jdhmnovel Chapter 156: An Old Man in His Frail Age
Chapter 156: An Old Man in His Frail Age
However, Shen Li was not moved by his explanation, nor did she immediately believe Xinghan's words. Instead, she continued to look at him with her sharp eyes, as if looking for some flaws.
This sudden confrontation made the air around them extremely heavy.
He stared at Xinghan with a sharp gaze, his voice as cold as ice: "Tell me, why do you know that I am Shen Li, the King of Bi Cang?"
Xinghan's heart trembled, but he remained calm on the surface. He forced a slightly exaggerated smile and replied:
"Master Shen Li's reputation is as loud as thunder and resounds throughout the Three Realms. Although I am not talented, even ordinary people know that the phoenix is a sign of good fortune, and the most praised phoenix in the Three Realms is none other than Master Shen Li. Although I am dull, how could I make a mistake in the appearance of the phoenix?"
Shen Li frowned slightly when she heard this, and was obviously not satisfied with Xinghan's answer.
She snorted coldly and said, "I'll trust you this time. But next, you need to answer my question truthfully - who are you?"
Xinghan thought to himself that this was not good, but he still pretended to be sincere on the surface and said slowly:
"I am just an ordinary cultivator in this vast world, with mediocre talent and shallow cultivation. I have been an orphan since I was a child, helpless and helpless. I have been wandering among various sects, but I have never been able to find a place to settle down.
It is my great honor to meet Master Shen Li this time. I only hope that you will take me in and let me serve under you. Even if I am just a servant, it is a thousand times better than the days of wandering without support."
As he spoke, Xinghan deliberately squeezed out a few tears, trying to increase the credibility of his words.
However, Shen Li's expression did not relax at all, but became even more solemn.
She stared into Xinghan's eyes, as if she wanted to see through every corner of his heart.
After being tense for a long time, Shen Li's expression finally relaxed slightly. She tilted her head slightly, with complex emotions flashing in her eyes, and continued to question:
"Then why did you appear in that sickly courtyard? You said you have been to various sects since you were young, so why don't the clothes you are wearing belong to any sect? Or is it that I am ignorant and have never seen the clothes with your door number? Moreover, it just so happens that I just arrived there. Could it be that you are following me?"
Xinghan's heart trembled suddenly. He didn't expect Shen Li to expose the loophole in his words so directly.
But he quickly adjusted his mentality, forced a bitter smile on his face, and explained:
"To be honest, Master Shen Li, I do have something to hide. I once had a past that is unknown to others. During that time, I lost my loved ones. That Young Master Xingyun, in terms of age and certain features, is similar to the long-lost child in my memory.
Although I know that the hope is slim, the fatherly love in my heart drives me to confirm it with my own eyes. Please understand that I have no ill intentions in this trip, I just want to find a little comfort. "
Shen Li frowned when she heard this. She examined every subtle expression of Xinghan, trying to catch a trace of sincerity or hypocrisy from them.
Her heart was filled with doubts. After all, in this world full of deception and trickery, the truth was often harder to distinguish than lies.
However, she did not immediately deny Xinghan's words, but chose to continue asking: "That sickly guy doesn't look like you. When I first saw you, you did look a little old, but after talking to you just now, I don't feel that way anymore."
Xinghan secretly complained in the face of Shen Li's repeated questioning. He knew that the lies he had made up were becoming increasingly difficult to justify, but at this moment he could only bite the bullet and continue making them up:
"Master Shen Li, I know that it is difficult to convince people with just my one-sided words. But I do have some vague memory fragments. I came here because I got inspiration in my dream. I wanted to talk to Master Xingyun in person, maybe I could find some clues from him, but I am of low status and cannot get close to him. This is the last resort, I want to rely on your help..."
Shen Li listened to Xinghan's story quietly. Her eyes were sometimes sharp like an eagle, and sometimes deep like the sea, as if she could see through every corner of people's hearts.
"Your hair is already gray, but your temperament and behavior are no different from those of a young person... Since you say so, I will believe you for now, but this matter has nothing to do with me. If you think that I will interfere in the trivial matters of this world, you are making a wrong calculation."
"Lord Shen Li, what you mean is..." Xinghan heard Shen Li's tone and it seemed that she had no intention of helping him at all.
It seems that Shen Li cannot be easily convinced.
"Xinghan, your story is touching, but in these three realms, the difference between true love and false intentions is often only a thought away. Although I, Shen Li, am not a heartless person, I will not be easily deceived. As for the Master Xingyun you mentioned, he has his own destiny and fate, which cannot be easily changed by you and me."
"Lord Shen Li, you are the famous Martial King in the spirit world. Your reputation spreads far and wide, and your strength is unfathomable. It seems that there is nothing in this world that you cannot easily change."
Xinghan's tone was full of admiration and expectation, and his eyes were flashing with complex emotions, including awe of Shen Li's powerful strength, as well as helplessness and desire for his own situation.
He sighed softly, as if he was lamenting the injustice of fate, or as if he was gathering strength. Then, he deliberately suppressed the discomfort in his throat and forced out two dry coughs, with a barely perceptible fragility and pity in his voice.
"I am an old man in my twilight years, wandering in this vast world without a home. I have experienced many vicissitudes of life and am covered with scars. Now, I don't ask for much, I just hope to get your mercy, even if it is just a glimmer of light, it can illuminate my way forward."
Xinghan's voice gradually became lower but more sincere. He slowly stretched out his hand, as if trying to grasp that illusory hope.
"Please, Master Shen Li, have pity on me, a candle in the wind, and give me a little guidance or help, so that I can see a glimmer of light in this endless darkness. Although I am old and frail, I still have unfinished ambitions in my heart. If I can get your help, I will do my best and live up to your expectations."
Xinghan's words were full of sincerity and determination, and his eyes flashed with an unyielding light, as if showing Shen Li his strong will and desire for life despite his old age.
However, Shen Li was not moved by his words, her eyes were still as sharp as an eagle, as if they could penetrate all disguises.
"Xinghan, you know that in these three realms, strength and sincerity are the foundation. If you really want it, you should be honest with me instead of using these meaningless lies to gain sympathy."
Xinghan's heart shuddered when he heard this, and he realized that his lie had angered Shen Li.
He quickly stopped shaking, but his fatigue was only showing as he barely managed to hold on.
"I am dying soon. Perhaps I have asked for too much and caused trouble to you, young lady. I am sorry. I don't know how to act and I don't know the limits. I hope that Lord Bi Cang will have pity on an old man like me and don't treat me with disdain."