The weather in August always brings an unspoken restlessness, and at certain moments, this feeling intensifies even further.
Watching the figure on the stage performing antics, Qin Yan could hardly resist the urge to kick the buffoon off.
His younger brother’s body was yet to grow cold, and here he was, forced to watch a fool make a spectacle of himself. The mere thought was enough to ignite a fire in his belly.
Just as he was about to lose his temper, a familiar figure entered his line of sight, instantly extinguishing his rage. His entire attention was now focused on the newcomer.
"Elder Ye, you’ve arrived! Please have a seat,"
Qin Yan stood up and respectfully greeted him.
The arrival was none other than the current Sect Leader of Dragon Sleep Mountain, Mr. Ye, who was already past the age of ninety.
Mr. Ye nodded at him and then sat down in the main seat at the table, which had been specially vacated, with the help of his grandson.
"Elder Ye, I’m extremely grateful that you could come to give me a diagnosis. I’m a simple man, so I won’t say much for pleasantries. If there’s ever anything you need help with in the future, I’ll be sure to assist with all my might,"
"Mr. Qin, you’re too polite. Over the years, I should be thanking you for the conveniences you’ve provided for cultivators. You and I have a certain fate. It’s not a big deal helping you with a diagnosis; there’s no need for concern,"
"Thank you, Elder Ye, for your kindness. It’s an honor to have you here," Qin Yan said with a bow.
This Mr. Ye was no ordinary person; unlike the other masters, apart from being the Sect Leader of Dragon Sleep Mountain, he was also the most renowned practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine in the country, a master whose medical skill was magical, and the chief figure in the field of modern Chinese medicine.
Besides, the strength and status of the entire Ye Family were not to be underestimated. The Counting King by his side, named Ye Yunxiu, was his youngest grandson.
The Ye Family was a true elite family. Qin Yan knew that Elder Ye was willing to diagnose him mostly because of the face he had given for many years by investing in the cultivation conferences.
Otherwise, with his own status, he would have never been able to invite Mr. Ye to lend a hand.
Regardless of how "Half-immortal Pei" was performing on stage, the table where Mr. Ye sat had become silent as a graveyard.
All eyes were fixed on Mr. Ye as he took Qin Yan’s pulse, with everyone holding their breath and daring not to make a sound; even the guests at the nearby tables were promptly hushed by the staff if they made the slightest noise.
At this moment, Mr. Ye was closing his eyes, one hand on Qin Yan’s pulse.
His brow furrowed, sometimes with surprise, sometimes with a light gasp, sending waves of fear through Qin Yan’s heart.
After a moment, Mr. Ye finally released his hand, but his expression remained clouded, causing Qin Yan’s heart to instantly chill by half.
"Ah, it truly is a disgrace, the illness Mr. Qin suffers from is, indeed, unheard of..."
Mr. Ye shook his head somewhat helplessly as he said:
"From what I see, Mr. Qin, your complexion is pale, and your pulse is weak. It doesn’t seem like you’re suffering from a serious illness, rather you resemble an old man on his deathbed... this situation is truly bizarre."
Qin Yan felt his heart skip a beat upon realizing that Elder Ye was also at his wit’s end, and his whole being seemed to plunge into an ice cave.
Qin Yan understood that his current condition was very similar to what his brother had before, only that he had kept himself in better shape with regular exercise, which probably prevented him from falling into a coma directly.
But he could clearly feel that his spirit could no longer bear the burden.
In just over a day, his physical condition had rapidly deteriorated. If this continued, by tomorrow he might fall into a coma just like his younger brother.
"Elder Ye, actually there’s something I don’t know how to say... But I suspect that what I’m encountering isn’t as simple as a mere illness..."
Qin Yan said hesitantly.
Ye Cang nodded and responded, "I have heard about your brother’s situation. Mr. Qin, do you think this has something to do with a demon causing havoc?"
Qin Yan nodded urgently.
"That’s right, Elder Ye, the human face on my brother’s stomach is exactly like him. Not only that, even though he is in a coma, he still lets out terrifying cries at night that are unlike any human voice. Even I, a grown man, get chills down my spine when I hear it. Do you think this could be retribution for something I did in the past...?"
Ye Cang’s face grew thoughtful. His aged fingers rubbed back and forth on a green bracelet on his left wrist, and his eyes began to look distant.
An oppressive atmosphere lasted for a minute before Elder Ye stopped his movements and slowly let out a breath, saying:
"Mr. Qin, you need not overthink it. I have some understanding of your character. The things you did in the past, while not entirely forthright, were far from warranting any retribution. If that were the case, I, Ye, would not have come to attend your Cultivation exchange meeting in the first place."
"As for those tales of ghosts and gods... I know you are a Cultivation enthusiast, but after attending these meetings for so many years, you must have gained a certain understanding of Taoist Skill. The Mysterious Sect’s orthodoxy is nothing more than methods for self-cultivation and nurturing one’s nature. Has there ever been a real ghost or god in this world..."
At this point in the old man’s speech, his face was filled with helplessness. If one looked closely, they could even see a hint of loneliness in his eyes.
The grandson beside him, Ye Yunxiu, also wore a similar expression, even more indignant than his grandfather.
Decades of cultivation, dedicated to the Tao, yet finding no true path in the world, no way forward in cultivation, a bitterness beyond words.
Qin Yan looked at their reactions, clenched his teeth, and apologized. He then pulled open his clothes over his stomach.
The crowd looked instinctively and all gasped in shock.
On his abdomen, there were a few slight bulges that, when outlined, formed the shape of a human face!
Seeing this scene before them, the people around all opened their mouths wide in astonishment, even the usually composed Elder Ye now looked incredulous.
"How... how can this be... Is this a coincidence...?"
"Impossible... How can there be such a coincidence! Could it be that there really are ghosts and gods in this world... Have we been on the wrong path all along...?"
The guests and staff nearby also had the appearance of having their worldviews shattered.
One might say that the occurrence with Boss Qin’s brother could still be a coincidence.
But now even Boss Qin himself had a human face growing in the same spot, and that really was a bit terrifying.
Everyone stared intently at the abnormality on Qin Yan’s stomach, silent and holding their breath, as if afraid that a louder voice would disturb something.
However, at that moment, a voice filled with anger erupted from a corner below the stage, immediately drawing the attention of everyone present.
"Imposter! You dare not pretend to be your Master Liu!"