Chapter 8: Father and Son

Chapter 8: Father and Son

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Two weeks have passed since Liu Jin was saved by Xiao Fang.

Two weeks have passed since Liu Jin and Xiao Fang last exchanged words.

No, perhaps even saying they exchanged words two weeks ago is an exaggeration. After all, Xiao Fang had done his best to ignore Liu Jin's presence, only deigning to direct one sentence to him at the end and only to affirm saving Liu Jin from Yun Han changed nothing between them. Since then, Liu Jin has seen Xiao Fang once or twice around the Xiao Sect's compound but had been unsure of how to approach him.

As the Xiao Sects young master, Xiao Fang is a distant existence to him at the best of times. With this incident hanging between them, Liu Jin can only feel their relationship has become more complicated.

As far as Liu Jin can remember, Xiao Fang has been an annoyance. The older boy never made a secret what he thought of him and his father. Even after Liu Jin started training with the Xiao Sect, Xiao Fang plainly told him he would never see him as a real disciple of the Sect.

Yet Xiao Fang had saved him from a situation that could have ended badly for him. At worst, he could have died back there.

Xiao Fang had gone as far as to proclaim him a member of the Xiao Sect in front of everyone.

Liu Jin does not understand what motivated Xiao Fang to do so, but he cannot deny that it happened. Even if he does not like itand he really does not like ithe owes Xiao Fang a debt. To think someone so unpleasant had to save him it is nothing short of humi-

"Focus!"

A single word from his father is all it takes to shake him out of his thoughts and back to his lessons.

Floating in front of Liu Jin are five different herbs that he is refining with his Qi. It is a simple exercise that Liu Jin has been doing for as long as his father has been teaching him. Refining ingredients is an important skill for a doctor to have. Once ingredients have been properly refined, they will show improved properties. Two doctors can use the same ingredients to make a medicine, but a medicine made with ingredients that have been refined will show better results than one made with ingredients that have not been refined at all.

Each ingredient was unique and required focus and concentration to properly refine. Liu Jin started learning by refining one ingredient at a time. The first time, it took him over an hour. He has, of course, gotten much better since then. Two years ago, Liu Jin first managed to refine two ingredients at the same time. Currently, five was his limit.

According to his father, a true master could refine any number of ingredients in a single breath, but Liu Jin is still far from that level.

On average, Liu Jin can refine five ingredients in sixty breaths. His personal best is only forty breaths. For someone his age, it is more than impressive. It is astounding. Liu Jin, however, does not know this. He can only outrageously compare himself to the standards of the great masters his father sometimes mentions.

Still, it is because he is not a great master that Liu Jin cannot allow his mind to wander during the exercise. Had his father not called out to him, he would have most likely lost control of the process, and the ingredients would have been ruined. Such an outcome cannot be allowed to happen.

Using Qi is not necessary to refine ingredients. Indeed, his father was able to refine ingredients without Qi for quite a few years before he taught Liu Jin how to do it. However, those other methods cannot compare with Qi when it comes to results and speed. That is why ever since he has been capable of it, Liu Jin has taken it upon himself to make sure the clinic is properly stocked with refined ingredients, one breath at a time.

"I am sorry, father," Liu Jin says once he has gotten the process back under control. "My mind will not wander anymore."

"That is not for you to ask," his father replies, and the finality in his tone is enough for Liu Jin to drop that line of questioning.

"Did he teach you how to do it?" Liu Jin asks instead.

"Master taught me everything he could," His father says. It is not a real answer, but he is not denying the possibility. "Master is... Master is brilliant. Without a doubt, the best in the entire continent, and I would dare say he has no equal in this world. I have benefitted much from his teachings."

His father stops for a moment. An unfamiliar look crosses his face. A decision is made. "You could learn much from him."

This time, it is Liu Jin who stops. Time stops for him as he contemplates the magnitude of what his father just said.

"Do you think I should take his offer?" He asks at last.

It is true that the incident two weeks ago made him keenly aware of his own powerlessness once more. The memory is enough to make him clench his teeth. He knows becoming Old Jiangs student can only help him grow. If he wants to get rid of his weakness, he needs but to take his offer.

However, his father is his master. He will not abandon him for mere power. Such a thing is unthinkable

"As your father, there are few things I could wish less," Liu Jianguo admits. "The knowledge master would bestow upon you comes with great danger. I have no doubt it will bring you no end of trouble. However, as a doctor, few things would make me prouder. There is no doubt in my mind you would only flourish under master's guidance. Meanwhile, you will only wither under mine. As the days go by, I become less and less capable of guiding you."

"Do not deny it!" His father says before Liu Jin can protest. "We both know it is true. The more you grow, the less I can help you. There is much I can still teach you. That is true. However, under my guidance, much of your potential is being squandered. If you had been under master's guidance this past month, you could have finished purifying each set in thirty breaths. Of that, there is no doubt in my mind."

To that, Liu Jin has nothing to say. He does not want to agree with his father's words, yet he cannot bring himself to disagree with them.

"It is your choice in the end, son," Liu Jianguo says. "Whether you wish to learn under master's guidance or not, the only one who can make such a choice is you."

Liu Jin is silent for a moment. He takes a long, calming breath.

"I will do it," Liu Jin replies at last. There is no doubt or hesitation in his voice. To him, his father will always be the greatest. That has not changed. Desire for power is not what guides his will.

As a doctor, few things would make me prouder.

Those words are enough for him. Liu Jin will make his father proud.

The next day, Liu Jin officially becomes Old Jiang's apprentice.

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