Seeing everyone’s tense expressions, Little Gatekeeper pursed his lips and said, “They are good people. They just saved me and Little Yard!”
“Cough, cough… Children, come here… cough, cough… behind me!”
The middle-aged man in green robes spoke hoarsely, struggling to sit up from the ground, staring nervously at Mo Fan and his three companions.
The children in the room obediently moved behind the man in green, all looking uneasy at Mo Fan’s group. One smaller child was even trembling, clearly terrified.
“You need not be nervous. We mean no harm!”
Mo Fan spoke, a smile he thought was fairly kind appearing on his face. He looked at the man in green and asked, “May I ask if you are Mr. Gu?”
“Indeed, I am Gu Qingshan!”
The man in green replied in a deep voice, giving Mo Fan a respectful gesture with his hands. “Thank you, all three of you, for your help!”
With that, Gu Qingshan glanced at Little Gatekeeper and Little Yard, his gaze lingering on the bloodstains on Little Yard’s knee. He said sternly, “Little Gatekeeper, did you leave these two nearby alleys today and go to the main street ahead?”
“Yes, sir!”
Little Gatekeeper nodded, his voice quieter.
“Nonsense!”
“Have you forgotten what I told you before?”
“I instructed you not to leave these two alleys because most of those monsters are on the main street! Have you forgotten? Or are my words no longer of use… cough, cough, cough, cough…”
Gu Qingshan coughed violently, his face showing clear anger.
“Sir!!”
Little Yard exclaimed, hurrying to Gu Qingshan’s side, raising a small hand to gently pat his back.
“Sir, you are right to scold us!” Little Gatekeeper lowered his head, looking repentant, but he added, “But there has been no food in these two alleys for a long time. If we don’t go to the main street to find food, we really won’t find any…”
“Still talking back?!”
Gu Qingshan glared, gritting his teeth. “Not finding food is better than losing your life!!”
“At a time like this, surviving is already a blessing. What’s wrong with being a bit hungry?!”
Seeing Mr. Gu’s anger, the children fell silent, lowering their heads like scolded kids.
Only Little Gatekeeper quietly took out a slightly blackened steamed bun from his pocket and offered it forward.
“You…”
Gu Qingshan opened his mouth, his tone softening instantly, a lump in his throat, his eyes moistening.
“Little Yard said that since you are ill, sir, you need food more than we do. We can go hungry, but we can’t let you starve. Please don’t scold me, sir. I know I was wrong…”
Before Little Gatekeeper could finish, Gu Qingshan pulled him into a tight embrace, tears streaming down his cheeks, soaking his clothes, yet he remained silent.
After a long pause, Gu Qingshan choked out, “Good child, I wrongly blamed you!”
“No, sir, you always have our best interests at heart. I understand!”
Little Gatekeeper shook his head, pulling free from Gu Qingshan’s embrace, then recounted in detail what had happened earlier.
After listening, Gu Qingshan looked again at Mo Fan and his companions, clasping his hands respectfully. “May I ask if you three are immortal masters?”
“I wouldn’t dare claim that. We are merely passing through. Saving Little Gatekeeper and his sister was purely by chance.”
Mo Fan shook his head, stepping forward to Gu Qingshan. “I see you are suffering from a deep chill. If you don’t mind, allow me to expel the cold from your body.”
“Is that… appropriate?” Gu Qingshan was somewhat surprised but delighted.
“It’s nothing. For cultivators like us, it’s a simple matter.”
Mo Fan smiled, then exhaled a wisp of spiritual energy, directing it into Gu Qingshan’s nose and mouth.
The next moment, faint traces of cold air visibly left Gu Qingshan’s body.
At the same time, nourished by the spiritual energy, Gu Qingshan’s pale complexion visibly regained colour.
“How do you feel now?”
Mo Fan stepped back, smiling.
“I… I’m healed?”
Gu Qingshan’s eyes widened, touching his cheeks in disbelief.
As if realizing something, he stood up from the ground, feeling refreshed, but soon dizziness overtook him, and he swayed, about to collapse.
With a wave of Mo Fan’s hand, spiritual energy steadied Gu Qingshan, gently lowering him to the ground.
“Immortal master, is Mr. Gu incurable?”
Little Gatekeeper looked at Mo Fan, mimicking the title, his face full of worry.
“No, Mr. Gu is just too hungry, causing low blood sugar.”
Mo Fan shook his head. While spiritual energy could dispel the chill in Mr. Gu’s body, days of hunger still took their toll.
For a cultivator, this wisp of spiritual energy could fully nourish the body.
But Mr. Gu was merely mortal, ignorant of the mysteries of spiritual energy, unable to retain it.
Mo Fan could infuse more spiritual energy to fully restore Mr. Gu, eliminating his hunger.
But that wasn’t Mo Fan’s intention.
He needed Mr. Gu to owe him a favour, making future invitations easier.
Though slightly manipulative, Mo Fan’s intentions were good.
Hearing Mo Fan’s words, the children sighed in relief. Little Gatekeeper offered the blackened steamed bun to Mr. Gu’s mouth, saying, “Sir, eat this bun, and you’ll feel better!”
“Alright.”
Mr. Gu nodded, taking the bun, but he only broke off a small piece to chew slowly, then handed the rest back, saying, “Little Gatekeeper, share this bun with everyone! They must all be hungry!”
“But we found this especially for you, sir…”
Little Gatekeeper hesitated, but Mr. Gu smiled. “It’s fine. I’m not hungry anymore. Share it with everyone!”
“No need for that. I have food here.”
Mo Fan couldn’t bear to watch, turning his head to produce a large roasted goose. He handed it over, saying, “We found this at an inn earlier. It should be enough for all of you.”
“This…”
Mr. Gu opened his mouth, staring at the goose, but shook his head with a wry smile. “This is too valuable. We can’t accept it!”
Mo Fan frowned, noticing Little Gatekeeper and the other children swallowing hard, clearly longing to eat.
“Mr. Gu, have you forgotten who we are?”
“A mere roasted goose is nothing to us. Let the children fill their stomachs first!”
“And you, don’t make these children who care for you worry.”
Mo Fan smiled, crouching beside Little Gatekeeper, handing him the roasted goose. “Take it and share with the others!”
“Thank you, immortal master!!”
Little Gatekeeper swallowed, glancing at Mr. Gu. Seeing his nod, he accepted the goose.
