Chapter 123: The Sea of Flowers

After Gu Ning’an delivered the ghost cultivator and the ghost sword to the Yin Division in Lingwu County, he felt that the karmic ties with Ying Du and his master had been resolved. Thus, he set out on his journey once more.

This trip had brought him two strands of Worldly Qi, one from Ying Du and the other from Liu Feixue.

The Worldly Qi from Ying Du was easy to explain. Their karmic entanglement had naturally dispersed, and the appearance of Worldly Qi was only to be expected.

However, the Worldly Qi from Liu Feixue was quite intriguing.

Apart from expressing her gratitude to Gu Ning’an for saving her and her father, she had specifically said, “Thank you, Mr. Gu, for letting me understand the meaning of ‘one’s true love.’”

“An unintended result—without meaning to, I seem to have pulled a red thread.”

“How interesting. Truly fascinating.”

After storing away the Worldly Qi from Ying Du and Liu Feixue, Gu Ning’an looked up at the moon high in the sky, calculated the time, and decided to climb the mountain before sunrise.

Based on his original destination, there were two possible routes: one was a flat path, and the other required crossing the not-too-tall mountain before him.

He chose the latter because the mountain was covered with an array of vibrant periwinkle flowers, starting right at its base.

To Gu Ning’an, rushing forward and missing the scenery along the way seemed a waste. Why not follow his heart, admire the sea of blooming periwinkle flowers, and take a little extra effort?

Periwinkle flowers bloom year-round. As old flowers wither and fall, new buds bask in the sun for a few days before blooming once again.

What’s fascinating about these flowers is their wide variety of colors—bright red, deep purple, soft pink, creamy white, and more.

Even under the dim moonlight, Gu Ning’an found himself captivated by the vibrant beauty around him, unable to look away.

This made him even more eager for sunrise, imagining the breathtaking scene of the morning light cascading over the mountainside, illuminating the sea of periwinkle flowers in full bloom.

The mountain breeze swept through, scattering fallen petals and carrying a faint, lingering floral fragrance as it brushed past Gu Ning’an.

“If this place existed in my previous life, it would probably have become a viral ‘selfie spot,’ eventually losing its original charm for various reasons,” he thought.

Shaking off these idle thoughts, Gu Ning’an was about to continue his climb when he noticed an elderly man resting against a tree not far away.

Sensing Gu Ning’an’s gaze, the old man noticed him as well.

“Young man, are you here to enjoy the flowers too?” The elderly man’s slow speech carried a friendly warmth.

“Yes, are you here for the same reason, elder?” Gu Ning’an stepped closer, responding with a smile.

The old man braced himself against the tree trunk and, with considerable effort, straightened up. “That’s right. My wife loved flowers. This mountain is full of periwinkles, so I thought I’d climb up before dawn and let her see them as the sun rises.”

Wife?

Gu Ning’an furrowed his brows slightly. He hadn’t sensed any other living presence nearby—not even a wandering soul.

Where was this elderly man’s wife?

Perhaps noticing Gu Ning’an’s doubt, the old man loosened his half-tied waistband. He opened his coat to reveal a carefully trimmed painting tucked neatly against his chest.

The painting was unrolled, depicting a gentle-looking young woman who appeared to be around twenty years old.

If this was the old man’s wife, then the portrait must have been made decades ago.

“This is my wife. She passed away many years ago. I’ve brought her here to see the flowers,” the old man said, smiling. “Young man, don’t be afraid. I’m not some superstitious person, and my wife isn’t a malicious ghost…”

Gu Ning’an smiled and said, “Elder, your love for your wife is truly admirable. I would never be afraid of such sincerity.”

“If you don’t mind, since we’re both here to enjoy the flowers, why don’t we travel together?”

Hearing this, the old man nodded with a smile. “Good, good! My wife loves lively company. Let’s walk together; it’ll be lively indeed.”

…

As the morning mist dissipated, a golden glow bathed the world.

At the mountain’s peak, Gu Ning’an stood shoulder to shoulder with the elder surnamed Yu.

Gu Ning’an gazed around, hoping to take in the entirety of the flower-filled sea, now illuminated by the golden light.

The elder, on the other hand, held the painting close and adjusted his position to match the direction of the woman in the portrait, as if admiring the rare beauty of the scene together.

“Wife, these periwinkle flowers are so vibrant. No wonder you love them. Just looking at them makes one feel so at ease,” the elder said with a smile, speaking to the woman in the painting.

Gu Ning’an didn’t disturb them, quietly moving to another spot to give them their space.

Half an hour passed. The sun had fully risen, now hanging high above the mountain peak.

“Mr. Gu, do you think I’ll meet my wife again in the next life?” the elder suddenly asked, sitting cross-legged in the sea of flowers.

Hearing this, Gu Ning’an picked a fallen petal from his shoulder, held it in his palm, and pondered for a moment before replying:

“Life is much like these periwinkle flowers—blooming and withering in the span of a day.

When the flowers fall, no one knows where the wind carries them.

But even if the flowers vanish, their roots remain. When new flowers bloom, the roots are the same, but the petals may be of a different color.

So, even if there is a next life, can Elder Yu truly recognize your wife in the vast sea of people?”

“I can. I believe I can,” the elder replied without hesitation. Then, after a brief pause, he asked, “Mr. Gu, do you think I’ll be able to recognize her?”

Gu Ning’an smiled. “If Elder Yu is so certain, then of course you will.”

“Hahaha…” The elder laughed heartily before sighing. “I never thought I’d meet a young man like you today, someone who can converse with an old fool like me.”

“This trip was not in vain, not in vain at all!”

Gu Ning’an responded with a smile, “Being able to witness such deep and genuine love, I too feel this trip was not in vain.”

“Well, it’s getting late. Time to take my wife to see the sea,” the elder said as he stood up. He carefully tucked the painting back into his chest and began descending the mountain path.

With a slight calculation, Gu Ning’an realized that the nearest sea was over ten thousand miles away. Considering the elder’s frail body, he called out, “Elder Yu, the sea is over ten thousand miles away. At your pace, it could take years to get there.”

Without turning back, the elder replied loudly, “There’s no helping it. My wife loves the sea, and she’s never seen it before.”

“How about I lend you a hand?” Gu Ning’an offered with a smile.

Hearing this, the elder laughed even louder. “Thank you, Mr. Gu, but I’ll walk on my own. The longer the journey, the more unforgettable it becomes.

Even if I don’t make it and die halfway, it doesn’t matter… This thought alone is enough for me to recognize my wife in the next life.”

Bang!

Gu Ning’an felt a slight warmth in his palm as a new strand of Worldly Qi formed. In it, he saw the elder and his wife’s portrait traversing mountains and rivers over the course of years.

“May Elder Yu and his wife have a safe journey and a smooth trip!” Gu Ning’an clasped his hands in the elder’s direction.

A gentle breeze swept through, lifting the crimson petal from Gu Ning’an’s hand. It drifted away, following the elder’s path into the distance…