The Corpse Clothes in the Green Bag [Complete] - 9

page views:1 Publication date:2023-03-24

Chapter 109

"We were ambushed by a gaunt old man and a white-haired old nun. In particular, the white-haired old nun's martial arts were extremely strange. She actually used her white hair as a hidden weapon to blind both of our eyes..." Genqi began to recount the course of that fierce battle.

The old man listened and remained silent for a long time before slowly saying, "So, they didn't come for the Wild Blessed Treasure, but to save the baby. I told you long ago not to kidnap and eat the baby at this time, attracting widespread attention. If you want to make up for it, go to the market and buy some pig brains to eat. Although the taste is not good, it's better than nothing. Fortunately, the police haven't intervened yet, otherwise, the plan would have been ruined by you two idiots."

Genqi and Kunba hurriedly said, "Big brother, we were wrong. We were greedy for food. We will never dare to disobey you again."

The old man snorted and said, "If Master and Mistress find out about this, they will surely eat your brains. We eight brothers must speed up our progress and find the Wild Blessed Treasure before Master and the others arrive. Otherwise, you two will be held responsible, and even Big Brother won't be able to save you then."

"Master is coming?" Genqi was so frightened that his face turned ashen.

"Hmm, Master and Mistress are always elusive, appearing and disappearing without a trace. By the way, what's the background of this Zhu Biao? He seems a bit dim-witted. He doesn't seem to know martial arts, but we still need to be wary. If we don't like him during dinner, we'll just use his brains as a snack." The old man said casually.

"We know, Big Brother," Genqi and Kunba replied respectfully.

The old man seemed to remember something and asked, "You still have the treasure map of Qinren Valley, right?"

Genqi's heart skipped a beat. He thought to himself, "This is bad. He's finally hit the nail on the head. If we lose the treasure map, our brains will really become Big Brother's snacks." On their way out of Qinren Valley, he and Kunba had already fabricated lies and rehearsed them countless times. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been easy to fool Boss Qian.

“Brother, we were just about to tell you about this. We made a terrible mistake. Seeing we were no match for the white-haired nun, we preemptively destroyed the treasure map, fearing she would steal it. That's why we were distracted and severely injured by her.” Genqi’s words were flawless.

“Oh, that’s the right thing to do. As long as the treasure map isn’t leaked, we can start over.” The old man frowned.

“Brother, please rest assured, we’ve memorized it.” Genqi said.

The old man nodded and said, “We suspect that of the two places Ye Fu hid his treasure—Qinren Valley in Peach Blossom Spring and Guigu Cave in Tianmen Mountain—one of the two treasure maps is definitely fake, a deception Ye Fu created to cover his tracks. Now Qinren Valley has attracted attention. Our next step is to concentrate our efforts on dealing with Guigu Cave in Tianmen Mountain.”

“Brother is wise.” Genqi and Kunba said in unison.

Zhu Biao stared at the large basin of braised pork on the table, his mouth watering.

"Young Master Zhu, I admire your chivalrous deeds. These days, young men like you are rare indeed. Come, let me toast you." Boss Qian raised his cup and downed it in one gulp.

Zhu Biao quickly drank his wine, then used his chopsticks to pick up a large piece of fatty meat and stuff it into his mouth.

Earlier, when they sat down, they were introduced. This old man was Boss Qian, the eldest brother of Gen Qi and Kun Ba. The tall, thin young man who first saw them at the gate was Zhen Si, and the dark-skinned middle-aged man sitting opposite him was Kan Liu. Several other brothers were absent. Gen Qi and Kun Ba, being the youngest, should have sat to the left and right of Zhu Biao, but because they were acquainted with him, they were specially arranged to sit to his left and right.

"Young Master Zhu, your journey westward to find your family is truly moving. It shows the depth of your feelings. I am truly humbled. There must be many hidden reasons why your wife and children left, right? Haha." Boss Qian laughed as he raised his cup.

Zhu Biao hesitated, reluctant to continue.

"Alright, let's have a drink together. Where does Young Hero Zhu plan to go next?" Seeing Zhu Biao's reluctance, Boss Qian didn't press him and downed his drink in one gulp.

"Tianmen Mountain." Zhu Biao tilted his head back and also downed his drink.

Boss Qian glanced at Zhu Biao, seemingly casually, and said, "Tianmen Mountain in Xiangxi? It's not very safe for a woman with a child there."

After a few drinks, Zhu Biao's face flushed, and he became more talkative.

"Sigh, it's all because of that Wu Daoming and the white-haired old nun. If they hadn't lost my son, I wouldn't have had to travel so far." Zhu Biao complained.

"The white-haired old nun?" Boss Qian became secretly wary.

"It's because of those two having an affair that Liu Jinmo snatched my child away. Brother Qian, tell me, they're both getting on in years, how can they still be like that?" Zhu Biao said indignantly.

Old Master Qian smiled slightly and said, "That depends on their appearances. Some people are virtuous, while others are not. Tell me about their appearances, and I'll examine their faces."

Zhu Biao described the appearances and backgrounds of Wu Daoming and the nameless nun.

Old Master Qian looked at Gen Qi and Kun Ba, who nodded, indicating that Zhu Biao was referring to the people who attacked them in Qinren Valley.

"Hmm, according to your description, the old nun's adultery in her later years is indeed related to her appearance. Is the Wu you mentioned the one known as the number one feng shui master in Lingnan, Wu Daoming?" Old Master Qian asked.

Zhu Biao said, "At first, he said he was a writer from Guangdong, but later I found out he's the feng shui master you mentioned."

"No wonder, it's him." Old Master Qian muttered to himself.

Chapter 110

"Brother, do you know that Wu Daoming from Lingnan?" Zhen Si asked.

"I've heard my master mention Wu Daoming, the leader of the Southern School of Form and Motion," said Elder Qian. "He seems to have some connection with my master."

Genqi and Kunba also raised their cups, clinking them with Zhu Biao's to thank him for his help and care along the way. Zhu Biao drank several more cups, his face turning a deep purplish-red.

"Young Master Zhu, what's the background of that white-haired old nun?" Elder Qian continued.

Zhu Biao, drunk, replied, "She's an old nun from the nameless nunnery on Wengong Mountain in Wuyuan. She's only good at martial arts; her chanting is all fake. Otherwise, how could she have lost her chastity and gotten involved with Wu Daoming?"

Elder Qian pondered for a moment, then asked Zhu Biao, "Are they still in Jiangxi?"

"No, they went to Tianmen Mountain too." Zhu Biao began to yawn.

"What are they doing at Tianmen Mountain?" Elder Qian pressed.

"Looking for Hansheng." Zhu Biao's eyes were closing, his voice growing softer.

"Who is Hansheng?"

"A doctor."

"What do you need a doctor for?"

"They've been...poisoned..." Zhu Biao began to snore.

After a moment's thought, Qian the Elder waved his hand and said, "Sixth Brother, help him down to rest properly. This man is useful to us."

Black-faced Kan Liu agreed and helped Zhu Biao to the side room to rest.

Qian the Elder remained silent for a long time, his expression solemn.

"Brother, what are you thinking about?" Zhen Si asked.

Qian the Elder slowly said, "We encountered Wu Daoming in Qinren Valley, and they're going to Tianmen Mountain. This doesn't seem like a coincidence. Seventh Brother, Eighth Brother, when you fought them, did they seem like they were poisoned?"

Genqi recalled for a moment and said, "That Wu Daoming does resemble him somewhat. He used the Iron Bridge Kung Fu, but he couldn't get up and collapsed. That white-haired old nun is definitely not him; her true energy is very abundant, otherwise she wouldn't have been able to injure us so easily." "

Hmm, it seems this Hansheng is quite a mysterious figure. Seventh Brother and Eighth Brother, you two sleep with Zhu Biao and try to get as much information out of him as possible, especially about that Hansheng guy," Qian Laoda instructed.

"Yes," Genqi and Kunba responded in unison.

Qian Laoda raised his wine cup and said to everyone, "Seventh Brother and Eighth Brother, you've worked hard. I'll toast you all." He then drank it all in one gulp.

Zhen Si downed his drink and said, "Brother, is there still no news from Second Brother Dui, Third Brother Li, and Fifth Brother Xun?"

Elder Qian replied, "They've been scouting around Tianmen Mountain for a while now. The last message they sent back said there's a master hidden in Guigu Cave named the Old Man of Xiangxi, whose martial arts are said to be unfathomable. I suspect he might be the guardian of the Wild Blessing Treasure."

Zhen Si poured himself another drink, downed it in one gulp, and said, "Brother, with the martial arts and sorcery of the eight of us brothers, we shouldn't be afraid of some old man, right?"

Elder Qian glanced at him and said, "Never underestimate anyone. In short, the guardian of the Wild Blessing Treasure is no ordinary person."

Zhen Si was still somewhat unconvinced and asked, "Brother, when are we going to Tianmen Mountain?"

"We'll set off early tomorrow morning, taking Zhu Biao with us," Elder Qian said.

Ma Du set off before dawn, riding at breakneck speed, and finally managed to gather the necessary medicines and equipment for Han Sheng in a small county town. The money given to him by Manager Tie was almost gone. When he returned to Tianmen Inn without stopping, it was already past midnight. He dismounted and collapsed on the doorstep.

Liu Jinmo helped Ma Du inside. After taking his pulse, Han Sheng said, "It's from hunger and exhaustion, nothing serious. Feed him some porridge when he wakes up."

Opening the travel bag, a strong aroma of Chinese herbs wafted out. Han Sheng checked the contents: over a liter of dried datura flowers, and one packet each of raw aconite, angelica root, angelica dahurica, chuanxiong rhizome, and stir-fried arisaema rhizome—that should be enough. The bag also contained some alcohol, iodine, cotton wool, and surgical scalpels and scissors.

"Mr. Liu, please warm some liquor," Han Sheng instructed.

Following the instructions in the *Qing Nang Jing*, Han Sheng first took one liter of dried datura flowers, four mace each of raw aconite, whole angelica, fragrant angelica, and chuanxiong, and one mace of stir-fried arisaema. He didn't have a scale, but fortunately, he often prepared medicine for his father and could count the ingredients by hand.

Liu Jinmo retrieved a kitchen knife, a cutting board, and a rolling pin from the kitchen. It wasn't surprising that Manager Wang, being from the north, had these things.

As Han Sheng instructed, Liu Jinmo chopped the herbs, then channeled his energy into his arms and used the rolling pin to grind the herbs into powder.

"Han Sheng, is this the anesthetic powder invented by Hua Tuo? What exactly is this little white flower?" Liu Jinmo asked as he ground the herbs.

Han Sheng explained, "It's these little white flowers that are working. Datura, also known as datura, is said to contain something called scopolamine, an anticholinergic drug that can effectively inhibit the central nervous system and relieve bronchospasm. It can not only anesthetize the central nervous system, but also has medicinal uses to stop coughing and relieve asthma, treating cold-type coughs and asthma with little phlegm. Patients with bronchial asthma can use a small amount of datura flowers during an attack, crush them, mix them with tobacco, roll them into cigarettes, and smoke them to relieve shortness of breath. However, the daily dosage should not exceed three-tenths of an ounce, otherwise it will cause poisoning."

After Liu Jinmo rolled it out, he mixed the powder into the warm liquor, and as Han Sheng instructed, he pried open Can'er's mouth and poured it all down her throat.

"Alright, the child will be anesthetized within four hours and will be completely unconscious. We can begin now."

It was nearly midnight. Han Sheng instructed Manager Tie to gather all the oil lamps. The operating table was the traditional octagonal dining table, covered with a sheet. The child was stripped naked and laid flat on the table. Oil lamps were placed around the child to eliminate shadows. There were no shadowless lamps, only this makeshift method, probably the same one used by Hua Tuo in the past.

Under the lamplight, the child's body was revealed to everyone: strong pectoral muscles, abdominal muscles divided into eight sections, dark and smooth skin, strong thighs... "Ah! This is..." Mingyue exclaimed from behind.

The robust male body of Can'er appeared before Mingyue's eyes… Mingyue blushed and quickly turned away, asking, "What happened to Can'er?"

Liu Jinmo pulled Mingyue aside and recounted the bloody scene at the inn late the previous night, telling her that Can'er had stayed behind to protect her, and based on the situation, he deduced that Can'er had been seriously injured while protecting her.

Mingyue was stunned, tears welling in her eyes.

Hansheng was currently busy disinfecting Can'er's chest and abdomen with iodine and alcohol. He saw a large purple bruise on Can'er's right waist, shaped like a foot—the result of Mo Laoda's kick.

Hansheng sighed, then first pierced the skin with the tip of a knife to check the effect of the anesthesia. The disabled child showed no reaction, which relieved Han Sheng. His scalpel trembled slightly as he made the incision in the child's chest… Han Sheng had never operated before, only seen his father perform minor surgeries, not even an appendectomy. Performing this surgery on the disabled child was a last resort, a desperate measure. Although he lacked all the life support systems of Western medicine, such as extracorporeal circulation and oxygenation, and the procedure wasn't performed in a sterile environment, he was certain that Hua Tuo had done it this way. He believed that the anesthetic powder had more than just anesthesia; it must have other effects he was unaware of.

The disabled child had three broken ribs on his right side, the fractures piercing the chest wall diagonally upwards, causing hemothorax and pneumothorax. However, upon closer inspection, apart from three holes in the right lung, the other internal organs were unharmed—a stroke of luck.

Since it was broken, he decided to sew it up. He wasn't very familiar with Western surgical instruments, so he had instructed Ma Du to buy a large sewing needle, threaded it with catgut, and quickly sewed up the three holes.

Han Sheng carefully cleaned away the blood clots in the chest cavity, repositioned the ribs, and then carefully checked again. Finding no other wounds, he happily used the sewing needle to stitch up the child's flesh and skin all at once. "

The surgery is actually quite simple," Han Sheng breathed a sigh of relief. "Anti-infection and such are easy; I can just find a prescription in the *Qing Nang Jing*.

" "Pay special attention to the broken ribs these next few days; avoid any strenuous activity," Han Sheng instructed everyone. Then, they gently lifted the child onto the bed and covered him with a blanket. "

After this, it seems I need to learn more about both Chinese and Western medical theories and surgical techniques. I can't keep using sewing needles for work," Han Sheng thought.

"Brother Han Sheng, is there any result for my matter?" Mingyue asked timidly from the side.

Han Sheng blushed upon hearing this. Yes, how could he bring this up?

Chapter 111.

Han Sheng thought for a moment and said to Mingyue, "I'll ask Mr. Liu Jinmo to channel some Yin energy into your Yongquan acupoint to sustain your life. Sit on the bed and take off your shoes."

Mingyue looked at Han Sheng, seemingly confused, but still obeyed and got into bed.

"Eh, isn't this Master? What's she doing here?" Mingyue noticed the nameless nun lying at the other end of the large communal bed.

Han Sheng replied, "Master has been poisoned by arsenic, and I'm trying to treat her."

Liu Jinmo reached out and grabbed Mingyue's right foot, his palm facing her Yongquan acupoint, intently channeling a stream of Yin energy directly into her Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian.

A moment later, Mingyue suddenly laughed, her voice hoarse: "Haha, it itches so much!"

Liu Jinmo looked on in surprise. He was holding Yi Qing's foot, but Mingyue was gone. The ugly, lewd Yi Qing was grinning at him. Liu Jinmo released his grip in disgust.

The time had come, and Mingyue had returned to being Yi Qing's master.

Han Sheng pulled Liu Jinmo aside and whispered, "How should we tell Mingyue about this?"

Liu Jinmo pondered, "Currently, you're the only disciple here. What do you think?"

Han Sheng said solemnly, "This matter is not ordinary. I absolutely cannot do it."

Liu Jinmo said, "Since that's the case, I wonder if Can'er is a disciple. Even if he is, given his current physical condition, he can't do it. The key is whether Mingyue is willing."

"Yes, Mingyue is deeply in love with Huang Jianguo. I'm afraid she's unwilling. Actually, that Huang fellow is not a very upright person, far less devoted than Can'er," Han Sheng pondered.

Yi Qing walked over and said, "Han Sheng, it's been over a day, and we still haven't seen Manager Wang."

Han Sheng shook his head. He couldn't tell Yi Qing yet; Uncle Shanren had long seen through this opportunistic man and had warned him several times.

Liu Jinmo said from the side, "He left with Boss Mo, leading those corpses. He said it might take a few days."

"He doesn't keep his word," Yi Qing muttered as he went to sleep in the east room.

Han Sheng walked over to Wu Daoming and the nun, looking at their unconscious state, and said, "Let's begin the detoxification process."

Liu Jinmo said worriedly, "Crane's Crest Red is one of the three most deadly poisons in the world, feared throughout the martial arts world. It might not be so easy to cure."

Han Sheng calmed down. Since ancient times, many famous figures from various dynasties had died from arsenic, and it had even been the subject of numerous plays. For example, Zhang Luer's mother in "The Injustice to Dou E," and the wealthy merchant Shen Hong and Wu Dalang in "Su San's Escort," all died from arsenic. It was said that the bones of those poisoned by this poison turned black, demonstrating its extreme toxicity.

The "Qing Nang Jing" recorded a specific antidote for this common and deadly poison. For acute poisoning, "quickly administering 'golden limbs' can cure it."

Han Sheng smiled bitterly. What were "golden limbs"? Alas, it was "human venom poisoning" again.

When Han Sheng was in school, his teacher had specifically taught him the common knowledge of using ferrous hydroxide to detoxify realgar, because the local area produced realgar.

When local factories use lime to neutralize acidic wastewater, they generate large amounts of ferrous hydroxide and ferric hydroxide precipitates, which have strong adsorption and coagulation capabilities. These precipitates can remove impurities such as arsenic trioxide from the wastewater through adsorption and coagulation. Production practice has proven that the lime neutralization method can generally achieve an arsenic removal efficiency of up to 99%. Arsenic trioxide is arsenic, also known as "crane's crest red," and its chemical composition is As?O?.

It is said that Western medicine, in addition to inducing vomiting and gastric lavage, uses ferric hydroxide preparations to neutralize arsenic trioxide when treating arsenic poisoning.

Hua Tuo used the more convenient and easy-to-administer "human feces yellow." It seems that there are many little-known secrets in human feces, not just simple E. coli.

The prescription for chronic arsenic poisoning in the *Qing Nang Jing* is: use white pheasant as medicine, earth juice as a guide, and take it at regular times.

This is easy to do; feeding the two elderly people the medicine won't be so disgusting.

Han Sheng's brows relaxed.

Liu Jinmo cautiously remarked, "At a banquet in Beijing years ago, I heard someone mention that when Napoleon, the French president, was defeated and imprisoned on a small island, someone secretly added small amounts of arsenic to his daily diet. This slowly accumulated and he eventually died of arsenic poisoning."

Han Sheng nodded and said, "When someone is poisoned, you must first know what kind of poison it is before you can treat it. Perhaps only China has created so many different kinds of deadly poisons. Doctors must devise all sorts of bizarre antidotes; this is unimaginable in Western medicine."

Liu Jinmo asked, "What's the next step?" He didn't like Wu Daoming and the nun; he had even injured them deep underground in the Linggu Cave in Nanshan. However, as long as Han Sheng told him what to do, Liu Jinmo would agree without hesitation.

"Mr. Liu, please ride a fast horse and buy a few kilograms of Bai Fei, no matter what," Han Sheng ordered.

"What is Bai Fei?" Liu Jinmo asked.

Han Sheng smiled sheepishly and explained, "Bai Fei is the Chinese medicine Fang Feng, also called Shan Qin Cai. The root is used medicinally; it's sweet and warm in nature, entering the liver, spleen, kidney, and bladder meridians. It can relieve chronic arsenic poisoning. Go and come back quickly."

Liu Jinmo responded and left, the sound of horses' hooves gradually fading into the distance.

Han Sheng returned to the bedside, silently gazing at Can'er, secretly praying for his speedy recovery. It seemed he needed to get some medicine to speed up Can'er's recovery. If Can'er could be with her afterward, it wouldn't have been in vain for risking his life to save Mingyue. Meanwhile, things

seemed much happier. Wu Daoming and the nun, though unconscious, were still holding hands. Although they had found a soulmate in their twilight years, their love was passionate and intense. Life is truly unpredictable.

Just then, the silence was broken by the rapid sound of horses' hooves.

Han Sheng walked to the door and looked outside. Under the moonlight, several horsemen had arrived at the inn. The tall, thin young man at the head of the group called out loudly, "Boss, do you have any rooms?" He spoke with a strong northern accent.

Behind the woods of Tianmen Mountain, in front of the stilted house, under the moonlight, Granny Mei Xiaoying was intently holding a giant clam shell, drawing water from it.

The Old Ancestor of Tianmen Mountain was helping her. The two of them took turns rubbing the clam shell with their palms to generate heat, and then cooling it under the moonlight. A few drops of dew condensed on the inner wall of the shell. Xiaoying carefully collected the dew in a small mutton-fat bottle, and then they repeated the process. They had been working intently for several hours.

As the moon began to set, the small mutton-fat bottle was almost full. Mei Xiaoying breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing that it was nearly 3 AM, she took two golden dragon seeds from her pocket and put them into the bottle. "Alright," she thought, "soaking them until 5 AM, then using them to wash your eyes before dawn will restore your sight in that blind eye." The old woman stretched happily.

The patriarch said sourly, "Does this stuff even work? That Han Sheng is just a young punk. Even the old monster from Xiangxi was helpless against him. Xiaoying, are you really going to take that kid to see him?"

Mei Xiaoying's face hardened, and she said sternly, "Didn't we agree not to mention him again?"

"Yes, yes, I'm afraid that old monster will bully you," the patriarch said meekly.

The autumn night was chilly, the Milky Way desolate. The old woman said with concern, "Little Ying, it's cold, be careful not to catch a cold. Let's go back inside."

She ignored him, recalling a similar autumn night, bright and clear, when she emerged from the fur merchant's body, wandering by Moon Lake, overwhelmed by unbearable pain and loneliness, utterly despondent, and with no will to live, she finally plunged into the icy lake.

It was that old man who saved her. When she first saw him, she was startled. She struggled out of his embrace and scrutinized him closely. He was completely naked, with long white hair reaching his shoulders, white eyebrows and beard, and skin so white it seemed transparent, with veins crisscrossing beneath. Only his eyes shone brightly.

"Are you human?" she had asked tremblingly.

The old man laughed heartily and said loudly, "At the foot of Tianmen Mountain, in the Ghost Valley Cave, I am the old man of Xiangxi."

"Why aren't you dressed?" Xiaoying's eyes averted from the old man's genitals, her face flushed as she asked.

The old man shamelessly replied, "This old man has been naked for many years."

Xiaoying found his words amusing and couldn't help but smile.

It was this smile that shook the old man's eighty-year-old virginity barrier; his heart fluttered, and he resolved to help her.

"You're a corpse? How many years have you been dead?" the old man from Xiangxi asked.

Seeing that her identity had been recognized, Xiaoying nodded, admitting she had been dead for over ten years, and recounted her unfortunate past to the old man.

After listening, the old man's face slowly flushed crimson; he had grown fond of this alluring corpse.

Chapter 112:

Mei Xiaoying set her conditions: the old man from Xiangxi must agree to eliminate her enemies in Phoenix City.

The old man agreed to Xiaoying's request, agreeing to eliminate her enemies, but only after they had united in yin and yang.

Xiaoying followed the old man to Ghost Valley Cave, where she was buried under the night-shining sand for three days and three nights, completing her yin-yang union. She returned from a corpse to her intermediate state, then recovered to normal, and became pregnant.

Several days later, the old man from Xiangxi secretly went to Phoenix City, only to discover that Xiaoying's enemies had been wiped out a year ago, the perpetrator unknown. Now that her enemy was dead, Xiaoying had no more attachments and lived with the old man from Xiangxi.

Living in the Ghost Valley Cave for so long was suffocating, and Xiaoying insisted on leaving.

So, the old man built a small wooden house by the secluded Moon Lake. Every night, he would sneak out of the lake to share a room with Xiaoying, and they would catch a fish. Together, they would cook the fish, drink wine, and admire the moon, enjoying each other's company. During the day, they would spend their time tending flowers and vegetables, living a carefree life.

Xiaoying's belly gradually grew larger, but the old man from Xiangxi visited less and less, sometimes not seeing her for days at a time.

Just then, Jiangzu appeared before Xiaoying. He was a plump, kind-hearted Miao man, seemingly without a temper, always smiling, and would tell Xiaoying strange tales to amuse her.

Jiangzu even had a vast collection of fine wines.

When Xiaoying was with the old man from Xiangxi, she began to feel listless, but with Jiangzu, it was completely different. What happened afterward was quite natural.

One rainy night, the old man from Xiangxi, who hadn't visited the cabin for half a month, suddenly arrived unexpectedly and finally discovered Jiangzu sleeping in Xiaoying's bed. The old man was furious and was about to kill Jiangzu with a single blow when Xiaoying stepped forward, threatening to die in protest. The old man from Xiangxi had no choice but to leave in a huff.

Several days later, the old man from Xiangxi sneaked out of Moon Lake again and burned down the cabin—the love nest he and Xiaoying had built together—completely.

Xiaoying was utterly desperate and left with Jiangzu that very night, going to Jiangzu's stilted house on Tianmen Mountain, where the two finally officially lived together.

"Xiaoying, what are you thinking about? It's already past dawn, it'll be light soon," the old man whispered in Xiaoying's ear.

Before dawn, following Han Sheng's instructions, Mei Xiaoying gently cleansed her eye, which had been blind for many years due to glaucoma, with Fangzhu water infused with golden dragon seeds.

The Old Ancestor of Tianmen Mountain watched silently from the side.

"Glaucoma" is the Miao term; in Traditional Chinese Medicine, it falls under the category of five types of glaucoma: Green Glaucoma (similar to primary angle-closure glaucoma); Blue Glaucoma (similar to primary open-angle glaucoma); Yellow Glaucoma (similar to absolute glaucoma); Black Glaucoma (also similar to angle-closure glaucoma); and Dark Glaucoma (similar to open-angle glaucoma or secondary glaucoma).

Western medicine calls it glaucoma because it's caused by impaired intraocular pressure regulation, leading to abnormally high intraocular pressure, resulting in visual impairment and morphological changes in the retina. The pupil often has a bluish-green tint, hence the name.

Currently, the effects of both Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments are not ideal; Western medicine generally uses surgery.

In fact, the internal pressure of the eye—intraocular pressure—depends on the amount of aqueous humor. The aqueous humor system of the eye can be likened to a water tank with its pipes always open, and the eye's drainage channels to the drain pipes connected to the tank. If the tank functions properly, the water from the pipes should drain smoothly and quickly from the tank, and the amount of aqueous humor produced should exactly equal the amount drained. The development of cataracts (or eye diseases) is caused by abnormally high intraocular pressure, which is usually due to abnormalities in the eye's pumping system, such as blockage or obstruction of the drainage channels, while the ciliary body continuously produces aqueous humor. In other words, the water pipes are open, but the drain pipes are blocked, and the excess aqueous humor accumulates in the eye, compressing the weakest point—the optic nerve at the back of the eye. Prolonged high intraocular pressure will damage part of the optic nerve, initially manifesting as partial visual field impairment, and eventually leading to blindness.

The effects of plants on human organs cannot be explained by contemporary science, as modern physics, chemistry, and biology have only developed for about two hundred years and are far from revealing all the unknown components of plants in nature and their remarkable pharmacological effects on the human body.

Just like human excrement, scientifically defined as nothing more than a pile of feces, in Han Sheng's hands it was a panacea for many intractable diseases.

A specific component contained in the Golden Dragon Seed dissolved in the Fangzhu Water and entered the old woman's eyes, quickly and effectively clearing the blocked drainage channels of the aqueous humor. The intraocular pressure dropped and returned to normal. Although the retinal capillaries had been compressed and blocked by the intraocular pressure for a long time, and blood flow would take some time to return to normal, the old woman could see again.

The dawn sun rose, big and red, and a bright smile appeared on the old woman's face.

Under the moonlight at the Tianmen Inn, a gentle autumn breeze blew, and Han Sheng couldn't help but shiver.

The young man at the head of the group dismounted. This man was Zhen Si, the fourth-ranked Feng Shui wizard in the north.

"Boss, do you have any rooms?" Zhen Si approached and asked again.

Han Sheng hesitated. He was also a guest at the inn. How should he answer? Looking at these people, all dressed in martial arts attire, it seemed they possessed martial arts skills.

"Hansheng! It's you..." A man stepped forward from behind, clearly visible in the moonlight—it was Zhu Biao.

"Eh, Zhu Biao, how come it's you?" Hansheng was overjoyed; this was like meeting an old friend in a foreign land.

Zhu Biao was also very excited; seeing Hansheng meant he must have news of Caihua and Caihua.

"Hansheng, do you know anything about Caihua and Shen Caihua?" Zhu Biao asked hastily.

Hansheng nodded.

Boss Qian dismounted and stepped forward, carefully examining Hansheng. He was the leader of the Northern Feng Shui shamans, possessing his own methods of judging character.

Generally, when observing a person's appearance, one first observes the bone structure, then the five elements. Measure the length of the three sections of the face, observe the fullness or emptiness of the face, the clarity of the eyebrows and eyes, the flourishing or withering of the spirit, the thickness of the hands and feet, the sparseness or turbidity of the beard and hair, the length of the body, the completeness of the five features, the convergence of the five sacred mountains, the waxing and waning of yin and yang, and discern the honesty or humility of the appearance.

Qian, the eldest, nodded. This man had a kind face, a clear and bright spirit, and was so pure that even a long look at him wouldn't make one dizzy. He was a young man of simple heart and noble character. In comparison, Zhu Biao was simply a despicable scoundrel.

"Old sir," Qian said, "I am also a guest at the inn. The innkeeper is away for several days and will be back soon. The east room is available; please come in and have a look." Han Sheng was immediately impressed by Qian's amiable appearance.

Qian smiled slightly, stepped into the east room, and sniffed the air, thinking to himself, "What a strong smell of blood."

Han Sheng said, "You can stay here for now, and settle the bill when the innkeeper returns. How many days will you be staying?"

"Only a few days," Qian replied, a seasoned veteran, his words both assertive and tactful.

The oil lamps from the east room had all been moved to the west room. Using the light diffused from the west room, Yi Qing rubbed his eyes and sat up from the large communal bed, asking groggily, "Has Manager Wang returned?"

Han Sheng said, "Master Yi Qing, go sleep in the west room. We have guests here."

Yi Qing looked at the several burly northern men and reluctantly climbed off the bed.

Old Master Qian frowned, thinking to himself, "This man is so ugly, with a bluish aura around his forehead; it's quite ominous.

" "Mr. Wu and the nun are here too!" came Zhu Biao's exclamation from the west room.

Hearing the shout, Han Sheng said to Old Master Qian, "You should rest now, we won't disturb you." He then returned to the west room.

Zhen Si looked at Old Master Qian with questioning eyes. Old Master Qian nodded. Zhen Si stepped out of the room and into the west room, where he was shocked by what he saw… On the large communal bed in the west room lay Can'er, Wu Daoming, and the nun, all clearly seriously injured. The table was stained with blood, and there were surgical instruments and blood-stained cotton balls.

"This is…" Zhen Si asked.

Han Sheng replied, "They just had surgery."

Zhen Si said, "I came to find an oil lamp."

Han Sheng smiled apologetically, took an oil lamp, and handed it to him. Zhen Si thanked him and returned to the east room.

After hearing Zhen Si's account of the situation in the west room, Qian Laoda pondered for a while before saying, "The situation is still unclear, so we must not act rashly. The stench of blood in this room is too strong; it's as if a massacre had taken place here."

Zhen Si said, "They had surgery in that room; could it be the stench of blood from there?"

Qian Laoda shook his head and said, "Absolutely not. I also sensed the stench of decaying corpses, and that ugly freak named Yi Qing seems to be possessed by a ghost; his face is full of filth."

"Brother, Lao Qi and Lao Ba fought with that white-haired old nun. If they wake up, they'll definitely recognize them. Should I take care of them first?" Zhen Si asked eagerly. Qian Laoda

waved his hand and said, "No need. Xun Wu, you take care of them. Lao Si and I will go outside and take a look."

Qian Laoda and Zhen Si left the room and went to the courtyard. Zhen Si went to take care of the horses first, while Qian Laoda went out into the courtyard alone. Afterward, he turned back to examine the Tianmen Inn more closely, secretly astonished.

The rectangular shape of the three thatched houses in this inn resembles a coffin. Behind the houses is a small, round, treeless earthen hill, much like a burial mound, overgrown with weeds, like a desolate grave. The surrounding mountains are shaped like taut arrows, and the autumn wind seems to carry faint ghostly wails. The four large characters "Tianmen Inn" are written on a wooden plaque, standing upright above the door like a memorial tablet. The main door faces northeast, the "Gen" position, which is considered the gate of ghosts.

This must be a traditional "corpse inn" in western Hunan, used for transporting corpses. If a living person stays here, it is extremely unlucky, bringing bloodshed. However, given the layout of this inn, even as a "corpse inn" for receiving corpses, it is still quite dangerous, and could potentially endanger the life of the inn's occupant.

After settling the horses, Zhen Si walked over and said, "Brother, you all go and rest. I'll take the night watch."

Elder Qian nodded and said, "Alright, I'll go check the west room again."

Entering the west room, the stench of blood was indeed pungent. Several people were sleeping on the large communal bed. The white-haired old nun and an old man were lying side-by-side, holding hands, their relationship clearly ambiguous.

"You haven't rested yet, sir?" Han Sheng said to Elder Qian.

Elder Qian smiled and said, "I smelled blood, so I came to check. Are you a doctor, young man?"

Han Sheng replied, "I learned some ancestral medical skills from my father, nothing special."

Elder Qian coughed twice and laughed, "Are those two a couple?"

Han Sheng turned to look at Wu Daoming and the nun holding hands and said, "Yes, they've been poisoned and are still unconscious."

"What kind of poison?" Elder Qian asked with concern.

"Arsenic," Han Sheng answered.

Old Qian was quite surprised, looking at Han Sheng and saying, "You look so young, yet you can cure arsenic poisoning. Your ancestors must have been renowned physicians."

Han Sheng humbly replied, "My hometown, the mountains of northern Jiangxi, produce realgar, so I know a little about detoxification. What is your surname, sir?"

Old Qian said, "My surname is Qian, just call me Brother Qian."

"My name is Han Sheng, and they are all my friends," Han Sheng said, pointing to the row of people on the bed.

"Did you come to western Hunan from Jiangxi to do business?" Old Qian asked deliberately.

"No, we're looking for someone," Han Sheng replied.

"Looking for someone?" Old Qian seemed quite surprised.

Han Sheng felt that the old man was quite kind, so he told him that he had come to Tianmen Mountain to find an old man from western Hunan.

Old Qian shook his head and said, "That name sounds strange. Have you found him?"

"Yes," Han Sheng replied.

Chapter 113

"Please forgive my curiosity. I am a physician from Huanglong Prefecture, Nong'an County, Jilin Province, in Northeast China. I have come south to western Hunan to seek medical treatment and medicine, and I originally hoped to make friends with my colleagues in the Central Plains. If I have been too forward, please forgive me," said Elder Qian.

Upon hearing that the old man was also a doctor, Han Sheng felt a sense of kinship and said, "So you are also a physician, Mr. Qian. My apologies for my disrespect."

Elder Qian smiled and said, "Northeast China is a harsh and cold place with a severe climate. The variety of plants is not as abundant as in the Central Plains. Especially in the deep mountains and forests of western Hunan, there may be the Ghost Corpse Fern that I am looking for."

"Ghost Corpse Fern?" Han Sheng had never heard of it before.

Seeing this pique Han Sheng's interest, Elder Qian explained further, "The Ghost Corpse Fern grows in the shade of ancient trees, never seeing sunlight. Once found, it must be quickly uprooted and placed in an earthenware jar, sealed, and buried in shady soil. It must be retrieved after ten years. If it has rotted, it is unusable; if it has turned into clear water, then it is successful. Generally speaking, if one out of ten jars is usable, that's considered good."

Han Sheng, upon hearing this, realized that even the *Qing Nang Jing* (a classic text on medicine) didn't record such a thing, truly demonstrating the wonders of the world. He quickly asked, "What medicinal value does the Ghost Corpse Fern have?"

Elder Qian replied, "The water that the Ghost Corpse Fern transforms into is called 'Resurrection Dew,' specifically used for those in the intermediate state (between death and rebirth). A few drops can revive the soul."

"Such a miraculous herb exists in the world, and its preparation method is so unique. Traditional Chinese medicine is truly profound and extensive," Han Sheng exclaimed.

Elder Qian smiled but remained silent.

Han Sheng then asked, "What does the Ghost Corpse Fern look like?"

Boss Qian thought to himself that to gain Han Sheng's trust, he must first cater to his interests, starting with his interest in medicine.

"The Ghost Corpse Fern is actually a type of fungus with a unique appearance. A single stem emerges from the ground, about seven inches tall, with a top shaped like a man's glans. On the glans are lifelike human face patterns; the bearded male face is the Yang Fern, and the female face is the Yin Fern. The two types must be placed separately in earthenware jars and cannot be mixed, otherwise the medicinal properties will be lost, becoming no different from ordinary water. When using it, men with male ailments use the Yin Fern water, and women with female ailments use the Yang Fern water. The attraction of Yin and Yang is necessary to revive the patient; if it's reversed, death will ensue," Boss Qian explained carefully.

"Such a marvelous thing actually exists between heaven and earth. Day and night, men and women, the two poles of electromagnetism—it seems that everything in the world is inseparable from Yin and Yang," Han Sheng said with deep feeling.

"The Ghost Corpse Fern's growth requirements are also extremely strange," Boss Qian continued.

"How strange is it?" Han Sheng was completely captivated by this peculiar plant.

"Wherever the Ghost Corpse Mushroom grows, there must be a corpse buried underground, and it must be a naked corpse, without a coffin or lime. Normal graves have been treated with lime and other preservatives for both the coffin and the corpse, so the Ghost Corpse Mushroom cannot grow there. The naked corpse decomposes underground, and the strain that grows on the male corpse is called Yang Mushroom, and on the female corpse it is called Yin Mushroom. There is also a very peculiar kind of mushroom, but I have never seen it before," Qian Laoda said mysteriously.

"What other peculiar mushroom?" Han Sheng's interest grew even stronger, and he developed a deep admiration for the doctor from Guandong.

Boss Qian whispered, "The eunuch mushroom is a ghost-corpse mushroom that grows on the corpses of eunuchs. Think about it, throughout history, eunuchs lived in the Forbidden City until their deaths. Those buried deep in the mountains and forests were extremely rare, and they had to be buried in the shade of ancient trees, away from sunlight, and completely naked. Therefore, it's a rarity."

"Is the medicinal use of the eunuch mushroom equally peculiar?" Han Sheng asked with interest.

Boss Qian shook his head and said, "Even I don't know."

The image of the ghost-corpse mushroom appeared in Han Sheng's mind; it truly rivaled the white silkworm's beard.

"Young brother Han Sheng, would you be interested in joining me in searching for the ghost-corpse mushroom in the shady old forest of Tianmen Mountain?" Boss Qian suggested.

"No, I have to heal them first," Han Sheng said hesitantly. He was genuinely eager to see this miraculous plant.

"What kind of person is the Old Man of Xiangxi? Hearing you mention that name has piqued my interest," said Boss Qian. He knew Han Sheng wasn't cunning, so he first told a story about the Ghost Corpse Fern, hoping Han Sheng would answer his questions in return.

Sure enough, Han Sheng fell for it.

"The Old Man of Xiangxi is a very old man, over 130 years old. He lives in the Ghost Valley Cave, never comes out, and doesn't see outsiders. He's quite kind and understanding, but he doesn't wear clothes; he's completely naked," Han Sheng said with a smile.

"Does he know martial arts?" Boss Qian asked, this was crucial.

Han Sheng thought for a moment and said, "He must be extremely skilled. He knows the 'Thirty-Six Heavenly Measuring Rulers' of Guiguzi."

"What kind of martial art is that?" Boss Qian pressed on.

Han Sheng smiled and said, "I don't know either."

Elder Qian felt he couldn't press the matter further, so he said, "It's getting late, and I'm a bit tired. I'll go rest now."

Han Sheng saw Elder Qian out of the room, and Elder Qian bowed and took his leave.

At the foot of Tianmen Mountain, Nika dived into Moon Lake, entered the underwater secret passage, climbed the steps, and arrived at Ghost Valley Cave.

"Master, I've arrived," Nika said, bowing to the old man from Xiangxi.

The old man from Xiangxi nodded and said, "Recently, has only Han Sheng and his group come to the vicinity of Tianmen Mountain? Have you found any other suspicious people?"

Nika replied, "Master, no one else."

"Good. Keep a close eye on Han Sheng and his group, and see what their intentions are," the old man from Xiangxi instructed.

"Yes, Master," Nika responded.

Early in the morning, the northerners in the east room got up to prepare breakfast, and wisps of smoke rose from the chimney.

Han Sheng barely slept a wink all night, checking on Can'er's injuries and taking the pulses of Wu Daoming and the nun, hoping Liu Jinmo would return soon.

The aroma from the kitchen wafted into the west room. Han Sheng went to see what was happening and found that the northerners were making scallion pancakes. Qian Laoda tore off half a pancake and handed it to him; it was indeed crispy and fragrant.

"Are you going to look for the Ghost Corpse Qin today?" Han Sheng asked.

Qian Laoda nodded, "Yes, we might be back a little late."

Han Sheng really wanted to see what the Ghost Corpse Qin looked like, but he couldn't leave, so he reluctantly returned to his room.

The people inside were still asleep. Zhu Biao had been there last night, and Han Sheng had told him that Shen Caihua had taken Caihua, and that the mother and child should be safe. They would go to search for them together after Wu Daoming and the nun recovered.

Zhu Biao recounted his ordeal to Han Sheng. Meng Zhuqi had sent Meng Wu and another man to kill him in Wolong Valley, but he was rescued by the Golden-Headed Turtle, which devoured the two thieves.

Han Sheng sighed deeply upon hearing this.

The northerners, including the two blind men, had set off on horseback in five groups. Just as they left the inn, Qian Laoda saw a fast horse galloping towards them.

As the rider passed by, Qian Laoda was immediately struck by his appearance. The rider was lean and capable, with a hooked nose and piercing eyes; he seemed to be quite skilled in martial arts. Moreover, he was heading straight for the inn, which made Qian Laoda suspicious.

"Brother, let me go and see," Zhen Si said, noticing Qian Laoda's doubt.

Qian Laoda smiled slightly and said, "No need. We'll know when we get back."

Zhen Si led the way, and Qian Laoda and his group sped away.

Liu Jinmo also carefully observed the group. Based on his years of experience in the martial arts world, he sensed that these men not only possessed martial arts skills but also exuded a sinister aura. They

arrived at the inn, and Liu Jinmo dismounted and hurried into the west room.

"I got the saposhnikovia root," he said, handing a cloth bag to Han Sheng.

Han Sheng untied the bag; inside were root-like saposhnikovia roots, long and cylindrical, tapering at the bottom, some slightly curved, less than a foot long, and about the thickness of a finger. The root heads had distinct, dense rings, called "earthworm heads," and the woody part was light yellow, called "chrysanthemum heart." Han Sheng nodded; this was top-quality Inner Mongolian "Guan Saposhnikovia root."

"I got it from an old traditional Chinese medicine doctor," Liu Jinmo said.

"You must be tired. Rest for a bit," Han Sheng said.

Liu Jinmo pondered, "On the way to the inn, I saw five horsemen coming out from here. They didn't seem like good people."

Han Sheng said, "They said they came from the north to Xiangxi to collect herbs. They arrived shortly after you left. They're all staying in the east room. By the way, they came with Zhu Biao."

"Oh, Zhu Biao with them?" Liu Jinmo glanced at Zhu Biao, who was snoring on the bed.

"He came to find Shen Caihua and Shen Caihua," Han Sheng said.

Liu Jinmo nodded and asked, "How do you use this medicine?"

Han Sheng replied, "Fangfeng needs to be ground into powder, mixed with ground water as a guide. One ounce per person, taken orally, will detoxify."

"Is the divine doctor here?" At that moment, someone shouted loudly at the door.

Standing in front of the inn were Granny Mei Xiaoying and the Old Ancestor of Tianmen Mountain. The Old Ancestor was holding a large jar of wine, the same jar of Ming Dynasty mixed grain wine that he had drunk with Liu Jinmo last time.

Han Sheng rubbed his eyes and walked to the door, Liu Jinmo following closely behind.

Grandma Mei Xiaoying looked at Han Sheng with a face full of joy; her Qingfeng Inner Eye was now clear as water. The old ancestor pointed his chin at the wine jar and winked at Liu Jinmo.

"Little miracle doctor, Jinlongzi and Fang Zhushui are indeed incredibly miraculous. Grandma has come today to express her gratitude," Mei Xiaoying said with a beaming smile.

Han Sheng quickly invited the couple into the house.

"This is..." Grandma asked in surprise when she saw a group of people lying on the bed.

"They are all my friends. I'm treating them," Han Sheng said.

At this moment, Ma Du, Yi Qing, and Zhu Biao had all woken up. They quickly got up and cleaned the house, then went out to make breakfast.

"Han Sheng, you can go today to do what Grandma promised you," Grandma said.

"I've already seen the old man from Xiangxi," Han Sheng briefly recounted his experience of entering the cave and seeing the old man the night before last.

"Is that old monster still naked?" the old ancestor said sarcastically.

Han Sheng nodded, then asked, somewhat puzzled, "Why don't the old men of Xiangxi like to wear clothes?"

The old woman replied, "Did you see the rock paintings on the cave walls?"

“I see, there are dozens of them,” Han Sheng replied.

“There are thirty-six in total. Those are the ‘Thirty-Six Heavenly Rulers’ martial arts diagrams. They were created by Guiguzi when he was living in seclusion in a cave. They pioneered the internal martial arts techniques of the Central Plains and are incredibly powerful. However, there is one thing to note: to practice this technique, one must be completely naked so that the qi can enter and exit through the pores. You can see that the flying figures in the diagrams are all naked,” the old woman said.

Han Sheng nodded and said, “Yes, I think Guiguzi was probably naked when he was living in seclusion in the cave.”

“What’s the use of practicing this technique? You can’t exactly fight naked in broad daylight, can you? I dare say that if that old monster came out like that, the government and public security organs would definitely arrest him and send him to a mental hospital,” the old ancestor mocked.

The old woman's face hardened, and she said sternly, "Don't interrupt, you're affecting my conversation with Hansheng. Go drink with Jinmo."

The old ancestor chuckled, grabbed Liu Jinmo's hand, and went to find a cup.

Liu Jinmo smiled and said, "Not now, I need to help Hansheng grind medicine."

The old ancestor asked, "Grind what medicine?"

"Grind Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia divaricata) into powder to treat that old couple in bed." Although Liu Jinmo herself was not chaste, seeing that Wu Daoming and the master had already spent most of their lives together, it was not worth losing her virginity now.

"I'll help you," the old ancestor said, and lightly slapped the Fangfeng on the table with a dark palm.

Chapter 114

The "earthworm head" at the root of Fangfeng cracked with several fine lines. Hansheng poked it with his finger, and the wood inside had already turned into powder... Hansheng was astonished. The martial arts of this old ancestor of Tianmen Mountain were so unbelievable, opening his eyes to a whole new world.

Liu Jinmo secretly admired the old ancestor's Yin Palm technique, which lived up to its reputation. Its gentle power could pulverize even the toughest wood fibers, indicating that the old ancestor's Yin Palm skill had reached its peak.

Han Sheng said to Liu Jinmo, "You two go ahead."

The old ancestor happily pulled Liu Jinmo to the backyard, set up a table, and eagerly opened the wine jar.

Han Sheng found a shovel and began digging a pit in an open area outside the inn's gate. Mei Xiaoying stood by with a smile, watching.

Soon, a pit over a foot in diameter and two feet deep was dug. Ma Du brought a bucket of water and, as instructed by Han Sheng, poured it into the pit, then continuously scooped it up and poured it back in.

"This is called 'Earth Water.' When used as a medicinal guide, some illnesses require specific times of day, such as 'Earth Water at midnight,' 'Earth Water at noon,' and so on. Some illnesses require Earth Water from several different times of day, some mutually generating and restraining, others combining and clashing. For example, Yin-Wu-Xu combine with Fire and Water, Si-You-Chou combine with Metal and Water, Shen-Zi-Chen combine with Water, and Xin-Mao-Wei combine with Wood and Water. It's mainly composed of the three elements of birth, flourishing, and death." Han Sheng explained to Ma Du. In fact, this already contained the content of the *Corpse Clothes Classic*, which Han Sheng had unconsciously integrated.

"Is this also the principle of the Five Elements' balance?" Ma Du asked.

"Yes, Central Plains medicine is permeated with the principles of the *I Ching*, emphasizing the interconnectedness of Heaven, Earth, and Man, the inseparability of man and nature," Han Sheng said.

"Different poisons also require medicinal guides from different times of day, right?" Ma Du pressed for details.

“Yes, I used the earth-based water from the Chen hour (7-9 AM) as a guide to counteract their 'Crane's Crest Red' poison, which is based on the principle of earth overcoming water in the Five Elements theory,” Han Sheng explained.

“Oh, I understand,” Ma Du said happily.

Han Sheng was also quite pleased, and he continued, “It’s like the Meridian Flow Theory. All the acupoints on the human body close at specific times of the day. Many contemporary acupuncturists just follow the diagrams, finding the acupoints and inserting needles, regardless of the time or whether the acupoints are closed. Inserting needles like this will have no effect, which is why acupuncture hasn’t developed.”

“Oh, the Meridian Flow Theory? I’ve heard of it before. Han Sheng, could you explain it in more detail?” Ma Du asked eagerly.

Han Sheng recalled the principles recorded in the *Qing Nang Jing*, thought for a moment, and said, "The flow of Qi and blood in the human body has a fixed time. Qi and blood circulate, and acupoints open and close at specific times. Qi and blood arrive at their peak at the appropriate time and decline when they pass their appointed time. Opening at the appointed time and closing after the appointed time, one should take advantage of the peak when draining. This is what is meant by 'puncturing the excess by puncturing its arrival, and tonifying by following its departure.' It is also what is meant by 'puncturing the deficiency by puncturing its departure.' Puncture the incoming Qi to meet and seize it, puncture the departing Qi to follow and replenish it. Following this principle in selecting acupoints will naturally result in vastly different therapeutic effects." "That's the Meridian Flow Theory."

Ma Du seemed to understand, saying, "So the time of day is so important."

Han Sheng explained, "The hour of Zi (11:00 AM) is the beginning of Yang, and the hour of Wu (11:00 AM) is the beginning of Yin, hence the division by Zi and Wu. There are twelve months in a year and twelve Chen (hours) in a day, with Zi and Wu as the longitude and Mao and You as the latitude. A day is divided into four seasons: morning is spring, midday is summer, sunset is autumn, and midnight is winter. Adjust according to the seasons."

Han Sheng himself truly understood many medical principles at this moment.

Under Han Sheng's guidance, Ma Du scooped out two bowls of water from the earth at Chen hour, added one ounce of Fangfengji powder to each bowl, stirred it well, and gave it to the nameless nun and Wu Daoming respectively.

"How long will it take for the poison to be neutralized?" Ma Du asked.

Han Sheng recalled for a moment and said, "Chen and Xu clash, two earth elements clashing, the stronger the conflict, the more the poison can be neutralized. He should wake up around Xu hour, which is between 7 and 9 pm."

Granny Mei Xiaoying interjected with a smile, "So, he'll be fine all day?"

Han Sheng nodded.

"I'm going to take you somewhere," Granny Mei said.

Han Sheng asked doubtfully, "Is it Ghost Valley Cave? I've already seen the old man from Xiangxi, so there's no need to go."

"We're not going to that monster's place, but to another place," Granny Mei said mysteriously.

Han Sheng pondered, "Granny Mei, they need someone to protect them here. I'm worried about the people who stayed at the inn last night. Liu Jinmo said they carry an evil aura."

Granny Mei called out, "Ancestor!"

"Hey, coming!" The Ancestor of Tianmen Mountain, reeking of alcohol, came running over.

"You two will drink in this room and be responsible for protecting these patients, understand?" Granny Mei said sternly.

"Yes, I know," the old ancestor said, looking somewhat aggrieved, and quietly asked Mei Xiaoying, "Are you still going to the old monster's place?"

"Don't ask, this is between Hansheng and me," the old woman said sternly.

The old ancestor of Tianmen Mountain left sheepishly.

"With the old ancestor and Liu Jinmo, two of the world's greatest masters, in the house, you can rest assured," the old woman said.

Hansheng had just seen the old ancestor's extremely powerful chapter, which was unmatched in the world. Adding Liu Jinmo, who was not only a top master in the martial arts world but also very experienced, what was there to worry about?

But Hansheng still had a nagging feeling in his heart, which he couldn't quite put his finger on. Hansheng

instructed Ma Du, Manager Tie, and the shopkeeper to keep a close eye on things, and he and the old woman went out.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Liu Jinmo asked worriedly.

"No need, you go drink with the old ancestor. I'll feel more at ease with the two of you there," Hansheng said.

Zhu Biao stepped forward and said loudly, "Brother Hansheng, with me, Zhu Biao, here, you can rest assured. I'll wait until Mr. Wu wakes up so we can go find Caihua and Caihua." Although he resented Liu Jinmo for stealing Caihua and causing so much trouble, finding them was the priority right now.

Hansheng looked at Zhu Biao with surprise, thinking that this Captain Zhu had commendable courage, but lacked ability.

Zhu Biao lightly touched the pistol at his waist, thinking to himself, "With this dog tag pistol, I, Zhu Biao, am a top-notch expert in the martial arts world."

After bidding farewell to everyone, Han Sheng and Granny Mei Xiaoying left Tianmen Inn and headed deeper into Tianmen Mountain.

Shortly after they left, a small donkey waddled along another mountain path towards Tianmen Inn, carrying an elderly woman with bound feet and a floral headscarf.

The donkey arrived at the inn, and Ma Du emerged from inside.

The old woman appeared to be over eighty years old, her face covered in wrinkles, the skin on her chin drooping. She wore two large silver earrings, and her hair was tied in a bun at the back of her head, tied with a bright pink headscarf embroidered with large red peonies, making her stand out vividly in the green, deep forest.

The old woman had bound feet, wearing pointed black cloth shoes, each embroidered with a vibrant red peony.

The old woman smiled slightly at Ma Du, her mouth full of teeth except for two front teeth; the rest were all gone.

"Young man, do you have any rooms here?" she asked politely, her accent sounding like she was from the Guangdong area, barely understandable.

Ma Du blinked and asked, "Grandma, are you looking for a room?"

The old woman replied irritably, "Of course." The

well-informed shopkeeper, Mr. Tie, stepped forward and said, "Old lady, please don't be angry. The shop is full; there are no rooms available."

"You just happened to have no rooms? I don't believe you!" the old woman said angrily, then shakily climbed down from the donkey.

She glared at Ma Du and Mr. Tie with a shrewd look, then shook her head and walked into the house.

The two men exchanged glances, smiled wryly, and followed behind her.

As she stepped across the threshold, the old woman's nostrils twitched slightly before she entered the east room, her sharp eyes quickly scanning the surroundings without drawing attention.

"This room is full; everyone's gone out. They'll be back this evening," said Manager Tie.

The old woman snorted and said, "This room is no good; it smells too much blood."

Manager Tie and Ma Du were both startled, thinking to themselves, "This old woman's nose is truly sharp."

The old woman turned and went to the west room.

At the table in the west room, the old ancestor and Liu Jinmo were drinking heartily, seemingly oblivious to everything.

On the large communal bed lay Can'er, Wu Daoming, and the nameless nun; Zhu Biao and Yi Qing were not in their rooms, busy in the kitchen.

The old woman looked on with satisfaction, then took off her shoes, climbed onto the bed, sat cross-legged, pulled a pipe from her waist, filled it with tobacco, lit a match, and began to puff away.

"Grandma, this room is already full, you can see that," the shopkeeper said, half-laughing, half-crying.

The old woman completely ignored him, continuing to smoke her pipe.

Liu Jinmo glanced at the old woman, secretly alarmed. She exuded an eerie aura; though her face was covered in wrinkles, her temples were prominently raised—she was a master of internal martial arts.

Liu Jinmo continued drinking his wine. This newcomer seemed ill-intentioned; he'd better observe for now.

The old woman finished her pipe, tapped the ash on the bed frame, and then smiled at the shopkeeper.

“This place is perfect, Grandma will be staying here,” the old woman said, then sighed and muttered to herself, “Grandma lived here ten years ago, time really flies.”

Ma Du asked, “Grandma came here ten years ago?”

The old woman said, “Is that Boss Wang dead? Do you know who the boss is?”

“You know Manager Wang?” Manager Tie asked in surprise.

“Of course, he’s very kind to me. Where is he now?” the old woman said.

Now even Manager Tie was confused.

“He asked where Manager Wang is now,” Liu Jinmo said casually from the side.

“Manager Wang went out and won’t be back for a few days,” Manager Tie told the old woman.

“Oh, I’ve gone out,” the old woman nodded, then added, “There’s a strong smell of blood in that room to the east. Did someone get killed there?”

The innkeeper was displeased; this strange and cunning old woman was remarkably direct in her questions.

“Grandma, I already told you, the inn is full. Please go somewhere else,” the innkeeper said loudly.

“What? Grandma won’t go anywhere!” the old woman snapped.

The innkeeper’s temper flared, and he grabbed the old woman’s arm, trying to drag her off the bed.

Liu Jinmo thought to himself, “This time, the innkeeper is going to get what’s coming to him. ”

The old woman’s other hand had somehow already produced a pipe, and the copper bowl of the pipe accurately struck the innkeeper’s chest between his breasts at the Tanzhong acupoint.

The Tanzhong acupoint is one of the 108 vital acupoints of the human body, a meeting point of the Foot Taiyin, Foot Shaoyin, Hand Taiyang, Hand Shaoyang, and Ren meridians. When this acupoint is struck, the internal energy dissipates, causing panic, confusion, and impaired consciousness.

Sure enough, the Iron Shopkeeper suddenly chuckled, bent down, and scooped up one of the old woman's tiny, bound feet, bringing it to his nose and sniffing it, making clicking sounds.

The old woman didn't seem to mind; on the contrary, she seemed to enjoy it. She filled a bowl with tobacco, lit it, and puffed away, the strong, spicy aroma of the tobacco filling the air.

Ma Du stared at the Iron Shopkeeper, dumbfounded.

Liu Jinmo and the Old Ancestor continued drinking, seemingly oblivious.

Ma Du, who had a grudge against the Iron Shopkeeper, simply stood aside watching the spectacle, a smug smile on his face.

The Iron Shopkeeper seemed to find the old woman's sock in the way, so he removed the smelly sock and pressed his nose against it, sniffing and kissing it.

Seeing his shopkeeper humiliated, the waiter flew into a rage and lunged forward, intending to slap the old woman's leg away.

Before his hand even touched her leg, he was struck on the Tanzhong acupoint with a pipe.

The waiter's face suddenly contorted into a foolish grin. He eagerly snatched the old woman's other foot, ripped off her sock, and began sucking on her deformed toes, seemingly enjoying the taste.

Liu Jinmo, while drinking, thought to himself that the old woman's acupressure technique was extremely strange, containing elements of witchcraft, yet strangely, he couldn't discern any.

Just then, Yi Qing walked in.

"Ugh, how disgusting! How can anyone eat? This old woman's feet stink!" Yi Qing shouted.

Upon seeing Yi Qing, the old woman frowned; he was truly hideous.

"You don't like them like this? Fine, then you'll handle it." The old woman said viciously, her arm suddenly growing larger, and her pipe aimed at Yi Qing's chest.

"Enough!" Liu Jinmo suddenly struck, his index finger flicking out, his steel fingernail flying out like lightning, shooting towards the pipe stem rushing towards Yi Qing. These were newly fitted fingernails; the original ten fingernails had already been used on the rock rats in Ghost Valley Cave.

Liu Jinmo's fingernail struck first, with a "crack," hitting the yellow copper pot, deflecting the pipe stem several inches.

Liu Jinmo had anticipated that the old woman's skill would be extraordinary, so he used eight-tenths of his strength from the start, but he never expected that the old woman's pipe stem not only wouldn't be knocked off, but would only deflect a few inches.

The old woman exclaimed "Eh!" and turned to look at Liu Jinmo, saying, "Old man, not bad at throwing!" With that, she kicked out with both feet, sending the shopkeeper and his waiter flying backward with tremendous force.

Liu Jinmo and the patriarch each extended a hand to catch them, dissipating most of the force. Even so, the heavy bodies of the two still crushed the table, shattering the wine cups and spilling Ming Dynasty mixed grain wine all over the floor.

The patriarch of Tianmen Mountain was furious. He stepped forward and lightly struck the old woman with a sinister palm strike. Seeing the centuries-old wine being ruined was intolerable, so he used all his strength in this strike.

The old woman's face changed drastically upon seeing this. Not daring to take the blow head-on, she quickly leaped nearly ten feet into the air, landing gracefully on the roof beam.

The patriarch was greatly surprised; the old woman's movements were so fast—he had encountered a master today. So, not daring to be careless, he channeled his strength into his arms and unleashed his sect's ultimate move—the Old Kun Double Yin Palm—attacking the old woman from both sides.

Liu Jinmo stood by watching; it was unfair for two old men to attack a woman with bound feet together.

With a "poof," the old woman suddenly blew out a mouthful of ash from her pipe, which flew towards the old man like a whirlwind.

The old man had never expected the old woman to use such a despicable move and was caught off guard. His Yin Palm dispelled most of the ash, but he still inhaled some through his nostrils.

The old man began to sneeze, one after another, uncontrollably, until he finally bent over and sat down on the ground, still not stopping.

Liu Jinmo understood that there was something strange about the old woman's ash; he must not get close. He stretched out his hand, and nine fingernails shot out with a "whoosh," aiming straight for the old woman's head, face, chest, abdomen, and vital points on her limbs.

The old woman was also greatly alarmed. She had already discerned that the two old men drinking so calmly must be highly skilled in martial arts, but she hadn't expected them to be top-tier masters in the martial arts world. If she hadn't used her signature poisonous "Toad Smoke," those old men's sinister palm strikes would have been truly difficult to deal with. The nine hidden weapons in front of her were also extremely powerful; she could no longer underestimate them.

The old woman swayed her head, and the headscarf embroidered with a large peony flower was already in her hand. With a series of nine "plop plop plop" sounds, her steel fingernails all struck the headscarf. "Clang clang clang," the old woman shook the headscarf, and the fingernails fell to the ground, while the headscarf remained intact.

Liu Jinmo was shocked. His famous hidden weapons were completely ineffective against the old woman; only hand-to-hand combat remained.

The old woman chuckled and said, "Grandma wants you all to die together."

With that, she picked up her pipe, pressed the switch on the stem, and was about to blow out another deadly puff of smoke… A deafening bang resounded, everyone's eardrums vibrated, and they smelled gunpowder. Dust rained down from the roof of the thatched house.

Zhu Biao stood imposingly at the door, holding his dog-branded rifle…

Chapter 115

The gunshot stunned everyone inside… A figure flashed on the beam, the window shattered with a crash, and in a blur, they saw a brightly colored headscarf flutter outside and disappear into the wilderness. A whistle rang out, and the little donkey standing at the door took off running, vanishing in an instant.

The Dog Brand pistol was imported into China during the War of Resistance against Japan, brought in with American-made weapons. There are only three types of pistols in the world that will never misfire: the Mauser pistol, the Dog Brand pistol, and the revolver.

Zhu Biao looked at his pistol with heartache; he only had three bullets left, and he still had to deal with Meng Zhuqi and his son.

"Zhu Biao, well done!" Liu Jinmo walked over and patted him on the shoulder, saying sincerely.

"Who is this old woman? Humph, how dare she come here to cause trouble?" Zhu Biao brandished his gun, scoffing.

Ma Du said, "We don't know either. This old woman rode a donkey and wanted to stay at the inn. We told her it was full, but she wouldn't leave."

Liu Jinmo pondered, "This old woman's martial arts are extremely strange, and she exudes an evil aura. We don't know where she comes from in the martial arts world. Judging from her accent, she speaks Cantonese from the Lingnan region. If Wu Daoming were awake, he might recognize her."

Over here, the Old Ancestor of Tianmen Mountain was still sitting on the ground, sneezing incessantly, tears and snot streaming down his face, completely out of control.

Liu Jinmo helped him up and said, "The Old Ancestor has been poisoned by the old woman's tobacco. He keeps sneezing, which is very strange. It seems we have to stop it first." After saying that, he extended his index finger and pressed the left and right Feishu acupoints, located 1.5 inches lateral to the spinous process of the third thoracic vertebra. These acupoints belong to the Bladder Meridian of Foot Taiyang. The pressure impacted the third flank artery, vein, and nerve, temporarily blocking the transmission. The Old Ancestor's sneezing finally stopped, and Ma Du quickly wiped the filth off the Old Ancestor's face with a towel.

However, the poison hadn't been cleared, and these two acupoints were among the thirty-six fatal points on the human body. Even though Liu Jinmo had controlled his strength, he couldn't keep the acupoints closed for too long.

"Didn't I hit her?" Zhu Biao seemed incredulous as he walked to the beam, looking up. Having been a militia platoon leader for many years, he was quite confident in his marksmanship.

There was no blood on the beam or on the ground, and no bullet could be found anywhere.

The shopkeeper and his companion clutched their waists, grimacing as they scrambled to their feet from the wall; the old woman's kick had really hurt them.

Liu Jinmo slipped out of the room. As far as the eye could see, it was a desolate wilderness, with clusters of yellow leaves. There was no trace of the old woman.

Things were too strange. Who exactly was this old woman? What was her purpose? Liu Jinmo felt a sense of impending doom.

Deep within Tianmen Mountain lies a primeval forest, lined with enormous broad-leaved trees whose names are unknown. A rugged path winds its way upwards, flanked by deep ravines, dense woods, and caves, some bright, some dark, shrouded in perpetual fog, silent and rarely visited.

Han Sheng followed closely behind Granny Mei Xiaoying, climbing through the sun-blocked woods.

"This path leads directly to the ancient temple on Tianmen Mountain. The temple at the summit was built in the Ming Dynasty but was destroyed many years ago. Now, apart from an old gatekeeper monk, you rarely see anyone. However, there is a sacred spring in the temple, and there is something wonderful in the spring water. You must see it; it's much better than seeing that old monster," Granny Mei said mysteriously.

Finally, they reached the summit of Tianmen Mountain. Looking up at the vast sky and light clouds, all they saw was ruins and overgrown weeds, a desolate scene.

"The nine gates of Tianmen open, and one should finally enter with arms outstretched." A low chant came from not far away, the sound distant yet each word clear, as if right beside their ears.

As Han Sheng was still wondering, he heard the sound of reciting poetry again: "My impoverished days are over, white grass and yellow clouds bring sorrow. Where can I wash away the dust that fills my sleeves? The mountain temple's spring leaves no trace."

Han Sheng glanced at his grandmother and was surprised to find a blush on her face.

After passing several broken walls, a seven-story brick pagoda stood ahead, its structure dilapidated and seemingly on the verge of collapse. Behind the pagoda was a brick hall with a leaky roof, in front of which stood an elderly monk, hands tucked into his sleeves, gazing at Han Sheng and his grandmother.

"That's the old monk who looks after the temple, his name is Monk Yang Gong," his grandmother whispered to Han Sheng.

Han Sheng carefully pondered the old monk's poem, feeling a profound sense of vicissitude and desolation.

"Han Sheng, look..." his grandmother suddenly said, pointing to an ancient well beside the brick pagoda.

Han Sheng looked into the water where his grandmother was pointing, and saw several small fish, about the length of a finger, covered in long green hair.

“The ‘Yuezhou Prefecture Gazetteer’ from the Hongzhi era of the Ming Dynasty records, ‘Tianmen Lingquan is located on the top of Tianmen Mountain. Fish in the spring have green hair. Zhou Pu of the Jin Dynasty wrote a poem about it.’ Xiaoying, it’s been a long time. How have you been?” The old monk Yang Gong said kindly to Granny Mei Xiaoying.

The old woman smiled slightly: "Xiaoying has recently been fortunate to have this young brother Hansheng cure my eye ailment with Fangzhu Water, so I brought him to see the green-haired fish. You don't mind, do you?"

"No, no, as long as you brought him, he can look at it however he wants," said the old monk Yanggong with a beaming smile.

"Strange, how come these fish have green hair? Has some kind of mutation occurred?" Hansheng asked in surprise.

"They are naturally born like this. The spiritual spring water is clear and cold, without any plankton, yet they have survived for over a thousand years. Local records indicate that people discovered green-haired fish in the spiritual spring of Tianmen Mountain as early as the Three Kingdoms and Jin Dynasties," the old monk Yanggong explained.

Hansheng was naturally fond of these strange and unusual things. He had never seen green-haired fish before, and had never even heard of them before... No, it seems... "It's 'Kanzi'!" Hansheng's face gradually turned pale; he finally remembered.

The *Corpse Clothes Sutra* records that the sacred object for warding off evil is human hair, and the most malevolent object is green hair. It explains that human hair originates from within a celestial silkworm, while green hair grows from the Kanzi fish. Both celestial silkworms and Kanzi are rare and hard to find. If one is destined, one can break open the celestial silkworm to collect the hair and scrub human hair to catch fish.

Han Sheng pondered, "Human hair, as the name suggests, is hair from the human body. The human within the celestial silkworm is the corpse of Liu Bowen, whose body indeed grew many white hairs. Perhaps those white hairs are the sacred objects for warding off evil.

Kanzi is an ancient fish, an evil creature covered in green hair, capable of attracting evil spirits. In other words, this thing can attract many unclean things in the world.

" The *Corpse Clothes Sutra* concludes with a verse: "Human hair and green hair, righteousness and evil united, water and fire in harmony, the Corpse Clothes Sutra covers the world."

"Kanzi?" The old monk Yang Gong looked at Han Sheng with suspicion and slowly said, "Kanzi is a strange fish from ancient legends. How could this palm-sized fish be a spirit from the foot of Jackal Mountain?"

Han Sheng shook his head. He had blurted it out and couldn't explain it anymore. The Corpse Clothes Scripture was something he absolutely couldn't tell outsiders.

The old monk Yang Gong's long eyebrows twitched slightly. He didn't press further and changed the subject, saying to Granny Xiao Ying, "Xiao Ying, this young man has a distinguished air about him. Who is he to you?"

Granny Xiao Ying smiled slightly and said, "He's a young divine doctor from Jiangxi named Han Sheng."

"Oh, Divine Doctor Han Sheng, this old monk Yang Gong, it's a pleasure to meet you." The old monk was quite talkative and greeted Han Sheng.

Han Sheng quickly bowed and said, "Master, you flatter me. I am unworthy of such praise."

"Han Sheng, do you like these green-haired fish? I'll ask Monk Yang Gong for two to give you. You can keep them in a bottle for enjoyment," said Granny Xiao Ying. She was grateful to Han Sheng for curing her eyes and had no way to repay him, so she brought him to this ancient temple on Tianmen Mountain, wanting to give him two rare green-haired fish. In her eyes, Han Sheng was still just a child.

Monk Yang Gong immediately became anxious upon hearing this, saying, "Xiao Ying, this won't do! The abbots of this temple have all left instructions that this creature must never leave the temple."

"What do you mean, 'can't'? Tianmen Mountain Temple is long gone! How can it be said that it can't leave the temple? Tell me, will you give it to me or not?" Granny Xiao Ying's face darkened, and she became stern.

Master Yang sighed and said, "Xiaoying, in this world, I will never refuse you anything you want. But these fish are impossible to catch. This spiritual spring is bottomless, and the green-haired fish seem to be quite intelligent; at the slightest disturbance, they will dive underwater and disappear without a trace."

Granny Xiaoying said, "We can fish for them! Use earthworms as bait. These fish are starving; they've never tasted anything so delicious before. They'll definitely take the bait."

Just as Master Yang was about to say something, Granny Xiaoying had already taken out a fishhook, fishing line, and a glass bottle filled with small red earthworms from her bosom. It turned out she had prepared beforehand.

Regardless of Master Yang's wishes, Granny Xiaoying hooked the earthworms onto the hook, held the fishing line, and lowered it into the ancient spiritual spring.

Master Yang looked at Xiaoying's graceful figure with affection, both amused and exasperated.

Sure enough, the small green-haired fish, seeing something being lowered, vanished instantly and never resurfaced for a long, long time.

Yang Gong smiled and looked at Xiao Ying, saying, "Xiao Ying, do you believe me now? Those fish can't be caught."

Xiao Ying's mother-in-law's face turned pale with anger, and she glanced sideways at the old monk Yang Gong. The

old monk Yang Gong felt a sudden surge of attraction; the angry Xiao Ying seemed even more alluring, especially her... well, she was incredibly charming, truly "bewitching Yangcheng and captivating Xia Cai," the old monk thought.

"Xiao Ying, you can take anything you can catch," the old monk Yang Gong said with pity.

Xiao Ying's mother-in-law turned to look at Han Sheng, her voice filled with sadness, "Things in this world rarely go as planned."

Hearing this, the old monk felt even more sorrowful and fell into a daze.

Seeing his mother-in-law's sadness, Han Sheng said, "Mother-in-law, actually, you can catch them."

Xiao Ying looked at Han Sheng, puzzled, "Do you have a way?"

Han Sheng smiled and said, "Changing the bait might make a difference."

"What bait?" Xiao Ying's mother-in-law asked eagerly.

Han Sheng smiled without speaking, reached under his armpit, rolled his hand a few times, and then withdrew it, opening his palm to reveal a small, dark brown ball, about the size of a peanut.

Grandma Xiaoying looked on in surprise, "What is this?" She picked it up and smelled it; the ball emitted a sweaty, sour odor.

"Human filth," Han Sheng said.

The old monk Yang Gong nearly fainted.

Han Sheng took the fishhook, removed the earthworm, and gently hooked the filth ball onto it, handing it to Grandma Xiaoying, saying, "Grandma, try again."

Grandma Xiaoying, half-believing, lowered the fishhook back into the water.

Suddenly, bubbles rose from beneath the spiritual spring. Startled, he felt a sudden weight on his hand. Looking closely, he saw a surge of green light in the water. With a quick pull, he hooked a giant green-furred fish, over two feet long, to the surface… This fish was covered in long, emerald-green hairs, about a foot or two long, resembling a large ball of fur. Its two large, round eyes glared fiercely at Han Sheng and Granny Xiao Ying. Above its eyes were two long, white eyebrows, and it emitted a foul, nauseating stench.

“Quick, get a bucket!” Granny Xiao Ying shouted excitedly to Monk Yang Gong, her face flushed.

Monk Yang Gong was also taken aback. He quickly went inside and fetched a bucket, first filling it halfway with spiritual spring water, then removing the hook and placing the green-furred fish in the bucket.

The strange fish, its green hairs splitting, sat upright at the bottom of the bucket, its two white eyes still glaring angrily at the bucket, glancing between Han Sheng and Granny Xiao Ying, seemingly furious.

Han Sheng watched the green-haired fish with great interest. Granny Xiao Ying asked with satisfaction, "Han Sheng, is it fun?"

Han Sheng nodded, glancing at the old monk Yang Gong.

Granny Xiao Ying said, "Monk Yang Gong, you said it yourself. Whatever I catch is mine."

Yang Gong said awkwardly, "This… Xiao Ying, could you stay on the mountain for a few days? This old monk is extremely lonely. The long nights are filled with sighs and lamentations. My life is filled with regret."

Mei Xiao Ying smiled sweetly and said, "I'll have my ancestor come and keep you company for a few days."

The old monk Yang Gong quickly waved his hand, saying, "No, no, I wouldn't even take that drunkard for free. Xiao Ying, it's really too unfair for you to be with him."

Hearing this, Granny Xiao Ying fell silent for a moment. After a long while, she sighed, "Life is full of disappointments, what can be done?"

The old monk Yang Gong, unconcerned about Han Sheng's presence, said to Granny Xiao Ying, "Xiao Ying, let's elope…"

Grandma Xiaoying glanced at him and said to Hansheng, "Let's go." With that, she gently picked up the water bucket and headed down the mountain.

Hansheng greeted the old monk Yanggong and hurriedly followed.

The old monk Yanggong stood beside the spiritual spring, silently watching their departing figures.

A person emerged from behind the dilapidated monk's quarters, came up behind the old monk Yanggong, and softly said, "Master."

That person was none other than Boss Qian.

Chapter 116

Late Autumn, each day grows colder. The thick morning fog shrouded the entire Nanshan Village, turning the mountains and fields into a white expanse.

Meng Zhuqi, with two trusted men, stood in front of the thatched hut at the east end of the village. Benben, wary, squatted at the doghouse door, nervously watching them.

"Damn it, this Wu Chushan man is cunning and runs fast," Meng Zhuqi cursed viciously, a cigarette dangling from his lips.

"You two keep an eye on the dog, I'm going inside to check," Meng Zhuqi ordered his men to control the big yellow dog and went inside.

The entire house was spotless, and everything was neatly arranged. A letter sat on the table in the east room. Meng Zhuqi picked it up; the envelope was sealed shut, addressed to: Hansheng, signed Lan'er.

Meng Zhuqi snorted, tore it open, pulled out the letter, and began to read.

Hansheng: We're leaving. Director Meng in town isn't a good person. He lied to me, saying the county hospital was hiring, but actually he wanted me to take care of his son (who's also a bad guy). I escaped. I couldn't stay in Nanshan Village anymore. Uncle Zhu doesn't know when he'll be back.

I'm leaving with Dad and Mom. I'll let you know when we find a place to stay. Benben doesn't want to come with us; he insists on waiting for you to come back. Dad said there's food on the mountain and in the village; he won't go hungry.

Hansheng, be careful of those bad guys.

Lan'er: Meng Zhuqi forcefully tore the letter to shreds, threw it at his feet, and ground it under his leather shoe, cursing under his breath.

Last night, Xiaobing caused a scene at the county hospital, threatening to go on a hunger strike if Lan'er wasn't found.

But now they've escaped… Meng Zhuqi walked to the gate, furious, kicking the door repeatedly.

Benben, trapped in its kennel, couldn't take it anymore. With a roar, it charged out, and before its two henchmen could stop it, the enraged Benben bit Meng Zhuqi's calf, tearing off a chunk of flesh.

Meng Zhuqi was lighting a cigarette when he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his foot. He flung the match away, and it landed on the haystack inside the doorway… Meng Zhuqi screamed in pain and wrestled with the two panicked henchmen and the big yellow dog. It took him a long time to break free from Benben's sharp teeth.

By this time, thick smoke billowed from the house; the thatched hut was on fire.

Meng Zhuqi stared, flames already leaping onto the roof, frozen in place.

"Director Meng, let's go quickly, it'll be troublesome if the villagers come." The two henchmen said anxiously.

In the countryside, no matter what you did, setting fire to your house is considered a sin against heaven, and it would be terrible if the villagers found out.

"Let's go!" Meng Zhuqi gritted his teeth and, supported by his two men, quickly slipped away.

The autumn air was crisp and the thatched houses were very dry. In an instant, the raging fire had engulfed the entire three thatched houses, and then the doghouse caught fire as well. Benben ran helplessly to the road, whimpering as he watched the fire.

The 1700-year-old "Qing Nang Jing" hidden in the cracks of the doghouse and thatched hut was burned.

Benben didn't understand what had happened, only that his home was gone, he had no relatives by his side, and he had become a stray dog.

Thick smoke billowed from the east end of Nanshan Village, and villagers rushed towards the scene with buckets of water, but it was too late. A deafening roar followed, and the roof collapsed, reducing Dr. Zhu's three thatched huts to rubble.

People slowly dispersed amidst sighs, leaving only Benben behind beside the ruins.

Benben, bald and shivering in the autumn wind, neither ate nor drank, silently waiting. A day and a night passed, and Benben remained motionless. The next day passed, and Benben was still lying there. At dusk, a black stray dog appeared from nowhere, its fur filthy, and silently lay down beside Benben, keeping it company through the long night. Three days passed, and Hansheng still hadn't returned. Finally, Benben gave up in despair, dragging its hungry and exhausted body away quietly, the black stray dog silently following behind.

Benben then slowly and unsteadily made its way up the mountain.

A flock of crows in the bamboo forest stared disdainfully at the hairless, strange dog, cawing defiantly.

Benben walked listlessly, eventually arriving at Linggu Cave.

The tents in the bushes had long since been dismantled, and the guards had left. A pile of roasted chicken bones lay scattered on the ground, nibbled on by ants.

Benben roared, licked away the ants, turned, and gestured for the black dog to come and eat something… The two began wolfing down the chicken bones, devouring them like a whirlwind. Soon, the scattered chicken bones beside Taiji Yinyun were completely gone.

Having filled its stomach and regained some energy, Benben was surprised to discover that the black stray dog was actually a female.

Benben went up to the stray female dog, sniffing her, then suddenly barked softly and led the way, the female dog following closely behind.

Unbeknownst to them, the ground, shrouded in a yin-yang halo, emanated a faint mist under the sunlight—a rare and precious aura in feng shui, the aura of emperors since ancient times.

A clear, pristine mountain spring flowed in the ravine beside Linggu Cave. Benben led the way, jumping into the spring and enduring the cold to bathe. The black female dog hesitated for a moment, but finally, under Benben's eager, expectant gaze, she too jumped in.

The two dogs rubbed and played in the water, Benben licking the female dog with his large, soft tongue.

When they leaped back up the hillside, the female dog's black fur was clean.

"Achoo!" Benben sneezed, seemingly catching a cold.

The autumn sun had dried the black dog's fur, making it glossy and beautiful under the light. Benben stared intently at the female dog, a feeling of love welling up within him.

Benben's smooth skin was now covered with a fine layer of yellow fur, like a man's body hair, which captivated the female dog.

The two ran along the mountain path, not knowing how far they had gone, until dusk. A wisp of smoke in the distance caught Benben's eye, and they both ran towards the rising smoke… This was Wolong Valley.

This was the first canyon, the one where Hansheng had fallen off the cliff.

In front of the thatched hut at the foot of the cliff, Lan'er was washing vegetables in the stream when she spotted the big yellow dog running towards her.

"Benben!" Lan'er exclaimed in surprise.

Hearing her call, Wu Chushanren and Hexiang came out of the hut. Benben was wagging its tail happily, rubbing against Lan'er, with a reserved-looking black female dog standing behind it.

"Benben actually has a girlfriend!" Lan'er happily stroked Benben's head, while Benben's eyes were already brimming with tears.

Wu Chushan pondered, "Why is Benben here? Something must have happened in Nanshan Village."

"Dad, what could have happened?" Lan'er asked nervously.

Wu Chushan shook his head and said, "I don't know. Dad will go out of the valley tonight to check."

Lan'er built a simple doghouse in the kitchen, and Benben and the black female dog moved in, and seemed quite satisfied.

At dinner, Benben and his girlfriend each received half a dried rat. Benben gave it to the mother dog and watched from the side.

Lan'er felt a pang of sorrow and silently poured all the food from her bowl into front of Benben.

Wu Chushan saw this and knew his daughter was thinking of Hansheng, who had gone far away.

"Lan'er, Father has something to say to you," he said, looking at his daughter's increasingly haggard face with heartache.

"Father, please speak," Lan'er replied.

Wu Chushan said, “Our family are Manchus. Your father grew up in Beijing, and only after being labeled a rightist and sent to the Wei River region in Guanzhong did he have the opportunity to meet your mother. However, your father brought endless suffering to you both. I thought we were separated by death and I would never see you again. My heart was already broken, and I was ready to spend my remaining years in Wolong Valley.

It was Hansheng who reunited our family and cured your mother's illness. He is our family's benefactor.

This time, Hansheng is going west. Your father knows Hansheng's intentions. This child is an ambitious young man; he possesses extraordinary medical skills and will…” "My ambition is to heal the sick and save lives; I won't settle for a small village like Nanshan. I will surely travel the world, helping the needy and using my miraculous medical skills to benefit all people. My journey to Tianmen Mountain to find a doctor for Mingyue is my first trip; there will be countless more. Lan'er, are you mentally prepared for this?"

Lan'er looked at her father with unwavering eyes and said, "Father, Lan'er is willing to accompany Hansheng to heal the sick, no matter how bitter or difficult it may be, I will have no complaints."

Wu Chushan sighed and said, "Lan'er, the mountains and rivers are treacherous, and the places lacking doctors and medicine are all poor... " "In this remote village, how will you endure the hardships and displacement if you have children?"

Lan'er gritted her teeth and said, "I'm not afraid, Lan'er can overcome all of this, I'm just worried about Father and Mother..."

Wu Chushanren said, "Your mother has Father to take care of her, you can rest assured. Father owes you too much, and will spend the rest of his life making it up to you."

Wu Chushanren thought for a moment and said, "Hansheng learned such miraculous medical skills from somewhere, while Doctor Zhu is just an ordinary village doctor, so Hansheng must have had some kind of extraordinary encounter, and he can't say it. He is already..." Possessing such extraordinary skills, one is bound to attract the covetousness and sabotage of unscrupulous people, including the government. Han Sheng is pure and kind-hearted. On the eve of his departure, I spoke with him until dawn, reminding him of the treacherous nature of the world and urging him to be vigilant.

His father encouraged him to venture out, saying that since he intends to practice medicine and help the world in the future, he needs to gain experience now. The trip to western Hunan is a good opportunity to broaden his horizons, which will greatly benefit his future endeavors. He told him not to worry, that he would take good care of you and your daughter.”

Lan’er asked worriedly, “Father said that there are many strange things in western Hunan, so will Han Sheng be in danger?”

“There will definitely be danger. Without experiencing hardships like this, things will be even more difficult in the future. However, Lan’er, don’t worry, I think there will definitely be benefactors to help you along the way,” the hermit said.

“Where will these benefactors come from?” Lan’er muttered to herself.

That benefactor was none other than Han Sheng himself. His kind heart, the heart of a healer, could transform evil and awaken conscience, surely turning danger into safety. However… it would also attract the covetousness of women, which was precisely what the mountain man feared.

Chapter 117

The moon rises over the eastern mountain. Wu Chushanren, having finished packing, left the valley that very night, heading straight for Nanshan Village.

The moonlight was hazy, the distant mountains indistinct, the Milky Way desolate, only Wu Chushanren's figure flashed by in the night.

An hour later, the mountain man arrived at the east of Nanshan Village, seeing only rubble and ashes, the smell of burning wafting in the wind. The

mountain man silently gazed at Han Sheng's house, a wave of guilt washing over him.

Old Han, who kept the old sow in the village, had just turned off the light and gone to bed when he suddenly heard a slight noise in the yard, followed by a knock on the door. Old Han

lit the lamp and opened the door, and Wu Chushanren slipped in.

"Old Han, do you still recognize me?" the mountain man asked.

Old Han carefully examined the man and recognized him as a relative of Han Sheng's, someone who had come with him to buy pigs last time. He nodded and quickly invited him inside.

"Old Han, how did Dr. Zhu's house in the east of the village burn down?" Wu Chushan asked.

"Alas, it happened three or four days ago. By the time the villagers noticed the thick smoke and rushed to the east of the village, the roof frame had already collapsed. It was too late to save it," Old Han sighed.

"No one was home. How could it suddenly catch fire? Did anyone see anything unusual?" Wu Chushan inquired.

Old Han thought for a moment and said, "That morning, some villagers heard a car and saw Director Meng from the town and two other people hurriedly leaving the east of the village, getting into the car, and driving away. Then the fire started."

Wu Chushan understood immediately, thanked Old Han, and quietly left.

After leaving Nanshan Village, Wu Chushan determined his direction and headed straight for Nanshan Town.

As the moon hung high in the sky, Wu Chushan arrived at the courtyard where he had rescued Lan'er and her daughter. Listening to the silence, he took a deep breath and leaped over the wall. A

light was on in one of the main houses in the back row of the courtyard. Wu Chushan silently approached.

Meng Zhuqi was drinking alone, exhaling a puff of smoke, then sighing. Suddenly, the door opened, a cool breeze blew in, and a person appeared at the table.

Meng Zhuqi stared intently, speechless with shock. Sitting opposite him was none other than Wu Chushan… The man sneered, “Director Meng, you actually dared to set fire to a civilian’s house?”

Meng Zhuqi hurriedly waved his hands, stammering, “I…I didn’t mean to, it was an accident…”

“You’re too despicable! Not only did you deceive Lan'er, but you also cut off Hansheng’s path home! Today, I will rid the people of this scourge and kill you, you corrupt official!” Wu Chushan angrily raised his right hand.

"No, no, don't misunderstand! I still need Hansheng to treat my son Xiaobing's illness. I would never do something so foolish. Even if you kill me, you won't get the house back. Let me put it this way... I'm a revolutionary cadre of the Party. If I die, you'll be wanted nationwide, and Lan'er will become a counter-revolutionary's family member. You have to think about her. I'll pay for Hansheng's new house, okay? If you kill me, everything will be lost." Meng Zhuqi, as expected of the town secretary, spoke with perfect logic.

Wu Chushan understood perfectly well. However, Meng Zhuqi's actions were simply too extreme. Oppression breeds rebellion, a situation that has occurred countless times throughout history.

"You, first, must immediately build a new house for Hansheng. Second, you are not allowed to persecute my family again, nor are you allowed to have any more designs on Lan'er. Otherwise, I, Wu Chushan, will take your dog's life at any time!" Wu Chushan said righteously.

"I agree," Meng Zhuqi said repeatedly.

“Remember what you said tonight,” the hermit said, then darted out the door, leaped over the wall, and disappeared.

Meng Zhuqi slumped into a chair.

The next morning, the town was preparing for the fourth quarter's meeting of activists studying Chairman Mao's works. Meng Zhuqi crossed Zhu Biao's name off a submitted list. Just then, the phone rang. Meng Zhuqi picked up the receiver, and Huang Qiansui's voice came through. It turned out his brother-in-law had returned to Wuyuan.

Meng Zhuqi quickly drove to the county town.

After listening to Meng Zhuqi's report on protecting the Taiji Yinyun a while ago, Huang Qiansui was full of energy.

“It’s fucking amazing! Jian Guo not only became a member of the Party Committee and Secretary of the Youth League Committee at Peking University, but he’s also been selected as a reserve youth cadre for the third echelon of the country, and is being prepared to be sent to the Central Party School for further study. And the old man has only been gone for a few days!” Huang Qiansui said smugly.

"Congratulations, brother-in-law! I can't foresee that the world will belong to the Huang family in less than ten years. As the ancients said, 'Heaven helps those who help themselves.'" Meng Zhuqi said with a smile.

"Hmm, too late to know. If he had been buried a few decades earlier, maybe... haha..." Huang Qiansui laughed heartily.

"Brother-in-law, how's the matter with Dr. Zhu going?" Meng Zhuqi asked cautiously.

"Well, he's already met with the leader. No problem. The leader said that since Hansheng hasn't made a decision yet, we can let Dr. Zhu come back first, build a good relationship, and then gradually do ideological work. If things get too tense, it won't be good. Don't worry, the leader has sent someone to accompany Dr. Zhu on a tour of the famous historical sites in Beijing." Huang Qiansui patted his brother-in-law's shoulder and said with a smile.

Meng Zhuqi lowered his head and stammered, "I... I accidentally set Hansheng's house on fire."

"What! You burned down Dr. Zhu's house!" Huang Qiansui's face changed instantly.

Meng Zhuqi stammered in terror, "Yes, yes, it's all burned down."

Huang Qianhui hesitated for a moment, then smiled and said, "That's good. This is a demolished old house, and the government will fund the construction of a new one. This time, it will be a traditional Hui-style building, with three courtyards, planted with precious flowers, trees, and shrubs. Oh, and put two large stone lions at the entrance. Be quick, do it right away, understand?"

Meng Zhuqi wondered if he had misheard, staring at Huang Qianhui with bewildered eyes.

Huang Qianhui said sternly, "Don't you understand? I want you to build a new house for Hansheng's family immediately, before Dr. Zhu returns."

"I, I understand," Meng Zhuqi replied tremblingly.

The next day, the town government organized a large group of people who marched into Nanshan Village and began rebuilding the house on the burned-down site. Following the layout of a three-courtyard house and the traditional Hui-style architecture, they began construction around the clock.

The funds had been allocated specifically by the county government's finance bureau, and the county had also sent two engineers to supervise the site.

About twenty days later, a brand-new Hui-style courtyard house was completed. It had three courtyards, more than ten rooms, and was furnished with furniture, kitchenware, and bedding. Sure enough, two large blue stone lions sat guarding the vermilion gate. With

the new house finally finished, Huang Qianhui, director of the Wuyuan County Revolutionary Committee, personally came to inspect it. Unlike before, this time he traveled light, bringing only a few trusted confidants.

"Not bad, hmm, quite impressive," he said cheerfully, patting the head of one of the blue stone lions at the gate.

Meng Zhuqi welcomed him through the vermilion gate. The courtyard was filled with golden and silver osmanthus trees, and flowerpots filled with orchids and cymbidiums lined the street.

"By the way, Dr. Zhu and his son Han Sheng are two generations of legendary doctors. They are the pride of our Wuyuan County. It's our local government's responsibility to provide them with logistical support. Take pictures of this place; I need to send them to Beijing." Huang Qianhui instructed his men to take photos from various angles.

"Hmm, the bed is quite soft, and the lighting is good. Thank you for your hard work, comrades." Huang Qianhui raised his voice.

"It's what we should do." Meng Zhuqi took the lead, and the others chimed in.

The group entered the main hall. Huang Qianhui looked around and pointed to the central hall, saying, "Hang a portrait of the great leader Chairman Mao here. The couplets on the left and right sides should be Chairman Mao's quotes: 'The seas are churning, clouds and waters are raging; the five continents are shaking, winds and thunder are raging.' The horizontal scroll should be 'The sun and moon renew themselves.'"

"Yes, Director Huang, we'll do it immediately." His men replied obsequiously.

"Alright, you can stay here. Director Meng and I will go for a walk outside." Huang Qianhui instructed.

He and Meng Zhuqi left the village and headed towards Linggu Cave in the South Mountain.

Passing through the bamboo grove and disappearing into the bushes, Huang Qiansui arrived at the Taiji Yin Aura.

Meng Zhuqi took out a bundle of incense he had prepared beforehand, lit it with a match, and handed it to his brother-in-law.

Huang Qiansui stuck the incense in the ground, then knelt before the Taiji Yin Aura, and said devoutly, "Father, His Highness has come to offer incense to you today. Please bless Jian Guo to enter the capital soon, so that your love for him will not have been in vain. Everything I have done is for your grandson; please forgive me." He then respectfully kowtowed three times.

The autumn wind was bleak; fallen leaves were swept up again by the wind, rustling softly, the howling wind seeming to carry the sounds of clashing swords and galloping horses.

"No, no war, no bloodshed. Let your grandson establish a nation and peacefully step onto the stage of history, turning a new page in Chinese history," Huang Qianhui murmured in prayer.

A "caw" rang out, and two enormous black crows perched on the bushes, their malevolent eyes fixed on them.

What omen was this? Huang Qianhui wondered.

Chapter 118.

Old Master Qian stood silently beside the old monk Yang Gong.

After a long while, Yang Gong turned around; his previously simple and honest eyes were gone, replaced by sharp, piercing gazes.

He stared at Qian Laoda for a long time, then slowly said, "Hmm, so in your opinion, Qinren Valley is very likely a maze set up by Ye Fu back then. The map marked more than a dozen treasure locations, deliberately misleading later generations."

"Yes, Master, Seventh Brother and Eighth Brother dug several places but found nothing. Later, an old man and a white-haired nun came to the valley. They were very skilled in martial arts and injured Seventh Brother and Eighth Brother's eyes. The two of them destroyed the treasure map in time and eventually returned to the stronghold in Guling Town," Qian Laoda said.

"What was the background of that old man and nun?" Yang Gong asked.

The eldest monk, Qian, replied, "Master, I heard from a man named Zhu Biao that the old man claims to be Wu Daoming, the number one feng shui master in Lingnan, and the old nun is the abbess of the Wuming Nunnery in Wuyuan, Jiangxi. They were both poisoned by arsenic and traveled thousands of miles to Xiangxi to seek treatment from Hansheng. Right now, they are staying at the Tianmen Inn."

When the old monk Yang Gong heard the name Wu Daoming, the number one feng shui master in Lingnan, he grunted and a look of surprise appeared on his face.

Boss Qian noticed his master's unusual expression and continued, "That Han Sheng is quite different. His medical skills are miraculous, but he doesn't know martial arts."

The old monk Yang Gong nodded and said, "It's this Han Sheng. Just now, he actually recognized that the green-haired fish was actually the ancient 'Kanmai' fish, and he even caught a two-foot-long Kanmai using a bizarre method. For ten years, I, Yang Gong, have never known that such a large green-haired fish existed in this spiritual spring. This fish has never come to the surface, hiding deep within the spring, yet this kid can hook it so easily. It's truly damn strange."

Boss Qian nodded in agreement and continued... He said, "This lad just went into Ghost Valley Cave and met the old man from Xiangxi. He said the old man is over 130 years old and possesses Ghost Valley Master's 'Thirty-Six Measuring Rulers of Heaven' martial arts, but he doesn't know anything about this martial art." The

old monk Yang Gong said, "We've searched Tianmen Mountain Temple and the surrounding ruins of the wild monks, but found no clues about the treasure. Now only Ghost Valley Cave remains. It seems the treasure is most likely there. We've put in a lot of effort; it's time to finally solve it."

Upon hearing this, Qian the Elder became excited, rubbing his hands together and asking, "Master, when do we make our move?"

"We'll make our move when Dui Er and Li San return from Hong Kong," the old monk Yang Gong said.

Qian the Elder then learned that his second and third brothers had gone to Hong Kong, but he didn't want to ask further, only saying, "Is Fifth Brother still taking care of you, Master?"

"Yes, come on, I'll show you something," the old monk Yang Gong said, then turned and walked towards the ruins of the main hall behind the pagoda. Qian the Elder quickly followed behind.

Turning past a screen wall, they arrived at a monk's cell built against the mountainside. Inside, there was a bed and simple daily necessities. A small niche was embedded in the wall against the mountain, containing a stone statue of Guanyin, the only remaining Buddha statue in the entire Tianmen Mountain Temple; all the others had been destroyed during the Cultural Revolution.

The old monk, Yang Gong, reached out and turned the statue. With a creaking sound, a hidden door appeared in the wall next to the niche. The door was made of thick wood and looked quite old.

Yang Gong knocked three times, and someone opened the wooden door. Qian Lao Da nodded to the gaunt, middle-aged man; this was his junior brother, Xun Wu.

After walking through a passageway for more than ten meters, they arrived at a spacious stone chamber. On each of the four smooth stone walls hung a yellow paper talisman with cinnabar, and a small oil lamp cast a dim light. Against the wall was a small bed, on which sat a haggard woman, her eyes wide with terror as she watched them enter. In her arms, she held a malnourished, thin infant… It was Shen Caihua and the ghost infant Shen Caihua.

Shen Caihua's terrified eyes held a hint of bewilderment, and she occasionally bared her teeth at Xun Wu, emitting a mixture of fear and helplessness. Shen Caihua, on the other hand, was noticeably thinner. His eyes were still dark, but they had lost their former luster; his pupils listlessly adjusted their gaze, and his small mouth was tightly closed, no longer capable of licking his lips.

"Master," Qian Laoda exclaimed in surprise, "these two don't seem to be human!" The

old monk Yang Gong smiled and nodded, saying, "These are the first Yin Corpse mother and child I've captured since I entered the Central Plains. That's why I say the Central Plains are vast and full of wonders. Look how well they behave now; they're trapped by my unique Yang Talisman. Otherwise, that female Yin Corpse would be incredibly ferocious."

Qian Laoda looked at Shen Caihua, swallowed hard, and clicked his tongue, "Master, I'll go open this baby's skull for you and give you some nourishment."

The old monk Yang Gong waved his hand, saying, "No rush. Let's keep them for now. We'll need them when we attack Ghost Valley Cave."

"Don't they eat anything? They look pale and thin," Qian Laoda said.

The old monk Yang Gong shook his head, saying, "They are Yin Corpses; they don't need food. Absorbing the moon's Yin energy is enough. They've been locked up for several days. Xun Wu, take them out tonight to absorb some moonlight."

"Yes, Master," Xun Wu replied.

"Oh, by the way, have you seen your master's wife?" Old Monk Yang asked Elder Qian.

"No, isn't she in Hong Kong?" Elder Qian replied.

"Hmph, instead of enjoying her blessings in Hong Kong, she secretly ran back to the mainland. She even slipped away right under the noses of Dui Er and Li San. What is that little old woman with bound feet up to?" Old Monk Yang said indignantly.

The eldest disciple speculated, "A few years ago, when I met my master's wife, she told me that everything was fine living in Hong Kong except for the fact that she couldn't eat baby brains. When she really craved them, she would go to the market and buy pig brains, which had a strong, unpleasant smell. Chicken and goose brains were even harder to swallow. She said she missed the days in Northeast China, when her disciples would often bring her babies back every few days. But now in Hong Kong, it's impossible. The police there are very strict; if a family loses a child, they'll practically turn the seabed of Victoria Harbour upside down. I'm wondering if my master's wife might come back to the mainland to feast on some delicacies?"

"Hmm, baby brains are fresh and tender, but the portions are too small to satisfy a craving. I, on the other hand, prefer adult brains. Although the taste is a bit worse, the portions are generous and satisfying... especially Xiaoying's brains, which must be extremely sweet. Just thinking about them makes my mouth water." The old monk Yang Gong swallowed and said.

"Master, since you like her so much, how could you bear to eat her?" Elder Qian asked.

The old monk Yang Gong chuckled, "I recently devised a new medicine. Even if Xiao Ying's skull is opened after consuming it, she won't die. And while I'm eating her brain, she can chat with me, whispering sweet nothings. The feeling is simply wonderful."

Elder Qian smiled obsequiously, but a chill ran down his spine.

The old monk Yang Gong waved his hand and said, "You can go now. Wait for my notification. Also, keep an eye on Han Sheng and the others' movements; don't alert them."

"Yes, Master. That Wu Daoming and the white-haired nun fought with Seventh and Eighth Brothers; they might be recognized. Should we have them hide for a while?" Elder Qian asked.

"Hide them here with me for now. Xun Wu, go and fetch them up the mountain," the old monk Yang Gong instructed.

"Yes," Xun Wu replied and went out with Elder Qian.

The old monk Yang Gong glanced at Shen Caihua, then, feeling utterly bored, turned and left the stone chamber.

In a grove of trees below Tianmen Mountain Temple, Xun Wu met Zhen Si, Kan Liu, and the blind Gen Qi and Kun Ba. He then led them back to the temple and, following his master's orders, placed them in the stone chamber to guard the corpse and its mother.

Qian Lao Da silently led Zhen Si and Kan Liu down the mountain back to the inn, his face stern and silent the entire way. His two junior brothers dared not ask any questions and quietly followed behind their eldest brother.

The sun sets early in the deep mountains, and by the time they returned to the Tianmen Inn, it was nearly dusk. The autumn wind rustled, leaves fluttered down, and wisps of smoke rose from the inn's chimney. Qian Lao Da

let out a long sigh. Zhu Biao and Yi Qing, who were preparing dinner, saw Qian Lao Da and the others return and put down their work.

"Hey, where are Gen Qi and Kun Ba?" Zhu Biao asked.

Qian Laoda agreed, saying, "It's inconvenient to walk in the mountains, so they've stayed at a friend's place."

"Do you have friends here?" Zhu Biao asked doubtfully.

Qian Laoda cursed inwardly at this talkative fellow, but smiled and went straight back into the house.

Liu Jinmo had been pressing the Tianmen Mountain Ancestor's Lung Shu acupoint for several hours, and was extremely anxious. Secondary acupoints should not be closed for too long. He saw the people returning from the east room and secretly became more vigilant. He could tell that they not only carried an evil aura but were also quite skilled in martial arts. Just

as he was getting anxious, he suddenly heard someone outside shouting, "Come and see! What have I brought back?"

Liu Jinmo was overjoyed; it was Han Sheng's voice.

He went out of the room and saw Han Sheng and Granny Mei Xiaoying walking over with smiles on their faces. Granny Mei Xiaoying was carrying a bucket, while Han Sheng was carrying a wooden stick with five or six pheasants tied to it.

Zhu Biao rushed out, shouting, "Ha, we'll have wild game tonight!" He took the pheasant from Han Sheng as he spoke.

Han Sheng said to Liu Jinmo, "Mr. Liu, look at what's in this bucket."

Liu Jinmo looked down and said, "Strange, a green-haired fish?"

Han Sheng said, "This is a rare, ancient fish."

Liu Jinmo's face turned serious, and he whispered in Han Sheng's ear, "The ancestor has been poisoned."

Han Sheng was startled and quickly followed Liu Jinmo into the west room, where he saw the Tianmen Mountain Ancestor lying stiffly on the bed, his eyes closed.

Han Sheng reached out and placed his hand on the ancestor's three acupoints, pondering, "You acupunctured him?"

Liu Jinmo said, "There was no other way, I acupunctured his Feishu acupoint."

Then, Liu Jinmo recounted in detail the incident that morning when a Cantonese-speaking, bound-footed old woman came, and the subsequent fight.

Han Sheng asked in surprise, "What's that old woman's background? How can she be so powerful that even you and the Ancestor couldn't subdue her?"

Liu Jinmo shook his head and said, "I've never heard of such a strange old woman in the martial arts world."

"Han Sheng, I usually only act at crucial moments," a proud voice came from behind. It was Zhu Biao.

Chapter 119

Grandma Xiaoying's next words were even more astonishing.

"My ancestor is my sister-in-law," Grandma Xiaoying stammered.

Liu Jinmo exclaimed, "You mean, my ancestor is my master's wife?"

Tears welled in Grandma Xiaoying's eyes as she nodded.

Han Sheng calmly said, "Grandma, could you tell us the details?"

Grandma Xiaoying hesitated for a moment, then slowly recounted a tragic and chilling story from many years ago… The Mei family was a renowned martial arts family in Phoenix City, Xiangxi. The wealthy Mei couple had only two children, a brother named Mei Yiying and a sister named Mei Xiaoying. They studied their family's martial arts from a young age, and due to their comfortable circumstances, their lives were carefree.

The couple treasured an ancestral sandalwood box inlaid with green cat's-eye stones, but the siblings never knew what was inside. Their father said he would pass it on to them when they grew up.

One night, late at night, the sounds of fighting came from Master Mei's room. When the brother and sister rushed over, they found their parents lying dead on the floor, without any wounds or bloodstains. The house was in complete disarray, and the siblings discovered that the sandalwood box was gone.

A few days later, a notorious local bully seized their property, and the siblings were evicted and forced to wander the Sichuan and Hunan regions, begging for a living while diligently practicing martial arts, determined to avenge their parents. They were convinced that the bully had killed them and that the treasure box was stolen by them.

A year later, the older brother, Mei Yiying, believing his martial arts had greatly improved, secretly returned to Phoenix City on a stormy night to assassinate the bully. However, he was defeated and severely wounded, returning with his sister, Xiaoying, to hide in the deep mountains of western Hunan. A family of Black Miao people who brewed wine took them in.

The Mei siblings were both handsome, with clear features and fair skin; they were quite striking in the mountains. The Black Miao family had an only daughter, a large, robust woman with a booming voice, yet she was literate and exceptionally intelligent. Her only hobby was drinking, but she never got drunk. This was the matriarch, originally named Zu Ying.

Zu Ying fell in love with her brother, Mei Yiying, and insisted on marrying him, pestering him relentlessly every day. Finally, Mei Yiying, considering his sister needed a place to stay, agreed to the marriage, and they married that autumn.

However, Mei Yiying had suffered an injury to his groin, rendering him impotent. Zu Ying only discovered this on their wedding night. Fortunately, she was a carefree and forthright woman, not particularly concerned with matters of the heart, and things continued peacefully for over half a year.

Zu Ying's father noticed something amiss and questioned Mei Yiying. That night, Mei Yiying left them, heading to Phoenix City to infiltrate the manor once again to assassinate the local tyrant, and then disappeared without a trace.

Later, rumors circulated that the assassination attempt had failed again, and her brother had gone north to the capital.

Zuying's father fell ill with depression and soon passed away. After discussing it, Xiaoying and her sister-in-law Zuying sold their possessions for travel expenses and headed to the capital to find their relatives. However, the market was in chaos, coinciding with the failure of the Hundred Days' Reform. The Qing government was conducting a nationwide manhunt for reformers, and the two sisters-in-law were separated as soon as they reached Changsha.

Feeling that her parents' wrongful deaths, the loss of their property, and her own and her brother's misfortunes were all caused by that tyrant, Mei Xiaoying, armed with a sharp weapon, went to assassinate him under cover of darkness. However, her plan failed miserably… On that dark and stormy night, Xiaoying was carried out and dumped in a mass grave. All her yang meridians had been severed by the force of a powerful palm strike, and she was already dead. Only her yin meridians retained the yin energy of the Mei family's ancestral Yin martial arts. This is why the evil true energy hidden within her Yin meridians took effect, causing her to transform into a corpse. That night, she found a peddler selling mountain goods as her host, and for the next ten years, she traveled with the merchant between Sichuan and Hunan, eventually arriving at Tianmen Mountain in western Hunan. Unable to avenge her family's death, she suffered the agonizing backlash of Yin energy every night, and finally attempted suicide by throwing herself into Moon Lake, but was rescued by an old man from western Hunan.

The old man used a method of Yin-Yang reconciliation to return her from a corpse to a state of intermediate Yin, and then she returned to normal, on the condition that she kill the tyrant's family to avenge her.

The old man was unable to fulfill his promise, because by then, the tyrant's family had already been wiped out by her brother, Mei Yiying, a highly skilled martial artist from the Qing Dynasty imperial palace.

Hearing this, Liu Jinmo suddenly realized, "Oh, I understand. Master once told me that the characteristic of our sect's martial arts is that progress is slow, but if one castrates oneself, the martial arts will undergo a tremendous change, and at that time, one will be almost invincible in the martial world."

Han Sheng sighed upon hearing this, lamenting the endless cycle of grudges and favors in the world.

"Grandma Xiaoying, how did the Ancestor become your 'husband'?" Han Sheng asked curiously.

The old woman blushed, and after a long while, she sighed and said, "Alas, Zuying and I are both old, and we have become indifferent to worldly affairs, so we have no shame. I met Zuying outside the small wooden house by Moon Lake. At that time, she was dressed as a man, and her speech and behavior were not like a woman's, but I still recognized her. She also spotted me at a glance. After being separated for more than ten years, we finally reunited."

"Master's wife has suffered," Liu Jinmo said sadly.

“That night, Zuying slept in the cabin. In the middle of the night, she suddenly climbed on top of me…” Grandma Xiaoying’s face turned even redder, and her voice grew softer, like a mosquito’s buzz.

“Ah…” Hansheng gasped softly.

After a while, Grandma Xiaoying continued, “Later… I gradually got used to it, like children playing house. That night, just as Zuying was climbing on top of me, that old monster from Xiangxi suddenly appeared. He was instantly consumed by jealousy and insisted on killing her. I threatened to kill myself, and only then did he give up and leave dejectedly.”

“Then why didn’t you tell him that Zuying was a woman?” Hansheng asked, puzzled.

Grandma Xiaoying gave a bitter smile and said, “How could I bring myself to say that women were doing things that men do?”

Hansheng and Liu Jinmo remained silent.

"Zu Ying was born looking like a man, and the old monster mistook me for an unfaithful woman. I didn't want to argue, so the misunderstanding deepened. Finally, one day, he burned down my beloved little wooden house. I was furious and simply moved away with Zu Ying." Even now, Granny Xiao Ying is still indignant when she talks about it.

"Then how did she get pregnant?" Han Sheng asked cautiously.

Liu Jinmo turned away blankly, silently wiping away her tears, softly murmuring, "Master has an heir, Master finally has an heir." For a moment, she forgot that her master was not only a eunuch but had also been dead for many years.

Han Sheng opened his clear eyes and calmly looked at Granny Xiao Ying.

The old woman continued, "Zuying's drinking habit, which she developed in her youth, has never changed. Over the years, she's amassed a vast collection of fine wines from who-knows-where. I don't drink, and I never drink with her, so she drinks alone every day, reading and reciting poetry. We address each other as husband and wife, and the years pass quietly like this. That old man from Xiangxi is incredibly stubborn. My belly grew bigger every day, but he never came to see his child. In a fit of anger, I went to Moon Lake to find him, but the lake water was cold, and the chill seeped into my belly. When I climbed up to Ghost Valley Cave, I miscarried; the fetus died in my womb. The old monster used medicine to dissolve the stillborn fetus and then demanded that I immediately have sexual intercourse with him again." Completely disregarding my weakened state, he insisted on planting his seed first, but I refused, even at the cost of my life. I resolutely left Guigu Cave and returned to the stilted house, where I remained ill for over a year.

Zuying was considerate and caring towards me, showing me great affection, but a shadow always lingered in my heart: her appearance had led to my current predicament. Therefore, I often lost my temper with her and spoke to her in a way that provoked her, yet she always tolerated me and treated me with humility. "Alas, my brother wronged her back then, and it seems destined that I would have to make amends," Grandma Xiaoying said, wiping away tears from the corners of her eyes.

She continued, "A year ago, Zuying started frequently climbing Tianmen Mountain Temple with wine to drink and compose poetry with that old monk named Yang Gong. I didn't pay much attention at the time, until one day, she told me with an unusually guilty expression that she was pregnant. I was shocked and asked her who it was with. She told me it was the old monk Yang Gong. I don't know why, but I was furious

. The next day, I rushed to Tianmen Mountain Temple and met the old monk Yang Gong who was guarding the ruins." Liu Jinmo said "Oh," realizing what she meant, and was instantly enraged. So, his master's wife was indeed pregnant, but it was the old monk Yang Gong's child.

"The old monk Yang Gong..." Han Sheng said thoughtfully.

"Zuying told me that every time she drank with the old monk Yang Gong, she felt like a different person, as if time had reversed decades and her youth had returned. Therefore, engaging in sexual relations was natural," Granny Xiaoying said.

Han Sheng thought for a moment and said, "Then she was drugged."

"Dragged?" Granny Xiaoying asked back.

"It must be some kind of extremely potent aphrodisiac, capable of impregnating an eighty- or ninety-year-old woman. This drug is extraordinary," Han Sheng pondered.

"What kind of drug is so powerful? Could it possibly alter a woman's physiological limits?" Liu Jinmo asked in surprise.

"I don't know, but anyone capable of such despicable methods must be a member of the evil path. This old monk Yang Gong's origins are highly suspicious," Han Sheng stated confidently.

Chapter 120

Mei Xiaoying rushed up Tianmen Mountain Temple.

When the old monk Yang Gong saw Xiaoying, his eyes lit up. He thought to himself, "This woman is not only beautiful, but her yin energy is also unique, unlike Zu Ying's.

Zu Ying's energy is neutral, somewhere in between, balanced between yin and yang. What's rare is that, despite her plain appearance, she is a hundred-year-old virgin, a rarity in the Central Plains. Harvesting her old yin would be a great tonic.

Xiaoying, on the other hand, is extremely yin. Although she is no longer a virgin, her hundred-year-old yin energy is extremely pure. What's even more precious is that within this pure yin is a trace of old yang, which is over a hundred years old, a rarity in the world."

The old monk Yang Gong was very confident in his eyesight. For decades, he had practiced yin-yang cultivation and consumed hundreds of virgins, but none could compare to these two old women. They were both divinely bestowed medicinal herbs, far superior to the thousand-year-old ginseng from his hometown of Changbai Mountain. His method involved first engaging in sexual intercourse to cultivate yin-yang energy, extracting the vital energy, then consuming their brains for a second round of replenishment, making the most of their resources.

He recalled arriving at Tianmen Mountain Temple ten years ago, killing the old monk guarding the ruins, and then impersonating the gatekeeper until now. Over the past ten years, he had searched every inch of the temple grounds and the surrounding area of Tianmen Mountain, but had not found the burial site of the Wild Buddha's treasure. Finally, the clues converged on Guigu Cave, and now the decisive battle had begun.

When Li Zicheng captured Beijing and established the "Great Shun" dynasty, a plague broke out, and his infantry almost completely lost their fighting capacity. Unable to withstand the Manchu cavalry from beyond the Great Wall, he was forced to plunder the national treasury, stealing gold and jewels worth seventy million taels of silver—equivalent to ten years of tax revenue during the Chongzhen reign—in order to prepare for a future comeback. He had lived in seclusion at Jiashan Temple in Shimen, Hunan for 30 years, known as the "Jade Monk of Fengtian." After his death, his nephew, Li Guo, who later became the abbot of Tianmen Mountain Temple, kept this treasure, and its whereabouts have remained unknown ever since.

He had learned of this from his master, "Grandma Bai, the Hakka Holy Mother," who had looted a sandalwood box from a family surnamed Mei in Fenghuang Ancient Town, Xiangxi. The box contained two treasure maps: one for Tianmen Mountain in Xiangxi, and the other for Qinren Valley in Peach Blossom Spring.

Ten years ago, late one night in a shack in Kowloon Walled City, Hong Kong, his master gave the orders to Yang Gong and Yin Po to find and retrieve Ye Fu's treasure. From then on, all eight of his disciples set out, heading south to Xiangxi to search for the treasure. "

Ten years have passed; it's time to settle this," thought the old monk Yang Gong.

When Xiaoying first saw the old monk Yang Gong, she was surprisingly pleased. He was not only kind and approachable, but also a poet, elegant in speech and manner, with bright eyes and white teeth. His deep, dark eyes seemed to possess a kind of magic.

For the first time, Xiaoying blushed in front of a man.

The old monk stared intently at Xiaoying, and began to recite a poem: "How many years have I guarded this dilapidated temple alone? The green lamp keeps the ancient Buddha company in his sleep. Flowers fade easily, leaving no trace; spring rain brings boundless affection from Yang Gong."

Xiaoying's heart pounded. She thought to herself, "This old monk is so wicked," and her face flushed even more.

The old monk Yang Gong smiled and said, "Your name is Xiaoying? How can one distinguish a person's shadow? Your name reminds me of a legend. Would you like to hear it?" His voice seemed to possess an irresistible magnetic pull.

Xiaoying lowered her head and did not object.

"During the Northern Song Dynasty, Qin Guan was demoted and passed through Changsha. A talented woman named Xiaoying, who adored his poetry, vowed to dedicate her life to him, like a shadow following him. Qin Guan presented her with a poem: 'The Chen River winds around Chen Mountain, but for whom does it flow down to the Xiang River?' Later, Qin Guan died in exile, and his coffin passed through Changsha. Upon hearing the news, the woman rushed to pay her respects, saying, 'My love is my shadow, how can we be separated?' She then hanged herself in his place." The old monk Yang Gong's words were profound and moving. Although it was an ancient tale, Xiaoying was moved by the scene and couldn't help but sigh deeply.

"What a heartbroken Xiaoying..." Xiaoying murmured.

"What a tragic Yang Gong..." Yang Gong said indignantly.

Xiaoying turned and ran down the mountain, the old monk Yang Gong watching her with a smile.

Even as Xiaoying's grandmother recounted this, a faint smile remained on her face.

Liu Jinmo angrily said, "That guy is a real old fox."

Han Sheng also said anxiously, "Grandma, please don't be fooled."

After Xiao Ying's mood calmed down and her complexion returned to normal, she continued, "Yes, the old monk Yang Gong is indeed very powerful, but I later discovered that it was an evil power. Every time Zu Ying came down from Tianmen Mountain Temple, her face was deathly pale, and she couldn't recover for many days. So I gathered some yin-nourishing and blood-tonifying herbs like Rehmannia glutinosa, Polygonatum odoratum, and mulberry fruit to brew for her to drink, thinking that she had drunk too much alcohol and harmed her health. When I found out she was pregnant, I knew things weren't that simple. Since ancient times, where has an old woman of such advanced age ever become pregnant? I wanted to ask her clearly but found it difficult to speak up. However, I also guessed that Yang Gong must have used some kind of evil method."

Han Sheng nodded and continued to take the old woman's pulse.

"Grandma, the poison that the old woman was poisoned with didn't work because it seems that there is a substance in her body that neutralized the poison. Mr. Liu, please release her acupoints now," Han Sheng said.

Liu Jinmo hesitated, "Then why is she sneezing so much?"

Han Sheng explained, "The poisonous smoke entered her body. Although it was neutralized, it still triggered a strong reaction from her immune system. Don't worry, it will stop gradually."

Liu Jinmo nodded, and with lightning speed, released the acupoint on the old ancestor's lungs, which had been confined for an hour. The old ancestor slowly woke up.

The old ancestor opened his eyes and sat up, saying, "What a powerful sleeping smoke!" Sure enough, the immune system had stopped reacting, and the sneezing stopped.

Han Sheng said, "There is a substance in your body that neutralizes the poisonous smoke, so your body was not affected at all."

"Inside my body?" The old ancestor reached out and touched his stomach, puzzled.

Han Sheng and Liu Jinmo looked at each other, unable to figure out what it was.

"Can'er is awake!" Ma Du shouted from one end of the large communal bed.

Han Sheng and Liu Jinmo rushed forward to check on him. Han Sheng grabbed Can'er's wrist and checked his pulse.

"Hmm, the pulse is normal now, neither too strong nor too weak, neither too deep nor too shallow, neither too strong nor too weak, and the pulsation is still quite powerful," Han Sheng said with satisfaction. "Can'er, your life has finally been saved."

The child struggled to get up, but Han Sheng shook his head and said, "Your right rib has three broken ribs. Although they've been set, don't move around too much yet. I'll use some 'beam dust' to set the bones, and you'll be able to jump around in a day or two. By the way, I have a question for you: are you still a virgin? This is very important to you."

The child nodded and said without hesitation, "I am. How is Mingyue?"

Han Sheng said with satisfaction, "That's good. Mingyue is fine, so don't worry. Also, do you need to urinate now?"

The child thought for a moment and said, "A little."

"A little is enough. I'll go find a bowl, and you can urinate a little to prepare the medicine," Han Sheng said to him.

Ma Du had already brought over a porcelain bowl and was about to untie the blanket.

"No," the child said softly, looking at Granny Xiaoying.

Granny Xiaoying smiled and turned her face away when she saw the child's shyness. Ma Du took the opportunity to lift the blanket, pulled out the child's penis, and helped the child squeeze out a bowlful of urine.

"Mr. Liu, please sweep down some of the dust hanging from the ceiling. I'll use this dust from the beams to make medicine," Han Sheng instructed Liu Jinmo.

Liu Jinmo didn't need a ladder; with a few leaps, he had a handful of dust in his hand, which he placed into the urine in the bowl as instructed.

Han Sheng stirred it while saying, "Ideally, it should be the white sediment from a child's urine left overnight, which traditional Chinese medicine calls 'Ni Bai Yi.' However, the child is young and strong, his ribs are encased in muscles, making recovery easier, so we'll make do with this. Let's not wait another night."

Ma Du helped Han Sheng apply the viscous medicine to the child's right rib, blew on it, and after it dried slightly, gently laid the blanket down.

"Han Sheng," the child said, looking at Han Sheng, "thank you."

Han Sheng smiled and asked, "What exactly happened that night?"

The child's eyes reddened, and with a trembling voice, he recounted the bloody scene that had occurred that night.

Han Sheng sighed deeply after hearing this, "Can'er, you've preserved Mingyue's innocence."

In Chapter 121

, after Granny Xiaoying bid farewell to Han Sheng, she carried Zu Ying on her back and returned to the stilted house on Tianmen Mountain.

Han Sheng told Can'er about the only way to cure Mingyue, and that Granny Xiaoying's successful precedent had led him to seek Can'er's opinion.

Can'er blushed and replied that he would do his best as long as Mingyue was willing, but if she showed even the slightest reluctance, he would rather die than harm her.

Han Sheng thought to himself, now it all depends on Mingyue's attitude.

Liu Jinmo stood silently to the side, lost in thought. Han Sheng asked in a low voice, "Are you thinking about talent?" At this moment, Han Sheng noticed that Liu Jinmo's eyes were brimming with tears.

Liu Jinmo nodded, seemingly filled with endless melancholy.

That evening at dusk, first the nun slowly awoke, and then Wu Daoming also woke up.

Han Sheng was overjoyed after taking their pulses and told them that the poison from the arsenic had been neutralized. Wu Daoming tried circulating his qi, and

indeed, the numbness in his Lüwei acupoint had disappeared. "Han Sheng, thank you so much," the nun sighed.

"Take me to kill that Huang family father and son. They're capable of such despicable acts," Liu Jinmo said indignantly.

Wu Daoming glanced gratefully at Liu Jinmo; this man was clear about right and wrong, true to his江湖 (jianghu

, the martial arts world) spirit. Han Sheng said, "They've done so many evil deeds, they'll get their comeuppance. We've been out for quite some time now, and I don't even know if my father has returned. Tonight, please ask Mingyue if she's willing to undergo treatment, and then we'll try to find Shen Caihua and Shen Caihua and return to Jiangxi."

"Mingyue?" the nun said in surprise.

Han Sheng smiled and said, "That's right, it's the nun Mingyue from the Nameless Nunnery, your disciple, Master."

The Nameless Master became even more puzzled and said, "Mingyue from the Nameless Nunnery has already died from poisoning. It was too late for me to detoxify her. The strange thing is that her body is missing."

Han Sheng said, "She was indeed dead from the poison, but because your martial arts are extremely Yin and pure, the true energy you forcibly injected into Mingyue's body, although it failed to revive her, caused a corpse transformation. Your disciple became a fleshy corpse. When she woke up, she was already lying in a crematorium in Jingdezhen, almost cremated as a nameless corpse. It was thanks to Master Yiqing that her body was preserved."

The Master looked at the ugly Yiqing and asked suspiciously, "Then where is she now?"

Han Sheng said, "She's inside Yiqing's body. She'll only come out at midnight. Master Yiqing is Mingyue's host."

Yiqing nodded to the Master, indicating that Han Sheng was right.

Although the nun knew some methods of exorcising evil spirits, she still found it hard to believe that her beautiful disciple, Yiqing, was hiding in such an ugly body.

Hansheng then explained to the nun the old man from Xiangxi's method of treating corpses, saying, "This is the only chance."

The nun readily agreed, thinking to herself that this person named Can'er seemed to be of much better character than that rich young master from the Huang family. Besides, Huang Qiansui had poisoned her and Wu Daoming; how could she let Mingyue fall into the tiger's den again?

"Dinner's ready!" Zhu Biao and Yiqing carried a bowl of rice and a large pot of braised pheasant into the room. The enticing aroma filled the air, making everyone hungry.

Hansheng said to Zhu Biao, "Let's send some to the east room too."

Zhu Biao agreed and set aside some food, taking it over.

Everyone was in high spirits, and soon the food was all gone.

That night, the crescent moon hung low, the autumn wind blew gently, and all was quiet.

Han Sheng and the nun quietly awaited midnight.

There was another person still awake, also waiting for this pivotal moment that would determine his fate—Can'er.

From the moment he first glimpsed Mingyue's beautiful face under the enchanting moonlight that night, Can'er had been unable to control himself. He thanked heaven for allowing him, an ordinary-looking corpse-driver, to meet such a fairy. He resolutely led them to Tianmen Mountain, just so he could see Mingyue every night.

At the Tianmen Inn, as long as he had a breath left, he would ensure Mingyue's body remained undefiled, even if it meant paying with his own life, and regardless of whose arms Mingyue would eventually fall into. At that moment, he had only one thought in his mind: the greatest meaning of Can'er's life was to protect Mingyue… The nun silently gazed at Yi Qing. A month ago, because of her stubbornness and cold-heartedness, how much injustice had her beloved disciple, whom she had raised from childhood like her own child, suffered! Poor Mingyue.

Since meeting Daoist Brother Wu Daoming, she finally realized how immense and irresistible that power from the depths of her heart truly was—love. It was a deeply etched, gnawing feeling, making one restless, distracted, and unable to eat, a torment of agony.

She finally understood Mingyue, for she herself had experienced this painful yet sweet process. Although she was over sixty and had remained chaste for decades, she had never imagined that the arrival of that moment would be like an earthquake, a cataclysmic upheaval, utterly irresistible.

Yet, due to her own ignorance, she had punished Mingyue with a year of solitary confinement to reflect on her mistakes. What fault had Mingyue committed? My disciple, it was your master who harmed you. Tears streamed down the nun's face, falling onto Yiqing's cheek… “Master!” A clear, childlike voice rang in the nun's ears.

The nun looked down and saw her beloved disciple Mingyue lying on the bed. Her eyebrows were like dark ink, her nose was high and her mouth was small, her skin was as smooth as cream, and her eyes were as bright as stars... The nun hugged Mingyue tightly, and the two of them embraced and sobbed.

Can'er kept her eyes closed, but tears still seeped from the corners of her eyes.

Han Sheng was also heartbroken, but Mingyue's time was limited, and he had to hurry and find out if Mingyue was willing. Han Sheng coughed.

The nun heard this, wiped away her tears, and said to Mingyue, "Mingyue, let's go for a walk outside."

Mingyue obeyed and helped the nun out of the room and into the courtyard.

The nun looked around and saw that the small hill not far behind the inn was secluded and wouldn't disturb others, so she gestured to Mingyue, and the two went there.

The autumn moon was cool, crescent-shaped, and its color was like water, gently cascading over the two of them.

In the secluded spot at the foot of the hill, the nun looked at Mingyue with heartache and told her what had happened that night. Mingyue stared in astonishment, tears welling up in her eyes.

"It was Can'er who risked his life to save you, and with his last breath, he pulled the blanket up for you," the nun said, moved.

"He was a good person," Mingyue said sadly.

The nun then explained to her that the only way to cure the corpse was to have intercourse with a virgin boy to return to the intermediate state (between death and rebirth), after which she could take medicine and recover.

"No! Mingyue's life is only for Young Master Huang..." Mingyue said, bowing her head earnestly.

"Mingyue, that Huang father and son are not good people; they are completely unreliable," the nun tried to comfort her.

With a thud, Mingyue knelt down, tears welling in her eyes, and said, "Master, Mingyue will never disobey Young Master Huang in this life."

The nun sighed and said, "Mingyue, if you remain obstinate, not only will you regret it later, but you probably won't live much longer. What's the point?"

Mingyue remained kneeling, clutching the nun's trouser legs with both hands, and said, "Master, please don't force Mingyue anymore."

An autumn wind blew, and the moonlit night was chilly. Suddenly, a wicked laugh came from above the hill: "Haha, what an ignorant old nun, actually forcing her disciple to engage in such illicit affairs between men and women..."

"Who goes there! How dare you eavesdrop on my conversation with my disciple?" The nun leaped onto the hilltop.

In the moonlight, an old woman with bound feet, wearing a brightly colored peony-patterned headscarf, looked at her mockingly. The old woman took out a pipe, struck a match, lit the tobacco, and puffed away.

"Who are you?" the nun demanded sharply.

The old woman exhaled a puff of smoke, chuckled, and said, "Which temple do you come from, you old nun? You're utterly ignorant. Haven't you heard of the name 'The Flower of Hong Kong'?" She pointed to the peony on her headscarf; in the moonlight, a bullet hole was clearly visible.

"'The Flower of Hong Kong'? Never heard of her," the nun thought for a moment and said.

The old woman coldly said, "Then you should know the infamous 'Yin Po' of the martial world, shouldn't you?"

The nun shook her head again.

The old woman seemed quite disappointed, sighing wistfully at the moon, "It seems that I, Yin Po, have been living in seclusion in Hong Kong for decades, and the martial world has forgotten me."

At this moment, Mingyue climbed up the small, round hill that resembled a grave. "Who is she, Master?" Mingyue asked.
In the moonlight, Mingyue was beautiful and ethereal, like a jade statue.

The old woman gazed at Mingyue, growing more and more fond of her, and finally said, "Your name is Mingyue?"

Mingyue nodded.

“Indeed, it’s just like the bright moon in the sky. Alright, old hag, I’ll take you as my disciple. Come back to Hong Kong with me,” the old woman said.

Mingyue glanced at her master, then quietly moved her feet and hid behind the nun.

The nun was furious and said, “You crazy old woman, spouting nonsense here! If you don’t leave, this old nun won’t be polite!”

The old hag sneered and said, “I’m determined to have your disciple, but first, I need to retrieve what I buried here ten years ago.” With that, she channeled her strength into her arm and thrust it downwards, and the pipe in her hand disappeared into the ground. “Rise!” she shouted softly, and a small earthen jar emerged from the ground… It was a small, brown earthen jar, its walls shrouded in a layer of white mist under the moonlight, exuding an old hag aura.

The old hag caught it in her hand and chuckled coldly, “Ten years of honing a sword, this old hag’s trip to the Central Plains wasn’t in vain.” With that, she let out a whistle and leaped down the small hill.

Under a holly tree stood a small donkey. The old woman placed the earthen jar into the donkey's satchel, then arched her back and flew backwards up the hill.

"Alright, old nun," she said coldly, "your disciple is a corpse, her life is nearing its end. But she would rather die than submit to the man you arranged for her. Such a girl has spirit, I like her, I like her very much. Today, I'll give you face, old nun, and spare your life. Go." The nameless nun

had never suffered such humiliation. Instantly, her true energy surged throughout her body, her silver hair stood on end, and with a loud shout, countless silver beams shot out simultaneously, all hurtling towards the old woman… The nameless nun was considered a top-tier martial artist. Having been poisoned by the Huang family and barely escaping death, she was already seething with anger. Therefore, she used all her strength in her attack, unleashing her signature technique, "Buddha's Light Illuminates All," to kill her and vent her hatred.

"Oh dear!" Kind-hearted Mingyue knew the power of her master's "Buddha's Light," a power no one in the martial world could escape. Thinking she had no grudge against the old woman, she exclaimed in surprise.

The old woman, not expecting the white-haired nun to possess such a strange hidden weapon, hastily shook her head, and in an instant, the peony-patterned headscarf appeared in her hand. Under the moonlight, the red flowers shimmered, completely absorbing the nun's steel-like silver hair. However, she forgot that the headscarf had a hole in it, made by Zhu Biao's dog tag.

Two or three stray silver hairs pierced the old woman's cheek, biting into her flesh.

The old woman cried out in pain, then flew into a rage, brandishing her pipe and pressing the trigger. A plume of black smoke shot out, heading straight for the nameless nun's face.

The nun hadn't anticipated the old hag's swift counterattack, especially with a poisonous smoke attack. Caught off guard, she let out a muffled groan and collapsed to the ground.

The old hag forcefully plucked the silver thread from her cheek. Although it hadn't hit any pressure points, her entire face was numb; her facial nerves were paralyzed, and she couldn't open her mouth.

The old hag lunged forward, grabbed the stunned Mingyue, and leaped down the hillside. The two mounted a small donkey and galloped away in the moonlight, disappearing in an instant.

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