Ji Yuan came to the edge of the pavilion and looked at the water surface outside the railing. His originally calm heart rippled like the lake.
At this moment, he could be sure that the evil spirit causing trouble had been among the crowd before, likely disguised as a traveling physician, secretly using wicked means to bewitch people.
This would explain why so many doctors and physicians, who had been practicing for years, would prescribe tonics as if they had lost their minds.
These individuals, with medical experience of twenty to thirty years at least, and up to forty or fifty years, how could they not see through the superficial weakness of the young master of the Zhao family?
However, these flaws, which should have been noticed immediately, were only realized several hours later.
For Ji Yuan, who always prided himself on his caution, this was something that could never have happened.
But no matter how impossible, it had happened. The facts were before him; he had indeed overlooked such a crucial clue for some reason at the beginning.
Now, even if the Zhao family mobilized most of their forces, it would be difficult to apprehend the evil spirit. The entity would have undoubtedly vanished and hidden itself again immediately after leaving the Zhao residence.
"This evil spirit is quite formidable!"
Ji Yuan suddenly muttered to himself, his eyes flickering.
Besides his profound good fortune, he considered his caution and innate powerful intuition to be his most valuable assets.
It was precisely because of his cautious approach and strong intuition that he became renowned within a radius of hundreds of miles around Qianyu City in just over a year, becoming a honored guest of the three major sects and many cultivation forces.
Otherwise, relying solely on his meager cultivation, no matter how brilliant his alchemy and talisman crafting skills were, he would have long been devoured, possibly ending up with no remains.
The path of cultivation for Qi practitioners, as well as the martial path for body refiners, was far from the idyllic portrayals in storybooks; it was fraught with danger.
Yet, this time, his survival instincts—his caution and intuition—seemed to have failed him, unable to see through the obvious flaws immediately.
The only plausible explanation was that the evil spirit's method of bewitching people was extremely potent, and upon his entry into the Zhao residence, it had secretly clouded his state of mind and senses.
"Benefactor, the evil energy within your young master has been completely purged."
As Ji Yuan was deep in thought, the Buddhist chanting that had been in his ears for an unknown time finally ceased, and he heard Huixin recite a Buddhist name.
He turned and saw the young boy, who had looked haggard before, now radiant and full of vitality.
One had to marvel at the unique efficacy of Buddhist scriptures in spiritual matters. They had not only removed the evil energy from Zhao Yuebai but had also slightly elevated his state of mind.
If he were to embark on the path of cultivation in the future, this purification of evil energy by Buddhist methods today might indeed lead to a smoother journey.
"Good! Good! Good!"
Old Master Zhao hurried forward, examining his grandson from head to toe. Overwhelmed with joy, he uttered the word "good" three times.
The household servants, who had been prepared, discreetly stepped forward as their master laughed heartily, respectfully presenting two small wooden boxes that had been ready for Ji Yuan and Huixin.
As soon as they held the wooden boxes, both felt a noticeable weight and heard the faint clinking sound of gold ingots.
Apart from the weight of the boxes themselves, the gold ingots inside likely amounted to at least three or four pieces.
Even for Ji Yuan, the value within was enough to cover the cost of several of his most expensive batches of medicinal pills.
"A small token of our gratitude. Please do not refuse."
Seeing Huixin hesitate, Old Master Zhao said earnestly.
In contrast, Ji Yuan, upon receiving the wooden box, cheerfully tucked it into his portable medicine chest with a natural and fluid motion.
"Monk, your cultivation of the mind is still insufficient. You must read Buddhist scriptures, but don't neglect worldly affairs. Otherwise, how can you truly embody your Buddhist teachings?"
Ji Yuan glanced at Huixin and spoke with feigned profundity.
Upon hearing this, the young monk let out a wry smile, but perhaps taking the words to heart, he frankly accepted the unexpected windfall.
In Huixin's view, having already accepted a gold ingot from Ji Yuan as payment for removing the evil energy, this box of gold ingots could indeed be considered an unexpected bonus.
"Yuebai, I thank both Daoist Ji and Master Huixin again for saving my life!"
The boy, imitating scholars, clasped his hands in a bow, bending his small waist fully, and thanked them in a clear and generous voice.
Witnessing this, Huixin repeatedly shook his head, stating it was his duty, and that taking payment for averting disaster was an eternal truth, whether on the path of cultivation or the martial path.
Ji Yuan, on the other hand, appeared quite composed, and in fact, he was fully deserving of Zhao Yuebai's bow.
"The hour is late. Since the young master is well, we shall take our leave."
Ji Yuan chuckled happily, bid farewell, and with a household servant, led Huixin away.
No matter how Old Master Zhao tried to persuade them, the young Daoist did not agree to stay for dinner at the Zhao residence or even for the night.
"Why the hurry?"
On the way out of the Zhao residence, Huixin asked softly.
Ji Yuan couldn't help but roll his eyes and retorted impatiently, "The matter is resolved, why linger here? Are you perhaps coveting the Zhao family's delicacies and their soft, comfortable beds?"
Hearing this, Huixin's expression immediately turned serious. After reciting a Buddhist name, he explained that he had no such intentions.
Ji Yuan, unconcerned, showed a hint of worry. He swept his gaze around, observing the hurried movements of the Zhao family's maids and servants.
"If we don't leave now, we might not be able to leave later."
He said softly.
Huixin was taken aback for a moment, then understood the meaning behind his words.
However, being a kind-hearted monk, a look of pity appeared on his face. He glanced at the young Daoist beside him, as if intending to persuade him.
"I advise you to stop. Don't you see what our cultivation levels are? Merely at the early stage of enlightenment."
Ji Yuan, without even looking at him, understood what he wanted to say and said sternly, "That evil spirit is at least at the late stage of enlightenment. With our cultivation, what difference can we make?"
If it were an ordinary family, they would have stayed and done their best regardless of their low cultivation. However, the Zhao family, as the leader of the three major sects and having commanded the martial world for hundreds of miles around Qianyu City for decades, would hardly lack two young cultivators at the early stage of enlightenment.
Huixin was speechless. After a sigh, he could only leave with the young Daoist beside him.
Half an incense stick later, on the lake pavilion within the elegant courtyard, Old Master Zhao was drinking hot tea, a contemplative look on his face.
"Father, I'm feeling a bit cold."
The boy, with rosy lips, white teeth, and a delicate appearance, couldn't help but mumble, affected by the cold wind blowing across the lake.
Hearing this, Old Master Zhao poured a cup of hot tea and placed it before the boy. "Here, drink some hot tea. You won't be cold after drinking it."
Zhao Yuebai nodded and drank the tea, which contained a hint of spiritual energy. Whether it was the hot tea or the spiritual energy within, after this cup, he indeed no longer felt cold.
It was at this moment that Old Master Zhao suddenly stood up, gazed at a section of the lake, and after a long silence, declared loudly, "Your plan has failed. Are you truly willing to abandon it and not attempt any remedy?"
In the pavilion, several household servants stood with their heads bowed in silence, while the boy looked puzzled.
Almost as soon as Old Master Zhao's voice fell, an inexplicable evil wind appeared on the lake, stirring ripples that spread outwards continuously.