Seeking the Way of Immortality

In mid-April, willows swayed and the breeze was gentle.

On this day, Wu Zheng had nothing to do, so he planned to go to the market. After coming to Langnan City for so long, Wu Zheng had hardly visited the market except for buying wood.

The shouting continued. Wu Zheng, wearing a blue shirt, put his hands behind his back, and walked slowly towards other streets.

Along the way, many acquaintances greeted him. Wu Zheng has been here for a month! The name of "Yuanmu Pavilion" has been recognized by the people of Langnan City.

Wu Zheng's personality and character are also accepted by the simple neighbors.

He has a refined aura, just like a scholar. During this period, Wu Zheng always likes to buy some books to read when he has nothing to do. Unconsciously, he has washed away his sharp aura and is extraordinary and elegant.

His eyes are shining, and he is wise and unparalleled.

"Oh, this little girl is so pretty, what a pity."

"Yes! She is not very old, but her parents died early. It's a pity that she doesn't have any relatives around her."

"Oh! If I had money, I would take this little girl home! She actually sold herself to bury her mother. She is really a rare good girl!" An old man sighed.

"Who wouldn't say it! Such a good girl has such a miserable life."

"Yes, look at her, her clothes are thin, and there is almost no blood on her face. It is obvious that she is a miserable girl."

"Do you know where she is from?" A middle-aged man asked.

"Oh, this little girl is called Liu Chan. She is from Baishi Town in the north of the city. When her father went hunting in the mountains a few years ago, he was unfortunately eaten by wild beasts in the mountains! Her mother fell ill in a rage. She has been relying on the little savings left by her father for these years to survive until now. I never thought that her mother would also die of illness!" An old man said with emotion.

"Oh, what a miserable child."

"Does she have any relatives at home?" Someone asked reluctantly.

"Oh, where are they? Almost all the people in Baishi Town are mainly hunting. In recent years, middle-aged men have either died or been injured. The whole Baishi Town is not prosperous, and most people have moved to other places! It just so happens that this girl's grandfather only has her father as a child, and her mother's family members have all died! Now she is the only one left." The old man said.

"Yes! If there is a relative, she will not let her sell herself to bury her mother!" A young man who looks like a scholar said.

Wu Zheng only heard a noisy sound, so he turned and walked towards the place where the sound came from. He saw a girl about seven or eight years old kneeling on the ground in the crowd. In front of the girl's body, there was a corpse, and the corpse was covered with linen, so the appearance of the deceased could not be seen clearly.

On the linen was written: "Selling body to bury mother."

The four big characters were written very beautifully, but the childishness in them was relatively strong. It was obvious that they were written by the little girl herself.

I think she went to school in her early years.

The little girl looked at the crowd around her timidly, her face pale and she cried softly.

Wu Zheng knew that people living in the city had a livelihood and were relatively wealthy, but the towns around the city were not like that. They were close to the Chijin Mountains, and the wild beasts were relatively fierce. Every year, many middle-aged laborers were killed or injured.

Men are often the backbone of a family. When a family loses its male laborer, the family is basically finished! This little girl is obviously young, weak, and has a sallow complexion. Anyone with a discerning eye can tell that this is caused by long-term malnutrition.

Although the people here are relatively wealthy, their families are just able to eat. If they add a little girl who has no labor, it will undoubtedly be a burden to the family.

The heart is willing but the strength is insufficient.

Since we met, it is fate.

Anyway, Wu Zheng is alone, and one more mouth is just an extra bowl and chopsticks! It is harmless to him.

Wu Zheng shook his head, pushed away the crowd, and walked towards the little girl.

"Little girl, get up! I'll pay for your mother's burial." Wu Zheng said to the girl.

"Really?" The little girl asked timidly, her eyes full of disbelief.

"Isn't this the owner of 'Yuanmu Pavilion' in South City! I didn't expect him to be so young." Someone seemed to recognize Wu Zheng's identity and pointed at him.

"I didn't expect him to be a kind-hearted person." Someone said with emotion.

"Well, everyone says that this person has a kind character and is approachable. After seeing him today, it is indeed true." Someone whispered.

Wu Zheng said: "Of course it's true."

"Thank you, uncle." After saying that, the little girl actually kowtowed to Wu Zheng.

Wu Zheng helped the girl up and said to the crowd around him: "I am the owner of 'Yuanmu Pavilion'. Who can tell me where the coffin is?"

"I know, there is one nearby." An old man said loudly.

"Yes, brother Wu Zheng, we are all willing to help, you just need to arrange it." Another middle-aged man said.

"Thank you all!"

"It's okay, you're welcome!"

"Brother, this is ten taels of silver, can you help me buy a good coffin?" Wu Zheng said to a big man beside him.

"No problem, my name is Zhang Daniu, leave it to me!" The man patted his chest and said.

"Thank you! Brother."

The man didn't say anything, and walked straight to the coffin shop with a few young men.

"Old man, you are old, can you help me arrange it? Here is five taels of silver." Wu Zheng said to the old man who spoke first.

"Okay, my name is Feng Deli, I'm in Heishi Town next to Baishi Town, don't worry, just leave it to the old man."

They were all enthusiastic people, and without Wu Zheng's words, they all came forward to help arrange the funeral.

After a while, Zhang Daniu brought the coffin and borrowed a cart. Wu Zheng carried the girl's mother's body onto the cart. It happened that the old man Feng Deli had already bought all the things and rushed over.

Wu Zheng pushed the cart, and others helped. Another person pulled the little girl towards the north city.

After walking for an hour, everyone arrived at the girl's home in Baishi Town.

The thatched roof was flying, and it could be said that the house was bare and there was no place for people to live. A slightly heavier rain could hit it.

The neighbors in Baishi Town came to help after hearing the news. Wu Zheng took the little girl into the house, and saw that there was nothing in the house. There was only a quilt on the bed, and it was the kind that was broken.

Wu Zheng's nose was sour and he almost cried.

The little girl could no longer hold back her tears and started to cry.

Wu Zheng picked her up and held her in his arms.

Someone had already dug a pit near the hillside. Old Man Feng was very efficient and had obviously been through a lot. Several elderly women washed Liu Chan's mother in another room, put on the longevity clothes bought by Old Man Feng, and then put her in the coffin.

A group of young people helped put the coffin into the pit and covered it with soil. Firecrackers sounded and paper fire burned. Liu Chan knelt in front of the grave and cried bitterly.

The long-term grievances turned into tears at this moment, and her frail body fainted directly.

"Young man, you must treat Xiaochan well. This is a miserable child. Unfortunately, I am an old man and I don't have much time left. I will raise her in the house." An old man in his seventies said to Wu Zheng with a cane.

Wu Zheng understood that this man was obviously from Baishi Town.

"Don't worry, old lady. I'll give her a bite to eat. I won't let her go hungry." Wu Zheng said.

"Well, I'm relieved that you can say that!" After saying that, the old man actually left tremblingly.

The trembling old hand wiped his eyes, and tears were obviously left.

Wu Zheng looked at the old man's back for a long time without saying a word.

Over there, a group of neighbors had left one after another, and many of them shed tears. When they left, they all greeted Wu Zheng.

They told Wu Zheng to treat Liu Chan well.

At this time, the sunset was about to fall, and only Wu Zheng and Liu Chan who fainted on the ground were left on the empty land.

Wu Zheng couldn't bear it, so he went forward to pick up the sleeping Liu Chan and left Baishi Town.

When he returned to 'Yuanmu Pavilion', it was already dark! Many neighbors gathered at the door of Wu Zheng's 'Yuanmu Pavilion'. Obviously, Wu Zheng's actions in the morning had spread.

Seeing Liu Chan in Wu Zheng's arms, all the neighbors made way for Wu Zheng to enter the house, but they did not make any noise, fearing that they would wake up the sleeping Liu Chan.

After Wu Zheng put the sleeping Liu Chan on the bed and covered her with a quilt, he walked out.

The neighbors said nothing, some put down the girl's clothes they brought, some put down some food, and then patted Wu Zheng on the shoulder and left.