The Pill Emperor exerted every ounce of his skill, pushing his alchemy to its absolute limit.
Another hour passed.
The pill furnace trembled violently.
“The pill is complete!”
With a single gesture, the Pill Emperor lifted the furnace lid, which weighed 500 kilograms.
A golden pill floated out from within.
The Pill Emperor looked at Chen Chang’an. “It’s done. The enmity between us is settled.”
Chen Chang’an took out a box, placed the pill inside, and cupped his hands toward the Pill Emperor. “Thank you.”
The Pill Emperor let out a long breath.
At last, the grudge was resolved.
“Now you have the same lifespan as I do. Do you truly not regret this? If you take the pill now, you could still live 2,100 years.”
The two walked out together.
Chen Chang’an’s expression turned strange.
Take the pill?
Unless he had suffered several thousand concussions, he would never do such a thing.
Besides, where did the extra 100 years come from?
“What is there to regret? Since ancient times, who has not died? As long as what I do has meaning, death does not matter.”
Chen Chang’an shook his head with a smile.
The system had just reminded him that he had 182 days left to live.
Not even half a year.
What use were a thousand years?
“By the way, do me one more favor. Don’t tell my brother that I used 4,000 years of lifespan essence blood.”
If Zhen Yongfu knew, he would blame himself. Even if he were to know, it would have to be after Chen Chang’an’s death.
The Pill Emperor nodded. “Fine. I won’t tell him.”
“To be honest, I truly admire you. In my thousands of years of life, I have never seen someone do this for a brother. I have seen countless brothers turn against each other for opportunities and benefits.”
The Pill Emperor sighed.
He had once had an older brother.
It was long ago.
For the position of family patriarch, his brother had framed him and nearly caused his death.
After leaving the family, he rose to fame but never returned.
From that moment on, he understood the rules of the world.
Benefit.
From then on, he never opened his heart to anyone.
That was also why he had cooperated wholeheartedly in refining this pill.
He had witnessed true friendship.
Originally, the pill was expected to grant 1,000 years of lifespan, but it had gained an extra 100 years.
As they stepped outside the hall, the Pill Emperor’s face suddenly bloomed with a smile as bright as a chrysanthemum.
A middle-aged woman approached slowly, leading a three-year-old little girl.
“My dear granddaughter! Come, come to Grandpa!”
Chen Chang’an was stunned.
This old man had a son? And even a granddaughter?
Honestly, he had never known.
Seeing the Pill Emperor happily playing with his granddaughter, Chen Chang’an did not wish to disturb him.
“Old Green, I’m leaving,” Chen Chang’an said calmly.
The Pill Emperor nodded, then hesitated. “Come visit sometime…”
Chen Chang’an smiled. “Sure.”
In the past, the Pill Emperor would never have dared to say such words.
Chen Chang’an turned to leave, but then seemed to think of something.
He looked at the adorable little girl in the Pill Emperor’s arms.
“Old Green, I have a godson. He’ll be born in half a year.”
The Pill Emperor froze, then his expression turned sly. “You’re sure it’s a son?”
Chen Chang’an nodded. “I sensed it. It’s a son.”
“Then how about we become in-laws?” The Pill Emperor’s grin grew even more mischievous.
Chen Chang’an had been waiting for that.
…
Chen Chang’an left the Pill Emperor Sect and began the journey back with Luo Yizi.
Along the way, he could clearly feel Luo Yizi’s sharp gaze.
“What’s wrong?”
“Don’t talk to me! I don’t talk to fools!”
“My death has nothing to do with this. You’ll know when the time comes.”
“Maybe your intuition is wrong! Maybe you won’t die! You used 4,000 years of lifespan for Zhen Yongfu. Was it worth it?”
If Chen Chang’an had done this for her sister, she would have felt it was worth it.
Because she knew how deeply he loved her sister.
But this was her first time meeting Zhen Yongfu. She had never heard how deep their bond truly was.
Chen Chang’an smiled. “You don’t understand. Let me tell you about him.”
“I met him when I was young and full of passion. I told you before, I knew him earlier than your sister…”
“If I remember correctly, he once saved my life from the jaws of a demonic beast. He once fought over 100 people at the same realm for my sake. There was a time someone insulted me and I endured it, but he went alone to that man’s place and lost an arm and a leg before taking the man’s head…”
Chen Chang’an smiled faintly, grateful that this was a cultivation world. As long as one did not die, even severed limbs could regenerate.
Otherwise, he would have lost a brother.
Luo Yizi fell silent.
She no longer dared to ask whether it was worth it.
As Chen Chang’an finished speaking about Zhen Yongfu, he suddenly stopped flying and looked down.
Below was a vast lake.
Sweet osmanthus trees surrounded it, their blossoms in bloom, fragrance spreading far.
Chen Chang’an looked at Luo Yizi. “I’d like to go down and take a boat ride. Will you join me?”
Back at the inheritance grounds, he, Jia Jiyou, and Zhen Yongfu often took boats out on lakes.
The reason was simple.
There were many talented young women there, and whenever they had free time, they would go boating.
The three brothers would follow, taking boats just to admire beauties.
Luo Yizi nodded.
Chen Chang’an descended, found a small wooden boat, and sat on it. With a flick of his hand, a jug of wine appeared.
Mist drifted lightly. The sunset glowed. Crimson clouds reflected on the water, like a fairyland.
But after rowing for a short while, he smiled at Luo Yizi. “Let’s go.”
“All right.”
She felt none of the charm.
Chen Chang’an said calmly, “I once read a line: ‘I wish to buy osmanthus blossoms and share wine on the boat, but it can never compare to the carefree days of youth.’ Now I truly understand it.”
“If given the chance, I’d like to boat with them again and admire beauties.”
He smiled faintly, surrendering the moment to the fading dusk.
Luo Yizi stared at him.
You miss admiring beauties, don’t you?
By nightfall, Chen Chang’an returned to Zhen Yongfu’s home. Follow the newest chapters on novelping.com.
Zhen Yongfu ran out to greet him. “Brother Chang’an, you were gone ten days. What were you doing?”
He suspected that Chen Chang’an had been searching for a way to extend his lifespan, though it was only a guess.
Chen Chang’an pulled him aside, took out the box containing the pill, and placed it in his hands. “For you. A longevity pill. It can extend your life by 1,100 years.”
Zhen Yongfu froze, his hands trembling.
This—
“Brother Chang’an, you’re not lying?”
He swallowed and opened the box.
Inside lay the golden pill.
A longevity pill.
But unlike ordinary ones.
It contained an immense vitality.
It was real.
“Brother Chang’an, how… how did you get this?!” Zhen Yongfu could not believe it.
Luo Yizi walked over, brows tightly knit. She was about to speak when she saw Chen Chang’an’s warning gaze.
She bit her lip, hesitated, then turned and walked into the house.
Chen Chang’an looked at Zhen Yongfu. “I went to beg the Pill Emperor. Paid a small price.”
“Him?!” Zhen Yongfu’s face darkened.
He clenched his fists. “What price?”
He felt it could not have been small.
“We resolved our old grudges. And when my godson, your son, grows up, if he is willing, he’ll marry the Pill Emperor’s granddaughter.”
Zhen Yongfu’s eyes widened.
This was a price?
This was taking advantage of the Pill Emperor!
“Haha! Hahaha! That’s my Brother Chang’an!”
All his worries vanished. He rushed forward and hugged Chen Chang’an tightly.
Chen Chang’an smiled and patted his back. “Take good care of your family. Promise me, stop refining pills that way. Relearn the normal method. It won’t even take 300 years for you to return to your current level.”
Zhen Yongfu nodded heavily.
Under Chen Chang’an’s watchful gaze, he finally swallowed the pill.
The two entered the house together, laughing.
Zhen Yongfu insisted on cooking personally and declared that they would drink without restraint that night.
While Zhen Yongfu was cooking, Luo Yizi pulled Chen Chang’an outside.
They stood by the pond.
“You’re sure you’re hiding this from him?”
Chen Chang’an looked at her. “Help me hide it. I don’t want him to carry this burden.”
Luo Yizi stared at him for a long while, then turned toward the house.
After two steps, she stopped.
“Do you know why I like you?”
Chen Chang’an’s expression turned awkward. He said nothing.
You’re my sister-in-law. Could you not say such things…
Luo Yizi said directly, “Because you’re a fool. The biggest fool of all!”
After venting, she walked inside.
Chen Chang’an shook his head.
Looking at her back, so similar to his wife’s, he smiled softly.
“Your sister said the same thing back then…”