kvmb Chapter 363 A Wasted Half a Lifetime
Chapter 363 A Wasted Half a Lifetime
Chapter 363: Half a Life Wasted
The old woman smiled, a hint of relief in her voice:
"Because he told me he was waiting for a destined person, and that he would leave once he found him, so I have been silently protecting him."
Qiu Ziyue was deeply moved as she listened, and she suddenly understood a principle:
True feelings don't necessarily need to be expressed in a grand and dramatic way.
Sometimes, it's more like a silent companionship, where even when separated by thousands of miles, the other person is still on your mind.
Just then, a melodious zither tune drifted from outside the cave, clear and ethereal.
The old woman's gaze softened, and she murmured to herself:
"He's playing the piano again... This piece is 'Chang Xiang Si,' which we often played together when we were young."
Qiu Ziyue couldn't help but ask:
“Mother-in-law, since you both still remember the good things about each other, why don’t you try to get a little closer?”
Perhaps the old man of mystery also wishes to see you.
The old woman remained silent for a while, then finally shook her head:
No, some things, once missed, can never be made up for.
I just wanted to tell him this way that no matter how many years have passed, I will always remember him, and I will always remember our story.
After hearing this love story spanning half a century, Qiu Ziyue, Qi Yuxuan, and Li Cunxu all fell into deep thought.
They knew that such feelings were both touching and poignant.
Life is short, and it is already difficult to meet someone worth cherishing, but it is even more rare to truly know how to cherish them.
The old woman stood up, dusted herself off, and said softly:
"Alright, I've said everything I needed to say."
The treasure you seek lies beneath a thousand-year-old tree to the due east. The rest is up to you to navigate.
Qiu Ziyue nodded solemnly:
"Grandma, where are you going? Aren't you going to wait for Senior Xuanxu?"
The old woman smiled:
"If he still cares about me, he will know where I am."
The old woman turned and disappeared into the depths of the cave.
And that melodious piano music still seems to echo in the air...
Qiu Ziyue, Qi Yuxuan, and Li Cunxu exchanged glances.
They were quite tired from their journey. They chuckled softly and then closed their eyes to rest for a moment.
Then, the two men stood up and picked some wild fruit from the tree for Qiu Ziyue to eat.
As time went by, the injuries on the three of them gradually improved.
On this day, the Mysterious Old Man arrived with a giant stone-armored beast.
He said slowly:
"Now that I have found my destined one, my mission is complete. It is time for me to depart."
Qiu Ziyue couldn't help but ask, "Senior, I wonder what the mystery was in my trial, and why I fell into this place?"
The old man smiled slightly and replied:
"Entwined vines sever the sorrow of parting; falling into the abyss is all fate. You have fallen into Granny Cui Ci's trap."
This is a test before you obtain the treasure; every step is imbued with profound meaning, and your choices demonstrate your courage and wisdom.
Li Cunxu then pressed further:
"Does the senior have any further instructions?"
"Go, find what you want."
Remember, use the treasure where it is needed, and do not betray the original aspirations and painstaking efforts of the past kings who cared for the common people.
The old man pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke:
The world is full of strife; only by embracing a heart of benevolence can we overcome all difficulties.
Then, the old man turned to Qi Yuxuan, his eyes filled with approval:
"Young Master Qi is a promising young man with a bright future ahead of him, yet he remains detached from worldly affairs and steadfast in his original aspirations."
But that's good too; this state of mind will surely bring you a lifetime of happiness and longevity, with a beautiful woman by your side.
Upon hearing this, Qi Yuxuan was filled with emotion and nodded solemnly.
Qi Yuxuan asked the old man Xuanxu:
"Senior, I have a question, but I don't know if I should ask it. Why didn't you come with Granny Cuici to guard the treasure back then?"
The old man of profound mystery said:
"Why else? I just don't want her to suffer with me."
Qi Yuxuan remained silent.
Finally, the old man Xuanxu looked at Qiu Ziyue, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes:
“The old man of the Demon Spring was an old friend of mine, and he once mentioned you to me.”
He said that although you are a woman, you have the courage to embrace the universe and turn your fate around.
There will inevitably be hardships along the way, but if your will is firm, you will ultimately achieve great things and live a long life. Take care!
After listening, Qiu Ziyue's eyes reddened slightly, and she bowed deeply.
"Thank you for your guidance, senior. I will certainly live up to your expectations!" The old man smiled slightly and waved his hand.
"This stone-armored behemoth was originally a guardian spirit beast of the treasure; let it remain here for now."
Having said that, the old man addressed the stone-armored behemoth:
"Stone Armor, you've been with me for over fifty years."
Now we must part ways. You must protect these masters and help them find the treasure, then you can choose your own destiny.
The stone-armored behemoth slowly lowered its head, as if in a salute.
A layer of misty water vapor appeared on its hard, iron-like shell.
That was the culmination of fifty years of emotion, which at this moment turned into silent tears.
Every teardrop that falls slides into the soil, splashing up fine dust.
"Alright, I'll take my leave now."
"Wait a minute,"
As the old man Xuanxu turned to leave, Qiu Ziyue said, "This junior, Ziyue, is not talented, but as a woman, I would like to say a few words on behalf of Granny Cuici."
"Please speak," the mysterious old man turned around to listen carefully.
"As a woman, youth is as precious as gold, yet Grandma Cuici was willing to waste half her life and endure loneliness to accompany her. This devotion is truly admirable to the younger generation."
Qiu Ziyue paused for a moment and then continued:
"When she left, she told the younger generation that she would go to a place you know, and asked the elders not to let down Grandma Cui Ci again."
"Alright, I understand. Goodbye."
As soon as he finished speaking, the mysterious old man turned and left.
Then the old man's voice echoed through the sky:
Half a lifetime wasted,
Loneliness and misery accompany me as I endure them alone.
I have failed to appreciate your tender feelings.
My infatuation and resentment linger in my dreams, stretching far and wide.
Worldly fame and fortune are ultimately illusions.
All the splendor of the world has vanished like smoke.
May Heaven have mercy on us.
Lovers from all over the world share a beautiful night.
As the old man and the giant beast walked further and further away, the old and desolate voice finally disappeared into the depths of the mountains and forests.
An indescribable sense of heaviness filled the air.
The stone-armored behemoth stood still, its massive body trembling slightly.
Its eyes gleamed with a dim light, like two stars about to go out.
For fifty years, it has walked alongside the old man through countless dangers, witnessing the wind, frost, rain, snow, and changes of the world.
In every crisis, it was the old man of profound wisdom who resolved the predicament.
In every moment of confusion, he guided me with warm words.
Now, its owner, who had been with it for half its life, has quietly departed, leaving behind only a simple sentence.
The stone-armored behemoth was filled with reluctance and sorrow.
But it knew it had to fulfill its master's last wish—to protect Qiu Ziyue, Qi Yuxuan, and Li Cunxu in finding the treasure.
It raised its head and looked into the distance. The forest had returned to calm, and the figure of the Mysterious Old Man was no longer visible.
The stone-armored behemoth let out a deep roar, its voice filled with endless sorrow and determination.
This is a farewell to the past, and a promise to the future.
Qiu Ziyue and the others stood aside, silently watching everything unfold.
Although they could not fully comprehend the emotions of the stone-armored behemoth, they could sense the turmoil within it.
Qiu Ziyue said softly:
"Shijia, we will cherish this trust and will not let you down."
If you complete your mission, you may then seek out your mysterious master.
The stone-armored behemoth turned around, its gaze fixed on the three of them, appearing even more resolute.
The three stood still, looking at the stone-armored behemoth.
They didn't know if the old man Xuanxu had gone to look for Granny Cuici, but the story of this wasted life guarding the treasure made them sigh.
Qiu Ziyue, Qi Yuxuan, and Li Cunxu slowly emerged from the dark cave.
Sunlight shone on their tired yet determined faces, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees.
Soon after, a group of soldiers in armor appeared in the distance.
The leading general shouted loudly:
"Prince Jin! We have come looking for you!"
Seeing the familiar group, Li Cunxu felt somewhat relieved and nodded to Qiu Ziyue and Qi Yuxuan, indicating that there was no need to worry.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the group decided to head together to the treasure trove that Granny Cui had mentioned.
The location of that ancient pine tree due east.
What other dangers and adventures lie ahead?
Thank you for reading. Please read the next chapter!