Though they had committed many wicked deeds in their past lives, they still understood the concept of "returning a favor."
In other words, this was called righteousness in the human world.
Even bandits followed rules, didn't they? This was called "even thieves have their code."
No one knew why they adhered to these so-called rules and righteousness, but these intangible things indeed influenced all living beings within the three realms.
Seeing the headless corpses depart, "Xue" Shen breathed a sigh of relief.
As a result of this good deed, another fruit sprouted from the wellspring of blessings beside Xue Guilan's root of blessings.
Liu Sandao, though asleep, had maintained a sliver of consciousness, preparing to listen to the song of the fruit of blessings again, but he heard nothing.
Unbeknownst to them, dawn broke.
As usual, they went for their morning stroll. Liu Sandao and Bai Suxiang were accustomed to this; it had become part of their experience of life.
However, upon their return, Xue Guilan's daughter and son-in-law arrived.
This time, they had specifically called a taxi.
"Mom, let's go to the hospital for a check-up today! We must get a thorough examination this time!"
Her daughter said, while busily finding clothes for her.
Seeing their demeanor, Bai Suxiang realized they weren't just going for a check-up, but were preparing for hospitalization.
She immediately pulled Xue Guilan's daughter aside and asked, "What's wrong? Why do you need to pack clothes for a check-up?"
"Shh! Keep your voice down!" her daughter whispered, "Mom is sick. We've urged her to get checked up many times, but she wouldn't listen. Actually, she was diagnosed with cancer years ago, and she gave up treatment then."
"It's been years. Could it be that they were mistaken back then? Isn't she perfectly fine now?" Bai Suxiang guessed.
"We thought so too. We asked doctors who specialize in related illnesses, and they said this condition can't be delayed any longer, and she might not have much time left." Xue Guilan's daughter said, her voice catching, trying to suppress her grief so as not to worry Xue Guilan.
"I see!"
Liu Sandao, upon hearing them, probed with his divine sense but found nothing.
Xue Guilan's body was healthy, without any ailments.
However, he couldn't tell them this directly; they would only believe what the examination showed.
"No, I won't go. I won't waste money. With that money, I'd rather donate it to children in need!" Xue Guilan refused to be examined.
"Mom, what are you saying? If you're sick, you need treatment. It's not like it can't be cured!" her daughter chided.
"Alas, forget it. I know my own body. You coming here today is just to tell me the time has come, isn't it? Don't worry, Mom has already made arrangements. Just bury me with your father when I die! He even visited me yesterday; it seems it's true!"
"Mom! What are you saying? The doctor said we should get you checked. What if you get better?"
"No, I won't go. This is my decision, and I'm not going!" Xue Guilan insisted, leaving her daughter and son-in-law helpless.
This wasn't the first time they had been refused; they had lost count of how many times.
Seeing the old lady's unwillingness, her daughter and son-in-law sent the taxi away.
Bai Suxiang wanted to know how Xue Guilan contracted the illness, so she inquired with her daughter.
It turned out that many years ago, Xue Guilan had been diagnosed with a tumor in her pancreas.
Because the tumor was large and the surgery carried significant risks, coupled with their financial constraints, she hadn't undergone surgery back then.
It was also for this reason that Xue Guilan had dedicated herself to scavenging. She said that while she was still alive, she wanted to help as many people as she could.
The pain from this illness came in waves. During painful episodes, she was bedridden for days. Initially, the intervals were short, but they gradually lengthened.
Xue Guilan had long since inquired about her condition. Others told her: this was the tumor spreading within her body, and the ensuing pain would be throughout her entire body, at which point her life would end.
Upon hearing this, Xue Guilan was completely resigned.
Since death was inevitable, she wanted to die a meaningful death.
"A person must die, but death can be as weighty as Mount Tai or as light as a feather!"
This had always been her motto.
She had also always told her daughter and other children to have aspirations.
Initially, everyone had dismissed her words.
Society had changed, and people had become pragmatic. No one considered "striving for ideals" as a life motto anymore. However, because of Xue Guilan, they unintentionally found themselves participating in small acts of helping others.
Bai Suxiang understood. Perhaps Director Cai, Xue Guilan's daughter and son-in-law, and others who scavenged with her every few days or helped others were doing so by emulation.
It seemed imitation was easy, but becoming a role model was difficult.
Xue Guilan had persisted in her path of scavenging for over a decade. Such perseverance alone was enough to inspire admiration.
After hearing her daughter recount these events, Bai Suxiang fell into a daze for a while.
Suddenly, she seemed to remember something and rushed to Liu Sandao.
"Liu Sandao, you can treat illnesses, can't you? Why don't you help Teacher Xue?"
Liu Sandao was in the backyard with Xue Guilan, sorting through the pile of scrap, preparing to sell it for money that day.
"What are you talking about? He can treat illnesses?" Xue Guilan asked doubtfully, utterly incredulous.
The person before her was no older than thirty, and didn't look like a doctor at all. Besides, Bai Suxiang had previously described him as a dissolute young master. Now he could apparently treat illnesses? How could she believe it?
Xue Guilan's daughter, seeing Bai Suxiang suddenly run out, grew suspicious and followed her to the backyard.
Upon hearing Bai Suxiang's words, they also found it hard to believe.
Despite their doubts, their gazes all fell upon Liu Sandao simultaneously.
"I wouldn't dare. I'm a rich young master experiencing life here. If I had such abilities, would I need to experience life?" Liu Sandao's reply deeply disappointed Bai Suxiang.
Liu Sandao had his own reasons for refusing.
Xue Guilan was not seriously ill; she only needed regular check-ups at the hospital.
Although he could treat illnesses, it wasn't through medical skill, but through sorcery.
Treating an illness in this manner might lead to the patient's recovery, but if anything were to happen to them later, they might blame him for saying she was not ill, delaying treatment and tarnishing his reputation.
Of course, Xue Guilan was not that kind of person.
From Liu Sandao's words, Bai Suxiang sensed something amiss and realized that her previous lies might be exposed. She quickly interjected, "I saw you save... didn't you say you had a family tradition of medical skills? Why are you saying this now..."