Система- Я великий герой во всех мирах

Глава 1

Chapter 1

Main text [Prologue] Moon over the West Window

At this moment, I sat upright on a stone bench in the valley, toying with the green-glazed porcelain cup in my hand. I glanced around and said leisurely, "Why have you come, young master?"

Willow catkins fluttered in the air, and a few green bamboo leaves landed on the man in the blue robe. He flicked his finger, and the bamboo leaves on his sleeve danced like butterflies. His eyes shone brightly. "Are you the Valley Master of Medicine King Valley?"

I brushed my nails, stroked the surface of the zither, admired the flowers blooming and fading in the courtyard, watched the clouds drifting across the sky, sprinkled some fish food into the small pond, and cleared my throat with great elegance, "Hmm—"

The clear pool water reflected my majestic and awe-inspiring demeanor as the Valley Master.

"I have heard that the Valley Master of Medicine King Valley, Physician Xia, is a handsome and refined gentleman. Today I have met him, and he is indeed a peerless talent."

I picked up the teacup, took a sip, and, concealed by my sleeve, smiled—a smile befitting the legendary, peerless beauty.

He set down his cup and said calmly, "Fragrant and mellow, this is excellent Tieguanyin. Why don't you join me for a drink, brother?" With that, he poured him a cup.

He lifted the hem of his robe and sat down, replying, "Thank you, Valley Master." Then, he glanced down at the tea, took a small sip, and then raised an eyebrow, smiling broadly, "Valley Master is a man of character. To be honest, I came here today to ask for your apprenticeship."

I sat up straight, my fingertips tracing the rim of the bowl, and casually asked, "May I ask how many wives and concubines you have in your household, sir?"

He paused, then said, "I am not married yet."

I brushed the bamboo leaves off my robe, rested my chin on my hand, and pondered for a moment. "How old are you, brother?"

"Twenty-one."

I smiled at him and said, "I am eighteen. You may not know this, but Medicine King Valley does not accept disciples older than me." After saying this, I sighed and said, "It's not meant to be. Please leave, brother."

He was taken aback. "I have never heard of such a rule."

I covered my mouth and yawned. "Of course, it's just been added this year. Countless people come to my Medicine King Valley to become disciples every day. If we didn't establish rules, Medicine King Valley would have been razed to the ground long ago. Brother, what a coincidence."

“That is truly a pity. I have come all the way from Jiangnan, from afar, to express my gratitude to Physician Xia for saving my life.” He opened the bamboo-ribbed paper fan in his hand and shook it gently. On the fan surface, a peach blossom was outlined in light ink, two or three blossoms of varying shades, as if dipped in water; beneath the blossoms was a seal with a solitary character inscribed on it – “Lou”.

I leaned forward and took a closer look. After weighing the situation in my mind, I focused my gaze on the person before me. He was dressed in fine clothes and had an elegant appearance. His lips were slightly upturned, and his every move exuded charm.

The seventh young master of the Lou family in Jiangnan, waving a fan, laughs at the peach blossoms, holding his sleeves, he treads on the flowing clouds.

My heart skipped a beat, and I asked, "Brother, could you be Lou Qishan, one of the Three Young Masters of Yangzhou?"

The newcomer's eyes flickered, and he bowed respectfully to me. "I am Lou Xiyue, a humble man. Several months ago, my father was fortunate enough to receive a single pill from Physician Xia, which suppressed the strange poison. Today, he has come to Medicine King Valley in person to express his gratitude. I have always admired Physician Xia's miraculous healing skills. Since we are not destined to be master and disciple, I can only offer these four auspicious jade pieces as a token of my thanks." After speaking, he gestured to his attendant, who then presented a brocade box.

I was shocked. I stood up, slammed my hand on the table, and knocked over the teacup. I said boldly, "Wait a minute. Since you are so sincere, I will make an exception and accept you as my disciple today!" If I could take the famous Lou Qishan under my wing, I would truly achieve great things. In the future, when I travel the world, I could call myself "the last disciple of Doctor Xia and the master of Lou Qishan's mantle," and help Medicine King Valley to flourish. From then on, I would be famous throughout the Central Plains, stand alone in the region, and be remembered in history forever. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

He paused, looking at me with a hint of doubt.

After settling down, I said loudly, "Ahem, I just took a good look at Young Master Lou and found we clicked. But fate is something that can't be forced. I, Qi... Xia Jingnan, have seen countless people, but upon meeting Brother Lou today, I felt a sense of familiarity, as if we were old acquaintances. What a coincidence! What a coincidence!"

He remained silent.

I looked up and chuckled dryly, “Today the weather is fine and the sky is cloudless. What a wonderful day! It’s the perfect time to become an apprentice.”

He looked up at the sky and remained silent for a long time.

I frowned and pondered, "Ah, I forgot that I was supposed to go up the mountain to collect leafless grass to refine the resurrection pill."

Finally, Lou Xiyue was moved. She clasped her hands in a fist and solemnly said, "It is my great honor to be able to become a disciple of Doctor Xia today."

He spoke with such seriousness, as if he were about to sell himself into servitude.

I said in a serious tone, "Alright, since Brother Lou is willing to join my Medicine King Valley, let's perform this apprenticeship ceremony and from now on we will address each other as master and disciple."

Lou Xiyue closed her fan and smiled, "Disciple Lou Xiyue pays respects to Master."

I solemnly said, “west Yue, I will take you as my last disciple and impart all my medical skills to you. However, the ceremony of becoming a disciple in Medicine King Valley is very complicated. One must kowtow three times and bow nine times to show sincerity, fast for seven days to cleanse oneself of worldly dust, pull weeds in the valley to temper one’s will, and copy medical books to cultivate one’s character.”

Lou Xiyue's face froze.

I turned around, stood with my hands behind my back, and said to him earnestly, "Medicine King Valley is not like other sects with so many restrictive rules and regulations. But there is one principle, which is the essence, and you must always keep it in mind."

He asked, puzzled, "What?"

I nodded calmly and said, "One should remain calm in dealing with matters, see through life and death, and smile serenely."

A bolt of lightning swept across the sky, followed by a thunderclap that echoed through the valley.

I smiled at Lou Xiyue with an air of otherworldly wisdom, "Then Xiyue, let's begin the apprenticeship ceremony, starting with three kowtows and nine prostrations."

It was March, a time of blooming lotus blossoms and verdant willows. Taking advantage of my master's departure from the valley, I accepted Lou Xiyue as the third-generation disciple of Medicine King Valley, a feat that became the most glorious achievement of my life. To imagine, at the tender age of eighteen, I had already attained such a pinnacle of achievement; I can hardly be considered a figure of renown.

Years later, as we were drinking and eating at a restaurant, reminiscing about the past, and talking about that day again, Lou Xiyue said with considerable disdain, "I knew you were up to something all along."

I paused, "What do you mean?"

He glanced at me and said, "You were drinking Jade Bone Fragrance back then."

I looked around and said, "Haha, both Yu Gu Xiang and Tie Guan Yin are good teas, with a clear and mellow aroma. It's just hard to tell them apart at first glance."

Lou Xiyue raised an eyebrow, picked up some food with her chopsticks and swallowed it, then calmly said to me, "Jade bones are fragrant as wine."

I felt greatly relieved. It turned out that Lou Xiyue had already thoroughly understood the essence of Medicine King Valley before entering it. I was right; my insight was indeed keen.

The west wind rises, and the grass ripples like green waves.

I still remember that the peach blossom on Lou Xiyue's fan was painted so exquisitely, so lifelike, that it seemed to reach out to me.