The sky gradually grew overcast, and a few crows circled with harsh, ominous cawing, emitting heart-wrenching, mournful cries. A gentle breeze swept across the ground, stirring up fallen leaves that drifted down to land softly upon the burial mound.
Although Li Qiu's robes fluttered in the wind, he felt a bone-chilling cold pierce straight to his marrow, causing him to shiver involuntarily. Standing quietly before his master's grave, Li Qiu's heart was heavy and fraught with sorrow. Ever since he was old enough to understand the world, the Old Scholar had enlightened him, taught him by word and personal example, and imparted the vast majority of his knowledge to him. In the end, the old man had resolutely taken him in as a disciple, granting him the opportunity to enter the immortal sects. Yet before he could repay even a fraction of this immense kindness, his master had silently passed away.
Two lines of clear tears slipped down Li Qiu's cheeks, though he vaguely felt as though his master had not truly died. The master's voice and countenance remained vivid in his mind, as if he were still right before his eyes.
Chapter 48