Chapter 1055: Unbroken Past 24

The red-haired man seemed to possess a unique ability: he could directly merge into a patrol of underworld emissaries, thereby passing through the Gate of Hell undetected by the guarding ghost generals and the other emissaries.

The Ning'an County Records were not a text particularly protected by the underworld, nor were they likely to be consulted anytime soon. After a brief search, the red-haired man quickly located the relevant records in one of the storerooms.

Before dawn, the red-haired man again took advantage of a departing patrol of underworld emissaries to leave the underworld. As the emissaries passed by the inn, he detached himself from one of them and returned to his room.

In the guest room, the scholarly-looking man turned over, tucking the quilt more snugly around his shoulders, his mind swiftly processing thoughts.

The Sun family’s deep good fortune was clearly a result of their ancestors’ legacy, most likely due to a connection with Master Ji or Wensheng, or even both. Furthermore, the blessings stemming from this connection might not have been directly granted by that immortal, given that their era had long passed.

However, the Sun family ancestors treated Master Ji with sincere kindness. At that time, Master Ji was a person of immense power, divine ability, and great wisdom, who harbored compassion for all living beings and was destined to counter the coming cataclysm. He was certainly favored by heaven and earth. Thus, if certain actions of the Sun ancestors touched Master Ji, heaven and earth would naturally respond.

Therefore, the conclusion is that the Sun family’s good fortune is a blessing bestowed by heaven and earth, which explains its remarkable and enduring nature.

‘If She Ji were to succeed by chance, it would indeed be undesirable.’

Furthermore, considering She Ji’s recent circumstances, things have indeed become quite delicate. When the Heavenly God of the Thunder Department descended, there was first the mountain god’s aid, then the fox immortal’s intervention, and coupled with Sun Yiqiu’s every word and deed, it’s entirely possible that something significant has already begun to unfold.

The man’s eyes narrowed slightly. The Sun family had indeed become a concern, not only due to the potential conflict with Hu Yun, but also because if Sun Yiqiu and She Ji truly became a couple, it would indirectly grant She Ji a boost in fortune, with a certain degree of assistance from heaven and earth, leading to more unpredictable outcomes.

‘To completely dismantle this situation would not be difficult.’

The man lying on the bed opened his eyes, yawned, and stretched. Outside, rooster calls had already begun to sound, one after another.

In late January, on the street outside Tianniufang in Ning'an County, the Sun family’s noodle stall was open for business as usual.

It was almost evening, and numerous customers were still enjoying noodles at the stall. Business had been consistently good recently. The scholar named Hong was also seated at a table with a few farmers, eating noodles.

“Old Sun, one bowl of braised noodles.” “I’ll have one too, and a bowl of mixed offal.”

Two more regular customers arrived for noodles, but Father Sun could only apologize and decline their order.

“Gentlemen, unfortunately, all the noodles are sold out for today, and there’s no offal left either.”

“That’s right, everything’s gone.”

Hearing the Sun father and son, the two men looked rather disappointed.

“How could it be sold out so early today? What time is it?”

“Sigh, I told you we should have come earlier, but you kept dawdling. Well, that’s that. Let’s go.”

“Customers, take care, and please come early tomorrow!”

Old Sun kindly saw them off, and the two customers waved goodbye before departing.

The remaining customers at the stall gradually finished their noodles, settled their bills, and left. Only Scholar Hong and an old farmer remained; the farmer was finishing the last few bites of mixed offal, while Scholar Hong had already eaten his noodles and was now sipping tea to cleanse his palate.

When Sun Yiqiu was no longer busy, he went and sat at the scholar’s table.

“Young Master Hong, how have you been? We haven’t seen you for a few days.”

“Hahahaha, thanks to your good wishes, I’ve been doing quite well. I’ve been busy recently searching for old books around here, which is why I haven’t visited for a few days. Now that I’m about to leave Ning’an County, I made sure to come for a bowl of noodles, so I won’t miss them when I’m gone.”

“Young Master Hong, you’re leaving?”

Sun Yiqiu was slightly surprised. This scholar was learned and well-traveled, and conversing with him was quite engaging. Sun Yiqiu felt they had become friends and was a little sad to see him go.

Sun Yiqiu occasionally harbored fantasies of traveling the world, though he knew it was unrealistic. Conversing with Scholar Hong about his adventures and observations offered a different kind of satisfaction.

“Yes, I only came to Ning’an County to pay homage to Wensheng’s legacy. It’s impossible for me to stay here indefinitely; it’s time for me to depart.”

Father Sun also sighed, expressing his sentiments.

“Young Master, it’s clear at a glance that you are no ordinary man; you are destined for great achievements. Yiqiu, I told you to study hard back then, but you wouldn’t listen. Are you envious now?”

“Oh, Dad, I’m simply not cut out for that. I’m much better at making noodles.”

“Hahahaha, it’s a wonderful thing that Young Sun can carry on this craft; you must ensure the skill is never lost! My greatest gain from this trip to Ning’an County has been befriending the kind and benevolent Young Sun and Uncle Sun!”

The scholar spoke with a smile, and his complimentary words sounded truly sincere.

“Young Master Hong, you flatter us!”

The Sun father and son were both quite embarrassed but also felt deeply honored.

Just then, an elderly couple, a man and a woman, appeared on the street. Their faces were etched with sorrow, they walked with a limp, and their clothes were terribly tattered. On such a cold day, they seemed to shiver constantly. The fading sunlight offered no warmth to them, instead making them appear as bleak as the street itself.

The couple soon arrived at the Sun family’s noodle stall.

“Come, come, please take a seat!” “Quickly, come and rest!”

Sun Yiqiu quickly went to assist them, and Scholar Hong also rose. The two, each taking an elder, helped them sit down at the stall. The old woman had tears streaming from her eyes and continuously mumbled something, while the old man merely sighed.

“Here, elders, please have some tea!”

Sun Yiqiu quickly poured hot tea for them. The two elders cradled the teacups in their hands, trembling as they drank.

“Thank you, thank you.”

The old man set down his teacup and, with a slightly trembling hand, cupped it in gratitude.

“What exactly happened to you two?”

Scholar Hong asked the question on everyone’s mind. The old man shook his head slightly.

“We are from a neighboring village. Someone from our village brought news that they had seen our long-lost daughter, who supposedly married here. We’ve missed her for years, and our longing was so great that despite the hundred-li distance, we immediately set out to find her. On the way, we were even robbed by bandits and barely made it to Ning’an County, only to find no Cui’er; it was merely someone who resembled her.”

The old woman began to weep at this point.

“Sob, sob, my Ah Nan, where are you?”

Deep in their sorrow, both elders wept until their bodies trembled.

“Sigh…”

Scholar Hong let out a sigh.

“The elders’ daughter will surely be blessed by fate.”

“Indeed, there’s no need for you two to worry.”

Outsiders could only offer such polite words of comfort, but the two elders only wept more bitterly.

When their tears had somewhat subsided, the old man wiped his eyes with his tattered sleeve and tremblingly pulled a few copper coins from his pocket.

“Shopkeeper, I only have these few copper coins. Could you, please, make an exception and prepare a bowl of hot noodles? No, even half a bowl, half a bowl would be enough. We rushed here, and my old wife, overwhelmed with grief, hasn’t eaten anything for nearly two days.”

“I want my Ah Nan!”

The old woman continued to weep, while the old man, clutching the copper coins, repeatedly bowed to the Sun father and son.

“Well, you two, our noodle stall, it’s, it’s already sold out…”

“Father!”

Sun Yiqiu exclaimed, and Scholar Hong subconsciously glanced at the noodle cart. Having learned the rules of the Sun family’s noodle stall over the past few days, the scholar’s gaze toward the father and son was now somewhat complex.

The old man’s expression was one of profound sorrow.

“This humble old man truly has only this much money left, shopkeeper. I beg you, just half a bowl, half a bowl of noodles with extra broth will do! Please!”

“Father, is this the time to stick to old rules? Elders, we can still make one bowl, and there’s also a bowl of mixed offal and other braised ingredients left. I’ll prepare it immediately, and there will be no charge!”

Sun Yiqiu walked over to the noodle cart. Father Sun opened his mouth but didn’t stop him, merely bowing apologetically to the two elders and saying:

“Please wait a moment, you two; it will be ready very soon.”

Scholar Hong, furthermore, bowed solemnly to Sun Yiqiu and Father Sun.

“The people of Wensheng’s hometown truly embody his legacy!”

The two elders expressed their heartfelt thanks, over and over again.

Just as Sun Yiqiu was about to cook the noodles, a pleasant voice suddenly rang out from beyond the stall.

“Shopkeeper, please hold on. Your braised noodles are too salty. The two elders are weak right now and need something bland!”

Several people looked outside. A woman in red was hurrying toward them; it was Hu Yun, who had just arrived. She frowned slightly at the noodle cart, then quickly approached the two elders, saying with a gentle smile:

“Elders, I’ll take you to the inn to rest, have them prepare some bland food, and then help you search for your daughter. Perhaps she truly is here! And please don’t worry, I will cover all expenses.”

Hu Yun’s strong, benevolent aura, evident in both her appearance and demeanor, made the old woman grasp her hand tightly.

“Such good people, all of you! If my Ah Nan were here, she’d be as old as you, young lady. Ah Nan…”

Hu Yun gently embraced the old woman, softly patting and rubbing her back to help her calm down, then turned her gaze to the Sun family.

“Sun Yiqiu, your childhood friend is here. Why don’t you two help me escort them to the inn? What do you think, Uncle Sun?”

Father Sun let out a sigh of relief and quickly assented.

“Yes, yes, this is for the best, absolutely for the best!”

Over there, Li Dongdong and his grandfather arrived, pushing their noodle cart. Seeing the situation at the noodle stall, Li Dongdong quickly walked over.

“But…”

Sun Yiqiu looked at the re-boiling soup pot, hesitating slightly.

“But what? The nearest inn is only a few hundred steps away. Don’t let the elders catch a chill standing here; come and help quickly.”

“Alright, alright, I’m coming!”

Scholar Hong, who had initially stood stunned, now reacted and quickly stepped forward to assist.

“This humble scholar will also lend a hand!”

Hu Yun glanced at the scholar, who blushed slightly and turned his head away, looking exactly like a clumsy scholar made awkward and shy by the sight of a beautiful woman.

“Many thanks, young master!”

Hu Yun expressed her thanks and, together with the others, helped the two elders rise.

Meanwhile, the scholar would occasionally steal glances at Hu Yun. Hu Yun was accustomed to such looks and, though resigned, would sometimes offer a smile in return.

The scholar’s expression was slightly shy, but even as a hint of regret flickered in his heart, his mind continued to race.