Chapter 18 Breathing Faster

Qu Mingming's breathing grew faster and faster. He could sense the change becoming more and more pronounced. At this point, he was on the verge of losing control.

Damn it,

Why was Zhou Ze so nonchalant after drinking it?

Qu Mingming had initially thought the drug wasn't potent enough, but now he was starting to feel a little scared.

As a doctor, especially one practicing traditional Chinese medicine, the most important thing when prescribing medication was to maintain balance and harmony. He would never resort to strong medicine unless absolutely necessary, but this dose was clearly at the extreme limit of what an ordinary person could handle.

If Zhou Ze were an ordinary person, he would definitely be in trouble now.

With no time to decoct the medicine, Qu Mingming selected a few medicinal herbs and put them directly into his mouth to chew. At the same time, he lifted the curtain to his "workshop," which contained many small bottles filled with various kinds of Gu worms.

He took out a bottle containing a soft, caterpillar-like worm. Without a word, Qu Mingming put his arm into the bottle and pressed his finger directly onto the worm.

The worm, feeling violated, immediately reacted and bit Qu Mingming's finger.

An icy sensation instantly swept through his entire body.

But Qu Mingming found it extremely comforting.

The fiery heat within his body was finally suppressed.

"Despicable… and yet…"

A voice suddenly rang out.

"Who's there!"

Qu Mingming's hair stood on end. This was the third floor of his internet cafe, his personal sanctuary, like a secluded retreat in a wuxia novel.

How could an outsider have gotten here so easily?

Did they really think all his Gu worms were docile babies staying in their jars?

"Despicable that you would practice such base methods of Gu refinement,

And yet,

You use the purest of ancient Chinese medicine techniques."

A black figure slowly emerged from the wall, its true face obscured, but its presence undeniable.

"Senior, who might you be?"

Doctors weren't considered to be part of the martial world, but the special nature of their profession meant that they had to deal with people from all walks of life.

Moreover, after being intimidated by a room full of zombies in the bookstore, Qu Mingming's mental fortitude had clearly improved. At least he could remain calm when encountering strange things.

"In ancient times, medicine and Gu were not separate; healers also served as shamans and diviners.

Since the time of the Yellow Emperor, doctors, valuing their status, abandoned such mixtures and focused solely on the art of healing. Gu worms and such were long ago discarded as dregs.

You, young man, have gone and picked them up again.

No matter how good Gu worms may be, they are still unorthodox. This old man advises you to turn back early. With your talent, you have the opportunity to become a great doctor of the nation. Do not let yourself be led astray by heterodox paths.

My disciple from ten years ago was also an excellent prospect for passing on my knowledge, but who knew that after ten years, he would become a mere chef.

Don't follow in his footsteps!

The righteous path of the world is ever-changing,

We righteous people should focus on the future of the righteous path, and maintain our integrity."

The black figure spoke eloquently, dispensing advice as an elder.

Qu Mingming was momentarily dumbfounded. In his opinion, this guy was utterly foolish. Methods were adaptable, but the goal was the same. He could use Gu worms to treat illnesses just as well. The method was different, but the goal was the same. Did he really need to lecture him like this?

But Qu Mingming still clasped his hands and said respectfully,

"Junior is taught."

"Hmm, a teachable child. This old man has been away from Tong City for ten years, but I find that this city has become so defiled, with demons rampant and monsters appearing.

Now,

I don't have time to meddle in your affairs. I only hope you take care of yourself.

Furthermore,

Tonight, this old man will cleanse the demonic aura and restore clarity to Tong City. You stay here tonight and do not go out, or else don't blame this old man for being impolite."

Qu Mingming was suddenly alarmed.

Instinctively,

When the black figure said he was going to cleanse the demonic aura, he thought of the bookstore across the street, which housed several zombies.

But at this moment,

Qu Mingming could only lower his head and agree.

Self-preservation was a human instinct. Qu Mingming had only known the people at the bookstore for a few days, so naturally he wouldn't be willing to risk his life to protect them.

He could only hope,

They could get through this crisis safely.

"Good that you know what's good for you."

The black figure re-entered the wall and disappeared.

Qu Mingming sat down on the ground,

His expression,

Somewhat despondent.

***

"Chop chicken chop chicken chop chicken... chop chicken chop chicken!

Auntie sweeps the road!

Chop chicken chop chicken chop chicken... chop chicken chop chicken!

Hide and seek!"

The old Daoist hummed an incomprehensible song as he swept the road. In theory, this was the job of the street cleaners in the morning, so the old Daoist was helping to ease their burden.

Of course,

If the street cleaners saw a nearly seventy-year-old man helping them sweep the road, they probably wouldn't be moved to tears, but rather think that this old man was trying to use sweeping the road as a pretext for extortion.

The little monkey sat on the old Daoist's shoulder. The old Daoist had bought him a small backpack filled with snacks and dried fruits.

The old Daoist genuinely adored the monkey. He had no children of his own and truly treated the monkey like his own grandson.

In the bookstore, the monkey naturally rejected Boss Zhou, but he was extremely affectionate with the old Daoist.

When it came to gratitude,

Sometimes animals were indeed more reliable than people.

At this moment, the little monkey was peeling peanuts, eating one himself and then stuffing one into the old Daoist's mouth.

Man and monkey,

In perfect harmony,

Sweeping the road,

Even on this late night, they were warm and content.

As they swept,

The wind picked up,

And then, out of nowhere, a large pile of trash blew over.

"Damn it!"

The old Daoist shook his head helplessly. Most of his efforts had been in vain.

Indeed, one man and one broom, even on this street, was a drop in the bucket.

The monkey, who was eating peanuts, suddenly twitched, and the peanut in his hand fell to the ground.

"Are you trying to make trouble for me, too?"

The old Daoist said irritably.

The monkey grabbed the old Daoist's ears with his two meaty paws and turned the old Daoist's face to the left. The old Daoist looked over there.

Under the dim streetlights,

A hunched figure was slowly approaching.

That gust of wind was centered on him, like the scattering of flower petals and the gust of wind that always accompanied the appearance of a great character.

"Damn, what the hell is that?"

The old Daoist had served two ghost bosses. One could not… no, one who stays near vermillion gets stained red… no, anyway, the old Daoist was no longer the nobody he used to be. He was much more sensitive to certain auras than before.

He could sense,

The approaching presence was extraordinary.

Subconsciously,

He reached into his crotch,

And pulled out a bright yellow talisman paper with a few black, curly hairs stuck to it.

"Heh heh."

The hunched figure chuckled softly.

"Our ancestors were once prosperous, but the descendants are unworthy. To actually consort with demons and monsters is truly a disgrace to the ancestors, a disgrace to the ancestors!"

"I'll fuck your ancestors!"

The old Daoist cursed loudly.

"Hmph, for the sake of your ancestors, you may leave. Take care of yourself in the future, and walk the righteous path. Although you are old and have no chance of cultivating the Dao, at least stay away from evil and maintain your integrity. Otherwise, when you go to hell, what face will you have to meet your ancestors?"

"I have a VIP passage to hell. I don't need you to worry about it!"

The old Daoist knew the importance of not losing face.

But in the next moment,

A few fallen leaves suddenly flew over, creating several sparks on the ground in front of the old Daoist. Several dents and cracks appeared on the hard road surface.

"Hiss…"

The hand holding the talisman paper,

Trembled slightly.

You motherfucker,

You're using fallen leaves as throwing knives? Are you from the God of Gamblers school, using playing cards as bullets?

"You think you can scare me like that?"

The old Daoist took a step forward.

He was already good-looking, with an air of Daoist elegance; otherwise, he wouldn't have been so popular when he was streaming.

At this moment,

The old Daoist's sleeves fluttered,

His feather crown towered high,

Giving off an aura of "I will go even if there are millions against me!"

The monkey on the old Daoist's shoulder also "dong dong dong" tapped the old Daoist's hat, like beating a war drum to cheer him on.

A hint of appreciation appeared in the hunched figure's eyes,

And he said softly,

"Still has some courage..."

But in the next moment,

The old Daoist suddenly looked thoughtful:

"I suddenly think you make sense. This poor Daoist still needs to maintain his integrity. Thank you for your guidance. This poor Daoist plans to travel around the world. Farewell!"

With that, the old Daoist turned and ran.

He knew his own limitations. He wasn't very good at fighting. He wasn't afraid of fighting ordinary people, but these old monsters at this level should be dealt with by Boss and the others. His greatest contribution was to protect his useful self and serve Boss well.

But who knew,

The hunched figure suddenly flashed,

Appearing directly in the old Daoist's path and blocking him.

"What are you doing!"

The old Daoist was so frightened that he suddenly stopped.

"You can leave,

But it, must stay.

Monsters have appeared, and everyone must punish them.

This is the duty of us righteous people!"

The old Daoist stopped running.

The monkey was so frightened that he clung tightly to the old Daoist's shoulder and clothes, worried that the old Daoist would abandon him.

This reminded him of some unpleasant memories from his previous life.

"You want this poor Daoist's monkey?" the old Daoist roared. "Then this poor Daoist will take your balls!"

He wouldn't run anymore!

They would run together!

To let him abandon the monkey and run away,

The old Daoist couldn't do it!

The old Daoist, who had always called himself "If Heaven had not given birth to Lu Fangweng, the cowardly Daoist would have been as dark as a long night,"

Finally showed some backbone today.

"Heh heh, then you can die together. Those who are obstinate are as guilty as demons."

The monkey took out the Yin-Yang Record from his little backpack,

And began to "squeak squeak squeak" at the hunched figure,

That's right,

Boss Zhou's Yin-Yang Record was still with the monkey.

This was Boss Zhou's style. Such an important magical artifact was just given to the monkey to keep.

Only the salted-fish Zhou could do such a capricious thing.

"Hahahaha..."

The hunched figure laughed loudly when he saw the monkey holding the Yin-Yang Record and pointing it at him.

He pointed at the monkey and said,

"Using the records of the previous dynasty to capture the people of this dynasty, Your Excellency is truly an impressive official."