Chapter 4106 — Could He Be a Swindler?
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
"What? Him?" Wei Zhao was taken aback for a moment, recalling that back in the mortal realm, the Southern Heaven Libation had once mentioned this very man.
"So it seems you have heard of him too, young friend. Lord Tian and our master were close as brothers. Ever since then he has stayed at the Elixir Hall to recuperate, but alas, nothing has ever worked. The reason our master has been so elusive these years is partly that he has been seeking a way to heal him—and whenever the master is away, we senior and junior disciples take turns looking after him," Hou Guanqi explained.
Cai Zhongxuan picked up the thread. "So this time, having you meet Tianchan, young hero Lin, is really just using Lord Tian as a pretext. We have brought in outside physicians before to consult on his case, so no one will grow suspicious."
"I see. My thanks to you both for going to such trouble on my account. When shall we go?" Wei Zhao asked.
Hou Guanqi smiled. "Since you are so eager, young friend, we can go right now. I have already arranged men in advance; word will reach Tianchan's ears soon enough, and I trust she will not sit by and do nothing."
Having settled on the plan, the three set out at once for the private sanatorium prepared for Di Xingdao. Wei Zhao found it rather odd that Tianchan should be the one caring for Lord Tian, but then reflected that it was likely a task assigned by the Elixir Hall.
Entering the room, they were greeted by an old man of somewhat imposing stature, in good spirits, with a faint trace of his former heroic bearing still discernible—save that between his brows lingered a helplessness and dejection he could not shake off.
This was the first time Wei Zhao had laid eyes on Di Xingdao, once a legendary figure of Cloud-Tier Island. He was a ruined man now, his strength such that he might not even match an ordinary person—yet a legend is a legend. However far he had fallen, he would never truly sink into mediocrity, still less into banality.
Seeing the three enter, Di Xingdao did not fly into the harsh temper he had shown Tianchan before. Instead, his expression was calm as he smiled and said, "Ah, little Hou and little Cai. Have you brought me some marvelous elixir again, or thought of some other treatment?"
Over the years, not only Zhang Lifeng but also these nominal disciples such as Hou Guanqi had never given up, constantly seeking a cure for Di Xingdao and often bringing back rare medicinal ingredients—though each time to no avail.
"No, actually, this time the two of us have brought an apothecary to examine you, Lord Tian. This is the young friend Wei Zhao beside us," Hou Guanqi explained, steeling himself.
Once one's cultivation reaches a certain level, one's appearance and bearing cease to age barring some great calamity; yet to the experienced eye, a person's true age can be judged from bearing alone. As a former legend, Di Xingdao was hardly lacking in such discernment.
Still, though he could see that Wei Zhao was young, Di Xingdao showed not the slightest contempt. After all, age and strength did not necessarily go hand in hand. Some people, young as they were, were heaven-sent prodigies whose few short years of achievement others might spend hundreds or thousands of years failing to match—he himself and Zhang Lifeng were living proof.
Moreover, apart from his identity as the Elixir God, Zhang Lifeng was also known as the Medical Sage, and his nominal disciples were all physicians of uncommon skill—Cai Zhongxuan, for one, was a healer of sterling reputation throughout the Middle Island. If this young apothecary before them had won their approval, he was surely no ordinary man.
This Wei Zhao, it seemed, was a man of considerable ability!
"Then I shall trouble you, Apothecary Lin. Please." Di Xingdao at once courteously invited Wei Zhao to take a seat.