C3 I Have Lived for Ninety Thousand Years

Chiang Le grew up an orphan, his childhood curiosity about his biological parents often leading him to daydream that they were people of great importance. But when his fantasies seemed to collide with reality, he found himself disheveled amidst the blustering rooftop winds—it was all too fantastical.

As he teetered on the edge, contemplating a leap, an astonishing surprise descended from the heavens. A dignified, well-dressed elderly man appeared before him, weeping profusely, clutching at his leg and calling out "Father?" At not even twenty, how could Chiang Le possibly have a son in his sixties—a son so distinguished and striking?

Suppressing the ridiculousness bubbling within, Chiang Le reached down to assist the kneeling man. "Old man... you've got to be confused, right?" He turned a desperate look to the beautiful assistant standing nearby. "This man... is he... you know..." Chiang Le tapped his temple.

"No, my mind is clear. I'm not insane, nor have I mistaken you for someone else," the old man asserted, regaining his composure. "You are the one I've been searching for. You are my godfather."

The awkwardness was palpable. When had Chiang Le ever agreed to such a role? He was clueless. "You must find this utterly absurd. Trust me, I will provide you with a satisfactory explanation," the old man promised.

Yet, Chiang Le's mind lingered on more pressing matters. "I still haven't received my salary."

"Godfather..."

"Stop, just call me Chiang Le," he interjected, his skin crawling with discomfort. "Please, any other title but that—it's unnerving."

The elder nodded in understanding. "Given your fresh start, severed from your past, such a title is indeed unfitting. Henceforth, I shall address you as 'Young Master.'"

Chiang Le, still reeling, managed a nod. 'Young Master' was certainly a step toward normalcy.

"And you are... who exactly? Did you come to help me with my salary issue?"

"I'm not here to discuss wages. I've brought you a cultivation technique. Once you begin learning it, nothing in this world will pose a challenge to you—power, status, strength, fame, wealth; you can have it all."

"Ah? I have no interest in such things," Chiang Le replied, disinterested. "I'm only after what's rightfully mine."

"Everything I own was given to me by you. Without you, that little beggar from years ago would have perished from hunger," the old man declared with conviction. "Right now, you're in a fog of unawareness, but once you master the Carefree Spell, it will all become clear to you: I hold no power of my own; I'm merely the custodian of your might."

With those words, the old man gave a soft clap, prompting the female assistant behind him to open the leather case she held. Inside was a thick stack of documents.

Chiang Le, dubious, picked up one of the volumes. It contained a simple record of a person's life. Yet, as he absorbed the astonishing and sensational feats chronicled within, Chiang Le was utterly astounded. This individual's deeds transcended the mere exploits of a hero; they were the acts of a god.

"What is this?"

"This represents your lifetime. To someone who has lived as many years as you, these accounts are but a single grain of sand in the vast ocean," the old man explained.

Chiang Le was speechless.

"You're probably wondering why a stranger would call you 'Dad' and weep bitterly at your feet," the old man continued, gesturing gently. "Come with me. I'll resolve all the mysteries that trouble you."

Chiang Le cast a glance at the nearby helicopter, then back at the faded documents. After a brief moment of hesitation, he nodded in agreement.

If this were a trap or a deception, it surely wouldn't be this outlandish!

Together, Chiang Le and the old man boarded the helicopter and soared away, leaving a few disheveled security guards behind.

Ten minutes later, the helicopter touched down on the rooftop of a villa.

Descending, the old man led Chiang Le into the villa, where the assistant served them hot tea in a tastefully decorated living room. The old man fixed Chiang Le with a penetrating gaze and began to unravel the tale.

"Do you believe in reincarnation?"

"No, I don't."

"Well, I do," the old man affirmed. "You are Earth's last Immortal. Since the depletion of spiritual energy, you've been confined here for 90,000 years!"

"Throughout the ages, you've conquered all corners of the world and ruled as an emperor."

"You've been a statesman whose legacy has endured through time."

"You've led campaigns from north to south, a general whose fame thundered across the seas."

"You've been a merchant, a scholar, a monk, and a Taoist priest. Throughout China's five thousand years of history, your story is found everywhere."

"Life after life, you've reincarnated, ceaselessly cultivating, seeking the path to ascension, yet you've met with failure each time."

"In your last life, you came the closest to ascension, but you were ensnared by the mortal world's demonic tribulations, ultimately falling short of success."

"Throughout your cultivation, you've harbored too many regrets and inner demons. These would amplify exponentially during your tribulations. At last, you realized it was time to begin anew, to sever ties with the past completely. Only with the unblemished heart of a child could you truly grasp the grand Dao."

"You chose to disintegrate, but this time not with all your memories as before. Instead... you let go of them all, disintegrating with a heart untainted by the past."

Chiang Le was utterly baffled. "Are you saying I was once a deity, with countless incarnations? That many of history's great figures and emperors were just my alter egos?"

"Exactly."

"And despite everything, I never attained the Dao, so I relinquished all my powers and memories to start over?"

"Exactly."

"Oh." Chiang Le still found the explanation incredibly far-fetched.

"Spiritual energy is on the verge of resurgence; it's a rare opportunity. You must rid yourself of any inner demons. Whatever you desire, you must obtain. Whoever you wish to confront, you must face. Whatever you wish to protect, you must safeguard," the elder advised. "This lifetime, you must live without restraint, indulging in your passions and settling your grudges without a trace of regret."

"But how can that be easy?"

"With me by your side, everything is possible! You laid the groundwork five hundred years ago! Sixty years ago, you found me, and over forty years, you imparted to me all manner of skills. Eventually, you entrusted me with the vast empire you had amassed, instructing me to locate you upon reaching adulthood and to assist in clearing any hurdles or hardships."

"Just how formidable am I?"

"Invincible in this world," the old man chuckled. "You possess innate psychic abilities and unparalleled talent, coupled with the Spiritual Sense of Chaos. You can master any complex cultivation method instantly. And over the years, I've amassed a staggering collection of heavenly treasures for you—an unimaginably vast hoard."

Chiang Le was dumbfounded.

"What... what should I do?"

"Live without regrets, and embrace joy—that's all," the old man said with a gentle smile. "Follow your heart. Drink the strongest spirits, savor the finest foods, drive the fastest cars, marry the woman you adore, sing your favorite songs, and confront those you despise. Never allow a single regret to linger in your heart."

"Okay." Chiang Le nodded in agreement.

"This villa is now yours. Should you need anything in the future, don't hesitate to reach out to me," the elder stated. "There's a secret chamber within this house containing items you left behind. Feel free to open it and see for yourself."

With that, the old man rose and made his way to the study. He delicately twisted a Ru ware vase on the bookshelf, and as it creaked, the shelf slowly pivoted to reveal an alloy-cast secret door to Chiang Le.

"Place your hand here, please."

Skeptical yet curious, Chiang Le pressed his hand into a recess on the door.

A warmth blossomed in his chest as the alloy door gradually swung open.

The secret chamber wasn't large, resembling the tiered shelves of a supermarket, divided into five levels.

Each shelf was laden with a dazzling array of jewels, gold, jade, antiques, property deeds, and an assortment of enigmatic trinkets.

"In every city, you have a place like this, and in every place, a chamber such as this," Xu Fu explained with reverence. "Upon my return home this time, I will transfer all the resources I control into your name."

"Oh..." Chiang Le was overwhelmed, his mind reeling as if in a dream. "All of this is mine? I can do with it as I please?"

"Yes," Xu Fu confirmed with a nod. "What you see is but a fraction of what you possess. I can't even recall the full extent of your holdings and secret chambers..."

Chiang Le felt an unexpected calm rather than the anticipated rush of excitement. "Good."

"This is the Carefree Spell. When you have a moment, give it a read. It's the cultivation technique you practiced before. Remember, strength is the cornerstone of your existence in this world. To safeguard these treasures, you must possess ample power."

Chiang Le accepted the small booklet and opened it. A profound sense of familiarity washed over him as he effortlessly understood the complex breathing techniques and marrow-cleansing methods within.

It's likely the instinctive memory from his past cultivation, or perhaps what they referred to as the chaotic spiritual sense.

This implies that even with no current knowledge of cultivation, Chiang Le is a cultivation prodigy, guided solely by his subconscious!

Armed with a wealth of resources and the enigmatic Carefree Spell, he has risen to become an invincible force, experiencing life's thrilling highs and lows...

"Business matters like these needn't concern you. You have a legion of professional managers at your disposal, and I'm here to oversee it all. Focus on what you enjoy," the elder advised. "For your convenience, I've trained a personal assistant who will look after your dietary and living arrangements, along with all the minor details."

With a clap of his hands, the elder summoned a poised and stunningly beautiful girl to Chiang Le's side.

Tall and statuesque, she could rival any top model, her skin was porcelain, her features finely chiseled, and her blue eyes seemed to capture the cosmos itself.

Chiang Le was taken aback. This assistant, with the looks of a starlet and the poise of a supermodel, was a mix of different heritages?

"Good day, Young Master. My name is Elena, a Harvard Business School graduate. I'll be attending to your dietary and living needs," the girl said with a respectful bow.

"You're of mixed heritage?"

"My mother is Portuguese, and I have a quarter Irish bloodline. But at heart, I'm a descendant of the Yan and Huang," Elena responded with deference.

"Good." Chiang Le nodded, clearly pleased with Elena. Her mere presence was a delight to behold.

Xu Fu then excused himself after taking a call, bowing deeply to Chiang Le. "Young Master, there's a significant acquisition in A Country that requires my attention. I'll leave you be for now, but feel free to reach out if you need anything."

"Understood." Chiang Le acknowledged.

"If any issues arise, Elena will assist you."

"Understood."

"Live without regrets, embrace joy. You've earned this right. Believe me, you stand at the pinnacle of this world's hierarchy."

"I intend to," Chiang Le affirmed, then paused, struck by a sudden thought. "What if... what if I entertain those darker, immoral impulses?"

"Then it's all the more reason to give it a try. The path you practice is known as the Dao of Heart's Will. It allows for enlightenment through carefree living, or you could turn into a demon and ascend to godhood!" Xu Fu said with a gentle smile, then gracefully departed.

In the expansive living room, only Chiang Le and Elena remained.

Chiang Le's gaze upon Elena grew increasingly intense. Elena, on the receiving end, bashfully lowered her head.

Surely this young boss wouldn't just do as he pleased with her, would he?

As Elena recalled the training Xu Fu had provided and the rigorous instruction she had endured over the years, she braced herself with a mix of anxiety and readiness.

Following a prolonged silence, Chiang Le finally broke the stillness. "Elena, I've got an idea."

"Of course, Young Master," Elena replied with utmost docility. She was poised for action, ready to comply without a moment's hesitation to any command from the Crown Prince, no matter how outlandish it might be.

Indeed, this was Elena's purpose for being. This young man before her was the very reason she had undergone the most severe training from her childhood, the reason she had strived to excel. It was all for him!

Chiang Le watched Elena and began to reveal his thought...