Bake nodded, then lifted Xiao Linglong onto his back, letting her lean behind Ming Zhitian.
Ming Zhitian patted Bake's head. "Bake, you're too easily bought. Three fruits and you're led by the nose? You've got some nerve."
Xiao Linglong took offense. "What do you mean three fruits? Those were Glazed Fruits, and they cost me a hundred and fifty divine martial coins!"
Ming Zhitian scoffed. "I'll buy Bake a whole basket later, just for fun."
Xiao Linglong pouted. "Hmph, being rich is so amazing?"
Ming Zhitian smiled and met her gaze. "Being rich is indeed amazing."
It was high noon, the time when people are most sluggish. Even cultivators are human. Xiao Linglong was drowsy, her face and upper body resting against Ming Zhitian's back as she fell asleep.
Ming Zhitian didn't disturb her, letting her sleep soundly.
They arrived at a small village, and beyond it lay Li Mountain. A group of children were singing a nursery rhyme: "Living on Li Mountain~ A small thatched hut~ Single for years, no tears shed~ For whom do I smile, ha ha~ Bump into the doorframe and twitch."
Ming Zhitian gently shook Xiao Linglong's shoulder. "Xiao Linglong, wake up, we're almost there."
Blinking in the bright sunlight, Xiao Linglong rubbed her sleepy eyes. "Where are we?"
Ming Zhitian shook his head. Xiao Linglong asked the children, "Little ones, be good. Big sister is asking, where is this place? How far is it to Li Mountain?"
One of the older children said, "This is Yan Hua Village, and Li Mountain is just ahead."
Xiao Linglong took out a bag of candies and gave it to them. "Thank you, you're very good children."
The children cheered. "Thank you, big sister!"
Ming Zhitian and the others continued on. The children resumed their song: "Living on Li Mountain~ A small thatched hut~ Single for years, no tears shed~ For whom do I smile, ha ha~ Bump into the doorframe and twitch. Actually, an old monster lives here~ Four illnesses incurable~ Two afflictions beyond aid~ Gold and silver treasures are useless~ But kindness reaches the heavens."
Li Mountain Fork…
A crowd of people seeking medical help had gathered here. Some had even carried their desperately ill relatives, but they could only wait anxiously, queuing up on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ming Zhitian had no intention of queuing. He wanted to go up the mountain first, but was stopped. "Hey kid, are you blind? Don't you see everyone is lining up?"
Ming Zhitian smiled faintly. "I'm just looking."
The man didn't believe him. "Everyone who comes here is seeking the immortal physician, who is hard to find. You just want to look? Not allowed."
Ming Zhitian said, "Brother, can we be reasonable? I just want to go up Li Mountain to see the scenery, is that not allowed?"
The man detested reasoning the most. He couldn't win an argument, so he waved his hand. "Fine, go ahead."
Ascending Li Mountain, the queue stretched from the mountain peak to the base, likely to last until tomorrow. Ming Zhitian and the others arrived before a small thatched hut. It seemed this was the residence of the immortal physician, hard to find.
The door was tightly shut, suggesting the occupant was not present. However, there were guards outside, all subordinates of the same person. A young man, dressed in opulent and dazzling attire, sat waiting on a recliner, holding a folding fan.
They were the first in line, and no one dared to get too close, fearing trouble.
"It's the seventh day. Looks like another wasted wait." someone muttered. The middle-aged man in third place withdrew from the queue and descended the mountain.
The fourth person immediately moved forward, taking the third spot, and the rest followed suit.
Ming Zhitian frowned slightly. "Seven days? How many people must have died? This immortal physician is truly true to his name, nothing worth seeing. Let's go too."
Xiao Linglong looked at him with concern. "You're not going to get treated? How about waiting a bit longer? I have food and water, and we can stay here for three days without a problem."
Ming Zhitian waved his hand. "It's better to rely on oneself than others. The cart will find its way when it reaches the mountain, and the boat will naturally straighten at the bridge. Bake, let's go down."
Just as Ming Zhitian was riding Bake down the mountain, a woman in white descended on clouds. Everyone pointed at her excitedly. "The immortal physician! It's the immortal physician! She's finally back."