laimed oddly."It's fine. While eating this meal, I couldn't help but think of the large pot dishes my grandfather used to make for me. Haha, Brother Mo, eat up! Such delicious food shouldn't be wasted...Chapter 160: Brocade Robe

"Smiling, don't say it like that, the uncle is well-meaning!"

"What kind of well-meaning! Wang Fang, you're too naive. These old uncles always have ulterior motives for getting close to us students!" The girl called Smiling rolled her eyes and said disdainfully as she glanced at Xiao Yu who was turning around to leave.

Xiao Yu almost stumbled when he heard the girl's words as he turned to walk away. After steadying himself, he quickly walked towards a distance and touched his face while thinking, "I don't look like an odd uncle, do I"

"Smiling, you shouldn't say that about him. He hasn't gone far yet! Also, stop playing those things! It's really easy to get into trouble. In our hometown..."

Xiao Yu walked towards his clinic while hearing the voices of the two girls talking until it faded away.

When Xiao Yu arrived at the entrance of the clinic, Liu Erxi was sitting idly on the steps waiting for him to arrive. When he saw Xiao Yu coming from afar, he quickly stood up and said, "Doctor, good morning!"

"Mm-hmm, my surname is Xiao. Call me Doctor Xiao from now on!" Xiao Yu looked at his watch which was only 7:30 AM and nodded to himself, satisfied with Liu Erxi's work attitude.

"Sure thing, Doctor Xiao!" Liu Erxi said respectfully.

Liu Erxi was very pleased with this job. Not only did he earn more money now, but his wife and children could also live better. In a month or two, he might even move out of the garbage dump. Most importantly, Xiao Yu's medical skills were extremely proficient; after witnessing Xiao Yu’s medical prowess yesterday, Liu Erxi admired it very much.

Xiao Yu opened the clinic door after speaking and brought Liu Erxi inside saying, "Since we haven't started operating yet these few days, get familiar with the medicinal herbs here first. Try to be ready when we open for business a few days from now."

Regarding Liu Erxi, Xiao Yu had no qualms about hiring him; he wasn’t afraid that he would steal his skills. If someone could learn it, then so be it, but Xiao Yu didn't mind teaching those of the Xiao family medical techniques to others as long as they didn’t violate Xiao family rules.

Throughout history, how many renowned doctors hadn’t started their careers by learning to prepare medicinal herbs Over time, those with talent and hard work emerged. Almost every famous doctor who had once been an apprentice preparing herbs would have secretly learned the sitting-doctor's skills during their initial studies.

The apprentices’ actions of stealing medical knowledge were well-known among all masters; in fact, they tacitly approved such behavior. However, without extraordinary insight and a good heart, one wouldn’t be able to learn much through these methods. As for those who could learn something from such practices, as long as their character was decent, sitting-doctors would generally accept them as disciples.

Because finding a good master and an apprentice worthy of passing down the legacy were both extremely difficult tasks, so masters often rushed to take on apprentices with talent, insight, diligence, and good character.

"Alright, Doctor Xiao, I'll definitely work hard!" After Liu Erxi said this, he started familiarizing himself with various herbs behind the counter.

The clinic had not yet opened for business, so Xiao Yu sat at the consultation desk reading books. Meanwhile, Liu Erxi was constantly trying to memorize where each herb was stored in the櫃檯裡.

Time passed, and it was noon. Just as Xiao Yu was about to have lunch, the clinic door was pushed open from the outside, and Liu Erxi's wife entered with a food box, saying, "Doctor, I brought some food for Erxi!"

Xiao Yu saw Liu Erxi’s wife carrying a food box in and slapped his forehead, saying, "I forgot to mention this yesterday; we provide lunch here now so there's no need to bring him meals anymore!"

"Thank you, doctor! Thank you, doctor!" Both Liu Erxi and his wife quickly thanked Doctor Xiao.

Although it was just a meal, for them, it was a huge matter. Liu Erxi knew that since he worked far from home, his wife had to walk two hours each way to bring him food every day. This might not be much trouble for an ordinary person, but it was quite burdensome for his wife.

"Did you eat, honey" Liu Erxi asked as he took the food box from his wife.

"I've eaten already. You should hurry up and eat so that you can work better!" With a smile on her face, Liu Erxi's wife replied.

"Mm-hmm," Liu Erxi acknowledged with a nod.

Liu Erxi opened the food box and exclaimed in surprise, "Honey, there’s meat today!"

Seeing his surprised expression, Liu Erxi's wife said with a laugh, "Look at you! I bought some meat this morning; only when you have strength will you be able to work well!"

Hearing Liu Erxi's exclamation, Xiao Yu turned and glanced at the food on Liu Erxi’s plate. It was just plain vegetables, with some yellowish leaves, mixed with a few strands of meat, alongside two buns in one corner of the box.

Looking at this rather ordinary—perhaps even poor-quality—meal, Xiao Yu couldn't help but shake his head. Thinking back to how Liu Erxi used to live on 500 yuan per month to support a family, he understood their living conditions very well. This kind of meal might only be eaten when they improved their diet.

"Mm-hmm, don’t worry honey, I’ll definitely work hard!" With that said, Liu Erxi picked up one of the buns and started to eat.

“Rumble... rumble…” Just as Xiao Yu was reading a book, an odd sound came from where Liu Erxi was sitting.

Liu Erxi, who was preparing to eat, heard the sound and looked at his wife in surprise; his eyes were slightly red.

"What are you looking at Hurry up and eat! I have food waiting for me at home. As soon as we get back, I'll eat!" When Liu Erxi's wife heard her own stomach growling, she blushed with embarrassment, glanced towards Xiao Yu, saw that he was looking here, and turned awkwardly to face Liu Erxi.

"I'm not hungry; you go ahead and eat! Only when you are full can the children be full!" Liu Erxi put down his steamed bun and chopsticks, pushing his lunchbox towards his wife.

"No, there's food at home. You should eat it," Liu Erxi's wife pushed the lunchbox back towards him.

"It’s fine, I’m healthy; skipping breakfast won’t affect me!" Liu Erxi pushed the lunchbox over again.

Xiao Yu watched them and thought, Only when they become rich and still remain like this will my help to them be worthwhile.

From his bag, Xiao Yu took out 200 yuan and handed it to Liu Erxi: "Erxi, take the money; buy some food and get more vegetables! Don’t skimp on quality!"

"No need, Doctor Xiao. I have…"

"Alright then, go quickly! I haven't eaten either. Today is your first day at work, so let me treat you both today; next time it won’t be the case anymore. From now on, lunch will be provided, no need to bring food." Xiao Yu cut Liu Erxi off before he finished speaking.

Liu Erxi choked back his emotions as he took the money and left. As there were many people around the antique market, he was able to buy some cooked dishes and staple foods in a short time.

After lunch, Liu Erxi's wife left with her child; Liu Erxi continued familiarizing himself with the herbs on the medicine cabinet. Xiao Yu took some cinnabar and yellow paper from the medicine cabinet, along with his belongings, into the rest room.

Before entering, he told Liu Erxi: "Regardless of who comes looking for me, say I’m not here."

"Understood, Doctor Xiao!" Liu Erxi replied respectfully.

Xiao Yu planned to investigate Wanniang Tower tonight as a den of demons since he knew nothing about the situation there. Therefore, he intended to make thorough preparations just in case.

Entering the rest room, Xiao Yu took out yellow paper and cinnabar to prepare talismans. Since he was unsure about the old Taoist’s background, the talismans he drew were one-time-use offensive talismans which had decent power because of their single use nature.

Xiao Yu stood by the desk drawing talismans until all his righteous energy was depleted.

Xiao Yu put away the talismans and stood up, but suddenly felt dizzy and almost fell. He quickly steadied himself and sat down to meditate, aiming to recover his exhausted body.

Time passed as Xiao Yu meditated; the sky gradually darkened. Xiao Yu, seated in the lotus position, opened his eyes. At that moment, a nearly imperceptible golden light flashed within them.

Xiao Yu felt his body and found that although he hadn’t fully recovered his righteous energy, it was around 70% restored. He got out of bed and went to the outer room.

Outside, night had fallen; Liu Erxi still seemed busy at work. Glancing up at the clock on the wall, Xiao Yu saw that it was already half past seven in the evening. He then said to Liu Erxi: "Erxi, you can go home now! From now on, your shift ends at seven o'clock."

"Yes, Doctor Xiao!" At present, Liu Erxi valued his job very much and spoke and acted with great caution.

“Tidy up and then leave.” Xiao Yu nodded as he said this.

Hearing this, Liu Erxi tidied everything that had been moved during the day. After saying goodbye to Xiao Yu, he left the clinic.

Xiao Yu locked the clinic door after Liu Erxi left, went into the rest room, and sat down in the lotus position to recover his energy fully.

At midnight, as Xiao Yu meditated to conserve his strength, he opened his eyes. With their opening, a torrent of murderous intent surged from him, though it vanished almost instantly. His originally gentle gaze had now turned icy and ruthless, with a hint of bloodlust hidden deep within.

Xiao Yu got out of bed and took out a box from under the bed; this was a box he’d brought from his hometown containing the last legacy left to him by his grandfather.

Opening the box, Xiao Yu took out a folded black cloth about one centimeter thick, similar in size to a handkerchief. He gently shook it, and the fabric unfolded like silk. When fully spread out, it turned into a complete suit of clothing.

Xiao Yu looked at this garment; according to his grandfather’s letter, it was an old piece of clothing he had worn previously. It was made from snake skin treated with medicinal herbs, resulting in such softness that it could be considered a type of armor for them all.

According to his grandfather's letter, this suit would have been invulnerable to knives and spears in ancient times, but its origins were unknown.his area's land extremely scarce. As a result, Qingquan Mountain Villa Community has become mysterious in people’s minds, and its villas have gradually come to symbolize status.Teacher Cai introduced...