Chapter 78: At the Foot of Wudang Mountain (Part Two)

Having come to understand the vastness of the universe, he still cherished the verdant life of grass and trees. Sometimes, Hua Feng would gaze upon an ancient verse and let his thoughts wander endlessly. He marveled at the immensity of the cosmos, the countless stars scattered across the heavens. Earth, and all its creatures, seemed but a single drop in the ocean. Amidst the struggles of the mortal world, most people lived within the cycles shaped by their forebears and countless generations before them. Each day repeated itself, and no one knew if tomorrow would truly be different. People feared death, yet rarely understood what they lived for—such had become the norm for many.

Now, as apocalypse loomed on the horizon, ordinary people did not know whether the future would remain unchanged forever. Perhaps they had never considered such elusive, intangible matters. Yet, they too strove according to the instincts of life—working hard, living diligently, each day hoping for a better tomorrow, for their small families to thrive.

Perhaps, as long as one could spend each day with loved ones, living a simple, tangible life, that was satisfaction enough—there was no need to worry about the vexing uncertainties of the future. Sometimes, maybe a pot of aged wine, a small plate of peanuts, a few dishes to accompany the drink, and the company of three or five old friends, sharing laughter, would be the very paradise of the mortal world, a haven amidst the smoke and fire of daily life.

By a twist of fate, Hua Feng had come into contact with a world unlike any he had known, and inexplicably gained extraordinary potential and constitution. His entire worldview was transformed; what he once imagined was slowly becoming reality. Perhaps, in the future, countless challenges would come rushing toward him. Standing in such a position, all he could do was face whatever came next, one after another, just as he had at every turning point in life before. Though reality was harsh, the future still held promise.

His longing for a beautiful life had never changed. Since destiny had bestowed this great responsibility upon him, he would shoulder it with all his strength! Even though he could not be certain he would have the peace to stay by Yunmeng’s side tomorrow, the Yunmeng who now lay asleep, resting her head on his shoulder, was his truest world. If only every person he cared for could live well, that alone was the world he most needed to guard—and must stand firm in protecting. Especially now, when the world before him grew ever more unstable.

Let the storm come fiercer still! With such a bold thought, his mind awash with a thousand chaotic dreams, he drifted into sleep.

The sky was clear and the air was pure at the foot of Mount Wudang.

“Senior brother, do you think anyone these days would still dress like this? You can’t even tell what era this tattered Daoist robe is from. Who would leave a barely breathing man like this at our mountain gate?” A young Daoist, having just returned from an errand down the mountain, pointed and muttered about the man lying before the gate.

The Daoist addressed as senior brother adjusted his sleeves and studied the disheveled, feeble stranger intently. He listened to his junior’s complaints without replying, then bent down, placing his right index finger on the wrist of the man lying on the ground, quietly feeling for his pulse.