Seeing that his martial uncle had finished expelling the toxins and verified the efficacy of the鲛人珠 (Jiao Ren Zhu), my heart was filled with surprise. With this item, any severe injury could be rapidly healed.
Yet, amidst my joy, I said to my martial uncle, "Martial Uncle, you should absorb more of it. Cure all the old ailments in your body."
My martial uncle, however, shook his head. "No, this is one less of this item each time it's used. My old ailments are not a big deal. I've lived with them my whole life, and there's no need to waste such a precious thing. Keep it; it's akin to saving a life."
My martial uncle refused, his conduct mirroring that of my master.
"Martial Uncle, if we lose this, we can find another. Your health is important, and besides, there's still this large one!" I pressed on. To me, this item, no matter how valuable, could not replace a healthy martial uncle. As for what my martial uncle had done for me, I wouldn't dwell on it. This was merely an unexpectedly acquired pearl; it meant little.
My martial uncle refused repeatedly, but I insisted he absorb some. Unable to withstand my persistence, my martial uncle finally absorbed a small amount. However, he didn't take much, and no matter what I said, he refused to use it further, stating he wanted to save it for me. This was my fortune, my destiny. Even with just a tiny amount absorbed, my martial uncle's complexion visibly improved, demonstrating the unique efficacy of the 鲛人珠 (Jiao Ren Zhu).
Afterward, I carefully put the item away for emergencies. But besides this, I took out another black pearl.
"Old Qin, what is this now?"
"This is a 鬼佛之珠 (Gui Fo Zhi Zhu), left behind after I killed a fish-headed monster. Martial Uncle, take a look."
My martial uncle nodded upon seeing the second pearl I produced, which bore a 卍 symbol. "I have seen such things. In the land of hidden Buddhas, there are evil beings who call themselves Buddhas. Those with great power, who accumulate relics within them, leave behind the 卍 symbol. This is a 鬼佛之珠 (Gui Fo Zhi Zhu). It gathers Yin and Malevolence; it's not a good thing. Crush it and discard it. If ordinary people are tainted by it, their minds will be lost, and they will become walking corpses. If Yin spirits or evil beings are tainted by it, they will fall into demonic ways. However, the fact that this 鬼佛舍利 (Gui Fo She Li) could be condensed within its body indicates that the foul creature you killed possessed immense cultivation."
I was taken aback. The fish-headed monster's cultivation was only around the early True Light stage. Thinking back, it was likely due to the time it was suppressed. Imprisoned for three hundred years, its cultivation had diminished. Much like the toad spirit, it was killed before it could recover. Now, I realized I had indeed benefited from considerable luck.
Old Mo, upon hearing this, immediately said, "Alright, I'll crush it for him." As he spoke, he prepared to crush it in his hand.
But my martial uncle stopped him. "Why crush it? This thing is extremely Yin and malevolent. There are many ordinary people around here! If the emitted evil energy contaminates ordinary people, what then? Little Qin, put it away first…"
"Yes, Martial Uncle!" I obeyed my martial uncle and put away the 鬼佛舍利 (Gui Fo She Li) once more.
Subsequently, my martial uncle briefed me on important matters. The Daoist Alliance had mobilized. A Class B mobilization order had been issued. Various sects from across the land would gather in three days, west of Bachuan, beneath Jian Dao Peak. At that time, all sects would jointly attack the main stronghold of the Black Demon forces. The Black Demon forces, likewise, were preparing. According to reliable intelligence, the Netherworld and Amaterasu, two major demonic forces, were also dispatching personnel towards Jian Dao Peak, west of Bachuan. Currently, small-scale skirmishes had already broken out several times. The threat level could be elevated from Class B to Class A by the Daoist Alliance at any moment. The situation was not ideal. Sects and factions were already dispatching members, heading towards Jian Dao Peak… This was the general situation. The Hui and Hu families had also made arrangements and would convene at Jian Dao Peak shortly. Before this battle had even begun, dark clouds had already gathered over the entire Daoist Alliance. What we needed to do was adjust our mindset and physical condition over the next three days, and then wait for departure.
Just as he finished speaking, a middle-aged man entered. The man was sleek and well-fed, with a large protruding belly. I recognized him; he was the owner of Ju Fu Lou, a fellow shopkeeper on our street. As he entered, he chuckled, "Daoist Tang, Daoist Tang, your medicinal wine is truly effective! Do you have any more? Could you refill my flask?"
Ah, so he was here to buy medicinal wine. My martial uncle, hearing he was here to purchase his medicinal wine, became more energetic than when dealing with funeral business. "Yes, certainly. Boss Zhang, my medicinal wine is good, isn't it?"
"Heh heh heh, good, very good! It makes me feel like a dragon and a tiger! I finally feel like I'm in my youth again. Now I feel full of vigor, and my wife loves me to death…" I felt awkward hearing this. Old Mo whispered in my ear, "My master is quite indecent. He's this old, and instead of doing funeral business, he insists on selling aphrodisiacs and makes me test them every day…" I almost burst out laughing. But I didn't dwell on it. After all, everyone has their own hobbies. My martial uncle had spent his life doing funeral business; now that he was old, pursuing his hobbies was perfectly fine.
Old Mo and I chatted for a while. My martial uncle also sold a jin of wine to the boss. Incidentally, he sold it for quite a lot, over four thousand, more expensive than Fei Tian. Yet Boss Zhang felt he got a great deal and paid very readily. My martial uncle, holding the money, also looked delighted.
Seeing us whispering, he sternly said, "What are you two talking about? Am I not thinking of men? You are young and don't understand the pain of old men. Wait twenty years, and you'll understand. Come, let's go to the inner room and try my new formula. Otherwise, we'll be going on a long trip again in three days. Over these few days, you two should try my medicinal wine more…"
Hearing this, Old Mo and I both shivered. Old Mo was somewhat better off, as he at least had a fiancée. As for me, though I had a girlfriend, she was a ghost; what was I to do? I clutched my stomach, claiming it ached, and then made a swift exit. All that was left was Old Mo's pleading gaze…
Returning to the shop, I tidied up and began my practice. I planned to visit Qing Dai tonight. I had been away for these past few days, and I truly missed her…