coobybook Chapter 167 Seeking a Clear Conscience
Chapter 167 Seeking a Clear Conscience
Chapter 167 Seeking a Clear Conscience
Upon hearing this again, both the old man and the young man beside Fei Xi wore solemn expressions.
Fei Xi didn't continue from where she left off. She gazed at the campfire before her, thinking of people far away, her thoughts drifting into distant memories.
“When I was young, I visited Wushuang Manor with my master. In the manor, I met several old people who were either crazy or had amnesia. They all suffered from a strange disease, which was like a stroke. They were unable to stand or walk and could only lie paralyzed on their beds.”
"The people of Wushuang Manor regarded the strange disease as a family curse. Master wanted to ask for more details, but the people of the manor brushed him off. At the request of the old manor lord, Master examined the pulses of the people in the manor suffering from this strange disease and found that they had yin deficiency in their liver and kidneys. However, no matter what medicine Master used, it was difficult to cure them."
"At the time, Master had a suspicion that this was a side effect of the Langxuan Grass. He wanted to borrow the Langxuan Grass to see if he could find a way to cure the strange illness of Wushuang Manor. However, the people of Wushuang Manor refused Master on the grounds that the Langxuan Grass was the manor's most precious treasure."
"Later, by chance, I discovered a village that could eat people. The local residents also contracted the same strange disease as the people of Wushuang Manor. I then realized that the strange disease in Wushuang Manor was not a curse, nor was it caused by consuming Langxuan Grass. Rather, it was the retribution they deserved for eating their own kind."
The last few words were spoken with emphasis, yet her face remained calm. Fei Xi gazed at the campfire; the roaring flames, like the anger that had once burned within her, still raged.
"'Treat the stomach with the stomach, the heart with the heart, the blood with the blood, the bone with the bone, the marrow with the marrow, and the skin with the skin.' The Medicine Sage's theory of treating the body with the body' was originally a treatment approach for certain diseases. However, the people of Wushuang Manor took this as golden advice for their jealousy and harming of others."
"Initially, they wanted to retain the internal energy that was constantly being lost in their bodies, so they went so far as to devour the original owners of the internal energy in their bodies."
"Later, the heart of a Buddhist monk, the tongue of a female impersonator, the eyes of a charlatan, the hands of an empty-handed person... all kinds of people, as long as they are exceptionally talented, will become delicacies enjoyed on the tables of Wushuang Manor. And what they like best are the martial arts practitioners. Whichever family is good at a certain unique skill, Wushuang Manor will specially cut off that part to eat."
"Raw cut?!" The imagery evoked by that word instantly stirred a familiar sense of disgust in Tang Huaiyi.
"They believe in the principle of 'like cures like,' meaning that if one is to seek healing, the best approach is to heal the living. Or rather..."
Fei Xi paused for a moment, her eyes cold yet tinged with a hint of mockery.
“They are deliberately using this as an excuse to torment their ‘prey’.”
A group of scum who have lost all humanity have obtained what does not belong to them through plunder.
Their already twisted minds have led them to resent those they have harmed.
They adorn themselves with expensive luxury items to gain a pathetic sense of superiority, thereby numbing the inferiority complex caused by their incompetence.
These people knew perfectly well that without Langxuan Grass, they would be nothing more than a bunch of useless good-for-nothings.
The more they witness others establishing themselves in the world through their own strength, the more their dark hearts ache as if being gnawed at.
"Don't be so thoughtful at such a young age!"
"Ah! Grandpa!"
Her hateful gaze suddenly froze. Coming to her senses, Fei Xi covered her head and glared angrily at the mean old man who had hit her on the head again.
The old man glared back defiantly.
He glanced at the brat, who was rubbing the girl's head and looking at him with displeasure, with a warning look.
Don't know what is good and what is bad!
"There are countless injustices in the world, how many can you possibly handle? The victims of Wushuang Manor will naturally have their families to avenge them, why are you meddling in this!"
The old man pointed at Fei Xi, and seeing that she was still defiant, he cursed even more fiercely.
"In my life, I have seen countless brilliant people. Nine times out of ten, things in this world are not as one wishes, and the root cause of this suffering cannot be shaken by one person alone. The more one knows, the more one suffers. Someone like you, who likes to keep everything to himself, will eventually destroy himself!"
"I didn't..." Fei Xi pouted, looking unconvinced.
But before she could finish speaking, the old man rudely interrupted her.
"If you don't like fish, why don't you just say so?"
"I was..."
"Who am I to you? Do you need to presumptuously humble yourself and cater to my feelings?"
Whether I want to get you something else to eat is my business. If you don't like it, no one can force you to!
"Suppressing your likes and dislikes, self-righteously compromising and doing things that move yourself while thinking you're doing it for others' benefit—who wants someone like that? Nobody cares!"
Tang Huaiyi, who didn't quite understand what the two were arguing about, suddenly stood up, moved to a corner, and opened his package.
When he returned to the campfire, he had some dried meat and flatbread wrapped in cloth in his hands.
The aroma of food filled the cave, the soup was boiling, and the faces behind the steam revealed a subtle ease and smile.
He wasn't worried at all about the two people arguing.
"You are very happy."
The person who was being verbally abused did not get angry; instead, he smiled slightly, revealing a smile identical to Tang Huaiyi's.
Meeting the old man's questioning gaze, Fei Xi's eyes shone with an astonishing brightness, leaving the old man speechless with shock.
"You look happy when the people from Changchang Escort Agency are enjoying their meal."
"More than disliking fish, I appreciate your kindness towards me, Grandpa. In Fei Xi's heart, this is a hundred times, a thousand times more precious than her own likes and dislikes!"
"Moreover, life is a difficult journey, and we need companions to lend a helping hand. I have no concern for others, nor do I care whether anyone cherishes me. I follow my heart and act according to my conscience; all my actions are driven by my heart."
On his overly young face was an indomitable courage and boldness.
The old man's lips moved, but before he could say anything, Fei Xi's expression returned to normal, her gentle tone carrying an undeniable firmness:
"I know I am but a nobody, and anything I say sounds like empty boasting, just hollow slogans with no persuasive power. But I am willing to do my best and do what I can. All Fei Xi has ever asked for is a clear conscience!"
Recalling her behavior since they met, the old man realized she wasn't a kind-hearted but coy person. He stroked his beard uncomfortably.
"You're asking for trouble. I won't help you."
"Feeling wronged? Only those who don't understand what they want in their hearts would feel that way. I am willing, and nothing is more precious than this."
As she spoke, Fei Xi tilted her head slightly, revealing a sly smile. Then, she propped herself up, stepped forward, tugged at the old man's sleeve, and said coquettishly:
"Grandpa, you can't just abandon me. We still need to go to Wushuang Manor together."
"Let go! This is the only piece of clothing I have, and you've torn it!"
Before he could finish speaking, there was a "rip" sound, and the cuff tore open with the force of the pull, revealing a muscular arm.
Fei Xi clicked her tongue inwardly. This was a true martial artist who had cultivated himself. Even in his old age, he was still muscular and strong, far superior to the pampered, white-skinned chickens of Wushuang Manor.
Lost in thought, she suddenly felt a sharp gaze on her head, and only then did she realize what she had done. She hurriedly let go of the tattered cloth in her hand, her eyes flickering, and pretended that nothing had happened, sitting back in her original seat.
"Sir, if you don't mind, please change into Huaiyi's clothes for now."
With his gaze, which had been fixed on the culprit, blocked, the old man gritted his teeth, took the clothes handed to him by the brat, and walked deeper into the cave.