Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 137 - 113: Change and the Future

Lu Chang’sheng was about to say hello when he suddenly noticed a new wrinkle on Li Nangua’s face.

Even though Li Nangua had taken good care of himself over the years, his age was creeping up towards forty; in the past, that would’ve been considered half a lifetime gone.

"What’s wrong, Chang’sheng?"

Li Nangua turned around, looking at him in puzzlement.

Lu Chang’sheng took a deep breath and said, "It’s nothing, I just suddenly realized that we’re getting a bit old."

Li Nangua laughed, "How can we not be old? A few more years and we’ll both be forty!"

Just then, a commotion sounded outside.

Lu Chang’sheng immediately knew that it was his eldest son, Lu Chang’an, making a fuss.

This kid, no one really knew where he got his temperament, but he’s lively and has a strong will of his own.

Thankfully, he’s got good sense and knows his limits; otherwise, Lu Chang’sheng would really be in for a headache.

"Father, Mother, I want to go to Prefecture City to study!"

Soon, a bright-eyed, handsome young boy walked in.

Mrs. Lu followed close behind him.

"This child, what’s the point in going to Prefecture City? Your father is a Top Scholar himself, isn’t it good enough to study at home?" Mrs. Lu nagged.

Lu Chang’an ignored Mrs. Lu and instead knelt before Lu Chang’sheng and Li Nangua.

"Please, Father and Mother, give me your blessing!"

"Fine, since you want to go, you may go. But don’t forget the things I’ve taught you over the years!"

Lu Chang’sheng looked at him seriously, seeing he wasn’t acting out of a whim, and nodded gravely.

All these years, he hadn’t neglected his children’s education—especially his own son, Lu Chang’an. He’d taught him pretty much everything he could.

The only shortcoming was that Lu Chang’an’s martial arts aptitude wasn’t as good as his own; after years of training, he’d only just reached Minor Achievement in Pile Skill.

But academically, the boy had real talent.

"Thank you, Father."

Seeing Lu Chang’an turn and leave, face beaming, Lu Chang’sheng let out a quiet sigh in his heart.

Children have their own fate; all a parent can do is all they can, and what kind of people they become in the future is up to their own destiny.

A few days later, Lu Chang’sheng, Li Nangua, and the rest walked Lu Chang’an to the gate.

He was headed for Black Mountain Prefecture, and over in Prefecture City, he had teachers like Hong Yuan, Wang Heihou, and Niu Dazhuang. As long as he wasn’t too foolish, he’d be able to walk tall in Black Mountain Prefecture City.

No one was particularly worried about it.

Still, just to be safe, Master Mo accompanied them as an escort for the entire journey.

With his youngest son around, Li Nangua just felt a little out of sorts before quickly snapping back to himself.

"Nangua!" Lu Chang’sheng called out, seeing Li Nangua squatting down teasing Lu Ziyou.

"What’s up?"

"About that Old Wolf," Lu Chang’sheng let out his worries.

Li Nangua smiled, pressing up against his chest and said, "I figured that’s what you meant. That Old Wolf doesn’t look like a proper Immortal, just trying to trick me. You really want me taking that risk?"

"Of course I don’t want that!"

"Then don’t worry about it!" Li Nangua squeezed Lu Chang’sheng’s hand, smiling, "Stop dwelling on Old Wolf. You know anything involving dark things is never good news."

The last odd item in Old Wolf’s Immortal Worship Ceremony was, as expected, an evil thing.

Lu Chang’sheng nodded.

Afterwards, he focused his energy on martial arts training as usual.

Once he improved his Martial Arts Root Bone, his cultivation speed shot up; by the second year, he’d completed the full Innate Martial Artist method.

And then, two years later, reached a new peak — late-stage Innate Martial Artist.

By then, his lifespan was up to 125 years.

That’s how long he was sure to live; theoretically, maybe a bit longer.

That same year, Yu Hai reached late-stage True Qi Realm, hitting the same level as Guan Hongxiu and the others were a decade ago.

Still, against a top-level True Qi Realm master like Hong Yuan, he was a bit lacking.

But to hit that level just past forty, that was already pretty impressive.

In a blink, five more years passed.

Lu Chang’sheng wasn’t even sure what realm he was considered in anymore.

After mastering the Five Elements Divine Skill, his cultivation hit its ceiling, so he forged another path — focusing on technique.

He created new spear forms, body techniques, and various skills.

Whenever he had time, he’d spar with the White Ape.

Ever since mastering Five Elements Divine Skill, White Ape was no match for him, whether in speed or raw power.

If, before, White Ape could endure a dozen moves thanks to his fierce strength, now, whenever Lu Chang’sheng got serious, White Ape had no choice but to flee.

"Maybe now...I’ve got no rivals left."

Lu Chang’sheng stood atop the trees, swaying gently with the breeze, both feet balanced on the branches, looking as if he’d fall at any moment, but he never did.

It was time for another gathering.

Now pushing forty, Lu Chang’sheng and Yu Hai set out for Black Mountain Prefecture.

This time, Guan Hongxiu didn’t come along. He was already seventy-something, hair silver-white, standing at the crossroads like a statue.

Yu Hai turned and waved at him; only after Guan was out of sight did his voice turn distant, "I argued with the old man yesterday. He just stared blankly for a long time and didn’t let me tag along."

Lu Chang’sheng fell silent.

Yu Hai and Guan Hongxiu quarreling was par for the course; not quarreling was strange.

Usually, after a fight, Guan Hongxiu would curse and tell Yu Hai to get inside and help out; when Yu Hai came out, there’d be a couple of shoe prints on his face.

Back then, Mr. and Mrs. Lu, not knowing what was up, tried to mediate, but they soon noticed Yu Hai just wasn’t comfortable if he didn’t get a few slaps after their fights.

Everyone realized this was just their father-son bonding and let them handle it themselves.

But now—old Guan Hongxiu suddenly didn’t do that.

Yu Hai was a bit uneasy inside.

Lu Chang’sheng sighed inwardly, comforting him on the outside, "Maybe the old man finally realized that wasn’t so great for you!"

Yu Hai giggled, "Wouldn’t it be nice if he really got that wise."

He fell silent again.

He knew this was out of character for the old man.

"I miss women, Chang’sheng," Yu Hai blurted out.

Lu Chang’sheng thought he just needed some distractions, but after reaching Prefecture City, Yu Hai quickly had two pretty women by his side.

Both in their early twenties, with big hips and generous chests.

"Here, this is my brother Scholar Lu. You’d best pay attention to him from now on."

"Scholar Lu!"

The two women greeted him sweetly.

Lu Chang’sheng furrowed his brow for a while before relaxing, giving the nervous women a hint of a smile.

He suddenly understood what Yu Hai was getting at—he wanted to bear children, give the old man a little joy, since Guan was getting old.

On that, Lu Chang’sheng was totally supportive.

He’d played matchmaker for Yu Hai plenty over the years; too bad Yu Hai always resisted, but now, after Guan Hongxiu’s behavior, he’d finally wised up.

"Good, good!" Lu Chang’sheng patted Yu Hai’s shoulder, flashing a mischievous grin.

They’d both achieved much in Martial Dao, their bodies stronger and more vigorous than ordinary folks; even in their forties, they weren’t worried about making strong children.

After telling the two women to wait in the courtyard, the two of them headed off to the Martial Artist Institute.

It was the triannual imperial exam season.

Jixia Academy was bustling; as they walked into the plaza, the junior officials came out to read names.

"Xu Xiaoming, age 19, native of Hui’an County!"

"Zhou Peng, age 28, native of Niu Lang Town!"

······

"Lu Chang’an, age 12, native of Black Mountain Prefecture City!"

Lu Chang’sheng and Yu Hai stopped dead.

"No wonder he’s Chang’sheng’s son—the boy’s a genius with books!"

Twelve years old and already passing the Child Scholar exam; almost as good as Lu Chang’sheng was back in the day.

"Lu Chang’an? Wonder if he’s related to Scholar Lu?"

"Twelve years old—just a bit shy of matching Scholar Lu’s old record!"

······

The crowd buzzed all around.

From the Champion Scholar Tower, the big families all shot strange glances, but when a hearty laugh came from above, all doubts vanished in a flash.

"Chang’an is truly my brother’s boy—with that talent, he really has the same charisma as in his youth!"

"Ah! So he is the progeny of Scholar Lu! No wonder he’s so gifted!"

······

Lu Chang’sheng gave an exasperated smile, and said to Yu Hai, "Come on, don’t keep the teachers waiting!"

Even without looking, he could tell who let out that laugh upstairs.

It was just Wang Heihou, no doubt.

That guy was worried Lu Chang’an hiding his background might cause some misunderstanding with the local nobles, so he spoke up to clear the air.

Precaution first!

No denying it—now past forty, Wang Heihou’s mind was sharp as ever, and he carried himself with real stability.