"But… " Wei Xue was at a loss of words. He couldn't figure out what kind of response to make, cause to him, Yang Ding's claim seemed like a big fat lie. His eyes unconsciously crept to Yang Ding's brand new leg.
The train of his gaze didn't pass unnoticed to Yang Ding.
"I know what you are thinking. But let me tell you that my leg was restored not by me but by my master. When it comes to me, I have just laid out the foundation of medical arts which revolves around curing diseases and has nothing to do with injuries."
"Huh? Your master?"
"Yeah, of course, he is the one under whom I am practicing medical arts. But I have yet to learn it all. His medical arts are so miraculous that he can even restore lost limbs! but…" Yang Ding stopped purposely waiting for Wei Xue's response to steer the conversation.
"But?"
"But, the resources required for it are so rare that no amount of gold and sapphires can equate to it, not to mention the fact that my master would never come down to the lower realms to treat mortals who have just stepped into the dao of cultivation."
*ping*
[+1 added to pride]
'Sh*t, I forgot about my system!' Yang Ding cursed himself in his heart.
Wei Xue reconsidered the whole explanation. His iris danced in his eyeballs as he was processing what Yang Ding meant. To Wei Xue saving his kin was a top priority but if the person who could do that is not willing then what could he do? At first, he had thought of Yang Ding to be a great asset for the war but now he was having second thoughts. He definitely had doubts, as to how a person who was able to cure all diseases and cultivation blockages cannot mend a single wound? But who is he to complain? He has never studied a single chapter in the dao of medical expertise.
He finally decided to let this matter go.
"I see, I understand." Wei Xue nodded. His eyes drifted back to his brothers who were lying dead. Yang Ding's eyes also followed him.
Su Yang was still there kneeling in front of his brothers. His hands clasped as he prayed for the departed.
Yang Ding raised his brows.
'Well… just to continue my act of being a doctor. Let's do this too. After all, aren't good doctors supposed to give respects to the departed?'
Yang Ding turned around. His robe fluttered in the evening breeze which was polluted by the smell of blood. With slow but steady steps he came closer to Su Yang. Wei Xue seemed to not care about what the two did as he didn't stop them.
Yang Ding sat beside Su Yang kneeling on his knees. Then he copied him as he clasped his hands together and pretended to pray for their souls.
'What was I supposed to say again? Something along the lines… Ah! I remember now.'
"O brothers, forgive the living and the dead, those who are present among us and those who are absent, the young and the old, the males and the females. Please forgive all, don't let agony befall on your souls' cause of this life's anger and resentments. The sisters of faith have turned their wheels, whoever is fated to live, has stayed alive, and whoever was fated to die has joined you on your journey. With heaven's will, do not deprive yourself of the rewards and do not cause yourself to go astray after this. If heaven will and the sisters of fate so desires, you too will be forgiven and freed from your burdens, your rest will be honored and your entrance shall be eased; washed with water and snow and hail, and cleansed of sins as a white garment is cleansed of dirt. May your soul finds harmony with nature as you walk on the dao of the universe…" Yang Ding whispered.
Yang Ding hadn't noticed that Su Yang was staring at him with a piercing gaze. His forehead was forming wrinkles as his eyebrows raised further and further.
"You! How do you know of these words?"
Yang Ding opened his eyes.
'To be honest, even I don't know. I happened to have them on my lips.'
"Why? Is there something wrong with it? You were also giving respects to the departed just a moment ago."
"No, I didn't mean it that way."
Su Yang shook his head.
"I am not questioning your act of showing respect to them, but rather I was curious as to who taught you those words, they have a lot of symbolic significance to me."
"No one taught me, I just knew it!"
Yang Ding shrugged.
'Yeah, I can't bring up my virtual master again or else the damnable system will curse me with another point.'
"You just knew it? I see… if you insist," Su Yang didn't pry further. But his lips arched into a smile.
Yang Ding who was done with the act got up back to his feet as he dusted his robe with his hands.
'This much of an act will be fitting for a doctor, I hope'
"You are such a complicated person… always in contrast with your words and your actions," Su Yang whispered to himself.
"Did you say something?" Yang Ding who had caught on the whispers asked.
"Ah no, I didn't. You can continue with whatever plans you had."
Yang Ding raised his brows, but he didn't pry further as he walked away.
The patriarch's eyes followed Yang Ding as he left. The patriarch had his eyes on Yang Ding ever since Wei Xue's outburst and pleading. He was wondering who this person might be.
"I don't know him, but it seems like I have met him somewhere… Who is he? His aura feels familiar."
"Should I inquire Wei Xue?"
***
Author: Hello!
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