Chapter 1724: Old Man Turtle

After the turtle was done drinking, it looked at Sang Shou once more while the wine jar flew back to the table. “I carried you when you were a kid, remember? You were a naughty little boy when you were young, and you unfortunately got swallowed by a Child Eater and dragged to the bottom of the sea. I’m the one who saved you from its belly, remember?”

Sang Shou was speechless for a second before he burst out in an exclamation of pleasant surprise, “You’re... You’re Grandpa Turtle?!”

The turtle countered, “What do you think?”

Overjoyed, Sang Shou walked up to the turtle and asked, “Why have you come, Grandpa Turtle?”

The turtle replied smilingly, “To pay you a visit, of course. You’re leading quite the comfortable life these days, aren’t you?”

Sang Shou scratched his head in embarrassment. “Please, Grandpa Turtle. You know that I have no ambition in me. All I enjoy is drinking some wine, tending to my garden, raising a pet and so on.”

Grandpa Turtle and his parents shared a good relationship with each other. When he was younger, the old man often visited his house and treated him well. He paid him a visit once every few years.

He wasn’t too surprised that his Grandpa Turtle was literally shaped like a turtle right now. Grandpa Turtle delighted in taking part in the red dust, and he also enjoyed teasing him, his junior. He never failed to play a prank on him when he paid him a visit.

One time, he transformed into a beautiful woman and teased him.

Another time, he transformed into his nemesis and scared him.

There was a time he pretended to be a champion and declared that he wanted to take him in as a disciple.

This time, he wasn’t even playing as a human anymore.

The turtle said fondly, “Everyone has their way of living. So long as you live happily and freely, then what is there to be criticized about?”

“Hehehe...” Sang Shou let out an embarrassed chuckle before asking, “Oh right, where have you been for the past couple years, Grandpa Turtle?”

The turtle replied, “The usual. I explored the four seas, enjoyed the red dust, embraced the sun and moon, and witnessed the mountains and rivers.”

Sang Shou praised from the bottom of his heart, “What an enviably free life that is!”

“Since you’re here, do stay for a bit before you embark on your next journey. I would love to listen to your stories and broaden my horizons a little.”

To his surprise, the turtle sighed. “I would love to as well, but alas, I believe I’ll be leaving very soon.”

“Why’s that?” Sang Shou was puzzled until he realized something. “Was it because of those people?”

The turtle said nothing.

Sang Shou asked, “You’re powerful, Grandpa Turtle. There is no one in the world who can force you to do something you don’t want to do, is there?”

The turtle let out a helpless sigh. “There are certain things in life that you cannot avoid just because you want to; responsibilities that you cannot shirk no matter how much you desire to.”

“Never mind, you won’t understand. Go prepare a meal, will you? The guests will be arriving very soon.”

Sang Shou blurted out in confusion, “Guests?”

The turtle said playfully, “There might be a Sage!”

Sang Shou was shocked to say the least. “S-S-S-Sage?”

It was at this moment a clear, bright voice came from somewhere. “You knew we were coming, senior?”

Sang Shou turned around and saw that a man and a woman were standing behind his back before he knew it. The man was handsome, and the woman was beautiful. They looked positively divine.

“I am Ye Qing. It is a pleasure to meet you, Island Lord Sang.”

It was at this moment the young man clasped his fists and saluted Sang Shou. “We apologize for intruding into your land and disturbing your peace. We ask for your understanding and your forgiveness.”

Sang Shou hurriedly returned the salute. “It’s fine! It’s fine!”

The duo felt as unfathomable as the depths and as boundless as the sea. He had no doubt that they were leagues above his level. Naturally, he wasn’t foolish enough to disrespect them.

Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou then bowed to the turtle and said in greeting, “Greetings, senior Old Man Turtle.”

“Please, there is no need for such courtesies. We are at the same level, are we not? Just address me as Dao Friend.” The turtle, a.k.a Old Man Turtle, replied indifferently before stepping out of the water pot. He then transformed into an old man with a slightly crooked back and wearing a black robe with profound patterns.

Ye Qing smiled. “You are the elder, and we are the juniors. We cannot possibly disrespect you.”

“I’m a laid-back man. Really, there is no need to keep to those tedious courtesies.”

Old Man Turtle waved for Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou to take a seat before looking at the stunned Sang Shou, saying, “Li’l Sang Ye, please prepare a meal while I chat with my young friends, will you?”

“Oh! Got it.” Sang Shou hurriedly responded, “Please wait a moment.”

Feng Qingyou smiled. “Thank you, Island Lord Sang.”

“It’s nothing at all, nothing at all...”

He now knew that the two people before him were Sages. Naturally, he did not dare to disrespect them or neglect them.

After Sang Shou was gone, Old Man Turtle said, “Cang Xu’s the one who told you where I was, right?”

Ye Qing paid him a compliment, “An astute deduction, senior.”

Old Man Turtle chuckled. “No need to flatter me. Since Cang Xu is the one who sent you to me, I promise I will do everything in my capacity to help you.”

“So please, just tell me what is your business with me.”

“Thank you, senior.” By now, Ye Qing had more or less figured out Old Man Turtle’s nature. He was casual, laid-back, unfettered by traditions and customs, and direct. So, he said, “We heard that you traveled to Dong Ji before, senior. That is why we would like to ask you for some information regarding Dong Ji.”

Old Man Turtle looked astonished. “You wish to travel to Dong Ji?”

Ye Qing nodded. “Yes. Please teach us everything you know!”

Old Man Turtle’s expression turned serious. “Dong Ji is not a good place. It is so dangerous that even a Sage could die if they make a mistake. You are unbelievably accomplished considering your age, so why would you risk your limitless future on such a risky venture?”

“The reason we’re heading to Dong Ji is to look for a treasure.” Although Old Man Turtle did not like getting involved in secular matters, he was undoubtedly a good person. So, Ye Qing did not attempt to hide the truth and told him about the Four Evils and the four evil suppressing spiritual treasures.

After listening to Ye Qing’s explanation until the end, Old Man Turtle let out a sigh. “No wonder Cang Xu pushed himself to divine my location. It is for the sake of the world!”

“More than that, this old one is thoroughly impressed by your courage and heart, especially considering how young you are.”

Ye Qing replied modestly, “You flatter us, senior. We dare not receive such praise.”

“You deserve it,” Old Man Turtle said simply. “If that is the case, then I will go to Dong Ji with you!”

Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou exchanged glances with each other before exclaiming in surprise, “You want to go too, senior?”

Old Man Turtle teased them, “What, is it a youngster’s privilege to have the heart and courage to save the world? Or are you worried that this old man would drag your feet?”

Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou hurriedly responded, “Of course not! We are more than happy to have you as our travel companion! It’s just...”

“You just weren’t expecting me to come with you, right?” Old Man Turtle smiled. “Well, to tell you the truth, I’m not

that

selfless. I just have a reason to go no matter what.”

Feng Qingyou looked puzzled. “What is this reason?”

Old Man Turtle let out a sigh. “It is true that I have gone to Dong Ji, but I have forgotten most of my experience there!”

“You forgot? What happened to you?” Ye Qing frowned. Old Man Turtle was a Sage; an Aboder to be exact. A Sage’s memory was eternal, so it was impossible for him to forget something unless he wished it so, or if he encountered some sort of irresistible power or incident that cost him his memories.

Ye Qing was more inclined to believe that it was the latter.