Chapter 2279: Chapter 2343: Reminiscing on Glorious Years Past
Murong Yuanqing had several footprints and handprints on him, steam rising from his forehead, his face flushed, but he was in a very good mood. Despite an important eting turning into a sparring session, a hearty fight was always welco.
Returning to his room, Murong Yuanqing called for soone and instructed, "Take the old masters to change and freshen up, and tell the kitchen to prepare a al, big fish and at, have it all ready for ."
Half an hour later, the old masters returned one after another. Li Yifei stayed with them the whole ti, feeling itchy himself. He wanted to spar with these veteran grandmasters too, it would be an improvent. Especially since these grandmasters were honed through life and death, their moves were swift, accurate, and ruthless, or they had countless routines and techniques. Li Yifei secretly learned several moves today, though no one challenged him.
Elder Nan’s disciple, Nanfang, was nowhere to be found. He was initially standing in the rain, getting drenched, but when the elders started fighting, he disappeared.
A bunch of elders and just one young man, Li Yifei, with so having a nearly hundred-year age gap with him. Li Yifei couldn’t thick-skinnedly challenge anyone himself; that would be imprudent.
So, in the end, Li Yifei could only watch eagerly as these people finished fighting, washed up, changed into fresh clothes, and sat by the table. So had changed their deanor, so were wolfing down the big fish and at, while others ate with elegance.
Big chunks of at, large bowls of wine, raising a toast together. Reflecting on the challenging tis of the past with admiration, lanting the few days left in the present—one phrase filled with endless longing. Li Yifei even fantasized if he were born a hundred years earlier, facing a crumbling nation and broken land, what he might do. The latter phrase stirred a sense of lancholy.
These elders, once infinitely glorious, were now well past their twilight years, even with a lifespan twice that of normal people, it was coming to an end.
"Kid, you’re not bad. Although individual bravery is no longer important, the things you did are still honorable! Co on, fill it up, let’s have a toast, this drink is from this old man to you!" The old soldier, now in a long robe after changing, was drinking quite a bit, suddenly stood up and raised his glass to indicate Li Yifei.
Li Yifei respected soldiers the most. Facing this century-old military man, Li Yifei was both honored and frightened, quickly stood up, held his wine glass with both hands, and said, "Sir, you’re flattering
too much, this toast is to you!"
"Why so much nonsense? If you’re toasted, just drink, this old man has more to say!" The old man glared, and Li Yifei nodded repeatedly, bowing slightly, saying, "Please go on!"
"Hmm, the future depends on you. Our generation is over. Whether it’s you or that kid of Elder Nan’s, the next hundred years depend on you to guard. For a country to be prosperous, the people must be at peace, and for the people to be at peace, the country must be prosperous. One cannot be without the other. I don’t know how advanced technology will be in the future, but one constant is whatever the technology, whatever the system, it must be people-oriented. People are the key to it all. You all are the nation’s rare talents. Work hard, don’t panic when things arise. Today Murong brought you here, so we could et. In the future, if there’s anything, don’t hesitate to speak up. Without mincing words, with
here, your words hold weight!" The old man said, pounding his chest at the end, making a sound that resonated. Li Yifei, moved, nodded, raised his glass with both hands, and said, "I will heed your advice, and I will do my best."
"Everyone, drink up!" With that, the old man downed a full four-ounce glass of white spirit.
Murong Yuanqing and the others also raised their glasses. Li Yifei felt this was the most satisfying drink he had in years. He suddenly felt a sense of legacy, as if he understood sothing, a thread of thought forming in his mind, all drawn out by the old soldier’s words.
Though he wasn’t sure what exactly this realization was, it was just a vague notion.
One person praised Li Yifei, and quickly another stood up shakily, holding a cup. His face was very wrinkled, probably the oldest visage Li Yifei had seen, but Li Yifei had seen his fierce energy in sparring, as if the wrinkles on his face would fly off, exceptionally fierce. But his strength wasn’t the top, so he got a lot of lessons today. Standing up, Li Yifei noticed his hand holding the glass trembled lightly.
This elder seed to be nad the Fish Seller. In his early years, he made a living fishing, but later he had an enlightennt and acquired great skills, using a fishing rod as a weapon. In those days, he slaughtered the enemy like wheat. Seeing him looking over, Li Yifei quickly bowed and said, "Senior Fish Seller."
"Haha, it’s been a long ti since anyone called that na, not bad, kid. I’m different from the old soldier; I’m not a soldier. I’m just a fish seller, but I want this country to be good. In the past decades, the country’s prosperity couldn’t be separated from our bloody struggles, from those who died, and of course, from every person in this country. I’ve had too much to drink, so I just want to say one thing, kid, the future is yours, and you’re not like ordinary people. I hope you take on more responsibility. When this country faces danger, please protect it and defend these people!" Fish Seller said deeply.
Li Yifei felt a little puzzled inside. He certainly knew Fish Seller was encouraging him, but these words... Why did they sound a bit heavy, almost impossible for such a thing to happen, especially sothing that could harm an entire country?
"Rember for life," Li Yifei said solemnly.
"In this way, I am relieved. It’s a pity that cultivators are dwindling, and talents are becoming fewer," said the fish seller with a sigh.
Like a great tree, in the early years, even thousands of years ago, the ancients chose cultivation, using the body to communicate with heaven and earth to achieve greatness. But ultimately, these people were only a minority, so ordinary people sought another path, creating tools to improve their quality of life and even extend their lifespan. Thus, the technology developnt beca the technology tree, and naturally, cultivators began to dwindle further.
The fish seller sat down, his movents slow. He was holding an empty cup, seemingly waiting for soone to pour wine. Sadly, he wasn’t able to drink another cup of wine. After saying he was relieved and after his sigh, he sat down, his eyes gazing at the delicacies on the table, seemingly daydreaming.
Li Yifei had just finished a big cup of wine, and was about to put down the cup when he suddenly sensed sothing amiss. The room suddenly fell silent, and the lively banquet seed to turn cold. He looked up to see the elders’ gazes all falling on the fish seller who had just spoken to him.
Murong Yuanqing’s mouth twitched a few tis, a hint of sadness appearing on his face. Yao Lingfu beside him lowered her head, feeling quite down. Elder Nan, the elder in military uniform, and all the elders at the wine table fell silent.
The fish seller had rushed to the Capital City today, t Li Yifei, saw the strength of the younger generation, fought a few hearty rounds with old friends, despite the bruises still on his face, and had a al of drinks with them. He said a few words to Li Yifei, and after saying he was relieved, he completed his life with so regrets and closed his eyes.
Sitting there, the fish seller still had his back straight. He seed intentionally determined to keep his back straight, deliberately wanting to leave this world with dignity.
"The fish seller is 113 years old this year, right?" After a long silence, an elder asked.
You look at , I look at you, everyone is unclear. Murong Yuanqing put down his chopsticks, stood up, holding a wine cup, his expression sowhat solemn. "114 years old, I rember his birthday. Fourteen years ago, when the old fellow was 100, he even specially called , saying he had thought he would be satisfied if he lived to 50, but accidentally lived to 100. Ha, I said at the ti, ’Live well, call
for the next 50 years!’"
"114 years old, it’s quite a number. Before dying, he ate big fish and at, drank a lot of wine, and fought several rounds. It’s worthwhile. If I can die like this, I would have no regrets!" The elder in military uniform stood up with his cup, eyes filled with sorrow, his face forcing out a smile, filling his cup with wine.
Elder Nan also stood up, holding a cup, and sighed, "So many old friends sending off the fish seller, I think he must be satisfied. If he had died unclear and sick in a bed, I think he wouldn’t have wanted that. Today... all of us, raise a cup to the fish seller, and to those years decades ago."
This cup of wine must be drunk, must be drunk heartily. Li Yifei was emotionally stirred; he hadn’t expected to personally send off a senior master, and the other party had specially instructed him before leaving. It’s an honor and a trust. When Li Yifei drank this cup of wine, he etched the fish seller’s words in his heart and would never forget.
The departure of the fish seller ans that there’s one less strong man, master, top expert, or one who fought for the country and people in that tragic era. Similarly, with this situation today, Li Yifei also established part of his identity or position on certain levels. Undoubtedly, after this, many will know that Li Yifei has entered the core circle.
Of course, it also ans that Li Yifei will take on more responsibilities. In the past, Li Yifei could refuse, like when he rejected going to the Island of All Beings. Without Seventh Brother and Ninth Brother, Li Yifei wouldn’t have gone ashore. Now, though, Li Yifei must consider fully because the responsibility is different.
This is just the beginning and ans the end for certain people.
The banquet concluded, and Li Yifei stayed until midnight before leaving. The elders decided to send off the fish seller on his last journey, even discussing going to his hotown, a small fishing village in the Suzhe Area, to scatter his ashes in the small river beside the fish seller’s ho.
This will take several days, so Li Yifei can’t leave during these days. Luckily, he won’t be bored. Elder Su’s health has been poor lately, and Li Yifei adjusted Old Master Su’s body twice a day. After a few tis, the old master’s health improved, and he was even ready to be discharged from the hospital. The old man had long wished to leave the hospital, now having few positions apart from holding one at the People’s Congress, so relatively, he’s quite leisurely.
On this day, the old master wanted to visit the Great Wall, and after so hesitation, Li Yifei agreed.
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