Chapter 186
Chapter 186
Chang Huaiyuan, usually so refined and gentle in his robes white as snow, flew into a rage at the sight.
“What is this? Only the two of you consider the young master physician family, while I, Chang, am an outsider?!”
With that, he stepped forward and faced Hu Qingshan down.
Hu Qingshan remained calm, though his grip tightened around his lightning-struck wood staff.
“This situation arose without warning. Brother Chang, please do as I ask. Once this is over, I will personally visit your home and apologize!”
Seeing the two sides at daggers drawn, Eighth Master Chang hurried over, his huge tail swaying behind him. He stole a timid glance at Chang Huaiyuan before daring to speak.
“E-E-Eldest Brother, why put yourself through this? Back home, you already made the rest of us brothers swear a blood oath that the Chang Family would protect the young master physician for the rest of our lives. Today, we’re only saying it one more time…”
What the reader should understand is that the Immortal Spirits of the Chang Family had always been loyal and honorable. They had never harbored any disloyal intent.
Chang Huaiyuan merely appeared mild while possessing a proud heart. He did not like being forced to do anything.
But after hearing Eighth Master Chang’s advice, his anger subsided a little.
Old Eighth is right. Why am I opposing Hu Qingshan and Old Sixth Hui at a time like this? If the young master physician sees us and begins to harbor doubts, won’t I have brought disaster down on myself for no reason?
With that thought, Chang Huaiyuan raised one hand and pointed at the sky. He shot Hu Qingshan and Old Sixth Hui a cold glance, then repeated the solemn oath he had already sworn at home.
“I, Chang Huaiyuan, swear to Heaven that I will not reveal anything I witnessed today. From this day forward, every member of my Chang Family will follow the young master physician’s lead. Should we ever harbor disloyal intent, may Heaven strike us down and the Five Thunderbolts blast us apart!”
Eighth Master Chang immediately chimed in, “Same goes for me and Eldest Brother! If we run into danger in the future… I’ll be the first to carry the young master physician away… Eldest Brother, you’ll be able to keep up, right?”
The last trace of Chang Huaiyuan’s anger disappeared beneath Eighth Master Chang’s nervous gaze. He patted Eighth Master Chang on the head, then pulled him along to join the encirclement around Bai Wuwei and Huang Zuo.
The Bai and Huang Immortal Spirits exchanged a glance, then smilingly swore their oaths.
Their oaths, however, differed from Chang Huaiyuan’s. They only promised not to divulge what had happened today. They said nothing about sharing honor and disgrace with Hua Jiunan.
The patriarchs of the other three families could understand that.
The karma surrounding Hua Jiunan was simply too immense. Following him meant that a single misstep could wipe out an entire family.
People were not what they once had been. Everywhere, one saw crowds pushing down a wall the moment it began to totter. It was already commendable that the Huang and Bai Immortals would not secretly inform Hua Jiunan’s enemies.
People did not rise early without the promise of profit. One could hardly expect everyone to shed blood and risk their lives without the slightest selfish motive.
Anyone like that was either a genuine fool or plotting something enormous.
Because of Hu Fei’er, Hu Qingshan already regarded Hua Jiunan as his future grandson-in-law. Once two families became one, they naturally had to weather every storm together.
Lord Hu San had also advised him, which was why he dared support Hua Jiunan without reservation.
As for Old Sixth Hui, nothing more needed to be said.
Hua Jiunan had recognized his worth, taught him, and fought beside him through life-and-death trials time after time. In Old Sixth Hui’s heart, Hua Jiunan had long since become his brother, comrade, and family.
Then there was Chang Huaiyuan.
Hua Jiunan had first cured the lingering illness left by Chang Huaiyuan’s failed transformation from a Jiao into a Qiu, putting him back on the path of cultivation. Later, he had spared no precious spiritual treasure in helping Chang Huaiyuan raise his cultivation.
Beyond all that, there was another important reason why this decisive and ruthless Chang Family Patriarch had committed himself so completely to Hua Jiunan.
Fortune favored those willing to brave danger!
As for the details, dear readers, you may fill them in yourselves.
But that is enough of a digression. Let us return to the matter at hand.
Once everyone had sworn their oaths, the atmosphere immediately became harmonious again. Laughing and chatting, they resumed their seats and drank cup after cup.
Only Eighth Master Chang’s timid, discordant voice broke the mood.
“Um… well… Brother Qingshan, it seems you still haven’t sworn an oath…”
On Huimu Mountain, the barefoot Master Numu walked through the snow, cautiously searching for traces of the “evil demon.”
Far behind him, Ghost Buddha Faceless followed at a distance with a savage grin.