Chu Yue's father was truly generous.
Not only did he find experts, but he also offered three million yuan for the consultation.
Three million yuan, I had never seen so much money in my entire life.
I stood beside them, my eyes wide with astonishment.
Meanwhile, my master and Aunt Yunxia appeared remarkably calm.
Master simply smiled faintly,
"Boss Zhang is too kind."
Seeing that Master had spoken, Zhang Youguo directly handed over the bank card.
Master did not refuse and accepted it without hesitation.
Three million yuan was a considerable fortune for us.
If I were to calculate it based on my previous factory salary, I would never earn that much in my lifetime.
Yet, this money was mere pocket change for Zhang Youguo.
As for this trip to the Spiritual Phantom Domain,
My master and I had nearly died inside.
Accepting this money did not feel wrong.
Seeing Master accept the bank card, Zhang Youguo also smiled happily.
"Master Gu, you must take good care of your injuries.
Having you here in Qingshan City is a blessing for us locals!"
Zhang Youguo, being a businessman, was very good with his words.
My master, hearing this, felt rather pleased.
Master chuckled heartily,
"Boss Zhang flatters me. However, this old Taoist’s health is declining.
The affairs of the shop from now on will be entirely passed down to my disciple, Qin Ze."
Zhang Youguo and Chu Yue were taken aback, both looking towards me.
Seeing them both look at me, I smiled faintly.
Zhang Youguo spoke again,
"Young Master Qin is very capable!
At such a young age, he has received Master Gu’s true teachings.
Furthermore, he has saved Yueyue twice.
It is fortunate that Yueyue has a friend like Young Master Qin."
Chu Yue, upon hearing her father mention this, immediately retorted,
"No, three times.
When I fell into the water in primary school, Qin Ze saved me then too."
Zhang Youguo patted his head, as if suddenly realizing,
"Yes, yes, three times.
Young Master Qin is truly our Yueyue's great benefactor, it's destiny!"
"..."
For a moment, the atmosphere in the ward became lighter due to the arrival of Chu Yue and her father.
However, as Master was still recovering, the nurse mentioned that he needed rest.
So, after chatting for a while, we were asked to leave.
At the same time, Chu Yue and her father bid farewell and left.
As they were leaving, they specifically told me.
They said that my master and I were their family’s lucky stars and benefactors.
If they ever encountered any trouble, and if I could be of use, I should not hesitate to ask.
I replied with a few polite words, saying they were too kind.
Then, I saw them off.
After they left, I also asked Aunt Yunxia to go back and rest.
Not only for these past two days, but Aunt Yunxia had been looking after Master and had not had a proper rest.
However, Aunt Yunxia shook her head and said she was fine.
She would go back later in the evening.
Thus, Aunt Yunxia and I stayed at the hospital to look after Master.
In the afternoon, Old Mo and Xia Qiu Xi also came to visit the hospital.
We had dinner together in the evening, and then I returned to the hospital to keep watch for the night.
And so it went, for a full week of watching over him.
During this week, I was basically at the hospital.
Since there was nothing to do at the hospital, and Master was in a private room,
When he had the energy, Master would teach me some talisman techniques and incantations.
I studied them very diligently.
Anything I couldn't remember, I would write down.
Meanwhile, the expert Zhang Youguo had hired for Master also came to examine him.
He spoke a lot of professional jargon that I, frankly, did not understand.
I only grasped the final outcome.
Quit smoking and drinking, avoid fishy and spicy foods.
Conservative treatment, regular chemotherapy, and maintaining a positive mindset.
Then, he prescribed a bunch of medicine and allowed Master to be discharged.
After leaving the hospital, we headed straight back to the shop.
Aunt Yunxia and Uncle Master had already prepared a table of dishes for Master.
When Master and I arrived,
Aunt Yunxia, Uncle Master, Old Mo, and Xia Qiu Xi were all there.
Even the little fox, Xiao Mei, was present.
However, Xiao Mei had transformed into her human form and was sitting in a corner.
Seeing us return,
Xiao Mei even stood up,
"Master Gu, Qin Ze, you’re back, I missed you so much…"
Xiao Mei spoke with great sincerity.
After not seeing us for over a week,
Xiao Mei’s language skills had improved significantly; her speech was no longer slurred or difficult to understand.
"Xiao Mei! Your pronunciation has become so much more standard."
I replied with a smile.
Master also nodded,
"Sit, sit…"
Xiao Mei gave a foxy smile, appearing quite alluring.
At the same time, she looked a little pleased,
"I study every day."
I nodded.
After chatting with Xiao Mei for a bit,
She mentioned that during our absence, besides foraging for food in the mountains,
She would hide in the shadows, observing others speak, and then practice.
As soon as Master sat down, he signaled me to pour him some wine.
Seeing that Master wanted to drink, I furrowed my brow,
"Master, the doctor said you're not supposed to drink when you were discharged."
Master, however, shot me a glare,
"Life and death are predetermined; I know my body very well. Pour it!"
Master was insistent.
Unable to stop him, I poured him a small cup.
Who knew that as soon as Master finished pouring a cup, he raised it towards Uncle Master and said,
"Old bastard, this cup, I’ll drink it."
After saying that, Master downed the white wine in the cup in one go.
Uncle Master, seeing Master act this way, was stunned for a moment.
He looked at my master with some suspicion.
But soon, Uncle Master understood what my master meant.
He wanted to reconcile with him.
With a calm smile,
"Forget it! The past is like the wind."
After saying that, he poured himself a cup and drank it in one gulp.
This time, it was Master and Uncle Master who willingly resolved their past grievances and reconciled.
"Isn't that better? Sister will rest in peace knowing this,"
Aunt Yunxia said.
Master and Uncle Master exchanged glances.
They said nothing, but a沧桑 (cāngsāng - vicissitude/weather-beaten) smile touched their lips.
The knots that had been tied for so many years were finally untangled today.
As disciples, both I and Old Mo were naturally happy.
After all, Master and Uncle Master were fellow disciples.
Although they quarreled every time they met over the years,
But Old Mo and I could see that their hearts held no more hatred.
Otherwise, when Master and I were trapped in the Spiritual Phantom Domain, Uncle Master would not have been so anxious and angry when he came to rescue us.
The reason the situation had become so strained was simply that the two old fellows were too proud.
Neither was willing to back down, which led to their perpetually irreconcilable state over the years.
In the end, it was completely unnecessary.
"Eat, eat, this meal is on me!"
Master said with a hearty laugh.
The atmosphere was very harmonious.
Master drank several cups in a row, completely disregarding the doctor’s advice.
Neither I, his disciple, nor Aunt Yunxia could stop him.
After a few drinks, Master and Uncle Master began to reminisce, talking about their youth.
About how they wandered together and then were accepted as disciples by Grandmaster Jiuxuan Zhenren.
Upon hearing this, I and Old Mo finally understood.
The order in which Master and Uncle Master were accepted as disciples was actually determined by Grandmaster Jiuxuan Zhenren through a drawing of lots.
When he spoke of this,
Master even burst into hearty laughter.
Only Uncle Master had a dark expression…
However, after several rounds of drinks and feasting,
Master suddenly stood up.
He addressed everyone at the table,
"Everyone, quiet down for a moment.
I have something to announce!"
Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.
Then, they all looked up at my master.
Fueled by the wine, my master then spoke very formally,
"Although I have been discharged today.
I am well aware of my physical condition.
Therefore, in front of everyone today,
I hereby announce.
This humble Taoist, Gu Hui, the sixty-sixth generation disciple of the God of Mount Tai, with the Taoist name Long Teng.
I now declare that the sixty-seventh generation disciple, Qin Ze, with the Taoist name Yin Ze.
Effective from today, will be transferred to the Wanfu Hall.
Let Qin Ze establish his own lineage.
And preside over Yin Yang matters…"
As he said this, Master suddenly formed a sword finger with his left hand.
He quickly chanted a phrase,
And pointed in front of him.
Instantly, a yellow light appeared.
A phantom, elongated talisman materialized out of thin air…