Walking in the cycle of reincarnation

Chapter 24 The Toad's Shadow Blinds the Mind

Meng Jinchuan walked out of Meng Shi's residence and headed towards the clinic with a heavy heart. He already knew everything that had happened in the attic during the day from Meng Shi, but he still couldn't calm down.

The clinic was located on the ground floor of a stilted house in the east of the village. The lights were dim. Meng Jinchuan lifted the curtain and entered. He saw Meng Yuanshan lying on a bamboo bed, his left eye wrapped in a thick white cloth. Sitting beside the bed was a gaunt old man with a solemn expression. He placed two fingers on Meng Yuanshan's wrist.

Upon seeing Meng Jinchuan arrive, the old man raised his eyes and said in a hoarse voice:

"Young Master Chuan."

Meng Jinchuan's Adam's apple bobbed, his gaze fixed on the white cloth:

"My brother...how is he?"

The old man looked at the unconscious boy on the bed and slowly shook his head, saying:

"His life should be safe. But..."

He paused, then pointed his withered finger at Meng Yuanshan's left eye:

"The remaining poison has seeped into my eyes, and my left eye... is beyond saving."

Meng Jinchuan swayed and barely managed to stand by holding onto the door frame.

"If it weren't for Young Master Yuan having already broken through to the 'Poison-Drawing Realm' and being able to absorb the poison with his internal energy, it would probably be much more than just one eye."

"The Poisonous Realm?" Meng Jinchuan was taken aback.

"Yes." The old man nodded, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. "Take good care of him. Don't let him get angry or exert himself for a year. The remaining poison can be gradually eliminated."

After the old man finished speaking, he packed his medicine box, got up, hunched over, lifted the curtain, and left, leaving only the bitter taste of medicine and silence in the room.

Meng Jinchuan stood there, his mind buzzing.

He was completely unaware.

These days, he went into the mountains every day to ask the Golden Toad Ancestor for poison, which he then presented to his elder brother, hoping to help him break through his bottleneck. But his brother succeeded in breaking through, yet he didn't utter a single word about it to him.

Why not say it?

Is it because you don't trust me, or... you don't want me to know?

Resentment surged within him, and he felt like a fool.

Meng Jinchuan moved to the edge of the bed and looked at Meng Yuanshan. In a daze, he recalled his childhood, when his elder brother carried him across a stream. The water was waist-deep, but not deep enough to cover his arms that held him in the crook of his legs. He remembered his brother beating the children from the clan who stole his cakes until they were black and blue.

He recalled the ferocity and rage in his brother's eyes when he questioned him, "Are you trying to harm me?"

But now, his elder brother lay on the couch, and only one of his eyes, which used to scrutinize him with coldness, remained. The white cloth wrapped around his eyes was like a talisman, suppressing the grievances and resentment in his heart.

Footsteps suddenly came from outside the door, and a member of the Meng family poked his head in, bowed, and said:

"Young Master Konkawa, the master requests your presence."

......

The mess left inside during the day has been cleaned up, and the newly placed bookshelves are neatly arranged. Only the air still carries a lingering, fishy smell.

Meng Cang was sitting at his desk, flipping through an old book. The pages were yellowed, the edges were torn, and inside were several faded old paintings, full of the marks of time.

The ink is faded and the figure in the painting is blurred to the point of being only an outline, but it can still be identified as a naked, hunched figure, lying on the edge of a dark, deep pit, peering inside.

There was a dark shadow in the pit, its shape indistinct, but it was not very large.

The figure threw a live creature into the pit. Moments later, he dragged it out with vines, tore it apart, and devoured it.

Meng Cang stared at the last illustration for a long time, finally turning the page without a change in expression. Just then, footsteps sounded. Meng Cang closed the book, looked up, and said gently:

"You've arrived?" Meng Cang gestured, "Sit down."

Meng Jinchuan did not sit down, but stood with his head bowed in the hall, and called out softly:

"Uncle."

"How is your brother's injury?" Meng Cang put the book on the table and asked softly.

"My brother... he can't save his eyes." Meng Jinchuan's voice was dry, "but his life is not in danger."

Meng Cang sighed softly:

"No worries...that's good..."

Meng Jinchuan suddenly looked up, his eyes reddening:

"Uncle, this is divine punishment!"

"Oh?"

"The divine punishment of the Golden Toad Ancestor!"

"The Golden Toad Ancestor only trusts me and only wants to see me. Yet you sent spies to follow him..."

He looked at Meng Cang, his voice trembling:

"Fortunately, the price was only one life and my brother's eye..."

At this point in his speech, he suddenly felt a sense of emptiness in his heart, unsure whether to feel fortunate or sorrowful.

Meng Cang gazed at him silently, his eyes deep and unfathomable, offering no comment. After a long while, he slowly nodded and said:

"You're right. It was Uncle's mistake. From now on... the Meng family will never do anything to offend that person again."

Meng Jinchuan was taken aback upon hearing this, but seeing the solemnity in Meng Cang's eyes, he felt a slight sense of relief.

Meng Cang lightly tapped the book "Old Tales of Southern Mongolia" with his fingertips, then changed the subject:

"Ogawa."

"My nephew is here."

"Have you ever considered becoming a priest of the Monk family?"

Upon hearing this, Meng Jinchuan was struck dumb, staring at Meng Cang in disbelief. His lips moved for a long time before he finally managed to utter a sound:

"Uncle...me?"

"Yes."

"I..." Meng Jinchuan hurriedly waved his hands, his face flushed, "I can't. I can't practice martial arts, I'm afraid of pain and hardship, everyone in the clan says... says I'm a good-for-nothing... Besides... Father would never agree."

Fear lurked in his eyes, and his voice grew softer and softer. His father's authority had been etched into his heart since childhood.

Meng Cang smiled.

"What if, in the future... your father is no longer in charge of the Meng family's affairs?"

Meng Jinchuan was startled upon hearing this. Looking at the handsome face before him, he suddenly recalled the strange occurrences in the village recently.

The frequent secret talks between his two uncles, the mysterious "deaths" or "departures" of several elders in the clan, and his father's gradual cessation of involvement in clan affairs... all these clues pieced together a startling picture in his mind.

Meng Jinchuan stood frozen for a long time, his mind in turmoil, before finally speaking in a hoarse voice:

"Uncle... if you were to lead the clan, would you do a better job than Father?"

These words were utterly treasonous, yet they reflected the deepest confusion in his heart at that moment.

Meng Cang gazed at him silently, offering no direct answer, but instead praised him:

"You are insightful and clear-headed, and what's even more commendable is your unwavering devotion to the Meng family."

Meng Jinchuan lowered his head, remaining silent. His words, while not a direct response, seemed to say everything.

"From now on, the matter of worshipping the Toad Ancestor will be entirely entrusted to you. Your uncle will only provide support from behind. The Meng family... will never overstep its bounds again."

Meng Jinchuan raised his eyes and looked into Meng Cang's eyes again. In those deep eyes, besides solemnity, there was a profound sense of complete entrustment.

Meng Jinchuan bowed deeply, his voice firm:

"Thank you very much, Uncle. I will certainly live up to your expectations."

"Go on, get some rest." Meng Cang waved his hand and picked up his book again.

Meng Jinchuan turned around and walked towards the stairwell, his steps much more steady than when he came up.

"Ogawa."

Meng Cang suddenly called out to him again.

Meng Jinchuan looked back.

Meng Cang leaned against the table, seemingly hesitant. After considering for a long time, he finally said softly:

"Could you... ask that person for my uncle?"

"What do you want to ask?"

"May I see it?"

Meng Jinchuan was taken aback and instinctively wanted to refuse.

How could one simply meet the Golden Toad Ancestor? But seeing the rare humility in Meng Cang's eyes, he swallowed his words.

"...This junior will give it my best."

He agreed in a low voice, turned around and went downstairs. His figure disappeared around the corner of the stairs, and his footsteps faded into the night.