"Master?"
Looking at Zhen Mi kneeling before him, Shen Lang was dumbfounded. "When did I become your master? Get up quickly, I can't accept it."
Zhen Mi's master was the Medical Immortal Zhang Xuanling, who had mastered the Nine Yin and Nine Yang Needles to perfection and was a renowned medical master who had been famous for many years.
If Shen Lang were to become Zhen Mi's master, it would be equivalent to slapping Zhang Xuanling in the face. Although Shen Lang was not afraid of offending people, it was better to avoid offending them if possible.
Making one more friend meant one less enemy in this world. One should not easily offend even strangers, as having too many enemies would bring no good.
"Brother Shen Lang, how can you go back on your word? You just said you would guide me in medicine. What else could you be if not a master?"
Hearing Shen Lang's words, Zhen Mi said with dissatisfaction.
"I said I would guide you in medicine, but I didn't say I would be your master. Please, your master is Zhang Xuanling. If he knew you were changing allegiance and suddenly taking another as your master, he might come from Longdu to Nanling to challenge me tomorrow."
Shen Lang clasped his hands together, begging Zhen Mi, "Young lady, be merciful and don't trap me, okay?"
"Your medical skills are no worse than his. Why are you afraid of him?"
Hearing Shen Lang's words, Zhen Mi whispered, "With your abilities, my master is no match for you. At least, he can't cure illnesses like Zhao Shihua's."
"How much do you know about your master?"
Hearing Zhen Mi's complaint, Shen Lang was taken aback and asked.
"I know him very well. His name is Zhang Xuanling. He treats people in Longdu with his Nine Yin and Nine Yang Needles, and his skills are miraculous. He is the personal physician of the big shots in Longdu."
"Is that all?"
Shen Lang heard this and said to Zhen Mi with some disappointment, "It seems you are not a competent disciple. You don't know anything about your master."
"My master, is there anything else I don't know about him?"
Zhen Mi was bewildered and asked doubtfully.
"Do you know what your master's surname is?"
Shen Lang sighed, looking at the clueless Zhen Mi, and said.
"My master's name is Zhang Xuanling, so naturally, his surname is Zhang. Does this even need to be said?"
Zhen Mi pouted and said somewhat playfully, "Is there any hidden meaning to this surname?"
"Zhang is a common surname. Throughout history, many important figures have had the surname Zhang, from Zhang Yi of the Warring States period to the warlords of the Republic of China era. However, your master's Zhang is very different from those people."
Shen Lang said, "In this world, there is a place called Longhu Mountain, and on Longhu Mountain, there is a sect called Tianshi Mansion. Every generation of Tianshi Mansion's grandmaster has the surname Zhang. From their first ancestor, Zhang Daoling, to the present, no one outside the Zhang family has ever become the Tianshi of Tianshi Mansion."
"Your master, Zhang Xuanling, is the biological son of the previous Grandmaster. However, he betrayed the sect in anger. He not only understands Taoist magic but also possesses terrifying martial arts cultivation. Thirty years ago, he was a great demon who would kill people and entire families at will. He was later defeated and imprisoned by the Wuwai Bureau for ten years."
"After being released, Zhang Xuanling no longer practiced martial arts or used Taoist magic. He dedicated himself to studying medicine and eventually created the Nine Yin and Nine Yang Needles. He transformed from a demon that everyone wanted to kill into a respected master."
"What?"
Hearing Shen Lang's words, Zhen Mi looked incredulous. "That's impossible. He always seemed like a kind old man. He usually asks others to help him when cutting fruit, and he never uses a knife himself. How could he be a demon who killed people everywhere?"
"He was thirty years ago, but like someone else I know, he has hidden his other side."
The person Shen Lang was referring to was none other than his maternal uncle, Song Shadao.
In his youth, Song Shadao was known as the Mad King of Slaughter. Countless experts had died at his hands. However, as he grew older, he gradually hid his violent side in the unknown darkness.
However, Shen Lang had already witnessed Song Shadao's violent side at the Song family manor, which was terrifying. Shen Lang believed that if he were to fight his uncle, the latter could easily kill him.
"Are you worried that my master will come to Nanling to find trouble with you after he knows I'm taking you as my master?"
Zhen Mi finally understood after listening for a while. "Are you very afraid of my master?"
"I'm not afraid of him, but I'm afraid of trouble. If I can avoid trouble, I won't seek it."
Shen Lang shook his head and said, "Human energy is limited. It shouldn't be used to deal with troubles that should have been avoided."
"Is that so..."
Hearing Shen Lang's words, Zhen Mi nodded meaningfully and said, "I am Zhang Xuanling's disciple. You are unwilling to take me as your disciple because you look down on Zhang Xuanling, thinking his disciple is not worthy of being your disciple?"
"Pfft—"
As soon as she said this, Shen Lang, who had just taken a sip of tea, spat it out. His eyes widened as he looked at Zhen Mi and said, "Girl, how did you get into university with that comprehension ability? You didn't happen to write an essay called 'My Principal Father' to get in, did you?"
"I don't care. You have to take me as your disciple. Otherwise, I'll tell my master, Zhang Xuanling, that you look down on his disciples and his medical skills, and that he should come to Nanling to settle the score with you himself."
As soon as Zhen Mi said this, Shen Lang sighed directly and said, "Aren't you being unreasonable and threatening me?"
"Yes, so, do you agree or not?"
Zhen Mi stopped pretending and said, adopting a "give up" attitude.
"Alright, I'm afraid of you."
Shen Lang knew that no matter which choice he made, he would offend Zhang Xuanling. Since he couldn't avoid it anyway, he didn't care anymore. "Since you are so sincere, I will take you as my disciple."
"Thank you, Master."
Hearing Shen Lang's words, Zhen Mi was overjoyed and was about to get up.
However, just as Zhen Mi's knees were about to rise, Shen Lang suddenly stretched out a big hand and pressed it on Zhen Mi's head. "Don't be in a hurry to get up. Pay the apprenticeship fee first."
"Apprenticeship fee?"
Hearing Shen Lang's words, Zhen Mi's eyes widened. "There's an apprenticeship fee?"
"Of course."
Shen Lang's tone was irrefutable. "Given your sincerity in seeking knowledge, how about ten or eight hundred million as a gesture? No problem, right?"
"You..."
Hearing Shen Lang's words, Zhen Mi was stunned. "Master, you're asking for the moon."
"You see?"
Facing Zhen Mi's accusation, Shen Lang chuckled and said, "You're very smart. I am indeed asking for the moon."
"Fine, I admit it. Whatever you say, goes."
After weighing the pros and cons, Zhen Mi spoke directly.