Visiting to Offer Birthday Wishes

"Tomorrow is Doctor Zhuang's fifty-fifth birthday. Are you planning to show your respects?"

After Ma Yan arrived, he spoke directly to Zhou Yan: "Your recovery is all thanks to the Shennong Health Cultivation Method that Doctor Zhuang taught you. You have no idea how terrified I was when I saw the state you were in back then."

He looked at Zhou Yan with a sigh as he spoke.

The current Zhou Yan had basically returned to his original self.

Although he still appeared somewhat lean, the terrifying, skin-and-bones look was gone, and his skin had even become much fairer.

If he were to go out now, strangers would never believe that Zhou Yan had spent three years pulling a rickshaw.

At this moment, Zhou Yan resembled a young master from a wealthy family; his skin was fair, his temperament was somewhat cold, and he even carried a hint of feminine grace.

This was a result of practicing the Mystic Yin Art, which had caused a drastic change in his temperament.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan nodded immediately: "Of course I must go."

Back when he was at his lowest, Doctor Zhuang had taught him the Shennong Health Cultivation Method for almost no reward. He had always kept this kindness in his heart.

Just as Doctor Zhuang had said, he taught the Shennong Health Cultivation Method to the world to spread knowledge and teach, not for profit.

Since that was the case, Zhou Yan regarded Doctor Zhuang as his mentor.

"Let's go early to avoid the crowds. We'll offer our birthday wishes to Teacher Zhuang and then return," Zhou Yan said in a deep voice.

Ma Yan smiled: "Yes, that is a sincere gesture on our part."

He understood Zhou Yan's intention; he did not want others to think their motives were impure.

The next day.

Early in the morning, Zhou Yan and Ma Yan headed toward Tianhong Medical Hall.

Upon arriving at the medical hall, they found that Doctor Zhuang was actually seeing patients.

Doctor Zhuang noticed the two of them and, seemingly remembering them, waved his hand.

The two understood and stood quietly to the side without making a sound.

"Doctor Zhuang, how is it?"

The person seeking treatment was a lady, roughly twenty-eight or twenty-nine years old. She wore a luxurious qigong dress that perfectly accentuated her curvaceous figure. With her excellent appearance and temperament, accompanied by a maid and servants, she was clearly not from an ordinary family.

However, people of such status usually had doctors visit them at home; it was rare for them to come out in person to seek treatment.

Perhaps this had to do with Doctor Zhuang's status and reputation.

Doctor Zhuang slowly withdrew his hand and looked at the lady, saying in a deep voice: "This old man's skills are insufficient. I have disappointed you, Madam. Please seek a more capable physician."

The lady grew anxious upon hearing this and quickly said: "Doctor Zhuang, I have great faith in your medical skills. Aside from you, I cannot find anyone else. Please, you must help me."

Doctor Zhuang shook his head, firmly declining.

But the lady was determined and continued to plead.

In the end, Doctor Zhuang had no choice but to say: "Madam, your illness is not an ordinary one; you have come to the wrong person. If it were a physical ailment, this old man would do his best, but..."

He did not finish his sentence, but the lady seemed to realize something, and the color drained from her face.

After a while, the lady took her leave.

"Greetings, Teacher Zhuang."

Zhou Yan stepped forward and bowed deeply to Doctor Zhuang.

Doctor Zhuang looked at Zhou Yan with a smile: "It is you. This old man still remembers you. To have recovered so well in just over two months, it seems you have been practicing diligently."

Zhou Yan looked respectful: "It is all thanks to your teachings, Teacher. This student is eternally grateful."

Doctor Zhuang stroked his beard slightly: "That is due to your own diligent practice. I am happy for you."

He had taught the Shennong Health Cultivation Method to over a hundred people, but fewer than ten had truly achieved success, including his own son.

However, cultivation was a personal matter; there was nothing others could do about it.

"I heard that today is your fifty-fifth birthday. I haven't prepared any expensive gifts, just a small token of my sincerity. I hope you will accept it." Zhou Yan took the gift from Ma Yan and respectfully handed it to Doctor Zhuang.

Initially, Doctor Zhuang's expression had soured upon hearing this.

He taught the Shennong Health Cultivation Method to the world out of his own aspirations, not for personal gain.

If Zhou Yan had presented an expensive gift, it would have been a slap in the face.

Fortunately, after a quick glance, he saw that the gifts were ordinary but thoughtful, and his expression softened.

The most precious item among them was a pair of Peach Wood Amulets, which could slightly repel ghosts and ward off evil.

"Very well. In light of your sincerity, this old man will accept them."

Doctor Zhuang thought for a moment and finally accepted the gifts.

After all, they were not expensive items, which only made the gesture more sincere.

Zhou Yan and Ma Yan stayed for a while longer before taking their leave.

Doctor Zhuang watched Zhou Yan's retreating figure, stroking his beard slightly with a hint of gratification in his eyes.

He had taught the Shennong Health Cultivation Method to quite a few people, but very few truly cared about it.

There were those who had received his teachings and come to offer birthday congratulations, but his old eyes could see clearly exactly what their true motives were.

Zhou Yan was the very first person to come purely to offer birthday wishes without any ulterior motives!

Not long after Zhou Yan returned, someone knocked on his door.

He had grown accustomed to people dropping by his new residence from time to time; those people were either there to have ghosts exorcised and evil spirits driven away, seeking blessings for peace, or even looking to purchase feng shui artifacts to protect their homes.

As his reputation grew and more people placed their faith in him, the number of visitors only increased.

However, Zhou Yan was only responsible for exorcising ghosts and driving away evil; he ignored all other requests.

As for feng shui artifacts, he didn't even possess any himself, so how could he sell them to others? He certainly wouldn't ruin his own reputation.

In this era, a person's reputation was their greatest wealth!

Zhou Yan opened the door and was momentarily stunned by the person standing there.

The visitor was none other than the lady he had seen earlier at Tianhong Medical Hall, accompanied by her servants.

When the lady saw Zhou Yan, she also faltered, instinctively coming to a halt.

"Aren't you Doctor Zhuang's disciple?" the lady asked with some hesitation.

Zhou Yan's expression remained indifferent as he replied, "Doctor Zhuang is my teacher. I once studied health cultivation techniques under him."

With that, he turned around and walked back inside.

As for whether she believed him or was willing to enter, he did not care in the slightest.

Back at Tianhong Medical Hall, he had already noticed that something was wrong with the woman.

The yin energy on her body was quite heavy, far exceeding what was normal; it was clear she was being haunted by a specter.

However, this specter did not seem very powerful, or perhaps it held no lethal intent toward her, as the woman only suffered from an excess of yin energy within her body. Aside from that, she had no other issues, at most experiencing physical discomfort or constant nightmares at night.

Doctor Zhuang had likely noticed the woman's condition as well, which was why his final words had been so cryptic.