Chapter 62: The Gifted Blade
"Master, please eat something first," Lu Qing said, carrying a tray of food into the room.
Because Wei Xiao Gongzi’s condition was critical, Old Doctor had to stay by his side constantly, barely able to leave the ward. So Lu Qing had gone to the kitchen and prepared some food, bringing it over.
"Uh, just leave it here. I’ll eat later," Old Doctor replied, still examining Wei Xiao Gongzi’s pulse, his brow slightly furrowed.
At that moment, Li Huhui was outside handling matters. Inside the room, it was just the master and apprentice, along with the unconscious Wei Xiao Gongzi.
Lu Qing hesitated, then asked, "Master, do you think this young master can be saved?"
"I don’t know," Old Doctor sighed. "He lost too much blood. When he was brought in, there was almost nothing left in his body. If not for his strong constitution and the emergency medicine Li Huhui gave him, he might not have survived the journey here."
"Master," Lu Qing continued, "I’ve been thinking—this young master comes from a powerful family. If he doesn’t wake up… will the Wei family blame us?"
Old Doctor paused.
Then he turned to face Lu Qing and said, "A Qing, remember this: as healers, our greatest sin is hesitation and second-guessing when treating patients."
"If you decide to save someone, you must do so wholeheartedly, with complete focus. That is true medical integrity."
"If you’re unwilling to heal, then you should leave before beginning. But once you’ve started, you must give it your all—never abandon the patient halfway, or you’ll carry regret for the rest of your life."
"I understand, Master," Lu Qing replied earnestly.
"As for your concern," Old Doctor paused again, "don’t worry. The Wei family is a prominent clan. Their head is not a man without reason. We’re simply doing our duty—saving lives. Even if this young master doesn’t recover, they won’t hold it against us."
Lu Qing fell silent, deep in thought.
As he stepped out of the ward, the words of his master still echoed in his mind. He didn’t fully agree with everything his master said.
His master was kind-hearted, unable to bear seeing others suffer, so he treated all patients equally—unless they were truly wicked. But Lu Qing wasn’t so noble. He helped people based on his own feelings, his likes and dislikes.
Still, there was one thing he deeply agreed with:
Either don’t treat a patient. But if you do, then give it your all—leave no room for regret.
"Lu Xiao Langjun! Lu Xiao Langjun!"
Just as Lu Qing was lost in thought, someone called his name.
He looked up and saw Ma Gu waving from the courtyard.
"Ma Ye, what is it?" Lu Qing walked over.
The Wei family guards stationed at the entrance merely glanced over, then turned their attention back to their duties. To them, nothing mattered more than their master’s safety.
Lu Qing followed Ma Gu to a quiet corner of the yard. There, another man waited—someone Lu Qing recognized as one of Ma Gu’s subordinates.
"Ma Ye, what’s so urgent?" Lu Qing asked.
"Lu Xiao Langjun," Ma Gu said, his voice tinged with relief, "this time, it was truly thanks to you and Chen Laodaifu. If not for you two, Wei Xiao Gongzi’s life would’ve been lost for sure. If something had happened to him, you might never see me again."
"Ma Ye, you’re too kind. My master is the real hero. I only helped out a little—I didn’t do much," Lu Qing said modestly.
"Lu Xiao Langjun, don’t be so humble," Ma Gu replied. "Your skill in preparing and brewing medicine—it’s already on par with your master. You’ll surely become a great physician like him one day."
Ma Gu wasn’t ignorant. In that life-or-death moment, Lu Qing had remained calm, swiftly preparing the exact emergency decoction exactly as Chen Laodaifu instructed. That required not only solid medical knowledge, but also unshakable composure.
And from Xiao Tian’s investigation, Lu Qing had only become Old Doctor’s disciple for a short time. In such a brief period, to reach this level of skill—Lu Qing’s talent in medicine was truly extraordinary.
Perhaps even on par with his martial talent.
To Ma Gu, this young man was growing increasingly valuable.
"Lu Xiao Langjun," Ma Gu said, "you once mentioned wanting a War Blade, didn’t you? I’ve brought it for you."
Before Lu Qing could respond with another humble remark, Ma Gu added, "So soon?"
"Ma Ye, I thought we had to wait until the next Big Market day to get the blade?"
"Your matters are my priority, Lu Xiao Langjun," Ma Gu said with a smile. He gestured behind him. "Xiao Tian, bring the blade."
Xiao Tian stepped forward, cradling the long sword in both hands and offering it respectfully.
Ma Gu took it and handed it to Lu Qing.
"This War Blade was forged by a master blacksmith in the city. It cuts through iron like butter, yet remains incredibly strong. The design is simple—exactly as you asked."
Lu Qing took the blade and drew it from the sheath. A clear, melodic ring echoed through the air.
He stared at the blade. The fine, intricate patterns on the blade surface shimmered under the light. The edge was razor-sharp, radiating an icy chill that made his skin prickle.
He slid the blade back into its sheath.
"Ma Ye," Lu Qing said, frowning, "this blade must be worth a fortune. I don’t have nearly enough silver to afford it."
Even if he wasn’t well-versed in weapons, he could tell at a glance—this wasn’t something that could be bought for a few dozen taels of silver.
"Of course not," Ma Gu said firmly. "I’m giving it to you. No payment required."
"No, that’s impossible!" Lu Qing shook his head, trying to hand the blade back. "It’s far too valuable!"
"Lu Xiao Langjun, please accept it," Ma Gu insisted. "You and your master saved Wei Xiao Gongzi’s life—my life, too. How can a simple blade repay such a debt of life? Take it."
They stood there, each trying to push the blade back into the other’s hands.
Finally, Lu Qing grew weary.
"Fine," he said, "I’ll take it on one condition. The young master’s condition is still uncertain. Only when he truly wakes up will I accept it."
After all, if Wei Xiao Gongzi ever faced another life-threatening crisis, he could always use the family’s Century-Old Ginseng.
"Very well," Ma Gu agreed. "Then the blade stays with you for now. If he recovers, it’s yours. If he doesn’t… well, I may not even be alive to keep it."
"..."
Lu Qing was speechless. Ma Gu’s stubbornness was like glue—impossible to shake off.
In the end, the blade remained in Lu Qing’s possession.
But it also sparked a quiet curiosity in him.
Just what kind of family was the Wei household, that even someone like Ma Gu—a Jin Gu Jing warrior with influence—was so afraid of them?
And those Wei family guards—how deeply they respected their master.
"Ma Ye," Lu Qing asked softly, curiosity getting the better of him, "just who are the Wei family? Why are you so afraid of them?"
Ma Gu’s face darkened, a complex expression flickering across his features.
"The Wei family?" He exhaled slowly. "Oh… they’re something else entirely."
(End of Chapter)
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