Chapter 16

Originally, Qingxuan, who had been listening with his blood boiling, had never seen his usually strict master so sad, and immediately felt at a loss, not knowing how to comfort his teacher.

"Master, the cycle of life is predetermined by heaven; how can we blame the master... Master, don't grieve over this. Your disciple is willing to practice martial arts diligently to avenge the family and the sect..."

For a moment, Lingxu Zhenren felt greatly comforted, nodding slightly and consoling, "My disciple, don't be sad. With your master here, I will certainly not let the villains escape. Unfortunately, I failed to protect Daoxuan Master's descendants back then..."

After calming down, Qingxuan decided to continue the previous topic: "How can this be blamed on the master? Your disciple should thank the master. If not for the master's protection, the Ye family would have been wiped out a hundred years ago, and how could there be a disciple left?"

Nodding with a heartache, the old Daoist felt much relieved by his disciple's understanding, and the tension in his brows eased.

Not being able to protect the descendants of his former master, this heartache had plagued Lingxu Zhenren for nearly a decade, almost becoming a mental demon. Influenced by this state of mind, his martial arts, which were about to break through, had instead stagnated, making no progress.

This time, pouring out his heart allowed the guilt to be released, and hearing the comfort from his beloved disciple, who was also the great-grandson of his former master, Lingxu Zhenren felt greatly comforted, and the depression that had weighed on his heart for years was suddenly lifted.

Lingxu Zhenren, being a high-ranking Daoist, calmed his emotions and quickly regained his usual demeanor. Looking at the young Qingxuan, a child as delicate as jade, the old Daoist felt a surge of care and affection. It was a mix of a teacher's concern for his disciple and a sense of guilt for past mistakes.

"My disciple's words make me feel ashamed. The sword wound on your chest is identical to the one I received. However, the person who stabbed you lacked experience and skill. I suspect that the murderer who destroyed your family is likely the nephew or disciple of the villain who stabbed me a hundred years ago.

To uncover the truth, I specially sent your second, fifth, and sixth elder brothers to travel the world, secretly investigating this matter. The sect's grand competition is the agreed-upon date for their return. With the date approaching, I expect their return to be imminent."

Oh—Qingxuan sighed inwardly.

It turned out that the three elder brothers had not returned for years because they were investigating his family's enemy. Grateful for their efforts and moved by his master's years of depression and lack of progress in martial arts, Qingxuan felt a sense of guilt. After all, he had taken over the body of the original child, and his soul was already someone else's. The deep-seated hatred for his family's enemy had never stirred in Qingxuan's heart, but now, because of the concern and care from his master and fellow disciples, he felt a sense of shared enmity towards the enemy.

Thinking about his family's hatred in this life, Qingxuan couldn't help but have a question in his heart.

"Master, there is something I don't understand."

"Hmm? Speak."

"Since those villains could find my family back then, did they discover the existence of the master? Why haven't they come to finish the job in the past eight years?"

"Rare for someone so young to notice these things." The old Daoist fell into deep thought and slowly said, "Actually, I had the same doubts back then. I suspect that the villains who found the Ye family did not know of my existence. They only guessed that the Ye family had some connection to the Kunwu Sect, and thus killed them to silence them. Moreover, the villains who came to seek revenge were just a gang of bandits. After the incident, they pretended to have an internal conflict and were all killed. I deduced that the mastermind hired these killers and then found an opportunity to kill them to silence them. They thought their plan was perfect and undetected. However, my disciple was protected by heaven and survived the disaster. Back then, I survived because I had a precious treasure, and you survived because your heart was slightly off-center. It was all fate, and it was all predetermined. In the future, we will surely slay these villains and avenge the sect and the family."

The old Daoist spoke with intense emotion, revealing the pent-up frustration in his heart.

Seeing his master's righteous indignation, Qingxuan's eyes welled up with tears. Thinking of the indifference and criticism from people in his previous life, and considering the care and concern from his master and fellow disciples, Qingxuan's thoughts were in turmoil. He secretly resolved to repay his master's nurturing and the care from his fellow disciples. At the same time, he felt a deep hatred for his and the sect's enemies, even though he had often mentioned his enemies before, but never as intensely as now.

"For a hundred years, I have thought that since I could escape the disaster, there must be other sect members who also survived. So, I secretly searched for the lost disciples of our sect. Unfortunately, I have had no success in a hundred years. I even fear that the disaster a hundred years ago has left me as the only surviving descendant of the Kunwu Sect." The old Daoist sighed, then continued, "Regarding the cause and effect of your family's hatred, I have explained it to you. It is good that you know, but overthinking it will only increase your sorrow... Now, I will talk about your condition. You must remember this clearly."

Qingxuan's mind was shaken, and he listened intently.

"When I arrived at the scene of your family's massacre, I found you barely alive and unconscious. In a moment of panic, I gave you the remaining half of the 'Huan Yang Cao' (Herb of Rebirth) from a hundred years ago."

Ah? Qingxuan was astonished, never expecting such an event after he had fainted. But... he thought, if he had taken the 'Huan Yang Cao,' his martial arts should have progressed rapidly. Why was his progress so slow?

Seeing his disciple first surprised and then puzzled, Lingxu Zhenren praised his disciple's intelligence.

"My disciple, don't overthink it. The power of the half 'Huan Yang Cao' still remains in your body. At the time, my hasty action almost cost you your life. A hundred years ago, I used the other half to save my life, so I assumed it would save you as well. However, I did not expect that the half 'Huan Yang Cao' had been nurtured in a jade box for a hundred years, increasing its power by three times. Combined with your young and weak body, the sudden release of the essence almost burst your meridians and dantian, causing you to bleed to death.

I quickly realized the danger and immediately channeled energy to disperse the surging essence. If it were anyone else, even if successful, it would have damaged their meridians, making it impossible for them to practice martial arts for life..."

The old Daoist paused, his eyes filled with lingering fear from the past.

Little Qingxuan was even more frightened.

I am the protagonist, right? I can't be so unlucky that I can't practice martial arts, can I? After all, I have been practicing martial arts continuously, but my progress has always been slow. Could this be the root of the problem? The thought of never being able to practice martial arts in this life made Qingxuan break out in a cold sweat, his heart pounding with anxiety.

Qingxuan was in a hurry, his eyes wide open, staring at his master, waiting for words like "but" or "however" to appear... But the old Daoist was taking his time.

He picked up the teacup and sipped the tea slowly, one sip, another, and another...

Finally, he put down the teacup—

His hand reached for the pastry—

"Master—" Qingxuan couldn't hold back any longer, bursting out in a heart-wrenching cry.

"Alright, alright, I'll continue— " The old Daoist stroked his beard, somewhat helplessly, and continued, "The situation was critical, but—cough, cough, I was really hungry... Uh, alright—don't worry, don't worry—however, fortunately, you have extraordinary talent. Your twelve main meridians are naturally several times stronger and wider than those of ordinary people, and your meridians are unobstructed. Using the acupoints and meridians of the twelve main meridians, I guided the surging essence into them, thus saving your life..."

At this, Qingxuan felt a great relief.

"However—"

Why is there another "however" now—The little Daoist was driven to madness again—

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