"Alright, Xue Jiu, Grandpa is fine, there’s no need for you to be so upset, cough, cough!" Ling Tian comforted Ling Xuejiu wearily, feeling deep inside a sense of having a second lease on life after death. The very thought made him shudder with fright. He sighed quietly and his gaze swept over Uncle Liu and Auntie He’s faces before he asked somewhat puzzled, "Is it just you two?"
Uncle Liu said, "Old Master, there’s also Miss Xiao Jie and Mr. Leng. They’re currently in the living room..."
"Leng Xuan?" Old Master Ling’s heart stirred; it seemed he understood something. Although he had been comatose before, as his True Qi returned to normal, he attained a slight sense of awareness, knowing someone had sacrificed their Life-bound True Qi to pull him back from Ghost Gate Pass. As soon as he had regained consciousness, his thoughts were still chaotic; but now, upon hearing Uncle Liu mention Leng Xuan, he immediately asked, "Did he save me?" He looked unusually excited as he spoke, and couldn’t help but break into a fit of violent coughing.
"Grandpa!" Ling Xuejiu quickly pushed on Old Master’s chest and said, "Please, don’t get too excited."
Ling Tian gave a slight nod and, after catching his breath a bit, said, "You all go out, bring Leng Xuan in, I have something to say to him."
Uncle Liu appeared somewhat troubled and said, "Old Master, Mr. Leng seems very exhausted, I’m afraid he doesn’t even have the strength to walk or talk right now, perhaps..."
"Oh?" Ling Tian’s eyes flashed with a shade of shame, and he chuckled bitterly, saying, "Yes, indeed, he must be completely drained by now. Well, let it be then, let him rest some more. The sacrifice he made for me this time was truly not small. Here I am, an old man, and I don’t even know how to properly thank him for his kindness, sigh." Saying this, he shook his head with a sigh.
As a cultivator, Ling Tian himself was very clear that sacrificing one’s Life-bound True Qi could cause one’s cultivation level to regress. Therefore, Life-bound True Qi was considered the most precious asset to a cultivator, something that no one in their right mind would use to save another, unless it was absolutely necessary. Moreover, he understood his own condition and knew that to save him, just the energy Leng Xuan had spent this time would likely set back his cultivation level several years. That’s why he felt both guilty and grateful to Leng Xuan!
Although Ling Xuejiu knew that Leng Xuan had saved her grandpa, after hearing what Old Master said, she felt somewhat perplexed and wondered, "How exactly did Leng Xuan save Grandpa? Why does Grandpa say he made a significant sacrifice?" She wanted to ask, but Ling Tian then said, "Alright, Xue Jiu, you and Xiao Jie take Leng Xuan back. Once you’re back, tell him to rest well. This Sunday, invite him to join us at ’Imperial Cuisine House’ for a meal. I’ll think of a way to properly thank him then. Got it?"
"Oh!" Ling Xuejiu pouted slightly, feeling genuinely a bit jealous. Grandpa’s attitude towards Leng Xuan was so unbelievably good that it baffled her. What gives? Was he not just a simple bodyguard? Based on her understanding of her grandpa, even if someone saved his life, the most Grandpa would do is find a way to repay them, but he would never be so kind in his attitude.
Now, she too found Leng Xuan to be a very mysterious person, feeling as though this bumpkin harbored an endless potential within him. First, there was his mysterious and incredible martial skills, then his brilliant cooking and driving abilities, and now this baffling and secretive medical skill...