Immortality Path: From the Blind Man at the Pharmacy

Chapter 39: 39. Missing

Chapter 39: 39. Missing

Three days later in the morning, Song Cheng glanced at the panel.

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A 6.4% probability of deducing the superior technique of “Xuanwu True Force.”

He decided to wait.

Because a 6.4% probability was not low, it had reached a point where he could wait with peace of mind.

In fact, not much time had been spent overall, at least in comparison to his “longevity” and infinite lifespan, this amount of time wasn’t even a “drop in the bucket.”

Too short.

‘Live peacefully in a safe environment, ideally without any incident, for several decades.’

‘Hide six to seven parts of strength to deal with risks; show three to four parts of power to gain influence.’

Song Cheng silently reminded himself.

He was over forty years old with his previous life and this life added up, and he had passed the age of “hot-bloodedness, impulsiveness, recklessness, and ignoring consequences.”

After breakfast with his wife in the dining hall, he guided Young Mrs. Tong in practicing with the blade for a while, then took a large basin, soap, and dirty clothes, scooped a bit of water, and began washing the clothes in the courtyard.

Without maids or servants, these tasks had to be done personally.

Young Mrs. Tong was supposed to do the laundry, but Song Cheng had taken over the job.

He couldn’t bear to see his wife exhausted from practicing with the blade and still having to do these chores.

He had plenty of strength anyway, not to mention, back at Rejuvenation Hall, washing clothes and chopping wood were his duties.

There weren’t many dirty clothes: two sets of cloth shirts, pants, socks, Young Mrs. Tong’s underwear silk pocket, and his own underwear.

Song Cheng scrubbed each piece repeatedly, first rubbing the stains away in soapy water, then rinsing them with clean water. When he touched the silk pocket, he still felt a slight illicit aura lingering on it.

After the couple became martial artists, their enthusiasm naturally grew much stronger.

He caressed it again, noticing the silk pocket was wrinkled, clearly well-worn…

He knew, Young Mrs. Tong only had this one silk pocket.

She hadn’t bought another since.

Silk goods were genuinely expensive.

He couldn’t afford it.

At that thought, he genuinely contemplated marrying the young lady.

He offered the young lady “strength support” and “risk contingency plans,” while also taking up a “son-in-law living with his wife’s family” spot, so she wouldn’t worry about “getting married.”

In return, she provided him with a “safe environment,” “network support,” and “financial support.”

Each took what they needed; even as “nominal spouses,” it would work.

He had slim chances before, but now with Ling’s assistance, there was hope.

If it truly couldn’t be done, then he would open a medical clinic with his wife and find another livelihood.

First, they had to leave the county town and go to a bigger city.

As he thought about this, Song Cheng didn’t slow his hands, quickly hanging the clothes, pants, and socks to dry before stretching his arms slightly and saying, “Wife, I’m going to fetch some water.”

There was a well at the residence, and they had to fetch the water themselves.

Although Song Cheng’s family only had two people, they used a lot of water.

Martial artists frequently bathed, and sharpening blades required water.

By the way, his blade was almost sharpened, and compared to the Fine Blade from Tang River Village, this blade not only had different material but also a strange notch at the handle, its purpose unknown.

Seeing Song Cheng pick up the carrying pole, Madam Tong stopped practicing with the blade and said, “I’ll go.”

“Continue your practice.” Song Cheng especially hoped his wife would seize every moment to practice martial arts and improve her realm as soon as possible.

Madam Tong asked curiously, “Why aren’t you practicing?”

Song Cheng replied, “How come I’m not practicing? I practice when you’re not looking.”

In that unseen Time Fragment, he had practiced tirelessly, sweating countless drops, resulting in today’s achievements, right?

How come he didn’t practice?

Don’t slander an innocent person, okay?

Madam Tong squinted at him and said, “Alright, alright, you’re a prodigy, unlike us mere mortals.”

Song Cheng said, “I really practiced.”

“When?”

“When you weren’t watching.”

“Get out…”

Song Cheng picked up the carrying pole, hanging with two empty buckets, and left the door.

Madam Tong sighed lightly, thinking to herself, ‘Husband might be arrogant. The lonely ghost he fused with probably had some background, and he is slowly digesting its power.’

But the power would be completely digested sooner or later, and he still had to rely on himself.

Madam Tong felt her husband was noticeably slackening.

The thought flashed by, and she took a deep breath.

She aimed to catch up with her husband’s progress, so if he slacked, Tong Jia would become stronger and protect him.

When Song Cheng reached the well, there were families of other guards and servants around.

“Song is fetching water again,” said an elder family member. “Your wife sure is lazy.”

Those who knew said, “Not lazy, Song抢着 does it; he dotes on his wife.”

Another family member gossiped with a smile, “You wouldn’t know, but last time Song went to Biliu Courtyard, and the courtesan sat on his leg, ready to give him a red envelope, but he didn’t take it.”

“Why?”

“He feared his wife. He spent money but didn’t engage with the courtesan. My son said it became a joke at Biliu Courtyard.”

Among those fetching water were mostly elderly or women, who loved gossip. For someone like Song Cheng, a “celebrity,” they had gossiped about him plenty in secret.

Song Cheng didn’t mind, smiling as he said, “A wife is to be cherished, right? Besides, fetching water was a chance to relax.”

He quite liked this uneventful life atmosphere.

It was much better than in the village.

If possible, he believed his initial century of “longevity” should be in such a peaceful and ordinary atmosphere. After accumulating power and maturing, he would then venture elsewhere.

But first, he needed to find a “safe environment.”

Previously, he couldn’t stay in the deep mountains because they weren’t a “safe environment.”

And Shanghe County, frankly speaking, wasn’t safe.

Compared to Tang River Village, it was a matter of time.

Without a doubt, this world had the worldview of “Endless Hell,” though with more variables and strangeness…

As Song Cheng pondered, a sudden noise arose from the corridor outside the courtyard, a tumult of footsteps and chatter mixed together.

Song Cheng put down the bucket and went to see, finding Steward Wang, Ling, along with several guards and servants in quick discussion.

“What is it, Steward Wang?” Song Cheng asked politely.

Steward Wang waved, saying, “Focus on your cultivation, boy, these matters aren’t for you yet.”

In his eyes, Song Cheng was just a little brat in the Power Realm, full of potential but yet to unleash it.

The other guards casually glanced at Song Cheng, having shared drinks before, but not much interaction afterward. Their views aligned with the steward.

But they were different; Ling was not.

Ling called out, “Song… ahem, Song Cheng, why don’t you come along?”

Song Cheng glanced, seeing the anxiety and a hint of panic in Ling’s eyes.

Steward Wang said, “Why would Song come? It makes no difference.”

Song Cheng shook his head, replying, “Miss Ling, I’m fetching water, just finished, and still need to practice upon returning, so I’ll pass on coming.”

Ling nodded, and the group hurriedly went away.

Song Cheng squinted at their retreating figures.

He felt as if… a storm was coming.

…

…

Chopping wood, sharpening blades, going to the dining hall for meals…

In the afternoon, Ling rushed over and directly said, “Mr. Song, two of the guards on shift haven’t returned. They were stationed outside Tang River Village…

They were supposed to return last night, but no one’s come back yet.

Everyone discussed and decided to send people to check.”

Song Cheng wanted to say “maybe don’t send anyone,” but as he was about to speak, he realized he had no right to prevent others from investigating. What if it wasn’t what he thought?

Ling suddenly voiced her fear, “Could it be ghosts… the ghost disaster spreading?”

Song Cheng replied, “It could be, or maybe not, but since there’s a delay, something must have happened, either bandits or a ghost disaster… Miss Ling, still, remind them, if danger is sensed, retreat immediately.”

Ling said, “The steward also mentioned this, but an investigation is necessary. Those two guards have families here, and they deserve an explanation no matter what.”

…

…

And in the blink of an eye, another two days passed.

The entire Ruyi Commerce Chamber was shrouded in an ominous atmosphere.

The investigation into Guard Captain Shi’s death hadn’t yielded clues, and he still lay in the government morgue.

Now, those sent to investigate the missing guards hadn’t returned as planned either.

It felt like casting stones into the sea; once sent out, they vanished.

Within the chamber, the atmosphere was exceedingly tense, and just when the young lady was absent.

At this moment, four higher-ups were gathering: the steward, chief accountant, Ling, and a Force Realm strongman remaining behind.

The four sat together, yet in deep silence…

…

…

In the east of the city.

Though the sunlight was bright, it seemed clouded with haze, bringing a chilling sense.

A group of gorgeously dressed girls were chatting delightfully as they departed, these were the girls from Biliu Courtyard.

They were heading to the countryside manor at Young Master Zhao’s invitation.

Spring had just begun, the flowers were blooming, just the right time for an outing.

“Riding with courtesans” was always a beloved leisure for literati and elegant scholars.

Young Master Zhao was the younger son of the Water Bird Martial Arts Hall owner.

While his brother practiced martial arts, he pursued literature, inviting friends to enjoy the outdoors together.

The courtesans walked out of the city gate, joined Young Master Zhao, and continued merrily onward.

Not far off, a wooden sign stood stuck in the ground, with “Fur” written on it.

The man holding the sign smiled and shouted, “Come, take a look, newly made furs.”

Young Master Zhao and company were heading south, towards green hills and clear waters, but upon hearing the man calling from the north, they suddenly stopped and approached him.

Approaching, Young Master Zhao suddenly felt his senses blur, an odd thought entirely consuming his mind, making him forget he was there for an outing.

He lowered his voice and said, “We’re heading to the Extreme Joy World.”

The man with the sign chuckled, “Got it, I’ve long prepared for you all, stay here a bit, and we’ll head to the mountain soon.”

The courtesans, along with Young Master Zhao’s friends, were all excited.

They came for the boredom of ordinary life, seeking a taste of the strange and thrilling.

So, they waited patiently.

By dusk, a few more people joined the man holding the sign.

Together, they turned and left, gradually disappearing into the mist that had crept up unnoticed.