Ling Zhenfei finally understood, this was the Celestial Maiden's taboo. No wonder he heard that morning that he had removed Hoshino Meigetsu's clothes. Although it was just the outer garment, she still wanted to kill him.

The body must not be touched by men, but Ling Zhenfei felt that he had touched her many times, at least when assisting Hoshino Meigetsu with her illness, he surely touched her. Just now, Ling Zhenfei even held Hoshino Meigetsu's hand.

It's a perfectly normal thing for others, but it does not apply to Hoshino Meigetsu, which makes any man uncomfortable.

"Alright, then let's leave it at that. It's getting late, if you don't leave, then rest well."

Hoshino Meigetsu seemed to have more to say, but she opened her mouth without saying anything.

The night was the same; Hoshino Meigetsu slept on the bed while Ling Zhenfei was cultivating all night long. Ling Zhenfei always had the feeling that he was close to breaking through.

The next morning, Ling Zhenfei went out early. As predicted, there was a pristine blanket of snow; it snowed all night and the whole world was covered in ice and snow.

The pond where yesterday's battle took place was now completely white, although it was slightly cold, the surrounding scenery provided a refreshing feeling.

Outside, there were people from the Watanabe Family already sweeping snow, even children building snowmen. It seemed lively and vibrant.

Ling Zhenfei realized that he thought he had gotten up early, but the Watanabe Family members were even earlier because it's a samurai family, so early morning training is customary.

At this moment, Watanabe Hideaki also came running over, holding a broom, apparently to sweep snow.

"Big Brother Ling, you're up so early. It's snowing heavily, and everyone is sweeping the snow."

Watanabe Hideaki seemed delighted, the expression from when they parted yesterday was completely gone.

"Are you also sweeping snow?" Ling Zhenfei asked in surprise.

"Yes, it's our tradition. After every snowfall, the whole family comes out to sweep the snow."

Ling Zhenfei couldn't help but marvel at the importance of family education, how the environment and methods from childhood can change a lot of things.

"This time you don't need to sweep the snow, go tell Mr. Watanabe that I am going to help Mr. Watanabe Kazushi with his illness this morning."

Watanabe Hideaki replied, "Okay, I'll go right away."

Watanabe Hideaki took her broom and headed back.

Ling Zhenfei strolled around by the lake, feeling much better. He made up his mind that since he had decided to treat Watanabe Kazushi, he couldn't think much about other things. He would take it one step at a time.

Ling Zhenfei wasn't easily deceived. To deceive Ling Zhenfei required some skill.

Watanabe Hideaki came running back: "Big Brother Ling, I've informed my father. He said he'll prepare immediately. You can go over shortly."

Ling Zhenfei nodded, pondering how to drive out the Northern Spiritual Energy inside Watanabe Kazushi.

He finally understood why Watanabe Nagayumi wanted the Dragon Tooth Dagger and the Phoenix Elixir Furnace so badly.

The Phoenix Elixir Furnace is for alchemy, while the Dragon Tooth Dagger absorbs spiritual energy, probably intended to counter the spiritual energy in Watanabe Kazushi's body.

A mysterious force seemed to guide Ling Zhenfei forward, eventually bringing him here to help treat Watanabe Kazushi.

Just like Lu Huanong spoke of heavenly retribution, Ling Zhenfei truly witnessed it once. When assisting Lu Huanong in alchemy, he failed several times but succeeded under the protection of spiritual energy.

Now, Lu Huanong has predicted that Ling Zhenfei is in danger in Japan. What is the danger? It's still unclear, but it's related to the conflict between Ittō-ryū and Iga-ryu.

The conflict between Ittō-ryū and Iga-ryu made Ling Zhenfei want to stay neutral and offend no one. However, treating Watanabe Kazushi's illness would offend the Hoshino Family.

Nonetheless, Ling Zhenfei planned it out; as long as he treated Watanabe Kazushi and obtained the Heaven-Devouring Divine Cloth, then he would leave immediately, even if it meant obtaining the Heaven-Devouring Divine Cloth today.

"Big Brother Ling, how long will it take to help Great-Grandfather with his illness?" Watanabe Hideaki asked.

Ling Zhenfei pondered a moment and said, "It should not take long. My method might succeed today."

"Then will you stay at our home for a few days after succeeding?" Watanabe Hideaki asked expectantly.

Ling Zhenfei shook his head: "No, I will leave immediately, lest prolonged stay causes unnecessary trouble."

"Oh," Watanabe Hideaki said, a bit disappointed.

"No worries. If there's a chance, we might meet again."

Ling Zhenfei and Watanabe Hideaki walked towards the place where Watanabe Kazushi lived. At the door, Ling Zhenfei's phone suddenly rang; it was Hoshino Meigetsu's call.

Ling Zhenfei quickly answered the phone: "Hey, is there something wrong?"

On the other end, Hoshino Meiya's voice came through: "Ling Zhenfei, have you really thought it through? If you treat Watanabe Kazushi's illness, you'll become an enemy of Ittō-ryū."

Ling Zhenfei knew it was too late for explanations, whatever needed explaining was already done yesterday.

"I have already decided."

After saying that, Ling Zhenfei hung up the phone. As he did, his heart suddenly hurt for some reason—a feeling difficult to describe.

Ling Zhenfei hung up the phone, and Watanabe Hideaki beside him asked: "Who was it, Big Brother Ling?"

"No one, just a person with idle talk. Let's go inside."

Ling Zhenfei and Watanabe Hideaki walked into the room where Watanabe Kazushi was. Outside, people were already waiting.

The people inside were a mix of men and women, all waiting for Ling Zhenfei's instructions. Last time when Ling Zhenfei helped Watanabe Kazushi expel poison, many people were involved, so Watanabe Nagayumi prepared many this time.

Ling Zhenfei entered the room; it contained only Watanabe Kazushi and Watanabe Nagayumi.

"Ling Zhenfei, you've finally made up your mind. I'm very pleased," Watanabe Nagayumi said with a smile.

Although Watanabe Nagayumi seemed very amiable, Ling Zhenfei recalled Nagayumi's previous betrayal and felt this matter might not be so simple.

Hoshino Meigetsu had repeatedly warned him about the unreliability of the Watanabe Family, which Ling Zhenfei knew. Last time, he was betrayed. Who knows if healing Watanabe Kazushi would result in being deceived again, so Ling Zhenfei decided to be cautious, lest he lament unknowingly.

"Indeed, Mr. Watanabe, I have thought it over, but the treatment requires preparation time. Please allow me some time to prepare."

"Of course, what does Mr. Ling need to prepare? I can arrange people to prepare it," Watanabe Nagayumi seemed very eager for Ling Zhenfei's treatment.

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