Chapter 503: Dead Without Closure

"Oh, little Taoist priest, no need to be so polite..."The old woman chided Qin Sang, then turned and called out, "Husband! Husband! We have an extra mouth to feed, dish out another bowl of rice!"

"So many people? Where?"From the woodshed, an old man peered out. He glanced at Qin Sang, his eyes brightening slightly. After scrutinizing Qin Sang, he suddenly noticed the mud spots on his leg wraps. A flicker of imperceptible disappointment crossed the old man's eyes, and he mumbled, "Oh," before turning back.

The small courtyard was very narrow and dilapidated. Such a rundown yard was uncommon in Xianyuan City. Qin Sang's keen nose caught the scent of food wafting from the woodshed – the same coarse grains and vegetable scraps he used to eat at Qingyang Temple. The old couple likely couldn't afford repairs.

Following the old woman, Qin Sang approached the small, low stone house, which had only two rooms. A thick layer of thatch covered the wooden door. As it opened, a strong herbal scent immediately assailed his nostrils, overpowering the smell of food.

"Qiu Xian, quickly say hello to the Taoist priest."The old woman led out a young child. The child was very thin and gaunt, with a sallow complexion. Qin Sang immediately recognized signs of a weak constitution and evident illness.

The room was dim. There was an Eight Immortals table, propped up on one side with a stone due to a broken leg. On it sat a bowl of dark, steaming medicinal soup, clearly brewed for the child.

The child was shy, hiding behind the old woman. He peeked at Qin Sang, but as soon as their eyes met, he quickly drew back, not daring to speak.

"Oh, this child..."The old woman affectionately patted the boy's head but didn't scold him. She turned to Qin Sang, saying, "This is my eldest grandson. His parents died young, and he's been frail since birth. He can't be exposed to the wind, so we don't let him go out. He's timid and afraid of strangers, alas... Little Taoist priest, please sit. Don't mind the simple fare, just fill your stomach."

"This humble Taoist is not picky," Qin Sang said earnestly, taking a seat at the table without ceremony.

Qiu Xian only dared to return to the table to drink his medicine with his grandmother beside him. The dark, bitter soup would be difficult for such a young child to swallow, yet Qiu Xian picked up the bowl and quickly gulped it down, seemingly oblivious to its bitterness.

The old man brought out food even coarser than what Qin Sang had eaten at Qingyang Temple, yet Qin Sang ate it with relish, devouring it hungrily.

"Don't rush, eat slowly, there's plenty more in the pot..."The old woman stopped eating herself, watching Qin Sang with a cheerful expression. Suddenly, she remarked, "Husband, if Qiu Xian's parents hadn't fallen ill, they'd be this grown by now."

The old man put down his bowl, reached for his pipe nearby, took a puff, and grumbled, "They insisted on living like immortals, eating the wind and sleeping in the dew. They brought it upon themselves!"

Qin Sang paused his eating, then quickly finished his meal. The old woman offered him more, but Qin Sang shook his head, declining. "It's getting late, this humble Taoist must continue his journey..."

As he spoke, Qin Sang glanced at Qiu Xian and walked over. Qiu Xian was less afraid of Qin Sang now; he still flinched a little, but bravely looked at him with bright, glistening eyes. Qin Sang crouched down, patted Qiu Xian's head, and took out a dull yellow jade pendant from his robe. He hung it around Qiu Xian's neck and said, "Thank you, three benefactors, for the meal. This humble piece of jade is a small token of my appreciation. I give it to Qiu Xian..."

Qiu Xian possessed no spiritual root. This jade pendant was cut from a very unremarkable yellow stone, barely qualifying as jade. However, Qin Sang had placed a simple restriction on it, ensuring it wouldn't attract the covetous gaze of other cultivators, while still helping Qiu Xian regulate his body. The child's illness, which ordinary doctors were helpless to cure, Qin Sang could easily treat. Over time, the old couple, living in the same room as Qiu Xian, would also gain considerable benefits.

"How can this be..." The old man quickly put down his pipe. The couple came closer to see that it wasn't a precious jade pendant, then ceased their protests. Qiu Xian played with the pendant, clearly delighting in it. He suddenly hugged Qin Sang's leg, then ran back to hide.

After another round of pleas for him to stay, the grandmother, grandfather, and grandson were about to see Qin Sang out when suddenly, hurried footsteps were heard from outside, followed by loud shouts tinged with anxious sobs. "Doctor Wu! Doctor Wu!"

"It's the eldest son of the Liu family!" The old woman instantly recognized the voice and suddenly remembered something, exclaiming, "Could it be old Master Liu?" The old man pondered, then simply hummed in agreement, his voice flat. "Most likely. He must be ninety-two by now. He probably won't make it through this." The old woman lamented, "His eldest granddaughter-in-law is due to give birth in a few days, and he couldn't even hold on for that..."

"What's there to regret? He's seen five generations under one roof," the old man said, turning to put on his padded jacket. "I'll go see if there's anything I can help with. You stay here and watch Qiu Xian. If you hear anything, don't wait for me for dinner."

Qin Sang stepped out of the courtyard and watched the old man's hurried departure. He suddenly realized what he wanted to see. The Liu family. With five generations under one roof, they were clearly a large family. Outside the old master's house, dozens of people of all ages stood, from old to young, a stark contrast to the quiet solitude of the old couple's home.

These people gathered outside, their expressions solemn, barely daring to breathe. Even the children sensed the unusual atmosphere, standing quietly beside the adults, refraining from mischief. Inside the room, there was absolute silence. Doctor Wu had not yet arrived. Everyone waited anxiously.

Just then, a series of shouts suddenly came from inside the room. "Eldest granddaughter-in-law!" "Eldest granddaughter-in-law! Come in quickly!" The women scrambled, helping a pregnant young woman inside.

An ancient old man lay on the bed, his breathing extremely shallow, exhaling more than he inhaled. Yet, he stubbornly kept his head turned towards the door, his lips moving as if trying to say something. The eldest granddaughter-in-law entered, clearly a little scared. At this moment, formalities were disregarded; those by the bedside quickly moved aside, pulling the eldest granddaughter-in-law towards the bed. The old man's cloudy eyes suddenly brightened, and his fingers twitched slightly. Understanding his intent, those beside him quickly took the old man's hand and moved it towards the eldest granddaughter-in-law's belly.

Unexpectedly, before his hand reached halfway, his fingers suddenly drooped, lifeless. "Alas!" A long sigh escaped from everyone in the room. In a corner of the room, unseen by any of the mortals present, a Taoist priest stood.

Qin Sang watched silently, his gaze resting on the old man's face, whose eyes remained open in death. He looked at the old man's unwilling gaze and mused, "Ninety-two years old, five generations under one roof, rare in the mortal world... yet still unwilling to close his eyes in death?"

The old master passed away. The Liu residence became a flurry of activity amidst the sound of weeping. By this time, Qin Sang had already left the Liu residence. He released his spiritual sense, scanning Xianyuan City, but found nothing. He then quickened his pace, and after leaving the city, headed directly for the capital of Guyuan Kingdom.

It was already noon when he arrived at the capital on foot. The capital had guards, but they were no match for Qin Sang. Upon entering the city, he was surprised to find that his favorite steamed bun shop was still there, run by the original owner's descendants. After ordering several baskets of meat buns and devouring them heartily, Qin Sang paid for the buns. Pointing to the tall pile of snow in the corner by the bun shop, he said, "There's someone inside."