Chapter 67: A Generous Gift

"Thank you, Chen Laodaifu, for your care these past days."

At Half Mountain Small Courtyard, Wei Xiao Gongzi, still weak and supported by household servants, bowed slightly to Old Doctor in heartfelt gratitude.

"Your Highness need not trouble yourself with formalities," Old Doctor said gently. "Just remember—once you return, you must rest more, take care with your recovery, and continue to heal properly."

"Zi'an remembers."

After the thanks, Wei Xiao Gongzi was slowly helped into a sedan chair. His wounds were still healing, and his body remained frail—too weak to endure the wind. On the journey back, only a covered, windproof sedan would do, to prevent illness from entering his body.

Watching from beside him, the Wei Family Grand Manager nodded faintly. Over these past days, he had noticed something new in the young master: a quiet maturity, a steadiness that hadn’t been there before. No longer the reckless, headstrong boy he once was.

Back then, getting him to thank a mere physician would have been nearly impossible.

So while this ordeal had nearly cost him his life, if it had truly changed him for the better… then perhaps it wasn’t all bad. Perhaps it was, in truth, a blessing in disguise.

Once Wei Xiao Gongzi was settled inside the sedan, the Grand Manager stepped forward.

"Chen Laodaifu, my master’s survival, his recovery—his health now so strong, free from lasting illness—was all due to your extraordinary medical skill and compassionate heart. We, the Wei family, are deeply grateful."

"Here, this gift has been prepared by The Lady of the Wei Family as a token of our appreciation for your kindness and care toward our son."

With a gesture, the Grand Manager signaled. Two guards lifted a large crate forward, while two others carried smaller boxes and chests.

He took one of the smaller boxes from a guard, opened it—and the golden gleam within stole the breath.

Inside lay row upon row of gleaming gold ingots.

Then, with a flourish, he opened the larger crate. Silver flooded the space—packed tightly, a full box of silver ingots, shining like a winter moon.

"Chen Laodaifu," the Grand Manager said, "this includes ten thousand taels of silver and one thousand taels of gold. Please accept this as a token of our gratitude."

Old Doctor glanced at the gold and silver, his expression calm, almost unreadable.

He sighed. "Your family is far too generous. I am merely doing my duty as a physician. This is more than I deserve."

"Chen Laodaifu is too humble," the Grand Manager smiled. "Our young master is of noble blood—indeed, he is The Lady of the Wei Family’s beloved son. To heal him is to save her heart, her life. These few coins are but a fraction of our thanks."

"But the true gift—this one—is what The Lady of the Wei Family personally prepared for you."

He opened another box and withdrew a book.

"This is The Green Bag Medical Canon—a rare manuscript, specially sought out by The Lady of the Wei Family for you."

"The Green Bag Medical Canon?" Old Doctor, about to refuse again, froze in surprise.

"Is it… the legendary medical scripture said to be written by the ancient Sage of Medicine?"

"Indeed," the Grand Manager affirmed with a serene smile. "The very text that holds the accumulated wisdom of the legendary physician himself."

At that, Old Doctor’s words died in his throat. He could not refuse.

To a man whose soul belonged to medicine, this book was nothing short of a dream. He had long revered The Green Bag Medical Canon, though no family that possessed it ever shared it—treasuring it as a family heirloom, hidden from the world.

For decades, he had never even laid eyes on it.

Now, to have it offered—by the Wei family—it stirred his heart like a storm.

The Grand Manager saw the hesitation.

"Chen Laodaifu, why be so reluctant? This book was meant for a man of true skill and noble heart. Only someone like you can give it its true worth."

"Medicine is not just about knowledge—it’s about saving lives, healing the sick, bringing hope to the dying. I believe the Sage himself would not have wanted his life’s work locked away in silence."

"He would have wanted it to live, to guide future healers, to help countless people."

"With your skill, if you were to study this book, your mastery would surely grow even greater. And for the countless patients who will one day benefit from your wisdom—this would be a great blessing."

Hearing this, Old Doctor’s heart cleared.

He reached out, accepting the book with a smile. "You’re right. I was being too attached to pride."

Lu Qing watched silently from the side, silently impressed.

This Grand Manager is truly extraordinary. Just a few words, and he had convinced the master to accept the gift.

But what Lu Qing didn’t expect came next.

The Grand Manager turned his gaze toward him.

"As for Lu Xiao Langjun and Lu Xiao Niangzi," he said, "The Lady of the Wei Family has also prepared a small token of gratitude."

Lu Qing blinked. "Me and Xiao Yan… also receive a gift?"

"Of course," the Grand Manager replied. "We’ve heard that when our young master arrived, you spent day and night in the apothecary, grinding herbs and brewing medicine. Your efforts were immense. We cannot overlook such kindness."

He opened another box.

"I’ve observed that not only are you skilled in medicine, but your martial cultivation shows great promise. At such a young age, you’ve already reached Qi Xue Jing—surely, breaking through to Jin Gu Jing, and eventually Nei Fu Jing, is only a matter of time."

"Your medical path is already guided by Chen Laodaifu. With his teachings, your future as a great physician is assured—no need for us to interfere."

"But martial cultivation requires more than talent. It demands resources. So, The Lady of the Wei Family has prepared two gifts for you."

He pulled out a scroll. "This contains a Jin Gu Jing Secret Technique. And this bottle—Bone-Strengthening Pill—is especially beneficial for Jin Gu Jing cultivators."

"A small gift," he said, "to help you on your path forward."

Lu Qing stared in stunned silence.

Jin Gu Jing Secret Technique… and Bone-Strengthening Pill?

The Grand Manager nodded. "This pill is famed for enhancing a Jin Gu Jing cultivator’s sinews and bones by thirty percent."

Old Doctor’s eyes widened. "Is it… the legendary Bone-Strengthening Pill?"

"The very one," the Grand Manager confirmed. "Ordinary Jin Gu Jing masters reach a plateau. Their bones and tendons grow as strong as they can—no further progress possible from within. They must then seek breakthroughs from within, through inner organs."

"But this pill breaks that limit. Even a master at the peak of Jin Gu Jing, whose body has reached its absolute limit—can still strengthen their sinews and bones by thirty percent."

Lu Qing’s mind reeled.

He finally understood the true value of the gifts.

The secret technique was rare, yes—but the Bone-Strengthening Pill? That was priceless. A pill that could break the physical limits of cultivation—such a treasure was invaluable anywhere.

In the eyes of many Jin Gu Jing masters, this gift might even be worth more than the medical scripture given to his master.

"Master," Lu Qing said quietly, not yet reaching for the box. He looked to Old Doctor.

Old Doctor felt the same—this gift was overwhelming.

But then he thought: If I accepted the Green Bag Canon, why hesitate now?

He gave a slight nod. "Since this is their goodwill, accept it."

Lu Qing stepped forward and took the box.

Seeing him accept, the Grand Manager smiled.

Unbeknownst to anyone, this gift for Lu Qing had been his own idea.

For days, he had stayed at Half Mountain Small Courtyard, tending to the young master. And each day, he had watched Lu Qing.

Though the boy never trained openly before him, the Grand Manager could feel the power within him—his energy growing stronger, day by day. The progress was astonishing, even by his own standards, who had seen many prodigies.

Then, from villagers who came from the Seven-Li Village to seek treatment, he learned something shocking: Lu Qing had only become Chen Laodaifu’s disciple a little over a month ago.

That revelation left him stunned.

This boy isn’t just talented—he’s a true martial genius.

Realizing this, the Grand Manager knew he had to act.

So when the Wei family offered gifts, it wasn’t just to repay Old Doctor’s life-saving work.

More than anything, it was to secure the favor of this extraordinary duo.

For the Wei family, investing a little in a future great physician and a future martial giant? That was not a loss—it was a win beyond measure.

After giving Lu Qing his gifts, the tribute to Xiao Yan was simple.

A few delicate trinkets and fine garments—pretty, expensive, but far less significant than the gifts to the two men.

"Chen Laodaifu, Lu Xiao Langjun," the Grand Manager bowed. "We must return now. Until we meet again, may our paths cross once more. When you come to the county town, please visit us. We would be honored to welcome you as guests."

Having delivered all gifts, he bowed once more.

"If we ever come to the county town, we will be sure to visit," Old Doctor replied. "Safe journey home."

"Thank you for your kind words," the Grand Manager said, bowing again before turning.

"Move out!" he commanded.

The guards sprang into action. Two towering Jin Gu Jing warriors lifted the sedan, carrying it gently down the winding mountain path.

Though the road was uneven, the sedan remained steady—barely a tremor beneath.

As everyone descended, the Grand Manager paused at the last, bowing once more to Lu Qing and Old Doctor.

Then, with a firm step, he followed the others down the mountain.

Old Doctor still hesitated, wanting to refuse.

But the Grand Manager’s resolve was unshakable.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end