The next morning, at the hour of Yin (4:30 AM)
As dawn broke, Qin Ling walked to Mu Xiao's side, who had just regained consciousness.
"Brother Mu Xiao is awake?"
Mu Xiao looked at the people lying on the ground around her in a daze.
"Uncle, where am I? I suddenly lost consciousness last night. Did someone attack me from behind?"
Qin Liang smiled helplessly and explained to him.
"This is Qixia Village, and I am the village chief. A few days ago, this place was robbed by bandits; houses were burned down, and belongings were stolen. Only our Qin clan's ancestral hall remained intact, so the survivors are temporarily resting here!"
He glanced at the ancestral hall and sighed sadly.
"Last night you must have been injured and exhausted to faint. It was Doctor You who gave you one of his family's only life-saving pills, which brought you back to life. Look at your wounds, aren't they almost healed?"
Mu Xiao lifted his clothes; the wounds on his abdomen and back had mostly healed and no longer hurt.
He had used up all the hemostatic powder he had on him just to barely stop the bleeding from his wound, and this one pill made his wound heal so quickly.
Mu Xiao looked at Qin Ling and hurriedly asked
"Uncle, may I ask where Doctor You is now? I want to properly thank him for saving my life. He used our family's secret life-saving pills on me, and I will definitely repay him with my life in the future!"
Qinling waved his hand dismissively.
"You don't need to worry. He had no children and is in good health. He doesn't need this medicine. He gave it to you voluntarily, and he doesn't need anything in return. But there's something I need to tell you!"
Mu Xiao nodded slightly: "Please speak!"
Qinling approached, and Mu Xiao lowered his voice.
"We agreed last night that we can't let too many people know your and the young master's identities; it's not safe! I told everyone last night, and they'll all keep quiet. We told the villagers you two are uncle and nephew, so don't let it slip!"
Mu Xiao's expression was solemn: "Uncle, don't worry! I'll go and talk to Xiao Yu later."
"So where are you planning to go next? The capital or back to Liyou City?"
Mu Xiao was a little embarrassed
"Sir, we still need to go to the capital, but I'm afraid I can't protect Xiaoyu Island on my own. I've heard the village is going to be relocated; I wonder where?"
"We've moved to Weisi City, which is several counties away from the capital. If you come with us, you'll only be able to travel to Weisi City. Don't worry about food; we have some. You and Xiaoyu will definitely not go hungry!"
Mu Xiao bowed towards the Qinling Mountains.
"Uncle, the kindness shown to Qixia Village will never be forgotten by Mu Xiao and the Mu family. We will certainly do our utmost to repay you in the future!"
He then handed his waist token to Qinling.
"This waist token represents a debt of gratitude owed to you by the Marquis's household. In the future, you may present this token to the Marquis's household with one request, and as long as it does not violate morality or the law, we will try our best to fulfill it!"
Qinling pushed the waist token back.
"You're slapping me in the face! My grandsons are all in Liyou City, under the command of Marquis Anding. How could I possibly do something to take advantage of their kindness! Our Qin family acts only out of conscience, without expecting anything in return!"
Mu Xiao then put away his waist token and bowed to Qin Ling with clasped hands.
Seeing Mu Xiao retract his waist token, Qin Ling nodded in satisfaction and reached out to help him up.
Just then, Doctor You walked towards them, carrying his newly purchased medicine kit.
"Young man, come here, let this old man take your pulse!"
Mu Xiao walked up to Doctor You and knelt down with a thud.
"Godfather, please accept my bow!"
Doctor You was so shocked that he dropped his medicine box, Qin Ling's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, and the commotion drew the attention of those around them.
Doctor You quickly helped the person up.
"What's wrong with you, child? Did you hurt your brain yesterday? Come here, let me take a good look at you!"
He then reached out to feel Mu Xiao's pulse, and Mu Xiao let him take it.
"Don't worry, Godfather, after receiving your ancestral life-saving pills, my injuries have fully healed!"
He then knelt down again.
“I will never forget your great kindness to me. I was orphaned at a young age and was taken in by Xiaoyu’s grandfather. If you don’t mind, please accept me as your adopted son!”
After thinking about it, I felt it wasn't good, so I changed my mind.
"No, from now on you will be my father, and I will be your son. I will take care of you in your old age and serve you!"
Doctor You gritted his teeth and glared at Qin Ling beside him.
"Brother Qin! I'm so grateful to you for giving me such a wonderful son!"
Qin Ling touched his nose guiltily.
"Haha, this is great news! Congratulations!"
Mu Xiao assumed that Doctor You had agreed and solemnly kowtowed to him.
“Father, my name is Mu Xiao. I'm twenty-eight years old and still unmarried. I live in Liyou City year-round. Father, you'd like to come live with me there from now on. The scenery there is exceptionally beautiful, and there are all sorts of medicinal herbs that we don't have here…”
Doctor You watched as Mu Xiao rambled on and on, her genuine smile almost blinding, and suddenly felt a bit caught in a dilemma.
After thinking it over, he patted Mu Xiao on the shoulder.
"My child, you're a good child. I'm just an ordinary old man, what have I done to deserve being your father? Those pills were meant to save your life, it was worth it for you. You don't need to repay me in any way, just take good care of yourself!"
Mu Xiao panicked: "Father, do you despise me? Father, tell me, do you despise me? Father~"
Dr. You's inner monologue: How did this get stuck?
Qin Ling's inner thoughts: Good heavens, Mu Xiao! I never would have guessed! You're such a shameless rascal!
Doctor You sighed, looking old.
"Since you've gone this far, then so be it!"
Then she took out a small purse from her bosom and handed it to Mu Xiao.
"I don't have anything valuable. This is a 'safe haven' token my father left me. Last time, my sister-in-law helped me take it into the secret passage so the bandits wouldn't take it. There were originally two; I gave one to my apprentice, and this one is for you. Come on, before we set off, I'll take you to see him!"
Mu Xiao didn't ask any further questions. After respectfully agreeing, she quickly glanced at Mu Xiuyu, who was still unconscious, and looked somewhat conflicted.
Qin Ling knew his worries, so she spoke gently.
"Mu, you go ahead. This child probably won't wake up for a while. I'll look after him for you, don't worry!"
Mu Xiao nodded: "Thank you, Uncle Village Chief. I'll go with my dad now!"
Qin Ling waved his hand, thinking to himself: This kid! He can actually get the word out of his mouth quite smoothly!
When Doctor You brought Mu Xiao to Ji Qingyun's grave, it was exactly 5:00 AM.
The two saw Qin Ang holding several wooden cat figurines, and Ji Hong was also standing to the side.
Doctor You and Mu Xiao did not disturb them, but simply waited quietly not far away.
A moment later, Ji Hong walked over with red eyes, nodded to Doctor You and Mu Xiao, and then went back to the ancestral hall. It's estimated that he stayed here all night after returning last night...
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