Chapter 1679: A Lifetime Is So Short
A lifetime was short. It was no more than dawn and dusk, spring and autumn.
In the first few years, Fang Chen only told Xu Yu stories. In the years that followed, he taught her nothing more than some simple fist techniques and movement arts. Yet in the blink of an eye, Xu Yu had grown into a graceful young woman, the goddess within the hearts of countless young nobles in the city.
Xu Deshou had once believed that under Fang Chen's guidance, Xu Yu might learn peerless martial arts, perhaps even... become an immortal. But gradually he realized that Xu Yu had already missed the prime age for serious martial training. Her martial skills were enough to subdue petty thieves, but in the grand scheme of the martial world, she was at the very bottom.
Xu Deshou let out a soft sigh. He lifted his teacup, set it down, lifted it again, and set it down once more.
His wife sat beside him. Seeing his troubled state, she said gently, "Your Highness, don't dwell on it. Over these years, Yu'er has learned many principles from Teacher Fang. That alone is enough."
"How can that be enough? She is my only daughter..." Xu Deshou muttered. "Our family built its foundation on martial prowess. Our ancestors fought with their lives for our present status. But Yu'er's martial arts now can barely handle third-rate bandits. As for her knowledge, I don't even know what she's learned. She can't compose poetry or match couplets at all..."
After a pause, Xu Deshou looked at his wife. "Do you think Teacher Fang might be a fraud?"
"But Teacher Fang has shown no signs of aging," replied his wife. "It's been eight or nine years. He looks exactly as he did at the start. Meanwhile, you and I have gained much white hair."
She continued, "Besides, the portrait left by the ancestor cannot be wrong. There can't possibly be two identical people in this world."
Hope flickered in Xu Deshou's eyes. "Then could it be... that Teacher Fang is still testing Yu'er?"
"Yes... becoming immortal is no easy feat. Only by enduring countless trials can one succeed."
***
A few more years passed.
Xu Deshou made indirect inquiries again and found that Xu Yu still had not mastered any immortal abilities. Once more, unease crept into his heart.
One day, gathering his courage, he approached Fang Chen carefully. "Teacher Fang... does my daughter lack the aptitude to become immortal?"
"Become an immortal?" Fang Chen glanced at him and smiled. "She has the aptitude. But not in this lifetime."
Before coming, Xu Deshou had imagined countless profound, mysterious answers. But he could never have imagined that this would be Fang Chen's answer. He froze from shock.
"Not in this lifetime... then..." His face lit up with shock and joy. "Teacher Fang, there truly is reincarnation!?"
Fang Chen smiled faintly. "Of course there is. Did your ancestor, Xu Tianhuan, only leave you my portrait?"
Xu Deshou was astounded. He had never mentioned that matter to anyone.
"Teacher Fang truly is an immortal!"
Xu Deshou was completely convinced and his heart finally settled. As long as the person before him was truly an immortal, he had nothing to worry about. Whether or not Yu'er became immortal in this life no longer mattered. After all, there was an immortal living in his household!
Suddenly recalling Fang Chen's earlier words, he hesitated. "Teacher Fang... please wait here."
He hurried away and rushed into the Xu Family ancestral shrine. Opening a hidden compartment, he retrieved another portrait. When he unrolled it, he froze.
The woman in the portrait looked exactly like his daughter.
"The ancestor once said... that the woman in the portrait was that immortal's true disciple... even someone closer than that..." Xu Deshou murmured to himself.
On that day, Xu Deshou understood everything.
***
Years later, Xu Deshou fathered a son. The Xu Family residence was lively that day. Nobles from all directions came to congratulate him.
Xu Deshou was in high spirits, drinking freely at the banquet. Xu Yu sat beside him, occasionally teasing the baby, making him giggle.
At that moment, a handsome young man seated at another table gathered his courage and walked over. He bowed respectfully. "Y-Your Highness."
Xu Deshou laughed. "Young Hero Zhang, no need to be so polite. You're quite famous in the martial world now. They say you're most likely to become a grandmaster within five years."
Voices of agreement echoed.
Many noblewomen were present at the banquet. When they looked at the young hero, their eyes carried admiration and shyness.
Young Hero Zhang glanced at Xu Yu. Seeing that she was still playing with the baby and not looking at him, he clenched his teeth and said, "Your Highness... I wish to propose marriage."
Xu Deshou was startled. "Propose marriage?"
His wife was startled as well.
Only Xu Yu continued playing with the baby, seemingly not having heard what was said.
The banquet fell silent for a moment before erupting into excited chatter.
Someone laughed loudly. "Prince Xu, this is wonderful news! If Young Hero Zhang marries the princess, soon your household will have two grandmasters!"
Others spoke with undisguised envy.
Yet after a moment's thought, Xu Deshou said calmly, "Young Hero Zhang, I cannot decide my daughter's marriage. You must ask her."
Cannot decide?
Everyone knew Xu Deshou doted on Xu Yu, but not to such an extent.
Young Hero Zhang turned toward Xu Yu confidently.
"Princess Xu Yu, I—"
"Marriage is far too dull. I have no such plans. Young Hero Zhang, please seek someone else."
She hadn't even looked up at him when she spoke.
The atmosphere stiffened. Young Hero Zhang stood awkwardly, clearly unprepared for such a blunt refusal.
At that moment, Xu Yu suddenly remembered something and sprang up. "Oh! Teacher Fang said tonight we're going moon-viewing. Father, Mother, I must go!"
She hurriedly packed some pastries and dashed away.
Young Hero Zhang could still faintly smell a lingering fragrance around him.
Teacher? What teacher?
Xu Deshou laughed heartily, smoothing over the tension. "Come, come, everyone, continue drinking!"
***
Meanwhile, Xu Yu found Fang Chen. The two sat atop the tallest tree in the rear courtyard, admiring the moon together.
Xu Yu glanced at him. "Teacher, Father always says you're immortal. You know that, right?"
Fang Chen smiled. "Yes. Everyone in the residence has probably heard it by now."
"I didn't believe it before. But now I do," said Xu Yu. She gestured with her hands. "When you arrived, I was this small. You looked like this. Now I'm so big, and you still look the same."
She glanced at him. "If you're truly an immortal, why stay in the Xu Family residence? Why be my teacher?"
Fang Chen glanced back at her, his smile growing. "Because we agreed on it in your previous life."
Xu Yu's face lit up. "Really?"
She finally understood why, despite her mischievous nature, she had always felt calm the moment she saw him.
"Princess Xu Yu... what are you two doing here?"
A voice suddenly rang out behind them, carrying a trace of anger.
