Ye Qiu had encountered a few martial arts prodigies before: Xiao Zhan was one, Shuisheng another, and now Huzi stood before him.
As Master Longbrow put it, Shuisheng was a born sage with immense destiny, perfectly suited for cultivation.
As for Xiao Zhan, his martial arts talent was impressive, but Huzi’s natural aptitude far surpassed him. With Huzi’s potential, proper guidance could make him a master on the Divine List in just six months.
Imagine the shock of an eleven- or twelve-year-old boy ranking on the Divine List!
“This boy has a tough fate but is a rare martial arts genius. If I take him as a disciple, I can give him a safe haven and nurture his talent,” Ye Qiu thought.
“But first, I need to figure out his strange illness.”
A while later, seeing the purple patches on Huzi’s face fade, Ye Qiu removed the golden needles.
“How do you feel?” Ye Qiu asked softly.
Huzi glanced at the dying pig and the bloodstains, looking uneasy. “I… I…”
Suddenly, he climbed out of the pigsty and approached the villager.
“What are you doing?” The villager stepped back in fear, and the other onlookers scattered.
Old Xiang shouted, “Huzi, don’t do anything rash!”
Thud!
Huzi dropped to his knees, kowtowing to the villager, saying, “Uncle, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I couldn’t control myself…” He began to sob.
Seeing Huzi’s apology, the villager relaxed and said, “Huzi, it’s not that I’m blaming you, but my income this year depended on those pigs. You killed one, costing me at least two thousand yuan. That’s enough to buy so much grain, sigh!”
The villager looked helpless. If it were anyone else, he’d demand compensation, but Huzi was an orphan with no means to pay.
“Uncle, I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I’ll kowtow to you.”
Bang, bang, bang!
Huzi kept kowtowing.
“Brother, you said that pig was worth two thousand?” Ye Qiu asked the villager.
The villager replied, “That pig was over two hundred pounds. At current market prices, two thousand is a low estimate. If I raised it until year-end, it could’ve doubled in value.”
Ye Qiu said, “Brother, though Huzi killed the pig, it wasn’t intentional. His illness isn’t new—you know that better than I do, right?”
The villager nodded.
Ye Qiu continued, “Still, raising that pig wasn’t easy. How about this? I’ll give you five thousand yuan as compensation on Huzi’s behalf.”
Huzi turned, shocked, clearly not expecting Ye Qiu to cover for him.
The villager waved his hands. “No way! You’re a god. How could I take a god’s money? Besides, Huzi didn’t mean it.”
Ye Qiu smiled. “I’m no god, just an ordinary doctor. Give me your account number later, and I’ll transfer five thousand. This matter is settled, no more discussion.”
He turned to Old Xiang. “Take the pig back, get some villagers to help butcher it, and invite everyone for a feast. Consider it my treat, okay?”
Old Xiang protested, “Director, you rarely visit. How can we let you pay? Let me cover Huzi’s compensation.”
“With your salary? Save it for yourself,” Ye Qiu said. “Do as I say. The old man and I are starving.”
He walked over to Master Longbrow, asking with concern, “Old man, you okay?”
“Can’t you see if I’m okay?” Master Longbrow snapped.
“I warned you to be careful, but you didn’t listen,” Ye Qiu said.
Master Longbrow glared. “You’re saying this is my fault?”
“Who else’s fault would it be?” Ye Qiu retorted. “If you hadn’t been careless, you wouldn’t be in this mess. A Venerable expert, knocked flying by a kid? I’m embarrassed for you.”
Master Longbrow felt aggrieved.
Ye Qiu had warned him, but he hadn’t taken it seriously. Who could’ve guessed Huzi, in his frenzy, had such strength to send him flying?
Not just flying—he was covered in pig dung, as pathetic as it gets.
Master Longbrow grumbled, “Little rascal, I think I sprained my back. Help me up.”
Ye Qiu extended his right hand.
As Master Longbrow got up, grabbing for Ye Qiu’s hand, Ye Qiu spotted a yellow smear on his hand and quickly pulled back.
Master Longbrow, missing the grip, fell back with a thud, getting even more dung on himself.
“Little rascal, what are you doing?” he roared.
“Old man, get up yourself. My hand’s a bit sore,” Ye Qiu said.
“Sore now of all times? What’s that supposed to mean?” Master Longbrow glared. “Are you saying I’m dirty?”
Ye Qiu grinned. “Come on, why would I think you’re dirty? My hand really hurts.”
“Hmph, you can’t fool me! Tell me, do you think I’m dirty?”
“Old man, you’re making this weird…”
“I don’t care. You tell me right now—do you think I’m dirty?”
“Yes!”
“You little brat, finally admitting it, huh? After all we’ve been through, you think I’m dirty? Damn it, I’ll fight you!”
Master Longbrow scrambled up and swung a palm at Ye Qiu.
Ye Qiu dodged swiftly, stepping aside—not out of fear, but to avoid the dung.
“Little rascal, don’t run if you’ve got guts!” Master Longbrow shouted, chasing him.
Seeing this, Huzi thought Master Longbrow was bullying Ye Qiu. He vaulted back into the pigsty and charged at him.
“Huzi, don’t…” Ye Qiu’s words were cut off as Master Longbrow grabbed Huzi.
“Heh, I was careless before, and you got me. You really think I can’t handle you?” Master Longbrow held Huzi’s shoulder firmly.
Huzi struggled, but Master Longbrow’s grip was like a mountain, making it hard to breathe.
“Roar!”
Huzi let out a fierce cry, his eyes turning red, purple patches reappearing on his face.
Huh?
Master Longbrow hadn’t expected another episode. As he moved to release Huzi, the boy’s struggling tore his clothes.
Rip—
A tear opened in Huzi’s shirt, revealing a purple, mysterious pattern on his back. Master Longbrow’s heart jolted.
“The Life-Death Talisman!”
