One lesson stretched over three days, so Lu Zheng could only send word home and then, at night, find time to return to the present to keep in touch with Lin Wan by phone.
It wasnât until the fourth day that Daoist Yuting finally finished teaching this illusion technique.
"Iâve taught you everything I could. Whether you can master it and how well you do will depend on your aptitude."
Lu Zheng respectfully knelt down and kowtowed, "Thank you, Daoist, for imparting your knowledge!"
Daoist Yuting nodded, accepted Lu Zhengâs salute, and then immediately said eagerly, "Come, letâs go up the mountain. This time, I will definitely make you lose miserably!"
Lu Zheng, "..."
After having a vegetarian lunch, Daoist Yuting pulled Lu Zheng and Daoist Mingzhang up the mountain, set up the chessboard, and sorted the pieces.
Of course, Lu Zheng wouldnât let him have it easy, but although he didnât lose miserably, he was struggling and lost three games in a row.
"Ah hahahaâ"
...
Lu Zheng stayed another day at White Cloud Temple, learning swordsmanship from Daoist Mingzhang.
"White Cloud Swordsmanship."
"This swordsmanship, though not a technique for sword cultivators, can harness true qi to harm people and exorcise ghosts."
Daoist Mingzhang explained, "The Five Talisman Technique and Five Curse Techniques mostly deal with demons and ghosts with low dao practice, while the exorcism talisman and exorcism curse are especially good at driving away ghosts and warding off evil.
However, the power of the exorcism talisman and curse is limited, whereas our accumulation of true qi as cultivators keeps increasing, so there emerged techniques purely using true qi to attack.
With your current cultivation, you can already directly use true qi to confront enemies. The White Cloud Swordsmanship is such a technique, not only can it dispel demons and ghosts, but it also protects and defends the dao.
In fact, a sharp weapon can add a few more points of power to swordsmanship out of thin air.
Honestly, I didnât intend to pass on White Cloud Swordsmanship to you so soon. Given your cultivation, the Five Talisman Technique and Five Curse Techniques are already sufficient for you. However, this time you showed promise, and your true qi isnât weak, so I made an exception to teach you. When you return besides swordsmanship, you should also continue practicing Five Curse Techniques."
"Yes!" Lu Zheng bowed and received the teachings.
Daoist Mingzhang smiled slightly, "By the way, since you came, youâve been playing chess with that old Daoist Yuting, and I havenât asked you yet. Can you wield the Five Curse Techniques already? How is your cultivation of the Body-Freezing Curse coming along?"
"Iâm capable of using all five curse techniques, but because my cultivation is limited, their power isnât as strong as Brother Yuan Jingâs. As for the Body-Freezing Curse..."
Lu Zheng immediately shook his head, "Itâs too difficult; I cannot wield it yet."
Daoist Mingzhang nodded, subtly relieved.
"Itâs okay; the Body-Freezing Curse is quite challenging. Take your time."
Lu Zheng bowed, "Yes!"
...
Lu Zheng stayed at White Cloud Temple for five days and four nights before finally returning to Tonglin County.
After having dinner at the Liu Familyâs house, Liu Qingyan excitedly talked about things at the medical clinic, her face radiant.
At midnight, Lu Zheng was in the mood and went to Peach Blossom Plain. Shen Ying, who hadnât tasted meat for a long time, attended to Lu Zheng all night, making him feel somewhat light-headed when he walked back to the city during the day.
Returning to the modern era, after cleaning up, he went to Lin Wanâs house.
"Auntie! Youâre back?"
Linâs Mother opened the door, causing Lu Zhengâs outstretched arms to freeze, then he naturally made a shoulder-stretching motion.
"Lu Zheng is here, come in!" Linâs Mother happily welcomed Lu Zheng inside, "Wanwan told me sheâs completely recovered?"
Upon entering, Lu Zheng saw Lin Wan standing in the living room, chuckling at him.
"Yes, indeed!" Lu Zheng shot Lin Wan a fierce look, then smilingly told Linâs Mother, "Sheâs completely recovered, but since she was bedridden for over a month, she should focus on doing some restorative muscle exercises later."
"Exactly!" Linâs Mother guided Lu Zheng to sit on the living room sofa.
"Wanwan suffered from both fractures and paralysis, but within a month you cured her! Wanwan told me that youâre one of those hidden geniuses among urban eccentrics, just like those extraordinary doctors I read about in novels. She said I shouldnât blab about it, but rest assured, Auntie isnât a blabbermouth and definitely wonât spread it around!"
"Mm-hmm." Lu Zheng nodded repeatedly, "I trust Auntie!"
This matter involved Lin Wan, so of course, Lu Zheng trusted Linâs Mother.
Moreover, healing fractures isnât the same as curing cancer, even if it were revealed, nobody would treat him as an immortal. At most, theyâd think he possessed a secret remedy promoting bone growth.
Well, it actually is like that.
Speaking of the cultivators of the Great Jing Dynasty, they were exceptionally formidable in this regard. Back then, Yuan Jing got cocky and had two ribs broken by a pig demon, but the next day he was already strutting around with meâimpressively skilled!
Yes, itâs for this reason that he became cautious; before capturing the scorpion demon a second time, he preemptively applied the Golden Light Curse on himself. Though still injured, it wasnât as severe as the first time.
I hope next time heâll be even more cautious and refrain from getting too close at the first moment.
"Um... Sorry about that..." Linâs Mother said somewhat embarrassedly.
Lu Zheng was puzzled, "Why is Auntie apologizing?"
"Didnât I back then say a lot of inappropriate things at the hospital because I simply didnât know anything..."
Lu Zheng waved his hands, "Thereâs no need to apologize at all. What did you say? All you gave me were heartfelt advices with genuine concern."
Linâs Mother nodded repeatedly, smiling, "Alright, I wonât say anything more. Let Wanwan accompany you; Auntie will go buy groceries and cook."
Linâs Mother smiled as she stood up, dressed, and went downstairs to buy groceries.
Lu Zheng sat beside Lin Wan, "Oh dear, Auntie came back, and you didnât even tell me, almost making a fool of myself just now."
Lin Wan giggled, "My mom only came back last night, so I didnât have a chance to tell you. Besides, I didnât know youâd come today either!"
Lu Zheng couldnât help but grimace, "So itâs my fault, huh?"
"Of course!" Lin Wan said with a mischievous smile, then crossed her legs, her long legs and toes teasingly bouncing, making Lu Zheng itch.
"My mom also asked if, as a miracle urban doctor, youâve treated many school belles, female CEOs, and actresses, if you have many confidantes, and if your absence these few days was because you were treating a flight attendant out of town?"
Lu Zheng was stunned, "What kind of novels does Auntie read? Why have I never read one like this?"
This completely contradicted the impression and personality Linâs Mother gave him at the hospital!
"Phooey!" Lin Wan spat playfully.
So Lu Zheng reached out to pinch, "Why donât you verify it?"
"Ah! Youâre so daring! My mom will be back soonâmhmâ"
...
Linâs Mother opened the door, "I bought a bass, letâs have rice for lunch."
On the living room sofa, Lu Zheng was massaging Lin Wanâs shoulders and back, "Youâve been lying down for over a month, your shoulders are stiff, let me loosen them for you."
"Mm." Lin Wan nodded, pursing her slightly reddish lips.
Linâs Mother smiled at them, and then went into the kitchen to cook.