Chapter 32 (1/2)

Translator: CKtalon Editor: CKtalon

As Meng Chuan walked, he watched street vendors peddling their wares. There were also disciples from the Dao Academies talking as they walked side by side.

“Look, it’s Senior Brother Meng.”

“Senior Brother Meng.” The disciples from Mirror Lake Dao Academy immediately greeted him respectfully.

Along the way, what he saw made him smile. He suddenly saw a crippled old man sitting by the side of the road, leisurely watching the pedestrians on the riverside. Beside him was a fis.h.i.+ng pole. He smiled and occasionally inhaled on his smoke pipe.

As a brilliant painter, Meng Chuan observed everything with great precision. He could sense the happiness and carefreeness of the crippled old man. “Satisfaction” overflowed from his body despite being severely handicapped—he was missing one arm and a leg.

His disability is so serious, but he can still enjoy life so comfortably? He looks the worst on this street, but he looks the happiest? Meng Chuan walked over curiously.

“Sir,” Meng Chuan walked over and greeted politely.

“Mmm?”

This crippled old man held the smoke pipe in his single hand and looked over. He couldn’t help but be overjoyed. “Isn’t this Young Master Meng Chuan? For you to speak to an old man like me, I have to tell my wife when I get back.” The elder’s smile was very infectious.

“Elder, may I know why you’re so happy? Is there a joyous occasion?”

“Look, the youths are cultivating their martial arts. The adults are living their lives.” The crippled old man pointed at the streets. “I’m happy to see all of this.”

Meng Chuan was slightly stunned.

“Once upon a time at Qinyang Pa.s.s, the demons ama.s.sed an army and stormed us under the lead of demon monarchs,” said the crippled elder. “Once they charged in, the entire Eastcalm Prefecture and the surrounding areas were reduced to a scorched land. No one survived. At that time, I was serving at Qinyang Pa.s.s. From the G.o.dfiends to every soldier… every one of them fought to the death.”

“The G.o.dfiends fought the demon monarchs.”

“We also fended off every demon. Corpses were strewn everywhere, and my companions died one after another. Companions who were chatting and laughing just last night had fallen the next day. As long as they had one last breath, they would drag the demons into an internecine outcome.” The old man’s eyes were slightly moist as he said with a smile, “Our eyes turned red from the killing. When you discover no more demons around you, there are also not many of your companions left around you.”

“We managed to survive until the other G.o.dfiends’ reinforcements arrived, and we finally managed to hold Qinyang Pa.s.s.” The crippled elder laughed. “We managed to protect the lives of more than ten million people in Eastcalm Prefecture. That time, out of the soldiers which were originally 20,000-strong, only 1633 soldiers survived. Only two of the five G.o.dfiends who were guarding Qinyang Pa.s.s survived.”

“Why did we risk our lives and not escape despite the desperate situation? It’s because we don’t want to be slaughtered; we don’t want our family and children to be slaughtered… We hoped for them to peacefully cultivate, have plenty of alcohol to drink, and brag. We hoped that they would be able to marry and have children in the future…” The crippled old man laughed. “I come out every day to take a look at the people on the streets, and it reminds me of my fallen companions. Their deaths were worth it.”

“I’m very lucky. 20,000 brothers and sisters, but only 1,633 survived. With me surviving, I can eat meat buns, drink alcohol, fish, and even smoke… Haha… How delightful.” The crippled elder laughed.

Meng Chuan listened quietly. The confusion in his heart was gone. Some so-called miserable families were laughable when compared to the elderly man.

Take the Red Rain siblings, for example. Red Rain was a maidservant in a large family and could earn money to support her family. Her father was addicted to gambling, and who could be blamed for the debt he owed? To say that he had been deceived? Ignoring the possibility of him lying to his son, who was to be blamed for not reading the promissory note carefully?

There are all kinds of humans. Some people choose to abandon themselves to vice. Some people remain smiling radiantly even though they are in an abyss. And the vast majority of people… Meng Chuan glanced at the peddlers on the street. They are full of antic.i.p.ation, busying themselves for their livelihood.

…

After returning home, Meng Chuan ate lunch and went to the study.

He spread open a canvas and began painting.

He had too many things he wanted to paint.

He first drew one of the places in Eastcalm Prefecture…

…

From this day onwards, other than cultivating, he spent the rest of his time painting.

He painted every day.

From summer to autumn, the painting continued for more than four months. As the autumn leaves turned yellow, the painting finally reached completion.

This was a long canvas scroll—25 feet long.

On the left side of the long scroll was an ancient city—Eastcalm Prefecture City.

The most eye-catching thing was the luxurious Meng family ancestral mansion. Inside, an old woman holding a walking stick stood still. Her entire body radiated a dazzling light, and her aura was terrifying. Next to her were the clan leader, Third Elder, Meng Dajiang, and a large number of clansmen. Meng Chuan drew dozens of people seriously, while the rest of the clansmen were drawn as shadows.

Outside the Meng family ancestral mansion, there was the Black Wolf Gang leader, Liu Chang, who stood there bowing respectfully. Meng Chuan had never seen Liu Chang before. However, Meng Chuan did some caricature, making Liu Chang appear more robust and fiercer. However, in front of the Meng family ancestral mansion, he was extremely respectful and obsequious.