Chapter 1853: Chapter 1851: Elder Hu’s Impending Death, Hu Xiaoqi Entrusted

Ye Tianchen did not expect that in the Capital City of the Mortal World, he would inadvertently meet an elderly Martial Artist, and this elder would have a request. Now, it seems that Elder Hu will entrust his granddaughter Hu Xiaoqi to Ye Tianchen.

"Hello, Brother Ye!" Hu Xiaoqi said with a smile after shaking Ye Tianchen’s hand.

"Hello Xiaoqi!" Ye Tianchen nodded in response.

Elder Hu glanced at Ye Tianchen, then at Hu Xiaoqi, and smiled, saying, "Perhaps this is fate. Over the years, my body has been failing day by day, feeling my strength gradually disappearing. At this rate, sooner or later I will leave this world. The only thing I’m worried about is Xiaoqi. I didn’t expect to meet Brother Ye at this time, which is a great blessing for both me and Xiaoqi. I hope Brother Ye can agree to help take care of Xiaoqi!"

"This... Elder, I can find a way to cure Xiaoqi’s eyes, but if I am to take care of Xiaoqi, I’m afraid..." Ye Tianchen said hesitantly with an awkward smile.

"Brother Ye, do you think my request is excessive, and are you unwilling to agree?" Elder Hu asked anxiously.

"Elder, there’s something I don’t know if I should say..." Ye Tianchen appeared hesitant as he spoke.

"Brother Ye, to be honest with you, from the moment I first saw you, I planned to entrust Xiaoqi into your care because I trust your character and believe in my own judgment. Whatever you have to say, please feel free!"

"Alright, Elder, you understand the difficulties of being a Martial Artist. As a Martial Artist, one must not only fight for oneself, constantly facing battles, but also strive for friends. It’s a bloody and cruel world, where death is always present. None of us know when we will die. Apart from fighting and not giving up, we have no choice. Entrusting Xiaoqi to me may not be a very good choice." Ye Tianchen said seriously.

Elder Hu nodded and then turned to Hu Xiaoqi, saying, "Xiaoqi, prepare some fruit. I have more to discuss with your Brother Ye!"

"Okay!" Hu Xiaoqi walked into the room, knowing that Elder Hu deliberately sent her away, he must have something to say to him.

"Elder Hu, you’ve sent Xiaoqi away, is there something you wish to say?" Ye Tianchen asked.

"Brother Ye, your cultivation realm is deeper than mine. You can use Divine Thought to examine my condition!" Elder Hu thought for a moment before saying.

Ye Tianchen frowned. He hadn’t done so, but he could see that Elder Hu’s condition was dire, and he had reached the twilight of his life. Even as a Martial Artist, he was nearing the end. After hearing Elder Hu’s words, Ye Tianchen explored with his Divine Thought. When his Divine Thought sensed Elder Hu’s breath, Ye Tianchen couldn’t help but be startled, then he said surprisedly, "Elder, your... your Life Wheel..."

"Young friend, your cultivation realm is indeed profound. You immediately saw that my Life Wheel is on the verge of breaking apart. Perhaps tonight, I shall die!" Elder Hu said calmly.

"Elder, let me infuse Martial Arts True Power into you; I believe it might prolong your life for a while!" Ye Tianchen hurriedly said.

But Elder Hu shook his head and smiled, saying, "No need, death is not frightening to me. I’ve lived longer than most people, comprehended my destiny, accepted life and death. I should have passed away long ago. However, all these years I couldn’t find someone trustworthy to entrust Xiaoqi, so I’ve held on this long. Finally, in my last moments, the heavens were kind to let me meet Young friend Ye, so I am at peace now!"

Ye Tianchen frowned. The words spoken by an old man nearing death contained trust in him and love for his granddaughter. This was a moment hard to refuse. However, Ye Tianchen didn’t immediately agree. The entrusted task must be done loyally, and Ye Tianchen isn’t someone who makes promises lightly. However, once he agrees, he will do his utmost to fulfill it.

Ye Tianchen did not expect that Elder Hu in front of him had reached such a state of depletion. Without carefully exploring with Divine Thought, it is impossible to detect. Ye Tianchen extended his powerful Divine Thought to observe Elder Hu’s "Life Wheel". This is something formed in every Martial Artist’s body. If the "Life Wheel" shatters, no one can save it, just as when Divine Thought is destroyed, not even a deity can help!

Elder Hu’s "Life Wheel" already has countless cracks, ready to completely shatter at any moment. Once this happens, Elder Hu will be entirely depleted. Yet, there is an invisible force sustaining this broken "Life Wheel"; perhaps this is Elder Hu’s determination. For granddaughter Hu Xiaoqi’s safety, he persists carefully, waiting for Ye Tianchen.

"Elder, I agree to help you care for Xiaoqi, but let me extend your life!" Ye Tianchen said earnestly.

"Haha, Brother Ye, you are a kind person, which makes me more willing to entrust Xiaoqi to you. However, for me, death has come long ago. I was only holding on for Xiaoqi, struggling and persisting. I have nothing left to be attached to. Let me disperse with the wind!" Elder Hu said with a smile.

"The elder’s mental realm is calm and steady, and I truly admire that!" Ye Tianchen spoke.

"Little friend Ye, I am immensely grateful that you agreed to my request. However, I hope you can stay here tonight because I will pass away tonight, and I do not wish Xiao Qi to be left alone in tears!" Elder Hu mentioned his granddaughter Xiao Qi with a touch of sadness.

"Hmm!" Ye Tianchen did not say much, just nodded his head.

To Ye Tianchen, this was simply doing a good deed, able to ease the mind of a dying elder, giving a dependent to a girl who has been blind from childhood, ensuring she’s not left lonely and helpless. Such tasks, Ye Tianchen would do them. As for himself, he wouldn’t claim to be a great or righteous person, just that he has his own character and principles for doing things!

That evening, Ye Tianchen did not go anywhere but stayed in this house to dine and chat with Elder Hu and Elder Hu’s granddaughter, Hu Xiaoqi. What warmed Ye Tianchen was that although Hu Xiaoqi could not see, she was very clever and agile, needing no care from others. She even cooked tonight’s meal, and its taste matched that of Ye Tianchen’s mother, Luo Yan.

"Xiao Qi’s culinary skills are quite impressive, almost rivaling those of chefs in upscale hotels!" Ye Tianchen joked with a smile.

"Brother Ye, you’re teasing me, I only made some home-cooked dishes!" Hu Xiaoqi shyly whispered.

"Xiao Qi’s dishes are indeed well made, Grandpa loves them, Xiao Qi remember, no matter the time or circumstances, Grandpa is always by your side!" Elder Hu said with a smile.

"Hmm, Grandpa, you eat more, that’s how your body will get better!" Hu Xiaoqi said as she served more food to Grandpa Hu.

Ye Tianchen glanced at Elder Hu, sensing deeply that Elder Hu’s body could barely hold on. That force constantly maintained the crumbling Life Wheel, seemingly nearing its end, gradually dissipating, and this "Life Wheel" was increasingly fractured, as if it would shatter at any moment.

"Xiao Qi, go make Grandpa a bowl of soup, haven’t had your cucumber and century egg soup for a while!" Elder Hu smiled and said.

"Okay, Grandpa, Brother Ye, you two wait a bit, it’ll be ready soon." Hu Xiaoqi happily left the stone table and headed to the kitchen!

Pfft!

Just as Hu Xiaoqi entered the kitchen, Elder Hu suddenly vomited a mouthful of fresh blood, spraying it over the stone table. He quickly wiped the blood with his sleeve, leaving Ye Tianchen momentarily speechless, and hurriedly said, "Elder..."

"Don’t make a fuss, don’t let Xiao Qi know, just let me quietly leave. If Xiao Qi knows I left this world painfully, she will definitely be heartbroken!" Elder Hu gestured to Ye Tianchen to keep it quiet.

Ye Tianchen watched Elder Hu’s life force gradually fade away, feeling troubled inside, yet what could he do? Just as Elder Hu said, even if he used Martial Arts True Power to keep Elder Hu alive a few more days, what meaning would it hold? Over the years, Elder Hu worried about his granddaughter, Hu Xiaoqi, struggling until now, and to let him continue struggling would be cruel, wouldn’t it?

"Rest assured, elder, I will surely take good care of Xiao Qi, and I will also find a way to heal her eyes!" Ye Tianchen solemnly said to the weakened Elder Hu.

"Good, good, good, this is fate between you and I, and it is Xiao Qi’s greatest blessing. I can really die in peace now!" Elder Hu said with a joyful smile.

Ye Tianchen nodded, saying nothing further, just watching Elder Hu’s life force slowly slip away, watching this elderly man pass. It left him with many emotions, knowing Elder Hu was once a forceful figure, though not a domineering martial artist, yet in the mortal world, he was incredibly powerful. Now, he too walked towards death, towards the path of passing quietly. He was but one of those countless martial artists.

"Cough, cough, little friend, I have reached the point of running out of oil and light, before I leave, I wish to give you something!" Elder Hu coughed twice, weak to the extreme, yet still insisted on speaking.

"Elder..." Ye Tianchen frowned and said.

"This is the Divine Herb, which I obtained unintentionally, having cultivated it for tens of years, yet regrettably, I could not succeed in nurturing it fully. Now, I give it to you!" As Elder Hu spoke, with a wave of his right hand, a small herb appeared in his hand. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to go to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com for reading.)