Time slipped away, the years racing past like a shuttle through a loom. In the blink of an eye, Xu Qingtong had been in Houtang Town for seven months. As the year drew to a close, every street and alley was steeped in the festive spirit of the New Year. Red lanterns had been hung up, and the cries of meat sellers, tofu vendors, and cloth merchants rose and fell along the streets. Children chased one another with strings of bright red candied hawthorn in their hands, while the occasional crack of a firecracker rang out.
Xu Qingtong smiled as he gazed out at the street. He even felt the urge to set up a stall and sell Spring Festival couplets. With his fine handwriting, he might earn a few taels of silver. But his uncle put a stop to the idea. The family had no need for those few taels; he would be better off staying home and diligently practicing.
On New Year's Eve, seeing that no more patients were coming, Chen Jialiang was about to close up and help his wife prepare the New Year's supplies when a man walked in. He was around thirty, with a long, thin face, a pointed chin, and sunken eyes that made his eyeballs look unusually large. His long hair was casually tied behind his head. He wore a pale moon-white robe trimmed in blue, with tight cuffs embroidered with a circular design.
At the sight of him, Chen Jialiang instinctively sensed that this visitor meant no good. He did not look like someone seeking treatment, so Chen Jialiang asked, "Honored guest, what can I do for you?"
The man strode up to Chen Jialiang with an air of casual arrogance, looked him over, and asked haughtily, "Are you Doctor Chen of this town?"
"I am indeed. May I ask what brings you to this old man?"
"Is your nephew the Xu boy from Upper Yang Village in Bluestone Town? Go and fetch him," the man said.
Chen Jialiang froze. How does this man know my nephew is here? Could he be an enemy of my sister's family, come seeking revenge? If so, my nephew and I are probably no match for him. Qingtong has practiced an immortal art, but he said he has only cultivated magic power and still doesn't know how to use it. What am I to do?
As he pondered this, the man spoke again. "What are you dawdling for? Fetch him at once! I have questions for him, and I need to hurry back once I'm done!"
Hearing that the man was not there for revenge, Chen Jialiang finally relaxed. "Please wait a moment, honored guest. I'll fetch him right away." With that, he hurried to the rear courtyard.
When he found Xu Qingtong, Chen Jialiang told him about the visitor. Xu Qingtong's expression tightened, and he formed a guess about what was happening. He said quietly, "Uncle, when we go out front, don't say too much. Leave everything to me. If anything unexpected happens, you must not argue with that man. Also, if I don't come back, make sure you hide the little pouch under my pillow and the spirit stone my sister has. It would be best to bury them underground, as deep as possible." Then he led Chen Jialiang to the front hall.
Seeing the man standing in the front hall, Xu Qingtong hurried over and cupped his hands in greeting. "My name is Xu Qingtong. I offer you my respects."
"So you're the Xu boy? Good. I've finally found you!" the man said. "Listen carefully. I have a few questions, and you must answer truthfully. If so much as half a word is false, you may lose your little life."
"First: did a stranger visit your home a few months ago?"
Xu Qingtong promptly answered, "Yes. He was around twenty and dressed much as you do. When he arrived at our home, he was already badly wounded and covered in blood, as though he had just fought someone. His face was bluish, too. He had been poisoned, and not long after he arrived, the poison took his life. When my father helped support him, the poison entered his body as well, and he died along with that man."
Speaking of his father, Xu Qingtong's face filled with sorrow. His eyes reddened, and tears fell once more. The man saw that his grief did not seem feigned, and his account matched what he had learned in Upper Yang Village, so he believed most of it. He continued, "Do you know how that man was poisoned? Where is his body now?"
Xu Qingtong said, "I truly don't know how he was poisoned. By the time he reached our home, the poison had spread so deeply that he could no longer speak. Within a few breaths, he died. My father was poisoned while supporting him and died as well. I didn't dare touch either body. With the villagers' help, I cremated my father and that man and buried them beside the woods at the foot of the hill behind the village."
"Did that man leave any belongings behind?" the visitor continued.
"I didn't see any. Even if there were, I wouldn't have dared take them. I imagine they burned in the fire!" Xu Qingtong said, mixing truth with falsehood.
The man considered this briefly and was about to turn and leave. Suddenly, his gaze fell on Xu Qingtong. He seized Xu Qingtong's hand, narrowed his eyes, and began probing.
A moment later, he sneered. "You little brat, how dare you deceive me! Watch out for your life!"
Xu Qingtong's heart tightened, and he hurriedly said, "Every word I've spoken is true. I wouldn't dare deceive you. If you don't believe me, you can ask in Upper Yang Village."
"Then tell me, where did the magic power in your body come from?" the visitor demanded.
Xu Qingtong relaxed inwardly and feigned ignorance. "Magic power? What magic power?"
The man said, "Magic power is cultivated by those who pursue immortality. How could a mortal like you possess it? If you don't give me an honest account, don't blame me for showing no mercy!"
Xu Qingtong pretended to think for a moment, then said, "One of my uncle's ancestors left behind a book on strengthening the body. After I came here, I happened to see it and found it interesting, so I diligently practiced according to its instructions. Over these past six months or so, my hearing and vision have become sharper, my body lighter, and my strength much greater. Could that be because of the magic power you mentioned, immortal master?"
"Oh? Your family's ancestors actually had a method of immortal cultivation? Fetch it for me."
Xu Qingtong turned and asked his uncle to fetch the Five Elixirs Origin Refinement Art. Chen Jialiang had no choice but to return to the rear hall.
The man stared at Xu Qingtong again. Suddenly, he asked, "How did you know I was an immortal master?"
Without a trace of panic, Xu Qingtong replied, "I saw that you had a full forehead and a broad, well-rounded chin, immortal master. Your spirit shines, and your bearing is extraordinary-the marks of a man blessed with great fortune and honor. Just now, you only had to reach out to know there was magic power within me, while I myself knew nothing of it. That is why I guessed you must be an Immortal."
This flattery left the man positively giddy. He laughed heartily. "You're a clever boy with a nimble tongue. If everything you've said is true, come with me and cultivate immortality!"
Just then, Chen Jialiang returned from the rear hall with a book and handed it to the visitor. The man took it, glanced at the title, and leafed through it before laughing. "Such commonplace rubbish actually becomes a treasure in mortal hands! Very well, keep it safe. Your nephew is clever enough, and he has already cultivated magic power. I'll take him away today to cultivate immortality. Do you have any objections?"
Though reluctant to part with him, Chen Jialiang did not dare refuse. He could only say, "This old man cannot thank you enough for your gracious guidance, immortal master. How could I possibly object? I only hope you will take good care in teaching my nephew!"
"Good, then. Pack your things. You'll leave with me today." Xu Qingtong feared that a long night would breed more dreams-that further delay might lead to unexpected trouble-so he said, "There's nothing much to pack. I'll go with you now, immortal master."
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