Chapter 37: A Life’s Regret and a Fulfilling Promise

“Indeed, only those unfamiliar with the ways of talisman crafting would venture to my humble shop for raw materials,” the old cultivator chuckled.

“Talisman crafting isn’t something one can simply achieve with mere interest. However, if you’re truly intent on learning, then please accept this.”

The old cultivator retrieved a book from within his robes.

“This book contains all my experience, from the very first talisman I ever refined to my current understanding. Should you genuinely wish to delve into talisman crafting, this tome ought to save you countless detours.”

Ye Qingfeng hesitated to accept it immediately, while Quan Haoqing, his expression grave, inquired, “Are you serious, old friend? This is far too precious; please forgive us, but we cannot accept it.”

A compilation of a Talisman crafter’s lifelong experiences was, without exaggeration, a priceless treasure, a relic theoretically only passed down from master to disciple.

Ye Qingfeng also hurriedly waved her hands, saying, “I am deeply grateful for your kindness, but I truly cannot…”

The old cultivator leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. “There’s no need for such solemnity, young friends. As you can see, I am merely a cultivator of meager strength. At my age, you must understand that my days are numbered.”

“Though I am a Talisman crafter, the talismans my cultivation allows me to create are, in truth, only a few types. I don’t possess the qualifications to be a master. But then again, a person, in their lifetime, must leave something behind to be remembered by, mustn’t they?”

“This notebook records my life’s work. I wouldn’t casually entrust it to a stranger. You, young friend, are a rare acquaintance I’ve made in my twilight years. Entrusting it to your partner, I shall have no further worries.”

Ye Qingfeng still hesitated, but Quan Haoqing affectionately stroked her head and said, “Since he insists, then accept it solemnly. Simply ensure you don’t betray the effort poured into it.”

‘Hmph~’ Ye Qingfeng huffily swatted Quan Haoqing’s hand away. She then accepted the notebook with both hands, finally bowing deeply in apology. “I will treasure it,” she declared, “though rather than crafting talismans, I intend to create something similar, using methods that might resemble talisman-making. If you should mind, then…”

The old cultivator waved his hand cheerfully and laughed aloud. “Hahahaha, as I said before, I am not some remarkable Talisman crafter. I merely wish for what I leave behind to continue to shine and be put to good use. How you choose to use it is entirely up to you. As long as… as long as it is not forgotten.”

“If you truly wish to repay me… speaking of which, have you two held a wedding?”

Quan Haoqing and Ye Qingfeng paused, exchanged glances, and then shook their heads in unison.

“So, you’re still in the stage of mutual affection, eh? At your age, it’s time to discuss marriage. Honestly, have you not yet met each other’s parents?”

Quan Haoqing and Ye Qingfeng shook their heads once more.

Ye Qingfeng replied, “My parents were mortals. They have already lived out their natural lifespans.”

Quan Haoqing added, “I was abandoned as a child and never encountered anyone I could call a parent.”

The old cultivator and Ye Qingfeng both turned to look at Quan Haoqing.

The old cultivator sighed with emotion. “To become a rogue cultivator (TL Note: An unaligned cultivator, not affiliated with any sect or school) under such circumstances, you truly have endured much hardship.”

Ye Qingfeng, having suddenly heard of someone’s tragic past, was unsure how to feel. She said, “Um, I apologize. I don’t know what to say, but that certainly sounds like a terrible experience.”

Quan Haoqing, having personally experienced these things, was remarkably unperturbed. Years of tempering had rendered him indifferent to both favor and disgrace, and he no longer dwelled much on those past events.

The old cultivator then interjected, “So, is that why your marriage has been delayed until now?”

Quan Haoqing looked at his old friend with a wry smile.

He couldn’t understand why this man was so fixated on his and Ye Qingfeng’s marriage.

He directly asked, getting straight to the point, “I beg of you, old friend, what exactly are you trying to do? You’ve almost confused me in this short time. Please, no more riddles.”

The old cultivator hesitated, then spoke. “If you don’t mind, could I help you arrange this matter? Consider it payment for the notebook.”

Quan Haoqing and Ye Qingfeng exclaimed, “?!”

Both were utterly stunned, especially Ye Qingfeng. She had only come seeking a bargain, yet somehow, even her wedding was being arranged without her consent.

‘No, he couldn’t possibly be an accomplice Quan Haoqing hired, could he?!’

The old cultivator, however, continued speaking to himself. “When I became a cultivator, I already had a family, even a son and a daughter. My path to becoming a rogue cultivator was purely by chance; I happened to save a severely injured cultivator. To repay my life-saving kindness, he offered to guide me onto the path of cultivation.”

The old cultivator sank into memories of the past, filled with both nostalgia and regret.

“At that time, I was just an ordinary mortal, earning a meager living by painting. To suddenly hear that I, too, could become one of those immortals I usually only looked up to—I was overjoyed. I agreed without a second thought.”

“That cultivator told me that awakening my dantian would take a considerable amount of time, and that I should arrange my family affairs before returning to him… Heh, a ‘considerable amount of time.’ What a mortal considers a ‘longer period’ is merely a few months. How naive I was then! I rushed home to share the good news, then, fearing the cultivator might change his mind, I hastily left again, telling myself I was ready.”

Ye Qingfeng and Quan Haoqing instantly understood what had happened.

What a cultivator considered a ‘considerable amount of time’ would undoubtedly be measured in years, and the awakening of a dantian could vary based on the cultivator’s aptitude and the guide’s strength.

The old cultivator saw their confusion and said with a bitter smile, “Ten years. My mediocre aptitude required a full decade to fully awaken it.”

“A full decade, yet back then, in my foolishness, I was completely unaware. After bidding farewell to that cultivator, I excitedly rushed home, only to find that everything had changed. My family was not wealthy; we had only managed to subsist on the income from my paintings.”

“After I left, my family fell apart. My wife and children scattered, my son and daughter vanished without a trace. I spent the better part of my life searching for them, even for a hint of their existence, but still, I found nothing. I am truly a sinner. What good was becoming a cultivator if the sun and moon may cycle, and the years may shift, but those who were once by my side can never return?”

“I regret becoming a cultivator, and I have regretted it ever since. Before I embarked on this path, my greatest unfulfilled wish was to sit in the main hall (TL Note: Refers to the main hall where parents sit during a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony) and personally witness my children marry, offering them my heartfelt blessings for a life of happiness and fulfillment. Now, that is no longer possible. A hundred years have passed; if my suffering children had managed to survive, two generations would have come and gone by now.”

Quan Haoqing understood his meaning. “So, you wish to fulfill this wish through us?”

The old cultivator’s eyes were filled with sorrow as he said, “You could say that. I have no intention of taking advantage of you both; I merely wish to witness that moment… When I left, my children were still young, and I was not old enough to help arrange such things…”

“I see.”

A flicker of tenderness crossed Quan Haoqing’s eyes. Then he said, “Though I long to fulfill your wish immediately, given our current circumstances, our wedding might need to be postponed for a while.”

“Time, you say?”

The old cultivator lowered his gaze. “I understand. Then it will be at your convenience.”

Seeing this, Quan Haoqing stated with certainty, “Don’t worry, you will see that day eventually.”

The old cultivator smiled and asked, “Should you renege on our agreement, then three bottles of century-old aged wine?”

Quan Haoqing replied emphatically, “No problem.”

Then the old cultivator and Quan Haoqing looked at each other and laughed. “Hahahaha.”

“Hey, hey, hey, are those two just ignoring me and settling some rather significant matters?”

On the other side, Ye Qingfeng silently communicated with the Xuan Yin Book Spirit.

‘It seems I’ve been arbitrarily married off without any input from me.’

The Xuan Yin Book Spirit casually remarked, “Isn’t that quite good? You couldn’t find anyone to marry you off before.”

“What did you say?!”

Ye Qingfeng was furious.

“Who’s marrying themselves off? Once I successfully transform back, there will be plenty of beautiful female cultivators eager to be my Dao companion.”

The Xuan Yin Book Spirit said indifferently, “Hai hai, never mind. Anyway, this promise is merely to offer some comfort to this old cultivator whose lifespan is nearing its end. Surely, Master isn’t so devoid of compassion? His remaining days are few.”

“Uh, you make a good point.”

It was merely a benevolent lie.

Thinking this, Ye Qingfeng suddenly felt much more at ease.

“Precisely. Rest assured, Quan Haoqing and I will swiftly conclude our affairs, ensuring you witness a perfect wedding.”