Watching the Mountain

Chapter 388: Chapter 209: Qing Xuan Dust-covered, Hidden Mountain Golden Core

Ever since she decided to stay and pass on the knowledge of the medical text, the Mortal Medical Compendium—or perhaps it started even earlier, ever since Chen Minghe left—she had become very strange.

In the past, she had spent a very long time studying the medical arts within the book, but she could only grasp some of it superficially. She was only able to treat patients by rigidly following the prescriptions.

But ever since then, her study of the medical arts had progressed by leaps and bounds. She quickly mastered all the theories within and achieved a thorough understanding.

She couldn’t quite understand it, and it made her lose confidence. ’How could I possibly learn so quickly? I must have misunderstood something somewhere.’

After hearing Qing Li’s response, Teacher Qing Xuan fell silent for a moment. He nodded, gave a soft ”mm,” and then said:

”This matter concerns all living beings, after all. It’s good to be meticulous. Even if it takes more thought and time, it’s better than making a terrible mistake.”

”Yes, I will be meticulous,” Qing Li replied with a nod.

”However...”

At that, Teacher Qing Xuan opened his mouth to continue:

”But you shouldn’t sell yourself short. You have a deep foundation of knowledge and experience. When the time is right, it’s perfectly reasonable to have a breakthrough.”

The stern look on his face vanished, replaced by a heartfelt smile tinged with pride and admiration.

”I believe you haven’t misunderstood anything. You can be more confident. After all... you are the daughter I’m so proud of.”

Qing Li froze for a second. She looked up at his beaming face, her father’s proud voice ringing in her ears.

”Qing Li, you’ve accomplished something remarkable, something even I couldn’t do. Don’t feel like you didn’t contribute much, and don’t you dare look down on yourself. It was something you all accomplished together, and you were one of the participants.”

”So, you can hold your head high and calmly accept the praise. You’ve earned it.”

”What you have to do now is another equally remarkable task. Although I won’t be able to see it, I believe you will do a wonderful job.”

”Believe in yourself. I hope that when I wake up in the future, I will be able to see your name renowned, and a world made better because of you.”

He paused for a moment before speaking in a very gentle tone, ”I’m so happy that you’ve made a choice true to your own heart, and that you take pride in it.”

Qing Xuan True Monarch and his daughter stood there, face to face. A gentle breeze swept by, tousling their hair. They remained silent, standing like that for a long time.

After a long while, Qing Li nodded emphatically, hummed in agreement, and then replied earnestly:

”What I’m doing now makes me very happy, too. I will do it well.”

Then she looked up at Qing Xuan True Monarch, a sweet smile playing on her lips, and said softly, ”Father, when you wake up, you might not see my name... but this world will definitely be a better place.”

Qing Xuan True Monarch was slightly taken aback. A moment later, a smile spread across his face as he replied softly, ”I believe you.”

With that, he waved his hand, and the two of them resumed their walk along the Qing Master’s Dao on Qing Xuan Peak.

Only this time, they were no longer silent, but conversed as they walked.

They spoke of small, everyday things—about her mother, about themselves, and offered each other small words of care, greetings, and blessings.

As they walked, they came to a fork in the path. One way led to the rest of the Sect, while the other was the entrance to Qing Xuan Peak. Beyond the foot of the mountain, dozens of miles away, lay a mortal town.

Teacher Qing Xuan looked at the fork, his gaze drifting toward the gate. After a moment, he turned to Qing Li and asked:

”Would you like to go for a stroll in the town outside?”

Hearing this, Qing Li raised her head slightly, a flicker of anticipation in her eyes. ”I would.”

Teacher Qing Xuan smiled gently. ”Then let’s go.”

Watching this scene from afar, Xu Ran also broke into a heartfelt smile and let out a soft sigh of relief.

’I can relax now,’ he thought. ’I should leave the rest of the time to Teacher Qing Xuan and his daughter. There’s no need for me to tag along.’

However, just as this thought crossed his mind, Teacher Qing Xuan, in the distance, suddenly turned around, waved at him, and called out:

”Xu Ran, you come along too.”

He hadn’t called him Hidden Mountain, but by his name, Xu Ran.

Hearing Teacher Qing Xuan’s words, Xu Ran was taken aback. ”This... I don’t think that’s appropriate. It would be better if you and Qing Li went by yourselves, Teacher.”

He thought, ’This is the last bit of time this father and daughter have together. What would I be doing tagging along?’

But to his surprise, as soon as the words left his mouth, Teacher Qing Xuan put on a stern face and said:

”What, do you find it interesting just watching us, a father and daughter, stare blankly at each other?”

Xu Ran’s eyes widened and his mouth fell slightly agape. He was speechless. ’Isn’t that your problem, Teacher? How did this become my fault?’

Just as he was thinking this, he heard Teacher Qing Xuan continue, ”You’re a smooth talker. Come with us and help liven things up a bit.”

Xu Ran’s eyes widened again. It was the first time he’d ever heard such a blunt request.

”Come with us,” Qing Li said softly, her gaze also falling upon him.

Hearing the request from both father and daughter, Xu Ran sighed softly. He said no more and quietly walked up to join them.

Once they reached the foot of the mountain, Teacher Qing Xuan waved his hand, and a ball of spiritual light enveloped them. He then formed a series of Finger Formulas, and the scene before them changed in a flash. When the spiritual light dissipated, they were standing outside the town gates.

Listening to the bustling sounds from within the town, Xu Ran couldn’t help but feel a little dazed. Ever since joining the Sect, he had almost always stayed within its grounds, having only left the mountain gates a few times.