"What's the meaning of this?" Shui Renshu frowned as he noticed his extra child.
"Tao and I do not want to be the oldest ones anymore, so we found a new big brother to take up the responsibilities of being the oldest!"
Although no annoyance could be detected from his face, Lin Tao shook his head and sighed before giving Shui Renshu a proper answer, "Granny requests for you to take in this boy. He was targeted by assassins In the Obsidian Forest, so it would be best if he stays hidden within this orphanage."
"Targeted by assassins? This young boy's identity should not be normal."
"We do not know of his identity, so we'll have to wait until he wakes up." While Lin Tao continued to explain the situation to Shui Renshu, Ji Yun snuck off to play with the other children.
"HAHAHA! So that guardian spirit doesn't know this boy's identify, but wishes to pass this hot potato over to me?" Shui Renshu's grin widened, "Very well. I'll allow the boy to stay here. However, I'll only take him in as a disciple if I like him."
Lin Tao raised his brows in surprise, 'Master usually hates it when other people tell him what to do. Why's he so willing now?'
Shui Renshu ordered some maidservants to clean Zhou Ming up. After all, the boy was still covered in dirt and blood.
Lin Tao didn't bother questioning his master, so he left to join the other children who were undergoing their afternoon training.
Only after they had eaten dinner did Shui Renshu and the children visit Zhou Ming. They entered the room and we're greeted by the sight of an old doctor sitting next to the young boy who had been cleaned up and was wearing a new set of clothes.
The doctor raised his brows in surprise, "You've come at the right time. The boy seems just about to wake up."
The boy's eyelids felt really heavy. As he slowly lifted them up, he saw seven blurry figures in a plain white room. The features of these figures gradually cleared up and Zhou Ming could see that two of them were old men and five of them were children younger than himself. He also noticed that the room was not completely plain. There were a couple of potted plants in the corners as well as one painting of waves on the wall.
He tried to make sense out of these seven people. However, he could not remember these people at all. As a matter of fact, he could not recall anything at all. Zhou Ming squinted his eyes as he tried to recall something, anything.
"The boy's body has completely recovered. However, he has lost his memories."
Zhou Ming groggily directed his gaze towards the owner of the elderly voice. He then noticed the old man was holding his wrists. 'A doctor?'
Zhou Ming instinctively knew that what the old man was currently doing was a clear indicator that the man was a doctor. However, he could not recall where such knowledge had come from. The boy's head ached as he tried to remember his past, an endeavor that bore no fruit.
"Is he really alright? He seems to be in pain."
Zhou Ming gaze followed the voice as his eyes landed on Chen Lihua. Despite the girl's young age, her voice sounded gentle and elegant. She exuded the aura of a young noble lady.
"Those who lose their memories may experience migraines if they try to forcefully recall their past." The doctor faced Zhou Ming, "You'll only cause yourself more pain if you try to force yourself to remember. It's best to wait for your memories to naturally come back."
"Wi-" Zhou Ming's hoarse voice was interrupted by a sudden coughing fit. His throat was really dry and it was difficult to speak. The doctor handed him a cup of water that Zhou Ming then emptied in seconds.
He opened his mouth once more to speak and this time, a clearer voice, albeit soft, could be heard, "Will my memories really come back?"
"There's no guarantee."
Zhou Ming frowned, "Who am I?"
"We don't know. All we know about you is that you were attacked by assassins in the Obsidian Forest."
Upon hearing he was the target of assassins, his brow raised in shock and his body began to slightly tremble. He clenched his fists, digging his nails into the palm of his hands in an attempt at returning himself to his senses. However, his mind ignored the pain as chaotic ideas presented themselves one after the other. His thoughts kept dwelling on the worst possibilities he could think of.
Suddenly a hand firmly grabbed his right shoulder, pulling him out of his thoughts. "Don't worry. The assassins probably think you're dead. As long as you hide in this orphanage, you should be safe."
The confidence in the voice eased his mind as he directed his gaze at Ji Yun. The young girl had a wide smile on her face that stood out among the solemn group of people. The smile on the girl's face was welcoming and truly made Zhou Ming feel he would be safe with these strangers. Seeing that the boy had calmed down, Ji Yun retracted her hand.
Zhou Ming softly inquired, "Did you guys save me?"
"Nope, granny was the one who saved you!" The already cheerful looking girl's eyes brightened further as she mentioned granny.
"Granny?"
"It's not safe for you to leave this orphanage and granny can't leave the Obsidian Forest, so the two of you won't be able to meet."
'Why can't she leave the forest, ' Zhou Ming pondered to himself as he observed the chubby boy who was the owner of the voice. The extra fat made him resemble a small dumpling. Yao Zihao was noticeably younger than the other children.
The corners of Lin Tao's mouth raised when Yao Zihao referred to the guardian spirit as granny.
"I see. I am grateful for her assistance in saving my life. One day, I will repay the favor. Can someone pass that message over to her?" Although he still looked confused, Zhou Ming's voice was calm and humble.
"Tao and I can!" Ji Yun cheerfully agreed, not hesitating in the slightest to also agree in Lin Tao's place. Lin Tao could only silently shake his head as he gave a disapproving look to the young girl. However, he did not voice any complaint.
The old doctor spoke up once more, "Although your body is physically fine, your cultivation seems to have been lost. Fortunately, your dantian and meridians have not been damaged, so you'll be able to cultivate once more."
Zhou Ming could not recall his previous level of cultivation, so he didn't feel any great sense of loss. He simply nodded in understanding.
A maidservant entered the room with a bowl of congee.
Zhou Ming stared at the congee in front of him. He could not recall his preference in food, so he stoically lifted a spoonful into his mouth.
"We do not know your previous name, so would you like to choose a new name?"
"I don't have any particular preference. You can choose a name for me."
Shui Renshu suddenly began to grin, "Choosing a name to too much of a hassle. Why don't we let that legendary guardian spirit choose for you?"
"Guardian spirit?" Zhou Ming paused and raised his eyes, which were full of doubt.
"Granny is the Guardian Spirit of the Obsidian Forest!"
Although he was still skeptical, Zhou Ming felt a sense of awe, "She is my savior, so naturally, I would happily accept the name she chooses for me."
Shui Renshu's grin widened as he placed his hands on Lin Tao and Ji Yun's shoulders, "Good! These two will ask her to choose a name for you tomorrow."
Zhou Ming turned to Lin Tao and Ji Yun, "Many thanks."
After finishing the congee, Zhou Ming body felt much more awake. He lifted his eyes to look at the people in the room and inquired, "Who are you people?"
Shui Renshu chuckled, "Took you long enough to ask."