Chapter 707: Chapter 365: The Jade Girl’s Distinctive Fate, A Single Glance Seals Destiny, Snagging a Big Catch, Ghost-Faced Bodhisattva (3)
The mysterious figure nodded and said, "You actually dared to follow me here, not bad, not bad. Most people would be scared pale and wailing, thinking I’m here to take their life."
Li Xian thought to himself, "With your strange appearance, it’s not surprising others fear you greatly. If I had a choice, I wouldn’t bother with you. Oh well, since I’m here, might as well stay." He smiled and said, "People often say you can’t judge a book by its cover. Although you look frightening, you might have a heart of gold, no?"
The mysterious figure let out a hoarse and cold laugh, which grew louder and more piercing. He said, "Good lad, are you saying I’m ugly?"
Li Xian, being carefree by nature, joked, "The point isn’t about looks, but having a heart of gold. Moreover, your appearance is unique, neither ugly nor handsome. If you call it handsome... upon closer look, it’s somewhat clownish. But to call it ugly, on reflection, it’s quite intriguing."
The mysterious figure was taken aback, then burst into laughter, asking, "Do you truly not know me?"
Li Xian said, "You’ve been living by the lakeside for a long time. Is it really strange that I don’t know you?"
The mysterious figure shook his head with amusement, "You young lad, your words are quite interesting. However, you did get one thing right. In the Jianghu, people have given me a casual title, ’Ghostly Face Bodhisattva’. They also call me the ’Ghost Doctor’."
Li Xian cupped his hands and said, "So, it’s the renowned Ghost Doctor. I’ve heard of your great name, truly admirable!"
The mysterious figure laughed, "Alright, don’t pretend. Even if I flaunt the title of Ghost Doctor, you, young lad, being ignorant, wouldn’t know its weight." Li Xian laughed, "Then, senior, could you enlighten me a bit?"
The mysterious figure said, "There’s no hurry; you’ll find out soon enough. Come with me." After the conversation, Li Xian found the mysterious figure to be eccentric, yet not an evil or villainous type. He asked, "How should I address you, then?"
The mysterious figure said nothing, merely turned back to examine Li Xian’s face, nodded slightly, and said, "From today, you can call me Master Su, or Master Teacher."
Li Xian was taken aback and said, "Master Su? Is your surname Su, and your name Teacher?" The mysterious figure replied, "My surname is Su, name Fu You. The term ’Master Teacher’ is a respectful title for a disciple to call a master."
Su Fu You said, "Good lad, don’t you understand yet? From today, you are my disciple of the Ghost Doctor lineage! You and I share a master-disciple fate."
Li Xian said in bewilderment, "It’s not that I look down on you, senior, but choosing an heir so hastily seems reckless." Su Fu You said solemnly, "Reckless? Quite the opposite. I’ve been wanting to select a disciple to inherit my skills for a long time. I couldn’t find one until I saw you last night, only then did I know my heir had arrived."
Li Xian said curiously, "Though I might be quite the character, it’s not that... Moreover, though I’ve dabbled a bit in medicine, my talent is average, suddenly receiving ’Ghost Doctor’s legacy’ might be more than I can handle."
Su Fu You said, "You don’t understand the weight of the title ’Ghost Doctor,’ that’s why you speak so lightly, as if you don’t care. People... should broaden their horizons. With short sight, you might miss opportunities without knowing."
"Last night, while fishing in the lake, it seemed like leisure, but in fact, I was practicing a Martial Art: the Profound Serenity Rod. It’s a type of fishing martial art, quite mysterious. Some fish for power, some for wealth. Rods would break one after another, yet no fish would bite all day. Without that fate, even mastering this Martial Art to its peak, there’d be no day of catching fish."
Li Xian laughed and asked, "Then what’s the point of practicing it?" Su Fu You said, "Indeed? What’s the point of practicing? So, this martial art... is as useless as taking off your pants to fart. But since I’ve learned it, might as well give it a try. In my life, I neither envy power nor crave treasure, nor love beauties. My one great worry is my nearing fate with no disciple to carry on my skills."
Li Xian asked, "Why fish then? With your skills, senior, just spreading a little word would make countless heroes and noble descendants rush to compete for you."
Su Fu You sneered, "That’s belittling it. Those old fellows, do you think they don’t covet my medical skills?"
Li Xian said, "True, but going back to the taking off pants analogy?" Su Fu You, both annoyed and amused, glared at Li Xian and said, "Exactly! That’s why it must never be done. In the Ghost Doctor lineage, there’s a well-known rule for passing on skills."
"That is having a unique appearance. Look at me, dark-faced, wide-mouthed, short-nosed, broad-eared, eyes narrow and protruding. Smile, and I look creepy; stay calm, and I look neither monkey nor human. Ugly, indeed ugly, but as you said, upon closer inspection, there’s something intriguing about it."
Li Xian said, "Master, it must not have been easy for you." Su Fu You cursed, "Your master was even uglier, with a protruding forehead and bald top, short ears and a short stature. Compared to him, I’m a handsome man."
Li Xian asked, "What about grandmaster?" Su Fu You slapped his leg, "Ha! That old fellow is truly a marvel. His left eye is skewed up, right eye down, eyes misaligned. Big nose like an ox, yet with the lips of a woman. A towering figure, born with eleven fingers."
Li Xian murmured, "Compared to our ancestors, master, you are indeed unremarkable." Su Fu You said, "Naturally."
Li Xian said, "But going back, you still haven’t answered that matter."
Su Fu You, weird in character yet not gloomy, was used to speaking eerily, "That is precisely the issue! In the Ghost Doctor lineage, our medical skills are as if divine, respected by all. Throughout the generations, the world knows that the Ghost Doctor is ugly and peculiar. In truth, those with unique appearances in the Ghost Doctor lineage have been through more trials, are strong in fate, and can bear this heavenly medical skill."
"If I openly select disciples and spread the word, countless people would covet the medical skills. They’d surely find ways to alter their appearance, twist their faces, and come pretending to learn medicine. It would be completely counterproductive, making it even harder to select a disciple!"
"Thus, the Ghost Doctor chooses disciples based on fate and destiny."
"The Profound Serenity Rod was meant to fish for a disciple. Dongran Lake is sparsely populated; if someone can be fished here, what else could it be but fate? You happen to have a unique appearance, though slightly differing from the Ghost Doctor lineage’s style, you still meet the criteria. For these reasons, you’re destined to be my heir."
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