Chapter 23: Zhao Datou's Death
Zhao Datou was still sitting in front of the tombstone, but his movements were stiff and he remained motionless.
"Old man, old man, Master—" Xu Ning ran anxiously towards Zhao Datou, calling out as he ran.
Unfortunately, Zhao Datou did not respond.
Finally, Xu Ning reached Zhao Datou's side, reached out a trembling hand to check his breath, then froze on the spot, finally slumping to the ground.
Tie Dan was also stunned at this moment, seemingly understanding something, and couldn't help but shout to the sky, "Moo—"
Unbeknownst to them, Xu Ning had sat beside Zhao Datou all night, with Tie Dan quietly lying beside him.
If you only looked at their backs, it seemed as if the grandfather and grandson were sitting there chatting, with the ox lying beside them.
It wasn't until the sun rose and its light shone on Xu Ning's face that his somewhat numb cheeks regained their vitality.
He stood up with some difficulty, took out the thatched hut, and took out a coffin from it.
This was something Xu Ning had made two months ago, using only the best mortal-grade wood, all for this moment.
Then, Xu Ning took out the prepared clothes and dressed Zhao Datou in them before placing him in the coffin.
Next to Su Wei's grave, a pit was dug, and the coffin was buried inside.
After that, Xu Ning obtained a stone, cut it into a tombstone with an axe, and engraved the words "My Master Zhao Datou" on it.
Sitting before the tombstone, Xu Ning couldn't help but say, "Old man! Why did you suffer so much in your life? If you had lived a peaceful life, married and had children, you would have been surrounded by grandchildren and enjoying family bliss! Why were you tormented by hatred for so many years!"
"You often asked me why I didn't yearn for the martial arts world, why I didn't yearn for the world of cultivation. I never gave you a definite answer!"
"Haha, now I can say it. I didn't want to be like you! The martial arts world and the world of cultivation are wonderful, but they also represent endless danger!"
"I also know that you have a secret you haven't told me. Is it a peerless martial arts technique or a peerless weapon? Su Wei killed your wife and children for that, didn't he?"
"I know you left me a letter, it's on you. I didn't read it. Since it's something you've always cared about, let it remain buried with you!"
Xu Ning kept talking, his expression shifting between laughter and sorrow, much like the scene yesterday when Zhao Datou faced Su Wei's tombstone.
Before he knew it, it was afternoon.
Then, footsteps sounded behind him.
Xu Ning subconsciously turned his head to look, then exclaimed in surprise, "Su Qiurou?"
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A stunningly beautiful woman carrying offerings approached; it was Su Qiurou.
Seeing Xu Ning, Su Qiurou was equally surprised. "Tofu Young Master? What are you doing here?"
Xu Ning turned to Zhao Datou's grave. "I've come to bury my master!"
Su Qiurou was surprised. "Bury your master?"
Xu Ning nodded, then turned back to look at the tombstone without speaking.
Su Qiurou didn't ask further, carrying the offerings to Su Wei's grave, where she saw the chaotic state of the tomb.
"This, who did this? Grandpa—" Su Qiurou couldn't control herself; tears streamed down her face as she hurriedly began to gather the fragments of Su Wei's body.
After a long time, Su Qiurou finally collected all the body parts, placed them in the coffin, and reburied the grave.
After finishing, she silently stared at the grave for a long time before turning to Xu Ning and asking, "Did you dig up my grandfather's grave?"
Xu Ning silently shook his head. "No, it wasn't me. When I came, the grave was already like this. I didn't know it was your grandfather's grave!"
Su Qiurou knew that the Su family had many enemies, and she wasn't sure if it was one of them who dug it up, so she didn't suspect Xu Ning too much.
"You came and it was like this, so you didn't see who dug it up, right?" Su Qiurou was still unwilling to accept this and asked again.
Xu Ning nodded. "Didn't see it? Even if you did, so what? Not only do I not know them, but even if I could find them, it's another matter. And even if I did find them, what could you do to them now?"
Su Qiurou lowered her head upon hearing this.
The Su family was no longer the Su family it once was. No matter which enemy she faced, she was powerless.
Thinking of her former life of luxury and the suffering and pain she had endured for the past two months, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
The two sat silently before the graves for a long time before Su Qiurou finally spoke, "What are your plans now?"
Xu Ning replied, "What else could I plan? To wander the world! What about you?"
Su Qiurou asked, "Me? I'm going to stay with my sister. She's in the Immortal Sect. Do you want to come with me?"
Xu Ning shook his head immediately. "I don't have the aptitude for cultivation, so I won't go!"
Disappointment flashed in Su Qiurou's eyes. It seemed the two of them were ultimately not meant to be.
Not long after, Su Qiurou left, not making things difficult for Xu Ning.
Xu Ning waited for an hour, and when Su Qiurou didn't return, he picked up his hoe and dug up Su Wei's grave again, throwing out the remains once more.
After finishing, it was already dark, and Xu Ning, with Tie Dan, left under the cover of night.
After traveling for three months, Xu Ning finally found a suitable place to stay: Baiyi Village.
Legend had it that there was once a divine doctor here who could cure all diseases, hence the name.
However, that divine doctor had passed away many years ago, and it was said that his descendants' medical skills were not very good now.
Xu Ning chose to stay here hoping to learn some medicine, thus gaining an income that wouldn't attract attention.
After some inquiries, Xu Ning learned that the Bai family was selling some useless assets, including thatched huts and land.
The Bai family was the descendant of the legendary physician.
However, the Bai family had declined, otherwise they wouldn't be selling houses and land; after all, these were fixed assets, and keeping them wouldn't do any harm.
After making the inquiries, Xu Ning immediately went to the Bai family.
Although their glory was gone, one could still vaguely see their former splendor in the Bai family mansion.
The Bai family was very welcoming to Xu Ning, rushing out to greet him. Clearly, they were currently struggling financially and desperately needed money; otherwise, they wouldn't have been so hospitable.
The current head of the Bai family was named Bai Muyang, and he was currently middle-aged.
"Young friend, may I ask where you come from?" Bai Muyang couldn't help but ask Xu Ning.
Xu Ning, exhausted and covered in dust after three months of travel, said wearily, "To be honest, Uncle, our village was attacked by bandits and the entire village was massacred. My parents died in that accident, and I only escaped by sheer luck..."
His eyes filled with sorrow.
Bai Muyang felt a pang of sympathy. "Ah! With constant war and rampant banditry, young friend, don't be too sad!"
Xu Ning nodded silently. "I know, life has to go on. We can't stay stuck like this forever!"
Bai Muyang nodded and changed the subject. "Young friend, which place are you looking to buy?"
Xu Ning said, "That thatched hut on the west hill, the one with the land next to it! How much is the land and the hut together?"
Bai Muyang said, "Seeing that you're not having an easy time, how about two taels of silver?"