I Can Devour Spirits

Chapter 61: Chapter 61: A Story

Xiao Zongting sat in the chair, his lips still trembling, his face covered in tears. This old man who had faced life and death was still unable to calm his emotions.

Duan Rong picked up a porcelain pot from the tea table, poured a cup of clear water, and handed it to Xiao Zongting.

Xiao Zongting’s hand shook slightly as he brought the teacup to his lips, taking a couple of sips, finally calming down slowly.

Seeing his somewhat worried expression, Duan Rong, who was standing beside him, asked, ”From whom did you learn this acupuncture skill?”

If not for Duan Rong’s timely intervention just now, it seems that Xiao Baijiao might not have made it...

Duan Rong sighed softly and began to tell the prepared story, slowly and profoundly.

”When I was about ten years old, a neighbor moved in nearby, an elderly man, slightly hunched and living alone.”

”I noticed that alone he found it difficult to manage daily tasks, so at times, I would gather some wild fruits for him.”

”Occasionally, I also helped him chop wood, fetch water, and do some odd chores!”

”After a few months of such interaction, he began to teach me painting and acupuncture.”

”He taught me for about a year, and then one day, he suddenly disappeared.”

”I asked all the nearby neighbors, but nobody knew where he had gone.”

”Now, six or seven years have passed... and I have never seen him again...”

As Duan Rong narrated slowly, Xiao Zongting’s emotions completely calmed down. He sighed a long, deep breath, wiped away the remaining tears on his face, and said, ”That old man must have had a mysterious background... this is also a stroke of luck for you, young one!”

The night he gave Duan Rong the Second Level Inner Breath formula, he noticed Duan Rong’s familiarity with human acupoints, which surprised him at the time, though he didn’t ask further.

So it turns out, this young boy had such an experience!

This child not only comforts him in his old age but also saved Baijiao’s life, considered a blessing to the Xiao Family!

Naturally, Xiao Zongting had no doubts about Duan Rong’s story. Whether it was painting or acupuncture, these were skills Duan Rong indeed mastered.

If no one taught him, could these skills have come from his mother’s womb?

After they chatted for a while, lasting no more than the time of a burning incense stick, Gu Suxiu emerged from the inner room to the east.

Gu Suxiu, his hair was grey, walked with a heavy step. A layer of fine sweat covered his forehead, and his eyes showed a slightly weary look.

Evidently, the treatment of Xiao Baijiao cost him a tremendous amount of energy!

”Brother Gu! How is Baijiao?”

Seeing Gu Suxiu come out, Xiao Zongting immediately stood up, asking urgently.

Duan Rong, standing aside, also looked at Gu Suxiu with concern.

Gu Suxiu’s lips moved slightly, wanting to speak but hesitated as he looked at Duan Rong.

Duan Rong immediately understood, realizing that Gu Suxiu did not recognize him. What he was about to say could pertain not only to Xiao Baijiao’s condition but even her life and death.

Such confidential information was not suitable to be announced to outsiders!

Though worried about Xiao Baijiao’s safety, Duan Rong understood that it was not appropriate for him to remain.

”Elder Xiao, I have matters to attend to, and will check on the Second Miss a bit later.” Duan Rong bowed to Xiao Zongting and then to Gu Suxiu before turning and leaving.

At this moment, Xiao Zongting was preoccupied with Xiao Baijiao, paying little attention to Duan Rong’s departure, only urging Gu Suxiu with his gaze.

Gu Suxiu sighed and sat down in the chair in front of him, leaning back, and sighed, ”Brother Xiao! You must be mentally prepared... Though Baijiao has been saved this time, another incident like this might...”

As Gu Suxiu spoke, he shook his head and sighed again.

Hearing this, Xiao Zongting felt as if struck by thunder, his legs gave way, and he collapsed onto the chair. ”Baijiao... she...”

Xiao Zongting barely steadied himself by holding on to the armrest, as tears welled up in his eyes again.

”Brother Gu, if Baijiao were to go, it would rip my heart out! Please, do what you can to save her...”

”Baijiao is a child I’ve watched grow up! But Brother Xiao... her illness seems to be destined!”

After resting for a moment and regaining some strength, Gu Suxiu wrote a prescription, asking Zhu Xiaoqi to take it to the Herbal Shop to get the medicine.

The medicine promotes expelling wind and energizing Qi, nourishing blood, and improving circulation.

After Zhu Xiaoqi brought the medication back, she immediately brewed it in the kitchen.

Gu Suxiu observed Xiao Baijiao taking her medicine, and within fifteen minutes, she fell into a steady sleep, her complexion regaining vitality.

After advising Xiao Zongting a few more words, Gu Suxiu then took his leave.

Xiao Zongting personally escorted him out.

”Brother Xiao, when I came in earlier, who administered the needles on Baijiao’s forehead and neck?”

”It was the young boy standing next to me just now...” Xiao Zongting replied absent-mindedly.

Gu Suxiu paused for a moment. ”The needle technique looked quite similar to my family’s Plum Blossom Needle Technique...”

Coming from a family of medical practitioners, Gu Suxiu’s needle technique was personally taught by his grandfather.

This technique also has some history; it’s said to be created a hundred years ago by a hidden weapon master, combining acupuncture and hidden weapon techniques, truly challenging to master.

As a young man, Gu Suxiu endured a lot to learn this technique.

”That young boy... perhaps there’s some connection with me!” Gu Suxiu then recalled Duan Rong’s face, remembering him as a dark-skinned, robust young man.

”Oh... he’s... a newly recruited Apprentice Escort Master this year...” Xiao Zongting, worried about Xiao Baijiao’s condition, didn’t quite register what Gu Suxiu said about the acupuncture technique.

Seeing Xiao Zongting’s absent-minded demeanor, Gu Suxiu realized he was overwhelmed by his daughter’s condition and thus did not say more, taking his leave.

Meanwhile, upon leaving Xiao Zongting’s courtyard, Duan Rong went to the Martial Arts Arena, practicing his stance until 3 p.m.

Seeing the time, Duan Rong returned to the dorm, washed off the sweat, and then set off towards the crooked willow tree on West Main Street, taking up his role as a human stand.

After completing an hour of painting work by dusk, Duan Rong packed up and went back...

On his way back to the Yuan Shun Escort Agency, he purposely detoured to a pastry shop to buy some osmanthus cakes and preserved fruits.

Returning to the Yuan Shun Escort Agency, Duan Rong first put his art supplies in the dorm. Although it was supper time in the cafeteria, he didn’t go there, instead taking two packages of osmanthus cakes and preserved fruits wrapped in straw paper to Xiao Zongting’s courtyard.

As soon as Duan Rong entered the yard, he saw Zhu Xiaoqi in the outer court’s kitchen, sitting on a small stool in front of the stove, stoking the fire...

The aroma of food was already wafting through the air...

Duan Rong swallowed and walked into the kitchen, softly calling, ”Xiaoqi.”

Zhu Xiaoqi turned her head, the firelight from the stove illuminating her face like a blooming peach blossom.

”Why are you here?”

”Is the Second Miss feeling any better?”

Zhu Xiaoqi snapped a few thin pieces of wood in her hands, stuffing them into the stove as she sighed and said, ”She’s already resting... it’s her old ailment... Though this year is causing more trouble!”

Zhu Xiaoqi was unaware of the severity of Xiao Baijiao’s condition, thinking it was like previous years, a minor issue that would pass.

”Please give this to the Second Miss for me! Tell her to take good care of her health.” Duan Rong handed the two packages to Zhu Xiaoqi and said.