After I Am died, You Tell Me This Is A Life Simulation?
Chapter 13 - Cheng Lingsu

Chapter 13: Cheng Lingsu

Great Song Dynasty,

Somewhere at the foot of a mountain, in a small town.

A small figure with a basket on her back walked slowly back, arriving at a pharmacy to exchange medicinal herbs for some copper coins.

The pharmacy owner squinted at her—she looked to be about ten-something years old, with a dull complexion, slightly yellowed hair, and a petite, delicate frame, dressed in a coarse hemp dress—yet she carried herself with a neat and agile air.

Though her appearance was not particularly striking, her bright and spirited eyes left a lasting impression.

Seeing her like this, the shopkeeper couldn’t help but sigh with pity in his heart, and quietly lowered the price of the herbs, giving her only half the copper coins due.

The little girl didn’t seem to notice at all. She took the coins and turned to leave.

She bought a few daily items in the town, wandered a bit more, and was about to leave when she passed by a small manor.

At the gate, a small piece of rag was tied.

The girl’s body trembled slightly. Her eyes locked onto the rag, and in her usually calm gaze, a faint ripple of emotion appeared—yet it quickly faded. She left silently.

At night…

A small, delicate black shadow appeared before the manor gate. She did not knock. With a gentle leap, she stepped against the wall twice and easily flipped over into the courtyard.

She took out a small candle for light, examining the area as she moved along. Inside the house, after a bit of searching, she finally found a letter hidden in the false bottom of a drawer.

On the envelope, it read clearly: “To Senior Brother Yichen, with respect.”

Looking at the letter, the shadow seemed visibly emotional. She clutched it tightly for a long while without moving. After some time, she quietly tucked it back into her chest, blew out the candle, and disappeared into the night.

At the foot of the mountain, a rustic and remote dwelling with a few tidy houses stood silently.

The little girl lit the lamp, took the letter from her bosom, and opened it carefully to read.

After a long while, she put the letter down.

Her brows furrowed slightly, and she murmured, “Linshui County…”

She glanced again at the names mentioned in the letter. In her clear, water-like eyes, a trace of doubt and contemplation flickered.

In the end, it all turned into resolve.

The next morning, the little girl packed her bags and quietly left the place.

Three months later.

Old Zhen stared blankly at the delicate girl before him.

“Senior Brother… he actually…”

He stood dazed for a long time before returning to his senses. Seeing the calm expression of his little junior niece, with only sorrow showing in her eyes, he couldn’t help but sigh deeply:

“Cheng Lingsu… ‘Ling Shu’, ‘Su Wen’… Seems like Senior Brother thought highly of you. These years, you’ve…”

Though he didn’t know what she had been through, he could tell that a girl her age surviving alone wasn’t easy. Her sallow face and dry hair showed clearly she hadn’t been living well.

After a few words of comfort, Old Zhen sighed again:

“I sent that letter just to confirm… never thought Senior Brother had already passed… It’s been two years. And I, his junior brother, didn’t know a thing.”

Cheng Lingsu pressed her lips together and said softly:

“Master once said that Uncle Zhen was the kindest and gentlest among his peers. In past years, you didn’t want to be involved in sect matters, so he chose not to disturb you.”

Hearing this, Old Zhen gave a bitter smile:

“He was too thoughtful…”

“And why did he keep changing his Dharma name? I remember when he first became a monk, he called himself ‘Da Chen’ (Great Wrath). Later, for some reason, he changed it to ‘Yi Chen’ (One Wrath). Now it’s become ‘Wu Chen’ (No Wrath)? Ha, strange.”

Speaking of this, Cheng Lingsu also smiled faintly and said softly:

“Master said, the Dharma names represented his progress in cultivation. When he first ordained, he had a fiery temper, so he called himself ‘Da Chen’; later, as he cultivated his character, he became ‘Yi Chen’; when he accepted disciples, he changed it to ‘Wei Chen’ (Slight Wrath); and a few years ago, feeling he had achieved peace, he became ‘Wu Chen’.”

Old Zhen shook his head with a chuckle:

“Back then, when we learned together, I couldn’t stand his bad temper. Never thought he’d change with age. What a pity… I didn’t get to see him again.”

After speaking, his expression turned slightly dazed again, as if lost in memory.

Cheng Lingsu didn’t interrupt, silently lowering her head and occasionally glancing at Old Zhen’s changing expression, secretly relieved.

After a while, Old Zhen came back to himself and said apologetically to Cheng Lingsu:

“Old people always get like this. Don’t mind me.”

Cheng Lingsu shook her head to show she didn’t mind.

Old Zhen stroked his beard, looked at Cheng Lingsu, and after pondering a while, said:

“Besides you and me, does anyone else know about your master’s passing?”

Cheng Lingsu said:

“Senior brothers and sisters are unaware. But Uncle Shi might’ve guessed it. He’s already brought all forces of the Medicine King Manor under his control.”

Hearing this, Old Zhen’s brows furrowed tightly:

“No wonder you’ve suffered… I imagine you’ve had a tough time. Sigh! Forget it. Junior Brother Shi is ruthless and crafty. How could a young girl like you compete with him?”

So pitiful—such a young girl, without Senior Brother’s protection, probably had a hard time just staying alive. Her yellow, thin face made his heart ache even more.

Cheng Lingsu nodded gently to show her understanding.

Smart as she was, she also caught the fear in Uncle Zhen’s words—

It was clear he didn’t want to be involved with Uncle Shi.

Cheng Lingsu said no more on the matter.

Old Zhen didn’t want to continue the topic either. He changed the subject:

“You’re your master’s final disciple, so you probably know all his students, right? Was there one named ‘Fang Han’?”

Cheng Lingsu had already seen mention of this in the letter and knew that Uncle Zhen had encountered someone who seemed to be from the same sect. That letter was written to verify that. She couldn’t help but ponder.

With her clear, bright eyes, she shook her head slightly:

“No. I never heard Master mention him. I only know that before me, Master accepted three disciples—Senior Brother Murong, Senior Brother Jiang, and Senior Sister Xue.”

Old Zhen frowned in confusion:

“Really? That’s strange…”

Cheng Lingsu thought for a moment and guessed:

“Master probably wouldn’t have hidden this from me. If Fang Han wasn’t Master’s disciple, and you don’t recognize him either, perhaps… he’s one of Uncle Shi’s disciples?”

Old Zhen shook his head immediately:

“Unlikely. Fang Han is a righteous and kind-hearted person who has done many good deeds. But Junior Brother Shi… I won’t hide it from you—he’s not a good man. He’s cruel, cunning, and venomous. He’s one of the reasons I left. How could someone like him teach a benevolent doctor?”

Cheng Lingsu nodded slightly:

“I see. I must’ve misunderstood.”

Yet Old Zhen still found it strange—if none of the three brothers had taught him, where did Fang Han’s medical skills come from?

Surely such ability couldn’t appear out of nowhere?

He would never have guessed that Fang Han’s knowledge of medicine came from him…

Uncomfortable, Old Zhen sighed and temporarily set the matter aside. He asked Cheng Lingsu:

“Your master and I may have had our differences, but it was just youthful pride. Since you are his final disciple, I will take care of you no matter what.”

He added,

“But I’m not like your master—he was a divine physician and built a great legacy with the Medicine King Manor. I just have a small plot of land. Would you… Be willing to stay?”

Cheng Lingsu’s eyes turned slightly red. She bowed and knelt:

“Lingsu thanks Uncle Zhen for taking me in.”

“Good, good, good! Get up, get up quickly!”

Old Zhen looked at the girl’s thin, pale face and grew even more tender-hearted.

Footnotes:

1. 法号 (fǎ hào)– Dharma name: A name taken when one becomes a monk or nun, often reflecting one’s spiritual aspiration or personality.
2. 药王庄 (Yào Wáng Zhuāng)– Medicine King Manor: Fictional or metaphorical name representing a prominent medical sect or estate. “药王” (Yao Wang) refers to the “King of Medicine”, often a reference to Sun Simiao, a famous Tang dynasty doctor.
3. 一嗔 (Yīchēn), 大嗔 (Dàchēn), 微嗔 (Wēichēn), 无嗔 (Wúchēn)– A sequence of Dharma names based on “嗔” meaning anger. These names reflect stages in temperament and cultivation:
   • Dàchēn(大嗔): Great Wrath
   • Yīchēn(一嗔): One Wrath
   • Wēichēn(微嗔): Slight Wrath
   • Wúchēn(无嗔): No Wrath

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