[Hetu][Heavenly Demon][Episode 6 Chapter 4]

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Chapter Four: Fate's Playful Trick
The mountain path grew increasingly remote, winding its way deep into the mountains. At first, there were occasional

travelers and villages to inquire about, and a few scattered houses could be seen, but gradually it became desolate and uninhabited.
The path became increasingly rugged, not only bumpy but also narrower. Moreover, thorns grew thickly on both sides of the road, and

strange flowers and plants grew everywhere, making it easy to see that this area was a desolate place that even the mountain residents rarely visited.
Night had fallen high in the sky, and Yang Cun hadn't expected that the old man lived so far away. This winding mountain path,

even at midnight, still showed no sign of ending. Gao Lianxin had said that once they reached the end, they would find the old man. At

this rate, this path might even lead all the way to Jiangsu, which seemed ridiculously far.
"It looks like it might rain tonight," Long
Chi said, his face still not flushed or out of breath despite walking for so long. However, when he looked up at the

sky was covered with dark clouds, he couldn't help but smile wryly.
"It seems so."
Yang Cun looked up and saw that the once clear sky had turned into a dense cloud cover, and the air was beginning to

feel muggy—a sign of impending rain.
"Let's find a place to rest,"
Long Chi pondered for a moment, then began searching for shelter.
"You're quite sensible,"
Yang Cun couldn't help but tease him. Long Chi and he themselves weren't afraid of the downpour, but

Gao Lianxin and Zhang Mama in the carriage were a different story. Although they wouldn't get wet, they would definitely be damp and cold at night. Zhang

Mama's health wasn't good, and such an ordeal could easily worsen her condition.
They continued along the path for a while, and in the pitch-black mountains, a

glimmer of light suddenly appeared. Yang Cun and Long Chi's eyes lit up, and they quickened their pace, heading towards the light.
The source of the light was quickly found. Unexpectedly, deep in these uninhabited mountains, there was an old,

long-abandoned temple. The main gate was nowhere to be seen, and the ground was covered with withered grass and broken branches. The once solemn

temple now appeared dilapidated and on the verge of collapse, resembling a haunted house. Cobwebs covered the walls, and

every corner was covered with thick dust, clearly indicating that no monks had lived here for many years.
"Is anyone here?"
Yang Cun approached and cautiously called out. This scene was perfect for playing a ghost, with a somewhat eerie

atmosphere.
"Didn't you see the light? There must be someone here."
Long Chi sneered disdainfully and strode inside. Ghosts fear evil people, and this guy was definitely

a hundred times more terrifying than a ghost. Perhaps he was aware of this, which was why he didn't move.
Inside the temple, everything was in ruins. Piles of withered grass and various debris littered the ground. The door had long been

dismantled lay to one side, apparently used as a bed by mountain people who had stayed there. A colossal wooden statue

stood before them, its face and paint completely eroded by time, making it impossible to discern which deity it represented. Yet, in

the dark old temple, it still exuded an unparalleled solemnity, inspiring a sense of reverence.
"Where are they? Where did they go?"
Yang Cun frowned in confusion, looking at the newly lit bonfire before the statue.
The small temple was easily identifiable; the small bonfire was clearly newly lit, the burning

branches still damp, emitting wisps of white smoke. It had started drizzling outside when he entered

, meaning the people inside had only just started the fire. How could

they have vanished It was utterly inexplicable.
"Hmph, you rats!"
Long Chi sneered, his body trembling, and dozens of venomous snakes immediately fell to the ground, slithering into

every .
"Hey, be careful, don't hurt anyone!"
Yang Cunyi immediately ran outside and threw the wooden sign meant to ward off snake attacks into the carriage to prevent Gao

Lianxin and Zhang Mama from being accidentally injured by the venomous snakes. What a joke! If they were bitten, would they even be saved?
The snakes began to roam throughout the temple. Longchi sat cross-legged, watching coldly.
Suddenly, a mountain of dry grass nearby collapsed with a crash. A man who looked like a beggar, holding

a child wrapped in cloth, cried out in horror, "Great hero, spare my life! This...where did these snakes come from?"
"So they were hiding here!"
Longchi immediately stood up, but as he spoke, his nose twitched, and his face darkened

like a storm cloud.
"Great hero, spare my life! I was taking my son to seek medical treatment and we were passing through here..."
The man was filthy, disheveled, and his age and appearance were impossible to discern. He clutched the child tightly in his arms

, pleading and crying, "My son and I were hiding because we were afraid of bad guys. We meant no harm! Please

spare our lives, hero!"
"Hiding like that, you coward!"
Long Chi didn't even glance at him. He roared, leaping before the statue. A flash of silver light

appeared in his hand, and a sharp dagger materialized. With a shout, a streak of silver light flashed across the sky like lightning, stabbing

fiercely behind the statue.
In a split second, a tall figure behind the statue leaped away, dodging the fatal attack. As the

chilling dagger pierced the wall, a burly man with a dark complexion stood on the ground. His brow furrowed,

and with a casual flick of his wrist, two or three venomous snakes, already silently severed, twitched on the ground.
"Damn it! You dared to kill my treasure!"
Long Chi's face darkened. He had only sensed someone behind the statue by smelling the snake blood. This person

actually managed to kill his venomous snake silently, and dodged it so easily just now; his skills were definitely not bad.
"Evil ways, using poison to harm people, and you dare to criticize others!"
The dark-faced giant's steps deepened, and he let out a muffled roar. A gust of wind suddenly arose around him; his attack was at the

rare level of the Three Dan realm.
"You…"
Seeing the other man's disdain for his Gu technique, Long Chi was even more displeased. He instantly rushed

towards him with lightning speed, his expression turning cold, and his small dagger aimed straight for the giant's throat. The
dark-faced giant quickly dodged; Long Chi's sudden increase in speed caught him off guard. After dodging

the dagger's second attempt to stab his heart, his face darkened with rage, and he suddenly drew his broadsword from his waist, shouting in a low voice, "Good…"

"What a vicious man! Every move he makes is meant to kill. He's utterly despicable!"
With that, he gripped his broadsword and slashed fiercely at Long Chi. Long Chi, unfazed, countered with his

short dagger, striking back with deadly precision. His strange moves, like his own sinister and

subtle nature, were masterful. The small dagger somehow managed to hold off the burly man's broadsword, parrying and even launching counterattacks

. In a single exchange, the difference in their skill was immediately apparent.
"You… ah!"
The burly man was startled. He hadn't expected such extraordinary skill from an ordinary passerby. Although the man

hadn't yet revealed his inner core, his cultivation was clearly superior, and ridiculously strong.
"Hmph, I'll play you to death!"
Long Chi clearly had the air of a toy hunter, wielding his dagger with the agility of a butterfly, not only

deflecting the man's increasingly sluggish attacks but also striking with the nimbleness of a venomous snake, leaving no opening untouched.

He sought openings but didn't strike hard, completely toying with his opponent.
The burly man was panting heavily under Long Chi's pressure, practically forced back. What terrified him even more was the faint green glow on

the dagger 's blade. Since the man before him could control snakes, the dagger

must be highly poisonous. If he were to be accidentally cut, the consequences... were unimaginable.
"What, is that all? Don't you have any other tricks up your sleeve?"
Long Chi laughed arrogantly, toying with him like a cat playing with a mouse. Several times he had the chance to kill

him with a single blow, but he didn't, deliberately giving him a chance to live and continue toying with him.
"Hey, what's going on!"
At this moment, Yang Cun, who had heard the commotion outside, rushed in, followed by Gao Lianxin and Zhang Mama, who were awake but still a little

drowsy . The two women, seeing the fight before them, were instantly wide awake.
The burly, dark-faced man immediately recognized that the person before him was in cahoots with this strange fellow. After fighting for a

while he knew he was no match for Long Chi. So when Yang Cun and his companions entered,

his eyes lit up. He feinted with his blade, then suddenly leaped backward, charging directly at Yang Cun. Compared to this bizarre and

highly skilled freak, the boy before him seemed gentle and frail, and with two women and children, it would be

a waste not to use them as hostages.
"You're in the way!"
Long Chi was taken aback by Yang Cun's words, and seeing the burly, dark-faced man rushing towards Yang Cun, he couldn't help but curse.
"What's going on?"
Yang Cun spoke without fear, but equally cautious. He frowned, his true energy

swirling around him , and with a roar, he actually met the attack head-on. Before the burly man could even raise his blade, he suddenly threw a punch straight at his

face.
"Ah..."
The burly, dark-faced man hadn't expected Yang Cunyi, who seemed so weak, to possess a skill comparable to his own at the Third Dan

realm. Instinctively, he hastily dodged the punch and flipped to the right. The moment he landed, the man's expression hardened.

Just as he was about to continue his attack to capture the two women, a chill suddenly ran down his neck, accompanied by a faint, strange smell that sent a shiver down

his spine .
"Quite quick-witted, isn't he?"
In the blink of an eye, Long Chi was already behind him, a poisoned dagger pressed against

his neck, a cold, sarcastic laugh escaping his lips. "You've planned quite well, but with your level of skill, killing

you is a piece of cake for me!"
"Sigh..."
The burly, dark-faced man sighed, glancing despairingly at the beggar father and son. He closed his eyes, and with a clang,

the dagger fell to the ground. In the blink of an eye, he moved with such speed. The cultivation level of the person before him was

far higher than his own, possibly even exceeding the fourth Dan realm. Under such circumstances, how could he possibly have any chance to fight

back ? And the young man's sudden attack also surpassed his own

cultivation level. How could he possibly resist in such a situation?
"What happened?"
Gao Lianxin and Zhang Mama breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that the man had been captured, but they were also surprised by Long Chi's

almost invisible speed. They seemed completely unprepared for Yang Cun's seemingly slovenly friend to possess such

astonishing strength.
"It's nothing. I don't know where this guy comes from."
As Long Chi spoke, he patted the man's shoulder, then immediately sheathed his dagger, looking at

the .
"You know acupressure techniques?"
Yang Cun's tone was filled with undisguised envy. With just a light pat, the black-faced man was

unable . Acupressure techniques were indeed a boon for lazy people, and an indispensable skill for murder, arson, rape, and kidnapping. "Only a fool 　　would do that
. I'm not some kind of martial arts expert."
Long Chi chuckled, ignoring the burly man with the dark face, and ran to the campfire, throwing in some firewood to make the nearly

extinguished fire burn even brighter. "Then why isn't he moving?" 　　Yang Cun immediately became curious, his face full of envy as he imagined the legendary pressure point technique. 　　"If you had a dozen of these on your body, you wouldn't dare to move either." 　　Long Chi glanced at him disdainfully, then slightly raised his sleeve, and a dozen snake heads immediately flicked their tongues, staring with their dark green eyes. 　　"Oh, I see. Indeed." 　　Yang Cun suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. So that slap had put all the snakes on the burly man's body ! No wonder the guy didn't dare to move, his face instantly turning deathly pale. Who wouldn't be terrified to have a dozen venomous snakes crawling into their clothes? Just thinking about the cold, wriggling sensation made his brain ache with cold. 　　"Kill me or torture me, do whatever you want, but don't resort to these underhanded tactics!" 　　The burly, dark-faced man, pale-faced, gritted his teeth and roared. Dozens of venomous snakes coiled silently within his clothes, their hissing clearly audible even when they were still, a sound like a knife scraping bone, sending a chill down one's spine. 　　"As long as you don't move, they won't bite you." 　　Long Chi seemed to be deliberately toying with him, sitting cross-legged and smiling as he watched the burly man, who dared not move an inch. 　　"Hey, put those snakes away quickly, don't bite anyone." 　　Yang Cun looked at the trembling beggar father and son, then at the two men behind him who looked somewhat panicked.

" Do
n't worry, I've already sent them all out of the temple."
Long Chi chuckled, took off his raincoat, and slowly walked to the temple gate. With a flick of his black robe, the remaining venomous snakes immediately fell

to the ground and disappeared swiftly into the muddy woods.
Because it was dark and they were quite far away, Gao Lianxin and Zhang Mama couldn't see Long Chi's actions clearly and didn't know

what he was doing. However, Yang Cun saw very clearly that all the venomous snakes and scorpions had fled.

Long Chi turned around and, seeing the puzzled look on Yang Cun's face, lowered his voice and said, "These treasures of mine all grew up eating poisonous creatures.

I didn't have time to catch any to feed them today, so I simply let them find their own food. It's raining heavily now, and the poisonous creatures are all lying dormant

. They should be able to eat their fill tonight." "
Then the rest will have to go hungry?"
Yang Cun asked, glancing at the stiff, puppet-like man.
"Do you think I don't care about them?"
Long Chi glared at him fiercely, then hesitated before looking at Gao Lianxin and the others.
"It's alright, let's sit down and warm ourselves by the fire!"
Yang Cun immediately understood and quickly pulled Gao Lianxin and Zhang Mama, who were still in a daze, to sit down around the campfire,

cleverly blocking their view, while secretly glancing back curiously to see what Long Chi was up to.
Long Chi approached the burly man with a sinister smile, slowly pulling out some dead snakes from his robes. With a flick of his dagger, he sliced

the snakes into several pieces, then let out a heavy snort. Instantly,

more than a dozen snake heads slowly emerged from the burly man's collar, chest, cuffs, and even his belt! Long Chi carefully collected the snake carcasses and fed them to the snakes. These

venomous snakes were quite greedy, immediately swallowing their companion's corpse whole.
Damn it, this guy is really a pervert! Yang Cun vaguely recognized that these dead snakes were

the ones that had died in the arsenal. He thought this guy was so kind, even collecting their corpses, but it turns out he just wanted to use them as feed. How

immoral
"What's going on? Who are they?"
Although Gao Lianxin always adhered to the principle that women shouldn't ask too many questions,

she couldn't hide her curiosity after inexplicably falling asleep and waking up to such a strange scene.
"Lianxin, don't ask too many questions!"
Zhang Mama knew what was going on and immediately stopped Gao Lianxin's doubts, so as not to put Yang Cun in a difficult position.
"By the way, who are you?"
Yang Cun finally realized and immediately turned his questioning gaze to the beggar father and son huddled together next to him.
"Grandpa, we...we're just passing by, we just...we just wanted to take shelter from the rain..."
The middle-aged beggar's face was so dirty that his features were unrecognizable, and the child in his arms was wrapped up so tightly that

it was impossible to tell whether he was a boy or a girl. However, although the beggar's clothes were tattered, the child's clothes were quite clean, and the material didn't

look like it was just some random rags he had picked up.
"What's wrong with the child?"
At this moment, everyone noticed that the child in his arms was shivering. Gao Lianxin and Zhang Mama, being kind-hearted women,

immediately asked with concern.
"The child is injured and got caught in the rain, so he has a fever."
The man's voice trembled as he spoke, seemingly very anxious.
"Come on, let me see the child!"
Gao Lianxin, who was wearing a thick cloak, didn't hesitate when she saw the situation. She immediately walked around

the campfire to the man's side. The man seemed very panicked and quickly lowered his head, holding the child in his arms

even .
"It's alright, we're not bad people, don't worry."
Gao Lianxin looked at the child wrapped up like a dumpling, and her kindness softened her voice.
"Alright, put the child down right now!"
Long Chi also came over and said irritably, "Children with fevers are prone to serious illnesses. You, as a father

, really don't know what's good for you. Are you afraid we'll snatch your child?"
"Excuse me, gentlemen..."
The middle-aged beggar lowered his head even further, but still quickly and carefully placed the child in his arms on the door panel.
Long Chi stepped forward and slowly unwrapped the thick cloth covering the child. There was no foul odor as expected; the cloth

was quite clean and remarkably warm. As the wrapping was slowly peeled away, a wave of human body

heat immediately emanated. However, the scene revealed stunned everyone present, making

it difficult to breathe.
"What a tragedy!"
Looking at the scene before them, Zhang's mother sighed sympathetically.
Wrapped in layers of cloth was a little boy covered in wounds. The boy looked to be less than ten years

old thin and small, with sallow skin that appeared unhealthy. Only his lower body was covered in loose pajama pants,

the exposed skin showing numerous small and slightly healed wounds. His upper body was

naked , many areas wrapped in layers of gauze.
Even more horrifying were the festering scars on the child's face, his eyes wrapped in thick gauze,

his hair falling out in clumps from the suffocation, and numerous festering sores on his scalp. Moreover, the festering sores contained wounds that had been cut open

long ago , seemingly unable to heal, and now showed signs of pus formation.

The child, barely a teenager, had his face unrecognizable; all that could be seen was

the torment .
"Father..."
The child, burning with fever, lay unconscious. As the cloth was pulled back,

the cold air a sight that tugged at the heartstrings.
"What happened? How did this child get so badly injured!"
Although Long Chi was a ruthless killer, he was shocked by the child's current state and asked sharply.
"This child... how much pain he's in!"
Gao Lianxin's eyes reddened; seeing such a young child injured like this, her nose began to

sting .
"Don't... don't let my child get cold..."
The middle-aged beggar's expression hardened. Facing Long Chi, he no longer trembled with fear, hurriedly covering the child with

a cloth to protect him from the chill of the mountain night. He then pushed the flat door panel closer to the fire,

gripping the child's thin, withered hand even tighter. Although it was a small gesture, it was filled with deep paternal love,

moving everyone present.
"Who is so heartless as to hurt him like this?"
Seeing this, Zhang's mother felt a pang of heartache and immediately touched the child's forehead, timidly saying,

"This child still has a fever, Miss, do you think there's anything you can do to help this poor man?"
The middle-aged beggar burst into tears, slowly explaining that his family had been robbed, the child's mother had been raped and

killed, and the child, though miraculously alive, was injured in this state. He had brought the child to Hangzhou

to find a renowned doctor, but they had been caught in this heavy rain and were taking shelter here.
"Let me see,"
Gao Lianxin said, wiping away her tears of sympathy as she placed her hand on the child's wrist. She paid no heed to the festering wound and thick pus on the child's

wrist ; her heart was filled only with human kindness.
"Let me see too,"
Long Chi hesitated for a moment, then placed his hand on the child's other wrist, silently taking his pulse.
"Weak body, weak pulse,"
Gao Lianxin said softly, her eyes closed.
"External injuries to the meridians, internal deficiency and cold..."
Long Chi closed his eyes, focusing intently on the child's pulse.
Yang Cun remained silent beside him, afraid of disturbing their diagnosis. Gao Lianxin, born into a family of imperial physicians,

had been exposed to . Under such influence, her medical skills were comparable to those of renowned doctors. Long Chi

, needless to say, was skilled in both poison and medicine. His poison and Gu techniques were so advanced that even his unorthodox medical skills far surpassed those of

ordinary doctors.
"Great hero, my... my child... how is he?"
The middle-aged beggar silently wiped away tears beside him. Looking at the child's miserable state, even passersby

felt sorry ; who could imagine the heartbreak of this father?
"Many external injuries, days of jostling, empty stomach, and a cold—it's not good."
Gao Lianxin finished taking the pulse, her expression grave. Long Chi also withdrew his hand, looking at the sleeping

child. Although he didn't say anything, his expression was also not good.
"Heroes, please, please save my child!"
At this moment, the middle-aged beggar also noticed that his son's body temperature was rising, a sign of a cold. He immediately

burst into tears, kneeling on the ground, kowtowing and pleading, "I only have this one son

! Please, save him!"
"What should we do?"
Gao Lianxin was also anxious. The child was already very weak, and with such severe injuries,

a cold wouldn't be a big deal for an ordinary person, but for this child, it could take his young life.
"Do you have any medicine?"
Long Chi hesitated for a moment, then asked the crucial question.
"Yes, yes, I have some."
Zhang Mama also felt sorry for the child and immediately dragged her sick body out the door, carrying several small boxes from the carriage and

placing them on the ground.
The small boxes contained quite a few medicinal herbs, but they were all common herbs like Tianqi, not many of which were effective in dispelling cold and heat

, so they were practically useless. Gao Lianxin was even more anxious upon seeing this, tears streaming down her face. "What can we do? If there were medicinal herbs

here , I could prescribe medicine for my child, but where am I supposed to find

them in this desolate wilderness?"
"Alright, don't panic."
Yang Cun quickly stepped forward to comfort her, seeing her anxious state. However, seeing her kind heart, his

affection for her grew even stronger. A person burdened with a blood feud yet possessing a compassionate heart, Gao Lianxin was not only

beautiful in appearance but also in spirit.
"Please, please save my child!"
The middle-aged beggar could only keep kowtowing, his forehead already covered in blood. At this moment

, he couldn't think of any other way to save his child.
"You, behave yourself..."
The tragic atmosphere was heart-wrenching. At this moment, the dark-faced man moved slightly, and Long Chi's nerves tightened instantly.

His eyes flashed with ferocity, and he gritted his teeth and shouted fiercely. In such a suffocating atmosphere, killing was definitely a good way

to vent . Not only Long Chi, but Yang Cun also felt an urge to vent.
"Let me go, I... I'll help you!"
The burly man with the dark face looked at the child, then at Long Chi, and suddenly gritted his teeth and said, "Why don't you just

kill me!"
As he finished speaking, his expression became resolute, and he took a big step forward.
"Forget it, let him go!"
Seeing that Long Chi's eyes were already filled with murderous intent, Yang Cun immediately stopped him and slowly shook his head.
"I'll spare your dog's life, you can get lost!"
Long Chi snorted in dissatisfaction, his expression turned slightly cold, and with a wave of his hand, a cloud of gray mist dissipated. At this moment,

the venomous snakes on the burly man's body seemed to understand Long Chi's meaning, and they began to crawl out one by one, instantly disappearing into

the torrential rain outside the door.
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
The burly man with the dark face was naturally ashen from being so insulted. However, after glancing at the middle-aged beggar who was still kowtowing and crying,

and then at the child's sallow complexion and trembling body, Yang Cun gritted his teeth and said nothing.
"No need, you can leave!"
Yang Cun looked at him coldly. At this moment, no one would believe someone who had just drawn their sword against them.
"Don't worry, I haven't lost my humanity to that extent."
The dark-faced man gritted his teeth, suddenly pointed to his chest, and groaned, "We have no past grudges or recent

enmity. Everyone wants to save this child now, and I won't act recklessly at this time. It won't do me any good."
"Why should I believe you?"
Although Yang Cun had good intentions, he was still cautious. After all, the man's attitude had been very unfriendly. Who

could believe that he wouldn't take advantage of everyone's busyness?
"Fine..."
At this moment, Long Chi suddenly shouted and suddenly picked up the dark green dagger and slashed the man's hand,

cutting his skin!
The burly man paused slightly, then immediately clutched his hand. The blood seeping from between his fingers was

dark , a clear sign of poisoning. At this moment, Long Chi had already sheathed his dagger, stood up, and coldly said,

"You should know you've been poisoned. But don't worry, you won't die within three days. You'd better not act rashly.

After things are settled, I'll consider giving you an antidote."
"I know."
The burly man's face was ashen, his teeth clenched. He could clearly feel his pulse pounding

faster than usual. This dagger was clearly not the one Long Chi had used in their fight earlier; that dagger was coated with a deadly

poison that would kill instantly, while this one was less potent. Having roamed the martial world for so long, he knew Long Chi

wasn't lying.
"What kind of medicine do you need?"
Long Chi pondered for a moment, then suddenly turned to Gao Lianxin and asked bluntly, "We'll

deal with the child's injuries later. Let's get his fever down first. I have quite a few prescriptions, but they're a bit strong. The child

is very weak right now, and with his injuries, he absolutely can't handle it. Giving it to him rashly would be too dangerous."
"I...I do have prescriptions, but where am I supposed to find the medicine!"
Gao Lianxin cried out anxiously, tears streaming down her face again.
Yang Cun quickly embraced her and comforted her. Although he was now holding a soft, fragrant body in his arms, looking at this

pitiful child, he felt no lust whatsoever.
"Tell me, I'll find a way to get the medicine."
Long Chi's voice was low, but also very resolute.
"I... let me think."
Gao Lianxin racked her brains. It wasn't that she wasn't skilled, but with so many fever-reducing prescriptions, she

had to select the one most suitable for this weak child. The medicine had to be gentle so as not to harm him,

and she also had to consider the child's injuries. She couldn't afford to be careless.
After a while, Gao Lianxin made her decision and immediately named several medicinal herbs. However,

she hesitated and said, "Brother Long, the best ingredient for this prescription is chicken soup. It's the gentlest and most nourishing formula, dispelling cold

without harming the body. But where can we find chickens to use for this medicine right now, let alone these herbs?"
"Big Black Guy!"
Long Chi pondered for a moment, then suddenly said to the burly, dark-faced man, "I'll go find the herbs. How about you catch a

wild pheasant ?"
"Okay!"
The dark-faced man seemed surprised by Long Chi's sudden suggestion. After a moment of stunned silence, he

nodded , picked up his knife, and vanished into the torrential rain.
"Alright, I'll go find the herbs. You two, make a fire and boil water."
Long Chi didn't say much more, put on his raincoat, and walked out the door, his figure disappearing into the dense rain.
"Is he capable?"
Yang Cun was somewhat skeptical. This guy is probably fine for killing, but asking him to save lives

feels asking a veterinarian to perform surgery – too unreliable.
"Snakes have spirits,"
said Zhang Mama, who had already brought a small iron pot from the carriage. She poured water and placed it on the fire,

smiling kindly. "Your friend may seem fierce and vicious, but he's kind-hearted. Since ancient times, where there are snakes

, there are always medicinal herbs. He's a venomous snake breeder, so he naturally has the ability. He should be able to find those herbs."
"Old Mama, you're very observant,"
Yang Cun smiled awkwardly and immediately began to help, adding firewood and boiling water. Zhang Mama paused for a moment, then

was called aside by Yang Cun. Watching Yang Cun busy himself, and then glancing at Gao Lianxin,

she smiled .
After the first boil, Gao Lianxin took a towel and carefully wiped the child's wounds with it.
After changing the water a second time, she brought a wooden basin from the carriage and soaked the child's legs in the boiling

water to make him sweat. By this time, she was exhausted and sweating profusely. Yang Cun felt sorry for her and quickly took out a towel

to wipe her sweat. Gao Lianxin, feeling shy, gave Yang Cun a happy smile, her appearance both shy and charming, truly

captivating .
There was an old well nearby. When Yang Cun boiled the water he had drawn for the third time, Long Chi had already returned

. His footsteps were light and almost silent, with only the sound of raindrops falling on the ground. As

soon threw his raincoat on the ground, pulled open his black cloak, revealing his arms full of various medicinal herbs.

He said breathlessly, "Alright, Miss Gao, everything you wanted is here!"
"Let me see."
Gao Lianxin was so eager to save lives that she didn't care about anything else and put all the medicinal herbs on the ground to count them.
"Alright, everything's here, but we need to wash them first."
Gao Lianxin's hands were covered in dirt from the herbs, but she looked delighted. "Where did you find all of these?

Old ginger, goji berries, angelica... you didn't miss a single one of these dozen or so! Amazing!"
"I forgot to wash them."
Long Chi, still feeling smug, immediately grabbed the pile of herbs and rushed back into the rain. In no time,

the herbs were clean, and the dirt from when they were pulled from the ground was gone.
"Is everything alright now?"
Yang Cunyi immediately added firewood to make the fire bigger, and the water that had just been put into the pot was boiling vigorously.
"Yes, it all depends on that gentleman."
Gao Lianxin said with a gentle smile as she chopped the herbs and put them into the pot. "It would be nice to stew them with a chicken,

but with such a complete set of herbs, they're gentle and nourishing, and should at least help bring down the child's fever. There shouldn't be any major problems."
"Miss, are you really alright?"
The middle-aged beggar trembled with excitement, and his voice trembled as he listened to Gao Lianxin's words.
"Don't worry, the child's injuries have been treated very well,"
Gao Lianxin comforted him while preparing the medicine. "However, the journey these past few days has left him very

weak , and he's feeling chilled right now. As long as he drinks this medicine as soon as possible, there won't be any major problems."
"Thank you! You are truly a savior of suffering!"
The middle-aged beggar burst into tears again, kneeling on the ground and kowtowing repeatedly to Gao Lianxin.
"Don't do this!"
Gao Lianxin felt a little embarrassed seeing him like this. But she didn't have time to think about it at the moment, and could only

continue to concentrate on brewing the medicine. The fire made her little face flushed red, and with the kindness and gentleness in her eyes,

she looked even more radiant and beautiful.
"That guy should have run away by now."
Long Chi waited a moment, and seeing that the water in the pot was boiling, he suddenly became impatient. He stood up abruptly, his face

darkening, and said, "Forget it, it's just catching a pheasant, I'll go myself. I shouldn't have trusted that coward in the first place!"
"You're the coward..."
At that moment, a weak yet furious growl came from outside the door, and a tall figure slowly walked in.

Entering, the burly man in black glared at Long Chi with obvious displeasure, carrying a soaking wet pheasant.
"Looking for a pheasant took you so long? Who else should I yell at but you!"
Long Chi sneered irritably.
"Look, it's right here!"
The man's face was now deathly pale, and he was completely soaked from head to toe because he wasn't wearing a raincoat. But

with each step he took, not only did water appear on the ground, but also blood.
"Oh, you've got a scratch."
Long Chi scoffed, immediately taking the pheasant from his hand and setting it aside to pluck and gut it. He seemed

quite adept at outdoor life, moving with surprising agility.
"Hmph, just a minor injury."
The man snorted in dissatisfaction, then ran to the far corner of the dilapidated temple to remove his wet outer garment. He now

had a gaping wound on his shoulder; it was unclear how he had gotten there in the middle of the night—perhaps he had encountered

a wild animal in the mountains? The mangled, bloody mess was truly frightening to behold.
The pot boiled over a high flame, the water bubbling and churning. Soon, a pot of fresh chicken soup was ready.
Gao Lianxin and Zhang's mother brought bowls and carefully fed the child spoonful by spoonful. The sleeping child was

completely unaware, but still felt the warmth and comfort. Watching him instinctively purse his lips and

drink the soup little by little, everyone present finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The burly, dark-faced man leaned against the doorframe, quietly watching everything. Long Chi sat cross-legged,

watching him warily. Now all the snakes were out hunting. Although the man was poisoned by a slow-acting venom, judging from his behavior

, he was exceptionally resolute. Who could guarantee he wouldn't risk dying from the poison to do something

bad?
Dawn slowly broke. By this time, Gao Lianxin and Zhang's mother had already wrapped themselves in thin blankets and slowly fallen asleep, while the child

was covered with a thick quilt, sweating profusely. The middle-aged beggar remained tense, his

expression a mixture of anxiety and paternal love as he watched his child. Long Chi and the burly man in black continued their staring contest, neither uttering a word;

the atmosphere remained tense.
The small carriage was crammed full of everything: quilts, spoons, bowls, pots, cloaks, even pillows—it was

like a mobile warehouse. Yang Cun wiped away a bead of cold sweat. An Qiao was far too meticulous.

It was just a simple trip, yet she acted as if it were a matter of life and death, packing almost like a house move. Was

n't that a bit of an exaggeration?
No wonder Gao Lianxin had pouted a little while unloading things in the carriage; the beauty was

jealous ! Although she rarely interacted with the An sisters, seeing the carriage

so neatly packed with belongings, she was probably a little envious. Yang Cun looked at Gao Lianxin and couldn't help but smile knowingly. There really wasn't a single woman

in the world n't jealous.
"Dad..."
Just as dawn was breaking, the little boy, who had been sleeping peacefully all night, suddenly groaned, turned over uncomfortably

, and his breathing became slightly rapid upon waking.
"Ming'er, Dad's here. How are you? Are you hungry?"
The middle-aged beggar immediately rushed to the child's pillow, asking anxiously and with delight.
"Dad, I'm not hungry, but... I'm itchy..."
The little boy murmured incoherently in his sleep. His wounds had not fully healed, and he was

covered in in considerable discomfort.
"Good child, bear with it a little longer. Dad will find a place to stay and give you a good wash!"
The middle-aged beggar's eyes reddened with emotion as he hugged the child tightly, crying as he did so.
"How is the child?"
Gao Lianxin and Zhang Mama were also awakened by the faint sound and immediately came over to inquire with concern.
"The child is awake!"
The middle-aged beggar trembled with excitement, immediately kneeling on the ground, kowtowing and choking back tears as he said,

"Thank you, young lady, for your miraculous healing! It's truly the child's good fortune to have met you in this desolate wilderness! You must be

a living bodhisattva; without your help, I don't know if my child would have survived."
"It's good that the child is alright."
Yang Cun stepped forward and asked softly, "Where are you going?"
"We're going to Hangzhou to find a renowned doctor for my child,"
the middle-aged beggar said, his voice filled with anticipation.
"Lianxin, let's pack our things and get ready to continue our journey,"
Yang Cun said silently, only glancing at Long Chi, who still didn't look pleased with himself, and

smiled .
After giving the unfortunate father and son a quilt and some dry rations, and tidying up their belongings, the burly, dark-faced man

pulled a carriage from behind the dilapidated temple. His expression remained calm as he said to Yang Cun, "We've met by chance, and some misunderstandings

are inevitable. I'm also going to Hangzhou this time, so I'll give them a ride on the way, lest they wander

aimlessly and be ."
"Hey, you big oaf!"
Long Chi called out, casually tossing a white bottle to him.
The burly man caught it, and Long Chi immediately said without turning around, "That's the antidote. Just take a finger-cap's

worth each day. You'll be alive in three days, but you can't drink alcohol during those three days!"
The burly man silently looked at the bottle in his hand, then at Long Chi, seemingly deep in thought.

Taking advantage of a moment of weakness in his expression, Yang Cun secretly glanced at the carriage, his nose twitching as he

sniffed . The curtain in front of the carriage door fluttered slightly in the wind. Peeking through the slightly open gap, Yang Cun's mind

went blank. When he looked at the beggar father and son again, his eyes held a complex meaning beyond pity, and

a cold smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.
At this time, Gao Lianxin and Zhang Mama were exhausted from working late into the night and began to doze off as soon as they got into the carriage. Long Chi

waited beside the carriage, busy putting the snakes that had crawled out of the grass back into his

cloak, which looked like a treasure chest. They were three or four zhang away, so they shouldn't be able to hear the conversation.
"Brother, are you sure it's on the way?"
Yang Cun hesitated for a moment, watching the middle-aged beggar carry the child into the carriage. He carefully observed the man's movements and

the items inside the carriage, and then he smiled coldly.
"What do you mean?"
The dark-faced man's face stiffened instantly. Even when he was entangled by poisonous snakes last night, he had never had such

a bewildered yet forcedly calm expression.
When the middle-aged beggar boarded the carriage, his actions were clearly practiced and experienced. He even paused slightly

as , indicating he was used to having the curtain drawn for him. If the burly man

were traveling alone, he could easily ride a horse, and he wouldn't need this kind of carriage to transport goods. Judging from his demeanor

, he was definitely not the leisurely type who enjoyed traveling by carriage.
The contents of the carriage were a jumbled mess, with quite a few bedding items. Yang Cun even noticed that

the pattern of one of the thin blankets matched the cloth wrapped around the child. Last night

, he hadn't paid much attention, assuming the child was sick, but now, upon closer inspection, the embroidery and the fabric were of extremely high quality—something only a wealthy

family could afford. This burly man and the father and son had been traveling together, yet they hadn't said so.

How could a weary traveler using a carriage be dressed so poorly?
"Who's inside the carriage?"
Yang Cun pondered for a moment, his expression turning incredibly serious, the gentle demeanor of the previous night replaced by a solemn one.
The burly, dark-faced man's expression immediately darkened, he gritted his teeth as he stared at Yang Cun, then glanced warily at Long Chi beside him,

creating an incredibly tense atmosphere. Just as the two were locked in a standoff, the middle-aged beggar inside the carriage sighed and

said softly, "Lord Duke, it's been months since we last met, and you're still as clever as ever, unwilling to let any clue slip by."
His voice was different from the timidity and fear of the previous night, sounding calm yet helpless.
"Xiao Jiu, is it?"
Yang Cun recognized the voice immediately, a sudden realization dawning on him. He sneered, "The former governor of

Tianjin , yesterday a prisoner. You should have been awaiting trial by the Ministry of Personnel in the Shuntian Prefecture prison, but your accomplices

murdered over a dozen guards and brazenly abducted you.

Now to lose face. Countless experts have been dispatched to capture you. You've certainly had a glorious life

."
"Your Excellency is discerning."
Xiao Jiu, inside the carriage, pondered for a moment, then said with a wry smile, "So what does Your Excellency intend to do now? Are you going to arrest me to curry favor

? The Emperor is currently furious; I believe Your Excellency can bring me before him, which will surely please him."
"The premise is..."
The burly man with a dark face exhaled a deep breath, finally regaining his composure. He looked at Long Chi and said coldly:

"If Duke Jingguo was captured with the court's number one wanted criminal, the Miao sorcerer Longchi, that would be

a huge ."
"It seems you really aren't a thief."
Yang Cun, intimidated by his words, revealed a predictable smile, which startled both of them.
"My lord, we have no past grievances or recent feuds."
Xiao Jiu's tone softened as he pleaded, "Could you spare my life? After I've healed my son's wounds,

I will offer my head to repay your forgiveness."
"Killing someone to silence them seems easy for us now..."
Yang Cun's words made both of them pause. The burly man with the dark face even placed his hand on his sword. However, Yang Cun's tone

changed, and he chuckled, "Since we've saved him, there's no need to commit further murder. I'm not in the mood for it now.

You can leave."
"You... are you serious?"
Both of them were silent for a long time before Xiao Jiu asked incredulously.
"Let's hurry and leave before I change my mind!"
Yang Cun said, turning and walking towards his carriage without looking back. Long Chi, who seemed not to have heard anything,

simply nodded when Yang Cun approached. The horses slowly began to move, the wheels turning slowly as they continued along the increasingly narrow

mountain road.
The burly man with the dark face hesitated for a moment, then got into the carriage and drove off in the opposite direction towards Hangzhou. The carriage

bumped along the mountain road. Xiao Jiu, holding the child, touched the child's forehead, which was no longer feverish, and breathed a sigh of relief, saying,

"Prince Ding is right. This Yang Cun is truly cunning. He seems very gentle, but he's more shrewd than anyone else. He's so

young, yet so mature. He's a real shrew..."
"He seems to have suspected something from the beginning."
Although the burly man with the dark face was impulsive, he seemed to have realized something. Recalling Yang Cun's

strange , he felt that Yang Cun had given himself away early on.
"It should be, but he didn't say anything last night."
Xiao Jiu held his son in his arms, sighed heavily, and said somewhat nervously, "If he had told

the truth , Gao Lianxin probably wouldn't have fed my son medicine, but poison. I once drove her

family to ruin. If she knew it was me, she would probably try every means to poison us. Although this woman is kind-hearted, she is

not a coward."
"Duke Jingguo, Yang Cunzhen, is really interesting."
The dark-faced man smiled, but it was unclear what he was laughing at.
"Yes, I wonder what he's thinking."
Xiao Jiu also sighed. When he held an official position and was a high-ranking official, he was calm and composed, neither arrogant nor servile.

Now that he was a pariah, he not only didn't kick him while he was down, but also let him go.

What was this guy thinking?
After traveling all day, Gao Lianxin and Zhang Mama had rested enough. For lunch, they simply ate some

dried meat and a few scallion pancakes. Although the food was ordinary, sitting by the river watching the water flow quietly, gazing at the lush green

mountains and clear sky, and appreciating the shimmering beauty after the rain, was quite a

pleasure.
"My lord, what's wrong?"
Women are always more perceptive; although Yang Cun had been chatting and laughing all the way, Gao Lianxin felt

something was amiss and immediately asked with concern.
"Nothing, what's wrong?"
Yang Cun replied with a smile, still as cheerful as ever.
"Come on, something's not right with you, kid!"
Long Chi had been observing the exotic flowers and plants along the way, and upon hearing Yang Cun's words, he immediately said bluntly,

"You've been chattering away the whole way, you're not usually so talkative. Am I right, Miss Gao? Yang

Cun is definitely hiding something."
Long Chi, the court's number one wanted criminal, showed absolutely no awareness of being a fugitive. After getting to know Yang Cun better along the way, he

went from being a Duke to just "this kid," a dramatic drop in status. "No, you're overthinking it

."
Yang Cun continued to chuckle, but his hands opened and closed slightly, his mind

seemingly , as if something appeared but he couldn't quite grasp it.
His absent-mindedness in his laughter seemed a bit over the top. He was unusually quiet the whole way,

even Zhang Mama, who had been quietly recuperating, hesitated for a moment before finally speaking up, "My lord, is something

troubling you? I've noticed you've been distracted the whole way. If it's convenient, please tell us, and we can all help you

think of a solution."
"No, I'm just tired, nothing else,"
Yang Cun quickly waved his hand, a little surprised that he had been too obvious. Zhang Mama,

being an , could tell, which was normal; it was a failure that even Long Chi and Gao Lianxin could see it. Back in the day

, when he was playing poker, mahjong, and Texas Hold'em, he could bluff without batting an eye. How come his acting is so bad now?
Before long, Long Chi suddenly yelled "Ah!" Everyone's attention was immediately

drawn to him. Long Chi, his face flushed with excitement, was cautiously staring at a seemingly ordinary

purple flower by the roadside, unable to contain his excitement as he exclaimed, "This...this...how could there be this in this turbulent southern land..."
"What are you yelling about, you little brat? You almost scared me to death!"
Yang Cun snorted in annoyance, reaching up to pick his ear.
"What's this?"
Gao Lianxin also stepped down from the carriage, lightly holding her skirt as she approached. She crouched down and carefully examined the strange

purple flower. Even though she had grown up in a family of doctors, she was now puzzled, racking her brains

for a long time but still unable to name the flower.
"Demon Bone Flower!"
Long Chi was so excited that his lips trembled. His hands stiffly stroked the petals of the small flower, and he stammered,

"This strange flower was recorded in the Miao people's grand ceremony. Legend has it that it is buried under the roots of a hundred corpses, sucking their blood and marrow for nourishment,

feeding on their essence and soul. It blooms only once every hundred years. When used in medicine, it has the effect of prolonging life and preserving the soul. When used as poison, it can break the intestines and bones, and a single drop can kill

..."
"Demon Bone Flower? Why is the name so strange?"
Gao Lianxin looked confused, as if she had never heard of this medicinal herb. Moreover, what Long Chi said was too strange.

Buried under the roots of a hundred corpses? This place is no longer inhabited, and there is not even a grave in sight. How could there be a hundred

corpses buried here?
"What's going on?"
Yang Cun also noticed something was amiss. It was the first time he had seen Long Chi so excited, and he was also curious.
"Demon bones are born, and spiritual beings accompany them."
Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Long Chi, and he stood up abruptly.
At this moment, the cloak that had been motionless on his body began to writhe wildly. The venomous

snakes that had been dozing and quiet suddenly became agitated, but this agitation was not driven by murderous intent; rather, it was a terror and fear they had never

seen . Long Chi's eyes immediately reddened, and he murmured, "As expected,

there must be a spirit guarding the Demon Bone Flower."
"What's that smell?"
Yang Cun frowned immediately, as a pungent odor began to fill the air.

Besides , there was a putrid, foul, and even deathly stench.
"This...is that the smell of blood?"
Gao Lianxin also smelled it and immediately felt nauseous.
"Let's go!"
At this moment, Long Chi sensed the snakes' fear and looked at the frail Gao Lianxin and Zhang Mama. Although reluctant,

he led the two away from the brightly colored Demon Bone Flower.
Away from that strange smell, they continued to bump along the path. Long Chi's expression alternated between excitement and

extreme caution, displaying a restlessness that had never been seen before. Yang Cun grew increasingly puzzled and asked,

"Hey, what's wrong with you? What happened to that flower just now?"
"Demon Bone Flower, hahaha!"
Long Chi seemed about to explain, but perhaps due to excessive excitement, he burst

into laughter before he could finish speaking.
This guy's mentally unstable! Yang Cun's mind went blank for a moment, but recalling the feeling he had when he smelled the stench earlier,

his soul instinctively felt a dangerous warning. This feeling had only appeared once before,

when he witnessed Yang Shu's full awakening of the Six Dan Realms, and even when the Vajra Seal went berserk, he had never felt this kind of

fear in his soul.
"My lord, this should be it, right?"
At this moment, Gao Lianxin's voice slowly rang out, filled with anticipation and joy.
The path seemed to have come to an end, and the group had arrived at a cliff. The cliff was covered

with lush green grass and wildflowers, as well as various fruit trees. Even though it wasn't autumn, there were no fruits yet

. But one could faintly smell the fragrance of flowers, grass, and soil, which was refreshing and pleasant.
Across the cliff rises an even higher peak, where a massive waterfall cascades

down as if descending from the heavens. The white river, powerful and majestic, rivals any famous mountain or river.

The slopes are lush and verdant, a breathtaking sight. The ceaseless roar of the waterfall creates a symphony of sounds,

a beauty resonates in the heart and ears, yet remains a mystery, defying the full meaning of nature's artistry.
The scenery on the cliff face is captivating, and the most striking feature is a small house,

reminiscent . Bamboo groves surround the house

, their leaves swaying gently. Tall trees form a natural wall, protecting the house.
The small house, inconspicuous within the fence, is constructed entirely of wood and bamboo,

its simple, rustic charm resembling a farmhouse, yet remarkably clean, unlike any ordinary farmhouse.

Several chicks pecked at the ground in the yard , seemingly unafraid of strangers and completely oblivious to the arrival of the group.
"Looks like someone's home."
Yang Cunxian alighted from the carriage, walked to the small courtyard's wooden gate, and politely called out, "Is

anyone home?"
"This place is so beautiful."
Long Chi was completely captivated by the green hills and clear waters. For some reason, taking a deep breath, the

fresh was so wonderfully pleasant, like a dream.
"Coming."
The wooden door of the house slowly opened, and an elderly woman, dressed in simple gray clothes and appearing to be over seventy, slowly...

She emerged. Her hair was entirely white, and despite her pale complexion, her back was remarkably straight. She walked with an elegant and quiet gait, her steps

steady, making it impossible to guess her advanced age.
The old woman slowly approached, and only then did everyone see her clearly. Her face was covered in wrinkles,

but her skin was remarkably rosy and healthy. A gentle and serene smile always graced her face, making her

appear very approachable. Unconventional and reclusive in this deep mountain forest, such a kind-faced elder

made one wonder if they had encountered a celestial being in the woods.
"Hello."
Gao Lianxin quickly stepped forward and gave a gentle bow, asking softly, "Are you Grandma Liu?"
"Oh, yes, I am."
The old woman, called Grandma Liu, was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled and said, "Good girl, it's been so long since

anyone called me that. You're so beautiful, whose daughter are you? The young Wang from Baoxingtang in the east of the city?

You two don't look that alike. Could it be the young Zhang from Jilinhao in Suzhou? That mischievous boy, he could never have given birth to

such a beautiful daughter as you."
"No."
Gao Lianxin quickly explained, "My great-grandfather is Gao Yangcheng from Tianjin."
"Ah, Yangcheng!"
The old woman was struck dumb, completely stunned, staring blankly at Gao Lianxin before her.

Tears welled up in her peaceful and clear eyes.
"Miss Wanbai, it's been almost sixty years since we last met."
At this moment, Zhang Mama stepped down from the carriage, looking at the white-haired old woman before her, her eyes also

beginning to redden.
"It's you! You really are a descendant of Yangcheng!"
The old woman, addressed as Miss Wanbai, couldn't hold back her tears. Looking at

Zhang Mama, whose face was also aged, she choked back sobs, "Time flies! Decades have passed in the blink of an eye

."
"Miss Wanbai, how have you been?"
Zhang Mama, trembling, staggered forward and suddenly embraced the old woman, wailing, "I haven't heard from you

for so many years ! I've missed you terribly!"
"Yuhuan, you...sigh..."
The old woman also covered her mouth and wept, suddenly embracing Zhang Mama, tears

streaming down her face .
The two old women wept bitterly, leaving Gao Lianxin stunned. Yang Cun and Long Chi exchanged bewildered glances, unsure

what was happening
.

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[Hetu][Heavenly Demon][Episode 6 Chapter 4]

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