"Alright!" Tang Yu nodded.
Song Hao then led Tang Yu away from the town towards the Shangqing Temple's medicine shop. He glanced back and saw Wufa and Wutian following at a distance. Song Hao smiled inwardly, knowing they had already dealt with the Feng Huo Tang people.
Chapter 58 Becoming an Apprentice (2)
Three mysterious figures emerged from the shadows. One of them was Gu Xiaofeng from the Gate of Life and Death, followed by two young disciples.
"How could Song Hao be with Tang Yu from Tang Family Village? He escaped from Tang Family Village. Could it be that the Tang family's first plan failed, so they came up with another ingenious scheme to trick Song Hao into revealing the whereabouts of the acupuncture bronze figure?" a disciple asked blankly.
“These things aren’t important. Song Hao disappeared from our sight for two months; it turns out he moved into Shangqing Temple. How did he get to know Master Xiao? Things are starting to get complicated,” Gu Xiaofeng said, frowning.
"Sect Master, who is this Old Taoist Xiao? Is he difficult to deal with?" a sect member asked.
"This person's background is quite complicated. Although he lives in seclusion at Shangqing Temple as a Taoist priest, his influence can penetrate the entire martial arts world. What kind of connections he has is still unknown," Gu Xiaofeng said calmly.
"Sect Master, what should we do next? And the people of the Wind and Fire Hall are ignoring our warnings and are still eyeing that bronze statue," a sect member said.
“Now that Song Hao is under the protection of Elder Xiao, we don’t need to trouble him. You two should keep a close eye on their movements. If there are any changes, report them immediately. I still need to meet someone. Let’s leave the Feng Huo Tang matter for now and deal with it later,” Gu Xiaofeng said.
On the way, Song Hao briefly told Tang Yu about his experiences after leaving Tangjiazhuang, which surprised Tang Yu greatly.
Tang Yu told Song Hao that after the attack on Tang Family Village that night, Song Hao "mysteriously disappeared." Her father, Tang Qingshan, and grandfather, Tang Ji, sent people to search for him without success, so they had to give up temporarily. Later, it was discovered that the attackers of Tang Family Village were from the Feng Huo Tang and the Mo Zhen Men, but from various inquiries, it was clear that Song Hao had not fallen into their hands and had escaped "alone." So, they sent people to search for him everywhere. Tang Yu was worried about Song Hao's safety, so she also left home without saying goodbye to search for Song Hao's whereabouts. She unintentionally came to this place and encountered people from the Feng Huo Tang. They recognized her and thought she knew Song Hao's whereabouts, so a fight broke out. Tang Yu crippled the hands and feet of one of their leaders.
"Tang Yu, thank you so much!" Song Hao said gratefully after listening to Tang Yu's explanation. He knew that Tang Yu was genuinely trying to help him.
"You're welcome. I'm glad you can forgive me. It all started with the Tang family kidnapping you. I'm the one who brought you this trouble," Tang Yu said apologetically.
Song Hao said, "Actually, I have no choice but to accept it. After the news of the bronze man being with me got out, many people came looking for me. If you hadn't taken me away first, who knows what might have happened that could have been fatal!"
"Song Hao, the acupuncture bronze figure has already caused unrest among the major medical sects and even alarmed the entire martial arts world. Although you are currently in seclusion at Shangqing Temple, this is not a long-term solution. What are your plans for the future?" Tang Yu asked worriedly.
Song Hao shook his head and sighed, "I don't know either. Let's just take it one step at a time."
Tang Yu said, "You've stirred up a hornet's nest. What was once a peaceful martial world is now filled with various sects and forces. Could it be that they all covet the priceless value of that Song Tiansheng Acupuncture Bronze Man?"
"People are driven by wealth, birds by food. That bronze figure is priceless, that must be why. In fact, its medical and cultural value is immeasurable, especially in acupuncture teaching. It can help people understand the wonders of acupuncture, appreciate the magic of acupoints, and quickly improve their needling skills, thus better helping people. This is the true value of this acupuncture bronze figure. I don't want this medical treasure to be sold off as a cultural relic for personal gain, wasting the ancients' ingenious craftsmanship," Song Hao said with emotion.
"Song Hao, you are selfless and willing to risk your life to protect this acupuncture bronze figure with unparalleled medical value. You are truly a man of integrity! If you trust me, let's protect it together," Tang Yu said excitedly.
“Great! This is also the responsibility of us medical practitioners, and it is the duty of us Chinese to protect our national treasures,” Song Hao said happily.
The two chatted as they returned to the clinic. Wu Jing was secretly surprised to see Song Hao leave inexplicably and then bring back a young and beautiful woman late at night. She didn't ask any further questions and simply arranged accommodations for them.
“Shangqing Temple is a place for monks and nuns, so it’s not convenient for female guests to stay. You can stay here for now. When you have nothing to do, you can help the monks treat people. We’ll make further plans after a while,” Song Hao said.
“Okay!” Tang Yu replied readily, seemingly satisfied that Song Hao was willing to keep her.
Nothing was said that night.
The next morning, Song Hao had just gotten up when, having failed to reach his destination, he came over from Shangqing Temple.
"Song Hao, your master is waiting for you in the temple. Please come back to Shangqing Temple with me," Wu Guo said as he entered the room.
Upon hearing this, Song Hao realized that what had happened last night had alarmed Xiao Boran, because the two lawless individuals had already returned to Shangqing Temple last night.
Song Hao responded, greeted Tang Yu, and then returned to Shangqing Temple without success.
Xiao Boran was waiting quietly in the study. After failing to get in, he led Song Hao in, bowed, closed the door, and left.
"I heard that the Daoist Master has something to discuss with me," Song Hao stepped forward, gave a slight bow, and said respectfully.
"Oh! Song Hao, please sit down and talk." Xiao Boran gestured for him to sit down.
"Ah!..." Song Hao was taken aback, clearly realizing that the other party already knew his real name.
“Luo Beichen came last night and told me about your situation. I also received news from various sources throughout the night and now know about your situation and your current predicament. It’s understandable that you concealed your identity to come to this temple to borrow ancient books. I have no reason to blame you,” Xiao Boran said in a gentler tone.
"Thank you for your understanding, Daoist Master!" Song Hao broke out in a cold sweat. In just one night, this old Daoist Xiao had learned everything about his background. He was indeed exceptionally capable.
"Your courage in the face of the dangers of the martial world, risking your life alone to protect the Song Tiansheng Acupuncture Bronze Figure, is truly commendable and admirable. Don't be afraid; no one here will force you to reveal the whereabouts of the acupuncture bronze figure. You can keep this secret forever in your heart; it is your privacy, your right, and your responsibility. If you trust me, our entire temple will do everything in our power to protect your safety without interfering with your freedom. This is also our responsibility as practitioners of medicine and as Chinese people, to ensure the safety of this national treasure," Xiao Boran then said earnestly.
"Then thank you, Daoist Master!" Song Hao stood up and bowed.
"No need for formalities! Let's leave it at that, and I will never ask again. But there is one thing I don't understand. Yesterday you saved a dying person using the 'Nine Needles to Restore Life' technique. This family secret technique has been lost for a long time. I wonder from whom you inherited it? What is your relationship with Song Jingchun, the famous doctor of the late Qing Dynasty?" Xiao Boran asked.
“Replying to the Daoist Master, that was my great-grandfather. The Nine Needles of Rejuvenation is a family-inherited acupuncture technique of the Song family, taught to me by my grandfather,” Song Hao replied.
"You really are a descendant of Mr. Song Jingchun! Otherwise, where in the world would anyone know the Nine Needles Technique that can bring the dead back to life?" Xiao Boran exclaimed in delight.
"Does the Taoist priest know my great-grandfather?" Song Hao asked in surprise.
“How could I not know such a renowned doctor? Moreover, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Song once when I was young. Mr. Song’s medical skills are superb, and he is famous throughout the world. There is also the legendary story of him curing and killing the usurper Yuan Shikai. We truly admire him!” Xiao Boran said respectfully.
"Really!" Song Hao was overjoyed upon hearing this, and immediately felt much closer to Xiao Boran. He then learned that the other party had met his great-grandfather when he was young, and was probably nearly a hundred years old now, which filled him with even greater respect.
"Song Hao, since you are an old friend of mine and a descendant of a renowned family, protecting your safety is my bounden duty. I also hope you won't be too reserved and will consider Shangqing Temple your home. Furthermore, you have inherited the Song family's medical tradition and possess profound skills, making you the perfect candidate to carry on the family's great medical legacy. If you are willing, you can become my disciple, and I will teach you orthodox medical methods so you can become a renowned physician, helping people and promoting Chinese medicine. If you are unwilling, I will not force you, but as a friend, I can still teach you medicine and pass on my true knowledge. Is that acceptable?" Xiao Boran said solemnly.
The situation changed so quickly that it surprised Song Hao. He immediately realized what was happening, knelt down, kowtowed three times, and exclaimed excitedly, "Master, please accept my homage!"
"Good, good! You really are a sensible child!" Overjoyed, Xiao Boran stepped forward and helped Song Hao up.
Besides Luo Beichen's introduction, Song Hao's decision to become Xiao Boran's disciple was also due to his observation of Xiao Boran's medical lectures for over a month. He learned of Xiao Boran's erudition and profound understanding of medicine, which differed from the superficial explanations common in the world. Song Hao felt truly fortunate to have such a good teacher who could enlighten him and impart knowledge.
"Song Hao, who else is in your family now?" Xiao Boran asked.
Song Hao replied, "I only have one grandfather who is still alive. He works at a hospital in Qingdao. I haven't been able to contact him since my accident." As he said this, his longing for his grandfather, Song Zihe, welled up inside him, and he lowered his head, sighing inwardly.
Upon seeing this, Xiao Boran comforted him, saying, "This matter is not urgent. I will arrange for you to meet your grandfather in the future. Now that you have become my disciple, you must focus on the path of medicine and not let other matters weigh you down, so as to achieve great things in the future. Furthermore, from now on, you should gradually withdraw from the troubles of the martial arts world and return to your original profession, Silver Fox Book Bar, which is the right path."