“Shura.”
On the road, Song Ge suddenly spoke to Chu Feng.
“What’s up?” Chu Feng asked.
“Nothing, just calling your name.”
Song Ge shook her head, her small face blooming with a smile as bright as a flower.
“Sigh, it’s like a dream.”
Suddenly, Song Ge rested her head on her hands, tilting her face up, her steps turning playful.
“What’s gotten into you, silly girl?” Chu Feng asked.
“I’m happy!”
“I always knew you were amazing, but I never imagined you’d be *this* amazing.”
“Look at the Water Mirror Cave Heaven’s leader and the others, all respectfully calling you ‘Senior,’ yet I can call you by your name. I feel like I’m even greater than those big shots!” Song Ge said proudly.
“You’ll be greater than all of them one day,” Chu Feng said.
“Don’t try to cheer me up. I know my own worth,” Song Ge replied.
“I’m serious,” Chu Feng said with certainty.
After all, Song Ge was Old Monster Tang’s daughter, and her talent clearly showed she’d inherited his gifts.
“Alright, no need to comfort me. I may not amount to much, but knowing you is enough for me.”
“But Shura, where do you live? Can you leave me an address?” Song Ge asked.
“I’m not from here. I’m just passing through and will leave soon. No need to look for me. If there’s a chance, I’ll come see you,” Chu Feng said.
“Fair enough. But Shura, I’m sorry, I have some things to take care of, so I need to go,” Song Ge said, her face full of reluctance.
“No worries, go handle your business.”
“Oh, are you free in two days?” Chu Feng asked.
“Yes,” Song Ge answered immediately.
“Then, in two days, meet me at the Life-Changing Bell at your Chongxu Temple. I need to talk to you,” Chu Feng said.
“The Life-Changing Bell? Why there specifically? Can’t it be somewhere else?” Song Ge asked.
“What’s wrong? You don’t want to go to the Life-Changing Bell?” Chu Feng asked.
Though Song Ge didn’t show it outright, Chu Feng noticed her initial reaction—she seemed reluctant to go there.
“No, no, it’s fine! You’re coming to Chongxu Temple to find me? That’s great!”
“Alright then, two days from now, at the Life-Changing Bell. Don’t miss it,” Song Ge said.
After that, Song Ge left. Chu Feng didn’t follow her openly but trailed her in secret.
To his surprise, Song Ge, who had been cheerful, grew somber after parting with him, her face clouded with sadness.
But it wasn’t because of their separation—it was something else.
Instead of returning to Chongxu Temple, she went back to Qiuluo Village.
She returned home.
Chu Feng understood everything.
Song Ge already knew her mother was terminally ill, with little time left.
She wanted to spend as much time as possible with her mother. Even her earlier trip to the city was to buy things her mother liked.
Song Ge’s time with her mother was witnessed clearly by Old Monster Tang.
Chu Feng went to the blacksmith shop and found Old Monster Tang.
At that moment, Old Monster Tang seemed to be experiencing a final burst of vitality, his spirit remarkably strong.
Even as he watched Song Ge and her mother, he smiled.
It was as if he were standing there, reuniting with them.
“Senior, why wait two days? Why not reunite with them now? Wouldn’t it be better for your family to be together sooner?”
Chu Feng felt that since both Old Monster Tang and Song Ge’s mother had little time left, an earlier reunion would help ease their regrets.
“Two days will pass quickly,” Old Monster Tang said with a smile, then looked at Chu Feng with eyes full of admiration.
“Senior, why are you looking at me like that?” Chu Feng felt uneasy under his gaze.
“Do you know why I cursed you back then?” Old Monster Tang asked.
“Wasn’t it a warning?” Chu Feng asked.
“Of course not. My curse had a testing effect. After you were cursed, you fell into a semi-conscious state. During that time, I tested you.”
“The tests showed your character is truly good,” Old Monster Tang said.
“No wonder, when I was unconscious, I felt someone talking to me. Strangely, I was responding, but I didn’t know what I was saying or what they were saying.”
“So it was you, Senior!” Chu Feng said, realisation dawning.
“Haha, naturally it was me,” Old Monster Tang laughed heartily.
“Chu Feng, you think my daughter’s pretty good, right?” he asked.
“She is,” Chu Feng said.
“Then how about marrying her?” Old Monster Tang asked.
“What? Senior, that’s not appropriate,” Chu Feng said.
“What, you think my daughter’s not good enough for you?” Old Monster Tang asked.
“Senior, that’s not what I mean. Song Ge is great and talented, but I only see her as a friend, not romantically,” Chu Feng said.
“Feelings can grow over time,” Old Monster Tang said.
“Senior, some feelings are decided at first sight. They’re hard to cultivate,” Chu Feng said.
“If you marry my daughter, I’ll pass on the curse techniques you want to learn.”
“Trust me, no matter what curse your friend is under, if you master my techniques, you can break it.”
“You’ve seen I’m not long for this world. I can’t break your friend’s curse myself, and I have no successor.”
“The best way is for you to learn my curse techniques and heal your friend yourself,” Old Monster Tang said.
“Senior, some things can’t be forced,” Chu Feng said.
“You won’t agree? Then get lost, far away. Before I die, I’ll destroy my curse techniques. Don’t think you’ll get them after I’m gone.”
Old Monster Tang’s mood flipped like a book.
“Senior, I can’t marry Song Ge, but… I can take her as my sister,” Chu Feng said.
“Sister, my foot! Get out!”
Old Monster Tang’s face turned purple with rage. With a wave of his sleeve, a surge of pressure pushed Chu Feng out forcefully.
