Chapter 39

Chapter 39: Come, Experience Buqiu's Craftiness

Chapter 39: Come, Experience Buqiu's Craftiness

"Qi Qian had heard from childhood friends about Master Buqiu's eccentric temperament, but he never knew his words could be so crafty. Truly an eye-opener."

"What, a cause for celebration?"

Qi Qian, holding back his frustration, took a deep breath and said, "It seems we were ignorant, not knowing about such a place as the Forest of Ten Thousand Ghosts."

Qin Liuxi nodded in agreement, "That's why you shouldn't speak carelessly, nor should you recklessly enter dense forests. It's easy to run into trouble."

"I suspect you're making an indecent joke, but I have no proof."

Yin Nan gritted his teeth and said, "Knowing this, why did you still take that path through the forest, clearly leading us into it on purpose?"

"Yin Nan!" Qi Qian was visibly displeased and glared at him.

Yin Nan shrank his neck, feeling wronged.

"I took that path because I was in a hurry. Going through the Wanhuai Forest is half an hour faster than the official road to return to the city!" Qin Liuxi explained, "Moreover, I am upright and fear no crooked shadows. With the righteousness of heaven and earth within me, I fear no evil spirits."

"Damn it, he's subtly insulting us!"

"Yin Nan wanted to say more, but was pulled back by the Fire Wolf, retreating reluctantly."

"Ultimately, it was our unfamiliarity with the path that led us astray, as you said, a matter of fate," Qi Qian remarked calmly.

Qin Liuxi eyed him and said, "Fate? In fact, people should be mindful of their words, especially in places of Buddhist or Taoist significance. Careless words can lead to verbal misdeeds. Who knows if your wrong turn was a result of such misdeeds? Some things, even if you don't believe in them, should still be respected. What do you think, young master?"

Ying Nan, who lacked restraint in his speech, was taken aback.

Qi Qian, realizing the warning in her words, understood that it was probably Ying Nan's disrespect towards the Taoist master that Qin Liuxi had witnessed, leading to their reprimand.

"I will take this lesson to heart," he bowed respectfully again.

Qin Liuxi waved her hand dismissively, "That will be all."

"Master Buqiu, we have long heard of your exquisite medical skills and have come sincerely seeking your help," Qi Qian said. "They say a doctor has the heart of a parent. Please, we request your medical expertise."

"You've got the wrong person," Qin Liuxi replied without turning back, "I'm just a novice in Qihuang medicine, merely bluffing."

"Ten thousand taels," Qi Qian called out from behind her.

Qin Liuxi paused in her steps.

"I am willing to offer ten thousand taels as a consultation fee, should the master agree to help."

Qin Liuxi turned around, her smile widening, "What did you just say?"

"Ten thousand taels as a fee."

"No, the sentence before that."

Qi Qian, a bit confused, thought for a moment, "Master Buqiu..."

"Ah," Qin Liuxi laughed, "What brings the young master to seek me?"

Qi Qian: "..."

"Yin Nan and the others already had their hands on their sword hilts, ready to draw at any moment, seething with anger!"

"Qi Qian is here to seek medical help. If Master Buqiu would kindly accompany Qi Qian to treat a family elder, Qi Qian is willing to pay a hefty sum for the service," Qi Qian said, restraining his impatience.

Qin Liuxi waved his hand dismissively, "Seeking medical help, you say. The question of payment is not important. The heart of a healer is like that of a parent. Especially moved by your filial piety, young master, not to mention the heavens, even I am touched. Now, where is the patient? Let's go immediately!"

"Qi Qian and his companions were inwardly scoffing, almost believing his seemingly ethereal and detached words."

"Travel is difficult for the elder, and it might trouble the master to journey far. It's in a villa near Ningzhou Prefecture, about a three-day journey," Qi Qian explained.

"Ningzhou, huh? That's quite a distance. I'm a person who dislikes hassle, and my health isn't great..."

Qi Qian hurriedly said, "The master need not worry about food, lodging, or travel on the way; I will arrange everything."

"In that case, first of all, the carriage must be spacious and well-sprung, and I want to drink top-quality Da Hong Pao tea. It's a long and boring journey, so snacks are a must..."

Yin Nan, listening from behind, frowned, "Why do these requests sound more like preparations for a pleasure trip?"