Chapter 1309: Ancestral Traditions (Part 2) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]

A medical consultation?

That's not something I can tell.

Tu Rong looked at him; tall and strong, with abundant energy and a light step—he seemed like a promising young man who had cultivated his inner strength to a certain level. However, it was hard to say. His old friend himself suffered from hidden injuries from his youth, which affected his quality of life in old age. He earnestly concerned, he said, "If you have any health problems, you must not hide them from medical treatment, or you will regret it."

Don't take illness for granted just because you're young and strong.

At first glance, his old friend's words seemed reasonable, but to Chu Yao, they carried a bitter truth. He couldn't be blunt in front of his friend. As a mentor, he wasn't in a hurry to pressure the younger generation to marry and have children; he believed everything should be left to fate. However, voluntarily giving up one's lineage and being passively deprived of the right to have no heirs were two different things. He was the only son left in Tu Rong's entire family; he couldn't afford to lose him!

Gongyang Yongye never expected to witness such a spectacle.

The Minister of the Imperial Secretariat of Kang State, the head of all officials, was usually so composed that he wouldn't flinch even if Mount Tai collapsed before him. But now, his facial features were twitching slightly, and he looked worried and distressed... Anyone who didn't know the situation would think he had a terminal illness. Hmm, perhaps even if he had a terminal illness, he wouldn't be this flustered. Thinking this, Gongyang Yongye couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Chu Yao asked, "Is Xianrong's condition serious?"

Tu Rong looked bewildered and asked, "What's so serious?"

He had only acted impulsively, seeking a beating from Gongxi Chou, and all 206 bones in his body ached. His muscles felt like raw materials for a beef ball, beaten into a pulpy mess by Gongxi Chou. Even the circulation of his martial energy could only alleviate the tearing pain, while Gongxi Chou continued his sarcastic and mental attacks. Gongyang Junhou, being kind-hearted, observed the scene and then said he possessed a unique massage technique and secret recipe, which was guaranteed to be effective.

They even helped him review and give him pointers.

Here are a few tips for catching snakes.

Gongxi Chou scoffed, "If you can't even hit him, how could he?"

Gongyang Yongye's own record isn't good either.

[Your Martial Gallant Totem sheds its skin at least twice a year, right? Each time it sheds its skin, it goes blind for six or seven days. It chooses the time to find you, so why can't it?] Gongyang Yongye travels to deep mountains and forests to find medicinal herbs all year round and has dealt with snakes a lot. Naturally, he knows the habits of snakes. Martial Gallant Warriors and Martial Gallant Totems are deeply bound and influence each other. Gongxi Chou also suffers from blindness due to molting.

This kind of molting is passive. If Gong Xi Chou actively molts to accelerate the recovery from serious injuries, the number of times is unpredictable.

Gongxi Chou, whose weakness had been exposed: [...]

The blindness during the molting period is different from his previous blindness; the latter was simply due to poisoning, while the former is accompanied by weakness and fatigue. Tu Rong hurriedly covered his ears to prove his innocence, but Gong Xi Chou said, "Why are you covering your ears?"

Even during the weakened period of molting, he can still be manipulated at will.

Tu Rong shrank his neck.

His fear of Gongxi Chou was something he had developed in his childhood.

Gong Xichou remarked, "I hope you're not wearing a pig's brain on your neck, so you don't get sold out with just a few words."

Why does Gongyang Yongye get close to Tu Rong for no reason?

Something unusual must be going on.

Gong Xichou wasn't curious about what this "demon" was.

Upon hearing that Gongyang Yongye was currently without a place to stay, Tu Rong brought him back. He spent most of his time living with his teacher, Chu Yao, in a spacious place. Since Gongyang Yongye was currently without any allegiance, it would be more reassuring to have him under his watchful eye.

Gongyang Yongye said, "It's not a big problem."

Chu Yao felt slightly relieved.

I plan to have a private doctor examine me again.

No matter how skilled Gongyang Yongye, this barefoot itinerant doctor, was in urology, he was still far inferior to a seasoned physician. He introduced Tu Rong to his old friend and grandson, but did not name Gongyang Yongye, only vaguely implying that this doctor was no ordinary person.

"This junior, Tu Rong, greets you both."

Looking at the tall young man, even his old friend couldn't find any flaws.

"What a promising young man! Wu Hui really knows how to teach children. If I had such a descendant, how could my family not prosper?" Taking the opportunity of patting Tu Rong's shoulder, he tentatively squeezed the other's muscles. How could thin clothing possibly block the youth's vigorous heat?

With a solid foundation, he is indeed a promising talent for martial arts.

Tu Rong usually drilled soldiers and wrestled with his colleagues without thinking there was anything wrong with physical contact. But when this senior soldier pinched his arm, he felt a strange, tingling sensation, as if an electric current was running through his body, and he felt like a piece of fresh meat lying on a chopping board.

Out of politeness, the smile was awkward but still courteous.

Chu Yao was wary of Gongyang Yongye, and his old friend dared not be impolite. Adhering to the principle that since they were already there, they decided to have a meal together. Chu Yao ordered the kitchen to add two more tables: "I did not know your preferences, my lord. We only have simple home-cooked dishes. Please forgive any shortcomings in our hospitality."

Gongyang Yongye said, "I'm not picky."

Since it was he who had come to disturb the host's home, Gongyang Yongye wasn't entirely unreasonable, especially since he had come with a purpose. Just as Gongxi Chou had guessed, his sudden attempt to get close to Tu Rong was purposeful, and his purpose was simple.

Of the only two known owners of the second-grade superior-level Wenxin in Kang Guoming's purview, a master and disciple, only one of whom is a woman, Gongyang Yongye would undoubtedly consider Lin Feng first. Since Lin Feng is currently unavailable, he has turned to Lin Feng's relatives. Tu Rong is her senior brother, and Chu Yao is her master. Given that Chu Yao is also a cunning old fox, Gongyang Yongye plans to start with Tu Rong.

He had already prepared his speech in his mind.

He was old enough to know his place and wouldn't covet a young woman in her prime, much less harbor any presumptuous or offensive thoughts. Therefore, he posed no risk of giving Chu Yao another centenarian son-in-law. If Lin Feng was willing to help, he would definitely repay him!

Get the biggest return with the least effort.

No matter how you calculate it, you're not losing out.

Of course, this is just his idea.

The support of a 19th-rank Marquis within the Pass was indeed a great temptation, but its appeal to Lin Feng was limited. Her current political capital was already formidable, and there was no need for her to take on uncertain risks for an extra bargaining chip.

Gongyang Yongye understood this, but still wanted to give it a try.

What if it works?

Shen Tang poured cold water on his enthusiasm: "You'll only get beaten up."

Do you want to die if you touch Chu Yao's heart and soul?

Gongyang Yongye retorted, "[I am, after all, a nineteenth-rank Marquis within the Passes; if it weren't for… I might have been a twentieth-rank Marquis long ago. How many people throughout history have reached that level? I certainly wouldn't be a burden to someone with a second-rank upper-middle aptitude!]"

The mortality rate for martial arts practitioners is extremely high.

In terms of rarity and value, it is no less than that of a second-grade or upper-middle grade.

A powerful alliance doesn't mean he should marry his apprentice to Chu Yao.

Having multiple political allies means it's a win-win situation no matter how you look at it.

Shen Tang glared at the old scoundrel: "There aren't many nineteenth-rank Marquises within the Pass, but you're too old. If you were to find an ally through marriage, wouldn't Gongxi, Chou, Yuanmou, Wen Shi, Xianrong, Shenlu, or any of them be suitable? Oh, Yuanmou isn't an option; that grass is already taken. In short, they have talent, they're young, and they have plenty of choices if they really want to be a stepmother. I advise you to wait patiently for Cui Zhi's news."

The prerequisite for a successful exchange of benefits is to use one's surplus to acquire what the other party desperately needs. Gongyang Yongye was destined to run into a brick wall. As a free individual without any affiliation, Shen Tang couldn't control where Gongyang Yongye chose to go…

Upon hearing Gong Xichou say that Gongyang Yongye had gone to see Tu Rong, Shen Tang almost choked on his saliva: "That old man, he really dares to do that?"

Gong Xichou raised an eyebrow, wanting to know what kind of medicine the gourd was selling.

Shen Tang said, "He is missing one ingredient for the Gu poison."

"Who can I borrow the Gu talisman from?"

The python, which had been rubbing and shedding its skin in the crevices of the intertwined artificial rockery, stopped moving and poked its head out from behind a rock.

His vertical snake eyes were filled with great doubt.

"They probably want to find Ling De."

His snake eyes flashed with a chilling light, and his thick tail flicked erratically. Gong Xi Chou flicked his forked tongue, hissing softly: "Old man, you've got high standards. I'll go give him a good shave!"

Just as the pupa was about to burst open, its tail was struck by a wooden stick.

"Quiet!" Ji Moqiu sat at the highest point of the artificial hill and said calmly and ruthlessly, "Remember to get a complete snakeskin."

Normal snake skin is a good medicine for treating mouth ulcers.

The snake skin of the Warrior's Totem is especially known for its medicinal properties.

The crafting of a particular Gu worm required snake skin of this quality. If Gong Xi Chou weren't his own brother, Ji Mo Qiu would have loved to lock him up and have him shed a skin every day. But they were brothers, so Ji Mo Qiu could only time it perfectly and wait for his brother to shed his skin on his own.

Gong Xichou: "..."

He still doesn't understand the logic behind the high priest's practice of poisoning.

Why would someone need snakeskin with a warrior's totem?

Just as he didn't understand why human soul was also a medicine.

"Am I more important, or is snakeskin more important?"

"Your Highness is the most important."

"So annoying, so annoying, so annoying..."

Gongxi Chou swam back and forth, Gongxi Chou swam back and forth.

To make matters worse, Shen Tang added fuel to the fire, gloating from the sidelines, "...It's rare to see Feng En so lively."

Gong Xichou's answer was like a stone that had flown by.

I can't stay in this house for even a day longer.

Having finally shed the skin he had worn out in the second half of the year, Gong Xichou was too exhausted to move. He swam toward his elder brother while shrinking his body.

Its cool body wrapped around its elder brother's neck and arms, resembling a net-like scarf from afar. However, it was too long, neglecting its tail. A drooping tail was fine, but a drooping head was uncomfortable, and in its daze, it swam back to Shen Tang's neck.

He begged for mercy before Shen Tang could pinch his vital spot.

"Mama, please have pity on this blind snake."

Forced to wear multiple scarves, Shen Tang had no choice but to put her hands down.

"...Is something wrong with him?"

Although molting does take a lot of effort from him and will leave him feeling weak and uncomfortable for a short time, his strength will only decrease by 10% or 20%, not to this extent. Ji Moqiu succinctly replied: "Cold."

Gongxi Chou is a snake from the north.

At this time of year, the mountains in the Northwest are already snowbound, but the temperature in the Southwest might cause him to misjudge the long-standing patterns in his body. Coupled with his special molting period, he's prone to feeling listless. Shen Tang flicked away Gong Xi Chou's slid head with her finger.

The python suddenly barked like a dog: "Awooo!"

Ji Moqiu flicked a Gu worm into his mouth to strengthen his body and replenish his vital energy.

"You two are abusing each other and you're even working together?"

The worm almost got stuck in his trachea and killed him.

Gongxi Chou's desire to kill his brother and annihilate the gods reached its peak.

The next day, he finally recovered from his dejected state. With a thin veil covering his nose to block out the light, he went straight to Tu Rong: "Did that old bastard Gongyang Yongye say anything last night?"

Tu Rong was inspecting the troops' training with a roujiamo (Chinese hamburger) in his mouth.

Before he could even sit down and rest, Gongxi Chou appeared out of nowhere. Without those eyes watching him, Tu Rong felt he didn't look as terrifying as yesterday: "My lord? What did you say, my lord?"

"Did Gongyang Yongye speak with your teacher privately?"

"Yes, we do."

I don't know what they talked about.

"Anything else?"

Tu Rong was confused: "What? There's more?"

Seeing that Tu Rong was unaware, Gong Xiqiu felt relieved despite his initial doubts and waved his hand, saying, "It's nothing, pretend I didn't ask."

A familiar, cold laugh came from behind.

Judging from Gong Xi Chou's condition, he was weak. He raised his hand and summoned his Mo Dao: "I'm itching for a fight, shall we have a go?"

Gong Xichou: "Taking advantage of someone's misfortune! Bring it on!"

How dare that old man act arrogantly in front of him?

In a one-on-one situation, Gong Xichou is definitely at a disadvantage.

Gongyang Yongye was in a good mood and didn't argue with him.

"What are you laughing at?"

The laughter sounded grating.

Gongyang Yongye patted Gongxi Chou on the shoulder and said in a slightly smug tone, "I have a successor, I have to thank you."

This brat in front of him suffers the same pain of having no heir as he does.

But I managed to beat him once.

Gong Xichou: "...Who?"

Since it wasn't Lin Lingde, who else could meet this old man's demanding conditions? Given Gongyang Yongye's requirements, this person's talent wouldn't be far off from Lin Feng's, if not equal. Gongyang Yongye didn't deliberately keep him in suspense: "I met him at Lord Chu's residence."

The great-granddaughter of Chu Yao's old friend.

Gongyang Yongye did not notice her at first yesterday.

He was about to have a private chat with Chu Yao when, as he walked through the corridor, he saw the taciturn Queen standing there at the banquet.

Her first sentence was—

This journey, my lord, will be fruitless.

Gongyang Yongye paused, his gaze gleaming with a hint of danger: "Who are you? How do you know who I'm going to see and what I'm going to do?"

Her second sentence was—

"My lord need not know how I know this, only that we each get what we need." The female ruler turned to look at him, her eyes and brows revealing a faint air of decadence under the moonlight. Though not particularly tall, she exuded an inexplicable sense of pressure.

[You and I? Each getting what they need?]

A favorable wind lends its strength, sending me soaring to the heavens.

"Am I the wind?" Gongyang Yongye suppressed his disdain. Regardless of the unparalleled talent of the woman before him, which rivaled Lin Feng's, the fact that she stood there blocking his way piqued his curiosity and angered him. "Am I the knife in your hand?"

I dare not.

Gongyang Yongye stormed off: "I doubt you'd dare!"

As expected, he was escorted out of the study by Chu Yao, whose face was ashen.

If it weren't for their superior strength, Gongyang Yongye wouldn't be discouraged by being kicked out of the gate by Chu Yao that night; it was something he expected. On the way back to the guest courtyard, the female ruler sat by the pond, casually tossing fish bait into it.

Feeding the fish?

[Fishing!]

How to fish without a fishing rod or hook?

The queen said calmly, "The fish has taken the bait."

Gongyang Yongye: [...]

The scholar Wenxin was truly an annoying presence. He couldn't help but think that he might as well just use force to subdue some female martial artist. After all, there were only a handful of people in the world who could defeat him.

[Where do you get the confidence to compare yourself to Chu Yao's top student?]

"Talent is determined by one's parents and ancestors; one is born with it or not, and it has nothing to do with who one's teacher is," the female ruler said with a sneer. "Does that mean only those from prestigious schools deserve the highest talent? Are all others like clay chickens and earthenware dogs? My lord, have you forgotten your roots? Didn't you also rise from humble beginnings to become one of the most outstanding people?"

(︶.︶)

A favorable wind lends its strength, sending me soaring to the heavens.

It is a poem expressing the sentiments of willow catkins, for without the help of the wind, willow catkins cannot take flight.

The female ruler in the article is currently in a state of needing to borrow wind.

Chu Yao's help to her was limited, but Gongyang Yongye was different.

(End of this chapter)