I am dying of old age, and I have awakened to the character of longevity.

Xie An remained calm and squatted down to carefully examine the injuries on He Chunli's buttocks.

The beating was severe, with skin broken and flesh torn, and some areas were a bloody mess.

"This injury is quite serious. Hot water alone won't reduce the swelling; this butt might be ruined." Xie An took out some loose silver and handed it to Han Li, "Hurry to Chen's Martial Arts School and buy some wound medicine and gauze from Chen He. It would be best to invite Chen He as well."

It was New Year's Eve, and the pharmacies were already closed.

But if Chen He knew that he needed it urgently, he would definitely agree.

Han Li took the money and hurried out, returning shortly with gauze and wound medicine, followed by Chen He.

"Old Chen, on New Year's Eve, instead of staying home to celebrate, I'm troubling you to make a trip. I'm truly sorry!" Xie An quickly went to greet him. In fact, he wasn't surprised by Chen He's arrival.

Ever since Xie An saved Chen He's life from bandits, Chen He's attitude towards Xie An had undergone a tremendous change.

In addition to gratitude, there was also a hint of awe.

Previously, Chen He always acted like a big brother in front of Xie An. After that, the big brother became a little brother…

"I have no children of my own, so what's the point of staying up for the New Year? I came to see how your precious disciple is doing." Chen He waved his hand, took out the medicine box he carried with him, and took out wound medicine and gauze to treat He Chunli's wound.

Chen He had been helping Chen's Martial Arts School run the pharmacy for many years, so he was naturally skilled at treating wounds and bandaged it up in no time.

"Fortunately, the bones weren't injured. With a little recuperation for a month or so, he should recover. Remember to change the dressing frequently during this period…"

He Chunli was moved to tears, "Thank you, Shopkeeper Chen."

"Don't mention it. We're all family with Brother Xie." Chen He left a sufficient amount of gauze and wound medicine, explained the details of changing the dressing and various precautions, and then left in a hurry.

Xie An didn't put on any airs either, and still politely saw Chen He out as usual, watching him disappear into the distance before returning to the pawnshop.

Perhaps the wound medicine was effective, as He Chunli was already able to stand up with the help of the tables and chairs. When he saw Xie An, he knelt down on the ground, tears streaming down his face, "Thank you, Master, for saving my life! From now on, Little He's life belongs to Master. I will work like a cow or a horse to repay you."

Han Li was touched and also knelt down.

In this world, it was perfectly normal for a disciple to kneel to his master.

Moreover, as a slave, He Chunli was well aware of how insignificant his life was. If Master hadn't found Chen He today to treat and bandage him, his butt would probably have been ruined. If he were to become disabled in the future, he would be abandoned and sold off because he was no longer of use to his master.

He had gone through the same thing himself, so he could understand He Chunli's feelings very well.

"Tonight, don't go back to the communal bunk. Stay with Master in the backyard and celebrate the New Year together."

The two disciples were overjoyed to hear this.

He Chunli had lost his parents long ago and had grown up with Xie An since he was a child. Every year, celebrating the New Year with his master gave him the feeling of having a family, and it was the happiest day of the year.

Han Li was also unlucky, having been sold off by his family at a young age, but Han Li was kind-hearted and would still save some money to help his seriously ill father. He had taken leave earlier because of this.

Entering the backyard, Han Li quickly closed the doors and windows and lit the stove. Xie An then took out the dried fruits and snacks he had prepared long ago, and also opened a jar of treasured old wine. The three of them sat around the stove, eating snacks and drinking wine, talking through the night, and celebrating the New Year in peace.

Because He Chunli's butt had been split open, he couldn't sit down and had to lie on a long bench. The posture was naturally uncomfortable, but he was able to enjoy Han Li's occasional feeding, which gave him special treatment, and he kept laughing happily.

After a few rounds of wine, Xie An asked at the right time, "Xiao He, you'll be eighteen after the New Year. Do you have any wishes?"

He Chunli ate a peanut and said naturally, "I just want to serve Master peacefully."

Xie An knew that He Chunli was always honest, so he didn't ask much and turned to look at Han Li, "What about you?"

Han Li said, "I want to save money, redeem myself in the future, and marry a wife and have a baby. If I'm lucky, I'll buy a courtyard house and be a small master."

He Chunli retorted, "You, you want to be a master?"

"What? Don't you want to?"

He Chunli looked sad, "I want to, but I know it's impossible."

Xie An saw the thoughts of his two disciples, but he didn't point them out.

Han Li was two years older than He Chunli, with a flexible mind and daring to think and act. He Chunli was more down-to-earth, with a firm character and not being overly ambitious.

Although life was difficult, both of them harbored dreams.

But realizing them was easier said than done.

If he hadn't received the Golden Finger, he would probably be the same as these two disciples.

At this time, He Chunli asked Xie An, "Master, what are your wishes?"

Xie An smiled relievedly, "Me? I just hope that you two little brats will graduate soon and each be successful. I'll be satisfied with that in this life."

The two disciples were moved to tears by their master's words. Especially Han Li, he felt that Master was thinking of him, but he was thinking of marrying a wife, and he felt a little guilty…

In the second half of the night, the two disciples could no longer hold on and fell asleep on the bed.

Xie An, who had been practicing the Longevity Art for a long time, had even better spirits than young people. He tucked the quilt over the two disciples, looked at them carefully for a while, and a gratified smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

Xie An had no family in this world, but he had depended on these two disciples for more than ten years. Although there was no blood relationship, after spending a long time together, he would have feelings of attachment and concern in his heart. He sincerely wanted the two disciples to live well, peacefully and happily.

After a moment of daze, Xie An turned around, picked up his dagger, slung his heavy bow, and left with his quiver on his back.

The latest and most complete novels are launched first on Liu 9 Shu Ba!

…

There were many restaurants in Wuqiao Town, but there was only one high-end restaurant.

Flying Cloud Restaurant.

The ingredients inside were very precious. An ordinary meal would cost at least five or six coins of silver, and a slightly better meal would cost one or two taels of silver. It was definitely not something ordinary people could afford.

Even on New Year's Eve, the restaurant was decorated with lanterns and colors, opening its doors to welcome guests.

In the second half of the night, the drunken Li Shaoyun and Zhang Biao walked out of the restaurant door with their arms around each other's shoulders, looking quite unsatisfied.

"Young Master Li, thank you for providing the convenience today, so that I could let Li He go to the pawnshop to interrogate people."

"They are just a few lowly servants, their life and death are insignificant. Brother Zhang doesn't need to worry about it."

"Haha, Young Master Li is generous. By the way, I'll have to trouble you with Envoy Zhu's side."

"Brother Zhang, rest assured, Envoy Zhu is my teaching teacher at the Jiangwu Hall. It just so happens that there is a vacancy for a constable. With Brother Zhang's strength and experience, it should be no problem to take the position of constable in the county government. It's just that my nominal deacon position…"

"Easy to say. I certainly don't have the ability to get a real deacon position for my brother, but a nominal one is not a problem. I've taken care of the relationships. On the eighth day of the New Year, you can go directly to the Black Blood Ridge to take office."

"Thank you, Brother Zhang." Li Shaoyun cupped his hands and thanked him. Outsiders only knew Li Shaoyun's superficial glory, but only Li Shaoyun himself knew that he was able to pass the martial arts examination this time because the Li family had emptied most of its savings to send heavy gifts.

If he wanted to pass the provincial examination in three years, his strength was far from enough. If he could become a nominal deacon at the Tiger Wolf Gate, he could get better martial arts resources.

Only in this way could he possibly pass the examination.

The two had just said goodbye at the door when a masked man walked out of the dark corner.

It was Xie An.

"My disciple He Chunli was severely tortured and almost forced to confess… It was indeed you, Zhang Biao, who was behind it!"

"Li Shaoyun… You actually participated in it too! Just wait for me."

After weighing the pros and cons, Xie An quietly followed Zhang Biao.

He saw Zhang Biao riding a blue-maned horse towards Black Blood Ridge outside the town. Because he was in a good mood, the drunken Zhang Biao hummed a little tune all the way.

"Hmph, Zhang Lin, you old fool, do you really think I see you as an opponent? And you, Wei Dian, are not a good person either, suppressing me everywhere. Do you really think I care about being a small deacon? When next year comes, I'll transform myself into a yamen constable. I'll take people to extort your Black Blood Ridge. At that time, when you, Wei Dian, see me, you'll have to obediently bow your head and pay for it."

"But my nephew died unjustly. Most likely, he was killed by someone from your Black Blood Ridge. When I become a constable, I will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly."

Zhang Biao rode his horse through a forest path, muttering to himself with a ferocious expression.

Just then, Zhang Biao heard a sharp whistle behind him…

It was the buzzing sound of an arrow piercing through the air!