74: Chapter 73: Inexplicable 74: Chapter 73: Inexplicable How utterly baffling!

Everyone felt the same way, the venerable sage just stood there, filled with emotion, and he had yet to say anything when he was struck dead by Heavenly Thunder?

No one knew why it happened.

Was it because of past indiscretions for which the Heavenly Dao was settling the score all at once?

Or was it because he saw something that was not meant for his eyes?

No one understood the origins of his mysterious Daoist legacy either.

Had he used some forbidden technique?

The sage had every intention of washing his hands clean of his past; it was unlikely that he would dare to commit a foul act in such a moment, wasn’t it?

All that was known was that in his final moments, the sage stared straight ahead as if there was some great event unfolding before him!

With countless guests in front of him, of course no one thought he was looking at any particular individual; it was more likely that his gaze was fixed on the intangible unknown…

The scene descended into chaos, several qualified Daoists rushed forward and erected a barrier to exclude those idle onlookers who were just there for the excitement…

What was a celebration of longevity turned into a funeral, such is the unpredictability of life, ending thus.

Hou Niao stood at the very back, utterly unaware of what had actually happened.

In his eyes, the sage had probably ascended to the pavilion, made a few reflective remarks, then gazed ahead, lost in divination, and then there was no more ‘afterward’.

An old man, respected and wanting to go straight, had completed the last journey of his life.

Even with his lowly realm, he could feel the unmatched power emanating from the Tribulation Thunder; there was certainly no salvation.

A kind and peaceful elder who had been nice to him, though he only knew him briefly, showed no airs, was generous, affable, and persuaded with kindness, just like that, he was gone.

What made him uncomfortable was that, in the final moments, the old sage seemed to look in his direction as if he was looking right at him.

He had no evidence, but his gut told him it was so!

Of course, those around him could have felt the same, being dozens of feet apart, it was hard to tell who exactly was the focus of that gaze.

Nobody knew what had happened unless the old sage returned to life and explained it himself.

Among those who went to tend to him were several Daoists; whether they could discover something was unclear.

The crowd gradually calmed down amid the clamor caused by the sudden accident; after all, they were cultivators with strong spiritual power, accustomed to life and death; no one left, not just out of curiosity, but also because leaving under these circumstances was not a wise choice.

Unless the congregation of Upper Cultivators decided unanimously, leaving would likely arouse suspicion: Why run if you’ve done nothing wrong?

The cultivators discussed in small groups, with various speculations rapidly spreading through the crowd, excitement tinged with anxiety; the prevailing opinion was that the old sage was paying for his past, having revealed too many secrets over the decades.

You think you can just retire?

Doesn’t the Almighty care about losing face?

Or was he just too flamboyant?

What if all this fanfare and gathering of people hadn’t taken place?

What if he hadn’t celebrated this centenary birthday?

There was no ‘if,’ only the heavy reality.

Fortunately, the Upper Cultivators did not keep everyone waiting too long.

A moment later, a Daoist announced the death of the old sage; everyone could leave.

The Guan family had to prepare for the aftermath.

As for the cause of the sage’s death, the Upper Cultivators didn’t say, couldn’t say, and didn’t know how to say; telling a lie would violate the moral code, while telling the truth might invite another lightning strike…

Hou Niao didn’t leave with most of the others and ended up at the back again because he was waiting for the Daoist from the Daoist Sect; this Upper Cultivator had promised to solve the little girl’s problem, and he had no idea how it was going to be done.

The Guan family’s affairs could only be left to the family to handle.

Shortly after, the Daoist, looking unruffled, came up to him, giving him a somewhat displeased look,

“So you’re just going to carry the child on your back and let her witness such a tragedy at such a young age?”

Hou Niao chuckled dryly; in reality, compared to what the child had seen in the Poplar Forest, the scene before them was a hundred times less bloody!

“It all happened so suddenly, I was a bit unprepared… and well, she doesn’t understand anything, right?”

Daoist Yan smiled as she looked at the child, “You are indeed not suited to take care of a child, fortunate for her she’s still young…”

Hou Niao was about to speak when, unexpectedly, a crisp and tender child’s voice came from behind,

“I’m not little, I know everything!

It was this big bad person who scared Grandpa to death!”

Daoist Yan’s smile bloomed like a flower, and even though her face was covered by a light veil, one could still sense her amusement,

“Little child, don’t talk nonsense.

Grandpa had been through a lot in life, he couldn’t have been scared to death by this big bad person.

Come with me, we’re going to find my Daoist friend.”

Hou Niao followed Daoist Yan with a disturbed mind, occasionally turning his head to look at the little one on his back, but the child paid him no mind, continuing to lick a string of candied haws.

He harbored suspicions in his heart.

Why had she suddenly started talking?

Why say such things?

Was it out of spite, or did she really see something?

He admitted that the last person the old Immortal looked at was him, but he would never admit that a mere Energy Induction novice like himself could have scared an Upper Cultivator who had reached the Tongxuan Realm to death!

Well, the world of a child is simpler and purer.

Perhaps she did sense the last gaze of the old Immortal looking over and, as revenge, falsely accused him of scaring the old man to death.

It must be so.

Daoist Yan led the way, and Hou Niao closely followed some thirty paces behind, nearly crossing half of Liuyang before finding a small Daoist abode in a neighborhood.

If not for the green tiles on the doorway, it would be no different in size from an ordinary courtyard.

He was very pleased with the environment – the streets were clean, and it was quietly nestled amidst the bustle, which clearly suggested that those living here were not from impoverished families; such Daoist abodes were quite common in Anhe Country.

If there were no demons in this world, these abodes might have been built in remote mountains and great marshes, but now, they could only hide within the cities.

Daoist Xi was a middle-aged nun with a dignified and tranquil demeanor.

Upon seeing her, the first impression was akin to a serene pool, exuding peace and tranquility.

Hou Niao knew that he shouldn’t judge by appearance, but this nun gave him a very positive impression; he knew he was leaving the child in capable hands!

Those who studied the Dao often trusted their intuition.

As if Daoist Xi already knew their purpose, she gave Hou Niao a respectful nod, sparing further words, and gently took the little girl’s hand.

There was no resistance from the little girl; it was as if she truly had returned home.

No conversation was necessary, no thanks or promises needed.

Everything happened naturally – such was the unspoken understanding of the Dao.

Hou Niao didn’t say anything either; just watched the two figures, one tall and one small, disappear behind the gate.

Then, with the door closed firmly, he felt a sense of relaxation, accompanied by a faint feeling of loss.

The little girl had not looked back from beginning to end, nor had she said goodbye.

Perhaps for her, the best medicine was to forget – not only to forget the bloody scene in the Poplar Forest but also to forget him.

Big bad person?

Hou Niao shook his head; if he was a bad person, so be it.

When he turned around again, Daoist Yan had also disappeared without a trace.

His task was finished.

… Return seems like departure on the same day, but when one wishes to convey this, they are already lost in confusion.

Only the waters under Songjiang Bridge, heartlessly ferry boats back and forth.