Chapter 1013: The Sisters Swear Sisterhood
The Pharmacist stared at him, his gaze deep and unfathomable behind the bronze mask.
Qin Mu’s heart was uneasy; after all, this kind of request was truly a bit shameless.
“Some time ago, the Cripple went grave robbing and stole many corpse fiends to bring to me. Through those corpse fiends, I’ve basically gained a thorough understanding of the physical structure of gods. I’ve even finished researching the divine repositories; otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to instruct others on how to open them. But as for the Dao of Medicine, I haven’t discovered it.”
The Pharmacist said lazily, “I can swap someone’s head, replace their heart, and even unravel the hereditary mysteries of the divine repository and celestial palace, transplanting them. Yet I’ve never found where the Dao of Medicine lies. Perhaps in our line of work, there simply is no so-called Dao of Medicine.”
Qin Mu said with great righteousness, “A healer has a benevolent heart, cures the world, saves the common people from plagues, and eliminates diseases and pains before they sprout—isn’t that the Dao of Medicine?”
The Pharmacist laughed in anger: “You talk a good game, brat, but you expect me to perfect the Dao of Medicine? I was counting on you! You cure the world for me first! I worked so hard to raise you, hoping you’d support us in our old age, casually creating a hundred or eighty kinds of Emperor Seat techniques for me to choose from. But no, you don’t cultivate diligently to honor us; instead, you expect us old fogies to prepare techniques for you!”
Qin Mu’s face flushed slightly, and he stammered, “Grandpa Pharmacist isn’t old at all. Compared to gods and demons, Grandpa Pharmacist is in the prime of youth. As the saying goes, everyone has their specialty. Grandpa Pharmacist’s medical skills are number one in the world, his poison skills are number one in the world, and the title ‘Jade-Faced Poison King’ is no empty boast. I’m barely second, not daring to compete with Grandpa Pharmacist for this chance to leave a name in history.”
When the Pharmacist heard the phrase “leave a name in history,” he was indeed tempted, but then he said with difficulty, “Although I’ve analyzed the physical structure to the utmost, there’s still the primordial spirit to unravel. The primordial spirit involves the circulation of vital energy. Vital energy moves through the physical body and also through the primordial spirit. Only by understanding its mysteries can we know if the Dao of Medicine exists.”
Qin Mu’s words were full of persuasive power: “Grandpa Pharmacist, the Dao is walked by people! There was no Dao of Painting in the world, but Grandpa Deaf walked it and became a Grandmaster! There was no Dao of the Sword in the world, but the Opening Emperor walked it and contended with the Celestial Venerables! Grandpa Pharmacist can surely walk the Dao of Medicine, becoming the Supreme of Medicine and leaving a legacy for ten thousand generations!”
The Pharmacist felt a surge of hot blood rise within him. He pondered, “But besides needing to understand the primordial spirit and vital energy, I also need to understand divine consciousness. It’s too difficult, truly too difficult. The Cripple stole many corpse fiends for me, and I can study their physical bodies and divine repositories through them, but corpse fiends have no primordial spirit or divine consciousness…”
“Grandpa Pharmacist needs an experimental subject that can withstand any kind of torment without dying?” Qin Mu probed.
The Pharmacist nodded. “I originally thought the best candidate would be Star Yaksha. Star Yaksha can endure a lot. But Star Yaksha isn’t very skilled in divine consciousness…”
He glanced at Shu Jun.
Qin Mu also looked at Shu Jun.
Shu Jun held his tea, shrinking into a rocking chair like a listless vulture.
“His soul is too weak.”
The Pharmacist shook his head. “I just poisoned him to death twice, and his soul flew away.”
Shu Jun was moved to tears, which fell uncontrollably, splashing onto the surface of his tea.
Qin Mu smiled and said, “Grandpa Pharmacist can rest assured. My Demon Heavenly Creation Technique was taught by Grandma. With Grandma here, his soul can’t fly away even if it wants to.”
Shu Jun glared angrily.
Qin Mu pretended not to see it and coaxed, “Grandpa Pharmacist, think about it. Where else can you find a Creator God who is so strong, has started cultivating divine repositories and primordial spirits, and is even an Ancient Divine King? His divine consciousness is no weaker than mine, his physical body is stronger, full of powerful vitality, and his soul grows slowly from a weak stage.”
The Pharmacist’s eyes under the mask grew brighter and brighter as he nodded repeatedly at Shu Jun.
Shu Jun’s body trembled, and he said hoarsely, “My physical body isn’t strong enough yet, remember? You poisoned me to death twice!”
The Pharmacist said calmly, “Divine King, although you’ve opened the Embryonic Repository, you still have six other divine repositories unopened. Without me softening your physical body, you won’t be able to open the others. Even if you leave with Mu’er today, you’ll still come back begging me in the future.”
Shu Jun’s expression shifted between light and dark. After a moment, he suppressed his grief and anger and nodded.
The Pharmacist was overjoyed and looked at Qin Mu. “Supreme of Medicine, leaving a name in history?”
“Mm!” Qin Mu nodded heavily.
The Pharmacist let out a long breath, glanced at Shu Jun as if looking at a beast of burden, and was very satisfied.
Qin Mu went to find Grandma Si and said, “Grandma, there’s an old saying: if the eldest doesn’t work hard…”
Qin Mu was beaten by Grandma Si. It was probably the word “eldest” that stung her, so she grabbed him by the ear and hit him.
The Pharmacist and the Deaf Man laughed for a long time.
But when it was time to send Qin Mu off, Grandma Si’s eyes were still red. She watched the Dragon Heavenly Carriage disappear from sight and still didn’t return to the Heavenly Saint Academy for a long time.
After the Dragon Heavenly Carriage reached Jiangling City, Qin Mu didn’t find Prolonged Emperor or Yan Kang National Teacher Jiang Baigui there. Not knowing where they had gone, he had to head to the capital.
When he arrived at the capital, he went straight to see the Village Chief. The Mute and the Blind Man were also waiting in the Grand Academy. Although the Village Chief had said he would teach Qin Mu a lesson, he forgot about it when he saw him. Listening to Qin Mu talk about his experiences in the Heavenly Court, he sighed with emotion.
“The Opening Emperor has already been here?”
Qin Mu was surprised and said, “I didn’t meet him on the road. Where is he now?”
“That’s unknown. The Opening Emperor taught me Sword Twenty. It was probably to repay the favor of learning Sword Fifteen to Sword Nineteen from Yan Kang here.”
The Village Chief said excitedly, “Meeting this pinnacle of the sword Dao is a lifelong wish of mine. Now that it’s fulfilled, I have no regrets in this life! Mu’er, I’ll teach you Sword Twenty. Stay in the capital for a few more days.”
Qin Mu hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement. “Fatty Dragon, take the Divine King to my residence for a few days. Dutian, you go too.”
Dragon Qilin led the group to Qin Mu’s villa in Yan Kang’s capital. In the courtyard stood a magnificent Primeval Tree, lush and green, with streaks of multicolored light hanging down, guarding Yan Kang’s capital. It was arguably the most spectacular sight in the city.
Yan Xiu Emperor had sealed this courtyard as the National Teacher’s Mansion, sending people to clean it regularly. A woman named Gongsun Yan lived there and had a good relationship with Yan Xiu Emperor.
Occasionally, Fox Ling’er and Gongsun Yan would come to stay for a few days.
When Dragon Qilin arrived at Qin Mu’s National Teacher’s Mansion, he saw Gongsun Yan drinking tea with three women, and his hair stood on end.
Dutian Demon King was also startled. Among the four women, one was exactly like Lang Wan Divine King, but dressed differently—it was Yun Chu Xiu!
Yun Chu Xiu had two ponytails and was very lively, while the other woman was Lian Hua Hun!
Dragon Qilin thought, “Could it be that Yuan Mu Consort has created another Yun Chu Xiu?”
“Is the young master back?” Gongsun Yan saw Dragon Qilin and was overjoyed, rushing forward, but didn’t see Qin Mu.
Yan’er transformed into a little green sparrow, fluttered her wings, and flew into the Primeval Tree above, searching for nests. Seeing that the bird’s nest Gongsun Yan had built for her was still there, she chirped with joy, settled comfortably into it, and spat out a few small flames, dozing leisurely.
Yan Xiu Emperor stepped forward, looked around, and didn’t see Qin Mu. She smiled and said, “Fatty Dragon, where is the National Teacher?”
“At the Grand Academy.”
Dragon Qilin looked up at the bird’s nest and said, “Your Majesty, the Sect Leader is learning Sword Twenty. He’ll come back when he’s learned it. Have you seen Yun Jianli?”
Yan Xiu Emperor was slightly taken aback and smiled, “You mean Minister Yun? Minister Yun went south a few days ago to inspect the southern construction. I don’t know if he’s back yet.”
Dragon Qilin said, “Your Majesty, please check if Yun Jianli has returned and invite him over. Yun Jianli is that young lady’s brother.”
Yan Xiu Emperor glanced at Yun Chu Xiu and smiled, “You mean Sister Chu Xiu is Minister Yun’s sister? I just swore sisterhood with Sister Chu Xiu a few days ago. What a coincidence.”
“Sworn sisterhood with Yuan Mu Consort?”
Dragon Qilin felt his head swell three sizes. That was Yuan Mu Consort, one of the Ten Celestial Venerables of the Heavenly Court!
“I can’t handle this. The Sect Leader must come personally!”
Dragon Qilin looked up at Gongsun Yan’s Phoenix Nest and thought enviously, “If only I could hide in there too.”
Lang Wan Divine King stepped forward, her eyes sweeping over the women, and smiled, “Your Majesty has sworn sisterhood with Sister Chu Xiu? And Sister Lian and Sister Yan? What a coincidence today. Why don’t the five of us swear sisterhood together?”
Her presence was so strong, even surpassing Lian Hua Hun’s, that Yan Xiu Emperor couldn’t help but be impressed. She smiled and said, “I saw that you and Sister Chu Xiu look exactly alike and was just wondering if you were twin sisters. Now that you suggest swearing sisterhood, I realize you’re not. Can there really be two identical flowers in this world?”
Lang Wan Divine King’s eyes flickered. “Perhaps there are. Sisters, what do you think of my proposal?”
Yun Chu Xiu clapped her hands in approval. Lian Hua Hun hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
Gongsun Yan, who usually had no strong opinions, nodded in agreement.
Lang Wan Divine King looked at Yan Xiu Emperor, who had no choice but to agree, smiling, “Swearing sisterhood with you all is naturally my blessing.”
Yan’er cheered, fluttered down from the bird’s nest, and clamored to join the sisterhood.
Dragon Qilin quickly called out to her and whispered, “Little miss, don’t join in the fun. It’s already lively enough!”
“Why?” Yan’er was quite puzzled.
But she still listened to Dragon Qilin and stood on his head, watching the five girls swear sisterhood, using tea instead of wine, becoming sworn sisters.
Yun Chu Xiu giggled and said, “Should we make an oath? Not born on the same day, same month, same year, but may we die on the same day, same month, same year?”
Dragon Qilin’s heart twitched, and he thought, “Sect Leader, hurry back. This situation is getting more unpredictable… Yun Jianli, you can come too!”
In the Grand Academy, Qin Mu was learning Sword Twenty from the Village Chief. Back when he fought the Opening Emperor, both were injured, and Qin Mu left in style, but in his haste, he hadn’t asked the Opening Emperor to teach him Sword Twenty.
The Village Chief’s sword Dao cultivation was extremely high. The Opening Emperor taught it to him with the intention of having him pass it on to Qin Mu, since Sword Eighteen and Sword Nineteen were Qin Mu’s creations. The Opening Emperor had also benefited from Qin Mu, which led him to comprehend Sword Twenty.
Qin Mu studied very seriously, immersing himself in contemplation, completely unaware of the sisterhood sworn by the five women in his mansion. Each of the five sisters harbored their own secrets, with only Gongsun Yan being as pure as a blank sheet of paper.