With Yan Shouyi and Guoguo's support, Old Jin felt even more confident.
Lu Yan, being "besieged" by everyone, also began to waver in his conviction.
He hesitated for a moment and then said, "I'll contact Master Wang, but I can't guarantee if he can come."
Old Jin turned and, alone, quietly righted the toppled medicine racks. He said indifferently:
"Whether he comes or not, I'll visit your father at the hospital later and cure his illness. Patients who have been treated by the ancient medicine of the Qihuang sect can only have two outcomes – recovery or death."
Of course, Old Jin wasn't implying that the Qihuang sect's ancient doctors would kill their patients. He meant that for illnesses that could be treated, patients would certainly recover.
Only those who were beyond saving would die under the care of the Qihuang sect's ancient doctors.
Yan Shouyi had the convoy make way for Lu Yan. Lu Yan got back into his Land Rover and rushed to contact Master Wang.
Guoguo and Old Jin silently tidied up the damaged shop, and the two truly looked like master and disciple.
Meanwhile, in Longfeicheng, after a recent socially disastrous event, he was still squatting in a corner, not wanting to interact with anyone.
Yan Shouyi also called Agong, and the two helped Old Jin tidy up the shop. Yan Shouyi asked, "Old Jin, who is this girl?"
Old Jin smiled and introduced, "Remember those intern doctors present when we rescued Chen Dawei? Guoguo was one of them. She's now learning some introductory ancient medicine with me. She has great talent."
"That's wonderful!" Yan Shouyi exclaimed. "The Qihuang sect has a successor!"
"Don't talk about successors yet; it's too early for that," Old Jin said modestly.
He also harbored worries. To become a successor of the Qihuang sect, one not only had to study complex ancient medical knowledge but also bear the heavy responsibility of protecting the sect's legacy.
The other ancient medical sects that had massacred Qihuang sect successors in the past still eyed them covetously. Old Jin had grown accustomed to living in obscurity and was unsure if the young girl Guoguo could withstand such pressure.
Guoguo, overhearing their conversation, said earnestly, "Master Jin, I truly wish to become an ancient doctor."
Although Guoguo's name suggested youth, she was actually a fourth-year university student, slightly older than Yan Shouyi.
At her age, her words were not those of youthful recklessness but of sincere conviction.
However, Old Jin still hesitated, "Let's wait a bit longer, just wait."
Yan Shouyi understood Old Jin's concerns. In reality, Old Jin wasn't waiting for Guoguo, but for himself.
The one who should carry the banner of the Qihuang sect wasn't Guoguo, but Old Jin himself.
The day he decided to stand tall and face the onslaught of other ancient medical sects would be the day he would re-establish his lineage.
"Oh, right, Old Jin, let me introduce you. This is Agong, the paper effigy artisan."
Agong shyly nodded at Old Jin, a greeting in itself.
"Paper effigy artisan?"
Old Jin was surprised and intrigued. He examined Agong, "A paper effigy artisan, that's not common anymore! I've discovered that our small Rongcheng is truly a place where hidden talents reside!"
Old Jin naturally trusted the people Yan Shouyi brought. However, he noticed Agong wearing a mask, with signs of burn scars visible beneath it, and couldn't help but frown:
"Agong, how did your face get burned? Is it serious? Do you need me to find some medicine to help it recover?"
Agong faltered, shook his head, and said unnaturally, "No, no need. These scars have special significance to me... We can talk about it later."
Scars with special significance?
Both Yan Shouyi and Old Jin looked surprised but didn't pry further.
In this era, people like them carried many stories.
The great changes of the times had rendered these once-skilled folk artisans obsolete, making their stories even more convoluted.
For Agong, this was the first time he felt a sense of belonging.
When Yan Shouyi learned he was a paper effigy artisan, he believed him without question.
When Old Jin learned he was a paper effigy artisan, he immediately offered to help remove the burn scars.
This was a form of recognition, a warmth Agong hadn't experienced in years.
It was as if their respective folk-originated sects shared an unspoken emotional connection, as if they were meant to be family.
After they finished tidying up the damaged Huichuntang, Yan Shouyi said again:
"Old Jin, I have another matter to ask your help with while I'm here."
"Hey, what kind of relationship do we have? If you need anything, just ask, don't be polite!" Old Jin replied, wiping his sweat and smiling.
Yan Shouyi didn't stand on ceremony and truthfully explained the situation with the Liu family.
Upon hearing this, Old Jin's first reaction was concern. He hadn't expected the Bai family to be so brazenly insane.
His second reaction was to agree immediately.
His medicinal herb garden had been empty, and there was an abandoned brick factory in the back hills, which would be perfect for housing Liu Jingkang and his family.
Moreover, with Old Jin's presence, Liu Jingkang and the others could quickly regain their strength and prepare for their future confrontation with the Bai family.
Agong also offered to stay for now, as the Liu family members were currently residing within paper effigies. With him, a paper effigy artisan, present, it would undoubtedly be much more convenient.
Thus, the Liu family's paper effigies would have a place to stay, and Yan Shouyi had successfully handled a significant matter.
Agong then took the convoy to settle the paper effigies, while Yan Shouyi remained at Huichuntang, waiting for the arrival of the so-called Master Wang.
Given the importance of the Qihuang sect's ancient medicine reputation, and Old Jin having just helped Yan Shouyi immensely, Yan Shouyi felt obliged to stay and support Old Jin.
One hour after Agong and the others left.
The Land Rover that had departed returned.
This time, it was followed by a black commercial vehicle.
Lu Yan got out of the car and immediately opened the door for the commercial vehicle, appearing quite respectful.
It seemed that the so-called Master Wang was inside the commercial vehicle.
The car door opened, and a thin old man in white, holding prayer beads, stepped out with great arrogance.
Behind him followed three young men, seemingly his disciples. They were also very respectful towards the old man, while showing disdain and impatience towards Old Jin and the others.
"This is the guy who said our master's prescription had problems? That's hilarious. Look at him, you might as well call him a beggar!"
"Exactly. What right does he have to question our master? It's only because our master is approachable that he actually came all this way to confront him!"
"They clearly look like uncultured barefoot doctors. Mr. Lu must have fallen unconscious after taking his medicine, and now they're blaming us!"
Faced with the taunts of the three ignorant youngsters, Old Jin seemed accustomed to it.
He didn't care, because healing the sick and saving people didn't require such fame.
However, Guoguo couldn't stand it.
She jumped out and pointed at the three youngsters, scolding, "That's enough! Are you so-called renowned disciples from Yanjing only capable of judging people by their appearance? Even if my master is a bit ugly, it doesn't diminish his superb medical skills!"
Yan Shouyi was dumbfounded:
"Guoguo, are you helping Old Jin or insulting him?"
Three black lines also appeared on Old Jin's forehead.
His disciple, who hadn't even officially joined the sect yet, seemed not very bright.