Chapter 261 Buddha said no, I say yes
"Tsk tsk tsk, this kid is finished, hopeless. Dumb girl, why don't you find another lover? This one is really going to die."
Before a sickbed, an old Taoist priest turned to the dazed, mute girl and said with a sincere expression:
"Even a god couldn't save me, that's what I'm saying!"
"Heh." The fox-fur-clad woman next to her smirked and glanced at her junior sister.
Zhao Qingxiu stood there speechless.
It was a sunny afternoon, and three people were standing in front of Ouyang Rong's sickbed in Sanhui Courtyard.
Zhao Qingxiu, a candle in the snow.
There was also a strange old Taoist priest.
The old Taoist priest had white hair but a youthful face. It was the height of summer, yet he was draped in a black feathered crane-feather cloak, which he wore tightly over his body, leaving only his withered head exposed.
He wore a cloak with a mixed-style cap, and his silver hair underneath was neatly combed, clean and shiny.
They dressed neatly and meticulously.
However, if one were to look closely at him like Zhao Qingxiu and Xue Zhongzhu, the two Yue women, one would immediately notice that the skin on the old Taoist's neck, which was not partially covered by his crane-feather cloak, was covered with rotten sores.
It's easy to imagine that beneath this entire crane-feather cloak lay a body covered in poisonous sores.
However, upon getting closer to the strange old Taoist priest, one could not smell any putrid odor; instead, there was a faint medicinal fragrance.
Its exterior is clean, but inside it is riddled with sores, a stark contrast.
Not long ago, Xue Zhongzhu hurriedly returned to Sanhui Temple with the old Taoist priest in his crane-cloak.
The old Taoist priest in the crane-cloak didn't take the pulse. He kept his hands in his sleeves, merely glancing at the familiar, sickly boy on the sickbed. The words he spoke were utterly blunt, emphasizing speed and sincerity.
This sincerity left Zhao Qingxiu, who had been taking care of him day and night, completely dumbfounded.
"Did you hear what the divine physician said?" Xue Zhongzhu closed his eyes and said, word by word, "Seventh Junior Sister, don't waste your energy anymore."
"A divine healer?" Before Zhao Qingxiu could speak, the old Taoist priest in the crane-cloak gasped and rubbed his hands together, saying:
"It's rare for the Great Lady to praise someone like this. How can I accept such praise? There are countless doctors throughout the land, north and south. Alas, the title of 'sage' is too much of an honor. Not at all, not at all. I am but a useless person. How could I dare to accept such praise?"
The old Taoist priest in the crane-cloak smiled sheepishly, speaking modestly. After a pause, he added with a cheerful laugh, "However, in the field of gynecology, I have achieved some minor success and can be considered a master."
Xuezhongzhu opened his eyes and said coldly, "You old Taoist priest, are you looking for death? Do you want to be locked up for another twenty years?"
"..." The old Taoist priest in the crane-cloak chuckled awkwardly.
Seeing Zhao Qingxiu beside him open her mouth as if to tug at her sleeve again, Xue Zhongzhu suddenly flung her sleeve away.
"Hey, you surnamed Sun, stay and try to persuade Seventh Junior Sister." She said this and left with a cold snort.
Only Zhao Qingxiu and the old Taoist priest surnamed Sun remained in the room.
"What are you staring at, you mute girl? Do you think your senior sister taught you to say those things?"
Old Monster Sun sneered and said defiantly, "I may be living under someone else's roof, but no one in this world can control my mouth!"
Zhao Qingxiu lifted a corner of the quilt, picked up Ouyang Rong's right wrist, and handed it to Sun Laoguai from a distance, looking at him expectantly.
Old Master Sun's lips twitched, and he shouted, "What kind of pulse diagnosis do I have? Do you understand observation, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation? I can see the terminal illness at a glance, what's the point of taking a pulse?"
Zhao Qingxiu shook her head.
"If you don't understand, then don't teach this humble Taoist priest how to do things. Taking pulses is something that vulgar doctors do. Mute girl, why do you care about him so much?"
Looking at Zhao Qingxiu's disappointed face, Old Monster Sun paused, then couldn't help but say:
"Last time I made an exception and saved him, and kindly asked him if he wanted a wife. He didn't care, so why do you still care about him? You're just foolishly throwing yourself at him."
"Ah ah..."
"What? You're saying he didn't know you were there?"
Old Monster Sun sneered:
"Heh, mute girl, let me tell you, in this world, anything given away for free, no matter how precious, will be discounted and devalued."
"Especially in romantic love, can you guarantee that even if he finds out, he will still cherish you? In the end, it will only be a moment of emotion and passion. When you act all sincere and willing to die for him, you expose your bottom line. The further it goes, the more the other person will take advantage of you, feel at ease taking what they want, and may even resent you for not giving enough, and resent you for making him unable to pay back."
"So what if you are a virgin? So what if you are the future 'Primordial Lord' of Yunmeng Sword Marsh? In the end, you will all become worthless and even be trampled underfoot. This is an unequal and deformed love."
"What? You're saying you gave all of this willingly, without ever thinking about getting it back? And you even planned to disappear quietly without him knowing?"
"No, this isn't just stubbornness, it's utterly stupidity! If you asked him for something, he might actually respect you. But you don't want anything... You... You... You're infuriating me!"
For some reason, Old Man Sun was deeply involved, feeling frustrated and disappointed that his son was not living up to his potential.
"Ah ah." Zhao Qingxiu opened her mouth, her small face lost in thought.
"No, you little brat, why are you staring at me like that again? You're curious why I know so much? That's none of your business!"
Sun Laoguai, now covered in sores, was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. He bristled and remained angry for a while before suddenly calming down and turning his head away.
"Listen to advice and you'll eat your fill. Whether you listen or not, this brat is hopeless and doomed."
"Let's go back to Yunmengze with your senior sister. I haven't finished my game of chess with my old cellmate in the water dungeon yet. Let's hurry back to prevent that old bastard from stealing my pieces. Hmph, I hope I don't catch him..."
Just then, footsteps suddenly came from the courtyard outside.
Xie Lingjiang, who hadn't seen her for many days, rushed back, travel-worn, and entered the house.
She was slightly taken aback when she saw a strangely dressed old Taoist priest appear in the room.
Zhao Qingxiu stood up in surprise, pointed at Old Monster Sun, and introduced him in a series of "ee-yah-yah" sounds. Xie Lingjiang seemed to understand but not quite, tilting her head slightly: "Is this the divine physician brought by the Eldest Lady?"
Zhao Qingxiu nodded, and Old Monster Sun suddenly became serious, his face solemn, and he performed a single-handed kowtow:
"May the Heavenly Venerable bestow boundless blessings upon you, whose merits are beyond comprehension."
"Alas, I am unworthy of the title of divine doctor." Old Monster Sun shook his head, pointed to the sickbed behind him, and said regretfully, "This humble Taoist is of limited talent and knowledge, and is powerless to help."
Xie Lingjiang frowned, thought for a moment, and couldn't help but ask, "May the Heavenly Venerable bestow boundless blessings? Are you perhaps a Taoist priest from Gezao Mountain?"
This is common knowledge in the martial arts world. In the case of the Southern Sanqing Taoist sect, Taoists from different mountain gates chant different Taoist titles. Taoists who call themselves "Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun" are generally Taoists from Gezao Mountain who travel down the mountain and practice medicine to help the world.
Old Master Sun smiled without speaking, seemingly agreeing, and said regretfully, "Alas, it is because my sect and I lack the ability. Ladies, you should find someone more capable."
Xie Lingjiang glanced at her sideways.
Just then, two more figures appeared outside the door.
"Thank you for your hospitality, fellow Daoist."
"Please, Taoist priest."
A refined middle-aged scholar and an old Taoist priest wearing a lotus crown politely deferred to each other as they entered the house together.
It was Xie Xun, and the highly respected Daoist Chongxuzi from Gezao Mountain.
They were just catching up outside the door.
"May the Heavenly Venerable bestow boundless blessings and inconceivable merits." As soon as Chongxuzi entered the room, he bowed slightly, shook his whisk, and bowed to the people inside.
Old Monster Sun's expression changed slightly.
Xie Lingjiang asked curiously, "Your Excellency, Senior Chongxuzi is also a Taoist priest from Zaoshan of Yuqing Pavilion. He is from the same school as you and has superb medical skills. Do you know each other?"
Chongxuzi couldn't help but turn his head:
"Which peak of Gezao Mountain are you from? What is the generation name of the Three Mountains Blood-Dripping Clan? I have lived on Gezao Mountain for a long time. I may not recognize all the younger generation, but I am familiar with all the older Yuqing Daoists. Why do you look a little unfamiliar? How long has it been since you returned to the mountain?"
Old Master Sun's lips twitched slightly, his eyes closed, seemingly lost in thought, and he remained silent.
She seemed to be mute, just like Zhao Qingxiu beside her.
Chongxuzi, Xie Lingjiang, and Xie Xun couldn't help but take a second look at this somewhat strange old Taoist priest.
Xie Lingjiang shook her head, turned around, and began today's business:
“Beautiful young lady, coincidentally, I also know a divine physician, namely this Daoist Chongxuzi of Gezao Mountain. Perhaps he can save my senior brother. Could you please step aside a bit, um, divine physician, so that Senior Chongxuzi can take my senior brother’s pulse?”
"Mmm!"
Zhao Qingxiu's eyes lit up, and she nodded quickly.
Upon hearing this, Old Man Sun narrowed his eyes slightly.
The two left the bedside.
"Please, Senior Chongxu." Xie Lingjiang stepped aside to gesture.
Chongxuzi nodded and stepped forward. As he passed by Old Monster Sun, he suddenly stopped, turned to look at the old man's simple, ancient-looking headband, and asked:
"Are you a fellow Daoist from the Louguan sect of Zhongnan Mountain?"
Old Man Sun waved his hand impatiently, "Go away, go away. Just focus on treating the illness. Why meddle in so many other people's business?"
Looking at the eccentric old Taoist priest in his crane-cloak, Xie Lingjiang frowned slightly. Zhao Qingxiu gently tugged at Sun Laoguai's sleeve and pulled him into the outer room.
Chongxuzi smiled nonchalantly, seemingly finding it amusing, and was not angry.
He walked straight to the sickbed and sat down, took Ouyang Rong's right wrist, and while quietly taking his pulse, the old Taoist squinted at the scene outside the window, seemingly lost in thought.
A moment later, Chongxuzi frowned, his expression growing increasingly serious.
Xie Lingjiang asked impatiently, "Senior, what's the situation? How can we revive our eldest brother?"
Chong Xuzi nodded, then shook his head, looked at Xie Lingjiang and Zhao Qingxiu, who were both looking at him with concern, and slowly said:
“Your senior brother’s pulse is stable and his body is fine, but his spirit is weak and he is almost unconscious, as if he has lost his soul. He remains unconscious. I have never heard of such a disease in my many years of medical practice.”
"Is there any way to treat this?" Xie Lingjiang asked with concern.
Chongxuzi countered, "How did your senior brother get injured and end up like this?"
With Zhao Qingxiu present and feeling her gaze upon her, Xie Lingjiang blushed deeply and stammered:
"Yes... he overused his qi to protect me, and he had only recently begun practicing qi cultivation..."
You can't just say that the senior brother forcibly activated a mythical sword and used a ninth-rank sword to kill a near-fifth-rank sword, can you? People probably wouldn't believe it if you said that, and most importantly, it would expose the senior brother's identity as the sword wielder.
"well."
Chongxuzi sighed and stopped asking questions, knowing that pursuing the matter further would be pointless.
After a long silence, amidst the expectant gazes of the crowd, he shook his head and said:
"With such a terminal illness, I can only try to refine a batch of pills to keep him alive for a long time and preserve hope. As for whether he can wake up in the future, that's up to fate."
He paused, then explained to the disappointed crowd:
"This is all the medical skill that I and Gezaoshan can do. His symptoms are indeed peculiar. I wonder if he has come into contact with some strange things to have such a strange illness."
Chongxuzi sighed, his tone regretful:
"It's undoubtedly a terminal illness; I doubt there's any medical skill in the world that can cure it..."
"Bullshit." At this moment, someone inside the room suddenly sneered and shook their head, muttering under their breath, "Your Gezao Mountain is useless because you're incompetent. What nonsense about no doctor in the world? Aren't you ashamed? This fart ailment is nothing to me, maybe the medicine will be a bit of a hassle..."
The sound wasn't loud, but to everyone in the room, who were all Qi cultivators with sharp ears and eyes, it was like a fleeting glimpse of a startled bird, lingering there.
Swish, swish, swish! All eyes turned to an old Taoist priest in a crane-cloak fur coat who was pouring tea at a table in the outer room.
Xie Lingjiang blurted out, "What do you mean? You can cure Senior Brother?"
Old Monster Sun snorted coldly and ignored him.
Chongxuzi glanced at him, then said calmly, "A monk does not lie. Alas, until today, I held the Louguan Daoist sect in high esteem..."
"You want my respect?" Old Sun was annoyed and bluntly retorted, "Who do you think you are?"
The entire room fell silent.
The curse he'd learned from someone had an unexpectedly good effect; Old Man Sun suddenly felt much better and even found the person on his sickbed more agreeable.
"Still spouting nonsense? It's just a minor ailment, nothing to worry about."
Chongxuzi's complexion returned to normal, and he pointed to the ancient temple and Buddhist hall outside the window: "I know I can't do it, but I'm also certain that even Buddha would say it's impossible for me to have this disease."
Old Monster Sun laughed loudly:
"If Buddha says no, I say yes!"
The room fell silent upon hearing this.
Old Man Sun waved his hand arrogantly, chasing people away:
"Go away, go away! You Yuqing Taoists are no good. Hurry up and go back to the mountain gate to practice some more. Don't crowd here and delay this poor Taoist from saving lives. Get out, get out! And you two scholars, get out! This child, this poor Taoist will treat him!"
Xie Lingjiang and Xie Xun looked at each other in bewilderment.
Chongxuzi's face showed a thoughtful expression. Before he and the other two were driven out of the door, he suddenly asked:
"What is your relationship with the Medicine King Sun of Zhongnan Mountain?"
"Go! Go! Go."
Old Man Sun ignored him and continued to drive them away.
With a loud bang, the door slammed shut.
Outside the door.
Xie Lingjiang frowned with worry.
Having traveled a long way only to be scorned and rude, Chongxuzi remained completely unperturbed. After a moment's thought, he suddenly turned to Xie Lingjiang and said with a serious expression:
“This man is not simple. Let him try. I only have a last resort, but consider it a safety net. Let’s see if he can come up with a better or better solution, a miraculous cure.”
"But..." Xie Lingjiang hesitated, her complex expression and worries were something Chong Xuzi couldn't understand.
"Fellow Daoist Chongxu's provocation was quite effective." Xie Xun, who had been silent inside the room, stroked his beard and nodded.
Chongxuzi sighed and nodded, muttering, "This strange and easily agitated personality is so much like that legendary master..."
Inside the house at this moment.
They drove away Xie Lingjiang, Chongxuzi, and others.
Once again, only Zhao Qingxiu and Old Monster Sun remained by the sickbed.
Old Man Sun went straight to the bedside, grabbed Ouyang Rong's right wrist, and took his pulse with two fingers in a strange gesture. Suddenly, he noticed out of the corner of his eye that Zhao Qingxiu was looking at him with a strange look and... a little complaint.
The old Taoist priest puffed out his beard and glared:
"What are you looking at? I hadn't thought of a way to save people yet when that half-baked guy from Gezaoshan came and spouted some nonsense. He was all talk and no action, but he amused me. As soon as I was in a good mood, I remembered the way to save people again. No way?"
"As for taking the pulse, it's just a side effect, to confirm things a little... Anyway, I'm going to get serious now, hmph."
"That brat got lucky."
"..."
Zhao Qingxiu nodded quickly, ran over to pour a cup of tea for the old Taoist priest in his crane-cloak with his playful temper, and carefully presented it to him.
Old Master Sun didn't take the teacup; his expression suddenly became completely serious, and he calmly said:
“Dumb girl, it won’t work this time no matter how much you try to win him over or act cute. After I saved him from death in this temple’s underground palace last time, I told you what I said. Do you remember what I said?”
Zhao Qingxiu nodded slowly.
"In exchange for his life, I will take something from you, just like everyone who comes to me for treatment. This is the rule. I'll ask you again, do you understand?"
“Eeya!” Zhao Qingxiu nodded without hesitation this time.
Sun Laoguai stared into the mute girl's clear, unwavering eyes and couldn't help but say, "Aren't you going to ask what it is?"
Zhao Qingxiu smiled faintly.
It's as if to say, as long as she has it, that's enough.
Old Man Sun sighed and waved his hand weakly:
"Very well, very well. Go and call your senior sister here. To save him, we need a rare medicine. As far as I know, only your Lady Palace has a little bit left."
"Huh?" The mute girl tilted her head curiously.
Old Monster Sun said leisurely:
"One of the five ancient mythical insects, the tortoise-shelled longhorn beetle that your Queen's Palace once exclusively supplied to the Hidden Lord."
(End of this chapter)
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