Chapter 251: Hidden Illness

　　The corn liquor in the bowl was clear and transparent like amber, emitting a rich aroma of alcohol.

　　Since Zhao Fengchun was so straightforward, Lu Fei and the others felt it would be impolite not to follow suit, so they each drank a bowl as well.

　　"Good liquor!"

　　Jing Jian put down his wine bowl, gave a hearty shout, and then unexpectedly collapsed.

　　Everyone was stunned.

　　This guy, he can only handle one cup?

　　But the alcohol content of the wine was indeed high. Lu Fei felt dizzy after a bowl, but Hu Zi remained unperturbed.

　　"This wine is well-brewed! It's as fragrant as the sweet potato liquor my mom makes!"

　　Wiping his mouth, Hu Zi extended his bowl.

　　"Another bowl!"

　　"Brother Hu Zi, if you like it, drink more. Today, there's plenty of food and wine for everyone!"

　　Zhao Fengchun refilled Hu Zi's bowl and quickly helped Jing Jian up, taking him to a room to rest.

　　"Uncle Jiu, this second bowl of wine, I offer it to you! If it weren't for you, my dad couldn't have held on for so long?"

　　After returning, he raised his glass again to the elderly Mr. Luo.

　　"Fengchun, I've watched you grow up. There's no need for formalities with me. Your father is down, and there's no one to play chess with me, my days are so dull!"

　　Old Mr. Luo picked up his teacup and said nonchalantly, "You know I don't drink. I appreciate the thought, though."

　　"Mr. Luo, I'll take care of you in your old age from now on!"

　　Zhao Fengchun downed another bowl, his face even more flushed, and tried to offer a toast to Lu Fei again.

　　"Brother Zhao, I'm not a good drinker. This one bowl is enough for me," Lu Fei politely declined.

　　Only Husi was drinking heartily.

　　"Husi, you have quite the capacity!"

　　Zhao Fengchun then gave him a whole jar of wine.

　　"Husi, that's enough. We still need to return to Jiang City," Lu Fei reminded him.

　　"Got it, boss."

　　Huzi reluctantly put down the wine jar, a rare hint of worry creeping onto his rugged features.

　　"I have several large jars of this corn wine at home! Brother Huzi, if you like it, take a few jars with you when you leave," Zhao Fengchun said with a smile, noticing the situation.

　　"Then I won't stand on ceremony," Huzi chuckled, scratching his head.

　　"Being formal is being distant. Next time, bring some game and mountain goods. There's not much else in the mountains, but we have plenty of these things."

　　Everyone finished eating, and Zhao Fengchun quickly cleared the table, then joined them for tea and conversation.

　　Lord Luo Jiu went into the house to visit his father.

　　"Brother Lu, don't rush off. Stay a few more days with us. I'll ask Aunt Sanzi to come cook for you every day. If the weather is good, we can go to the river to catch fish or into the mountains to hunt rabbits," Zhao Fengchun said warmly.

　　"Of course, we won't go deep into the mountains, just around the area. It's a good season now, with lots of wild mushrooms and fruits that you can't get in the city."

　　Huzi's eyes lit up: "Brother, what kinds of fish do you have here? When I was a kid, I loved going to the river to catch fish, and I got beaten by my old man quite a few times for it! Since I moved to the city, I haven't had the chance. You've really made me eager to try again."

　　"There are plenty. Not far from our village, there's a big river where the fish are fat and fresh..."

　　The two of them chatted with great enthusiasm for a while.

　　Huzi was rubbing his hands in anticipation, wishing he could go play right now.

　　Lu Fei felt a bit reluctant, but still said, "Brother Zhao, it's not that we don't want to stay, but we have business to attend to in Jiangcheng. We need to leave once Huzi has sobered up."

　　He genuinely liked this simple little mountain village, so peaceful and serene, without the hustle and bustle of the city.

　　If he had the time, he wouldn't mind staying a few more days.

　　But in a couple of days, the Lingyin Association would be sending out the notification for the membership test, so it was better to return and prepare early.

　　"Then come back when you're done with your business! I'll be waiting for you!" Zhao Fengchun, knowing that Lu Fei was a decisive person, showed a look of regret and spoke earnestly.

　　"Sure!" Lu Fei nodded with a smile.

　　"After drinking this corn wine, I really miss my parents. It's been so long since I last went back..." Huzi sighed deeply and then fell silent.

　　Lu Fei looked at him but said nothing.

　　After a while.

　　Elder Luo emerged from the house.

　　"Elder Luo, how is my father? Is he better?" Zhao Fengchun got up and asked.

　　"Don't worry, with such rare ginseng roots you brought back, how could I let anything happen to your father?"

　　Elder Luo waved his hand and pulled up a chair to sit down.

　　"Your medical skills are impressive. May I ask for your honored name?" Lu Fei couldn't help but ask.

　　He was truly curious about the identity of this old physician.

　　"Hey, what medical skills? I'm just a rural barefoot doctor, a wandering physician. If you don't mind, just call me Elder Luo like Fengchun does."

　　Elder Luo waved his hand, squinted his eyes, and smiled slightly.

　　"As for you youngsters, your skills are quite impressive despite your young age."

　　"You flatter us, Senior. We're just a few nameless disciples of the Mystic Sect," Lu Fei said with a smile.

　　Just from the way this old man spoke, it was clear that he wasn't an uneducated country doctor. But if he didn't want to reveal his identity, Lu Fei wouldn't press the issue.

　　"Someone who can catch mountain ginseng, fight against the Bear Clan matriarch, and battle zombies—how could they be a simple person?" Lord Luo Ji took a deep look at Lu Fei, his eyes somewhat profound.

　　"I heard from Feng Chun that your surname is Lu?"

　　"Yes, what's up, senior?"

　　"Nothing, it's a good surname."

　　Lord Luo just smiled, then reached out to take Lu Fei's pulse.

　　"There are no hidden illnesses, your body is in good condition, but you have too much on your mind. Some things can be let go appropriately. Overthinking leads to worry, and with an unsettled heart, how can the path of cultivation be long?"

　　"Thank you for your guidance, senior." Lu Fei was taken aback for a moment, then nodded and began to think seriously.

　　What he cares about most in his heart is his grandfather, and there's no way he could ever let go.

　　He started cultivating not for high achievements, but to better collect evil spirits and make his family pawnshop stronger and bigger.

　　In life, if there's nothing you care about, what's the point of living?

　　Without desires or pursuits, wouldn't that be becoming a Buddha?

　　Lu Fei quickly let it go.

　　Being a commoner is good too.

　　Then, Lord Luo Jiye checked Hu Zi's pulse again.

　　"From practicing since childhood, you have some hidden injuries inside, occasionally with slight pain. But it's not a big problem; with a little adjustment, it will be fine. Remember, never be too hasty or rigid in anything! Rigidity can easily break, hurting both yourself and others. Use your brain more and think thrice before you act."

　　Hu Zi's eyes widened: "Amazing, Lord Jiye! I sometimes feel pain in my chest, but I never knew why."

　　"As for that one who gets knocked out after just one cup, I see that his inner breath is unstable, and it seems there is a conflict with a force within him that doesn't belong to him. The corpse poison in his neck is still present and needs to be treated promptly."

　　Old Master Luo had Zhao Hongchun bring paper and a brush, then swiftly wrote out two prescriptions.

　　"Take these back and get the medicine as prescribed; one dose will be enough to regulate your health."

　　"Thank you, Elder!" Lu Fei was overjoyed, as if he had found a treasure.

　　Old Master Luo was definitely a reclusive master; getting a prescription from him was a rare and valuable opportunity!

　　This trip was truly worth it!

　　He even felt a bit regretful that he didn't have any health issues himself.

　　"You saved the lives of Feng Chun and his father, which shows that you have kind hearts. This is what you deserve."

　　Old Master Luo smiled, his eyes narrowing slightly.

　　"However, please do not disclose the source of these prescriptions to anyone. After you get the medications in the city, burn the prescriptions..."