A few hours later.
Long Aotian knelt on the ground, staring at his fists as tears streamed down his face. He raised his head and howled at the moon:
"I, Long Aotian..."
Medicine Elder kicked him from behind. "What the hell are you yelling for!? I snuck over here!"
"Oh."
Long Aotian turned around and knelt properly. "Thank you, Senior Medicine Elder! For this junior to become a peak Heavenly Four Gates expert, it was all thanks to your guidance!"
"Mm, not bad, not bad." Medicine Elder stroked his beard and smiled. "You truly are extraordinarily gifted. I've roamed the martial world for so many years, yet I've never seen a child with talent like yours. What a pity you apprenticed yourself to Tiangang first."
"To receive Senior Medicine Elder's true teachings, Aotian is endlessly grateful! Even if I cannot formally enter your school, Aotian will still treat you with gratitude and the respect due a master. Should I ever prove unfilial, may I suffer Heaven's Punishment! May I die beneath a chaos of blades and never find rebirth!"
Medicine Elder was deeply moved and pointed at Long Aotian. "So you do know how to swear a damn oath!"
Medicine Elder pulled out a cloth bundle. "Aotian, this is a set of silver needles that I personally use when practicing medicine. Since we have formed this pact of instruction, take it as an old man's first gift to you."
Long Aotian was overjoyed. "Senior! Isn't this too precious?"
"True enough." Medicine Elder thought for a moment. "I also have a medicine gourd here. How about you take this instead..."
Long Aotian hurriedly accepted the silver needles. "Thank you, Senior!"
"Fine. Aotian, remember this: if Lu Chengwen harms Liu Bo..."
"I, Long Aotian, will protect Liu Bo with my life!"
"Good."