The Martial Arts World is Full of Experts Chapter 24

73

Zhang Xiaoyuan felt guilty.

Due to his dramatical performance, Zhao Chengyang couldn't get any information. Now he had followed along, not to mention Wen Tingting with Pidun and Xiao Mobai with a pot and spatula. With someone suddenly fainting outside the door, they had to follow to see what was going on.

Wen Tingting, mouth full of sweet potato, muttered, "I told you, Young Hero Lu, you're too impatient. Xiaoyuan can twist his ankle climbing a mountain—"

She paused, choosing a more tactful expression, "—especially a wealthy young master like him. If you come on too strong, of course, he can't handle it."

Zhao Chengyang also said, "It's better to gradually progress in martial arts."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Lu Zhaoming pursed his lips, remaining silent.

Xiao Mobai nervously asked, "Should we find a physician?"

Wen Tingting stuffed the last bite of sweet potato into her mouth and volunteered, "I'll go!"

Before Zhang Xiaoyuan could stop her, she vanished in the blink of an eye.

It's over.

Zhang Xiaoyuan's heart sank.

If a physician really came, wouldn't his act be exposed?

Zhao Chengyang followed behind Lu Zhaoming. Still contemplating the recent events, he spoke again, "Young Hero Lu, once this matter is resolved, can we—"

Lu Zhaoming directly refused, "Now is not the time to discuss this matter."

Zhao Chengyang wanted to say more, but Lu Zhaoming stepped into Zhang Xiaoyuan's room, halted, and turned to look at him.

Zhao Chengyang: "Young Hero Lu..."

Lu Zhaoming decisively closed the door.

Zhao Chengyang had intended to follow inside, but the door nearly collided with his nose. Startled, he stepped back. Experiencing his first rejection, he stood in front of the door for a long time before coming to his senses, muttering, "What is he doing..."

Xiao Mobai snorted, "Very impolite."

Inside the room, Zhang Xiaoyuan heard everything clearly, even feeling a bit frightened.

Eldest Senior Brother had directly shut the emperor out!

There wouldn't be any settling of scores later, right?

Zhang Xiaoyuan began to feel afraid.

Lu Zhaoming initially wanted to help him onto the bed, but the bucket of water he had spilled moments ago almost drenched them from head to toe. Despite the weather turning warmer, it hadn't reached a point where wet clothes weren't uncomfortably chilly. Zhang Xiaoyuan shivered, and Lu Zhaoming frowned. "Change your clothes first."

Seemingly concerned that Zhang Xiaoyuan might still feel dizzy, Lu Zhaoming helped him sit down, fetched some of Zhang Xiaoyuan's clothes, and turning to ask, "Can you manage on your own?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan nodded repeatedly, hurriedly saying, "Eldest Senior Brother, I was just dizzy! I'm fine now, no need to see a physician!"

Lu Zhaoming: "Don't avoid seeking medical advice."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

What avoiding seeking medical advice? He just didn't want to expose everything!

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "I really am fine... Achoo!"

Zhang Xiaoyuan covered his mouth.

Just because he got soaked with a bucket of water, did he catch a cold?

When did his health become this fragile?!

Lu Zhaoming tossed clothes onto his lap. "Change your clothes first."

Zhang Xiaoyuan, looking forlorn, unfastened his outer robe. Lu Zhaoming showed no intention of leaving. He fetched a small towel to wipe the water off Zhang Xiaoyuan's hair, and said, "You've been with me for a few days, got injured once, and now fell ill once..."

His tone carried a hint of guilt. Zhang Xiaoyuan sneezed again, rubbed his nose, and mumbled softly, "It's all my own carelessness."

Just as Lu Zhaoming was about to speak, Wen Tingting had already rushed in with the physician.

Apparently worried about Zhang Xiaoyuan, she sprinted into the room, dragging the physician along in a nearly breathless run. The physician, sweating profusely, had trouble catching his breath.

Zhao Chengyang, having faced rejection, had already left with Xiao Mobai. The physician took a moment, checked Zhang Xiaoyuan's pulse, and said, "Young Master may be a bit weak with a slight cold. Nothing serious."

Zhang Xiaoyuan breathed a sigh of relief.

It's great to have the best of both worlds!

The physician continued, "Young Master's health is quite delicate. How about this, I'll prescribe some tonic medicine to at least nourish and strengthen the body."

Lu Zhaoming didn't agree. Wen Tingting nodded incessantly. "Taking some tonic is good. With such poor health, you should definitely take some!"

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Zhang Xiaoyuan glanced at the physician's head.

DING.

「Well, tonic won't kill anyone.」

「You're a pig's head if you don't take advantage of an opportunity to make money.」

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Zhang Xiaoyuan grabbed Lu Zhaoming's hand.

"Eldest Senior Brother!" Zhang Xiaoyuan looked terrified. "I don't want to take medicine!"

......

74

Unable to ease his worries, he decided to stay in Zhang Xiaoyuan's room overnight to attend to him.

Zhang Xiaoyuan found it even harder to fall asleep.

The last time he shared a room with Eldest Senior Brother was just a few days ago.

When Second Senior Brother accidentally destroyed their room, they had to temporarily stay in Fengji County. At that time, he was terrified of Eldest Senior Brother. Now, he wasn't afraid anymore, but he didn't know what to say.

Lu Zhaoming had cleared a wooden pallet under the window, seemingly planning to spend the night there. Zhang Xiaoyuan leaned on the bed, watching him bend to tidy the sheets. After pondering for a while, he couldn't help but ask.

"Eldest Senior Brother," Zhang Xiaoyuan cautiously inquired, "I heard them say that Fengji County experienced a famine and epidemic over a decade ago..."

Lu Zhaoming: "Fifteen years ago."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "Were you and Master... already here at that time?"

Lu Zhaoming sat on the pallet, looking at him. "It was a year of famine. Besides Fengji, the neighboring provinces were all suffering. Master arrived in Fengji just a few months before the epidemic broke out."

Zhang Xiaoyuan asked, "Was Second Senior Brother with Master at that time?"

"His mother succumbed to the epidemic," Lu Zhaoming said. "He was just over ten at the time. Entrusted by his mother, Master took him in and brought him along."

But... something wasn't right.

Zhang Xiaoyuan suddenly realized an issue.

"Eldest Senior Brother," Zhang Xiaoyuan couldn't hold back and asked, "How old are you this year?"

Lu Zhaoming glanced at him and answered, "Twenty-two."

Zhang Xiaoyuan calculated, "You were... seven at that time?"

Lu Zhaoming nodded. "Yes."

Zhang Xiaoyuan muttered softly, "You were already by Master's side at the age of seven."

Lu Zhaoming: "I've been with him since birth."

Zhang Xiaoyuan was taken aback. "What?"

Lu Zhaoming continued nonchalantly, "I had no parents. Master adopted me."

He spoke in a calm tone, as if he didn't find it particularly distressing. Zhang Xiaoyuan, however, felt unexpectedly uncomfortable.

Even in this prosperous era, not everyone could enjoy a good life. Whether in the martial arts world licking blood from the blade or in ordinary households affected by natural disasters, living to a ripe old age was rare. Therefore, adopting orphans was not an uncommon occurrence.

He wasn't good at comforting others and wasn't sure if he should apologize. Leaning on his hand, he remained silent for a while before softly asking, "Do you like the preserved plums from the temple fair?"

Lu Zhaoming: "It's fine."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "Then I'll buy them for you in the future!"

Lu Zhaoming: "I'm not a fan of snacks..."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "Just have some during leisure time, it won't hurt!"

Lying on the bed, moonlight spilled in through the window, making his eyes gleam. It seemed like he was talking about something very pleasant. Lu Zhaoming initially wanted to decline, but looking at the brightness in his junior brother's eyes, he swallowed his words, nodded gently, and said, "Sure."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "Eldest Senior Brother, you should also change your sword scabbard. The current one is so worn. It affects Master's reputation when taking in disciples."

Lu Zhaoming nodded again. "Alright."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "Then... let's go out and stroll around the streets tomorrow!"

Lu Zhaoming: "First, focus on recovering from your illness."

Zhang Xiaoyuan buried his head in the quilt, then after a while, peeked out a bit, whispering, "I think I'm already better."

Lu Zhaoming: "......"

Lu Zhaoming feigned sleep with closed eyes. Zhang Xiaoyuan softly called him a few times, but he didn't respond. Only then did Zhang Xiaoyuan crawl back under the covers, muttering, "How can he fall asleep so quickly?"

......

75

Zhang Xiaoyuan only had a slight cold. After changing into dry clothes and getting a good night's sleep, he had mostly recovered by the next day.

However, his hands still ached, and it seemed a bit challenging to even raise his arms. When he woke up, Eldest Senior Brother wasn't in the room. Zhang Xiaoyuan dressed himself and thought of going out to fetch some hot water for washing up. Yawning, he pushed the door open and saw Lu Zhaoming returning with a bowl of hot porridge. Seeing him get up, Lu Zhaoming couldn't help asking, "Still feeling dizzy?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan shook his head. "Should be fine now."

Lu Zhaoming: "Today, just focus on memorizing the sword manual. We can discuss other matters in a few days."

He placed the hot porridge and side dishes on the table, then turned to leave to fetch hot water for washing up. Zhang Xiaoyuan felt he was fine now, so he naturally wanted to help. Standing up, he followed to the door and saw Puyang Jing standing with a solemn expression, respectfully knocking on Zhao Chengyang's door. Above his head, a row of words appeared: "Master, there's news."

Zhang Xiaoyuan's steps halted.

There's news? What news?

He stepped back into the room, hurriedly walked to the bedside, and pushed open some window panes. Carefully, he looked outside through the gaps.

After a moment, Zhao Chengyang, draped in a robe, pushed open the door, asking, "What news?"

Puyang Jing replied, "Naturally, it's news from those years."

He paused, looking somewhat surprised. His expression briefly shifted with a touch of astonishment and disappointment. However, he quickly regained composure and answered, "My men found people who had connections with their family before the epidemic in the famine year."

It was indeed news related to Second Senior Brother.

If Second Senior Brother's mother entrusted him to Wang Henian before her death, and there were still living relatives and friends who might be aware of the entrusted guardianship, it was quite possible to learn that Second Senior Brother was still alive...

No, he couldn't just stand by and let this unfold.

Zhao Chengyang asked in surprise, "Who is it? Where?"

"A beggar," Puyang Jing said. "My men have someone keeping an eye on him from a distance, not yet alerting him."

A beggar?

Zhang Xiaoyuan had a bad feeling.

Zhao Chengyang said, "Alright, let's go now—"

He suddenly paused, turned back to look inside the room, frowned slightly, seeming hesitant. Eventually, he changed his mind and said, "Since he's been found, there's no rush at this moment."

Puyang Jing lowered his head. "Yes..."

Zhao Chengyang: "You keep an eye on that person. We'll go together in the afternoon."