Chapter 36: Surely You’re Not Taking Lin Nan As A Disciple Because Of This, Right?
“Alright, the old man’s matters have nothing to do with you all. General Meng’s condition has indeed improved greatly. Keep taking the previous medicine for now. Today I got another ginseng. I’ll make new medicine later and bring it over. If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back first,” the little old man said.
“Good, then I’ll see Old Cui off,” Fu Jing turned and said.
“No need, I know the way. You hurry and stay with General Meng. He might say something more later! Just remember to come to my place to get the medicine then,” the little old man waved his hand, not letting him move.
Meng Yichen was standing outside the crowd. Seeing this, he hurriedly said, “Brother Jing, you don’t need to go. I can go.”
“Alright then, Yi Chen, you see Old Cui off,” Fu Jing nodded and returned to Meng Yixuan’s bedside.
“What do you want to say to this old man of mine?” Once in the courtyard, the little old man looked at Meng Yichen and asked.
“You really can’t hide anything from you, sir,” Meng Yichen smiled, “I’ve been thinking just now. About that little disciple you mentioned before, if it’s convenient, could you take me to meet him?”
“You’ve really made up your mind?” The little old man eyed him suspiciously, “You’re not eyeing their village’s back mountain, are you!”
“The way you put it, sir,” Meng Yichen smiled wryly, “Am I that kind of person? Though it does have some relation, it doesn’t conflict with me teaching him either.”
“Alright then. I’ll notify you when I go there again. But let’s be clear upfront: if you’re not sincere about teaching that child, say so early. His older sister isn’t easy to fool. Who knows, you might even need to rely on her to go up the mountain later. It’d be a case of good intentions backfiring.”
“Old Cui means that pair of siblings has quite a background?”
“I didn’t say that,” the little old man shook his head, “I’m just reminding you. That girl may come from a poor family, but the aura she has isn’t something an ordinary farm girl would possess. And… and she has something that people like your brother possess.”
“What thing?” Meng Yichen asked blankly.
“Killing intent!” The little old man tossed out those two words, turned, and climbed onto his own horse carriage.
By the time Meng Yichen reacted and wanted to ask more, he could only see the back of a horse carriage.
“This Old Cui!”
Back in Meng Yixuan’s room, Meng Yichen recounted his conversation with the little old man word for word to everyone.
“What kind of siblings would make Old Cui think of taking a disciple? I’m quite curious,” Chu Yu spoke first.
“Yeah! Killing intent? How could a little girl from a village below have killing intent?” Gao Yong simply didn’t believe it.
Only Fu Jing looked at Meng Yichen: “Yi Chen, you…” He didn’t quite know what to say.
“Brother Jing, you don’t need to be like this. Actually, Brother Ling Qing was right. I do need some fresh things too. Besides, my brother and you all take such good care of me. I’m willing to do something for you all,” Meng Yichen said with a smile.
“Alright, when that day comes, bro will go with you. Let’s see just what kind of person this little disciple of Old Cui is, and his older sister—with killing intent?” Fu Jing knew he couldn’t stop Meng Yichen, so this was the best method he could think of at present. Moreover, he too had grown a bit interested in the siblings Old Cui mentioned.
“Good.” Meng Yichen smiled happily.
Soon, three days passed. In these three days, Meng Yixuan’s condition got better and better. The frequency of his finger movements increased, and occasional mutterings even produced sounds. But there still wasn’t much that could be made out clearly—just things like “data”, “get out fast”, “ambush”, “danger”, “enter the mountain”, etc. No one could connect those words together.
In these three days, Lin Xin wasn’t idle either. She went to the old clan leader’s house and asked about the procedures for apprenticeship here and the things that needed preparation.
When the old clan leader heard it was the old doctor from the medical hall in town who wanted to take Lin Nan as a disciple, he was very happy for the siblings and even wanted to cover all the costs of the apprenticeship ceremony, but Lin Xin politely declined.
“Clan Leader Grandfather, I know you’re concerned for Nan Nan and me, but we can’t rely on you for everything either. Moreover, I’ve grown up now and have the ability to create better conditions for Nan Nan. When I need it, I’ll definitely come to you, Clan Leader Grandfather, just like now.”
“Good, good, good. In the future, when Nan Xiaozi makes it big, don’t forget to bring good news to Clan Leader Grandfather.”
“Rest assured! We remember all the kindness you’ve shown us!”
The next day, Lin Xin and Lin Nan went to town, bought all the things the old clan leader specified, and specially grew some high-quality medicinal herbs like astragalus, lingzhi mushroom, and angelica. They also found a box of precious tea and exquisite tea set from the supplies collected in the apocalypse.
On the third day, she and Lin Nan both changed into relatively formal clothes and took those things to the little old man’s medical hall.
Hearing their purpose, the little old man was so happy his mouth wouldn’t close. He hurriedly sent someone to the Meng Family to fetch Meng Yichen as a witness. Unexpectedly, besides Meng Yichen, Fu Jing also came.
When he saw the two siblings standing in the little old man’s room, Fu Jing’s eyes involuntarily narrowed. These two children’s appearances…
“Oh, you’ve finally come. Quick, let me introduce you. This is the little disciple I’m taking, Lin Nan. This is his older sister, also his only family in this world.” The little old man’s last sentence was said looking at Fu Jing and Meng Yichen. Then he introduced the two of them to Lin Xin and her brother.
Upon hearing Fu Jing’s identity, Lin Xin’s first thought was the copper tube she had tossed into her space, taken from the tiger’s hind leg. So she quietly began observing Fu Jing.
Tall and lean build, stern face, righteous air between his brows, a pair of fox eyes containing shrewdness, as if always scheming, yet not off-putting. Moreover, he had a scholarly air, not much like a decisive general, but more like a strategizing military advisor.
However, Lin Xin had seen his hands when he picked up tea—the base of his thumb and palm were covered in thin calluses, clearly from long-term weapon use. His steps were steady and solid, showing he had solid kung fu.
“Alright, everyone’s here. Let’s start quickly!” the little old man said impatiently.
With his word, everyone took their seats respectively.
Little Lin Nan glanced at his older sister. Under her encouraging gaze, he seriously patted his clothes with both hands, washed them once on each side with the water brought by the little disciple beside him, and dried them.
Then he knelt on both knees before the little old man, kowtowed three times, and uttered his childish voice: “Master above, please accept this disciple’s bow.”
The little old man cheerfully told him to rise, accepting his wish to become a disciple.
Next came the gift presentation. Lin Nan offered the “six rites tuition fees” Lin Xin had prepared in advance, as well as extra gifts like medicinal herbs, tea, and tea set.
The little old man stroked his beard as he received them. The little disciple beside him handed over a tea cup.
Lin Nan carefully took it with his small hands and offered it with both hands before the little old man. “Master, please drink tea.”
After the little old man took it and sipped, he began his admonition.
“Lin Nan, since you’ve entered my door, you must remember to respect life, achieve great medical sincerity, study diligently, research assiduously, and carry forward medical culture.”
“Yes, Master. This disciple will remember,” Lin Nan replied earnestly.
At this point, all the procedures were complete. The little old man happily stroked his beard and laughed heartily, clearly in an excellent mood.
Thanks to xy Xiaoyue, caroletu, Song of the Goat and Eyes’s Story, Zhang Wenmei, Leng Yue Wusheng-ad, Linglong Bao, Wuxing Queqian 768, Ji Jia Xinxian, Soul on the Run.!, Yang Yaling, Book Friend 20230502967-Ed for the votes. Thanks to caroletu for the tip. Thank you everyone, many thanks!
