Chapter 92

Chapter 92

Wu Heng couldn't help but ask, "Dad, how much gaming did you actually do during work hours?"

In the end, Shi Xuan got rid of Wu Su, a minor character, and Wu Heng thought that aside from Wu Su discovering the Shi family's secret, Shi Xuan probably couldn't stand his father slacking off, making big bucks, and even cursing him behind his back and to his face as the butler.

Wu Su replied very seriously, "With an eight-hour workday, I'm usually busy for about two hours."

It was just that every day, he would pick Shi Xuan up from the garage and handle a few other tasks.

The butlers of wealthy families are professionally trained with exceptional skills, while Wu Su was just a half-baked amateur who didn't understand much. So, to keep Wu Su from leaving, Shi Xuan had to grit his teeth and hire a professional assistant butler.

How could he not have free time?

Wu Heng fell silent for a moment. Who wouldn't say Wu Su was lucky? He could rely on both his parents and his kids, and even his boss paid for him to freeload.

"My God, Shi Xuan, you..."

He Yunxiao and Li Hao quickly followed upstairs and were stunned by the scene.

How dense was this yin energy that even ordinary people like them could see it...

Wait, why are you in that pose?!

Indeed, Shi Xuan isn't straight!

"I'll go to the village store to get some spicy strips. Can you stop taking in this dirty stuff? The old man usually doesn't deprive him of good food," Wu Su couldn't help but worry.

In all those years with the Shi family, he had never seen such a scene.

Wu Heng looked at Shi Xuan's gradually reddening face and said, "He must be a bit drunk... like oxygen intoxication."

Lai Yin Chai, holding a lantern, kept looking around and saying, 'Strange, strange, there's only yin and evil energy, not a single ghost or demon around. Is this guy a reincarnated vacuum?'

Lately, the environment has been quite unstable, and ordinary people could easily be tainted by yin energy. This yin energy was probably from the village, or even brought in unconsciously by tourists.

Wu Heng reached out and gently touched Shi Xuan's cold cheek, saying with certainty, "He must inherently be a massive pure yin entity. The yin energy scattered in the air naturally gravitates towards him."

Wu Su's heart skipped a beat. Old man Shi had always worried his son would become a malevolent demon. If it weren't for the collar Wu Heng used to restrain him, Shi Xuan's method of absorbing yin energy would have already made him a formidable force.

Was the old man actually correct?

But...

Wu Su watched as Shi Xuan, seemingly somewhat unconscious, gently nuzzled Wu Heng's neck with his cheek, and felt that his own thoughts were absurd.

Shi Xuan was practically the kid he watched grow up. Although he had a cold personality, he wasn't raised wrong.

He had always thought Shi Zongguang's parenting methods were problematic, directly condemning a child still in swaddling clothes.

Lai Yin Chai's pale eyes rolled, and he began to lay the groundwork: 'He's got his talent maxed out. With so many demons and evil spirits in the mortal world, although he's heavy with yin energy, as long as he can grow strong enough to suppress all the evil spirits, isn't he the perfect anti-evil main force?'

Lai Yin Chai rubbed his hands excitedly: 'Would this Shi student be interested in applying for an intern yin emissary position in the underworld? I, as a senior employee, will personally mentor him, and we can split the performance 20-80!'

Lai Yin Chai started painting a big picture: 'I'm an experienced old yin emissary. If he follows me, he might even get a commendation from Yanjun in the future, get promoted, become Yanjun's assistant, and directly reach the peak of ghost life!'

Indeed, people need to communicate more, and so do yin emissaries.

Since Lai Yin Chai saw Ling Yisi mentoring his apprentice, he had to admit that the old-timers really had a lot of experience.

He spends his days exhausting himself, hanging around different homes and hospitals, hunting for ghosts and demons. It would be better to let this yin-absorbing intern find them, and he can just follow behind and collect them.

Wu Heng placed his hand on the back of Shi Xuan's head and shot Lai Yin Chai a glare, "In your dreams!"

To think of making Shi Xuan his follower, even as a spirit guide, he couldn’t bear such a fate.

Wu Su, however, found some truth in Lai Wazi’s words. It doesn’t matter if it’s a white cat or a black cat, as long as it catches mice, it’s a good cat. As long as Shi Xuan’s intentions aren’t twisted and he doesn’t associate with those demons, why does his constitution even matter?

"What should we do now? Let’s get him to his room first," Wu Su immediately suggested.

Wu Heng jumped down from the wooden window, and He Yunxiao and the others stepped forward to help. The little white snake trailed behind, whining about wanting to do his duty to his godfather.

"Dr. Wu, why does it seem like the yin energy is avoiding you?" He Yunxiao squinted, uncertain.

Wu Heng supported Shi Xuan, and wherever he touched, the yin energy would veer off and seep into Shi Xuan.

If he held the left hand, the yin energy would go to the right; if he stood on the right, the yin energy would rush to the left side.

As a shaman, it made sense that Wu Heng could suppress these evil energies. No surprise there.

Wu Su immediately had an idea, "Xiao Heng, why don’t you try holding him?"

Wu Heng shivered, and the blush that hadn’t completely faded from his ears quickly returned. "Dad, isn’t that a bit much?"

Wu Su quickly said, "If Old Shi hadn’t objected back then, I would’ve raised him at home. You two are like childhood buddies, nothing to worry about."

In that case, he could be considered half a son.

"Hold on, I’ve got this," Wu Heng said as he placed Shi Xuan on the bed. "Don’t worry, the yin energy doesn’t bother him. He’s just adjusting after suddenly taking off the collar."

Wu Su stepped forward and touched Shi Xuan’s icy forehead, which felt like a dead man’s, and still felt a bit worried. "Xiao Heng, keep an eye on him tonight. Since your grandfather isn’t at the medical hall, you’re the most knowledgeable in this area."

Li Hao and the others widened their eyes, "Uncle Wu, isn’t it a bit weird to share a room late at night?"

Wu Su told them to go downstairs to maintain fresh air and added, "They’re both guys, what’s the big deal about sharing a bed? Chengde Medical Hall prioritizes the patients. Let us know if anything comes up."

Li Hao and the others hesitated to speak.

Wu Heng sat by the bed and added, "Chen Zhao, go downstairs and whip up some exorcism soup for each of them. Don’t let my dad do it, I’m worried he might accidentally poison you."

After they left, Wu Heng grabbed a basin of hot water and knelt by the bed, using a warm towel to wipe Shi Xuan’s face. As soon as the warm towel touched Shi Xuan’s face, he suddenly opened his pitch-black eyes.

Shi Xuan gently rubbed Wu Heng’s palm through the warm towel, like a frail black cat.

Shi Xuan’s voice was hoarse, like a weak murmur or an ill-timed plea, "Hold me, okay?"

Wu Heng immediately realized that Shi Xuan must have been conscious when his dad suggested he hold him.

"You were restricted before and didn’t absorb much external yin energy. Suddenly absorbing too much, your body can’t regulate it properly, so you’re feeling a bit uncomfortable. Holding you might help you feel better..."

Before he could finish, Shi Xuan suddenly grabbed Wu Heng’s wrist and with a gentle pull, made Wu Heng fall onto him. Wu Heng was enveloped in Shi Xuan’s crisp scent and the swirling yin energy.

Shi Xuan hugged Wu Heng and sat up, resting his head lightly on Wu Heng’s shoulder, his long arms tightly encircling him.

"I’m glad you’re an adult today," Shi Xuan whispered as he rubbed against Wu Heng, his cold lips accidentally brushing against Wu Heng’s neck. "And I’m glad you’re not afraid of me."

A monster his father loathed as neither human nor ghost, yet Wu Heng was willing to embrace him.

Wu Heng stiffened for just a moment, but his body softened faster than his mind. He sank into Shi Xuan’s embrace, feeling the steel-like arms wrapped around his waist.

Although he was a shaman who exorcised evil and prayed for blessings, he felt an inexplicable... delight in the yin energy emanating from him.

From his elevated position, he could see the fate of everyone, knowing their lives and deaths as if they were his own, yet Shi Xuan remained a mystery to him.

He had to meet this enigmatic friend’s gaze, filled with curiosity about his past and future.

The more he wondered, the more he wanted to know.

Today marked his adulthood; he was no longer a child. A strange emotion welled up in Wu Heng’s chest, and he had a faint inkling of what it meant.

Wu Heng wrapped his arms around Shi Xuan, his slender fingers tracing up Shi Xuan’s firm back, pulling him close and burying his face in Shi Xuan’s chest.

"Want to hold on?" Shi Xuan's voice, tinged with a light laugh, whispered in his ear.

Wu Heng’s ears and neck flushed crimson. He immediately lifted his furry head, emphasizing, "Patient Shi, Dr. Wu was clearly administering treatment just now."

Shi Xuan leaned against the headboard, holding him, and said, "Pity the illness wasn’t more serious."

It wasn’t an illness in the first place.

Wu Heng studied Shi Xuan and noticed he no longer seemed uneasy, as if he was slowly adjusting to this whole and healthy body.

Wu Heng held the white jade collar, his fingers gliding over it as he murmured an incantation to shrink it to bracelet size, then offered it to Shi Xuan.

But Shi Xuan took Wu Heng's left hand and said, "You’ve already given me a new collar. This one should go back to its rightful owner."

Shedding the physical collar liberated the restrained body, but an invisible one now took its place.

He was ready to kneel and submit to his every demand, whether reasonable or not.

Guided by Shi Xuan’s hand, the white jade bracelet slipped effortlessly onto Wu Heng’s left wrist, and a silent surge of shamanic energy coursed through him.

Shi Xuan had worn this collar for eighteen years, and it still bore his essence, which now flowed into Wu Heng as it was placed on him.

Though they should have been opposing forces, they merged in an unexpectedly harmonious way.

Wu Heng was awestruck. Since arriving in this world, he’d known his powers were weaker than in ancient times, so he’d been diligently live-streaming to build up merits, striving to reclaim his former strength.

On his eighteenth birthday, it seemed... he’d finally done it.

*

"Xiao Heng, don’t stay up too late. You’ve had a full day with your coming-of-age ceremony." Wu Su knocked on the door before dawn the next day.

Chengde Medical Hall usually opened at eight, but today You Jin arrived to open it at five-thirty.

The village was overflowing. Most of the patients Wu Heng had treated in the past six months had shown up. The village inns were full, so some stayed in neighboring villages, and when those were full, they lodged in Hezipo Town’s inns.

Shi Xuan answered the door in his pajamas and said softly, "Uncle Wu, he was a little worn out last night."

Wu Heng had spent the night adjusting to the sudden influx of shamanic energy, acclimating to his pure yin body. Both of them were busy, sitting cross-legged on the bed facing each other until the rooster crowed.

Wu Su scrutinized Shi Xuan, nodding approvingly, "My son’s medical skills are truly remarkable. At last, he’s not recklessly absorbing yin energy. Cut back on the junk food."

Shi Xuan nodded without refuting, but he knew that all yin energy was effective for him; it was his nourishment.

"Dad, I'm up." Wu Heng walked out of the inner room, refreshed and without any trace of fatigue from staying up late.

Wu Su held the new clothes made by Zhou Yi's mother for the coming-of-age ceremony, looking Wu Heng up and down, then down and up again.

It was still the same Wu Heng, yet he gave Wu Su a new impression—his skin fairer, his face more striking, and his entire presence radiating a divine aura.

He’s definitely my son, haha!

Wu Heng took the new clothes and went inside to change. It was a set of dark blue ethnic winter adult male attire, stuffed with top-notch goose down by Zhou Yi’s mom to keep warm.

After changing and freshening up, Wu Heng came downstairs to find that guests had already arrived, gathered around the fire in the courtyard, chatting.

Fan Tu, who’d been nodding off, snapped awake the moment she saw Wu Heng. "Dr. Wu, you’re looking sharper than ever!"

Zhou Mingze came over with his girlfriend to say hi. "Dr. Wu, happy birthday."

Wu Heng knew that Zhou Mingze had been tricked by his son, not only got flowers planted in his head but also got cheated on. He’d once told him he’d still find true love.

Wu Heng glanced at the elegant lady, who looked great for forty, and nodded with a smile, "Thank you."

Yuan Song sat among the college students Su Chenyu, Han Ye, and Fan Xuan, warming themselves by the fire and munching on oranges. When they stood up to present their gifts, he said, "Dr. Wu, Teacher Wang Lang’s wife just had a baby, and he is taking care of her during her recovery. He asked me to deliver this gift on his behalf, wishing you forever young."

Yuan Song then took out a white box and whispered, "This is a gift my girlfriend Tang Xueshan picked up downstairs. I hope Dr. Wu won’t mind."

Wu Heng peeked inside and saw another paper model, this time of a 98k rifle.

Probably another one of Yang Xing’s creations...

Wu Heng put it away and sent the little white snake to stash it in the storage room.

Zhang Dayong and his wife were holding Su Dayi, discussing, "She looks like she’s slimmed down a bit. Dr. Wu’s weight loss pills are doing the trick."

Su Dayi was quite pleased and asked about the black cat.

Seeing Wu Heng come out, Zhang Dayong shyly presented a gift. They were farmers, not as wealthy as big bosses, but Wu Heng never minded.

"Dr. Wu, happy adulthood. The mama cat hasn’t had her kittens yet, but it should be within this week. The check-ups are all looking good."

Professor Zhao Qingyun couldn’t come because of a top-secret mission but had arranged for someone to deliver a gift.

From Jiaming No.1 High School, students like Xie Zhi and Wang Pengzheng, along with their parents, were also present. Even though it was still early, the place was packed.

Everyone remembered Wu Heng’s eighteenth birthday.

The Village Chief arrived early to discuss with Wu Su. If the noon banquet got too crowded, the courtyards of neighboring villagers could be borrowed, and the villagers were very willing.

"Some Taoist priests are coming," a guest mentioned during the chatter, pointing at the approaching figures.

They wore Taoist robes, with an older man whose long hair was tied up with a wooden stick.

"Master, brothers, and sisters, you’re finally here!" Chen Zhao, who was helping with the reception, caught a glimpse and was thrilled, rushing over to greet them.

The old man glared at Chen Zhao and led his disciples forward to perform Taoist rites. "Dr. Wu, we’re here on behalf of the Xuanmen to celebrate your coming of age."

An adult ceremony is important for ordinary people, but even more so for those in the mystical arts. Upon reaching adulthood, their abilities in this field would become more outstanding.

The surroundings buzzed with discussions.

"The Xuanmen, the official one, right? Their website’s been getting slammed lately!"

"Everyone has seen Old Dr. Wu’s live streams, right? The vaccine was jointly developed by Old Dr. Wu, modern medical experts, and the Daoist Physicians from the Xuanmen."

"Truly remarkable masters, their aura is indeed unique. That old gentleman looks like a big shot. I wonder if we could buy a couple of talismans to use?"

Someone admired their attire, full of respect, "These are the masters who truly disregard worldly vanity. In modern society, who doesn’t care about face? Who would wear patched clothes at such a grand banquet? Only Taoist priests with such strong, unshakable hearts would do that."

The surrounding guests nodded in agreement, frequently casting admiring glances at the Mystic Gate's Taoist priests who had arrived.

They had great respect and admiration for Dr. Wu, but the world couldn't have only Wu Heng; they also respected other powerful masters.

Moreover, the Mystic Gate seemed to be an officially designated institution, not one of those sketchy groups that stir up trouble, which made them even more popular.

Chen Zhao knew the people from the Mystic Gate were like this; for example, this senior sister was actually quite the joker, but once she stepped out, she had to keep up her fairy maiden act, behaving mysteriously, and his master was even more so, shouldering the heavy responsibilities of a Taoist master.

Chen Zhao immediately arranged for the Mystic Gate members to sit at a corner table. Although the guests kept looking over, they didn't rashly approach to make acquaintances, letting them be.

"Wow, Uncle Master, the banquet is packed. I just counted at least a hundred tables, and I heard it's a feast that keeps going, with more rounds to follow. We can have a good meal," the Taoist nun said with a cold face, but her words were warm despite the winter chill.

On the way here, they even set up tables along the roadside!

Chengde Medical Hall said that to celebrate their son's coming of age, all guests were welcome, and today it was estimated that villagers from all eighteen villages would come to feast, making it incredibly lively.

The old man glanced at her and said coldly, "Look at you, no ambition at all."

The old man signaled someone to peel an orange for him.

Chen Zhao came over and sat down excitedly beside the old man, "Master, master, didn't you make that extra money pretty fast? Why haven't you taken me to leave the sect yet? How about we just stay after Dr. Wu's birthday banquet?"

The old man ignored Chen Zhao, eating the orange handed to him while scrutinizing his clothes, and suddenly asked, "How much did that down jacket cost you?"

Chen Zhao immediately halved the price, "Two thousand."

Hearing this, the old man immediately stared and said, "Take it off, let me try it."

Chen Zhao immediately protected his down jacket, "This isn't good, master, this style is meant for young people..."

The old man remained unmoved, "I'm young at heart."

Seeing everyone around watching, Chen Zhao had no choice but to take off the down jacket and give it to the old man.

The old man immediately put it on and felt exceptionally warm, the cold wind couldn't get in at all. Although he felt it was a bit big, he said, "Not bad, it's mine now. Consider it your recent act of filial piety to your master."

What kind of immortal demeanor is that? He just couldn't afford expensive down jackets and wore fewer clothes!

"No wonder Dr. Wu had those students send Teacher Zhou gifts. The teacher-student relationship back then was just like father and son, so close," some guests sipped their hot drinks, watching this scene of fatherly love and filial piety with emotion.

Chen Zhao felt like gritting his teeth, but fortunately, he had an extra coat, though this time he wisely wore his old tattered clothes.

"Master, did you take seriously what I said about leaving for another sect with me?" Chen Zhao asked again after coming out.

Looking at the current life and the previous miserable days, anyone would know which to choose, right?

The old man calmly drank hot water and said indifferently, "Don't even think about leaving for another sect; it's impossible. After Dr. Wu's coming-of-age ceremony, you will return to the Mystic Gate with us."

"With evil spirits on the rise, it's time for our Mystic Gate to step up and serve the people. Stop dwelling on those unnecessary things."

The old man sighed lightly. He had overheard some things about the Mystic Gate's situation these past few days and vaguely understood why they couldn't afford to pay anymore, with prices inside and outside the sect being different.

Chen Zhao was really puzzled; didn't the old man promise before? Why did he suddenly change his mind?

Besides, following Wu Heng doesn't mean not serving the people, right? Dr. Wu has so many patients with strange illnesses, and he has been contributing.

"Chen Zhao, don't make it difficult for your master. Leaving requires the Mystic Gate's approval, and we also need to ask our sect's ancestor for permission; otherwise, the approval letter won't be signed," the Taoist nun beside him said while cracking melon seeds.

"It's just being poor; you get used to it eventually."

Every family would pay homage to the deceased, and the Xuanmen sect was no exception. The main hall of the Xuanmen sect housed a golden statue of the founder, which was said to have been sculpted after the founder's ascension.

Chen Zhao couldn't understand why, "Did you draw the worst possible lot when you consulted the founder?"

The Xuanmen sect was originally a small sect under a branch of Taoism, but it gradually grew stronger under the leadership of the founder. The founder had achieved ascension nearly a thousand years ago, and according to the theory of reincarnation, he must have been reborn countless times!

Could he still be overseeing them? Chen Zhao was doubtful.

Chen Zhao was exasperated and whispered, "Master, why are you so straightforward? Don't you know there might be a probability issue? Why didn't you draw lots a few more times? Three or four more times!"

The old man: "I drew nine times."

Chen Zhao: "...Then I guess I should be straightforward too."