Longevity starts from having a daughter in old age

The old woman, leaning on her iron crutch, bowed to Xu Mu, and Xu Mu graciously returned the gesture with a smile.

Upon the old woman’s signal, Zhao Yan gracefully stepped forward, carefully putting the flower pear wooden box she was holding onto the bluestone table in front of Xu Mu and carefully opened it.

Bursts of sweet scent wafted out from inside. Over ten spirit fruits, sculpted like yellow jade, were quietly placed inside, emanating a faint aura. One could tell at a glance that these were not ordinary.

“We don’t have anything special at home, only these spirit fruits are somewhat decent. I hope Daoist friend won’t despise them!” The old woman said with a smile.

“Daoist friend, you’re too polite. It was just a small effort on my part! Haha!”

Laughing, Xu Mu stretched out his hand, putting the wooden box along with the spirit fruits into his storage bag with practiced ease.

“…”

Zhao Yan couldn’t help but comment in her heart.

While being polite in words, he didn’t hesitate to collect the items.

These fruits, known as Yellow Lizi Fruits were produced by a tier four spirit root. Not only can they be consumed directly to enhance one’s cultivation, but they can also be used to refine several precious pills. They were far more valuable than the one and a half medium-grade spirit stones she promised Xu Mu.

These fruits were rare treats even for Zhao family descendants, and they were as a gift to Xu Mu now, which couldn’t help but make Zhao Yan feel a bit heartbroken.

However, this was a decision made by the family’s ancestors, and no one in the family would dare to contradict it.

After she handed over the medicinal herbs yesterday and described Xu Mu’s situation, the ancestors decided to visit in person and brought these generous gifts.

As for Xu Mu’s behavior, Zhao Jingrou seemed not to notice. Her wrinkled face showed a smile as she turned to Zhao Yan and said: “Yan’er, you go down first. I have some things to talk with the Daoist friend.”

“Yes!”

Zhao Yan retreated respectfully.

After Zhao Yan left, Zhao Jingrou began to speak again: “Please forgive this ignorant old woman for not yet knowing the esteemed friend’s name and sect.”

This was a necessary inquiry, and Xu Mu had expected it. He hesitated for a moment, showing a sign of hesitation, then finally gave an answer.

“It’s a long story. I am originally an elder of Fairy Moon Palace in the Middle Domain. Not long ago, when I was out, I accidentally fell into a spatial crack, and when I woke up, I was here.”

The more one lies, the more holes appear in the story. Xu Mu thought it would be better to tell the truth and test her reaction at the same time.

His origin was strange, but it was not unacceptable. The Eastern Region and the Middle Domain were just far apart, not entirely disconnected. He had never heard of any hostile relationship between the two domains.

Of course, the reason why he boldly confessed was because he had enough confidence to deal with all variables. He had already investigated that there was no one in Chi Zhou Prefecture who could threaten him.

On hearing Xu Mu’s words, Zhao Jingrou’s eyes brightened as she realized: “So, Daoist friend comes from Middle Domain. No wonder the accent is a bit different from ours. I found it strange!”

Zhao Jingrou’s smile was sincere, and Xu Mu didn’t sense any malice from her. This indicated that his identity, though surprising to her, was not a big deal.

“I have not noticed this before. You have a keen eye, Daoist friend.” Said Xu Mu.

“This place is quite a distance from the Middle Domain. I’m curious as to what plans you have next, Daoist friend? Would you like to settle down here or try to find a way back to Middle Domain?” Zhao Jingrou asked.

Xu Mu sensed that this was the true reason behind Zhao Jingrou’s warm visit.

After a moment’s thought, Xu Mu replied with a tone of inquiry: “I plan to stay here for a while and then make a decision. I wonder what you think?”

“As an old woman, I’ve never been to the Middle Domain, and I dare not hastily advise you. However, if Daoist friend plans to stay here, I have a humble request!”

“Daoist friend, please feel free to ask!”

Zhao Jingrou is much older than him, and he would not tease her like a child.

“I would like to invite Daoist friend to become the Supreme Elder of our Zhao family!”

“…”

Zhao Jingrou’s words truly startled Xu Mu.

He had originally thought that she wanted to invite him to be a Guest Elder. He didn’t expect her to want him to be a Supreme Elder, which was tantamount to handing over the entire Zhao family to him.

He had made time to inquire about the situation of the Zhao family over the past few days. He knew that it was a Foundation Establishment Family in Chi Zhou Prefecture that had been in existence for hundreds of years. However, it had been struggling for the past two generations, with only Zhao Jingrou barely managing to keep it afloat during the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Chi Zhou Prefecture had more than a dozen Foundation Establishment Families. Although the Da Yuan Dynasty controlled everything, the Foundation Establishment Families at the bottom were not honest with each other. They inevitably fought openly and secretly. The Zhao family was weak, and suddenly encountering a loose cultivator like himself, it was not strange to try to recruit him.

Zhao Jingrou had guessed this when she first came.

But what she never expected was to directly let him be the Supreme Elder.

Xu Mu’s eyes flickered, not replying to her.

In his opinion, Zhao Jingrou said these words with two possible purposes. One was to test him to see if he had ambitions towards the Zhao family, and so he deliberately approached Zhao Yan.

The other possibility was that the Zhao family was at the end of their rope, desperately seeking solutions.

Seeing Xu Mu’s silence, Zhao Jingrou revealed a bitter smile and said, “I know that you don’t believe it. To be honest, no one would believe this if they encountered such a situation!”

Zhao Jingrou extended her withered arm and continued, “Check my physical condition and you’ll understand why I’m saying this!”

Xu Mu skeptically extended his hand. Once his spiritual power entered Zhao Jingrou’s body, he immediately understood what was going on and his face showed a look of sudden realization.

“This old woman’s life is nearing its end. At best, I can last a year, and at worst, just a few months. Although I have prepared several ways out for my successors, they all fall short compared to you!” Zhao Jingrou said with a smile.

“Friend, isn’t this too hasty?” Xu Mu said with a bitter smile.

It was their first meeting, and she was directly giving away her family to him, which was somewhat exaggerated. Even if it were desperate, it was not the way to go about it.

“You, friend, can easily kill the Lord of the Divine Insect Valley. Your strength is far superior to this old woman’s. If you really want to take over the Zhao family, what’s the point whether I say it or not. In any case, once this old woman dies, the Zhao family will either be wiped out by hostile families or it will fall apart. It might as well be given to you! However, I’m actually more worried about whether you would accept!” Zhao Jingrou said anxiously.

“What do you mean we’re the same kind of people?”

Xu Mu was somewhat slow to respond.

“You, friend, are not young either. Instead of taking the risk of returning to the Central Region, why not enjoy a few years of luxury? You can enjoy all the resources of the Zhao family’s women as you wish!”

“…”

Shit!

Xu Mu cursed silently in his heart, finally understanding why this old woman was being so generous and magnanimous.

His life was in twilight, which was very easy for someone to misunderstand. Even from his appearance, he didn’t look much younger than Zhao Jingrou.

An old man about to die, what could he do with a family? At best he could only use what little energy he had left!

As for the family resources, at his age, they were already optional.

As for women, he could only cry silently.

Such a good calculation!

Xu Mu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

However, on second thought, this might not be bad for him. He could use the Zhao family as a springboard to lay the groundwork for the arrival of the Xu family.

Zhao Jingrou was like a sheep entering a tiger’s mouth!

“I can agree to your request, but there’s one thing I would like to ask for?”

“As long as it’s not too much, I’ll agree. Even if you had ten requests!” Zhao Jingrou said somewhat excitedly.

Her plot was not brilliant. As long as Xu Mu wasn’t stupid, he could see through it. She had been worried that Xu Mu would not agree. Now that he had, as long as he was not asking for too much, she was willing, even if it meant her own life.

“I want Zhao Yan to marry me!”