The Godfather looked at Old Man Yao. "Have you never thought about continuing the search for the art of immortality?"
Old Man Yao laughed. "Even if I found it, what then? At my age, learning such things is impossible in this lifetime. Why worry about the impossible? It is better to use my remaining energy to show people the depth and wonder of traditional Chinese medicine. Besides, unlike you, I have no real interest in immortality."
The Godfather pondered slightly. He could not walk the same path as Old Man Yao. Their roads were different. He could not turn back. Since turning back was impossible, he could only move forward. Perhaps by going forward, he could achieve everything he desired. Immortality might be mysterious here, but in the Evil Buddha’s realm, he might obtain it.
She looked at Yan Aohan. "I agree to the exchange." She had made peace with it. Some things truly could not be refused.
Yan Aohan looked deeply at the Godfather. "Are you sure? Once the deal is done, you cannot regret it."
"I will not regret it," the Godfather said seriously. "I have always pursued immortality. Perhaps I can achieve it this way."
"But don’t you have a wife and son? Don’t you think of them?" Zhu Yanyi looked at the Godfather in surprise. From her earlier words, she could hear she still cared for her family. But if she pursued immortality, she would likely end up alone. Was that a good ending?
"They have their own faith. Besides, aside from our monthly calls, I do not know where they are hidden. I only know they are in that realm. Going there has benefits. First, I can fulfill my wish. Second, I can find my wife and child."
The Godfather undeniably held a thread of warmth for his family. But undeniably, he desired immortality more.
With hope for immortality, he naturally wanted to pursue it.
"Fine. Since you have made up your mind, we will talk after all matters are settled. After I deal with that person, I will send you to that realm. What happens there is your business. Ani and I will not intervene again. Your life and death will be your own choice." Yan Aohan felt a strange sensation toward the Godfather. He sensed the man was hiding something. But it no longer mattered. Once sent to that realm, the Godfather could never leave unless he died.
And for Yan Aohan to die, the Supreme Black Emperor would have to act. Otherwise, it was impossible.
So, with the Godfather’s agreement, Yan Aohan had no objections. The matter was settled.
Zhu Yanyi cared even less about the deal between Yan Aohan and the Godfather. Perhaps her feelings had faded. Or perhaps, as she had said, she was naturally cold-hearted. Regardless, the Godfather was now just an opponent. Past connections were past.
"The soup is finished," Silver Fox said with a regretful look.
Zhu Yanyi smiled. "Wanting soup is easy. I can stew more for you. Making soup is the simplest thing. I worried you wouldn’t finish it, so I made little. Since you want more, I will make some."
This time, Zhu Yanyi did not make ginseng soup. Ginseng is nutritious, but too much is bad. As a healer, she knew the principle that chewing too much does not help. So, she boiled a simple red thorn soup.
"Red thorn. It looks like you picked these on the way here," Old Man Yao observed immediately.
"Yes. Not just red thorn. I also gathered many caterpillar fungi." Zhu Yanyi took out a large box of the golden, worm-like tonic. Old Man Yao laughed. "So you came to Tibet to sweep the place clean."
Red thorn was one thing. Caterpillar fungi were hard to find. Especially the top-grade ones in Zhu Yanyi’s hand.
Zhu Yanyi giggled. "The air in Tibet suits herb growth. Wild herbs work well. Since I am here, I might as well gather more. I even plan to find saffron."
"Fine. If you want to find them, go after we finish here," Old Man Yao said, not stopping her.
Zhu Yanyi nodded with a smile. The Godfather watched as she carefully prepared the soup, then let everyone serve themselves.
Yan Aohan distributed the naan bread bought at the market. Everyone took a stick to roast their pieces nearby. When nearly done, Zhu Yanyi crumbled some into her soup, stirred it, and handed her cup to Yan Aohan. They swapped cups and continued.
Yan Aohan looked at Zhu Yanyi with concern. "Be careful your hands don’t hurt."
"It’s not a big deal. Crumbling bread won’t hurt my hands," Zhu Yanyi complained, though a sweet smile betrayed her happiness.
"I feel heartache watching," Yan Aohan said.
"Hey, you two. Mind your manners. There are three others here," Silver Fox said, dissatisfied. He objected every time they acted like this.
Yan Aohan glanced at Silver Fox. "After all this time together, you are still surprised by our behavior?"
The Godfather silently finished his soup and bread. Then he spoke. "Tomorrow is the final battle. Is there anything you wish to say?"
Zhu Yanyi looked at the Godfather and smiled lightly. "Actually, I think you should ask that. Do you have anything to say? Really." Zhu Yanyi nodded firmly. "To be honest, you found us by the smell of our food. I don’t believe you came just to talk about the Evil Buddha or explain things. We all know the truth. At this stage, explanations are unnecessary. We can only face reality."
The Godfather looked at Zhu Yanyi and nodded slightly. "I always thought you were a child. But now I see you have truly grown up. You know what should be said and what should not. You know what is right and wrong in certain situations. That is enough."
Zhu Yanyi raised an eyebrow slightly. She offered no comment on the Godfather’s words. She simply looked at her calmly.