Lu Wuming was, to put it bluntly, utterly uninterested in the conclusions Liu Buli had drawn about the Medicine Master Valley.
As for the future of the cultivation world, or the disputes between sects, Lu Wuming had no desire to pay any attention.
What's more, he would have preferred the Pill Sect to be a small, obscure sect. That way, Liu Buli wouldn't have had so many things to be busy with daily, and in comparison, would have had more time to spend with him.
However, such words were certainly not to be spoken aloud.
Although Liu Buli himself didn't have much of an ambition for power, in his view, life couldn't be about two people constantly cooped up in a house doing nothing else.
Lu Wuming had been lectured by his own master many times for such thoughts. So, to avoid being bonked on the head again, he only dared to keep these thoughts to himself, no longer daring to speak them out as brazenly as before.
And just as they had agreed, within a few days, Shen Muzhi and You Siqi arrived at the Pill Sect as planned.
Liu Buli personally went out to greet them, leading the two to the courtyard prepared for them. Upon entering the room, Liu Buli shook his head and chuckled, "You're much later than I expected. I thought you might have found a better place than mine, which made me ponder and even feel a bit sad."
This statement was, after all, just a joke.
For everyone knew very well that after leaving the Medicine Master Valley, they truly had no other good place to go besides the Pill Sect.
Because of this, upon hearing Liu Buli's words, You Siqi said nothing, merely rolling his eyes at him decisively.
Shen Muzhi, however, smiled and shook his head, explaining, "We did indeed intend to come find you directly after leaving the Medicine Master Valley. But I admit I was a bit negligent. I didn't expect so many sects to extend an olive branch to me. Consequently, dealing with them took up a considerable amount of time. By the time I finished handling those matters, it was already this late. We've come as soon as we could, so please don't fault us, Daoist Liu."
Liu Buli had merely been joking with them. Hearing Shen Muzhi's explanation, he simply shook his head and said, "You are the best physician in this world, and there are countless places that would want you. It's only a place like the Medicine Master Valley, for some trivial and petty gains, that would unhesitatingly allow you to leave. They truly are on their way to ruin."
Shen Muzhi smiled. If he were to say he felt no lingering attachment or hesitation when he left his former sect, that would be a lie.
But when he left, no one tried to stop him. Shen Muzhi had already understood that all his earnest efforts had been misplaced; he had thought too highly of that sect.
Once the last shred of goodwill vanished, truthfully, no matter what else he did, he would no longer have any further thoughts.
Sensing what he was thinking, Liu Buli naturally stopped saying anything that might prick his heart. He pursed his lips and said, "Since you have joined the Pill Sect, I will take you to get two sets of robes shortly. It doesn't matter for everyday wear, but it's best to wear them when you go out. This will let others know your identity and deter those with little insight from bothering your peace."
Shen Muzhi and You Siqi both nodded in agreement.
Liu Buli continued, "Also, since you have joined the Pill Sect, from now on, you should publicly address me as Sect Master, just like everyone else. How you address me in private is irrelevant. It's just that our sect has a lot of people who like to gossip and spread rumors. If you appear too intimate with me, who knows what those people might say."
Liu Buli himself didn't really care about such matters. However, Shen Muzhi and You Siqi had not yet endured as much scrutiny as he had, so considering their mental and physical well-being was not a bad thing.
With this thought, both of them nodded in agreement to his words.
After a moment, Shen Muzhi finally couldn't help but ask Liu Buli, "Sect Master Liu, I know you have a good relationship with us, and out of consideration for that, you are willing to treat us well. But can we truly do nothing and simply enjoy the protection of the Pill Sect under its name?"
Liu Buli could tell from the way he asked that Shen Muzhi still harbored that sense of righteousness typical of a protagonist.
While others would be overjoyed to receive such a good deal where they could do nothing and simply collect a salary, Shen Muzhi, on the other hand, would simply feel uneasy.
Knowing what he was thinking, Liu Buli could only helplessly pout and say, "Shen Muzhi, if you are particularly willing to work, I would be very welcoming. After all, our Grand Elder is quite overworked. If someone could help him share the burden, I'm sure he would be very happy."
He paused deliberately after saying this.
Then, as he had expected, You Siqi's eyebrows immediately furrowed.
Liu Buli could understand the expression without needing any translation. It clearly conveyed –
This isn't what we discussed before!
Before the "rabbit" could get too anxious, Liu Buli's mischievousness finally subsided. He coughed lightly and continued, "However, if I were you, before saying such a thing, I would first ask for You Siqi's opinion. If Doctor Shen is too thin-skinned, those shameless tasks can be left to You Siqi. After all, since you are together, he surely wants to share some burdens for you. He certainly can't fight or kill, so in my opinion, it would be better to give him an opportunity. Let him persuade me. As long as he can convince me, your future lives will be much happier."
At Liu Buli's words, You Siqi immediately prepared to speak.
But this time, Shen Muzhi stopped him.
With a newfound determination in his eyes, Shen Muzhi said, "I apologize, I misspoke just now. However, Sect Master Liu is also mistaken about one point: I am not thin-skinned. As long as it concerns matters between Siqi and me, I am willing to do anything. So, this time is no different. I trouble Sect Master Liu to grant us both honorary elder positions as previously agreed, and allow us to act freely. I can guarantee that I will not do anything that disgraces the Pill Sect. As for other matters, I am afraid I cannot offer any assistance."