Chapter 120: Recuperation and Rejuvenation

Bright sunlight streamed through the window, bathing the bed in warmth, accompanied by the crisp, pleasant chirping of birds.

"Ugh, ah..." Lu Zhe yawned as he sat up, stretched his limbs, and rolled out of bed.

This was his twentieth day living at Old Oil Liu’s house. Over these past ten days, aside from diligently healing his injuries, he had focused on his cultivation. As his practice progressed, his spiritual energy became more abundant and robust; these two tasks had become his daily routine. Beyond that, Lu Zhe would occasionally head to the hill behind the house to practice the Collapse Fist. Although Doctor Yi had warned him repeatedly not to exert himself lest his internal injuries flare up again, Lu Zhe was not one to sit still. He practiced in secret, though he remained cautious,不敢 to overexert himself. Speaking of Doctor Yi, ever since he returned ten days ago and held a secret conversation with Old Oil Liu, he had gone into seclusion. Old Oil Liu mentioned it was for some major undertaking, but the specifics remained a mystery. Lu Zhe figured it was none of his business anyway. Outside of these matters, he spent his time walking with Xue Ling’er, which he found to be the most joyful part of his days. With such a beautiful woman by his side, even the world seemed to burst into color.

After getting out of bed, Lu Zhe stretched his muscles, donned his trench coat and trousers from the rack, washed his face, and stepped out of the room.

Stepping into the courtyard, he felt the bright sunshine and took a deep breath of the moist morning air. He smiled faintly and remarked, "What a refreshing morning."

"Brother Zhe," came the voice of Xue Ling’er from behind him.

Lu Zhe turned to look at the beautiful woman standing there and smiled. "You're here, Ling’er."

Xue Ling’er smiled back, fresh and beautiful as dew on a flower. She moved gracefully toward him, looked him over, and asked softly, "Brother Zhe, are your injuries feeling better?"

Hearing this, Lu Zhe tapped his chest twice and replied with a hearty laugh, "They’ve been better for a while now! If it weren't for Master insisting I rest for a month, I would have been out of here long ago."

Xue Ling’er giggled. "You should listen to Master; he does it for your own good. Internal injuries aren't easily healed, and just because you can't see them doesn't mean they aren't there."

Lu Zhe nodded in agreement.

"Alright, Brother Zhe, let's go have breakfast," Xue Ling’er said gently.

"Right," Lu Zhe agreed, and they walked toward the dining hall together.

After breakfast, Lu Zhe stopped by Old Oil Liu’s door for a moment before heading down a street that appeared to lead toward the foot of a mountain.

He strolled through the bustling, prosperous street, occasionally greeting familiar faces. Before he knew it, he had reached the base of the mountain.

A winding path snaked up the hillside. Lu Zhe stood there for a moment before setting off up the trail. The path was not long, and soon he reached the summit.

The dilapidated temple that was etched into his heart still stood there. A sparkling stream flowed past the front door. Everything was as familiar as it had ever been, as if nothing had changed. Yet, what had changed? Had the passage of time truly left things behind?

He entered the temple and looked around. Everything inside remained as it had been. Though the building was ruinous, it was not neglected; he had even managed to patch the holes in the roof himself.

Seeing the crooked cabinet and the simple wooden bed he had fashioned, a faint smile played on his lips. But when his gaze settled on the table where the incense burner once sat in front of the Buddha statue, his eyes froze.

The golden Buddha statue was long gone, but the table remained. An orange cloth covered it tightly, shielding it from view. This had once been the home of Little Gray.

He walked to the table, which was covered in a thick layer of dust. With a gentle blow, the dust scattered into the air. Waving his hand to clear the haze, he touched the edge of the table, feeling the soft texture of the cloth. A smile touched his lips, his eyes filled with tenderness and nostalgia. He lifted the cloth—it was empty. The disheveled boy was no longer there; in his place were only thin spiderwebs at the corner and dust on the floor.

A wave of melancholy washed over him. He whispered softly, "Little Gray."

The limping boy who could not speak had once been the only family Lu Zhe had known. He had cared for him with the utmost devotion. Since he had left to attend the banquet at Old Oil Liu’s two years ago, he had never seen him again. Was he alive or dead? If he were alive, where could he be?

Lu Zhe leaned against the doorframe, his mind filled with memories of the boy he had named Little Gray. After a long while, he sighed, his voice heavy with sadness. "I wonder if Little Gray is doing well. I truly wish to be reunited with him, but the Divine Xia Continent is vast. Where would I even start looking? It’s uncertain if we’ll ever meet again... Oh, I truly hope to see him."

He took one last look around the temple, took a deep breath, and turned to leave.

Outside, he shielded his eyes from the harsh sunlight and walked to the stream. He crouched down, and his own handsome, youthful face—now tinged with sadness—reflected in the water.

He smiled at his reflection, cupped his hands, and splashed the cool water onto his face. A shiver ran through him.

Wiping his face, he stood up, took one final glance at the temple, and resolutely began his descent.

Upon returning to Old Oil Liu’s, a white blur accompanied by a series of squeaks leaped into his arms the moment he entered. Lu Zhe looked at Little White, a happy smile breaking across his face. "You wretched monkey, where have you been?"

Little White the monkey scratched its head with an embarrassed grin, then scrambled onto Lu Zhe’s shoulder, its tail flicking back and forth.

As Lu Zhe patted the monkey, an urgent voice reached his ears before he could take two steps.

"Little White! Little White!"

Lu Zhe looked toward the source of the sound and saw Xue Fei’er in her purple robes hurrying toward him.

Reaching them, she leaned over, catching her breath, before straightening up to scold the monkey. "You naughty monkey! I treat you to the best food and drink, yet the moment you see your master, you turn your back on me! How could you be so ungrateful?"

Lu Zhe laughed. "As you just said, I am his master. In this world, what pet forgets its master? Isn't that right, Little White?" He turned to ask the monkey perched on his shoulder.

Little White scratched its head and grinned, showing its teeth in agreement.

"You, you... you little rascal!" Xue Fei’er was so frustrated she didn't know what to say.

Lu Zhe smiled and gestured for her to calm down. Just as he was about to speak, a servant approached him, bowed slightly, and said, "Master Lu, the master has an urgent matter to discuss with you. Please come to the main hall immediately."

Lu Zhe was surprised, but without asking further, he strode toward the main hall, leaving a bewildered Xue Fei’er behind.

Inside the hall, Old Oil Liu sat in the main chair. Seeing Lu Zhe enter, he waved him forward.

Lu Zhe walked in and was surprised to see Doctor Yi there as well. The doctor was lying in a chair, eyes closed, his face etched with exhaustion. Hearing footsteps, he slowly opened his eyes and said wearily, "You're here."

"Master," Lu Zhe said. Seeing the doctor’s drained expression, he asked with concern, "Master, why do you look so exhausted?"

Doctor Yi waved a hand. "It is nothing. Tell me..." He raised his head, a flash of intensity in his eyes. "Zhe'er, your injuries are mostly healed, aren't they?"

Lu Zhe nodded. "Almost completely."

"That is good." Doctor Yi nodded, stood up, and walked over to him. "Go and prepare yourself today. We begin tomorrow."

"Begin what?" Lu Zhe asked, puzzled.

"Absorbing the Miracle Medicine!" Doctor Yi said in a deep, grave voice.