Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi-Chapter 61: Return to the Old Place, Everything Has Changed (Part 2)

Chapter 61: Chapter 61: Return to the Old Place, Everything Has Changed (Part 2)

"Not young anymore."

Zhang Yao’s smile faded as he sighed, "I’m already over seventy."

"I look young only because my martial arts are a bit advanced."

"Martial arts are advanced?"

Zhou Tong was momentarily stunned, then suddenly realized, her voice slightly trembling:

"Indeed... my parents always said that Uncle Zhang is a rare Martial Dao prodigy, achieving Absolute Peak Expert status in his twenties, likely to become a Grandmaster in the future!"

"So, does this mean... you have already become a Martial Arts Grandmaster?"

At this moment, she believed Zhang Yao’s identity 90%.

The other party could accurately reveal her secrets and had no reason to deceive her, given that her family’s fortune had already declined and there was nothing to be gained from deception.

"Yes, I have become a Grandmaster many years ago."

Zhang Yao nodded, his expression showing a hint of nostalgia:

"When I left Changping City, I was only in my twenties."

"I never thought that it would take fifty years to return home. Back then, you were just a little girl barely learning to speak, and now you have a grown son."

A young man nearby tugged at Zhou Tong’s sleeve secretly, prompting her to abruptly react and quickly invite Zhang Yao inside.

Taking advantage of this interval, the young man dispersed the group of teenagers, sending them each home before joining Zhang Yao and Zhou Tong in the backyard.

The backyard of the martial arts hall was also neglected, with many doors, windows, and furniture being quite dilapidated.

"Uncle Zhang, this is my son Zhao Ling."

Once seated, Zhou Tong introduced with some unease to Zhang Yao, while the young Zhao Ling got up and quickly offered his salute.

For him, the sudden turn of events left him somewhat confused, unable to fully grasp the situation.

He unexpectedly gained a grand-uncle out of thin air, who was none other than the legendary Martial Arts Grandmaster!

"What has happened to the Golden Furnace Martial Arts Hall?"

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Zhang Yao inquired about the status of the Golden Furnace Martial Arts Hall.

"Ah..."

Zhou Tong and Zhao Ling’s expressions immediately darkened.

"Uncle Zhang, you may not be aware."

Zhou Tong took a deep breath, a trace of sorrow showing on her face as she slowly began her story.

Years ago, after Zhang Yao left, Meng Zongwei achieved Perfection in the Golden Furnace Technique, allowing the martial arts hall to continue to operate smoothly.

For many years, things went calmly, as Meng Zongwei took a direct disciple and married Zhou Tong, inheriting the Golden Furnace Martial Arts Hall’s legacy.

Years after their marriage, they finally had their only son, Zhao Ling, and their family lived happily and peacefully.

But unfortunately, the good times did not last:

A dozen years ago, the upheaval caused by King of Pingliang moving south led to the collapse of order in Jiangdu, causing a mass exodus of martial artists, and the chaos affected Changping City, leading to bloodshed throughout the city.

Zhao Ling’s father, although also a martial artist who achieved Perfection in the Golden Furnace Technique at the time, was still killed in the chaos.

Since then, the Golden Furnace Martial Arts Hall was left with only an orphan and a widow, its reputation plummeted, with Zhou Tong struggling to make a living by cooking and washing clothes, raising Zhou Ling alone.

"Ah..."

Just listening to this tearful narration allowed Zhang Yao to imagine the hardships of those years.

Thanks to the Xin Dynasty’s establishment, ending the chaos, and the government implementing strict laws to rectify civil disturbances, Zhou Tong managed to sustain and raise Zhao Ling.

Otherwise, amid the turbulence, an orphan and a widow would have been swallowed up, unable to preserve the martial arts hall’s legacy, let alone survive.

During those tough years, many people offered significant sums to purchase the land of the Golden Furnace Martial Arts Hall, but Zhou Tong refused, unwilling to sell her home.

After enduring several more years, life only improved after Zhao Ling grew up.

Now, Zhao Ling relies on the century-old reputation to teach local children and teenagers. Though the income is modest, it suffices to maintain the semblance of the martial arts hall and their lives.

"It has surely been tough for you both."

Zhang Yao sighed after hearing this, his emotions complex:

"I also regret leaving back then and not returning for many years, otherwise your lives wouldn’t have been so hard."

"Why do you say that, Uncle Zhang?"

Zhou Tong shook her head, saying:

"My parents told me that you had your own difficulties when you left Changping."

"Moreover, you’ve surely faced hardships wandering alone outside, and the fact that the two of us have survived safely is already a blessing from above."

Zhang Yao remained silent for a moment, not saying much, and then changed the subject, asking Zhao Ling:

"I just heard your mother say that part of the ’Golden Furnace Technique’ has been lost?"

"Yes."

Zhao Ling’s face showed a hint of bitterness:

"After my father was murdered, the martial arts hall’s assets were looted, and even the original manuals were stolen."

"Luckily, my father taught me from a young age, and my mother remembered some of it, allowing me to barely reach Great Success, but any further progress seems unattainable..."

Zhang Yao nodded slightly and said:

"I will stay in Changping for a month; during this time, follow me."

"How much you can learn depends on your own abilities."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ling’s heart surged with joy, and he quickly stood up to express his gratitude:

"Thank you, Uncle!"

To be able to learn from a Martial Arts Grandmaster is something he wouldn’t dare dream of.

But Zhou Tong, overhearing Zhang Yao’s words, couldn’t help but ask: 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"Uncle, are you going to leave again?"

"I thought since you’re getting older and returned to Changping, you’d plan to retire here..."

"No."

Zhang Yao smiled and shook his head, saying:

"I have my own matters to attend to; I can’t stay in Changping forever."

"Knowing that Master and Sister Hongxiu’s descendants are well and the Golden Furnace Martial Arts Hall still stands, I am already grateful."

The three continued to chat for a while, and Zhang Yao asked about Zhang Yannian, Xiao Yao, and others’ situations.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Tong and Zhao Ling had no knowledge.

According to Zhou Tong, she only saw Zhang Yannian in her childhood, and he seemed to have encountered some accident, as he never returned.

As for Xiao Yao, she used to meet her during festivals, but one year they relocated from Changping, losing all contact.

"Fifty years... how things have changed."

In his heart, Zhang Yao could only sigh.

He turned to Zhao Ling, kindly saying, "Take me to see your grandparents’ tombs, so I can pay my respects."

"Alright."

Zhao Ling quickly agreed, and Zhou Tong also said she would join them.

A moment later, the three of them bought some incense, spiritual papers, and paper money, and headed to the burial grounds outside Changping City.

There, he saw the joint grave of Meng Zongwei and Zhou Hongxiu, which was close to his master’s Zhou An’s but not as grand.

He first bowed and offered incense at Zhou An’s tomb, burned some paper money, and then moved to their joint grave and placed incense.

"Senior Brother, Sister Hongxiu, I’ve returned..."