NOVEL NEXT Chapter 9: The Cabinet
Chapter 9: The Cabinet
“Do you know who that Daoist Xianyun truly is?”
On the way back, Ji Wutong asked, her face filled with astonishment.
Even now, she hadn’t fully recovered from the shock of what had just transpired.
Elder Xianyun and Monk Yehe were both renowned figures in the vast martial world of the Great Yu Dynasty.
Not only were these two martial brothers exceptionally skilled in martial arts, but they also roamed the land righting wrongs, embodying the chivalrous spirit of ancient heroes.
As a result, wherever they went, they were met with respect and garnered countless followers.
The Demon Sect had once desperately tried to recruit them, only to be firmly refused.
Because of this, several elders of the Demon Sect had even drunkenly admitted that failing to secure these two men’s allegiance was one of the sect’s greatest regrets.
Yet who could have imagined that in this small Yanshan City, they would suffer a setback at the hands of Lin Mu?
“Are you really not going to invite them to stay at the clinic temporarily?”
“If they were willing to stay, no one would dare cause trouble for the clinic ever again!”
Ji Wutong continued to persuade him, reluctant to give up.
“I’ve been peacefully treating patients in this clinic, and no one has ever bothered me. What does their strength have to do with me?”
Lin Mu chuckled, his tone brimming with indifference as he said, “I’m just a physician. The grudges and conflicts of the martial world have nothing to do with me!”
“Since they aren’t patients, they naturally can’t stay in my clinic.”
“Then what about me?”
Hearing Lin Mu’s words, Ji Wutong instinctively asked.
“You’re an exception.”
“Hmph~ That’s more like it. Otherwise, I’d have no choice but to leave~”
“Really?”
“Of course not!!!” Ji Wutong sneered.
Did he really think he could get rid of her so easily? Not a chance!
Until she repaid her debt of gratitude for saving her life, she absolutely would not leave the clinic.
As night fell, the Gu family estate buzzed with clinking cups and lively conversation.
Elder Xianyun and the Gu family head drank merrily, while Gu Ming hovered around a portly monk with utmost reverence.
From the looks of it, he was likely to succeed in becoming a disciple.
“Ah…”
Gu Motian, the head of the Gu family, let out a long sigh, filled with regret.
If he had known things would turn out this way, he never would have encouraged Gu Ming’s desire to seek a master.
Now, both his children—his son entering monastic life and his daughter joining Emei Sect—were gone.
What was he supposed to do now?
Perhaps he should just find a Taoist temple and devote his life to the Three Pure Ones!
Then there was Lin Mu. Gu Motian had never imagined that this young man would have a life-saving connection to Elder Xianyun.
If he hadn’t broken off the engagement and had instead allowed Gu Yueling and Lin Mu to marry as betrothed, not only would his daughter have avoided joining Emei Sect, but Gu Ming could have also become Elder Xianyun’s disciple with just a word from Lin Mu.
Wouldn’t that have been the best of both worlds?
“Ah…”
Gu Motian sighed again.
“Family Head Gu, why the long face?”
Monk Yehe, sitting beside him, noticed his melancholy and said with a smile, “This humble monk offers you a cup of plain tea in gratitude for raising such a prodigy for our Buddhist faith!”
Hearing this, Gu Motian’s gloom deepened, and he couldn’t help but sigh once more.
“Great Master Yehe, my son has a volatile temperament. Are you truly willing to accept him as your disciple?”
Changing tactics, Gu Motian probed, unwilling to give up.
He wanted to retract the arrangement, but he feared offending Xianyun and Yehe, so he had no choice but to resort to this.
“This is the sincerity of a pure heart—rare and precious!”
“But my son’s martial talent is lacking!”
“Family Head Gu, do not belittle yourself. Your son will surely spread the teachings of Buddhism and become a grandmaster in the future!”
“This…” At this point, Gu Motian could find no excuse to retract his words. He could only nod helplessly. “Then I entrust my son to your care, Great Master Yehe.”
“Thank you, Father!”
Hearing Gu Motian’s approval, Gu Ming was so excited he could barely contain himself, his face splitting into a wide grin.
Seeing this, Gu Motian downed his cup of wine in one gulp.
Then, citing discomfort, he excused himself and left.
“Family Head Gu, if you’re unwell, perhaps you should visit Benevolent Clinic!”
“Divine Physician Lin’s medical skills are truly remarkable!”
Elder Xianyun kindly reminded him.
Little did he know, his words only deepened Gu Motian’s heartache.
After leaving the banquet, Gu Motian wandered dazedly into the rear courtyard.
There, he found Gu Yueling standing under the moonlight, lost in thought.
According to the servants who had accompanied her that day, there was a woman in a white dress—one with extraordinary grace and beauty—by Lin Mu’s side.
No doubt, like the other women in the city, she harbored feelings for him.
Though Lin Mu was blind, he never lacked admirers.
And Gu Motian was vaguely aware that Gu Yueling had secretly fancied Lin Mu since childhood.
But now, he had no idea how to console his daughter.
“Ah…”
Gu Motian sighed for what felt like the hundredth time that night. “Lin Mu, oh Lin Mu… why did you have to be blind?”
Meanwhile, back at the clinic, Lin Mu and the other two were gathered happily around the stove, enjoying the warmth of the fire.
On top of the stove, several sweet potatoes steamed fragrantly, making their mouths water.
“Pfft—pfft—”
Gu Xing juggled a hot sweet potato between his hands, blowing on it as he asked, “So, that Elder Xianyun is really something, huh?”
“Of course~”
Ji Wutong nodded.
Even now, she still regretted not convincing Lin Mu to let Elder Xianyun stay at the clinic for a few days.
“But can he roast sweet potatoes?”
Gu Xing pressed again.
Ji Wutong’s words caught in her throat, and she rolled her eyes.
“What do you know, you little brat?”
“I’m not a little brat!” Gu Xing flared up, jumping to his feet. “I’m going to be a great general someday!”
“You?”
Ji Wutong sneered, her disdain palpable.
“Master~” Seeing this, Gu Xing could only turn to Lin Mu for support.
But Lin Mu didn’t speak. Instead, he stood up and walked over to a locked cabinet.
Gu Xing hurried after him, hovering close to ensure Lin Mu didn’t bump into anything.
“Gu Xing, open the cabinet.”
Lin Mu took a key from his pocket and handed it over.
“Yes, Master!”
Gu Xing took the key curiously and unlocked the cabinet.
He had noticed this cabinet before but had always assumed it was just for storing medicine, so he hadn’t paid it much attention.
But now, it seemed that wasn’t the case.
Ji Wutong also leaned in, peering curiously at the contents.
“Inside are the lifelong collections of the old clinic master—medical texts, martial arts manuals, and some of my own notes on medicine.”
Lin Mu explained slowly to the two of them. “Since Gu Xing wants to be a general, he must learn martial arts for self-defense.”
“If he trains diligently, surpassing Xianyun and Yehe in the future won’t be out of the question!”
“Wutong, if you’re interested, you’re welcome to study them as well.”
Looking at the cabinet filled with medical texts and martial arts manuals, Ji Wutong’s eyes widened in shock.
Many of these were rare texts she had only heard of but never seen.
Yet a blind physician like Lin Mu had quietly collected them all.
If word of this got out, the entire martial world would be plunged into decades of bloodshed.