Chapter 656: Father‑and‑Son Inheritance Teaching Method

"Is this illness really that hard to cure?"

Wang Ping'an muttered to himself, but if one were far away at the temple, one could clearly see that his face was full of an unhideable smile, secretly observing the ethereal Zhao Kangtai; from his personal upkeep and aura, it was obvious at a glance that he was a capable person, and he thought to himself:

"I don't know this old gentleman, but I reckon he's a formidable figure; I didn't expect even he couldn't rescue the ancient old master!"

He would be pleased, naturally, because it makes his talent—prescribing the right remedy—clear.

A physician like Zhao Kangtai, with an ethereal bearing, instantly reveals that he comes from a medical family, generations of doctors, learned medicine since childhood, and after practicing for so many years has surely treated countless difficult cases.

Even he couldn't solve Gu Liangong's ailment, yet his talent—prescribing the right remedy—produced a prescription that could be called perfect; he himself could find no flaw, and it could flawlessly resolve Gu Liangong's problem.

From this contrast, even a three‑year‑old would know his talent—being good at prescribing the right remedy.

What a pity.

He can't share this brag‑worthy thing with anyone else.

"Is the student surpassing the master?"

Zhao Kangtai seemed to hear a colossal joke, glanced disdainfully at Zhao Derun—who has some skill but still falls short; otherwise he couldn't have treated Gu Liangong nor invited him out. Everyone knows he rarely sees patients. He admits the fellow has some talent, but to surpass him still requires time, and he said expressionlessly:

"What talent could this guy have? He's just an ordinary doctor. Expecting him to surpass me is like hoping my little Xiao Huai could surpass me; in comparison, Xiao Huai certainly has talent!"

"Zhao Kangtai, you, you—your whole body is left with only this stubborn mouth!"

Gu Liangong let out a cold laugh. He and Zhao Kangtai are about the same age, and having watched Zhao Derun grow up, he knows that when Zhao Derun originally followed Zhao Kangtai to study medicine, Zhao Kangtai would occasionally pull him out to mock him, just as Zhao Derun and Zhao Huai are like a father‑son pair now, and he said:

"Since you can't cure my illness, I think you'd better not treat it; it'd be better to let me die early and be reborn quickly, rather than lie in bed where life is worse than death?"

"Uncle Gu, have you forgotten the words you just said at the Le Family with Kumu Daozhang, and the promise you made to him?"

Zhuo Tie hurriedly spoke.

"Gu Liangong, did Derun tell you that your illness is beyond cure, at most it could let you live another year or so, but you might end up paralyzed in bed?"

Zhao Kangtai didn't rush to answer, but instead asked.

Gu Liangong exclaimed in surprise, "Zhao Kangtai, how do you know?"

"A father knows his son best; how could I not know what this guy's abilities are? He only has this little skill, and you still have the nerve to say he surpasses his master!"

"I can't cure your disease, but I can let you live another three to five years without being paralyzed in bed. How about it—am I stronger than Derun?"

"Huh?"

Gu Liangong gasped, his face showing an unmistakable disappointment; he knew Zhao Kangtai's skill was actually stronger than Zhao Derun's, otherwise Derun couldn't have solved the problem nor could he have invited Zhao Kangtai out. He had originally thought Zhao Kangtai could at most resolve his paralysis, never expecting this.

Zhao Kangtai actually would let him live another three to five years!

If it were the past, hearing this would have made him indescribably happy, but now, no one dares guarantee what else might happen in those three to five years.

What he feared most was that during those three to five years, Xuanqing Daozhang might disappear, leaving no one to preside over his funeral, perform Soul Salvation for his departed soul, guide him through Guimen Guan to be reborn, let alone speed up reincarnation; at best a ninety‑percent chance of being reborn into a wealthy family.

"What, can I let you live another three to five years without paralysis, and you're still not happy about this good thing?"

【9】 "How could you still expect me to fully cure your disease?"

Zhao Kangtai's brow twitched slightly as he stared at Gu Liangong oddly; he realized that Gu Liangong was acting very strange and, with startled doubt, asked, "Could it be that you, this fellow, still expect me to treat and heal your illness?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, he suddenly recalled that just now Gu Liangong knew he couldn't treat Gu Liangong's illness; Gu Liangong not only wasn't disappointed, but was actually delighted, as if he'd heard a monumental piece of good news, seeming not to want his disease cured.

"Could it be that this old fellow is fed up at home, has lost hope, and doesn't want to live?"

Gu Liangong gave an awkward smile, not knowing how to answer; he didn't know how to bring this up to Zhao Kangtai.

Zhao Derun whispered into Zhao Kangtai's ear, recounting his own speculation in detail, making Zhao Kangtai's eyes grow ever brighter.

After a long while, Zhao Kangtai listened to Zhao Derun's guess, stared deeply at Gu Liangong, recalled the before‑and‑after contrast, realized this might indeed be possible, remembered Zhuo Tie's earlier mention of "Kumu Daozhang", and said:

"Zhuo Tie, who is the Kumu Daozhang you mentioned?"

This novel you have reached

Kumu Daozhang, he knows, for Liangshui Town there is a Kumu Guan, whose master is called "Kumu Daoist", though everyone respectfully calls him "Kumu Daozhang". Long ago, that Kumu Daozhang passed away.

I see.

The Kumu Daozhang Zhuo Tie mentioned must be another one!

Before Zhuo Tie could speak, Gu Liangong cut in: "Who else could it be but the first generation Kumu Daozhang's disciple, that is Le Wenmao's elder brother!"

"Is it him? Is he still alive?"

Zhao Kangtai suddenly realized; he and Xuanqing Daozhang are of the same age, roughly acquainted, but never really interacted, and he mused:

"All these years, whether his sister left the world or Kumu Daozhang passed away, I never saw him return; I thought he'd died out there.

I didn't expect him to show up today, but now that he's back and knows the Le Family's plight, he'll probably clash with the Zhu Clan; given the Zhu Clan's current power and backing, even if he's learned great skills abroad, he likely won't be a match for the Zhu Clan's patron.

You're hoping he'll preside over your funeral rites, perform Soul Salvation for your soul, summon Guimen Guan for you—don't entertain that idea.

Otherwise you'll drag the Zhu Clan into your funeral; you know the Zhu Clan's ways, be careful not to transfer their wrath onto your son and grandson!"

(End of Chapter)