Female Novel
Chapter 5361
With a graceful gesture, Renard left the others standing outside the concealed chamber and entered italongside Gideon.
As Gideon stepped into the hidden sanctuary, his guide, Renard, suddenly halted and bowed beforehim, addressing him as “Master Gideon.” It was an unexpected and marvelous sight to behold after allthese years. Gideon’s presence filled him with delight, recognizing the magnitude of the person beforehim.
With a warm smile, Gideon extended his hand to help Renard rise. “Although you are not my directstudent, you were nurtured by my younger colleague and regarded him as your esteemed mentor. Inmy eyes, you are no different from my personal disciple.”
Renard was overcome with excitement and respectfully inquired, “Master, where have you been allthese years? Why didn’t you return here to pay a visit?”
Gideon countered, “Am I not already back?”
“Yes…” Renard nodded eagerly and asked again, “By the way, Master, you…”
“What have you experienced during these years? I wonder if you can share your captivating storieswith me!” Gideon interrupted, a playful gleam in his eyes.
Gideon chuckled and remarked, “Can seventy years of life experiences be summarized in just a fewwords?”
Seeing Renard’s disappointed expression, he decided to elaborate further. “But don’t be disheartened,my friend. The truth is, I have indeed discovered the secret to everlasting life.”
In an instant, Renard’s excitement surged and he hastily inquired, “Master… have you MasteredReiki?”
“Indeed,” Gideon replied, his tone sincere. “For our generation, cultivating reiki is a preliminary victory.Without it, we cannot escape the clutches of life’s challenges, aging, sickness and death. Although Ipossess reiki now, I am not immortal. Yet, my lifespan surpasses that of ordinary individuals.”
Tentatively, Renard asked, “Master, are you perhaps over one hundred and fifty years old?”
Gideon nodded and sighed, “I am already one hundred and fifty-six years old. I am old indeed. Onehundred and fifty-six years…”
Renard expressed yearningly, “You don’t even look fifty-six years old…”
Gideon casually responded, “That’s what happens when one masters reiki. Living into the twenty-second century would be the pinnacle of achievement, having already witnessed the unprecedentedadvancements of the nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first centuries. It would bring me immensesatisfaction to reach such a remarkable era, having personally witnessed history unfold and progress inits wake. That day, when it comes, will be the ultimate reward, pleasure and fulfillment. I long for it.”
Stunned, Renard knelt down once more, bowing his head heavily and pleaded, “Master Gideon, pleaseteach me the path to longevity. If you agree, I am willing to devote my life to serving you. Without anyhesitation and even in the face of danger!.”
Renard had immersed himself in Daoism for over seventy years, yet he found himself in the same stateas when Gideon had left Evercloud Temple. Despite dedicating his days to the practice of Taoism andelixirs, he struggled to uncover the secret to a prolonged existence. He had devoted all his efforts tofinding the path’s elusive starting point, but it remained an unsolved mystery. Now, at over seventyyears old, he had resigned himself to his fate, never expecting to encounter his old acquaintance again.Yet, this reunion reignited his yearning for longevity.
Gideon gazed at Renard and sighed deeply before speaking earnestly, “I returned here after so manyyears with one purpose to find you and the disciples of Evercloud Temple. Together, let us share the
knowledge I have gained over the years!”
Renard’s body trembled with excitement as he looked up at Gideon, his voice choked with emotion.“Master, are you truly willing to bestow upon your disciples the knowledge of longevity?”
Gideon nodded and with a smile, he said, “I have pondered this for years. Evercloud Temple hasshown me great kindness. Naturally, I hope it will endure forever. And you, Renard, were raised by myjunior brother. I hope that you can embark on a journey of a long and fulfilling life alongside me.Together, we shall explore the wonders of the future and strive for personal growth. Having acompanion who shares my aspirations, keeping me company on this path, would be invaluable.”
Overflowing with excitement, Renard wasted no time. As he knelt down, he performed threeresounding kowtows, enthusiastically proclaiming, “Master, I pledge to be your disciple and promise toovercome any challenge that comes my way!”
Gideon’s smile widened as he helped Renard up. “On this return, I envisioned a future where I couldstay at Evercloud Temple. During that time, you will retreat with me for five years and I promise to teachyou the art of harnessing reiki.”novelbin
Renard’s joy knew no bounds as he exclaimed, “I am eternally grateful to Master Gideon for yourimmense kindness!”
Gideon made a composed gesture with his hand. “But you mustn’t rush now, for I am unable to do so atthe moment. Cast aside all other matters and return to Evercloud Temple to meditate. Wait for me thereand once I have completed my task, I shall come back to you.”
In a hurry, Renard asked, “Master Gideon, may I inquire when you will finish this task?”
After a brief pause, Gideon responded, “It’s uncertain when it will happen. It could occur sometime inthe next year, or it may take a decade or even more if things don’t go according to my plans.”
Renard was stunned, almost desperate, as he pleaded, “Master, how can this disciple wait for tenyears…”
Gideon let out a heavy sigh, feeling utterly helpless. “Ah, Renard, I am bound by circumstances. Thereason I have Mastered Reiki is all thanks to a noble individual’s assistance. I have been away theseyears because I have remained in that nobleman’s service. Just as you promised to me, I too pledgedto him long ago. He imparted his wisdom to me and now he has tasked me with finding a woman and atoken in her possession here in China. If I can succeed, I shall attain my freedom. If I fail, I will continuemy search.”
With a tinge of regret, Gideon added, “Oh, and I cannot stay in Eastcliff for long. I must depart for thesouth in a few days. Rest assured, I shall bring you good news in due time.”
Renard pondered the situation. Waiting could mean decades, perhaps even a lifetime and he couldn’tbear such passivity in the face of death. Urgently, he implored Gideon, “Master, who are you lookingfor? Tell this disciple and I will mobilize every connection, even if I have to dig three feet into theground, to find her!”