Chapter 96

Being able to sit beside Old Master Liu was an unparalleled honor for countless people. If someone with ulterior motives saw Old Master Liu inviting a young man to sit beside him, they would surely be envious to the point of madness.

Liu Menglong clearly did not care about the so-called honor. He only sat beside Old Master Liu out of respect for the elderly, glanced at his complexion, and said indifferently, "Your complexion is good; there shouldn't be any major issues."

"Thanks to your miraculous medicine," Old Master Liu's expression became even gentler, and his tone even more amiable. "I thought I wouldn't live past next year, but you saved me."

"I just didn't want my cousin to be sad," Liu Menglong said indifferently.

Shao Meiyun, sitting on the other side of Old Master Liu, looked moved and then smiled lightly. "Menglong, this is the first time you've called me cousin. For this, I'll toast you a cup." As she spoke, Shao Meiyun picked up a cup of tea, with a hint of apology. "My health hasn't been good recently, and the doctor said I can't drink alcohol in the short term. So, I'll toast you with tea instead."

Liu Menglong also picked up his teacup. Whether by coincidence or not, it was his favorite Bamboo Leaf Green. "No problem, I rarely drink alcohol. Bamboo Leaf Green is great."

Taking a sip of tea, the rich fragrance made Liu Menglong's eyes light up, and he couldn't help but praise, "Good tea!"

The taste was even more fragrant than the Supreme Dao he had tasted before.

Old Master Liu chuckled. "The last time I saw you drinking Bamboo Leaf Green at your place, I thought you must like it, so I brought out the best Supreme Dao. These are different from what's sold outside; they are tribute-quality, with only 2 pounds produced each year. I still have a bit more than three ounces. If you like it, you can take it with you when you leave."

Liu Menglong didn't refuse. He had saved Old Master Liu's life; taking some tea was nothing. He nodded, indicating his agreement.

Seeing Liu Menglong willing to accept it, Old Master Liu and Shao Meiyun looked delighted and picked up their chopsticks. "Menglong, let's eat! The doctor told me not to eat spicy food recently, but for you, I'll make an exception today."

The table was full of the most authentic Sichuan dishes, which would make outsiders wish they could cut out their tongues. Even for locals, it was a very spicy meal.

Despite taking the medicine and being in the early stages of recovery, Old Master Liu's personal doctor still advised him to eat light food. If the doctor saw all these spicy dishes, he would surely lose his temper and threaten to resign.

Hearing Old Master Liu's words, a complex look flashed in Liu Menglong's eyes. He put down his chopsticks. "Take these dishes away and replace them with some light ones."

"Menglong..." A warm current surged in Old Master Liu's heart, and his nose felt a bit stuffy. He took a deep breath and laughed. "Alright, since Menglong has spoken, Grandpa will listen to you. Someone, take the dishes away and bring a light meal."

Liu Menglong didn't object to Old Master Liu calling himself "Grandpa." Although he didn't acknowledge it, based on the Chinese mindset that silence means consent, the joy in Old Master Liu and Shao Meiyun's hearts was evident.

It took some time to bring the new dishes. During this period, a plate of dried fruits was served, which, paired with the tea, was a pleasant experience.

"Menglong..." Old Master Liu looked at Liu Menglong with satisfaction. "I saw you shoot a leaf into the wall just now. I never expected that at such a young age, you would have such powerful inner strength. When I was your age, I was far behind."

"The power is good, but it consumes a lot of true qi and can't be used continuously," Liu Menglong said indifferently.

"True qi?" Old Master Liu was momentarily stunned, then came to his senses. "You mean inner strength, right?"

Liu Menglong neither confirmed nor denied it.

Old Master Liu chuckled. "Menglong, it seems your master isn't very competent. True qi is just a term used in martial arts novels. Of course, there are also practices of cultivating innate true qi by qi practitioners. While martial arts novels are fictional, the cultivation of innate true qi by qi practitioners is very difficult. Historically, there have been some successful qi practitioners, but the last one was Liu Bowen, who lived over 600 years ago. After Liu Bowen, no one has successfully cultivated qi."

"Wasn't Liu Bowen a civil official? When did he become a qi practitioner?" Liu Menglong's knowledge of history was not great, but he was familiar with some famous historical figures.

"Hehe, history is written by the victors. Liu Bowen had great abilities and achievements, so he was specially cared for by those in power. How the historians wrote it was entirely up to the rulers. But the truth was recorded within the families of those who knew. Our Liu family has a history of over 2,000 years, so we know the details. However, that is just one side of the story. The truth, I can only answer with 'according to legend.'" Old Master Liu stroked his beard, his face filled with pride as a member of the Liu family.

Liu Menglong nodded. "Is the legend of Liu Bowen slaying a dragon true?"

"Haha, of course, it's a fictional plot to mythologize historical figures," Old Master Liu laughed. "Liu Bowen was actually a branch of our Liu family. To boost our family's influence, we used some populist strategies to create public opinion."

Liu Bowen was a branch of the Liu family?

Seeing Liu Menglong's surprised expression, Old Master Liu looked pleased. "Don't doubt it. Liu Bowen was indeed a branch of our Liu family. When Liu Bowen helped the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty succeed, our Liu family also made great efforts." He paused, then his face turned serious. "Unfortunately, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty was ungrateful and purged his meritorious ministers after securing the empire, which was truly hateful."

Liu Menglong smiled faintly. "When the birds are gone, the good bow is put away; when the rabbits are dead, the hunting dogs are cooked. In a way, it was the Liu family's ancestors who set this precedent. What right does the Liu family have to blame the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty?"

Old Master Liu's face stiffened, then he laughed bitterly. "Sigh! You're right. Our Liu family, under Emperor Gaozu of Han, indeed... But when the empire was just stabilized, if the meritorious ministers were too proud of their achievements, the empire would not be stable..."

"I think the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty thought the same way." Liu Menglong's words cut off the rest of Old Master Liu's, leaving him to laugh bitterly.

Shao Meiyun chuckled. "Alright, let's not talk about history. Menglong, who taught you the skill of flying leaves and plucking flowers? I've been in the Liu family for many years and have seen many experts, but none of them could do it, at least not those under 50 years old."

Liu Menglong smiled slightly. "Would you believe me if I said I taught myself?"

"I believe you," Shao Meiyun said without hesitation. "As long as Menglong says it, I believe it."

Shao Meiyun's attitude made Liu Menglong a bit uncomfortable, but he wasn't lying. He did teach himself, just omitting the help from the system.

Old Master Liu, however, didn't believe Liu Menglong's claim of self-teaching, but since Liu Menglong didn't want to say more, he didn't press the issue. He chuckled. "Great! After hundreds of years, our Liu family has finally produced another super genius. In the next few decades, the Liu family will rely on you."

"The Liu family is the Liu family, and I am me. I don't want to be involved with the Liu family, and you shouldn't seek me out," Liu Menglong coldly countered, seeing Old Master Liu's overreach.

Old Master Liu's face stiffened, and he laughed bitterly. "Alright! If you don't want to take over the Liu family, I won't force you. Anyway, with my current health, I can still hold on for a few more years."

Speaking of his health, Liu Menglong remembered and reached into his pocket, taking out four pills, two red and two blue. "Cousin said your health hasn't fully recovered. Take these four pills, and I think you'll be almost fully recovered."

Old Master Liu's eyes sparkled. Although he had already taken two pills, it was done unconsciously. Now, seeing the pills, he inhaled the medicinal fragrance, and his spirits immediately lifted.

Miraculous medicine!

Old Master Liu was pleasantly surprised and excitedly took the pills, swallowing them without hesitation. The pills dissolved in his mouth and instantly entered his abdomen. In the next moment, his blood and qi surged, and his snow-white hair began to turn black. His wrinkled face gradually became smooth, and his loose teeth became tighter.

The blood and qi entered his brain, and Old Master Liu couldn't help but shout. A surge of inner strength burst out, the air like a wind, blowing Liu Menglong and Shao Meiyun's hair and clothes. The dried fruits on the table were blown to the ground.

When the wind and waves calmed, seeing the old man, who looked at least twenty years younger, Shao Meiyun was shocked. Not only her, but Liu Menglong was also surprised. He hadn't expected that the blood and qi pills would have the effect of restoring youth. This was too incredible!

"Dragonfly, what's going on?" Liu Menglong, unable to understand, sought help from Dragonfly.

Dragonfly giggled. "Don't you get it? From birth, a person goes through the growth stage, maturity stage, peak stage, and decline stage. The ultimate goal of the system's pills is to bring a person to the peak stage. Liu Tianming had already entered the decline stage, but after taking the pills, he returned to the peak stage. Of course, this is just a temporary effect. If Liu Tianming overexerts himself in the future, he will gradually return to the decline stage."

So that's how it is.

Looking at the overjoyed Old Master Liu, Liu Menglong said indifferently, "Don't be too happy. You've temporarily returned to the peak stage due to the pills, but if you don't take care of yourself and overexert yourself in the future, you will fall back into the decline stage."

Hearing these words, Old Master Liu gradually calmed down but still laughed heartily. "No problem. Although the time is short, being able to return to the peak state is already very satisfying for Grandpa."

Seeing the scattered dried fruits on the ground, Old Master Liu shouted with a full voice, "Someone, clean up the table!"

The servants, who had retreated to the door, immediately came in. But seeing Old Master Liu's current appearance, they were all stunned. "Old Master! You... You are Old Master!?"

If it were usual, these servants would be kicked out of the Liu family for their dawdling, but Old Master Liu was in a great mood and laughed. "It's me, what are you standing there for? Quickly clean up the table and urge the kitchen to bring the food."