Chapter 64: Awakening, with a Look of Sorrow
"Master! Master!" The Wei Family Grand Manager, seeing the faint flutter of the young master’s eyelids, couldn’t help but call out softly.
At last, under his urging, Wei Xiao Gongzi slowly opened his eyes.
At first, his gaze was blank and dazed, but after a long moment, clarity began to return.
"Where... am I?" he murmured.
"Master! You’ve finally awakened!" The Grand Manager’s face lit up with emotion, nearly bringing tears to his eyes.
"Hai Shu?" Wei Xiao Gongzi turned his head slightly, surprised. "Why are you here? And why am I lying like this?"
Wei Xiao Gongzi tried to sit up, but as soon as he moved, a sharp, searing pain shot through his body. He gasped and let out a pained cry, cold sweat breaking across his brow.
"Stay still. Your wounds haven’t healed yet—any sudden movement could tear them open again."
Chen Laodaifu gently pressed down on his chest, then swiftly drew out a silver needle and pressed it into several points on his body.
The relief was almost immediate. The agony dulled, and Wei Xiao Gongzi slowly regained his senses.
"Who are you? And why… why is my body so painful?" he asked, voice trembling.
"Master, don’t you remember anything?" the Grand Manager said, his tone grave. "Li Huhui and the others said you fell into a ravine while hiking in the mountains. Your abdomen was slashed open by a jagged rock—your life hung by a thread. Only thanks to this Chen Laodaifu’s intervention did you survive."
The Grand Manager didn’t fully believe Li Huhui’s story—yet. But now that the young master had awakened, he could finally clarify the truth.
"A ravine… falling…?" Wei Xiao Gongzi frowned, trying to recall.
Then, slowly, the memory returned.
"Yes… I went into the mountains with Li Huhui and the others, determined to find a special gift for Father’s birthday."
"In the woods, I encountered a peculiar black little creature. I told them not to interfere—I wanted to catch it myself."
"But it was surprisingly agile. I chased it for ages… until I reached a cliff’s edge. Just as it seemed about to leap off, I panicked and jumped after it. After that… I don’t remember anything."
The Grand Manager listened quietly, but Chen Laodaifu’s expression flickered—just slightly.
That description… the black little creature… it sounded exactly like the one that often stole fish from Lu Qing’s bowl.
"So… the guards weren’t lying after all," the Grand Manager thought, nodding inwardly.
If even one of them had lied, the punishment would have been unbearable. Now, though they’d still be punished, at least their lives were spared.
"By the way, Hai Shu… you said my stomach was cut open?" Wei Xiao Gongzi suddenly realized, his face paling. He tried to sit up again, panic flashing in his eyes.
But this time, the Grand Manager was ready. He gently restrained him.
"Master, don’t panic. Your wound has closed and is no longer life-threatening. With proper rest, you’ll recover fully."
"But… you said my stomach was cut open!" Wei Xiao Gongzi’s voice cracked with fear. "How could I still be alive? A man with his belly torn open… can he even survive?"
The Grand Manager could only soothe him with calm words, repeating again and again that the danger had passed.
Eventually, weakened by the ordeal, Wei Xiao Gongzi’s eyelids grew heavy. After a few moments, he slipped back into sleep.
When word of the young master’s awakening spread, the Wei family guards erupted in cheers.
Li Huhui and the others, in particular, exhaled in relief—like a mountain had been lifted from their chests.
The young master was alive. That meant their lives were spared, even if punishment was still coming.
As for Ma Gu, the news nearly brought him to tears.
Ever since Wei Xiao Gongzi had come to his home, he hadn’t slept a full night. Last night, he hadn’t dared close his eyes, terrified that any sound might signal a tragedy.
Now, finally, a real piece of good news. The weight lifted from his heart—so suddenly, even a Jin Gu Jing warrior like him felt his limbs grow weak. He nearly collapsed.
"Chen Laodaifu, my master’s survival is entirely due to your miraculous healing. The Wei family is deeply grateful."
"I’ve already sent word to the Head of the Family. A generous gift will be sent soon."
The Grand Manager bowed deeply to Old Doctor.
After witnessing the young master’s near-death state just hours before, he knew—this man had pulled him back from the brink. If Li Huhui and the others had truly intended to carry the young master back to the city, he would have died en route.
"No need for such formalities," Old Doctor waved it off. "I only did my duty as a physician."
"Indeed, Chen Laodaifu truly embodies the heart of a healer," the Grand Manager said, genuinely impressed.
No wonder even the county magistrate held him in high regard. This man’s presence, his calm dignity, surpassed that of many so-called “renowned physicians” from the provincial capital or even the imperial court.
"Chen Laodaifu, now that the master has awakened, when might he return home?"
Old Doctor considered for a moment. "Not yet. His body is still weak. The wound in his abdomen hasn’t fully healed. Any rough travel could reopen it, leading to fatal bleeding."
"He must rest for several more days—until his strength returns and the wound has properly scabbed over before he can travel."
The Grand Manager had no doubt in Old Doctor’s judgment.
"Then I’ll stay here for a few more days, to care for him."
"That’s no problem," Old Doctor said. "Though my home is small—there’s not much room for many guests."
"Please, sir, don’t trouble yourself," the Grand Manager quickly replied. "I’ll have the others disperse. They can find lodging elsewhere. I’ll remain here myself."
"Very well. A couple of guest rooms can be arranged—though my place is humble, I hope you won’t mind."
"Mind? Never! Never!"
"Then I’ll have my apprentice go prepare the rooms."
From then on, the Grand Manager stepped outside and issued orders: the young master needed quiet rest. A portion of the guards would return to the family estate immediately, while the rest would stay at Ma Gu’s place, on standby.
As for himself, he would remain at Half Mountain Small Courtyard to watch over the master.
No one dared question him. Within moments, the guards began to disperse. Half Mountain Small Courtyard slowly settled into peace.
But Ma Gu was left anxious. A whole group of Wei guards moving into his home? He could feel his stomach tighten again.
Still, he dared not refuse. With a resigned sigh, he began making arrangements.
"Master, the guest room is ready," Lu Qing reported, having finished cleaning one of the spare rooms.
"Thank you, young master," the Grand Manager said, looking at Lu Qing with quiet surprise.
He’d been so preoccupied with the young master’s condition that he hadn’t paid attention before. But now he noticed—this boy, so young, was already a Qi Xue Jing warrior.
Such talent… even in the provincial capital, he’d be considered a prodigy.
"Master?" Chen Laodaifu noticed the Grand Manager’s lingering gaze.
The man snapped back to attention. "Truly, a master produces a worthy disciple. Your student here is extraordinary—so young, yet already accomplished in martial arts."
"He’s merely fortunate," Old Doctor said humbly. "A few lucky encounters, a little breakthrough. To receive your praise is his great fortune."
"Haha, you’re too modest," the Grand Manager laughed, though inwardly he was already calculating: the tribute to send must include this young man too.
Lu Qing remained silent, respectful as a proper disciple.
Only when the conversation ended did he speak.
"Master, breakfast is ready in the kitchen. Also… I’d like to go home for a moment."
He’d been busy all day and night at Half Mountain Small Courtyard. He hadn’t returned to his own home, and he was worried—especially about the little black creature he hadn’t fed last night. If it was angry, it might wreck his house. That would be a terrible injustice.
"Go ahead," Old Doctor nodded. "You’ve worked hard enough. The master’s condition is stable now. He doesn’t need constant watching."
So Lu Qing took his leave, then quietly entered Old Doctor’s room to pick up Xiao Yan, still fast asleep.
Once again, the Green Armor Fish Stone proved its magic.
Despite all the noise and commotion in the yard last night, Xiao Yan hadn’t stirred. She slept soundly, as if she wouldn’t wake until her appointed time.
Lu Qing didn’t wake her. He simply carried her in his arms and began the descent down the mountain.
When he arrived home, his first instinct was to check the front door.
It was intact. No damage.
He exhaled in relief.
The little black beast hadn’t gone berserk and destroyed his house.
With that worry gone, he opened the door and stepped inside—only to pause.
Something felt… off.
He lifted his head instinctively.
And there, in the shadowed corner beneath the eaves, two bright, wide eyes stared back at him—glistening with unmistakable grievance.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
