Chapter 434: Chapter 423: Everyone Needs Something to Do in Life
The old couple knows their son is capable, but when it comes to a wedding, even poor relatives have to be invited, as this boosts their status and strengthens family ties. For some grandeur, they should also invite a dozen or twenty of their good friends.
The previous generation, this generation, Wang Xuan’s third generation, along with the children of Wang Xuan’s cousins and the couple’s friends, it seems there would be around a hundred and fifty people.
"That many people? So counting Lin Cheng’s side, there should be two or three hundred people." Wang Xuan was surprised. He didn’t have many friends, yet he didn’t expect that a wedding could gather some five hundred people.
"The more, the merrier, let them all come." Wang Xuan was wealthy and generous. Not only mountain and seafood could be served for these relatives and friends, but even hosting five or six billion people from Earth for a three-day banquet wouldn’t be a problem, although such hospitality would empty quite a bit of his wealth.
The couple had many things to discuss, while Wang Xuan went to visit his grandfather.
Grandfather was steeping a pot of tea, listening to an audiobook, swaying leisurely in his lounge chair, ignoring his wife’s endless complaints.
"Grandfather, I’ve come to see you." When Wang Xuan arrived, grandmother’s nagging stopped, and she pulled Wang Xuan for a chat, taking quite a while to empty her bellyful of words.
Ninety-nine percent of what she said was forgotten upon saying, having no impact. Wang Xuan acted as though he was seriously listening, nodding occasionally, which finally set grandmother’s mind at ease, allowing her to busy herself with her own matters.
"Your grandmother is just that kind of person." Grandfather closed his eyes; he had long figured out his companion’s nature. She just liked bustling about, without which she couldn’t find an outlet for her energy. If he weren’t broad-minded and reluctant to follow her cues, he wouldn’t have lived to this age.
"Grandmother may be a bit boisterous and nagging, but raising my dad and his siblings wasn’t easy." Wang Xuan could only say this.
Women fear marrying the wrong person, but men fear even more marrying the wrong woman—a lifetime of suffering if they do. A typical case was Second Uncle, especially since his wife’s family was quite domineering. Over twenty or thirty years, a forceful man was changed into someone unwilling to talk or argue.
No matter how energetic, after arguing for decades, it becomes tiring to argue. That energy is better spent on one’s matters, even though the wife’s biggest purpose in life, her most enjoyable affair, was arguing with others, having no life of her own.
Wang Xuan contemplated, if Second Uncle really kept bottling things up, he might suffer a major illness in his fifties or sixties—perhaps becoming bedridden. If he opened up and reached a realm of seeing through things, he might live longer.
The impact of psychology on physiology far exceeds people’s imagination.
Of course, regarding the elders, Wang Xuan wouldn’t interfere, nor would he bother saying anything. Life is far more astonishing and unimaginable than drama.
Grandfather glanced at a recent photo of Lin Cheng; he had seen the girl last time she visited. She was well-mannered and pretty.
"There are many women in the world with personalities of every kind. Lin Cheng is considered quite a good woman. Her status may not match yours, but she’s suitable for daily life with you.
You should look for a woman who can lead an interesting life without you and a more interesting one with you.
People must have their own things to do, whether it’s a career or hobbies—they need a way to expend energy.
If people have nothing to do, they cause issues, often going astray and ruining their own lives. Men and women alike."
This principle grandfather instilled in Wang Xuan ten years ago, and Wang Xuan remembered it.
With this principle, he anticipated the life trajectories of many.
Without hobbies, it’s easy to descend into filth; affairs and indulgences are common simply because they can’t find outlets for their energy. Absent goals, people become lazy, wasting time. Lacking direction, people drift aimlessly, living day by day.
This notion of boredom from fullness is not merely a joke. Perhaps, it’s precisely because of this that the general public is constantly consumed by various matters—the wealthy with leisure, the poor with hard work.
Most live busy lives not solely due to insufficient societal resources but more so because when idleness prevails, society tends to become chaotic. To prevent social unrest, the upper echelons deliberately or otherwise keep people busy.
Taxes, education, healthcare, housing, from developed nations to the third world, show that for most people, little to no spare money remains annually.
No matter how much you earn, whether it’s many times what was possible decades ago.
Enjoying life? Despite progress, even in our advanced Era of Mythology, how many genuinely find leisure?
This principle pervades most civilizations and eras. It’s true now and will remain so.
Unless you rise above mediocrity, surpassing ninety percent as one of society’s detached few, life’s busyness is guaranteed. Relying on technological advancements and cultural progress to reduce busyness? That’s merely wishful thinking.
Of course, this state of being neither fully fed nor starved is beneficial to overall civilization. Only with urgency and pressure can people continuously strive, delivering the expected labor value.
"What grandfather told me, I’ve remembered." Wang Xuan said, holding grandfather’s dry hand, "You will certainly live a long life. The pills I’ve refined can prolong ordinary life by a thousand years. You’re just starting in this life."
...
Two figures approached from afar, one emanating a grand aura, heading straight for Dragon Mountain, soon locking onto Wang Xuan’s presence.
The Celestial Martial Sect Master’s aura caught Wang Xuan’s attention. With a single step, he appeared before this unfamiliar True Immortal.
"Avenging your disciple?" Wang Xuan glanced at the youth, whose thoughts he’d long perceived—it was nothing more than slander and incitement to seek revenge against him.
Each year sees children who betray parents and disciples who betray masters. Young people lose reason impulsively, capable of any action.
"Indeed, my disciple merely stumbled into Dragon Mountain, yet you injure his Tendons and Bones in one move, blatantly disregarding my face." The Celestial Martial Sect Master declared forcefully.
A True Immortal creates the Celestial Martial Sect, naturally needing to uphold its reputation. Otherwise, how could disciples wander the world or recruitment continue?
Though he dared not act rashly with Wang Xuan, the Immortal Martial Taoist, seeking an apology was surely feasible?
Wang Xuan pointed to six individuals clearing a nearby river: "They came with your disciple, punished with trivial labor."
Given others were safe, why should his disciple be an exception? There must be a reason.
Wang Xuan gestured to Dragon Mountain: "Rumors claimed I acquired great fortune there. During my absence, many intruded; did you see the scene after they dug three feet deep?"
Dragon Mountain had long been reversed, with crooked trees replanted later.
The seven Earth Immortals went to Dragon Mountain—who doesn’t know their intent? Considering the nature of their actions, Wang Xuan striking them dead might even be reasonable.
"Hurting my disciple requires an explanation, doesn’t it?" That Celestial Martial Immortal’s face turned pale, knowing concealed truths.
Wang Xuan yawned: "If I give you an explanation, shouldn’t I delve into your disciple’s matter? Wouldn’t wanting his life be justified?"
Upon saying this, both master and disciple showed extreme discomfort.
"I am a True Immortal; do I mean nothing here?" The Celestial Martial True Immortal spoke.
Which True Immortal isn’t a hegemon? Large sects avoid provocation, daily frictions resolved by their status.
But with the Immortal Martial Taoist, none of these sentiments mattered.
"Letting him off before was enough courtesy to you. Can’t you understand?" Wang Xuan shook his head, "It seems you’ve regressed with age."
He took out the Star Hall, his body expanded to a thousand meters, holding the Star Hall a hundred meters wide, overlooking the master and disciple.
"Today’s session ends when you leave unscathed; failing is merely sparring practice for me.
I’ve killed True-Tier Evolvers and subdued Grotto Void Peak Demon Saints; I’m itching for a fight. Hope you’re a worthy opponent."
After half an hour, all settled.
Strength reigns; weakness suffers—an age-old truth.
Wang Xuan returned from outer space, glancing at the bewildered youth left behind, and spoke, "Your master likely won’t return. Go back and be smarter next time. Don’t sabotage your master; it’s tough for him too."
A Grotto Void True Immortal, beaten just like that, as for these puny Earth Immortals, if not in his path, Wang Xuan wouldn’t notice them.
After half a day at home, the six Earth Immortals continued clearing the river, reinforcing the embankment; to Wang Xuan, it was idyllic leisure; to them, it was mortifying under mortal eyes.
Suddenly, seven True Immortal auras appeared afar, including the Celestial Martial True Immortal; they arrived at Dragon Mountain.
Wang Xuan raised his eyebrows—bringing more? They must believe he’s patient enough to endure!
If erupting with true power, engaging resiliently against Grotto Void True Immortals, seven survivors would be commendable!
