Chapter 195: A Small Clue Reveals the Big Picture
Wang Muran picked up the corpse of the old fisherman, placed it on the back of the stag, and urged the stag to quickly catch up to Qin Mu, the Imperial Preceptor of Yankang, and the others. He called out loudly, “Imperial Preceptor, I will avenge my master!”
The Imperial Preceptor of Yankang turned back, looking very serious, and said, “Your master’s skills were not bad. After you have learned them, before you come to take revenge on me, first pass on his abilities to your own disciples. Don’t let his skills die out.”
Wang Muran let out a shout. Clouds formed beneath the stag’s hooves, and it ran into the air, gradually disappearing.
“Someone invited that good-natured old man from Little Jade Capital to test the waters. His death is truly not worth regretting.”
The Imperial Preceptor of Yankang withdrew his gaze and said to Qin Mu and the others, “Little Jade Capital is a mysterious place, aloof from worldly strife, with an extremely ancient origin. I have only heard rumors about Little Jade Capital; this is my first time seeing an expert from there. They do have some skill, but they have already fallen behind the times. They don’t often come out to move around, don’t learn about the development of techniques from other schools, and work behind closed doors. It’s very easy for them to become outdated. Remember this well: you cannot become a true expert by just secluded cultivation.”
Qin Mu and the others nodded in agreement, but felt a chill in their hearts.
That old fisherman was actually someone invited out to test the waters?
Could it be that someone wanted to use this old man’s life to test just how deep the waters of the Imperial Preceptor of Yankang still were?
“This struggle has already begun.” Qin Mu’s eyes flickered, and he thought to himself.
Li City.
The armies of Yankang had already attacked here. By the time they arrived, the battle was already over.
The battle shouldn’t have been too intense. Qin Mu looked around and saw that the city walls were still relatively intact. The Yankang army had advanced directly, encountered the rebel forces outside the city, and annihilated them on the spot.
“The Imperial Academy has specialized Formation Halls and Military Strategy Pavilions, all places for teaching formations and military tactics. The outcome of Jianghu sects confronting the main Yankang army head-on is obvious.” He thought to himself.
Li City had not been destroyed by the war, and the people here were still relatively safe. Qin Mu went to the medicine shops to get herbs, picking several types of herbs from each of the city’s medicinal gardens.
After visiting over a dozen medicinal gardens, half a day had passed. By nightfall, Qin Mu and the others lodged at the Li City government office. The county magistrate of Li City had been captured and was already being escorted to the capital.
Not long after, the smell of medicine wafted from the government office. About half an hour later, a maidservant walked out with a basin and poured a basin of herbal dregs onto the stone-paved road.
Another half hour later, the maidservant brought out another basin of dregs and also poured them onto the road for people to trample on.
This happened repeatedly, with seven basins of dregs being poured out overnight.
After daybreak, Qin Mu and the others rested for another half day before continuing their journey south.
In a medicine shop in Li City, a middle-aged Confucian scholar dressed in a blue robe with a white inner garment stood behind the counter, flipping through over a dozen prescriptions. These prescriptions recorded exactly the herbs Qin Mu had picked from the over a dozen medicine shops.
“No, no, some of these herbs are completely useless, and some aren’t even for treating injuries at all. This kid is very shrewd…”
The middle-aged Confucian scholar looked up and smiled, “No wonder he’s the Little Divine Healer renowned throughout the capital. He doesn’t want me to deduce the severity of the Imperial Preceptor’s injuries from his medicine. Truly cunning. But he underestimates me, Daoquan Zhenren.”
“Zhenren, the herbal dregs have arrived!”
Several young pharmacists walked in from outside, each carrying a basin filled with herbal dregs.
Daoquan Zhenren examined them one by one, sneering coldly. After a moment, he calculated, “This Little Divine Healer is indeed clever. He deliberately mixed in some other dregs to prevent me from seeing how far he has progressed in treating the Imperial Preceptor. But trying to play these little tricks in front of me, you’re still too green. Disciples, prepare the herbs!”
He recited a list of herb names, and the several young pharmacists immediately fetched the various spiritual herbs. Daoquan Zhenren pondered for a moment, sorted the herbs into categories, and adjusted them several times. Only after he was sure there were no mistakes did he order his disciples to start the furnace and refine the medicine.
Several hours later, Daoquan Zhenren looked at the medicines he had refined. The first was a medicinal decoction, extremely potent. The second was a medicinal paste, for external application to remove toxins. The third was a spiritual pill the size of a pinky tip, silver-white and covered in spikes. A slight touch would cause the finger to be pricked by the metallic energy emanating from the pill.
The fourth medicine was a milky-white airflow settled at the bottom of the furnace. The fifth was a small cup of dark red liquid that evaporated quickly. The sixth and seventh medicines were also spiritual pills, but their properties were completely different.
After Daoquan Zhenren finished inspecting the seven medicines, his expression changed slightly. He praised, “This Little Divine Healer is truly remarkable, truly remarkable. With his treatment method, whether it takes twenty days or half a year, no matter what injuries the Imperial Preceptor of Yankang has, he will be completely healed!”
He took the seven medicines, stamped his foot, and leaped into the air, turning into a streak of light as he flew through the sky.
This streak of light flew south for half a day, covering two to three thousand li, before descending in Dali City in the southern frontier.
Dali City was the largest city in the southern frontier. In the past, this place was also a country, revering Buddhism. Within its borders, there were three thousand six hundred temples, large and small, earning it the title of the Little Western Paradise of the South. Later, it was annexed by Yankang.
Daoquan Zhenren landed in front of the most magnificent temple in the city, Luoguang Temple, and quickly walked inside. Over a dozen sect leader-level figures inside the temple rose to their feet.
“Daoquan Zhenren has arrived!”
A man wearing a bronze mask at the head came forward to greet him, smiling, “Daoquan Zhenren must have brought good news this time!”
“Indeed.”
Daoquan Zhenren took out the seven medicines and laid them out in a row, saying, “This time, the Imperial Preceptor of Yankang fought against Zhen Sanren of Little Jade Capital. Although he killed Zhen Sanren, he must have been injured as well. On this journey, he also has the Little Divine Healer by his side. Therefore, I reasoned that the Little Divine Healer’s treatment would inevitably reveal the extent of the Imperial Preceptor’s injuries. These seven medicines are the ones the Little Divine Healer refined for him last night. Please take a look, everyone.”
Ma Lianshan, the Grand Executive of the Imperial Secretariat, said in surprise, “Daoquan Zhenren has always been arrogant, believing himself to be the number one in the world’s medical arts, with even the Little Poison King far behind. Why do you address a mere brat as a divine healer today?”
Daoquan Zhenren said solemnly, “In the past, I thought highly of myself because no one else could match me in pharmacology; they were just quacks who knew a few pill formulas. Even the Little Poison King merely inherited the skills of the Jade-Faced Poison King, without much original contribution himself, so he was just so-so. Moreover, I despise his character, betraying even his own master, which I find contemptible. But this Little Divine Healer truly deserves the title of divine healer.”
He pointed to the first medicine and said, “This is a medicinal decoction refined by the Little Divine Healer from dozens of herbs, half of which are highly toxic. This decoction can stimulate the activity of the soul and treat injuries to the soul. Was the Imperial Preceptor of Yankang’s soul injured?”
A panting old man said, “He was indeed injured. I used the Pure Yang Thirty-Six Heavenly Fiend Star-Sha to damage his soul, but he also injured me.”
Daoquan Zhenren said, “This decoction is for treating his soul injury, and it is very appropriate. The second medicine is a paste. Does the Imperial Preceptor of Yankang have external injuries, accompanied by fire poison?”
Another old woman grinned and said, “Zhenren’s judgment is very accurate. My technique contains fire poison. When I ambushed the Imperial Preceptor of Yankang that day, I succeeded with one strike, imprinting it on his back.”
“The Little Divine Healer’s paste can draw out the fire poison.”
Daoquan Zhenren pointed to the third medicine and said, “This spiritual pill contains sharp metallic energy. It should be for the Imperial Preceptor of Yankang being poisoned by a Gu or wood poison. Who injured the Imperial Preceptor of Yankang that day, using wood poison or Gu poison?”
Another old man chuckled and said, “When the three of us ambushed the Imperial Preceptor of Yankang, I used Gu poison.”
“That explains it.”
Daoquan Zhenren continued, “The fourth medicine uses a steaming method. The Imperial Preceptor of Yankang has injuries within his Seven Divine Reservoirs, making it difficult for the medicinal properties to penetrate. So, the Little Divine Healer turned the medicinal power into a gaseous form and steamed the Imperial Preceptor of Yankang over a steamer basket.”
The various sect leaders in Luoguang Temple all laughed. “Why didn’t they just cook the bastard?”
“Besides that, there were some lingering ailments that hadn’t been removed, so the Little Divine Healer also used acupuncture. The needles were hollow, and the fifth medicine was hidden inside them. This medicine evaporates very quickly, and once it enters his body, it will seep into his skin and flesh.”
Daoquan Zhenren pointed to the sixth medicine and said, “This medicine is for solidifying the effects, to consolidate the results of this treatment. The seventh medicine is a tonic, used to nourish the Imperial Preceptor of Yankang’s body. Through this test, it can be confirmed without a doubt that the Imperial Preceptor of Yankang is indeed not yet healed from his injuries.”
He let out a sigh of admiration and said, “However, give this Little Divine Healer a month, and he will have the Imperial Preceptor of Yankang adjusted to his peak condition, with his injuries fully healed and not a single lingering ailment remaining!”
Liqing Palace Master furrowed her brow slightly and said softly, “Everyone, the Imperial Preceptor of Yankang’s injuries seem to be more severe than we anticipated.”
The man wearing the bronze mask laughed and said, “This is because he encountered Zhen Sanren of Little Jade Capital. I was well acquainted with Zhen Sanren in my early years, and we had close dealings. It was only later, after he went to Little Jade Capital, that our contact gradually diminished. Zhen Sanren was also at the peak of the Divine Bridge realm, not far from the Imperial Preceptor of Yankang.”
Daoquan Zhenren said, “Zhen Sanren of Little Jade Capital is already dead. The Imperial Preceptor of Yankang killed him. While I was in Li City, I sensed the fluctuations of a clash between experts coming from the mountains.”
Liqing Palace Master’s gaze fell on the man with the bronze mask, as if trying to see the face beneath the mask. “You used your old friendship to send Zhen Sanren out to his death. Your scheming is too deep. And ever since I met you, you have always worn a mask, not daring to show your true face. Your betrayal of a friend and your skulking make me very worried. If I were to be sold out by you, I’m afraid I wouldn’t even know who sold me.”
“Palace Master Qiu, you can rest assured. He is absolutely no problem.”
Liqing Palace Master, Qiu Dieyi, followed the sound and saw that the speaker was none other than Che Zhengli, one of the Three Marvels of Sanqi Fort, the father of the capital’s Consort Che.
After he rebelled, Consort Che was also implicated by him, and now she is in the Cold Palace, her life or death unknown.
Liqing Palace Master said calmly, “Just because you say there’s no problem, does that mean there really isn’t? Fort Master Che, don’t forget that you are also a relative of the imperial family.”
Che Zhengli’s expression changed slightly. He was about to speak when suddenly an old woman laughed and said, “Palace Master, this person’s identity is not an issue.”
The old woman who spoke was one of the three old-era experts who had ambushed the Imperial Preceptor of Yankang. Since she said there was no problem, Liqing Palace Master had no choice but to hold back.
“Since the Imperial Preceptor of Yankang is indeed seriously injured and not yet healed, should we give him time to recover?”
The bronze-masked man looked around and said, “He sent He Xiaopeng to give us two paths. Now is the time to decide. Which path shall we take?”
— Zhai Zhu overestimated his own health. This afternoon, he was feeling dizzy and drowsy, falling asleep and waking up intermittently. He can’t manage three updates today. Sorry. It’s the middle of the month, and feeling under the weather, I humbly ask for your monthly votes~