Gu Qin watched the unconscious, pale-faced man lying on the bed. She retrieved the ginseng she had found in the mountains, slicing thin pieces for him to s*ck on. It would replenish him and provide spiritual energy.

Qin Xiansheng said, "Let's wait. I'll go buy some food, you watch over him."

After buying food, they ate and rested. Qin Xiansheng stayed in the same room as Mosi Yan for easier care, while Gu Qin stayed in the adjacent room.

The next morning, Mosi Yan woke up in agony. The yin qi inside him stirred, causing intense pain, making him sweat profusely and tremble uncontrollably, biting his lips to stifle cries.

Gu Qin worriedly asked, "Why is the yin beast stirring now?"

Xian Sheng placed his hand on Wan Suiyan's wrist, transferring his primordial energy, "The yin beast's yin qi entered his body yesterday, awakening the yin beast again. This time, it might not be easy to bear." Every time the yin beast wreaked havoc inside them, they could only endure it. If they couldn't bear it, the outcome would be death.

Qin Xian Sheng continued, "The two of us will take turns helping him."

Gu Qin nodded.

Primordial energy was continuously transferred into Wan Suiyan's body. After several hours, Qin Xian Sheng began to feel exhausted and handed over to Gu Qin, who placed her hand on his heart pulse, slowly transferring the energy.

It wasn't until evening that Wan Suiyan stopped struggling and fell into a peaceful sleep.

The next morning, Wan Suiyan woke up and saw the two of them sitting nearby on the sofa. He struggled to sit up and said, "Thank you, Senior Brother and Sister-in-law."

"I should be the one thanking you. If not for you, I'd be the one lying in bed," Gu Qin walked over and asked, "Are you hungry? What do you want to eat?"

Wan Suiyan replied, "I'd like something light. Sister-in-law, could you buy some for me?" His appearance looked pitiful, and Gu Qin couldn't help but sigh and turned to leave.

She bought some clear porridge and small dishes and returned. Wan Suiyan ate everything clean. Qin Xian Sheng said, "You're almost recovered. My wife and I are going back tomorrow. What about you?"

Wan Suiyan smiled bitterly, "To be honest, these years, I've been traveling all over without a fixed place to stay. If you don't mind, I'd like to go back with you to Jiumen."

Qin Xian Sheng was silent for a moment before saying, "Alright, then you can come back with me tomorrow."

"Thank you, Senior Brother," Wan Suiyan said. "I know what you're worried about—is it because I'm in contact with my master? I laughed at myself. After he treated me like that, I haven't seen him since I ran away. As for when I escaped, I didn't have your ability to hurt him. More importantly, it was because of him that I survived. At that time, I was young, and my father often beat me. That time, he nearly killed me, breaking several bones, with blood pouring from my nose and eyes. It was Master who found me and took me back."

He paused and continued, "Regardless of his intentions, he saved me. So, these past years, I've avoided him, fearing I might be unable to resist the urge to strike back. After enduring so much over a hundred years, I've paid back every bit of the debt."

Gu Qin saw genuine pain in his expression and believed his words, reducing her doubts.

After listening, Qin Xian Sheng did not comment much, only saying, "Tomorrow, when we return to Jiumen, just say I'm your senior brother. Stay there and recover."

"Okay," Wan Suiyan said, feeling tired and went back to sleep.

Gu Qin booked tickets for the next morning. Two days later, it would be New Year's Eve, and they would arrive right on time.

Just as she finished booking the tickets, Cheng Yinxiang called. Seeing Gu Qin answer, she panicked and said, "Finally, you picked up. Where have you been? Why couldn't I reach you? You scared me."

Gu Qin smiled, "Mom, Qin Brother and I went into the mountains and found some good things. Don't worry, we'll be back tomorrow. Have Uncle Lu book the hotel first; we'll have the New Year's dinner soon."

"Good, good. As long as you're fine, I'm relieved. Your Uncle Lu has already reserved the restaurant."

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They chatted for a bit and hung up. Gu Qin turned to Qin Xian Sheng and said, "Mom invited you to have New Year's Eve dinner with us."

Qin Xian Sheng said warmly, "Alright, let's have lunch with Uncle and Aunt, and you can join me for dinner at Jiumen."

Gu Qin nodded.

The next morning, the three of them boarded the plane back to Beijing.

Wan Suiyan and Qin Xian Sheng went to Jiumen and didn't show up for two days. On New Year's Eve, he came with gifts. The family went to the hotel for New Year's dinner. Coincidentally, they met old acquaintances, the Bai family.

Bai Father brought his family out for New Year's dinner and greeted Gu Qing when he saw her, "Miss Gu, it's fate. We meet again."

Gu Qing smiled, "Mr. Bai, hello."

The two younger sons of the Bai family also came forward to greet her respectfully. The youngest son, Bai Lao San, was now truly frightened after being educated by his father and second brother. He knew this girl was truly dangerous and someone he could not afford to offend.

The Bai family had started doing business again and was now more honest. They had won a bid for a piece of land and secured a bank loan. Over the years, the Bai family in Beijing had never been idle; even if they were down on their luck, they always had a few true friends willing to help. Therefore, it wasn't difficult for them to rise again.

This piece of land could make them a lot of money. It was just a transition. With Bai Father's eye for opportunity, the Bai family's revival was not far off. However, Bai Father was well aware that even if the Bai family rose again, he still dared not offend this girl.

After a few words, Bai Father led his two sons back to their private room. On the way back, Bai Father couldn't help but scold Bai Third Young Master, "Remember, this is our lucky break. We got this piece of land to rise again. Don't mess around and offend people, especially Miss Gu."

Bai Third Young Master was impatient, "Alright, alright, I get it. I'm not stupid. Besides, it wasn't me who offended her. It was Dad. When Dad tried to deal with her brother, that's how our Bai family ended up like this."

Bai Father was speechless and didn't speak anymore.

Gu Qing had dinner with her family and, in the afternoon, went with Qin Xian Sheng to Jiumen. This was Gu Qing's first time visiting Jiumen, and there weren't many people there.

Qin Xian Sheng was the head of Jiumen and had three apprentices. His eldest and second apprentices had been traveling for many years and hadn't returned. His youngest apprentice was someone Qin Xian Sheng had taken in a few years ago. Gu Qing had met him a few times and remembered his name—Zhu Xi.

The rest of the members of Jiumen were either disciples of his eldest or second apprentices or those who had joined due to certain fates.

Apart from these people, Jiumen hadn't recruited anyone for at least a few years.

Jiumen was located in a large courtyard house in Beijing. This courtyard house was big enough to accommodate thirty people.

This was Qin Xian Sheng's first time bringing someone to Jiumen, so everyone was familiar with Gu Qing. Zhu Xi had always known that his master favored Gu Qing and had mentioned her frequently within the sect. Therefore, it wasn't surprising that others knew of her.

As soon as they arrived, Zhu Xi called her 'Shifu Niang,' and others followed suit with various respectful titles.

The New Year's dinner was very lively, with a big group of people, setting up three tables. Qin Xian Sheng rarely showed such a warm smile.

After the dinner, Qin Xian Sheng took her to see Old Mu. Gu Qing gave Mu Lao a small box containing the dried ginseng slices she had processed.

She had cut one of the ginseng roots into thin slices to dry, while the other was naturally air-dried. She didn't dare give Cheng Yinxiang the ginseng slices yet, as they were too nourishing. With her current cultivation, she didn't need such strong tonics. However, Lu Qingrong could benefit from a very thin slice, which could be used to make tea. She only needed a little, about one or two slices a month.

Cutting the ginseng into very thin slices yielded hundreds of pieces, paper-thin. She gave Old Mu about a dozen slices, which she could see would be very beneficial to his health.

Though the amount seemed small, it was enough for Old Mu to last a year. Gu Qing put the slices in a small glass bottle with a wooden stopper and delivered it to Mu Lao.

Mu Lao did not refuse and pulled out the stopper, sniffing it, then turned to Gu Qing and said, "Qin Qin, this is a precious thing. This ginseng must be at least a hundred years old."

Gu Qing smiled, "It's probably five or six hundred years old. I stumbled upon it by chance, and it's not much. I brought some for Mu Lao. This ginseng is very nourishing. Use it twice a week to stew soup."

"Then I won't be polite," Mu Lao chuckled.

Just then, Mu Jing Juan returned, her eyes red. Seeing Gu Qing there, she paused for a moment before sitting down beside Mu Lao on the sofa, "Dad, Xiao Yue has realized her mistake. Please let her come back. This child says she's not doing well abroad and keeps having nightmares and bad luck. She's been in the hospital several times this month. Dad, please let Xiao Yue come back."

Mu Lao's face darkened, "It's New Year's Day, do you really want to ruin everyone's mood?"

Mu Jing Juan covered her eyes and sobbed for a moment, "Dad, I didn't mean to. You said today is a day for reunion. Only Xiao Yue is alone abroad. How can I, as a mother, not be concerned?"

Xu Lian brought a cup of tea to Mu Jing Juan, "You know your father is firm in his decisions. Moreover, those who make mistakes should be punished. Don't worry, disciplining her now is better than letting her cause bigger problems later, isn't it?"

Mu Jing Juan was speechless and could no longer bring up her daughter's situation.

After drinking tea and watching TV with Mu Lao, they returned home. On the way, Gu Qing asked Qin Xian Sheng, "Brother Qin, why does Kong Xiaoyue keep having nightmares?"

Qin Xian Sheng said gently, "I placed something on her, but don't worry. It won't kill her. She will definitely suffer some consequences."

After seeing Mu Lao's face, he spared her life, but the suffering was quite severe, especially the mental torment.

***

Regarding Kong Xiaoyue, Gu Qing's view was similar to Xu Lian's. She thought that Xiaoyue should suffer a little to prevent future disasters.

Kong Xiaoyue indeed had a tough time abroad. Nightly nightmares were the worst torture, along with other misfortunes. She lost about twenty pounds, became emaciated, with sunken eyes and a pale, sallow complexion.

During the New Year, being alone abroad was heartbreaking. She couldn't help but call her family, pleading with Mu Jing Juan to convince her grandfather to let her return. Mu Jing Juan promised to mention it during the New Year's dinner, telling her to wait for a call later.

When Mu Jing Juan called at ten o'clock, Xiaoyue anxiously answered, "Mom, how did it go?"

Mu Jing Juan sighed, "Xiaoyue, your grandpa disagrees..."

"How could this be?" Xiaoyue's mind buzzed. "Mom, I've already realized my mistake. Why won't Grandpa let me come back? Mom..."

"Xiaoyue," Mu Jing Juan's voice choked. "You know your grandpa's temper. He said three years... I estimate it'll be less than three years before he lets you come back."

Seeing her daughter's condition on video, Mu Jing Juan felt immense heartache and wanted to go abroad to be with her. But her position made it impossible, requiring approval from her superior.

"Mom..." Xiaoyue screamed and burst into tears. "I can't take it anymore. I have nightmares every night, Mom, I'll call Grandpa and beg him..."

"Xiaoyue, you know your grandpa's temper. I've begged several times. If you beg again, he might keep you out for two more years... Forget it, Xiaoyue. I'll find someone to go with you and get through these three years."

"Mom, I don't want to, I just want to come back to China, Mom..." Xiaoyue cried more desperately.

Mu Jing Juan tried to comfort her for a long time before hanging up, feeling heartbroken by her daughter's cries.

Xiaoyue stared blankly at her phone, "Mom, I know I was wrong, Grandpa, I know I was wrong, I won't do it again, I promise, I'm sorry..."

But no one heard her plea.

After the New Year, Mu Jing Juan indeed hired someone to accompany Xiaoyue, offering a generous salary. Several people applied, and she chose someone close to her daughter's age. The visa process was smooth, and the girl arrived within days.

When she saw Xiaoyue, the girl was shocked. The photos showed a beautiful girl, but the real Xiaoyue was frightening, her face pale, with deep dark circles under her eyes. She asked, "Miss Kong, are you okay?"