The next day, Hong Qiantu arrived at Ji Mo's courtyard before dawn, his bare chest exposed, carrying a large bundle of thorns.
Without a word, he knelt on the ground.
This was Xuan Ao's advice from the previous night.
Xuan Ao had said that Ji Mo, though outwardly cold, was warm-hearted and exceptionally kind. As long as one sincerely admitted their mistakes, they would surely be forgiven.
Just like how the three of them had initially come with the intention of harming Ji Mo.
In the end, Ji Mo not only did not blame them but repaid their malice with great kindness, bestowing upon them immense fortune.
Thus, this act of "carrying thorns to apologize" unfolded.
To prove his sincerity, Hong Qiantu sealed his spiritual power, reverting to a normal person. The thorns ripped his back, leaving it bloody and mangled.
An elderly man, his hair white, his body bare, kneeling with thorns as a plea for forgiveness – who wouldn't be moved, wouldn't soften their heart at such a sight?
"Stop kneeling, let's go."
Tian Peng emerged, walking with a swagger that seemed to disregard everyone else.
"I am here to apologize to Mr. Ji. Until Mr. Ji forgives me, I will remain kneeling."
Hong Qiantu stated resolutely, his attitude unwavering.
He had staked everything this time. No matter what, he had to obtain Ji Mo's forgiveness.
Then, he would find a way to improve his relationship with Ji Mo, perhaps even receiving the same treatment as Fan Jingxing and the others.
Those three lived such comfortable lives, constantly consuming spiritual medicines and drinking spiritual liquids, which filled Hong Qiantu with envy.
"Kneeling indefinitely? What a man!"
Tian Peng gave a thumbs-up. Seeing the blood oozing from Hong Qiantu's back, he felt a sense of admiration. He was a ruthless individual.
"However, you've chosen the wrong time. Master left early this morning and won't be back for at least ten days to half a month."
Tian Peng said indifferently.
It was clear that his master had intentionally left to avoid Hong Qiantu, unwilling to forgive him.
Hmph, if he knew this would happen, why did he act that way in the first place? People like Hong Qiantu, who swayed with the wind, shouldn't be forgiven.
"Ah, Mr. Ji has left!"
Hong Qiantu was dumbfounded.
Should he still kneel?
If he didn't kneel, it would seem insincere, and any future attempts to apologize might be futile.
But if he did kneel, who knew when Ji Mo would return? If it truly took ten days to half a month, he might bleed to death.
To appear sufficiently tragic, he had deliberately inflicted severe wounds on his back. Moreover, these wounds had been specially treated to prevent healing, ensuring the blood would continue to flow.
"This must be a test from Mr. Ji."
Hong Qiantu hardened his heart, gritted his teeth, and made a decision.
You can't catch a wolf without sacrificing your child. As long as he could gain Ji Mo's forgiveness, it would be a worthwhile endeavor.
Of course, this was not Ji Mo's test at all.
Ji Mo had not left to avoid Hong Qiantu but had genuinely gone out on business, heading towards the Tongtian Mountain Range.
Carrying a basket and with a wood-cutting knife at his waist, he hummed a tune as he walked deeper into the mountain range.
"Doctor Ji, it's best if you stay in the outer areas. Please do not venture into the depths of the mountain range."
On the way, an old hunter kindly warned Ji Mo.
Recently, for some unknown reason, the Tongtian Mountain Range had been experiencing beast tides, causing casualties among the mountain residents. Hunters only dared to operate on the periphery of the mountain range.
"Thank you, uncle. I'm just picking some wild mountain tea and will be back. I'll be fine."
Ji Mo thanked the old hunter but didn't pay much heed.
He had frequently entered and exited the Tongtian Mountain Range and had never encountered any significant danger. Even when he encountered wild beasts, they were merely wild game delivered to his doorstep.
After Ji Mo left, the old hunter scratched his head, lost in thought.
There was no wild mountain tea in the mountains, was there?
No, wait. It seemed that according to generational legends, a celestial tea tree grew in the depths of the Tongtian Mountain Range.
But it was only a legend; no one had ever seen it.
Was Doctor Ji going to pick celestial tea?
"Hey, Doctor Ji, come back! Celestial tea is just a legend. Don't take it seriously, or you'll lose your life for nothing."
The old hunter called out urgently, but the mountains were dense, and Ji Mo had already gone far, naturally unable to hear him.
It was over. Doctor Ji was likely going to his doom.
The old hunter sighed, can only pray in his heart, hoping that good fortune would favor him.
In the crevice of a large rock, a plant with nine flowers and nine leaves swayed its head.
"The Tongtian Mountain Range has been restless lately. I must hide well. In this world, people's hearts are no longer as they used to be. Everyone covets my essence. I cannot be discovered by those greedy wretches."
This was an old ginseng plant, its age indeterminable. The roots beneath the soil had completely formed into a human shape, with complete limbs and even lifelike facial features, resembling a small infant.
It observed its surroundings, confirming that the location was hidden enough and should be very safe.
With the cover of the large rock and its ability to conceal itself, there was almost no worry of being discovered.
"Hmm, a small ginseng. It's a bit small, but it should be quite good for making soup."
Just as the ginseng believed itself to be safe and worry-free, a voice suddenly sounded, and the approaching footsteps gradually became clearer.
"Oh, a small ginseng? That's definitely not me. I've lived for nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine years, the undisputed king of old ginseng in Tongtian."
The ginseng king, humanized, patted its chest with its leaves and let out a soft sigh.
Ji Mo walked to the side of the large rock, staring at the small ginseng in the crevice. He rolled up his sleeves and reached in directly.
That's right, Ji Mo had discovered this ginseng.
Even the Nine Transformations Heavenly Silkworm's invisibility divine ability couldn't deceive him, let alone a ginseng.
Even if this was an old ginseng king nearing ten thousand years of age.
Under the ginseng king's horrified gaze, its leaves were grabbed by Ji Mo.
"A mortal? How can he see me hiding here?"
Although the ginseng king felt a bit flustered, it wasn't afraid. After cultivating for so many years, was it afraid of a mere mortal?
An existence like an ant, capable of being swatted to death with a single blow.
However, killing would incur karma.
Therefore, the ginseng king harbored no killing intent, merely thinking of scaring the other party away.
It was about to release a trace of its aura to scare Ji Mo away when it found itself weak, unable to mobilize its strength.
Ji Mo's palm seemed to possess an incredible power, immobilizing its cultivation.
Impossible, he's just a mortal!
The ginseng king finally became frightened. Without its cultivation, what difference was there between it and a radish? It could only be slaughtered.
The next second, it was pulled out by more than half its length.
If Ji Mo hadn't been concerned about breaking the roots, he would have likely pulled it out completely.
"I understand. This person is playing the fool to eat the tiger, disguised as a mortal to approach me, and struck with a single blow. He's too insidious! Damn it, why was I so careless and didn't dodge?"
The ginseng king was filled with regret, feeling as though its ten thousand years of life had been lived in vain.
They say caution ensures a thousand-year voyage. Knowing that humans were the most insidious and cunning, how could it have been so careless?
Ji Mo pulled a few more times. In its life-or-death struggle, the ginseng king used all its might, its roots firmly attached to the giant rock, causing a stalemate.
Ji Mo released his hand, took out a small medicinal shovel from his basket, and prepared to dig away the soil before taking the ginseng.
"Legendary magical treasure. This guy is indeed playing the fool to eat the tiger."
The ginseng king was terrified. With that shovel, it had no chance of survival.
Without a second word, it scrambled out of the soil and, with its two short legs, ran for its life with all its might.
Ji Mo's vision blurred, and the ginseng in front of him instantly vanished.
"Holy crap, the ancients weren't lying to me. Ginseng really does run away."