Chapter 40: Paying Homage to the Master, Hidden Secrets
Chapter 40: Paying Homage to the Master, Hidden Secrets
Lu Qing's apprenticeship ceremony was a simple affair.
Old Doctor Chen was not one for pomp and grandeur; he preferred to keep things modest and concise.
Thus, Lu Qing followed the customary procedure. In the presence of the villagers, he paid his respects to the ancestral master, then bowed, presented tea, and respectfully invited his master to drink.
Old Doctor Chen, seated in a chair, accepted the tea and took a sip, marking the completion of the apprenticeship ritual.
"Alright, you may rise now." The old doctor addressed Lu Qing after finishing his tea.
"Yes, Master," Lu Qing replied.
Lu Qing stood up and stood by with his hands clasped in front of him.
Old Doctor Chen also rose to his feet and bowed to the villagers in the courtyard. "Thank you all, my fellow villagers, for bearing witness to my apprentice-taking ceremony. Today, I have gained a beloved disciple, and I am overjoyed. Our home is small, and I could not prepare any food for all of you, but I have prepared a small token of my appreciation."
He picked up a tray from the table behind him, upon which were arranged rows of small cloth bags. "These are medicine packets that I made in my spare time. They have a calming effect and can help with sleep and repelling mosquitoes."
"If you don't mind them, please take one or two home and hang them by your bed. They will keep your home free from mosquitoes for a good ten days to half a month."
"That's amazing!" The villagers exclaimed in delight at the sight of the medicine packets.
It was the season when mosquitoes were most bothersome, and if these packets were as effective as the old doctor claimed, they would be truly irresistible.
For a moment, the villagers, who had intended to be polite and refuse, found it difficult to decline such a generous offer.
Seeing their reaction, the old doctor smiled and said to Lu Qing, "A'Qing, go ahead and distribute these medicine packets to the villagers."
"Yes, Master," Lu Qing replied, taking the tray from his master. He approached the villagers and began handing out the medicine packets one by one.
"Here, Grandpa Zhang," Lu Qing said, offering the first packet to Grandpa Zhang.
"Good boy," Grandpa Zhang said with a smile. "Remember to learn well from Old Doctor Chen."
"I will, Grandpa Zhang," Lu Qing nodded earnestly.
The other villagers took the medicine packets, inhaling the fragrant scent that invigorated their senses. They could tell it was a fine concoction and quickly tucked the packets away.
This was a personal blend made by the old doctor, something they probably couldn't buy anywhere else. They would have to treasure it.
"My fellow villagers," Old Doctor Chen added, "once you return home, remember to hang the medicine packets in your rooms. Otherwise, after half a month, the medicinal properties will dissipate, and the packets will be useless."
Some villagers had been planning to carefully store the packets away, but upon hearing the old doctor's reminder, they changed their minds.
After witnessing the apprenticeship ceremony, Grandpa Zhang and the others began to take their leave.
Before departing, Grandpa Zhang pulled Lu Qing aside and instructed him to pay a visit to his grandfather and parents' graves when he had the time, to share this good news with them.
Satisfied with Lu Qing's earnest agreement, Grandpa Zhang finally descended the mountain, content.
Once all the villagers had left, Lu Qing remained standing in the small courtyard, watching their retreating figures as they made their way down the mountain.
"A'Qing, your grandfather forged a virtuous connection in the past, which is why we have such good neighbors today," Old Doctor Chen said, standing beside Lu Qing and gazing at the crowd at the foot of the mountain.
"Master, I never knew about these things," Lu Qing said. "My grandfather and parents never mentioned them either."
"That only goes to show the magnanimity of your grandfather, a man who did not seek repayment for his kindness," Old Doctor Chen said with a hint of regret. "I only wish I had arrived here sooner. I might have had the chance to become friends with such an upright scholar."
He felt a sense of loss, thinking that if he had come to this place earlier, he might have forged a deep bond with Lu Qing's grandfather.
"Master, do you know how my parents really passed away?" Lu Qing asked.
Chapter 40: In Search of the Truth, Shadows of the Past
Lu Qing's curiosity about his parents' death remained unresolved. He inquired, "Is it because of what Grandpa Zhang said earlier?"
"Yes, I always thought that my parents had died in an accident. But from what Grandpa Zhang said earlier, it seems there's more to it," Lu Qing nodded.
In the original host's memories, it was believed that his parents had perished in an accident. Now, it seemed that the truth might be more complex.
Old Doctor Chen fell silent for a moment before shaking his head. "I don't know the details either. During the time of your parents' passing, I was in the city tending to a noble's illness. By the time I returned, I was told that your parents had drowned, but I never got to see their bodies, so I can't be certain if that's truly what happened."
"If you wish to uncover the truth, you'll have to ask Grandpa Zhang and the others."
Lu Qing remained silent, deep in thought.
In fact, the information he had obtained from the original host's memories aligned with what the old doctor had just shared.
His parents had supposedly drowned, and when their bodies were brought back, they were terribly swollen and frightening, shocking the original host into a daze.
The subsequent events, such as selling the fields, preparing the bodies, and receiving condolences, were all a blur in the original host's traumatized state.
By the time he snapped out of it, his parents had already been laid to rest.
Looking back now, there were many questionable details.
Unfortunately, the original host had been deeply traumatized during that time, and many of his memories were fragmented and confusing, making it difficult for Lu Qing to piece together a clear picture.
"However, I advise against seeking answers from Grandpa Zhang and the others right now," Old Doctor Chen said, noticing Lu Qing's pensive silence.
"Why is that, Master?" Lu Qing asked.
"Grandpa Zhang and the others must have had their reasons for keeping this from you, wanting to protect you and Xiao Yan. Don't you trust them? Do you think they would harm you?" the old doctor explained.
Lu Qing reflected on how the villagers had treated him and Xiao Yan since he woke up, and he quickly shook his head. "Grandpa Zhang and the others would never do such a thing."
Most importantly, his ability had never revealed any malicious intentions from anyone in the village.
"If that's the case, then you should trust Grandpa Zhang. Their decision to withhold the truth suggests that they believe the time isn't right yet," Old Doctor Chen advised.
"So, instead of seeking the truth, your focus should be on learning and improving your skills. When you become strong enough, I'm sure Grandpa Zhang and the others will tell you everything," he added.
Lu Qing fell silent once more.
In truth, his desire to know the truth wasn't driven by a desire for revenge.
Although he had inherited the original host's memories, he didn't share a deep emotional bond with his "parents," whom he had never met.
His concern was whether the truth behind his parents' death posed any danger to him and Xiao Yan.
But as his master pointed out, he was still too weak.
Even if he learned the truth, he wouldn't be able to do anything about it.
It would be wiser to focus on improving his skills under his master's guidance.
"I understand, Master," Lu Qing replied, having come to a realization.
Seeing that Lu Qing seemed to have accepted his advice, Old Doctor Chen smiled. He was pleased that his disciple possessed a thoughtful mind, and he didn't want to see him consumed by vengeance at such a young age, as it could distort his perspective. Thus, he approved of Grandpa Zhang and the others' decision to keep the truth hidden.
Noticing that Lu Qing still seemed a bit pensive, the old doctor decided to change the subject. "A'Qing, now that you've become my disciple, there are some things you should know."
Lu Qing looked up, his curiosity piqued.
Pleased that he had captured his disciple's attention, the old doctor continued, "A'Qing, do you know what it takes to become a good healer?"
(End of Chapter)
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