Ten Thousand Soul Banner: Deceased, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?
Chapter 31 The Old Taoist

Chapter 31: Chapter 31 The Old Taoist

The old ghost was once a Taoist.

One associated with a Taoist Temple.

However, the Taoist has died, and the temple has collapsed. The statue of The Three Pure Ones had a gaping hole, turning it into a den for snakes and rats.

Yet, the old Taoist still hasn’t left, guarding his ruined temple in this desolate land.

The old Taoist considers himself to have cultivated into a Ghost Immortal, achieving great freedom.

But Yu Youcai harbors disdain for such a claim.

He’s just an ordinary old ghost. If he counts as a Ghost Immortal, then there would be tens of thousands of Ghost Immortals in the world.

However, this is only what Yu Youcai thinks inwardly; he actually holds great respect for the old Taoist.

On one hand, although the old Taoist babbles on, he indeed possesses extensive knowledge.

On the other, the old Taoist is an elder to Yu Youcai. Back when Yu Youcai was very young, his grandfather had taken him to visit the old Taoist. The two were close and good friends, and the old Taoist was very fond of him.

The old Taoist also had abilities. Having experienced countless rises and falls in life, he remained long-lived, having survived a long time. Only when Shen Jianjun was born did he pass away—he was then one hundred and thirty-five years old.

Now, Shen Jianjun is over fifty, so the old Taoist had been in the Mortal World for nearly two hundred years.

That’s why Yu Youcai referred to him as an old ghost.

When Yu Youcai found the old Taoist, he was sitting cross-legged under a Bodhi Tree, meditating and contemplating the Tao, with his broken Taoist Temple in ruins behind him.

It’s unclear why he still insisted on staying here, unwilling to leave.

Upon seeing Yu Youcai, the old Taoist was also surprised.

"You haven’t visited me in a long time. Why do you think of visiting me now? Have you finally let go of your obsessions and wish to leave?"

Yu Youcai shook his head, "No, I have some matters for which I would like to seek advice from you, Taoist."

"Oh? You’re already dead, and you still have matters to consult me with?"

The old Taoist stood up, his body as light as if treading on air, gently landing on the Bodhi Tree with white hair and long beard, his sleeves billowing, appearing very respectable. Under the moonlight, he truly resembled an immortal figure.

After assuming his pose, the old Taoist spoke again: "Speak, what matters do you need to consult me about? Let’s see if I can resolve your doubts."

Yu Youcai had grown accustomed to the old Taoist’s manner, so he began to speak: "It’s about my nephew’s son. Today, when I encountered him on the road, he could actually see me."

"Eh?" The old Taoist was taken aback by this revelation, gently descending from the Bodhi Tree.

"Could he not see you before?"

Yu Youcai nodded.

"Are you sure you’re not mistaken?"

"How could that be mistaken, it’s not the first time I’ve seen him since I died. In previous years, I’ve even visited him, and stayed at his home for a few days..."

"So, you’re saying he suddenly was able to see you?" the old Taoist frowned deeply.

Yu Youcai nodded again, "I’m worried there might be something wrong with his body; he’s still young and not even married yet."

Concern for Shen Siyuan was written all over his face.

"It could be that he has either encountered some opportunity, or that his life is nearing its end," the old Taoist muttered.

Bodily decline, those close to death, with the ’three fires’ about to extinguish, could potentially see ghosts, even foresee their impending death.

"That’s exactly what I’m worried about, but on him, I did not see the ’three fires’, yet seeing his essence energy so full, he doesn’t resemble someone about to die."

Hearing this, the old Taoist became even more astonished, and with a flick of his wide sleeves, he floated forward.

"Let’s go, lead me to see him."

Yu Youcai hurriedly followed behind.

Watching the figure ahead, with sleeves billowing under the moonlight, swiftly advancing against the wind, the old Taoist.

Yu Youcai started to doubt whether the other was truly a skilled Taoist who had cultivated into a Ghost Immortal.

Because the old Taoist did not look like this before his death, at that time, just like now, he was on the brink of senility, aged and frail.

But now he stood straight, moving with ease, not showing any signs of old age, like a cicada shedding its skin in summer.

Yu Youcai also knew about the saying "appearance follows the heart." He had seen many ghosts, weighed down by karma, unable to suppress their desires, which made them take on bizarre shapes.

He did not know if the old Taoist was the same, but while others changed for the worse, why did he change for the better?

-----------------

Shen Siyuan, of course, didn’t know about this situation, as he had already returned home, eaten dinner, and was casually chatting with his dad.

He couldn’t outright mention his great-uncle’s matter, so he probed in a roundabout way.

"Dad, I went back to Yu Family Mansion today, strolled around the village, and passed by where great-uncle used to live. The house is now in ruins, overgrown with weeds. Should we refurbish it?"

"What’s the point of fixing it? Your great-uncle had no children. After his death, the land was taken over by the village," said Shen Jianjun.

"Oh, I see."

Huang Huijuan peeled an orange and handed it to him, saying, "What, do you still want to live in your hometown in the future? If you really want to, just live in Linjiapo, there’s no need to rebuild the house. Besides, after your grandma’s centennial, her house will certainly be left to you..."

"That’s not what I meant." Shen Siyuan stuffed a piece of orange into his mouth.

"I just remembered great-uncle, that’s all."

Hearing this, the couple fell silent for a moment. They were not ungrateful people; they naturally remembered great-uncle’s kindness.

"Can you tell me about great-uncle? I was young at the time, and I don’t remember much."

"He has passed away. What’s the use of talking about those things," said Shen Jianjun.

"I want to know," Shen Siyuan insisted seriously.

"A person must not forget their roots; Siyuan is right about this," said Huang Huijuan.

Hearing this, Shen Jianjun began to open up, telling Shen Siyuan about great-uncle’s past.

"Your great-uncle was a very capable man when he was young. He did business, sailed ships, served as a soldier, fought in wars..."

"This is a trait you share with your great-uncle; both of you are restless, always stirring things up," added Huang Huijuan.

Shen Jianjun didn’t deny it, simply nodding: "It’s said nephews often take after their uncles, and it’s absolutely true."

"When I was little, your great-uncle was very good to me. Back then, rural life was tough. Your great-uncle always found ways to get food for your grandma and me to fill our bellies, while he himself was skin and bones..."

"What about my great-grandma, why did she die so early?"

"She died in childbirth. Back then, medical conditions were poor; it was a case of both mother and child passing away. That was the most heartbreaking thing for your great-uncle. Later, everyone was reluctant to mention it, so it was said that your great-grandma died of illness..."

As they spoke, Huang Huijuan got up and took out a rusty iron box from the room.

"Inside here are some of your great-uncle’s belongings. After he passed away, we couldn’t bear to throw these things away, so we kept them."

Shen Siyuan took the box with curiosity.

Upon opening the rusty iron box, the first thing that caught his eye was a neatly stacked bundle of letters.

Besides those, there were also insignia badges, several Yuan Datou coins, some bullets, a medal, and various other trinkets.

"These are letters exchanged with his comrades in arms," said Shen Jianjun with a glance.

However, Huang Huijuan at his side counteracted, "Not necessarily."

"What do you mean?" Shen Siyuan was somewhat surprised.

Shen Jianjun looked at Huang Huijuan and said displeasedly, "Why are you telling the kid these things?"

Huang Huijuan replied indifferently, "Siyuan is grown up now, not a kid anymore. Since he wants to know about his great-uncle’s past, we should tell him everything."

Huang Huijuan turned to Shen Siyuan, "After your great-grandma passed away, your great-uncle also thought of remarrying. There was a young girl who liked your great-uncle very much..."

"So why didn’t he remarry in the end?"

"Because of the age difference. Your great-uncle didn’t want people gossiping about him," said Shen Jianjun.

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