258: Chapter 258 Zhao Yanshan Dies Peacefully in His Bed!

However, let us turn to another matter.

Although Shi Pan achieving Golden Core was a magnificent event, bad news often follows, and great gains are inevitably accompanied by loss.

Far away in the Evil Water Marsh, within Fengshui City, someone had reached the end of their life.

Zhao Yanshan was old.

As the Clan Chief of the Zhao Family and one of the right-hand men in White Cloud Temple's development of the Evil Water Marsh, his hair had turned completely white. The wrinkles on his face were as deep as gullies carved by a knife, and even his hands could not stop trembling.

The Lifespan of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator is, at most, two hundred and forty years.

Throughout his life, Zhao Yanshan had exhausted his heart and strength for the survival of his Family. Now, having spent the last decade or so toiling day and night developing the Evil Water Marsh, coupled with his advanced age, his life was coming to an end...

Looking into the distance, Zhao Yanshan's mind was filled with a thousand thoughts. He knew his time was near; Sun Mao had gone before him, and he would soon follow.

One morning, at dawn.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated. On Fengshui Lake, the water rippled with light. White egrets and cranes cried out, and Spirit Fish leaped from the water, creating ripples.

The Spiritual Qi was naturally abundant, and the vitality was thriving.

Zhao Yanshan, draped in a thick fur cloak, sat in the courtyard of the Zhao Family residence in the south of the city. On the stone table lay two items: an account book of Fengshui City for the past decade and the genealogy of the Zhao Clan.

His withered fingers brushed over the cover of the genealogy, and many images flashed through his mind.

How glorious the Zhao Family had been in the past!

They were the founders of White Cloud Temple, a Legacy that had stood for a thousand years. Their ancestors had even included several Golden Core Cultivators—how magnificent!

But now, the power of the Sect had fallen into the hands of the Yun Clan.

His Zhao Family could only survive by relying on the Yao Beast. Although they had recovered some of their Origin Qi and returned to their former scale, they ultimately lacked their own Golden Core Old Ancestor. Despite having considerable assets and sufficient manpower, they could only live by watching others' expressions.

To survive, he had toiled his whole life, constantly on the move.

He had fought his whole life and schemed his whole life.

Generation after generation of the clan's children had died, trading their lives for the current status of the Zhao Family within White Cloud Temple and for the continuation of the Zhao Family.

Even if much had been sacrificed, it was all worth it!

At this moment, the courtyard gate was gently pushed open.

A young man wearing a cyan Dharma robe walked in. This young man was named Zhao Xuanqing, the most outstanding talent among the younger generation of the Zhao Family.

He possessed a Dual Spiritual Root Aptitude and had achieved Foundation Establishment at eighteen.

Now, just over forty, he was already at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage. He was of the same generation as Sun Qiming of the Sun Family and was the successor personally groomed by Zhao Yanshan...

"Old Ancestor, you called for me."

Zhao Xuanqing walked to the stone table and stood with his hands hanging down. He looked at the former Clan Chief, who resembled withered wood, and a trace of sorrow flashed in his eyes.

Zhao Yanshan waved his hand and pointed to the stone stool opposite him.

"Sit. Do not stand."

Zhao Xuanqing sat down as instructed.

Zhao Yanshan pushed the genealogy toward him, his voice as hoarse as a leaking bellows.

"Xuanqing, I am running out of time. From now on, this will be in your care."

Zhao Xuanqing took the genealogy with both hands, his expression extremely complex. Cultivators learn to take life and death lightly; when one's time is up, even immortals cannot save them.

But seeing the Old Ancestor about to pass away, he could not help but feel a pang of sorrow.

"Old Ancestor, please rest assured. I will definitely guard this Family business and revitalize our Zhao Clan."

Zhao Yanshan smiled, though it was a struggle.

"Xuanqing, remember this."

"The Zhao Family's business is not just a few shops on the street, nor is it those herb fields. The Zhao Family's business is White Cloud Temple, and it is Ancestor Shi."

"Our clan has invested for over a century; this relationship must not be broken."

Zhao Yanshan stared into Zhao Xuanqing's eyes, his tone becoming severe.

"If not for the protection of the Old Ancestor back then, the Zhao Family—that piece of fat meat—would have long been completely swallowed by the Yun Clan."

"After you become the Clan Chief, the first thing you must do is pay a visit to Ancestor Shi."

"Keep a low profile and be obedient."

"Ancestor Shi is the master, and we are the vassals. The offerings that must be paid cannot be a single cent less. The effort that must be contributed cannot be held back by even a fraction."

"As long as the Old Ancestor does not fall, the Zhao Family can be passed down for generations."

"Do you understand?"

Zhao Xuanqing nodded heavily.

"Xuanqing will keep this in mind."

After finishing these words, Zhao Yanshan seemed to have exhausted his last bit of strength.

He leaned back in his rattan chair, his gaze passing over the courtyard wall to look south, toward the riverbed that had once been stained with the blood of the Dragon.

"Too many bones are buried in the mud of this Evil Water Marsh."

"This old bag of bones of mine should also rest."

"My life has been magnificent, and having seen such a world, I have no regrets in my heart. It is just a pity that I will not live to see the day when this Evil Water Marsh is completely pacified…"

"And I will not have the chance to see our Zhao Clan produce a Golden Core Master. It is truly a regret…"

Zhao Yanshan sighed, his expression gradually returning to calm.

His life had regrets, but he had lived without illness or disaster. Being able to pull the Zhao Clan back from the edge of the cliff at a critical moment, his life could be considered complete.

To live to his age and enjoy over two hundred years…

That could also be considered a joyous event.

Gradually, Zhao Yanshan's breathing slowed, until it stopped completely.

His complexion turned pale, his pupils dilated and lost focus, and his chest stopped rising and falling.

Yet, he still wore a smile, facing the end with indifference.

On this day.

The current Clan Chief of the Zhao Clan, Zhao Yanshan, passed away peacefully in Fengshui City at dawn. When the news spread, silence fell over Fengshui City.

The entire Zhao Clan wept, seeing off this member of their clan.

Zhao Yanshan's funeral was not grand, nor was the city filled with mourning clothes. He was simply buried in the earth.

Sun Chengzhu stood before the tombstone, watching for a long time.

He wore a plain sword robe, poured three cups of wine, sprinkled them on the ground, and lit incense to send him off.

"Old Clan Chief Zhao, go in peace."

"Our two families are both under the seat of the Old Ancestor. Although we have had our competitions, the friendship between our families remains. In the future, as long as I live, I will protect your Zhao Family for one day. You may go with peace of mind."

"Leave the rest to us Juniors."

Sun Qiming stood behind, looking at the tombstone, and sighed.

Such a respectable Senior had just left. The Dao is truly ruthless, and time is like a knife; no one can escape this tribulation.

Zhao Xuanqing, wearing mourning clothes, stood to one side.

He met Sun Qiming's gaze, and the two nodded slightly.

The friendship of the older generation had broken, but the friendship of the new generation began at this moment. The Sun and Zhao Families still shared a bond.

It is common for people to be forgotten once they are gone.

But in Fengshui City, a city built on flesh and blood, rules are more important than human feelings. As long as the rules remain, the Legacy can be passed on.

The old gives way to the new, the Dao and time flow on.

How many years in a life, how many springs and autumns.

In the end, time is like a great river flowing east, with countless ghosts and bones buried here.

Cherish the countless heroes and talents, and watch as the thousands of talents of today forge a new epic chapter!