"I sincerely apologize for my rudeness earlier, Master Hong. You are right, your solution to my disciple's problems are the best course at the moment. And of course, I understand that his death is partly certain in the process.
"Please, I plead to you, good sir..." Xingjian lowered his head without hesitating after speaking those words in a low voice.
"Master Xingjian, I said this before, find someone else to do it--"
"Please, master Hong. I can only ask you to do this for my disciple. I was wrong to have argued your goodwill because I fear for my disciple's death. Please, conduct your treatment. I will pay any price for it."
"This..." narrowing his eyes, master Hong was a bit speechless Xingjian insistent pleading.
Who could've possibly known that this famous rogue of his era, the one who wouldn't bow and would rather slit the throat of an emperor, would actually kneel in apology and plead for his very simple treatment?
The process of TonicQi therapy was very simple to conduct. In fact, even a low ranked disciple working in this building can actually do it because the study and practice of acupuncture was mandatory for them.
So, this meant that Xingjian didn't actually need master Hong anymore. He just needed someone else to do the therapy for him.
But now he was asking him, though. Was it really necessary to even kneel?
Master Hong turned his head and looked at Lu Chong sitting on the side. Watching down on Xingjian with a bitter face. And couldn't help but be perplexed by their master-disciple relationship.
Meanwhile, Lu Chong was feeling very conflicted on the inside as he watched this old man, whom he doesn't even remember, kneeling down to be forgiven and pleaded for his sake.
Why?
Why do I feel so unpleasant?
They were talking about my treatment but I feel just fine. I didn't ask this old man to beg for my treatment, did I? Why is he doing it then?
Who is this old man to me?
Wait? Disciple? I'm his disciple?
Then does that make him my master?
Master? Master Xingjian...
Lu Chong place his hand on his chest and clenched his heavy heart.
Why can't I remember him? A tear streak down from his eye down to his cheek.
Meanwhile, master Hong was also feeling conflicted. He didn't know if he should ignore or not. He was hesitant on doing so and his mind began to think of many excuses to leave right now.
But just before he could talk, Xingjian suddenly held his sword cane up and stab the ground lightly. He had his stabbed sword support his heavy body as he knelt even more. Executing the graceful salutations of a swordsman.
Then suddenly, the room was suddenly overflowing with the aura of righteousness and nobility coming from Xingjian himself.
He filled the room with his inviolable breath that warranted the respect of other's. Dominating everyone else who disagrees with his path of righteousness. Even Lu Chong was trap in a trance upon contact with this aura.
"This..." this aura was not pressuring master Hong with its dominating quality. But he also couldn't ignore as it struck a cord in his soul upon sensing such noble aura. Compelling him to change his mind and treat Lu Chong right this instant.
"Alright, I'll do it. Please stand up, master Xingjian. You're embarrassing me..." in the end, master Hong could only change his mind and do it with a bitter heart.
"Thank you." Xingjian stood up immediately and withdrew his exuded aura. He stepped back to where he last stood with his expression placid. Acting as if nothing happened.
It was famously stated that the Dao of Sword always led to slaughter and bathing the blood of its enemies. But was also stated that the essence of the sword principle conformed to nobility and chivalry. Granting the swordsman an impeccable aura of righteousness that demands the respect of his fellow peers, seniors and juniors.
What Xingjian did was just that. Only, he did it like a dick move.
What the heck?
So, you mean to say if I said no, you're going to act all selfless and lofty to make me look like a villain for ignoring someone's plight?
What a dick move!
Xingjian, you shameless motherf-er!
Even though he felt extremely repulsed by his saucy methods, master Hong dared not to speak of it knowing he got the short end of the argument.
With a bitter look, he looked Lu Chong who just woke up from his trance and said to him. "Lad, I'm going to commence treatment to counter any dormant poison within you. To do that, I must apply my Tonic Qi into your bloodstream through acupuncture. You know what to do on your part, right?"
TonicQi? Acupuncture? Lu Chong knew none of these things nor what he was going to do on his part. And he was secretly dumbfounded now that he didn't know what to do.
Perhaps when he had his memories, the Lu Chong in the past must've done this so-called acupuncture dozens of times and knew how basic protocol goes but he doesn't remember any of it even when hearing something that should jolt a little reference in his memories.
Perhaps he should just tell them right now that he can't remember his memories. However, judging by the situation, it seems that his circumstances were more complicated than his amnesia. Knowing that, he decided that it was best to hold his problems to himself for now.
He nodded to master Hong calmly despite unspecified with the details and the latter said. "Alright, let's start now... Take of your robe and lie down on the bed facing upwards."
"... What?" Lu Chong blinked. Unbelieving of what he just heard.
"You didn't hear me?" master Hong frowned. "I said take off your robe and lie down on the bed."
Even after hearing that, Lu Chong still didn't believe his ears.
You're joking, right?
Take of my robe? You mean get naked?
What are going to do with my body after that happens?
Various thoughts flashed inside Lu Chong's mind and it all made him shudder. He suddenly felt a cold breeze blowing that made him hug his arms around tight. He looked at master very conflicted as he didn't know whether he should look at him as a stranger or a molester.
Noticing his odd reaction, the two elders exchanged odd looks knowing what was going on in this young land's mind.
Boy, the younger generation really do let their imaginations run wild, huh?
We experts had attained Spiritual Awareness long ago and we've seen so many naked bodies that we've lost count.
What's makes you think we're perverts just because we can see pass through your clothes?
We can see the naked bodies of other's and they're not even offended by it.
Even though they knew what he was thinking, the elders were too impatient to explain. Xingjian snorted and said to Lu Chong.
"Brat, don't even make me kneel to take off your clothes. Hurry up and strip naked already! Don't you dare make us old men waste our time with you." Xingjian them motioned his hand in a grasping gesture and the thin layered robe, the only protection Lu Chong had to ward against evil, had been stripped away from him in an instant and landed on Xingjian's hands.
Lu Chong couldn't help but feel a sudden chill that made him curl into a human ball. Desperately covering his vital spots. But that sudden chill was replaced with fear as Xingjian snorted again and motioned his hand in a pressing gesture.
Immediately, Lu Chong felt an invisible force had pulled his body straight as a spear and had him lie on the bed facing up. Exposing his bare body.
Lu Chong couldn't help but really unpleasant as his powerless-self overwhelm his optimism. He grieved in frustration as he lost all hope from getting out of this situation.
First amnesia and then this? We're the Heavens prank in him today?
But it seems the pranks from the Heavens were only beginning when suddenly, the door opened of the room opened up to reveal 3 people entering without excuse.
1 was a young lad wearing handsome robes that fit his handsome face while the other 2 were young girls who were each gorgeous and pretty that made the hearts of normal young men flutter.
The next moment when these 3 newcomers entered, the two maidens saw Lu Chong in his pitiful plight of being stripped of his dignity and their faces were shaded red.
""Kyah!!!"" the 2 girls screamed and ran out of the room in a fluster. Leaving behind the young lad who flashed a bitter smile and said. "It seems that we came at awkward timing... Then, we'll come back next time."
After saying such, Ben Li left the room calmly as he ignored Lu Chong's silent screaming for salvation.