The Unruly Immortals

Zhao Qin, standing to the side, clearly had no idea what Li Huowang was talking about.

As he clenched his fists, about to say something, an elderly woman's voice caught his attention, and he could no longer focus on his original thoughts.

"Look, husband, our son has come back again."

Shocked, he turned to look at his wife, only to find clarity in her eyes for the first time in thirty years.

"You… you recognize me?" Zhao Qin rushed to her side, excitedly taking her hands in his.

"Husband, look how good our son is. So young, yet he knows how to show filial piety. He knows I like freshly fried dough sticks, and he went out early in the morning just to buy them for me."

The old woman said this as she gently bit the corner of the young boy's clothes with her loose teeth.

Following this, to their astonishment, the disciples of the Longteng Escort Agency saw tears streaming down their normally stoic Chief Escort's face.

Zhao Qin went over and embraced his wife, breaking down in tears. "Feng Xia… my apologies to you!"

Wang Chengxing, who had been a disciple under his master since he was young, felt his nose tingle. Though his master was strict, he knew it was just a facade.

At that moment, Bai Lingmiao approached Li Huowang and tugged at his sleeve, asking in amazement, "Brother Li, how did you do it? You're incredible."

Li Huowang watched the elderly couple embracing, his expression tinged with complexity. "Illness breeds expertise in medicine. I've seen cases like this in the clinic before, and actually, I'm better at identifying psychotropic drugs than diagnosing symptoms."

"So what curse did she fall under?"

Li Huowang sighed lightly. "She wasn't cursed. She just experienced a severe shock back then and couldn't get over it. Being confined for thirty years made her like this."

He then decided to leave the somewhat dim room with Bai Lingmiao, but after only a few steps, someone stopped him.

It was Zhao Qin, eyes brimming with tears as he clasped his hands together and deeply bowed to Li Huowang. "Many thanks to our benefactor for your help!"

"Don't rush your thanks, the matter is not yet over. Take her out, clean her up, and change her into clean clothes."

For Zhao Qin, Li Huowang's words were as good as an Imperial Edict; he acted immediately.

The old woman, now dressed in fresh clothing, was placed in a bright and warm bedroom, though she still held the young child in her arms.

Li Huowang instructed Zhao Qin at the side. "If she likes holding the child, let her hold one. Spend some money to hire a few children to take turns. She's seeking a substitute in her heart, to compensate for what she missed in the past."

"When her inner emotions have mostly vented, you can replace the child with a doll."

"On sunny days, take her out to get more sunlight. Sun exposure tends to improve one's mood, which benefits the patient's recovery."

"If there's truly no one to accompany her, keep a couple of dogs by her side; pets can also help stabilize her mindset."

"Thirty years is really too long. Such conditions are more effectively managed with early intervention. You'd better focus on stabilizing her condition."

Pausing for a moment, Li Huowang recounted to Zhao Qin other details that he remembered the doctor advising family members of other patients.

"I only remember this much. Give it a try; it's surely better than keeping her locked in a dark room. Remember, don't confine her anymore and avoid using chains. She's already sick; the more you restrict her, the worse it gets."

Zhao Qin, looking at his quietly sitting wife, was filled with excitement and kept repeating, "This is already very good, more than good enough."

That his wife could recognize him after thirty years was something he had never even dared to dream of.

Li Huowang, at this moment, seemed to him like the Medical Immortal incarnate!

"Alright then, if there's nothing else, we'll leave it at that, we're heading back, we still have to hit the road tomorrow."

As soon as Li Huowang stood up to leave, he was blocked by Zhao Qin spreading his arms wide, his voice trembling as he spoke to his disciple, "Yuan Hu! Go to Dongfu Building and arrange a feast, a grand feast!"

To express his sincerity, Zhao Qin pulled out all the stops.

The best tavern in the small town was entirely booked by Longteng Escort Agency to host Li Huowang and his company.

The highest grade banquet in the tavern was nothing like the one in the inn's hall. A variety of delicacies had everyone licking their lips in anticipation. Smoked chicken with fruitwood, braised whole fish, steamed assorted preserved meats, acacia flower soup…

Especially the roasted suckling pig in the center of the table, its tender flesh was roasted to a crispy golden brown, enveloped in a thick gravy that shimmered with oil under the candlelight, wafting an overwhelming fragrance in waves.

It wasn't just the people, even Mantou crouched at Li Huowang's feet, excitedly licking its tongue while waiting for leftover bones.

Sitting in the seat of honor, Li Huowang wasn't paying any attention to these details; instead, he was turned to one side, listening to Chun Xiaoman recount the whole story of what had happened.

"Next time something like this happens, ask me first before you act recklessly, and don't get Bai Lingmiao involved," Li Huowang said.

Such issues must be handled well, for if they're not, they become yet another troublesome affair.

Chun Xiaoman paused for a moment, as if she wanted to argue, but in the end, she didn't say anything and just nodded. "Yes, Brother Li."

Seeing Zhao Qin, now dressed in formal attire, leading a group of disciples up the wooden staircase, Li Huowang adjusted his posture to sit up straight.

With eyes blazing, Zhao Qin didn't say a word; instead, he poured a full glass and downed three cups straight in the direction of Li Huowang.

"Escort Leader Zhao, you're too kind. I only intervened in your affair because I couldn't stand by and watch things go awry. Please let everyone else take a seat."

Li Huowang first picked up a piece of chicken with his chopsticks, and seeing the escort bodyguards begin to move their chopsticks, he then put it into his mouth, signaling the others to start eating as well.

The other guests, no longer able to wait, impatiently began to dine, and amidst the intimidation of the bodyguards' conduct, the quantity of food on the table visibly diminished.

After biting into a big chicken leg and taking a bite, Li Huowang tossed it underneath the table.

"My benefactor, profound gratitude need not be spoken! Today, you've saved my wife as if you saved me! Tomorrow, a substantial gift shall be delivered to your residence, and I hope you won't refuse it!"

Zhao Qin, his nose reddening from the wine, was obviously talking more than before.

"Furthermore, if you ever encounter any difficulties in the future, Longteng Escort Agency will surely offer its full support!"

Having said this, Zhao Qin downed another three cups of wine while facing Li Huowang.

Just as he was about to pour a fourth cup, Li Huowang stopped him with his chopsticks. "Escort Leader Zhao, it's better not to drink too much of this stuff. Being drunk makes it hard to talk properly. Actually, I do have a favor to ask of you."

"Since you're in the escort business and the bodyguards are all skilled, do you have any good swordsmanship suitable for someone a cut above the rest?"

This was not just for Chun Xiaoman but for himself as well.

Having just received a good sword from the Mistress, it wouldn't do without a corresponding swordsmanship; after all, even with a fine sword, one can't just brandish it like a fire poker and stab wildly, can they?

Since he had raised the issue, it was only reasonable for Li Huowang to ask.