill lasts for two hours, during which time, the person can behave and speak like a regular person, providing enough time to handle final affairs or fulfill some wishes left undone."