"Look, Elder Wang is simply overjoyed to the point of silliness."
After speaking, he sighed as if it were genuine, "Elder Wang has really worked hard these past few years. Not only has he aged so much, but his hair has turned half white. If I don't let him rest properly now, and he falls ill from exhaustion, how could I bear it!"
As his voice faded, murmurs of admiration rose from the surroundings.
"The Valley Master is truly a person who values loyalty and righteousness, just as he was before." These were the words of the elders.
"The Valley Master is as good as I heard. From now on, I will follow the Valley Master's lead." This was said by a newly admitted disciple.
Wang Dahong, having sobered up, was so dejected upon hearing these words that he felt like spitting blood.
Yuan Heng truly held a grudge against him. When Yuan Heng was around, he was completely suppressed.
Now that Yuan Heng was well again, he had become invisible.
Clearly, Yuan Heng had been praising himself by stepping on him just now, yet everyone acted as if they hadn't heard, only thinking Yuan Heng was good, without giving him a second glance.
This realization made Wang Dahong so frustrated he wanted to die.
Yet, he couldn't say anything.
Anyone in such a predicament would feel like dying.
Yuan Heng, looking at Wang Dahong's face, which was as red as a pig's liver, and his indignant yet speechless demeanor, felt incredibly satisfied.
The grievances he had endured for so many years were finally being vented.
He had also made up his mind that he would have to listen to that girl Shen Xiaoyan from now on.
With just a couple of casual words, she could make Wang Dahong suffer like this, which was much more fun than killing him directly.
To maintain his image and to prevent Yuan Heng from killing him outright, Wang Dahong could only agree to Yuan Heng's proposal.
Wang Dahong's ability to keep Yuan Heng trapped for over a hundred years indicated that his mind was sharp.
Therefore, even after being shocked, he could quickly assess the situation and choose the best course of action for himself.
"Congratulations to the Valley Master on your recovery. From now on, all matters of the valley will be handled by you, and I can finally have a good rest."
Wang Dahong tried his best to keep his tone normal, but it still sounded a bit awkward.
However, no one around thought much of it, assuming that Wang Dahong had a good relationship with Yuan Heng and was simply overcome with emotion upon seeing him well.
Yuan Heng stood with his hands behind his back, watching Wang Dahong's receding figure, which seemed somewhat forlorn and desolate, and felt a pang of melancholy.
He was merely sighing, realizing how quickly people's hearts could change.
In his memory, it felt like they were once the best of brothers, only to turn into sworn enemies the next day.
Was this the impermanence of life?
Yuan Heng exchanged a few more words with the disciples and elders, then told everyone to go back and rest, and that any further discussions would wait until tomorrow.
Everyone, thinking Yuan Heng needed to rest well after his recovery, quickly dispersed.
The entire group vanished within mere breaths.
Their speed surprised even Yuan Heng.
When Shen Xiaoyan and the others saw him walking into the courtyard, they heard him ask with a hint of confusion, "How is it that in just a hundred years, everyone's speed has increased so much? Do I, at my age, need to cultivate some speed technique?"
Hearing this, Shen Xiaoyan and the others were utterly speechless.
When Shen Xiaoyan heard him refer to himself as "this old man" and "this old man's age," she felt like crying.
Who could tell her that the person she had saved, the Valley Master, had turned into this?
Turning, Shen Xiaoyan glared at Yi Zhixie.
"Why is your maternal grandfather so different from you?"
Yi Zhixie was utterly bewildered, "What are you talking about?"
Shen Xiaoyan puffed out her cheeks and asked again, "Why is your maternal grandfather so different from you?"
Yi Zhixie finally heard Shen Xiaoyan's question clearly, but he was even more confused.
He scratched his head helplessly, "How could my maternal grandfather be like me?"
Zheng Wei, overhearing their nonsensical conversation, almost burst out laughing.
How had his Maimai become so adorable?
Who did she take after!
Perhaps because he had just put Wang Dahong in his place, Yuan Heng was in an exceptionally good mood.
After dinner, he kept recounting his past exploits.
Even after dinner, he refused to let Shen Xiaoyan and the others leave, insisting they were kindred spirits and wanted to chat until dawn.
Finally, Song Yan dragged him away by the ear, allowing Shen Xiaoyan and the others to return to their rooms to rest.
After washing up, Shen Xiaoyan lay in Zheng Wei's arms, unable to fall asleep for a long time.
Zheng Wei knew what Shen Xiaoyan was thinking, but this was not something that could be resolved with just a few words of comfort. Therefore, Zheng Wei didn't try to persuade her further, but simply held her tightly in his arms, as if to tell her that he would always be by her side.
Having been together for so long and experienced so many things, their understanding was unspoken. Shen Xiaoyan naturally understood what Zheng Wei meant.
The next morning, just as dawn broke, Shen Xiaoyan was woken up.
She snuggled into Zheng Wei's chest, not wanting to get up.
However, the loud, booming voice from outside made it impossible for her to continue sleeping.
After trying to snuggle for a while with no success, Shen Xiaoyan reluctantly sat up.
Zheng Wei slowly got up as well, looking at Shen Xiaoyan's slightly messy hair with doting eyes.
"If Maimai is still sleepy, go back to the space and sleep for a while."
Shen Xiaoyan shook her head. It wasn't that she was sleepy, but she really didn't want to go out!
She had truly witnessed Yuan Heng's prowess yesterday.
When she first arrived at Medicine Emperor Valley, Yuan Heng had been unconscious.
After he woke up, he was weak and had been focused on recuperating.
Therefore, yesterday was the first time she had seen the healthy, true Yuan Heng.
However, she was somewhat overwhelmed.
Despite her reluctance, she had no choice but to get up.
Even while washing her face, Zheng Wei could hear Shen Xiaoyan muttering continuously, complaining about why a Valley Master would have such a temper.
Where was the dignified and noble demeanor she expected?
As they finished washing and opened the door, they saw Yuan Heng standing in the courtyard, practicing punches with vigorous spirit.
If it were just that, it would be fine.
But the Valley Master, alas.
When Shen Xiaoyan saw Yuan Hao and his son, and Yi Zhixie practicing punches not far behind Yuan Heng, their movements as clumsy as fluffing cotton, she was instantly satisfied.
She had already suffered greatly from being woken up, and now there were four more who were even worse off.
Yuan Heng had already seen them and flashed them a brilliant smile. In the next second, he roared at Zheng Wei:
"Young man, what are you sleeping in for? Come over and practice your punches quickly. Let me tell you, if you master my boxing technique, I guarantee you can be like me, full of vigor even at your age. This is something others can only dream of!"
Hearing Yuan Heng constantly praising himself, Shen Xiaoyan couldn't help but stifle a laugh.
However, adopting a "misery loves company" attitude,
She nudged Zheng Wei, "Go quickly, don't make the Valley Master anxious. I'll go check the kitchen."
Zheng Wei shook his head helplessly and walked towards Yuan Heng, eventually standing with Yi Zhixie and practicing punches along with Yuan Heng, their postures identical.
Yi Zhixie only raised his eyelids when he heard the sound of air being cut by the punches beside him.
"You really have strength!"
After saying this one sentence, Yi Zhixie yawned three times. Anyone would think he hadn't slept all night.
Zheng Wei glanced at him indifferently, not saying a word.
After a while, Yi Zhixie finally managed to open his eyes properly. He looked around and said, "Where is that kid Lu Taobao? Everyone is here, why isn't he?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the door to Lu Taobao's room opened.
Lu Taobao twisted his body and emerged from the room. Upon seeing the courtyard full of people practicing punches, his movements froze mid-air.
So, he hadn't been dreaming?
Yuan Heng was really making them practice punches!
Thinking he was dreaming, he went back to sleep!
Lu Taobao looked pleadingly at Zheng Wei and Yi Zhixie, but they merely gave him a look of "good luck."
Yuan Heng finally spoke, "Young Lu, you can really sleep!"
Lu Taobao chuckled a few times, his eyes darting around. After a moment, he said, "Well, Valley Master, I'm still young, so it's normal to sleep more. I'm still growing!"
Yuan Heng wasn't angry hearing his earnest nonsense.
"If you're still growing, you should exercise more. How about this, we've finished our practice, you can stay here and practice for half an hour by yourself. I'll sit here and watch, so you don't overexert yourself due to your youth and get injured."
After speaking, Yuan Heng indeed stopped and told Zheng Wei and the others to go rest.
He himself quickly entered the house and soon emerged carrying a small stool.
He didn't go downstairs but sat on the steps, crossed his legs, and gestured to Lu Taobao, "What are you standing around for? Express your gratitude!"
Lu Taobao felt like crying without tears.
Had this Valley Master recovered too well, with too much energy?
Regardless of Lu Taobao's internal grumbling, he still practiced punches for half an hour under everyone's gaze.
However, there were benefits to this. After finishing, he felt that the lingering laziness had completely disappeared, and he felt unusually awake.
As soon as he stood up straight, he saw Bai Ying walking over with a wooden tray. As she passed him, she smiled brightly at him, "Tired? Time to eat."
Lu Taobao was dazzled by Bai Ying's smile and could only nod foolishly, following behind her into the room.
Shen Xiaoyan, Na Muzhong, and the others also entered, each carrying a wooden tray laden with their breakfast for the day.
There were no maids in this small courtyard. Their previous meals were all delivered by people sent by Wang Dahong.
Although they were not poisoned, they were certainly not delicious, let alone varied.
It wasn't until Shen Xiaoyan and the others arrived that they started cooking with ingredients from Shen Xiaoyan's space.
At that time, it was always Shen Xiaoyan, Na Muzhong, and Bai Ying who cooked. Now that Yuan Heng had fully recovered, Song Yan was relieved and brought his wife and granddaughter to help with the cooking.