Chapter 657: Revisiting Old Matters

Gu Liangong, with a strange expression, said: "Zhao Kangtai, Derun has been whispering to you for so long; didn't he tell you about the Zhu Clan's retaliation against the Le Family?"

"The Zhu Clan retaliating against the Le Family?"

Zhao Kangtai's face was full of puzzlement; Zhao Derun had just whispered in his ear, saying not much, and Zhao Kangtai, puzzled, asked: "Shouldn't it be that the second-generation Daozhang of Withered Wood, leading the Le Family, went to the county seat to trouble the Zhu Clan, avenging Le Wenmao's son and daughter‑in‑law?"

What Zhao Derun had just told him was that this reappearing second-generation Daozhang of Withered Wood possessed the ability to summon Guimen Guan, and that Gu Liangong might hope that the second-generation Daozhang, presiding over his funeral, would perform Soul Salvation for his departed soul, to see if Guimen Guan could be summoned, allowing Gu Liangong to pass through Guimen Guan and be reborn in the next life into a wealthy family.

To make him understand why Gu Liangong, though he could still live three or five more years, was not happy but rather disappointed.

Apart from that, no other people were mentioned.

"Derun, Derun, I'm not the one blaming you, but what kind of nonsense are you spreading? You just had the nerve to mention your Xiao Huai, and I think you're not any stronger than your Xiao Huai!"

Gu Liangong, speechless, glanced at Zhao Derun, never having imagined that the words he had spoken at Zhao Kangtai's ear for so long might not have included a single word of the truly important matter, and he said with a complicated expression:

"Zhao Kangtai, do you know that Le Wenmao has already passed away?"

"How could that be?"

Zhao Kangtai's complexion changed dramatically; he and Le Wenmao had been playmates since childhood.

However, ever since Xuanqing Daozhang and his sibling arrived at Liangshui Town, Le Wenmao was willing to play with them, and after that they never had any contact again.

It wasn't his own elders who had opinions about Xuanqing Daozhang's siblings, but the parents of other companions who disapproved, forbidding their children from playing with them.

He had once warned Le Wenmao, but Le Wenmao took it lightly; because of the other companions, he could only publicly sever ties with Le Wenmao, and only after both grew into adults did their relationship gradually mend.

He had also attended Le Wenmao's wedding, joking that back then Le Wenmao, disregarding the opinions of many playmates, ran off to play with Xuanqing Daozhang's siblings, even abandoning his own brothers; it was quite possible that at that time he developed an improper affection for Xuanqing Daozhang's sister, Zuo Wenjun.

In recent years Le Wenmao has been bedridden and paralyzed; Gu Liangong has visited him often, even personally diagnosing his illness, knowing that Le Wenmao's condition is severe, yet living another ten or five years is not a problem.

He still doesn't believe it.

Le Wenmao will depart this world today!

In an instant, countless thoughts swirled in Zhao Kangtai's mind; knowing Gu Liangong wouldn't deceive him with this, he wondered why Le Wenmao, who should have ten or five more good years, would die today.

"Could it be that the appearance of the second-generation Daozhang of Withered Wood, knowing he was there, gave Xiao Zhuang a backing, entrusted Xiao Zhuang to him, which then released the breath gathered in his heart, causing him to depart this world?"

Zhao Kangtai couldn't help but speculate.

"Zhao Kangtai, you don't know—today Le Wenmao is not in his usual spirited state; if it weren't for today, I would have almost forgotten how domineering Le Wenmao was back then…"

Gu Liangong stared at Zhao Kangtai for a long time without speaking, realizing that he must have been shocked by Le Wenmao's death today and perhaps still speculating why Le Wenmao died today; not hiding anything, he laid out the whole story in detail.

From Le Wenmao running to the Cui Clan, wiping out the entire Cui family, to Cui Ji leading men for revenge, all perished at the hands of Xuanqing Daozhang, and then Zhu Xing appeared.

Finally, the Zhu Clan's Imperial Attendant of the Golden Core stage was taken by Xuanqing Daozhang, who opened Guimen Guan; a ghost envoy emerged, clearly a friend of Xuanqing Daozhang, and bound Kong Yuan Si with an iron chain, dragging him into Guimen Guan, while the rest of Zhu Xing fled in disgrace. Even though this wasn't the first time he mentioned it, even though it had passed some time, he still spoke of it with excitement.

As if he were the protagonist of the incident!

"No wonder you old thing, you're eager to die!"

Zhao Kangtai snorted; although Zhao Derun had just narrated in his ear, it was still not as detailed as Gu Liangong's account. This old fellow, despite his age, spoke with clear enunciation and rhythmic cadence, naturally a storyteller; though his heart was also shocked, he didn't want to give Gu Liangong a chance to show off, so he changed the subject:

"Derun, go fetch the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone!"

Zhao Derun opened his mouth, about to say something, when Zhao Huai spoke first: "Grandpa, let me go!"

After speaking, Zhao Huai, without waiting for Zhao Kangtai's reply, hurried away at top speed toward the counter.

He's not foolish; even if he hadn't suggested it, given his understanding of his father, his father would certainly have ordered him to do it, perhaps even scold him in the process; he's not one who likes being scolded, so he'd rather take the initiative.

Gu Liangong, puzzled, asked: "Zhao Kangtai, why are you having your grandson fetch the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone?"

Zhao Kangtai, impatient, replied: "What else could it be? Of course it's to write a prescription for you!"

"I…"

Gu Liangong was about to speak, but before he could finish, Zhao Kangtai impatiently interrupted: "Enough, stop wasting time; once I finish writing the prescription for you, I still need to go check on the Le Family!"

This novel you to

Not long after.

After Zhao Kangtai finished writing the final ingredient, he exhaled a heavy gust of foul breath, his forehead drenched in layers of sweat; he took the handkerchief Zhao Huai handed him, wiped his forehead clean, then handed the prescription to Zhao Derun, saying:

"Derun, take this list of ingredients and go fetch the herbs for your Uncle Gu."

Gu Liangong's illness is extremely severe, a rarity in his life.

Even so, prescribing for Gu Liangong requires not only considering his illness but also his age and physique, deliberating at length; it's not just about which herb, but also the dosage of each.

He must consider it for a long time.

To craft this prescription for Gu Liangong, the damage to his brain cells is not ordinary.

Gu Liangong watched Zhao Derun take the prescription, got up to leave—clearly to go fetch the herbs—and wanted to speak out to stop him, but recalling what he had said to Xuanqing Daozhang, he swallowed his words and instead asked, "How much does it cost?"

Zhao Kangtai was not deceitful; without saying anything about waiving the fee, he gave a specific amount.

After all, their family makes a living by treating patients!

Gu Liangong said nothing else, directly pulling his wallet from his pocket; he knew that whether it was Zhao Kangtai or Zhao Derun, they wouldn't cheat with medical skills—whatever amount was stated was the amount.

He would earn a little, but it's just a labor fee.

(End of Chapter)