Chapter 354: Old Friends Gone, Times Swiftly Changed

Ouyang Feng exerted all his strength, exchanging wounds for wounds, and killed one person. He was stabbed in the abdomen, and besides that, he had countless large and small wounds.

A killer holding a heavy knife spat and cursed, “You dog!”

As he said that, the heavy knife chopped toward Ouyang Feng.

Ouyang Feng was already unsteady. He lifted his sword to block, but the heavy sword knocked him down.

“Pfft.”

Another mouthful of blood sprayed out.

Ouyang Feng’s breath gradually grew weaker.

“Hah.”

The heavy blade was held against Ouyang Feng’s neck.

“Speak, where is the Nine Yin Manual!” the killer said coldly.

Ouyang Feng gritted his teeth tightly. His lips parted slightly, but he seemed unable to speak, his voice very faint.

“Where!” the killer asked coldly.

Seeing Ouyang Feng’s lips moving with no sound, the killer paused but did not lean closer.

“Playing tricks with me? I’ll break your leg first!”

The killer sneered, then raised his heavy knife to smash down on Ouyang Feng’s leg.

Unexpectedly, Ouyang Feng suddenly surged up just as the heavy knife was about to fall.

“Huh!”

The long sword pierced through the killer’s chest.

And the heavy knife landed hard on Ouyang Feng’s leg.

The killer’s eyes widened. The sword was stuck in his chest, and he opened his mouth as blood poured out. After stepping back twice, he collapsed.

A painful wail came from Ouyang Feng’s mouth, and at that moment, utterly exhausted, he passed out.

“Plop.”

He breathed heavily, his breath growing even weaker.

But suddenly, a glint of golden light rose from Ouyang Feng’s palm.

A copper coin floated up, hanging at Ouyang Feng’s dantian. Thin strands of golden light flowed into his body, slowly healing his wounds.

…

By the time Ouyang Feng woke, the sky had turned completely dark.

He suddenly gasped for air and sat up.

“Hoo, hoo, hoo…”

Ouyang Feng quickly touched his own body.

“My wounds…”

Ouyang Feng’s eyes widened as he found his wounds were completely healed.

He looked around at the corpses and saw two dead killers, one in front and one behind.

Ouyang Feng stood frozen in place, muttering to himself, “All… healed…”

It was too unbelievable, and he found it hard to trust.

Ouyang Feng was about to stand when a copper coin fell from him, hitting the ground with a clear sound.

He looked down and, under the moonlight, saw the copper coin clearly.

He picked it up and held it in his palm.

“Copper coin…”

Ouyang Feng murmured softly. He recalled what the Green-Robed Gentleman had told him before.

He shook his head again, thinking in his heart, “That can’t be possible.”

He walked toward the outside of the forest.

His eyes looked toward the bright lights of Qingshan City in the distance. Ouyang Feng then glanced down at the copper coin in his hand.

After clutching it tight, he actually turned and walked back the same path into Qingshan City.

…

At that moment, Qingshan City was fairly quiet. Most places were dim, while only the pleasure quarters could be called lively.

In a tea stall by the street,

Chen Changsheng was sitting and drinking tea with the elder before him.

The elder disliked Chen Changsheng intensely, but following the idea that every coin counts, he still served tea.

“Is Qingshan City fun?” the elder asked.

Chen Changsheng thought about it and said, “With friends around, any place is fine. I just wandered around all day, nothing too fun.”

After hearing this, the elder laughed, “Right on, right on.”

Chen Changsheng asked, “What about you, why aren’t you packing up so late?”

The elder said, “Money can be made at night too. The officers finish work around now. They always sit at my stall when passing.”

Just as he spoke, three officers in uniform walked over.

“Lao Huang, tea ready!”

“Coming!”

The elder stood and went to serve tea. In no time, a few coins were added to his pocket, and he smiled so wide his mouth almost split open.

Back at the table when he sat down, Chen Changsheng’s tea cup was half gone.

The elder grinned, “The best times for tea business are noon and evening. Can’t miss them.”

Chen Changsheng nodded, then asked, “They call you Lao Huang—what’s your real name?”

“Huang Lou,” the elder answered.

Chen Changsheng said, “Yan Huanglou, that sounds quite good.”

The elder glanced at him and said, “Speak softly—don’t let them hear.”

Chen Changsheng chuckled, “The Great Jing has been gone for so many years. Why be so scared?”

The elder sighed, “Some folks still take it seriously. This old man wants to live another year or two.”

Chen Changsheng thought for a moment and asked, “By the way, have you ever married or had kids?”

“You really stir the pot,” Yan Huanglou rolled his eyes.

“So pitiful.”

“You think?”

Chen Changsheng smiled, “Look at you—no wife, no kids. Running a tea stall here. I thought you were just bored, but when I saw you get paid earlier, you were like a money lover. One coin drops and you beam. Why so fond of money? Or do you need it?”

Yan Huanglou took a sip of tea and said, “Yep. Why not give me some?”

Chen Changsheng said, “I lack nothing but money.”

“You’ve always seemed tight,” Yan Huanglou replied.

Chen Changsheng clicked his tongue, “Even if I’m poor, I can still afford your tea.”

Yan Huanglou rolled his eyes, “With just a few copper coins in your pocket, how many more drinks can you have?”

“You saw that?”

“Of course.”

Chen Changsheng shook his head and sighed, “Poor as I might be, for other things, maybe a hand reach gets them.”

“Really?” Yan Huanglou said. “Then give me immortality?”

Chen Changsheng paused briefly.

He set aside his cup and said, “You wouldn’t want it.”

Yan Huanglou saw Chen Changsheng’s mood shift and straightened up. “Huh? What’s bad about immortality?”

Chen Changsheng said, “Old friends pass away, times change fast. The longer you live, the lonelier you feel. You must choose to forget—cycle after cycle, life after life. You can never live as freely as at the start.”

Yan Huanglou heard that and said, “You talk so wise—you lived it yourself?”

“I did.”

Chen Changsheng smiled. “I am immortal.”

Yan Huanglou waved a hand dismissively. “Boasting more and more.”

Chen Changsheng said no more but sipped his tea, stood, and announced, “I’ll have your gruel tomorrow morning.”

Yan Huanglou shot back, “Not for you! Come, pay ten coins a bowl!”

Chen Changsheng paid no mind and walked off alone to the inn.

Yan Huanglou snorted scornfully. “Immortal? Doubt you’ve outlived me!”

“Lao Huang, more tea!”

“Coming! Coming!”

Yan Huanglou put on a big smile and hurried over.

Moonlight filled the tea stall. Yan Huanglou counted his day’s copper coins and grinned like never before.

He looked up at the moon and crooked his fingers, as if tallying dates.

“Soon now. Soon.”