The weather today was quite pleasant.
Not too hot, not too cold. I bought some breakfast and headed to the shop.
By the time I arrived, Master was already awake.
However, the shop was filled with the smell of traditional Chinese medicine.
I couldn't see Master anywhere.
I called out into the room a few times:
"Master, Master..."
"Inside, what is it?" Master replied.
I walked directly into the kitchen.
I found Master brewing herbal medicine and coughing severely.
Master has a chronic cough that lasts for a few days each month.
"Master, you're coughing again?"
Master, wearing pajamas, said:
"I was too tired the past few days. You've come at just the right time, help me watch the fire..."
"Okay!"
I nodded and began to tend to the fire for Master.
Master covered his mouth and coughed incessantly, his face looking unwell.
Master then hurried back into his room.
I heard a clinking and clattering sound, as if Master was rummaging for something.
After a while, I heard the sound of a lighter.
And then Master smoking.
Accompanied by a few puffs from Master, his coughing subsided.
"Master, what are you smoking? It helps with the cough?" I called into the room.
Master immediately retorted:
"Mind your fire."
Seeing that Master's cough had stopped, I didn't think much of it.
Until quite some time later.
Master walked out of his room.
When Master reappeared, his complexion was much better, and he seemed more energetic.
"You've recovered quite quickly these past few days, haven't you?" Master said.
I touched my head:
"I'm doing alright, Master. Almost fully recovered!"
Master nodded:
"It's good that you're better!
By the way, tonight your Aunt Yunxia will hand over that rat demon to the old demons of Wudi Cave.
You'll accompany her tonight, it'll be a good learning experience."
Upon hearing this, my interest immediately piqued.
"Really? That's great."
Seeing my excitement, Master rolled his eyes:
"Be discreet tonight, don't speak out of turn.
Many old demons from Wudi Cave might show up tonight, be observant."
"Understood!" I said with a smile.
I was curious to see what kind of characters these reformed rat spirits from Wudi Cave were.
And how they would deal with the rat demon.
After helping Master decoct the medicine, Master drank a few mouthfuls and then returned to his room to rest.
He asked me to keep an eye on the rat demon and the shop.
I nodded, as this was my job.
The rat demon was still confined in a cage, looking very weak. Its neck was bound by a wire and tethered to the cage.
Some rice had been sprinkled for it.
But the rat demon hadn't touched a single grain.
Seeing me looking at it, it gave me a resentful glance and closed its eyes.
As for Xiao Mei, she was still sleeping under the peach tree in the backyard.
Now that I had broken through in my cultivation, I could clearly sense.
The spirit energy being inhaled and exhaled with Xiao Mei's every breath.
Although beastly creatures don't cultivate as fast as humans.
They have inherent advantages, such as being able to cultivate while sleeping and their innate wild talents.
However, their cultivation speed might be relatively slower.
It would require much longer periods of accumulation...
The rest of the day passed without any notable events.
Master stayed mostly in his room, except for drinking medicine and eating meals.
It wasn't until around eight in the evening that Aunt Yunxia and Xia Qiuxi arrived at our shop.
Upon seeing Aunt Yunxia and Xia Qiuxi arrive, I quickly stood up and said:
"Aunt Yunxia, Qiuxi..."
Aunt Yunxia nodded:
"Ah Xiao Qin, where is your Master?"
"Master is in the bedroom, I'll go call him."
With that, I ran to Master's bedroom.
I saw Master holding a piece of paper, engrossed in reading it.
I didn't know what he was looking at:
"Master, what are you looking at?"
Master, with his current cultivation, didn't even notice me at the door.
Hearing my voice, Master suddenly retracted his hand.
Hiding the paper behind his back.
He looked very mysterious.
"Master, what are you looking at?"
"N-nothing, is something wrong?"
Master's words carried a hint of nervousness, which seemed strange.
"Master, Aunt Yunxia and the others are here."
I continued.
Master gave a soft "Oh":
"Yes, I know. I'll be out in a moment, you can go out now!"
Although I suspected Master was hiding something from me.
Since Master didn't want to say, I didn't press further.
I just nodded and then left the room.
Aunt Yunxia and Xia Qiuxi were sitting inside.
I poured them some tea.
And at the same time, I asked:
"Aunt Yunxia, where are we meeting the demons from Wudi Cave tonight?"
Aunt Yunxia took a sip of tea and said to me:
"Not far, the main entrance of Nanshan Cemetery.
By the way.
The rats from Wudi Cave cannot be called demons anymore.
When we meet them, you must address them as Xian'er or Hui Xian'er."
Hearing Aunt Yunxia say this, I nodded repeatedly.
I had been to Nanshan Cemetery more than once or twice.
I was familiar with the route, it took about forty minutes to get there.
As for the address, it didn't matter much:
"Understood, Aunt Yunxia."
As soon as I finished speaking.
Master walked out from the inner room:
"Yunxia!"
"Brother Gu, are you feeling better?" Aunt Yunxia asked my Master with concern.
My Master merely gave a wry smile:
"Same old, it's nothing.
Have you informed the old geezer?
What time are we heading over?"
"I've informed him. The agreed time is Zi Shi, at the main entrance of Nanshan Cemetery..."