The Sorrowmender

Chapter 50 – Must kill, where to be buried?

Xu Qingzhou didn't respond, because this topic was inherently meaningless, and delving into it would only disrupt the tranquility of their journey.

Daoist Master Dongyun wanted his life because of a past promise, a commission he couldn't refuse, making it necessary to kill.

He also wanted Daoist Master Dongyun's life, because only with his death could he enter Linfeng City without bloodshed and kill Mo Shengge, which was equally necessary.

Even if they admired each other, there could be no mercy; this was a predetermined fact.

Seeing Xu Qingzhou not responding, only smiling faintly, Daoist Master Dongyun wisely put away his sentimentality.

Returning to the main topic.

"Enough, enough, let's not talk about this. Young friend Xu hasn't answered my question yet?"

"What question?"

"Some people read to understand the Dao, like me. Some read to gain knowledge, like the common people. Some read to achieve fame, like those officials in the court. I've been here for a few days and seen you read every day—many books, historical records, strange books, classics, military books, medical books..."

As he spoke, his gaze turned to Xu Qingzhou.

He continued, "If it's for understanding, you don't seem obsessed with reading. If it's for knowledge, everyone in Frostsky City says Mister Forgetting Worries knows everything. If it's for fame, you don't seem to aspire to the political arena. So I'm very curious, what is your purpose in reading?"

He said a lot, and Xu Qingzhou listened to a lot, looking helplessly at this old man.

This person was truly obsessed with reading.

However, his summary was quite thorough. People exhaust themselves reading for nothing more than these three pursuits.

He himself was the second type, seeking knowledge.

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What he said was also true; in the eyes of the world, he was omnipotent and omniscient. If he wanted to become an official, there were simple ways to do so, so what was the point of reading?

He thought for a moment and pretended to be profound, "I read to cultivate my heart."

"Cultivate your heart?"

Xu Qingzhou smiled calmly and replied cheerfully.

"That's right, to cultivate my heart!"

"Books are a good companion in leisure, the scenery at the door is beautiful when it rains."

"To enjoy what is appropriate, not to wish to be a worldly scholar."

"I am different from you and those you mentioned. Reading in leisure is just a hobby, which gradually became a habit, hence it's for cultivating the heart."

"Now I'm used to it. A day without reading leaves my mind empty, a month without reading makes my senses dull."

"So I read every day. The more I read, the more varied the books become. As long as it's a book, I read it."

"As for whether I understand it, I never care."

"As they say, read whatever page the wind blows open, tear out the page you don't understand, hahaha!"

Xu Qingzhou spoke nonsense with a straight face, but in the ears of Daoist Master Dongyun, it left him momentarily stunned, bewildering him.

Daoist Master Dongyun read for the great truths in books, seeking enlightenment.

Xu Qingzhou's words, like a clear spring flowing through his heart, left him deeply moved.

He didn't deny Xu Qingzhou's words because what Xu Qingzhou said about himself also applied to Daoist Master Dongyun.

Though he spoke of enlightenment, understanding the Dao in books was no easy task. If it were, how could he still be in the mere Realm of Foundation Establishment?

So for him, reading was the same as Xu Qingzhou's, a cultivation of the heart, a habit.

The difference was, he had to understand a book, and if he didn't, he would read it over and over, neglecting sleep and food.

Thus, he often found himself troubled, worried, and anxious.

Xu Qingzhou's words helped him find his true self, as if they were spoken directly to him.

Especially the phrase "read whatever page the wind blows open, tear out the page you don't understand."

It was a revelation, enlightening him.

Looking at Xu Qingzhou, this young man before him, he actually stopped, performing a scholar's salute to Xu Qingzhou.

"Listening to your words is better than reading ten years of books. Mister is worthy of the name, and truly deserves it. I am enlightened."

Among scholars, the most convincing thing is not fighting but this three-inch tongue.

Daoist Master Dongyun was inadvertently convinced by Xu Qingzhou's words, and the title of "young friend" became "Mister."

His eyes also carried other emotions, which, if examined closely, were respect.

Xu Qingzhou was naturally a bit bewildered, quickly returning the salute, "Senior overpraises."

However, as he came to his senses, he felt inexplicably pleased. This feeling of speaking nonsense and pretending to be profound in front of a master was incredibly satisfying.

Especially since the other party was fooled by him, it was much more gratifying than killing him.

The two continued walking, passing through alleys, crossing long streets, leaving the city, and arriving at a wilderness by a small river.

It was midsummer, the river water reflected the moon, flowing gently, with lush water plants on both banks.

The tree crowns were full of leaves, the greenest and densest time of the year.

Xu Qingzhou suddenly stopped and said, "Senior, let's stop here."

Daoist Master Dongyun also stopped, his deep eyes scanning the surroundings.

Previously, on the way here, he had said that he and Xu Qingzhou were quite compatible, and to thank Xu Qingzhou for sharing some insights with him.

So he let Xu Qingzhou choose a good place for him to be killed and buried.

Thus, when Xu Qingzhou said this, the meaning was naturally clear.

He wanted to die here, be buried here.

Daoist Master Dongyun naturally had no objections, but out of respect for Xu Qingzhou, he wanted to see how the feng shui of the place Xu Qingzhou chose was.

However, from his slightly furrowed brows, it was not difficult to see that he seemed not very satisfied with this place.

"Mister, are you sure you want to be buried here?"

Xu Qingzhou shifted his gaze forward, looking at a large tree by the riverbank in the moonlight, and asked with a smile.

"Does Senior recognize that tree?"

Upon hearing this, Daoist Master Dongyun naturally followed his gaze.

Though he lived in the mountains, he had lived for nearly a century and naturally recognized the tree.

"Of course I recognize it; it's a plum tree," he replied, adding another sentence.

"Is there something special about this plum tree?"

Xu Qingzhou walked a few steps forward with his hands behind his back.

"In my hometown, there's an old saying: 'Peach trees nourish people, apricot trees harm people, plum trees bury people.'"

Daoist Master Dongyun, hearing this, found his interest piqued even more.

"This is indeed the first time I've heard this. It seems the place Mister comes from is truly extraordinary. If there's a chance, I should really visit."

Xu Qingzhou, however, shook his head with a light laugh, "You can't go, and I can't go back."

The trace of melancholy in his eyes was naturally caught by Daoist Master Dongyun, matching the full moon of the fifteenth, it was a deep homesickness.

He thought, Mister Forgetting Worries must know he's going to die and can't go back, hence the sorrow.

He couldn't help but feel regretful in his heart, but he had no choice but to kill him. However, perhaps before killing him, he could make some amends.

"Very well, I will fulfill Mister's wish and bury you under that plum tree. You can rest in peace, knowing that I will take care of that little girl you care about so much after you're gone, so you can depart peacefully."

Xu Qingzhou was taken aback, turning his head to look at him. He had to admit, this old fellow was quite particular, and rather nice, at least not a bad person.

If he hadn't said this, he would have just killed him. But having said this, killing him would make his conscience ache.

He sighed and stopped being subtle.

"Ah, Senior is indeed a good person, and it's not in vain that I specifically chose this place by the mountains and water for you."

Daoist Master Dongyun was also taken aback and asked, "Mister, what do you mean?"