[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-eternal-tale":3,"chapter-eternal-tale-eternal-tale-chapter-642":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Eternal Tale",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1862157,2469,"Chapter 629: Sketching the world, selling paintings of the old blind man","eternal-tale-chapter-642",642,"\u003Cp>\"Madam, I'd like to take all of these. They're just some household items, but I really like them and will find them useful in the future.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Miss...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman gasped in shock, her breath quickening as she stammered, \"All these items together would cost at least two thousand low-grade spirit stones...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hundred low-grade spirit stones could support a family of three for a month in the mortal world, and even allow them to keep a demonic beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's right,\" Little Crane nodded with a smile, \"Madam, please calculate the price.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh my!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This demeanor surely belongs to a young lady from a wealthy family, visiting Qiongyang Town incognito. The woman's face flushed with excitement, never expecting such a fortuitous encounter to fall upon their family!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vendor also paused his conversation with Chen Xun, turning his head in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had only been setting up their stall for half a day, and someone bought everything? This must be a young lady from a major city on a trip!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black Bull also walked over to Little Crane; it had to carry the goods!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Chi sniffed around the stall, occasionally letting out a fierce little growl, thinking Sister Crane had made a bad deal. Its suggestion was to go back to Trash Island and pick up some discarded materials to make things themselves!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vendor wasn't overjoyed but instead looked calmly at Chen Xun: \"...Young man.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe, thank you for taking the time to explain, we do need these items, so we'll buy them all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where is the young master's residence? I'll arrange for a spirit beast to deliver the goods to you both!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vendor stood up with a start, changing his address to something more respectful, \"We'll have it delivered to your place within half a day!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe, no need, we'll carry them ourselves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Xun waved his hand, as they didn't have a place to settle yet. However, through the conversation, he had an idea in mind. He looked at Black Bull, \"Bull, Little Chi, load the goods!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Moo moo~~\" Black Bull called out dismissively, giving Chen Xun a disdainful glance, as it had already prepared!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Woof!\" Little Chi barked to the sky, ready.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone got busy instantly, the vendor and his wife bustling around, carefully loading the various items onto them, faces filled with amazement, especially at the red earth dog, such strength!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The goods nearly buried its body, but the young master said it didn't matter, just load them up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While they were busy, three small figures were helping on the side, occasionally wiping sweat, quite excited, whispering among themselves:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eldest brother... are we going to strike it rich?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Second sister, hurry... the more effort we put in, the more delicious food Father and Mother will buy us tonight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Second sister, Mother just told me, we're having demonic beast meat tonight!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then hurry, pack up that piece of cloth too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They ran around, faces beaming with innocent smiles, making the surrounding vendors envious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone secretly said that the Zhou family was truly blessed. The town's market had only been open for half a day, and their goods were all bought by a wealthy family. Who could match such luck?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half an hour later, the sky dimmed slightly, the orange-red afterglow melting into the sky, casting a warm light and shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four figures gradually moved away, their bodies nearly buried under the goods, yet their steps were steady, as if the weight was as light as a falling leaf to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the last rays of sunset were about to fade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five figures also headed in another direction, walking down the street with a mix of nostalgia and joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vendor laughed heartily, full of vigor, \"Children, whatever you want to do in the future, just tell your Father and Mother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Father, I want to practice martial arts, become a bodyguard, and roam the world!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahaha, that will cost quite a few spirit stones, but your Father supports you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Father, Mother, Guang Dai wants to be a teacher!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Great ambition!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Um... I want... to be like that sister, oh, I don't know what I want, Guang Han wants to eat demonic beast meat!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahaha...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vendor and his wife laughed heartily, their laughter echoing in the afterglow of the sunset, as the family walked down the sunset boulevard, gradually fading into the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sunset's afterglow stretched their shadows long, as if extending infinite warmth in the twilight light, making time seem to have depth, a fleeting moment infinitely prolonged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half a month later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an alley, Chen Xun and his companions bought a small courtyard. Though not large, it carried a sense of timeless tranquility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the courtyard, they planted two Crane Spirit Trees, bare and quite young.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The neighbors all knew a family had moved in here, the Chen family brothers, the Chen family girl, along with an ancestral Black Bull and a stray little earth dog they picked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were quite enthusiastic, bringing over many local specialties to congratulate the Chen siblings on their joyous move to 'Double Tree Alley,' with an elder personally writing a couplet to celebrate, very pleased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coincidentally, the Zhou family also lived in this alley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This delighted the three children, calling out \"Sister Nangong\" one after another. Little Crane was also happy, finding the mortal world lively, with a sense of spiritual solace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, the sun shone brightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Xun walked through the alley, one hand behind his back, the other holding a cup of health tea. The passing locals greeted him warmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chen family brother, no work to do? Tell your Uncle Zhang if you need anything, you're still young, learn a trade!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha... Aunt Wang, to be honest, I am skilled in a hundred and eight trades, just considering what to do!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh... I see.\" Aunt Wang, quite plump, pondered with a believing look, \"If you have no ideas, come find your Aunt, I'll help you think it over.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sure!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh my, so young, yet drinking tea, trying to act deep?!\" Aunt Wang chuckled, glancing at the health tea cup, \"That won't win over the ladies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aunt Wang, I have things to do, won't chat much!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, Chen family brother, remember what I said!\" Aunt Wang called after the quickly retreating white-clad figure, \"Find something proper to do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Got it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Xun smiled, turned, and cupped his hands, still running backward, \"Got it, thank you, Aunt Wang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, this young man has quite the martial arts demeanor.\" Aunt Wang shook her head with a smile, continuing her walk, looking at a woman, \"Madam Zhou, heading out again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe, getting some clothes for the children, need anything, Aunt Wang? I'll bring it back for you.\" The woman smiled kindly, \"At this age, they grow so fast.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aunt Wang started chatting again, her mouth seemingly unstoppable, making Chen Xun's head spin. Was there really someone in this world who could chat more than him?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the alley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An old blind man sat nearby, embellishing with ink. His body was thin, deep wrinkles etched into his bronze face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His most striking feature was his eyes, black as night, yet devoid of sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strangely, he seemed able to perceive the world’s subtleties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old blind man's fingers were long and slender, yet deftly wielded the brush, moving like the flow of air, smooth and rhythmic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He used ink as his primary medium, letting it spread across the paper, transforming into landscapes, flowers, birds, and figures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With varying shades of ink, he outlined the contours of mountains, depicted the swaying of leaves with precise strokes, and captured the expressions of figures with simple yet accurate lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His paintings were full of life and movement, the mountains and rivers seemed to echo with bird songs and the murmur of streams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flowers in his paintings were vivid, the birds lifelike, ready to take flight at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But most astonishing was the old blind man's grasp of detail and ability to express it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could outline the veins of a leaf with delicate strokes, depict the texture of petals, almost tangible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His figure paintings were vivid, capturing expressions and emotions, as if one could hear the characters' breaths and heartbeats, transporting one to a transcendent realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old blind man always sat quietly at street corners, silent and detached from the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he couldn't see the colors of the world, he used his heart to embellish this corner of the world, adding a unique hue to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old blind man made a living selling paintings, living a solitary and wandering life, finally returning to the ancestral home in 'Double Tree Alley' to spend his remaining days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, a figure slowly appeared before him, the breeze stirring the paintings, the scenery within seemed ready to ride the wind, only to fade with its passing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old blind man continued to wield his brush, unmoved, a worn sign beside him read: A meal, a pot of wine, a painting, take as you wish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure's eyes held a hint of appreciation and a trace of sharpness as if facing a formidable opponent, speaking calmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old sir, your paintings have reached three-tenths of my skill.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1541,"2026-06-10T05:20:18.540Z",1,"novelbin.me","5783fa554a4d7a41f0ba0e1095f6465085bc2249f2441a3f38c4312db3a310d7","eternal-tale-chapter-643","eternal-tale-chapter-641",979,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Feternal-tale-cover.jpg"]