I Only Want to Lie Flat But Am Forced to Cultivate Immortality-Chapter 154 - 99: Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage

The older the wine, the richer its flavor; the older the person, the broader their wisdom.

Hu Baosong, over two hundred years old, had insights and vision beyond the average person. Although Xu Qing was a zombie, he also possessed a heart eager for learning and the Dao.

With such an experienced teacher readily available, he naturally sought to learn diligently.

Leaving the Funeral Shop in the care of Xuan Yu, Xu Qing and Daoist Yizhen went together to the Coffin Shop to seek knowledge and the Way.

In the courtyard where Hu Baosong resided, there was an ancient peach tree. It was Xu Qing’s first time entering the backyard of the Coffin Shop.

He looked at the prayer mat placed under the peach tree, his gaze slightly stirred.

Foxes live in peach trees, and within the trees are fox holes.

There always seemed to be an inseparable bond between foxes and peach trees.

In books, it’s often recorded that foxes worship peach trees. It is said that when foxes begin their cultivation, they often seek the best peach tree within a hundred miles.

Afterwards, the foxes place offerings before the peach tree, imitating human kneeling and worship, praying that the peach tree allows them to live inside for cultivation...

Conversely, if knowledgeable people see foxes worshiping peach trees, they often choose to kill the foxes and fell the trees.

This is not done out of greed for fox fur, nor the desire to chop firewood, but because the peach trees that foxes are drawn to are often the most spiritual.

Once the foxes move in for cultivation, they inevitably draw on the peach tree’s protection, absorbing all the spiritual energy around, leaving the area barren.

Without spiritual energy, crops yield poorly, and people and animals live in unrest.

Thus, the old generation passed down a saying: once you see a fox bowing to a peach tree, you must drive it away or kill it.

Xu Qing did not know the truth of it, but he did believe that foxes loved peach trees.

The Daoist Yizhen before him clearly favored this ancient peach tree in the courtyard.

Her almond-shaped eyes narrowed slightly, her graceful head lifted a bit, and the peach tree in the courtyard seemed to have a spirit, as an inexplicable breeze arose from its branches, gently blowing over the people present.

Seeing the two standing under the peach tree with different expressions, Hu Baosong chuckled and said, "The reason I chose this courtyard back then was because of this peach tree."

"This peach tree is at least four hundred years old."

As he spoke, Hu Baosong turned to look at Daoist Yizhen, who was enjoying the breeze with her eyes half-closed.

"If I’m not mistaken, there should also be a peach grove at the gate of Five Elders Temple..."

Yizhen came to her senses and nodded, "Indeed, there is a peach grove. The elders in the temple say that those peach trees were planted by my master and a heartless person."

...

Hu Baosong’s face showed a hint of embarrassment, while Yizhen’s expression remained unchanged, seemingly oblivious to the hidden meaning in his words.

Xu Qing, not one to miss the excitement, suddenly said, "Senior Hu, having been seeking a living in the Coffin Shop for so many years, how do you know there is a peach grove outside the Five Elders Temple?"

"Could it be..."

Hu Baosong and Yizhen almost simultaneously turned to look at Xu Qing.

"Could it be that Senior Hu, while chatting with others, unintentionally mentioned the Five Elders Temple, and that person just happened to have visited it and mentioned the peach grove outside..."

Seeing the two’s tense expressions, looking like they were facing a formidable enemy, Xu Qing quickly changed his tone.

Hu Baosong breathed a sigh of relief, and Yizhen also showed a faint smile.

Only Xu Qing sighed repeatedly to himself.

Forcing things will not result in sweetness; to enjoy good fruits, one must let them ripen naturally.

Hu Baosong felt both fear and affection at this moment. He wanted to deepen his relationship with Yizhen but feared that breaking the unspoken understanding might lead to a series of unfortunate events.

Yizhen felt the same. She had already sensed the relationship between Hu Baosong and her master, and from Hu Baosong’s caring attitude, she had deduced some things.

But the more she sensed, the more flustered she became.

In such a situation, her instinct was to avoid discussing such topics.

Hu Baosong sighed deeply, then collected himself and began to impart his lifelong knowledge to the two of them.

Before him were the dearest person to him and an ageless friend who had given him a new lease on life and helped him resolve his regrets.

If not for his limited lifespan, he genuinely wanted to witness the day these two juniors grew and prospered.

Though it was somewhat regrettable, Hu Baosong did not feel a sense of loss in his heart.

It is said that the greatest blessing in life is contentment. The greatest misfortune is perpetual dissatisfaction.

In this life, he was content!

...

Days flowed like water, with horses passing between windows.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and on this day, a simple and unadorned carriage suddenly arrived at the Funeral Shop.

Besides the carriage, there were several skillful individuals in martial attire, riding tall and majestic horses, guarding all sides.

The carriage curtains lifted, and a slightly haggard-faced chubby man stepped down from the carriage.

He looked at the tightly closed doors of the Paper Mache Shop and sighed lightly.

However, seeing the Funeral Shop still operating as usual, his mood improved again.

Rubbing his face with his hands, Zhu Huai’an’s previously gloomy expression instantly vanished.

He walked in cheerfully, but inside, there was no sign of Xu Qing, only a young woman with fair skin and delicate beauty sitting at the counter.

The girl in red with a cool demeanor was playing with a pair of scholar’s walnuts in her hands, and Zhu Huai’an felt the scene before him seemed mismatched.

Zhu Huai’an’s heart sank; he wondered if his mysterious Brother Xu had sold the shop and moved away without a word.

"Miss, may I ask if Shopkeeper Xu is in?"

Sun Erniang, possessing Xuan Yu, raised her eyebrows slightly while playing with the walnuts and replied in a clear voice, "He’s not here. If you need anything, you can tell me."

"May I ask your relationship with Shopkeeper Xu?"

"He is my cousin, and I am his cousin. My cousin left on some business, so I am looking after the shop for him." Xuan Yu responded with the prearranged story she had discussed with Xu Qing.