Guarding the River of Time-Chapter 400 - 390: Zero’s Fleeing, the Curtain Rises on Reincarnation

Chapter 400: Chapter 390: Zero’s Fleeing, the Curtain Rises on Reincarnation

"What’s wrong?"

Seeing Elder Ling get startled so suddenly made Su Mu jump.

"Brother Su, I have an urgent matter to attend to and must leave at once. Excuse me, excuse me."

Watching Elder Ling rowing away rapidly, disappearing at the river’s end, left Su Mu utterly perplexed.

This old man, why is he sometimes so jumpy?

.....

Elder Ling is a wise man; he knows which events to witness and which to avoid.

The complete Reincarnation Ring is one of the biggest secrets in the Ten Thousand Realms.

Once the Artifact Spirit merges with the Reincarnation Realm to return to its complete form, the full Reincarnation Ring will resurface. If he remains by Su Mu’s side, witnessing its fusion and learning its secrets might bring him trouble.

For so many years, he has already shouldered numerous heavy karmic burdens. This is one karma he cannot bear any longer!

Therefore, matters concerning Su Mu’s cultivation secrets and the Reincarnation Ring are best avoided!

....

As night approached, Su Mu planned to call it a day and head home.

With care, he placed the Artifact Spirit Little Snake into his sleeve and hurried home.

Better to head back, have dinner first, and then merge with the Artifact Spirit during the evening’s cultivation.

...

Upon returning home, he found that Nannan had already prepared the meal.

Nannan’s cooking skills had also become increasingly exquisite, presenting a total of nine dishes on the table.

Eight dishes and one soup, comprising steamed perch, grilled yellow croaker, Spirit Fruit vegetable salad, braised turtle, oyster in sauce, hot pot fish slices, cold jellyfish strips, and Eight Immortals tonic soup.

The final dish was a dessert platter with a three-inch cake base, adorned with some Spirit Fruits and Nannan’s handmade candied hawthorn as decoration.

Nannan loved cooking, so over the years, Su Mu taught her some recipes from his hometown.

Nannan learned quickly, mastering dishes from various cuisines. Limited river ingredients did not deter her; she crafted delicious dishes from what was available.

For instance, this cake was made by grinding Spirit Grass and Spirit Fruit, steaming with Spiritual Fire while controlling the temperature.

Seeing such a sumptuous dinner, Su Mu’s eyes lit up as he smiled and said, "Nannan, you prepared so many dishes today."

"Did you forget what day it is today, Dad?"

Nannan removed her green floral apron, washed her hands, and sat at the table. Her smile revealed two adorable little canine teeth.

Su Mu pondered; it wasn’t his birthday today, nor was it Nannan’s. Since they lived alone on this secluded river, they only celebrated birthdays.

"Today is New Year’s Day!"

Nannan handed the prepared chopsticks to Su Mu, her eyes smiling with a New Year’s blessing: "Happy New Year, Dad."

Upon hearing this, Su Mu paused.

He then remembered. Losing track of time after arriving at this river, he had brought the holidays from his hometown here for Nannan’s normal life, setting dates accordingly.

Unexpectedly, what Su Mu mentioned casually was earnestly remembered by Nannan.

No matter how trivial, Nannan listened intently to every word Su Mu said, memorizing them.

Though he got distracted by the river’s tedious affairs and forgot about this, Nannan remembered, preparing a feast for New Year’s Day.

Indeed, Nannan stumbled into his life, bringing warmth and sunshine. Despite the monotonous days guarding the river, returning home from his patrols always brought thoughts, concerns, and solace.

....

Nannan had a good habit; she didn’t speak while eating or resting.

During meals, she sat composed, eating gracefully and quietly, not speaking.

Every lesson Su Mu taught, Nannan remembered.

She wouldn’t put down her bowl and chopsticks until her dad did.

Su Mu appreciated Nannan’s culinary efforts, finishing everything, even the soup, always teaching by example.

Seeing her father finish everything, Nannan felt very happy.

As Nannan was about to clear away the dishes, Su Mu stopped her: "Nannan, do you know what New Year’s Day symbolizes?"

In response, Nannan shook her head: "Dad, tell me, I’m listening."

"New Year’s Day stands for a new beginning. ’Yuan’ means ’beginning,’ and ’Dan’ means ’day,’ so ’Yuan Dan’ signifies the ’first day.’"

"On this day, families gather to joyfully welcome the new year and a fresh start," Su Mu patiently explained.

.....

Nannan nodded earnestly: "Dad, I’ve remembered."

"No matter where I am or where Dad is, I will always stay by Dad’s side every New Year’s Day to greet the new beginning together."

Hearing this, Su Mu was taken aback, deeply moved.

After saying this, Nannan hugged Su Mu with her little arms, then went to clear the tableware.

Nannan could have used her Spiritual Power to instantly clear the dishes and clean up.

But she didn’t, instead rolling up her sleeves to wash each bowl and chopstick like a child in a regular family.

Nannan did this to help Dad experience a sense of "life" and feel less lonely.

In truth, Nannan didn’t understand what "life" meant.

Dad once explained that life is "simple" and "ordinary."

She didn’t know if this was right, but she knew to do more "ordinary things" so Dad wouldn’t feel lonely, like cooking, washing dishes, watering flowers, weeding, reading, and practicing. She did all these ordinary tasks with sincerity.

....

After tidying up, Nannan didn’t rest.

Instead, she brought out a stack of prepared delicacies from the kitchen, distributing them in the shed amongst the old Cyan Ox, and later in the backyard among the five little ones.

Even the subordinates of the five little ones, who once attempted to steal herbs from the garden, received Nannan’s handcrafted treats, moving them to tears.

"Sister Xiaobai, this is for you. Dad says today is New Year’s Day, Happy New Year!"

Nannan placed a carefully designed small cake before the Little Fox, smiling.

Though Nannan knew Sister Xiaobai didn’t like playing with her, she still liked Sister Xiaobai and never forgot her because she was part of the family.

The Little Fox looked at the small cake and then saw Nannan smiling at her.

Instantly, it paused in surprise.

Then, it let out a soft, emotionless sound.

Subsequently, it picked up the small cake and scurried to the side, unwilling for Nannan to see it eating. Perhaps a bit shy?

Seeing Sister Xiaobai accept her cake, Nannan pumped a little fist.

Yay!

Sister Xiaobai finally ate something I made!

....

Finally, Nannan ran towards the riverbank.

"Nannan, where are you going?" Su Mu called out when he saw Nannan running towards the riverbank.

"Dad, hurry up!"

Nannan stood by the riverbank, waving her little hand at Su Mu.

.......

PS: To all dear readers, Happy New Year’s! Wishing you and your family happiness, health, academic success, and wealth!