A few days later.
A ceremony to formally accept a disciple took place.
Chen Sheng sat in the main seat, looking at the young man serving tea before him.
He slowly remembered how he himself had once become a disciple.
"Twenty-three years ago, at this very place, in just such a setting, just like then."
Qin Yuan raised the tea cup above his head, his voice steady:
"Master, please have some tea."
When Chen Sheng accepted the tea cup, his fingertips felt the boy's slightly trembling wrist.
He chuckled inwardly: After all, he's still just a child.
The warm tea slid down his throat.
Chen Sheng put down the tea cup and gestured to the woman beside him:
"This is your master's wife."
Then pointed to the elder on the left side of the main seat.
"This is your master's master."
Qin Yuan respectfully kowtowed, the sound of his forehead touching the green bricks clearly audible:
"Greetings, master's wife, greetings, master's master."
Huang Wangyou quickly helped him up, warmth in her eyes:
"Get up, from now on, you're part of the family."
Huang Yueyang, twirling his goatee, appraised the young man's handsome features, exchanged a glance with Chen Sheng, and nodded gently.
At that moment.
A series of quick footsteps rang from the corridor, accompanied by a hearty laugh:
"Dad, Mom, I finally made it back!"
Everyone looked up.
A spirited young girl with a long sword on her back came quickly, a few fallen leaves caught in her hair.
It was none other than Chen Sheng's daughter, Tang Xichen.
Four years had passed.
She had smoothly progressed to mid-stage Qi Cultivation, and now had advanced to the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer, catching up with her mother.
The high grade magical sword and corresponding Sword Technique bought by Chen Sheng had helped her improve her swordsmanship rapidly.
Huang Wangyou feigned reproach:
"Where have you been playing now?"
Tang Xichen giggled: "I went to the Martial Arts Arena to practice sword techniques. Now, let me see this Junior Brother Qin Yuan."
With that said.
Tang Xichen glanced around the hall, her gaze immediately fixing on Qin Yuan, and she quickly approached him, examining him with interest:
"You look different from before."
The last time they met was several years ago when Qin Yuan was still a child, and now he was considered a young man.
Qin Yuan felt a little uneasy under her gaze, lowering his eyes slightly.
Tang Xichen, unfazed, beamed with a bright smile, patted his shoulder with just the right strength:
"You seem steady, just a bit short. Eat more meat, and follow me to practice swords more, it'll help you grow taller and stronger."
Tang Xichen's enthusiasm made the usually composed young man blush, stammering slightly:
"Got it, Senior Sister!"
Tang Xichen laughed heartily, speaking straightforwardly:
"We're all family, no need to be shy."
Huang Wangyou gave her a sidelong glance, shielding the young man:
"Mind your manners, don't bully your Junior Brother. He's more than five years younger than you, you were shorter than him back then."
Tang Xichen smiled mischievously:
"I don't remember that."
She looked at Qin Yuan, laughing loudly: "Junior Brother, from now on, I'm your Senior Sister."
She took off the long sword from her back and placed it on the table, the sword scabbard making a crisp sound against the wooden table.
"If anyone bullies you in the future, just mention my name, Tang Xichen!"
When Qin Yuan looked up, he saw her blossoming smile, and quickly lowered his head:
"Thank you, Senior Sister."
...
Time passed slowly.
Chen Sheng started teaching Qin Yuan about the principles of medicine and how to prepare herbs.
He was surprised to find that this disciple had great comprehension, quickly understanding and absorbing the knowledge he imparted, a true natural learner.
Moreover, Qin Yuan was especially diligent, reminiscent of how he himself was back then, which made Chen Sheng more eager to teach and more attentive to this disciple.
It's said that reviewing the past leads to new understanding; during this teaching process, he also gradually sorted through his own knowledge.
Two months flew by, in the apothecary. Chen Sheng examined the disciple's work from the previous day and smiled with satisfaction:
"Not bad! Not bad! It seems you've truly learned it."
With those words, he began the day's lesson.
...
Soon, the teaching was over.
Qin Yuan respectfully saluted:
"Master, I shall go prepare the medicine now."
Chen Sheng waved his hand: "Go ahead."
Soon, he watched as his disciple busily shuffled between the shelves of medicine.
Chen Sheng shook his head helplessly. He had his own little schemes, which he had discussed with his wife and father-in-law.
He was thinking of imitating the example of him and Huang Wangyou, trying to bring Qin Yuan and his daughter together.
So far, the progress was minimal.
One focused on learning the Alchemy Skill, while the other practiced Swordsmanship and Qi Cultivation all day, wholeheartedly pursuing the path, sparking not even a hint of romance.
Chen Sheng stopped thinking much about it:
"Oh well, children have their own fortunes."
Another month passed, at the Qin Mansion.
Qin Yuan knelt on the ground, watching his grandfather on the bed, tears streaming down his face.
Ever since Qin Yuan became an apprentice.
Qin Dajiang seemed to have lost his last tether, deteriorating at a visibly rapid pace.
At this moment, Qin Dajiang lay in bed, his withered complexion gradually turning rosy, a sign of the final flicker of life. He tightly grasped Chen Sheng's hand, speaking his last words:
"Xiaoyun, in the Storage Pouch by the side, there are my lifelong savings. Yuan'er, I entrust to you."
Chen Sheng promptly promised: "Rest assured, uncle, I will treat Yuan'er as my own child."
Upon hearing this, Qin Dajiang showed a relieved expression and called Qin Yuan to his side, looking at him lovingly, advising him to be obedient and study hard.
Qin Yuan's eyes were swollen red as he earnestly nodded:
"I will certainly obey and study Alchemy diligently."
"Grandfather... I don't want you to go."
As he spoke, the young boy couldn't help but choke with emotion.
Qin Dajiang held his hand:
"Foolish child, everyone has this day. Grandfather is going to meet your grandmother and your father."
"Take good care of yourself, do not be overly competitive, and continue our family lineage as soon as possible."
Having said that, he seemed to have no regrets left and slowly closed his eyes, never to wake again.
At this moment, Qin Yuan could no longer hold back and burst into tears.
Chen Sheng watched him, sighing softly in his heart.
After a while.
Once Qin Yuan had vented his feelings, Chen Sheng gently patted his shoulder and stuffed the Storage Pouch on the table into his arms.
...
Two days later, under Chen Sheng's arrangements, Qin Dajiang's funeral proceeded in an orderly manner.
Friends of Qin Dajiang came to pay their respects one after another.
Chen Sheng took on the role of welcoming guests and brought Qin Yuan along, introducing him to forge ties with connections from the previous generation.
By evening, the number of visitors gradually dwindled.
In the mourning hall, Qin Yuan knelt blankly in front of the coffin.
Huang Wangyou, who came with Chen Sheng, was immediately filled with maternal affection but was held back by Chen Sheng.
"Let him accompany uncle on his final journey."
Huang Wangyou nodded in agreement upon hearing this.
At the Pill Workshop, in the courtyard, Tang Xichen was playing with her younger brother. She had visited the mourning hall during the day, and seeing her parents return, she asked in surprise:
"Where's Junior Brother? Didn't he come back with you?"
Chen Sheng shook his head:
"The child has been dependent on his grandfather since he was little, and he just can't accept it for now. He's still kneeling in the mourning hall."
Tang Xichen, upon hearing this, recalled the dazed look of her junior brother during the day and felt a surge of compassion.
"Then I'll go check on Junior Brother."
Huang Wangyou stopped her:
"No rush, the child hasn't had a bite to eat all day. I asked the kitchen to prepare some meat porridge, take it to him."
Tang Xichen nodded in agreement.
...
Qin Mansion, mourning hall.
The cold wind blew through the worn-out door, making a wailing sound.
Qin Yuan looked at his grandfather's face, his facade of strength crumbling, he buried his face on the ground, tears flowing uncontrollably, sobbing quietly.
Just then.
"Junior Brother?"
A clear and bright voice sounded, carrying a youthful, feminine vibrancy.
Qin Yuan sluggishly looked towards the sound.
He saw a spirited young girl holding a clay pot in her hands, quickly approaching. The porridge in the pot bubbled and steamed.
Tang Xichen took out a bowl and a spoon from the Storage Pouch, ladled a bowl, and handed it to the boy.
"I heard you haven't eaten all day, have some. Otherwise, you'll really not grow tall."
Qin Yuan raised his head and saw his senior sister's bright, phoenix-like eyes staring at him, full of concern. A warmth filled his heart, and he instinctively took the bowl and spoon, only to find his hands were terribly numb.
The young girl couldn't help but chuckle:
"See? This is the result of not eating. Activate your mana for recovery, I'll feed you."
She scooped up a spoonful of porridge, blew on it, and brought it to his lips.
"Open your mouth."
Qin Yuan blushed slightly, obediently opening his mouth to eat the porridge. When he looked up and saw the girl's bright smile, a special emotion subtly took root in his heart.