Kindness in a Harsh World
Chen Yunlong awoke to the bustling sounds of a small village house, noting the rustic walls and old furniture of the room, along with the sound of chickens clucking and dogs barking outside.
Sitting up in bed, he stretched lightly and observed as a middle-aged woman with light brown hair entered the room. Her hazel eyes sparkled warmly as she carried a steaming bowl of soup in her hands.
"Senior, how are you feeling? I'm Xiaolan's mother, Wang Meili," she introduced herself with a friendly smile.
Chen Yunlong nodded in acknowledgement, "Thanks to your kind hospitality, Madame Wang, I'm feeling much better. I cannot express my gratitude enough for taking care of me."
Wang Meili smiled warmly as she rambled fretfully, "We're just glad that you survived! Xiaolan and Hei'er worry me sometimes. They are still young and impulsive, but they possess kind hearts. Ah! I don't know if I should be worried or relieved."
She enthusiastically chattered, "Ah! Forgive my rambling! And please don't worry about owing us anything, just focus on getting better. Your company is more than welcome!" Wang Meili then asked, "What may I call you, Senior?"
"Just call me Chen—" he started before pausing abruptly, his brows furrowed in thought as he sighed, "Old Chen."
Wang Meili tilted her head in curiosity, but she had seen many things over the years in the village.
She suspected that he had his reasons for hiding his name and so she dismissed any intentions to pry.
Chen Yunlong sipped the soup slowly, relishing the taste and feeling the warmth spread throughout his body. After finishing the soup, he looked up at Wang Meili with a grateful smile.
"May I ask about those two?" he asked.
Wang Meili's eyes lit up fondly, "Of course! Xiaolan is my daughter. She is the light of my life, and ever since my husband passed, she and Hei'er have been supporting me with all their efforts."
"Please accept my sympathies for your loss," Chen Yunlong said in a sympathetic tone, his countenance growing solemn.
Wang Meili waved her hand dismissively, "It's alright, Senior. Life has its ups and downs, and we must learn to endure them. I am sure you have also faced your own share of hardships."
Chen Yunlong nodded in agreement before asking, "And Hei'er?"
"Hei'er, his real name is actually Liu Heishan," Wang Meili's voice trembled with emotion as she spoke. "He and Xiaolan have been inseparable since childhood, even considering each other as fiancés."
"He has had a tough life," Wang Meili continued, her voice tinged with sadness. "His parents passed away during a bandit attack when he was young, the same incident that took my husband's life."
Chen Yunlong's expression softened, his heart going out to the young couple. "They seem like good people," he said softly.
"They are," Wang Meili replied with a smile. "Xiaolan is always helping others in the village, and Hei'er is a hard worker, taking on odd jobs to support us."
Chen Yunlong then asked, "Is there anything I can do to help? I am indebted to your family for your kindness and hospitality."
Wang Meili shook her head, "No need, Senior. You are our guest, and we will take care of you until you are ready to leave."
Chen Yunlong bowed his head respectfully, "Thank you for your generosity, Madame Wang. I will never forget your kindness."
He continued to listen intently as she prattled on dotingly, his heart aching for their hardships.
As Chen Yunlong took in this information, memories of the harshness of the cultivation world flooded his mind. He knew that even among immortals, resources were always scarce and control was always sought after, not to mention the even more dire circumstances faced by mortals.
No matter how prosperous the land may seem, there would always be turmoil preventing true peace and stability. Because if everyone was happy, who would be the happiest?
This idea of boundless happiness brought with it a fear that it may diminish one's own happiness.
It was as if such an all encompassing happiness existed, then those in control would fear their very being was no longer a necessity, or at the very least, no longer an existence that stood above all.
And so happiness which should be immeasurable as an emotion was carefully calculated, utilized in a way that it would become a limited resource.
Chen Yunlong's heart ran cold as he considered the harsh possibility that the bandit attack wasn't random, but an orchestration done to maintain control.
Having been one of the strongest beings in the cultivation world for so long, Chen Yunlong had encountered countless schemes and manipulations, and such a scenario was far from out of the ordinary.
As they conversed, Wang Meili shared stories of her children's mischievous adventures, while Chen Yunlong offered an attentive ear.
"Old Chen, what about you? What's your family like?" Wang Meili asked curiously.
With a soft smile, Chen Yunlong stroked his hand through his beard as he pondered, lost in thought.
"My parents have since long passed away," he replied, "and I have spent most of my life wandering and seeking enlightenment on my own, so I haven't had a family of my own."
He couldn't help but feel a tinge of bitterness at the thought of his parents. They were ordinary people who had lived their lives to the fullest, but their time had ended long ago, buried in an old grave out in the mountainside.
In contrast, he had lived for over 3,000 years, living for several lifetimes more than them.
As time passed, his memories and attachments had grown weaker, and he found himself longing for the company of others.
"But in my long life, I have met many people who have become like family to me," Chen Yunlong continued, his voice filled with warmth. "Some have passed on, while others are still out there, living their own lives. I wonder what they are doing now, or if they still think about me from time to time."
As a cultivator, Chen Yunlong had spent much of his time on his own, dedicating himself to the pursuit of enlightenment.
Trust was a rare commodity in a world where resources were scarce and coveted, but despite this, he had managed to form strong bonds with a few individuals.
Their faces flashed before his mind's eye, and he couldn't help but smile at the memories they brought back.
Whether it was an old drunkard that could barely usher out a coherent sentence; a blacksmith that locked himself away for decades, his focus on refining one perfect armament; or even the beauty that none dared to gaze upon lest they fall prey to her bewitching charm and face her fearsome blade; just to name a few.
And there was another prominent figure that left a deep mark on him—a master that he had taken shortly after the deaths of his parents. This master, although not renowned for extraordinary accomplishments, had illuminated an alternative path in life for him, one that held profound significance.
Chen Yunlong's heart swelled as he reminisced about the adventures he had shared with these kindred spirits.
"At times, my path was a lonely one," he admitted, "but I consider myself lucky to have met so many genuine friends along the way. And I still have the strength to keep walking forward."
He groaned as he rose from his bed. Wang Meili offered her arm to help, but he waved it away.
"I'm stronger than I appear, and I can't waste the day resting. I need adequate exercise to regain my strength."
Wang Meili hesitated before stepping back.
She watched as Chen Yunlong's figure left the door.
"If you need anything at all, feel free to let me know. Be sure not to overexert yourself."
"Noted," he responded with a small smile. "Thank you, Madame Wang. I appreciate your concern."
Chen Yunlong took a deep breath and stretched his arms and legs before stepping outside. The crisp morning air felt invigorating.
He took a seat beneath a nearby tree, nestling in the cool comfort of its shade. Swiftly, he assumed a meditative position.
In his mind, he called out to the Ethereal Star Pavilion and entered the grand hall, where the constellations shimmered overhead. Chime materialized before him, flicking the 'Astral Constitution' book towards him with a nod.
"I see you're not wasting any time," Chime praised.
"Though I suppose you have no time to waste. You've lived for over 3,000 years, and the average lifespan for the realm you reached is only 5,000 years. Without your cultivation base, I'd wager the time you have left is far shorter."
"However, I have faith in you. Study this book diligently and we can remedy the situation. If it comes down to it and I have to entrust the Ethereal Star Pavilion to another, I will."
Chen Yunlong feigned a pained look, "You speak as if I am already on my deathbed. I could do without such harshness, my venerable companion."
"Hmph. Now, as much as I'd like to kick you out and make you study on your own, we'll have to complete the first stage of the 'Astral Constitution' here."
"The first stage?" Chen Yunlong asked, opening the book in his hands.
But... the page was blank.