His reaction startled Shen Muzhi, causing him to step back two paces. A rather awkward smile spread across his face. Shen Muzhi said, "Daoist Liu, have you misunderstood? I harbor absolutely no ill intentions towards you or your disciple. Furthermore, I healed all the injuries you sustained. Why would I harm your disciple?"
His sincerity seemed genuine, not like a lie.
Liu Buli frowned, staring intently into his eyes for a moment, and diligently pondered the truthfulness of his words.
First, he could confirm one thing: according to the novel's setting, Shen Muzhi was indeed a genius physician. Therefore, if he were to treat himself, there was a possibility of recovery.
Looking at his current actions and expression, he didn't seem like someone who had come to fight them.
After a moment of hesitation, Liu Buli sheathed his sword.
He cupped his hands towards the other man, making a gesture of apology, and said, "My apologies, I was too hasty."
"It's alright. Daoist Liu was so severely injured that it's understandable to be wary of others," Shen Muzhi's smile finally became more natural. He continued, "However, as a physician, I still advise you to lie down for a while longer. Your injuries haven't completely healed, and if you move now, I fear your wounds might reopen."
As he spoke, and before Liu Buli could react, Lu Wuming, who was standing nearby, acted first and forcefully pushed him back onto the bed.
Regardless of what his master considered, Lu Wuming had only one thought: he wanted his master to recover completely, so anything that could worsen his master's injuries was absolutely unacceptable.
Seeing the two of them like this, Shen Muzhi couldn't help but chuckle. He walked over, set down the basin of water he was holding, and then continued his explanation. "Daoist Liu, you were unconscious for three days. During these three days, your disciple stayed by your side. He said you were particular about cleanliness, so he bathed you every day. I've brought the water for today, but since you're awake now, there's no need for him to bathe you anymore."
Liu Buli let out a wry smile and rubbed Lu Wuming, who was beside him. He sighed and said, "You've truly suffered these past few days while your master was unconscious."
Lu Wuming, like a kitten being petted by its owner, nudged his neck against Liu Buli's palm, his eyes filled with contentment.
"It wasn't these past few days that were difficult, but the treatment itself," Shen Muzhi chimed in, following Liu Buli's words, with no intention of hiding anything. He said, "To save you, your disciple dug out all his internal organs and had me replace them with yours. And it wasn't just his organs; he even gave you his eyes. I truly envy you for having such a disciple, Daoist Liu. Since you're awake, you two should have a good talk. I'll leave you to it then."
After speaking, Shen Muzhi, with great tact, voluntarily left the room.
He gave no thought to the incredibly complex expressions on the faces of the two people who had just heard his words.
Lu Wuming was utterly panicked.
He was truly afraid of what his master might say.
Would he find his internal organs unclean? Would he find his eyes to be from the Ghost Clan?
He was in an extreme state of panic, afraid to even contemplate it.
When facing Liu Buli, he was always this insecure. He couldn't change it, nor did he ever consider changing.
After all, that person was light...
How could a filthy being like himself, living in the shadows, be worthy of comparison?
Lu Wuming's body began to tremble involuntarily.
But the next second, before he could even consider other possibilities, he was pulled into a warm embrace.
Liu Buli held him with immense force, as if trying to merge Lu Wuming into his very bones, unable to control his emotions. As he held Lu Wuming, he trembled uncontrollably along with him.
His mind was filled with Shen Muzhi's words from moments ago.
To save him, Lu Wuming had dug out all his internal organs, and besides his organs, his eyes as well.
All of it was to replace them, to save him?
There was no anesthetic here, and even if there were, Lu Wuming wouldn't have used it. Liu Buli could vividly imagine the scene at that time.
How painful that must have been...
Tears welled up in his eyes. Liu Buli held the youth in his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Even if he hadn't died, it would have been excruciating. What profound pain was this? Even the most brutal torture wouldn't compare, would it?
"Master, please don't cry. Wuming knows he was wrong. Please don't cry..."
Lu Wuming heard Liu Buli's choked sobs, and his heart ached as if it were being torn apart. He didn't know what else to say, so he could only continue to apologize.
However, to his surprise, after a moment of silence, Liu Buli actually pushed him away from his embrace.
The tears on his eyelids hadn't yet dried. Liu Buli sniffled, his face stern and displeased. "You say you were wrong. Do you know where you went wrong?"
Lu Wuming's heart leaped.
His lips trembled, and he instinctively replied, "I... I am too dirty..."
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