Li Yifei also expressed his gratitude, but the other party responded indifferently, with an aloof expression. During this time, Li Yifei did not test this Nameless Senior, and he had even decided not to test him. In the Capital City, dragons and serpents have mingled since ancient times, and strong figures are abundant, so it’s normal to have such a reclusive expert. Moreover, when Murong Yuanqing returns, he can ask him.

The most important thing is that this Nameless Senior not only harbors no hostility but also made an exquisite mutton soup for him and Elder Su, thus Li Yifei must maintain his respect.

Putting down the bowl, Li Yifei drank five bowls in one go, which wasn’t a small amount. The Nameless Senior seemed to have drunk about five bowls as well, sipping a cup of white spirit, and then stopped. Elder Su also enjoyed half a cup, the rest was consumed by Li Yifei.

With food and drink consumed, the table was yet to be cleared. The Nameless Senior looked at Elder Su and suddenly said, "Young man, you don’t have long to live."

Clang, Li Yifei’s bowl tapped against the table. He looked up with wide eyes at the other party, and Elder Su was a bit surprised, also watching the Nameless Senior. Elder Su didn’t rush to question, instead lightly nodded after a few seconds, saying, "Old friend, I’ve lived this long, it doesn’t matter if I die!"

"Are you truly willing? I see that your face reveals that your heart still harbors attachments. If you die just like this, I fear you would be unwilling." The Nameless Senior said.

Hearing this, Li Yifei couldn’t help but interject, "Senior, I know your cultivation is profound, but casually speaking of life and death isn’t right. I understand that the appearance is born from the heart, but I also know that one’s state of mind affects their physical physiology!"

In other words, if you speak such ominous words without offering explanation, even as an expert, I would have to challenge you.

The other party leaned back, eyes shifting skyward as an airplane flew over. It was only when the plane’s silhouette vanished that he said, "Whether spoken casually or not, it’s not for you to say."

Li Yifei’s expression tightened, about to speak, but Elder Su raised a hand to stop him, sighed, stood up, and respectfully said, "Sir, your words became prophecy. Indeed, a few years later, I achieved smooth progress in my career and weathered several crises without danger..."

Li Yifei was aware that the old master’s career was not entirely smooth, with ups and downs, some encounters were extremely perilous. Yet he didn’t know someone had predicted these early on.

In the world, there are extraordinary people capable of Observing Qi to determine one’s fate. But destiny is most elusive. While ancient texts like the I Ching record some methods of predicting destiny, they are intended for ordinary people. Three parts are indeed true, while seven parts are exaggerated tales, often unreliable. However, this Nameless Senior accurately foretold dozens of years of Elder Su’s future, and it indeed transpired. Elder Su still remembers that day, trudging against the wind and snow to the doorstep, drawn by the scent of meat, going inside when the Nameless Senior opened the door, sitting down, and before eating, hearing him say he could one day rank among the Three Excellencies.

What are the Three Excellencies? The central bureaucratic system of the Central Government established by the Qin King Ying Zheng on Li Si’s advice comprised the Emperor, with the Three Excellencies under him: the Grand Commandant managing military affairs, the Chancellor assisting the Emperor in handling national governance, and the Imperial Secretary managing official documents and issuing imperial edicts, also overseeing national supervision affairs.

Elder Su at his highest, indeed, could have been termed one of the Three Excellencies, so the prediction was accurate.

Seeing the logic, Li Yifei gradually relaxed, noticing that the Nameless Senior gave him a faint glance and said to Elder Su, "It wasn’t me who determined your fate with a word. It’s your own fortune. However, today your face shows you don’t have long to live."

The Nameless Senior mentioned Elder Su’s lifespan again, and in Li Yifei’s mind, he pondered that for several days, he had been helping Elder Su nurture his body—a process yielding some effects, yet not entirely satisfactory. Aging and physical decline are forces difficult to counter. To defy and change fate forcibly is almost impossible.

Li Yifei is not a deity; he can only use True Qi to nurture Elder Su’s body. The nourishing effect of True Qi aims to improve Elder Su’s physical health, but if life is nearing its end, he is powerless. Previously, keeping Elder Su’s old friend alive forcefully for those few days wasn’t truly extending life, but stimulating the absolute potential of their survival, living forcibly for a few days, afterward, not even a celestial being could turn the tide.

Elder Su didn’t display much sadness or fear; he lightly nodded and asked, "Old friend, do you know how long I have left?"

The Nameless Senior said, "Are you sure you want to know?"

"I..." Elder Su hesitated. He wasn’t afraid of death, but knowing the exact date of his death would be like counting down his days on his fingers—a somewhat tormenting thought.

Li Yifei interjected, "Senior, since you spoke of my grandfather’s lifespan, then... is there a way to extend it?"

The Nameless Senior raised his eyes to look at Li Yifei, only to see him clasp his hands, saying, "If there is a way, I am willing to seek it for my grandfather."

The Nameless Senior replied, "What can you offer?"

"So, you mean to say, Senior, that there is such a way?" Li Yifei asked.

The Nameless Senior chuckled and said, "If I had one, what could you offer?"

"I..." Li Yifei paused, blinking his eyes, pondering what he could offer, and thought he might have nothing to offer. So he said, "Senior, if you have a way to extend my grandfather’s life, whatever you need, just say it. If I have it, I will not be stingy. If I don’t, I will try my best to obtain it."

"Hehe, what do you think I need?" The other party coldly chuckled suddenly.

Elder Su, moved by Li Yifei’s filial piety, also felt a desire for life in his heart, so he didn’t speak earlier. Hearing the Nameless Senior’s cold laugh, he quickly said, "Old friend, Yifei is a bit anxious. Don’t blame him. Meeting an old friend today and eating a pot of remembered mutton soup, my wish is fulfilled!"

"Senior, I express my pure sincerity. If you have something to entrust, please feel free to speak," Li Yifei pleaded.

The atmosphere suddenly froze. Li Yifei maintained his bowing posture of request, while Elder Su came over, pulling Li Yifei and said, "Yifei, it’s good that you have filial piety. Your grandfather sees it, but life and death are destined, wealth is ordained by the heavens, don’t force things."

"Grandfather, I want to give it a try," Li Yifei said.

The Nameless Senior looked at the two of them, chuckled, and said, "It’s not difficult to find an Innate Expert. To reach this level at such a young age is rare. Your grandfather has about half a year to live normally, but most of that time will be spent in bed."

"Senior, if there is anything needed, please tell me!" Li Yifei said.

"I do have something, if you accomplish it, then the method to extend life can be taught to your grandfather!" the Nameless Senior said.

Li Yifei, upon hearing this, asked excitedly, "There really is such a method?"

"There is, but it’s up to you whether you can exchange for it."

Li Yifei’s eyes lit up, he said excitedly, "Senior, are your words true?"

"Heh, if you believe, it is true; if you don’t, it is false!" the other said.

Li Yifei nodded and said, "May I know the senior’s name?"

"What, you want to investigate me?" 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"I wouldn’t dare, it’s just... it concerns my grandfather, which is a big matter to me. Please forgive my caution."

"Nameless and without surname, believe my words and come here to wait for me in five days, or you can leave if you don’t believe. I’ve already taught you how to make lamb soup, so technically you owe me!" The Nameless Senior finished speaking, waved his hand, and turned to walk inside the house.

Li Yifei saw that the other left without hesitation and said, "Senior, allow me to think it over. If I decide, I’ll come early in the morning in five days."

The other did not respond. Li Yifei clenched his fist, of course not intending to attack, just finding the decision difficult.

"Yifei, you... let’s tidy up here and head back!" Elder Su said.

Li Yifei nodded. There was a well nearby with water; he gathered the bowls and chopsticks into a basin, went to the well to wash them, cleaned up properly, then assisted Old Master Su out. Just as they stepped out the main door, the door slowly closed behind them.

On the way back, Elder Su was somewhat silent. That esteemed old friend determined he had half a year to live, which was acceptable given his age, but... spending most of it bedridden was hard to accept. Living on in such a pathetic state wasn’t as good as dying clearly.

Li Yifei was driving when he heard the old man’s mumbled words, causing a slight tremor in his hand, and he felt uneasy, so he said, "Grandfather, don’t worry. If that senior has a way to extend life, I will definitely seek it!"

"You don’t need to go. If even he can’t solve it, it’ll be fruitless, and potentially very dangerous!" Elder Su said.

"Grandfather, that’s not certain. Maybe what he can’t accomplish, I can complete with ease!" Li Yifei laughed.

"You’re not allowed to go. Whether it’s true or not is still unknown. You’re now the head of the family, with a wife and many children, and dozens or hundreds of people relying on you. If something happens to you, what will they do?" Elder Su said sternly.

"Grandfather, I haven’t said I’ll go immediately. I have to check this out!" Li Yifei said.

"In any case, I forbid you to go!" Elder Su’s stubborn temper flared, shouting directly.

Li Yifei could only nod and say he wouldn’t go.

Back home, the old master’s secretary and medical staff hurried over, reprimanding Li Yifei a few times, but not too harshly, knowing he was the old master’s grandson-in-law. But taking the old master out privately, leaving in the morning, and only returning in the afternoon, if something happened in between, whose responsibility would it be?

Li Yifei quickly promised not to do it again, then delivered the disgruntled old master to his room before being shooed out by the old master.

Looking up at the rare clear sky in the Capital City, Li Yifei smacked his lips, wishing to verify with Murong Yuanqing. But then he recalled Murong Yuanqing was attending the funeral of an old friend and hadn’t returned yet. It wouldn’t be until tomorrow, rushing now would be useless.