Yang Fan rose to scrutinize the hunched, disabled elder, his heart awash with intrigue. The elder's murky gaze swept across him, his eyes dim as though they lacked the light of vitality. Yet, a peculiar sensation stirred within Yang Fan just as he was about to speak. The old man chuckled heartily, "Ah, I see you are of the same path as I... Please, sit down, young brother."
"Of the same path?" Yang Fan paused, slightly taken aback, before quickly grasping the meaning behind the elder's words. He inquired, "May I ask how you discerned my identity, venerable one?"
The elder, with his crooked back, settled comfortably into a chair, while Luo Shui, his granddaughter, poured tea for him and stood attentively by, her curiosity piqued. "Grandfather, how did you know? I couldn't see it myself!"
The elder's ability to see through Yang Fan's guise as a healer starkly contrasted with his own dimmed sight. This old man was certainly no ordinary figure. Yang Fan felt a surge of astonishment brewing within him, though his outward demeanor remained composed.
"Ah, it is merely a matter of intuition... one that has never failed me. A true healer can never fully disguise themselves, no matter how they attempt to cloak their identity," the elder stated, a playful smile tugging at his lips as he took a delicate sip from his tea, his movements elegant and refined.
"Intuition?" Yang Fan pondered, half in disbelief.
But Luo Shui, skeptical, rolled her eyes and teased, "Grandpa, you must be exaggerating. Were you eavesdropping on my conversation with Young Master Yang?"
"Believe it or not, it matters not," the elder replied with a rueful smile before turning back to Yang Fan. "Young brother, what is your perspective on this?"
After a moment's contemplation, Yang Fan responded earnestly, "If what you say holds true, then you possess an extraordinary mastery over the art of healing, achieving a level of skill that borders on the miraculous."
"You speak with such charm. I see a spark in you; only eighteen years old, and already possessing such insight and abilities. Your future holds great promise! Should you wish, you may linger in this secluded mountain realm for a while, and we can delve into the intricacies of healing together," the elder proposed, his once-dim eyes gleaming with a flicker of light that vanished almost instantly.
Yang Fan felt a jolt of surprise; how had the elder discerned his age with such precision? He had utilized the technique of "Withered Wood" to conceal his aura to an extreme degree, making it nearly impossible for anyone to gauge his true age.
"What do you say, young brother?" the elder pressed.
"Lady Luo, if that is the case, I would be honored to stay here in 'Yihe Village' for a while," Yang Fan replied, a note of sincerity in his voice.
"Thank you, venerable elder," he added, rising in gratitude. The elder's mastery of the healing arts was undeniably profound, and the prospect of engaging in shared discourse was tantalizing.
"You are too polite, young brother. Our meeting is a fortuitous encounter. I have a rudimentary skill in observing people, and I sense you have experienced significant highs and lows in life, currently mired in a valley. Yet, your future holds immeasurable potential," the elder intoned philosophically.
Yang Fan was taken aback by these words, waves of emotion crashing within him. The elder's description seemed to reflect his own life: once a promising genius in the realm of cultivation, he had abruptly fallen from grace, now a mere shell of his former self. The reference to being in a low point resonated deeply, particularly in light of the recent attempts on his life.
However, Yang Fan possessed extraordinary fortune and had acquired the "Xianhong Ring." He believed that as long as he remained patient and low-key for a time, his resurgence was inevitable.
"May I inquire as to your esteemed name, venerable elder?" Yang Fan asked, his tone shifting to one of reverence.
In encountering such a remarkable figure in this isolated realm, he felt fortunate indeed. Cultivators sought the path of immortality, often facing myriad trials and tribulations. To achieve success, one required innate talent, immense perseverance, and, most critically, the blessings of fortune. Among these, fortune was the most elusive and capricious.
Yang Fan felt that he had stumbled upon a rare opportunity, meeting an extraordinary person.
"Ah, I am but an obscure individual, known to none. You may call me elder without concern," the old man replied, clearly reluctant to reveal his true name.
Yang Fan did not press further, and instead engaged in conversation with the elder. "Is it just you and Miss Luo Shui in your home?" he inquired, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.
"Indeed, it is just us. My granddaughter lost her parents at a young age. I took her in, recognizing her unique spirit. She is now sixteen," the elder explained, a hint of affection brightening his gaze as he looked at Luo Shui.
Subsequently, Yang Fan posed several questions regarding the medical arts, his queries delving into obscure and intricate aspects. Remarkably, the elder responded to each with patience and clarity, unraveling the essence of each question with insightful analysis.
The more they conversed, the more Yang Fan admired the elder's wisdom. As time passed, his inquiries broadened beyond the realm of healing into the fields of alchemy and botany, both of which were intimately linked to medicinal practices.
Much to Yang Fan's astonishment, the elder exhibited equally extraordinary knowledge in these areas, addressing all his questions with unparalleled expertise.
As the discussion deepened, Yang Fan even brought up challenges he had encountered in the "Alchemy" and "Botany" chapters, questions that proved somewhat complex. The elder furrowed his brow for a moment, pondering, yet with his vast knowledge and experience, he effortlessly distilled the essence of each issue.
A true master—there was no doubt about it!
Yang Fan's heart swelled with joy; the thought of returning home faded from his mind as he resolved to linger here a while longer.
Before long, the sky darkened, and Luo Shui prepared a simple yet hearty meal. Yang Fan noticed that many of the dishes were infused with medicinal herbs, turning the meal into a medicinal feast.
Typically, medicinal dishes were not particularly palatable, often difficult to consume. However, Luo Shui's culinary skills were exceptional; he couldn't discern what secret she employed, but every dish was a delightful blend of flavors, pleasing to the palate, vibrant in color and aroma.
After just a few bites, Yang Fan found himself enamored with the meal, unable to resist indulging further. "Miss Luo, your culinary skills are remarkable!" he exclaimed.
Luo Shui smiled, her lips curving into a playful grin. "If you enjoy it, I could make it for you every day."
Yang Fan's heart warmed at her words, and he felt an overwhelming sense of tranquility in Yihe Village. If a regular man were to settle down in such a paradise, marrying a woman like her and living in peace, free from turmoil, what a life of bliss it would be!
He cast an envious glance toward the elder, imagining a life of daily indulgence in such exquisite meals. Yet, he noticed the elder shoot a glance at Luo Shui, a hint of playful reprimand in his tone, "Why do I never see you prepare such delectable dishes? Instead, you just play with your new tricks, making me look like a mere herbalist."
The elder's tone held a tinge of bitterness, leaving Yang Fan momentarily stunned. This grandfather-granddaughter duo was quite amusing!
Luo Shui, sensing the jest, flashed a mischievous glance at Yang Fan before lowering her head in silence.
After a satisfying meal, Yang Fan resumed his inquiries with the elder. At one point, his gaze fell upon the elder's crippled leg, and he finally couldn't hold back his curiosity. "Venerable elder, given your unparalleled medical skills, why have you not healed your own ailments?"
Yang Fan had already discerned that the elder not only bore injuries to his leg but also suffered from deeper afflictions.
"Ah, that is a challenge indeed. If I could cure it, do you think I would remain here?" The elder rolled his eyes in exasperation.
"Cure it?" Yang Fan questioned, a puzzled look crossing his face. How could someone with the elder's extensive medical knowledge be unable to heal even these injuries?
"Do you think I would lie to you?"
Yang Fan pondered briefly, still unconvinced. "If that is the case, why not allow me to give it a try?"
In his eyes, healing broken bones and severed tendons was a trivial task.
The elder chuckled heartily, "My condition is beyond your abilities. If you possess such skill, I would gladly pass on all my knowledge to you, even allowing you to marry my precious granddaughter..."
The old man's confidence was unwavering, utterly unconvinced that Yang Fan could ever heal his ailments.