Shen Feng led a group of important personnel to the hospital to visit Shan Zhengming. This old man was experienced and had offered Shen Feng suitable advice on many occasions. Because of his extensive knowledge, Shen Feng had paid an ability potion as a price to persuade the old man to come to Yuzhou with him.
However, he never expected that the old man, who had been in good health before, would suddenly decline.
After Shen Feng and his entourage arrived at the hospital, they began to inquire about the old man's condition. The doctor regretfully informed Shen Feng, "Mr. Shan Zhengming's body is failing. His internal organs have begun to deteriorate. When the internal organs can no longer function, the entire body will soon follow. Perhaps within a month, the old gentleman will pass away, or it could be as soon as these few days."
Shen Feng was greatly shocked by this news. He couldn't understand why. The old man had been exercising regularly. Although he was in his eighties or nineties, his health was better than that of ordinary people. He never expected his body to fail so quickly.
"Why is this happening? He was always in good spirits before," Shen Feng murmured to himself.
"Master must have aged so rapidly due to the climate change!" Yu Zhijing had also arrived. He was Shan Zhengming's disciple, and he couldn't stand by when his master was in trouble. Thus, he rushed here with his sister.
"Is the impact of climate change really that significant? Even though it's the Little Ice Age now, he shouldn't have aged so rapidly, especially considering his experience as a semi-immortal," Shen Feng turned to Yu Zhijing beside him.
Shen Feng's confusion was understandable. Although it was the Little Ice Age, even if the weather became cold or hot, a semi-immortal of his caliber would have access to air conditioning or heating, minimizing the impact of temperature on him.
Yu Zhijing quickly said, "City Lord, the impact I'm referring to is not just about this. The biggest impact on my teacher is actually the oxygen concentration in the air. I've seen many papers recently that discuss the changes in oxygen concentration. Ten years ago, the oxygen concentration in the air was normal, at 21%. However, it has now reached 25%. An increase in oxygen concentration means that the metabolic rate of humans will also accelerate. Perhaps my teacher's lifespan was originally over 100 years, but with the rise in oxygen concentration, his metabolism has sped up, and his lifespan has consequently shortened."
"Speaking of which, I seemed to have heard this theory many years ago. However, I was overseas at the time. Although some people said that blue algae had erupted in the sea, it would take many years to change the oxygen content in the air. I didn't expect the oxygen content to have risen after so many years," Shen Feng said in a deep voice.
When Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi returned from overseas, they had rested in Kagoshima for a period. There, Shen Feng had heard that a mutated blue algae had appeared in the sea and was rapidly reproducing, but Shen Feng had not paid much attention to it at the time.
The reason why blue algae in the sea mutated and reproduced rapidly was due to the fall of an extraterrestrial meteorite into the ocean ten years ago, which triggered a series of mutation events on Earth. The blue algae erupted, the oxygen concentration on Earth would rise, and the average lifespan of humans would consequently decrease.
In the past, hundreds of millions of years ago, Earth had seen giant dinosaurs. These massive creatures formed under conditions of particularly high oxygen. Now, with the rise in oxygen content, it indicated that humans might grow taller and stronger, but due to the accelerated metabolic rate, human lifespans would shorten.
"Let's not talk about this anymore. Let's focus on your master's condition," Shen Feng said quickly.
Next, Shen Feng led his people into the ward. Lying on the hospital bed was an old man with a white beard. The former Shan Zhengming had a youthful countenance and looked very energetic. However, he now appeared listless. Even to sit up and speak, he needed the help of a nurse.
"Semi-immortal, how is your body? Are you alright?" Shen Feng asked with concern.
Shan Zhengming shook his head helplessly. "When one gets old, they can't help but admit it. I used to focus on health preservation, hoping to live over 100 years. But now I realize that human lifespan has limits, and it's impossible to change it. My body is probably failing."
Shan Zhengming was well aware of his physical condition. In the past, he was very healthy, free from illness, and agile. But now, even walking was a struggle. At his age, having witnessed so much rise and fall, he felt that his life was coming to an end.
Shen Feng quickly comforted him, saying, "Don't worry, it's alright. I can give you an ability potion, and once you become an ability user, your lifespan will also be greatly extended."
"City Lord, you don't need to comfort me. I know my own physical condition. Moreover, with my current frail body, even if I took an ability potion, I wouldn't be able to survive the evolution. Rather than letting me suffer through pain before dying, it's better to let me rest during the last period of my life and talk with you," Shan Zhengming said, shaking his head.
Besides Shen Feng, many others also came to the ward to visit the old man. Even those who had previously looked down on the semi-immortal, like Tu Xuhuai, had come. It was evident that everyone was concerned about the semi-immortal's condition, and they all showed expressions of sorrow.
"It's all my negligence. I didn't consider that your body could no longer keep up with the impact of climate change. Only now do I realize your internal organs have failed. This is my responsibility!" Shen Feng said with great remorse.
"No one could have predicted this. After all, people have unforeseen misfortunes, and the heavens have unpredictable storms. The various events that happen in life are unpredictable. City Lord, you are often away fighting battles, how could you have time to care for me? However, I have found a suitable disciple, and I have passed on all my knowledge and experience to him." At this moment, Shan Zhengming suddenly looked towards Yu Zhijing.
Yu Zhijing immediately stepped forward and tightly held his teacher's aged hand, saying, "Master, thank you for your guidance during this time. I have learned a lot from you."
Yu Zhijing was a genius. He had the ability to remember everything he read. However, he didn't understand many things about life experience. It was Shan Zhengming's teachings that helped him overcome his shortcomings in human relationships and worldly affairs.
"The knowledge I can impart to you is very limited. Your brainpower is several times that of ordinary people, allowing you to learn quickly. However, the knowledge in this world is vast. Even if you study your entire life, you won't be able to learn it all. After I die, you must continue to study diligently. Don't confine yourself to the study room all day; go out and walk around more often," Shan Zhengming said, seemingly entrusting his affairs. He was earnestly admonishing his disciple, Yu Zhijing.
"Teacher, I will definitely study hard. Please don't worry!" Yu Zhijing quickly promised.
Suddenly, Shan Zhengming looked at Shen Feng and said, "City Lord, I don't know if I will be able to see you again. I have a few important things to tell you now, and I hope you will agree."
Shen Feng nodded, understanding the semi-immortal's intention. He then said to the people behind him, "Please step out for a moment. Semi-immortal and I have something to discuss."
The others also took their leave. They all knew the importance of the semi-immortal in Shen Feng's heart. He was one of Shen Feng's three advisors and the leader among them. Shen Feng would always seek his advice when encountering difficult matters. At this time, the semi-immortal must have important words to tell the City Lord privately.
After everyone left the ward, Shen Feng gently closed the door, returned to the bedside, and sat down. He asked, "Semi-immortal, please tell me whatever you need to convey. I will definitely do it!"
"I have no children and no offspring, so I have no lingering attachments. Although my time is near, I have enjoyed wealth and honor, surpassing many people. The reason I have something specific to tell you is about the future of Yuzhou. What are your thoughts on the future of Yuzhou?" Shan Zhengming asked slowly.
Shen Feng thought for a moment and replied, "Actually, I plan to continue following the nine-character mantra you mentioned: accumulate strength on one hand, and on the other, provide relief to the common people of the world."
"However, if you have the opportunity and find yourself at the forefront, you must leave Yuzhou. What will you do then? Do you not wish to conquer the world at all?" The semi-immortal looked at Shen Feng, as if trying to discern his thoughts from his face.
"To say I don't want to conquer the world would be a complete lie. What men desire most is power and beauty, and I am no exception. However, I also know that if I expand outwards, it will easily lead to war, and more people will be displaced. It's better to stay in Yuzhou and protect the safety of the people," Shen Feng gave his answer.
"This world is changing very rapidly. Perhaps you wish to do this, but you cannot. For a long time, Yuzhou has been like a paradise. Many people from outside have flocked to Yuzhou because it is very peaceful. However, times always change. When the day comes when Yuzhou can no longer remain self-sufficient, you will be forced to go out. What will you do then?" the semi-immortal asked earnestly.
Shen Feng had not really considered this question. Hearing the semi-immortal's inquiry, he hesitated for a moment and then said, "To the northwest is Sichuan Province, the ancient land of abundance. After Liu Bei occupied it, he laid the foundation for the Three Kingdoms. If I can no longer stay here, then I can only develop towards the northwest."
"You are truly muddled! How can you make such a choice? Sichuan Province is densely populated and is a strategic stronghold. It is easy to enter but difficult to exit. Don't forget the Yangtze River waterway! Shen Feng, I give you my final advice: if you truly cannot remain self-sufficient, then expansion is your only option. The primary target for expansion is the Three Gorges. In recent years, Yuzhou has actually been choked. Yuzhou's throat is the Three Gorges. Therefore, to get out, you must go east, first capture the Three Gorges Dam, then control the two lakes region, especially Xiangyang, which must be obtained. Once the two lakes region is in hand, everything will be easier in the future." At this critical juncture, the semi-immortal pointed out a clear path for Shen Feng.
Shen Feng nodded quickly and said, "I understand. If I have to go out in the future, it must be eastward."
Shan Zhengming nodded with satisfaction and said, "I know that City Lord you are a good person and can restrain yourself. In the future, if the tide of the times pushes you to the forefront, you must seize the opportunity and not let it slip away."
Shen Feng nodded quickly. After talking with the semi-immortal for a while, he left. Shan Zhengming also seemed to have let go of all his worries. He was originally just a con man, but because he gained favor from others in the apocalypse, he became a honored guest of many important figures. For an old man to have such glory in his twilight years was not a life lived in vain.
Shan Zhengming recuperated quietly in the hospital. His internal organs had failed and could not last much longer. Finally, one night, half a month later, it was snowing heavily, and the temperature in the room was quite low. Shan Zhengming finally left this world.
Upon hearing this news, Shen Feng immediately ordered a grand funeral for the semi-immortal. Many important figures from Yuzhou attended his funeral, and even people from other factions came to pay their respects. The old man had no children and lived alone. At the funeral, there were no filial sons. At this time, only Yu Zhijing acted as the filial son, wearing mourning clothes to bid farewell to his teacher. Yu Mu, upon learning of her son's choice, was very supportive.
Not long after the funeral ended, Shen Feng also received good news: Chang Haojie, who had lived in the mountains to the south for five years, could finally control his abilities and could return to Yuzhou. The most important thing upon returning to Yuzhou was to get married.