The Hidden Immortal

Chapter 66 The Erosion of Time

Chu Xun was stunned. He never expected Li Shoutian to say such a thing.

Just as she was about to speak, she noticed that Li Shoutian's hand had already let go.

The old man's already cloudy eyes became incredibly bright at this moment.

He looked as if he had seen something, his face full of smugness and delight.

"Father, what brings you here?"

"Dad, that old well still belongs to our village!"

"If you don't believe me, ask your older brother."

The aged voice abruptly ceased, and then fell silent.

Chu Xun took out a new ginseng slice and put it into Li Shoutian's mouth.

No new miracles occurred.

A soft sigh then drifted through the doors and windows to Li Guangmao, who stood anxiously at the doorway.

"Come in."

Li Guangmao hurriedly pushed open the door and went in, seeing Chu Xun standing by the bed, then looking at the bed.

The old father had closed his eyes and made no further sound.

Li Guangmao seemed to understand something, and he knelt down, weeping bitterly.

"Father!"

That year, the old village chief's second son, wielding a stick, pushed the boy who wanted to fight alongside the villagers back into the yard.

"We've got the water-grabbing under control, we don't need you. Go away, stay home and behave yourself!"

That year, the middle-aged man who had just become the village chief bowed and scraped to the county officials who came to collect the wasteland tax, and secretly slipped some silver into their hands.

"It's not easy for an orphan and a widow, please be understanding."

That year, the village chief led his oxen back to the village.

"I searched high and low, covering the surrounding villages, to find such a fine ox!"

Year after year, he did so much.

My hair turned white strand by strand, and my teeth fell out one by one.

When the silkworm is dead, the silk will be exhausted, and the torch will turn into gray and tears will begin to dry.

As his life was drawing to a close, he did not persuade Chu Xun to let go of his hatred.

Instead, he used the goodwill of the entire village to tell him that if he was going to kill, he should kill them all to avoid causing trouble for those around him.

He's getting old.

Yet he was still the same man who carried his deceased father on his back and roared at the whole village, "That old well belongs to our village now!" He was a man who dared to fight and struggle!

Chu Xun even thought that if the old village chief and the stone had switched identities, they might have been painted on the New Year picture even faster.

The passing of Li Shoutian marks the complete end of an era for the older generation in Songguo Village.

There are no longer any people of his generation in the village.

On the day of the burial, the entire village, young and old, gathered together.

There weren't many rules; everyone wanted to come and see them off in person.

The rain poured down as if the sky were collapsing.

This time, Chu Xun did not use any magic incantations.

The rain started falling on its own.

Zhang Anxiu leaned against Chu Xun, her eyes brimming with tears, and choked out, "He'll be reborn into a good family, right?"

Chu Xun looked up at the sky and nodded, saying, "That's right."

The hand seals were made.

The rain is getting heavier.

"Farewell, man."

------

The 41st year of the Jing Kingdom.

Huan'er participated in the imperial examinations, and after the provincial and palace examinations, she was defeated by Dong Xingjian of Xunyang Prefecture with his policy essay "On Preserving the Foundation and Strengthening the Country, Adapting to Change and Prospering the Country". She "only" became the second-place candidate.

This person is quite bold; Huan'er even mentioned it to Chu Xun when she returned home in glory.

"This policy essay has three parts, the most admirable of which is..."

"Firstly, an order was issued to limit the amount of land that wealthy gentry could occupy. Those who exceeded the limit were ordered to distribute the land to poor farmers and be exempted from taxes for three years."

"Secondly, streamline government and eliminate redundant officials. Anyone with nothing to do or no achievements to show for them should be dismissed and sent back to farming."

"Thirdly, promote education to clarify human relationships. Order that private schools be established in all counties and townships, and hire learned scholars to teach, so that all people can learn."

"If this continues, all people will live in peace and happiness, and the land will be tranquil, surely leading to the great prosperity of the Jing Kingdom!"

"His Majesty was very pleased and appointed Brother Dong as the top scholar in the imperial examination. He also appointed him as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, and gave him the additional title of tutor to the crown prince, concurrently overseeing the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Ministry of Rites."

Huan'er expressed great admiration for Dong Xingjian, without any hint of jealousy.

However, after hearing this, Chu Xun sighed and asked, "You're not very familiar with him, are you?"

"We've shared a drink and exchanged a few words, does that make us acquaintances or strangers?" Huan'er asked.

Chu Xun said, "In any case, stay away from this person. If you want to associate with him, wait ten years."

Huan'er was taken aback, and said with a surprised look, "Uncle, what you said is exactly the same as what my teacher said? He also told me to stay away from Dong Xingjian and to consider whether to date him again in ten years."

"Could it be that you dislike this person?"

Chu Xun shook his head and said, "To dare to say what others dare not say truly shows great talent and virtue. How could I not like him?"

"Then why...?"

Chu Xun did not explain, but only said, "In short, listen to me and Lord Tang, we'll talk about it again in ten years."

Huan'er was puzzled and helpless, but since her most respected teacher and uncle said so, she could only do as they said.

A year has passed quickly.

In early spring, the weather has not yet warmed up.

Chu Xun stood by the field, his hands forming a magic seal.

Some of the hard soil, silently and imperceptibly, becomes loose and soft, allowing air to enter.

Then came a fine mist that covered the rice stalks that had just sprouted.

The pale yellow with a hint of green quickly absorbed the water mist containing a faint spiritual energy, leaving no trace.

Chu Xun clasped his hands together and strolled leisurely along the ridge of the field.

Wherever they went, everything was full of vitality.

Even the weeds on the ridges of the fields sprouted half a month earlier than those on other people's fields.

The old water buffalo followed behind, its tail swishing constantly.

Several weasels grabbed its tail and swayed it as if they were playing.

The old water buffalo didn't care, because it was carrying three crows on its back, as well as a few field mice that had somehow climbed up there.

The crow seemed somewhat reluctant to squeeze in with the field mouse, and would peck at it whenever it got even a little too close.

The field mice squeaked in fright, sometimes hiding behind others, sometimes sneaking forward again.

Chu Xun glanced back and laughed, "They won't take up much space, why be so domineering?"

Three crows cawed, and one suddenly flew up and landed on Chu Xun's shoulder.

Its nearly three-foot-tall stature was awe-inspiring, yet it nestled its head close to Chu Xun's ear like a child, chattering incessantly.

It's unclear whether they're filing a complaint or protesting their innocence.

Just then, shouts came from behind: "Village Chief! Village Chief!"

"Grandpa Village Chief! Second Uncle, wait for me, let me speak!"

Chu Xun stopped and looked back, only to see Zhang Erzhu running towards him.

A five or six-year-old girl followed behind him, her skin already tanned dark by the sun at such a young age.

A mouthful of clean, even white teeth stood out, like snowflakes wrapped in a pile of charcoal.

The two men ran up to the old water buffalo. Zhang Erzhu glanced instinctively at the various "parts" hanging on its body before saying, "The county magistrate's grain official is here. Something terrible has happened. He wants you to go back immediately!"

After Li Shoutian's death, Chu Xun, as expected, became the village chief of Songguo Village.

It wasn't that he wanted to do it, but everyone in the village said that if he didn't, they'd rather leave the position vacant forever.

Qi Ermao and other young people who have been playing with Chu Xun since they were children are now the backbone of the village and Chu Xun's most loyal supporters.

No one but Xun Ge'er is qualified to be their village chief!

Chu Xun raised an eyebrow: "What major incident has occurred?"

Zhang Erzhu's expression was quite complex, a mixture of excitement and sorrow: "His Majesty... His Majesty has passed away!"

The girl behind her had just run up when she heard Zhang Erzhu speak. She sat down on the edge of the field, kicked her legs, and burst into tears.

"I've told you everything, let me talk! Let me talk!"

The newly sprouted grass shoots were kicked so hard that mud flew everywhere.

Chu Xun was taken aback. Although he had expected it, witnessing it in person now gave him a completely different feeling.

The emperor who ended the chaos and established the Jing Kingdom could not ultimately withstand the passage of time.

The county government issued a notice: "The late Emperor has passed away, and a new Emperor has ascended the throne. By imperial decree, effective immediately, the entire nation shall mourn."

The people of Jing Kingdom were required to wear mourning clothes for a month, and were forbidden from slaughtering pigs and sheep. Weddings were postponed, and even the county's opera stage was demolished.

The crown prince ascended the throne, and the reign title was Yongji.

A year and a half later.

The top scholar Dong Xingjian, whom Huan'er admired, was found choked to death at home.

What choked him to death was a policy essay.

The title is "A Strategy of Safeguarding the Foundation and Strengthening the Nation, and Adapting to Change and Prospering the Nation".

Hundreds of copies were made and shoved into my mouth, straining my throat.