It was obvious that the two newly hired workers at Baicao Garden were members of the Life and Death Gate. As soon as Gu Xiaofeng realized Ji Dongyang was coming to Tianyi Hall seeking Song Hao's protection, he sent people to infiltrate Baicao Garden to gather intelligence. Having located Ji Dongyang's hiding place, Gu Xiaofeng was tasked with attracting Song Hao, Tang Yu, and the others' attention outside the garden's gate, while the two Life and Death Gate members seized the opportunity to kidnap Ji Dongyang. This plan was extremely difficult to defend against and would go unnoticed. Gu Xiaofeng could then leave safely without causing any trouble.
"Mr. Gu, your move is brilliant!" Song Hao realized he had fallen for Gu Xiaofeng's scheme and said angrily.
"What did you say! I don't understand. If you really don't welcome me to visit the Hundred Herbs Garden, then so be it. I've disturbed you, farewell!" Knowing that he had succeeded in getting his man, Gu Xiaofeng smiled and cupped his hands towards Song Hao, saying smugly.
The sergeant looked around, unsure which direction the two outsiders had taken Ji Dongyang. It was too late to chase after them now, so he looked helplessly at Song Hao.
Even the wisest can make a mistake. Song Hao, Tang Yu, and the others never expected that Gu Xiaofeng would come up with such a move, sending two undercover agents so early on.
"Song Hao, I'm sorry, it was my mistake," Qiu Ru said apologetically.
Song Hao shook his head and said helplessly, "It was my carelessness, it's not your fault."
Just as Gu Xiaofeng, who was secretly pleased with himself, was about to lead his men away, two people suddenly ran over from a distance in a panic. They were covered in dust and dirt, clearly having just fought someone and been defeated.
Upon seeing this, Gu Xiaofeng's expression changed, and he hissed, "Where is he?"
Chapter Nineteen: The Divine Poison Doctor
The three months of autumn are called Rongping, when the weather becomes brisk and the earth's energy becomes clear. Go to bed early and rise early, like the rooster, to keep your mind at peace and mitigate the harshness of autumn. Gather your spirit and energy, so that the autumn energy is balanced. Do not let your mind wander, so that your lung energy is clear. This is the proper response to the autumn energy, the way to nourish and gather. — *The Inner Canon of Medicine, Treatise on Regulating the Spirit in Accordance with the Four Seasons*
"It's him!?" Song Hao was especially shocked. The old beggar was the same person who used to frequent the grave of his great-grandfather, Song Jingchun. How could he have snatched Ji Dongyang from the hands of the Gate of Life and Death today? He was very confused.
"Uncle, it's you!" Qiu Ru exclaimed in surprise.
"I first saw this old man on Wansong Ridge. Seeing that he was wandering alone, I felt sorry for him and took him in to live in a wooden house next to Baicao Garden. I sent him some food every day. I never expected that he would help us today," Qiu Ru said excitedly.
"Oh! It's Miss Qiu!" The old beggar stepped forward and bowed to Qiu Ru, saying, "Miss Qiu is a kind-hearted person! I am grateful for your food and lodging, which has saved me, an old beggar, from the hardship of begging for food every day. Today, I discovered that someone was disrespectful to Miss Qiu and was openly robbing people in the Hundred Herbs Garden, so I stepped in to do my part."
Gu Xiaofeng hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Gu Xiaofeng of the Life and Death Gate greets Senior! May I ask who you are, Senior?"
"The Gate of Life and Death!" The old beggar turned and glanced at Gu Xiaofeng, shaking his head. "The Gate of Life and Death has changed its nature within the last three generations, and it's even worse now, with you. The Gate of Life and Death originally inherited the path of cultivation from the Medical School, cultivating life to save oneself, and living without worldly strife. But you've become greedy and selfish, fighting with others for meaningless things. What you're fighting for, those in the Gate of Life and Death who have obtained it or have some use for it, even if you get it now, it's useless. You can't leverage that thing, nor can you comprehend it. Alright, let's talk over here." After the old beggar finished speaking, he walked towards the woods on one side. Gu Xiaofeng hurriedly followed behind. He vaguely sensed that this mysterious old beggar seemed to have some close relationship with the Gate of Life and Death.
Things took an unexpected turn, but seeing that Ji Dongyang was safe and sound, Song Hao felt somewhat relieved. He stepped forward to offer a word of comfort, and then had Ji Dongyang stand with the squad leader and the others.
“This old beggar has quite a background! I often saw him on Wansong Ridge when I was a child,” Song Hao said.
"He's been here all these years? It seems he has some connection to the Gate of Life and Death today," Tang Yu said in surprise.
"I don't know what happened either, I'll ask again later. Anyway, since they helped us snatch the person back from the clutches of the Gate of Life and Death, they probably didn't have any malicious intent," Song Hao said.
Half an hour later, the elderly beggar and Gu Xiaofeng emerged from the woods. The elderly beggar said something to Gu Xiaofeng again, and Gu Xiaofeng nodded repeatedly, his attitude extremely respectful.
Reaching the gate of the Hundred Herbs Garden, Gu Xiaofeng bowed to Song Hao, gave an awkward smile, and said, "Song Hao, I apologize for my rudeness today! I have promised this senior that the people of the Life and Death Gate will never set foot on Wansong Ridge again. Actually, I have already discussed this matter with your parents. As long as there is no conflict with you, no harm to your people, and no disruption to the operation of Tianyi Hall, I am allowed to use any means to achieve my goal. Now it seems that I have no choice but to back down again. Alright, I'll be going now. I will still try to get that person in the future."
After saying that, Gu Xiaofeng glanced at Ji Dongyang, then turned and led his men away.
"Thank you for your help, senior!" Song Hao then said gratefully to the old beggar.
"Don't be polite with an old beggar!" The elderly beggar carefully looked Song Hao up and down, then nodded and said, "It's Song Jingchun's good fortune to have such an outstanding great-grandson as you!"
"Does Senior know my great-grandfather?" Song Hao asked in surprise.
The beggar laughed and said, "You must be wondering why this old beggar has stayed on Wansong Ridge for so many years. It's a bet I made with your great-grandfather before he died. I lost, so I promised to guard his grave for thirty years. It's strange, isn't it? If you want to know the details, come find me another day, and I'll explain it to you."
"A bet? For a bet that he'd guarded his great-grandfather's grave for thirty years?" Song Hao was astonished.
The old beggar then walked up to Ji Dongyang and said, "Listen carefully, this old beggar can only help you this once. The people of the Life and Death Gate have promised this old beggar that they will never set foot on Wansong Ridge again. Once you leave Wansong Ridge, no one can control what they do. The power of the Heavenly Doctor Hall can only guarantee your safety on Wansong Ridge."
"Thank you, senior! I promise I will never leave Wansong Ridge again in my lifetime. That way, no one will have a chance to catch me," Ji Dongyang said.
"It's good that you understand this." After saying that, the old beggar winked at Song Hao inexplicably and said, "If you want to hear a story, go to the wooden house behind the Hundred Herbs Garden and find the old beggar!" Then he turned and left.
"It's all over, everyone can go now," Song Hao said, turning around to the crowd.
The sergeant then led the security personnel back to the Hundred Herbs Garden, personally accompanying Ji Dongyang in case of any unforeseen circumstances. Tang Yu and Qiu Ru, seeing that Song Hao showed no sign of leaving, knew he was going to visit the old beggar to resolve his doubts.
"Gu Xiaofeng's reverence for this beggar suggests that this person's identity and background are quite extraordinary. Furthermore, this person's unexpected appearance seems to have deterred Gu Xiaofeng from pursuing Ji Dongyang any longer. Moreover, the beggar intentionally told Ji Dongyang not to step out of Wansong Ridge. I think he said this on purpose, intending to keep Ji Dongyang with you and Tianyi Hall forever. Of course, this is also for his future safety," Tang Yu said.
Song Hao nodded and said, "That's true. He does want to ultimately help our Heavenly Medicine Hall. This person has given me too many questions, and I must go and find out the truth. Such a master has been living in seclusion here for so many years, and I didn't even know it. I thought he was just a beggar picking wild food, but it seems he's not that simple."
Qiu Ru said, "I found him here when I first arrived at Wansongling. I felt sorry for him, so I found him a place to stay. I never expected that he would help us today."
"It seems good deeds are rewarded! Without this person, Ji Dongyang would have been kidnapped by Gu Xiaofeng, and we would never have found him again. You two go back first; I'll go pay a visit to this master and see what his background is. Also, arrange a better room for him in the Hundred Herbs Garden; if he's willing, we can provide for him until the end of his life. With this person here, Wansong Ridge is a forbidden area of the Gate of Life and Death." After saying this, Song Hao turned to look for the old beggar.
Watching Song Hao walk away, Tang Yu said, "It seems that this beggar also had something to say to Song Hao. I wonder what kind of legendary story is behind this."
Miao Ru sighed, "You can't judge a book by its cover. If it weren't for what happened today, everyone would really think he was just an ordinary beggar!"
"Alright! The troubles that Song Hao and Tianyitang faced have basically been resolved." Tang Yu breathed a sigh of relief and said easily.
Song Hao arrived at the wooden house outside the back gate of the Hundred Herbs Garden and saw that the wooden door was open and the old beggar was lying on the bed sleeping.
Song Hao coughed lightly and said respectfully, "Junior Song Hao has come to pay respects to Senior!"
After being called three times, the beggar lazily stretched, sat up, and laughed, "You came too fast! This old beggar just went to sleep! Alright, come in!"
Song Hao walked in and said respectfully, "Senior, I have already ordered someone to prepare another room in the Hundred Herbs Garden. I will move there later. I did not know that you were such a master before, and I apologize for my neglect. If you are willing, I would like to stay here permanently to thank you for helping me out today."
"No need," the beggar said dismissively. "I'm used to living a simple life as a beggar. I can't stand living in nice places. This little wooden hut is good enough for me."
"May I ask how I should address you, senior?" Song Hao asked.
"I've forgotten my name over the years, so it's better not to tell you," the beggar said, clearly unwilling to reveal his name.
Upon hearing this, Song Hao didn't ask any further questions, and instead said, "Senior and the Gate of Life and Death..."
Before Song Hao could finish speaking, the beggar shook his head and said, "Some things are none of your business, so there's no need for you to know. It's not that I'm hiding anything from you, but these kinds of private matters in the martial world are of no benefit to you knowing."