After learning about the Zheng family's final fate from Wei Shanhai, Lu Qing felt quite satisfied.
It seems that the city lord is indeed acting in accordance with the law.
After lunch, Wei Shanhai took his leave and returned to his villa.
The old doctor's expression turned somewhat serious.
"Aqing, come with me for a moment."
Lu Qing sensed the strangeness in his master's expression and felt a chill run down his spine. He then followed him into the study.
"Ah Qing, did you hear those nine sounds of heaven and earth not long ago?" the old doctor asked.
Upon hearing this, Lu Qing nodded and said, "Yes, I sensed that fluctuation of heaven and earth as soon as I finished my seclusion."
"It seems that what you said before about the revival of spiritual energy is really coming, and the legendary path to immortality really exists," the old doctor sighed.
"Master, is there something wrong?"
Logically speaking, the revival of spiritual energy should be a good thing for cultivators like them.
But Lu Qing noticed a worry on his master's face and couldn't help but ask.
“When the fluctuations of heaven and earth occurred earlier, I had some vague premonitions in my heart,” the old doctor said.
"What omen?"
Lu Qing's heart skipped a beat.
He thought of the light of merit emanating from his master.
The light of merit is incredibly wondrous. Legend has it that those who possess the light of merit can turn misfortune into good fortune, receive divine protection, and have abundant luck.
Could it be that the omens Master sensed were guidance and warnings from heaven and earth?
"I don't know the specifics, but I do know that there will likely be a great change in the world. This will not only be a change in the rules of heaven and earth, but also a change in people's hearts and the situation in the world."
At that time, various disasters will likely erupt, causing immense suffering and loss of life, and there will be no more pure lands left in the world.
The old doctor's expression became more serious than ever before.
He was deeply shaken when he first sensed this premonition.
However, Wei Shanhai was standing nearby at the time, and in order not to cause excessive panic, he forced himself to calm down.
"That serious?"
Lu Qing's heart skipped a beat. If his master's premonition was correct, then the waves stirred up by this spiritual energy revival would probably be even greater than he had imagined.
"So, I made a decision."
Lu Qing was taken aback: "Master, what decision?"
"I want to go to Zhongzhou."
"Zhongzhou?" Lu Qing was quite surprised, but he quickly realized, "Master, you want to go to the Holy Mountain?"
"Indeed, since chaos in the world is inevitable, we can only try our best to strengthen our own foundation so that we can have the strength to preserve ourselves and protect a region."
The old doctor's face revealed a firm resolve.
He was a compassionate doctor who could never bear to see others suffer.
Therefore, although he dislikes fighting, he understands that in chaotic times, only a powerful force can protect the people and things he cherishes.
"Ah Qing, do you want to continue your secluded cultivation in the village, or come with your master to Zhongzhou?" the old doctor asked.
"Of course, this disciple will follow Master and serve you," Lu Qing said immediately.
He knew that his master was going to Zhongzhou to the Holy Mountain to obtain the opportunity that Lord Zhirui had mentioned and to enhance his own strength.
It just so happens that he is also very interested in that Central Plains, so there's no harm in going to take a look.
After all, as the most prosperous continent in the world, it must be quite extraordinary.
With this change in the world and the revival of spiritual energy, perhaps the changes there are the most significant.
"Master, when do you plan to set off?"
"This matter should be done sooner rather than later, within the next day or two."
...
Wei Shanhai soon learned that the old doctor was going to Zhongzhou.
He immediately went to the small courtyard on the hillside.
"Dr. Chen, are you and Young Master Lu heading to Zhongzhou?"
“That’s good. So, while we’re away, please look after Jiuli Village.” The old doctor nodded.
He and Lu Qing were going to Zhongzhou. They didn't have to tell others, but Wei Shanhai had to.
After all, with chaos looming over the world, what worried the master and apprentice the most was the villagers of Jiuli Village.
"Of course, the villagers of Jiuli are simple and honest, and I like this place very much. Naturally, I will not let anyone bully them."
Wei Shanhai readily agreed.
He has been staying at this villa for the past two years and has grown quite fond of this simple and peaceful little village.
"However, old doctor, since you and young master Lu are going to Zhongzhou, I also have a favor to ask, but I don't know if I should say it."
"Please speak freely, Elder Wei."
"Since you and Young Master Lu are going to Zhongzhou this time, I wonder if you could bring Master Zi'an and his apprentice along as well?"
"Young Master Wei and Master Ma?" Lu Qing asked in surprise.
“That’s right. Zian is not young anymore, and it’s time for him to go out and gain experience. The journey to Zhongzhou is long and inconvenient. Even if Zian can help you pick out some luggage, it would be a blessing for him.”
Lu Qing understood.
The Wei family wanted Wei Zian to go out and gain experience, but they were not entirely at ease about his safety, which is why they wanted him to stay with them.
After all, Wei Zian had survived an assassination attempt.
Who knows if the mastermind behind it all has given up?
The safest way is to train alongside them.
Lu Qing and the old doctor had no objection to this.
Anyway, they will be taking Xiaoyan with them on the trip. If Wei Zian and Ma Gu are there, they can help take care of Xiaoyan if any unexpected situations arise.
"There's no need to be so polite. Since Young Master Wei and Master Ma also wish to travel, let's all travel together," the old doctor chuckled.
"The old doctor agreed? Then I'll go back and have Zi'an and the others make preparations."
Seeing that the old doctor had agreed, Wei Shanhai was overjoyed and immediately took his leave.
Over the next two days, Lu Qing and the others prepared for their trip.
It wasn't until close to their departure that the villagers learned that Lu Qing and his companions were going on a journey.
"Aqing, although I know you've become much more skilled now, I still have to say what I need to say: when you're out and about, you must be careful in everything you do, listen to the old doctor's advice, and don't act impulsively."
At the village entrance, Grandpa Zhang held Lu Qing's hand and gave her earnest advice.
Behind him, many villagers from Jiuli Village gathered together to see Lu Qing and his companions off.
Two years have passed, and instead of looking old, Grandpa Zhang's health has improved, which is naturally the result of Lu Qing's frequent help to regulate his body.
In fact, in the past two years, in addition to his rapid progress in martial arts, Lu Qing's medical skills have also improved by leaps and bounds.
The most obvious effect is that, under his frequent acupuncture treatments, the health of the elderly in the village has improved significantly.
"Grandpa Zhang, I will remember this." Lu Qing nodded earnestly.
"Xiaoyan, when you're outside, you must listen to your brother and Grandpa Chen. Don't be naughty, and don't run around on your own, okay?"
On the other side, several village aunties were also holding Xiaoyan and giving her instructions.
“Yes, Xiaoyan will be very good!” Xiaoyan replied loudly.
"Aqing, it's time to set off."
After saying goodbye, it was finally time to leave, the old doctor called out.
"Understood." Lu Qing picked up Xiao Yan and bowed slightly to the villagers. "Grandpa Zheng, and everyone else, Xiao Yan and I will be leaving now."
After saying that, he picked up Xiaoyan and walked forward, getting into a carriage.
The carriage was prepared by the Wei family.
The journey to Zhongzhou is long, and with a child like Xiaoyan in tow, it's not advisable to travel on foot.
Therefore, the Wei family prepared a very spacious carriage, which was more than enough for Lu Qing and the others to sit in.
"drive!"
Once Lu Qing and Xiao Yan were inside the carriage, Ma Gu, acting as the coachman, cracked his whip, and with the sound of hooves, the carriage slowly started moving out of the village.
Grandpa Zhang and other villagers stood at the village entrance, watching the horse-drawn carriage gradually disappear into the distance with reluctance.
Only after the carriage disappeared did Grandpa Zhang suddenly remember something and hurriedly asked, "By the way, did Aqing and the others tie red ropes?"
“They’re tied up, Father,” the eldest son replied. “When Aqing first came out, she had already tied the red ropes of all of them around the letter tree.”
"It's good that you're tied up, it's good that you're tied up."
Grandpa Zhang breathed a sigh of relief, but he was still a little worried, so he gave the young people in the village some more instructions:
"You should keep an eye on these red ropes in your daily lives. Aqing and the others have gone to Zhongzhou, which is quite far away. They might not be back for a year or two. We can't let the wind and rain knock the red ropes down."
"knew!"
The young people all responded in unison.
The departure of Lu Qing and others did not have a significant impact on Jiuli Village.
After only a short period of sadness, everyone returned to their normal lives.
Two days later, a disheveled figure appeared outside Jiuli Village.
