0016 - Level Up! The Accidental Senior Brother.

"Now tell me what is going on?"

[This is a quick cleanse Spirit method for physicians to perform on themselves or patients before treating open wounds.]

"Oh? Does this world have knowledge of microorganisms and infection?"

[It does not seem like it, but more like the instructions of Physician Hong because they were clear about how much of a clean freak he is. If he catches someone not following his instructions, the punishments are even more cleaning.]

"Oh? someone wrote that specifically in the book?"

[Not specifically but punishments were mentioned so that's my logical assumption.]

"Then do not slack at all, clean me properly. I am glad I didn't get caught early."

[...]

His fat body kept on pushing out all the grime, and impurities out of the pores as his entire naked body turned into a statue of filth. His body moved and poured a bucket of water cleaning all the grime, impurities, and filth away.

It was not the end of it. Lu Sheng felt an odd sensation in his nose and mouth. Spirit essence circulated into his head under the skin, flowing into his nasal cavity, ears, and throat. 

It was closer to getting a thorough rinse inside one's head as his scalp tingled. Spirit Essence transfused his hair strands right to the roots, capturing oil and particulates. With a quick drowning from a bucket of water, they washed out like dirty water. His hair now felt immaculately cleansed and refreshed.

Spirit Essence focused on his hands and feet. coalesced around his palms, nails, and finger crevices, dissolving oil and particulates. Meanwhile, Spirit Essence scrubbed between his toes, and under nails, and suffused his soles, leaving them fresh and clean after a splash of water.

Lastly, the Automated System moved on to oral hygiene. After taking a gulp of water, the Spirit Essence manifested in the water inside Lu Sheng's mouth, swirling and sloshing through teeth gaps to remove debris, scrubbing the tongue and gums, and leaving behind a refreshing sensation. A menthol-like scent permeated his mouth, banishing bad breath.

Lu Sheng found himself utterly refreshed from head to toe, cleansed thoroughly outside and in. The putrid smells from before had vanished entirely, replaced by a crisp herbal fragrance akin to medicinal wine around him.

His body poured a few more buckets and then circulated Spirit Essence again to dry off his body and long hair.

"Now I am also feeling very hungry, let's chop-chop! Hurry!" He urged the Automated System to be faster.

His body took up pace and it quickly but meticulously donned the Green Robe and combed the hair as per the rules. After quickly wearing the shoes he was ready to meet others.

He hurried left his room looking around for a kitchen or someone to ask when he reached the central courtyard. He saw two distinct groups practicing swords. 

He recognized both group leaders; they were part of the team that had gagged and restrained him, bringing him to this place. They were also among those who had turned him into a porcupine using needles.

Lu Sheng's intense gaze caught the attention of both team leaders, who turned to see him fully prepared in Physician Hall attire. Stepping down from the stairs, he met them halfway. After bathing and the thorough cleaning by the Automated System, he felt exceptionally energetic and confident.

"Greetings, Senior Brother," both leaders addressed Lu Sheng with the unexpected title, surprising him.

"Senior Brother?" He was taken aback and forgot to return the greeting.

Both leaders looked embarrassed, and one of them spoke up, "I am Zu Xin, and he is Bi Kai. We apologize for our earlier actions. We didn't know that Master Hong had accepted you as his third Personal disciple." They both bowed again.

"Personal Disciple?? Are you sure?" Lu Sheng questioned, unsure if they were joking.

"We're not lying," Zu Xin assured, gesturing to a disciple employee who quickly brought a small box.

"Please accept this, Senior Brother. It belongs to you," he presented with humility.

Lu Sheng hesitated for a moment, but quickly snapped out of it. He accepted the box and opened it, as others were waiting for him to do so.

As he opened the box he found a golden token on a green thread. He pulled out the token in the open and others nodded. The golden token had his name engraved on one side and Physician Hall's symbol on the other side.

"What to do?" He quickly asked 'the Automated System'.

[Let me take care of it.]

His body moved with finesse and tied the golden identity token on his yellow waist. After that, he looked inside the box and pulled out a pair of white spotless gloves. He wore gloves but it was very loose on his hand.

He also noticed that they all wore white gloves. It seems that the white gloves are a signature piece of attire for Physician Hall.

They all waited as they looked at the white gloves. Lu Sheng smiled awkwardly when 'Automated System' circulated the Spirit Essence within him. The white gloves reacted and immediately tightened on his fingers like it was his fit from the beginning.

"Welcome Senior Brother!" Both of them announced loudly and other disciples' employees joined the chorus.

"Now that Senior Brother is with us, let's discuss important matters quickly." Zu Xin quickly added as he noticed Lu Sheng was trying to leave immediately.

"Important matters? With me?" Lu Sheng's self-confidence shook as he had never been in a situation to discuss important matters, he was never in a situation where he was treated as a senior so he felt nervous. Others noticed but they had helplessness written all over their faces.

"Senior Brother Lu, we have an urgent request," Zu Xin said nervously. "As punishment for our earlier prank…err…mistreatment of you, Master Hong has ordered that all Physician Hall disciples below the Foundation Realm must participate in the upcoming Lu Clan invasion of the Ten-Thousand Yin Marsh."

Murmurs rippled through the gathered disciples. Bi Kai nodded grimly. "We are physicians, not warriors. Very few of us have martial training beyond basic self-defense. Master says we must go to expand our experience in battle along with healing battle wounds, but it will be extremely dangerous!"

Several disciples crowded around Lu Sheng, clasping their hands beseechingly. "Senior Brother, you must persuade Master Hong to revoke this command! We will surely die in battle!"

Zu Xin held up his hand in silence. "It is useless, Brothers & Sisters. Master's word is law." He turned to Lu Sheng. "But perhaps you can help train us, Senior Brother? You are from Lu Clan, if you provide us with Lu Clan's Martial Techniques, Arts, or even Insight, and If we work hard under your guidance, maybe we can reach adequate fighting capacity before the invasion."

The other disciples murmured agreement and looked at Lu Sheng hopefully. He sweatdropped, completely out of his depth. How could he train warriors when he himself had little to no combat skill? But the earnest gazes of his juniors compelled him to try.

"I…I will do my best." He fell for his old weakness of not being able to say no to anyone. 

The disciples bowed gratefully. "Thank you, Senior Brother! Please guide us!"

"Tu Rong? Tu Peng? You both are now the new attendants of Senior Brother Lu. We will start in the morning." Zu Xin quickly commanded a girl and a boy. They both looked like they were siblings and under the age of 10.

"Yes!" Simultaneously, both of them stepped forward, their eyes filled with admiration for their new senior.

Now Lu Sheng has three kids with him including Little Sheng who was dancing around him like a puppy reacting to the hopeful energy of others. Everyone quickly dispersed leaving him alone in the central courtyard except for Tu Rong and Tu Peng.

"I'm Tu Peng, and this is my little sister, Tu Rong," Tu Peng introduced himself with enthusiasm, showcasing his shy little sister. Tu Rong bowed but remained silent in her shyness.

"Umm... Tu Pong and..." Lu Sheng had already forgotten their names.

"It's Tu Peng and Tu Rong, Big Brother," Little Sheng immediately corrected him.

"Ah, yes. Tu Peng and Tu Rong... um... have you eaten anything yet?"

"It's not dinner time yet, but we had lunch, so we're not hungry, yet," Tu Peng honestly replied. Tu Rong quickly tugged at her brother, and he looked at her, suddenly understanding something from her innocent big eyes.

"Ahem, I apologize." Tu Peng felt his answer was against the wishes of his senior brother.

Lu Sheng chuckled awkwardly. "Well, it's not dinner yet, but how about a little snack? I'm feeling a bit hungry myself."

Tu Peng and Tu Rong looked at him curiously. "Snack, Big Brother?" Tu Peng asked as he looked at the fat belly of his new senior brother with concern.

"Snacking is not good for health, Senior Brother. Untimely eating leads to bloating, acidity, and other digestive problems." He delivered his health knowledge and concern.

"Yes, but what if you didn't have breakfast or lunch today or dinner last night?"

"Then, eating as soon as possible is good for your health and snacking is the perfect solution." Tu Peng felt stepping on his foot as he realized he overanalyzed after seeing the fat belly of his new senior brother.

Lu Sheng might be an idiot in many ways but he was still an adult from another world and quickly understood Tu Peng's innocent concern for his health. Lu Sheng laughed kindly and patted Tu Peng on the shoulder.

Tu Peng blushed slightly, appreciating the positive response. Tu Rong also felt secondhand embarrassment for her brother.