Chapter 2

"Clang!" As the large sum of money was tossed into the broken bowl of the storyteller, the young man raised his head, wearing a radiant smile: "Well said!"

Ah Niu

"Doctor, my family..." Before Zhang could say anything further, she was interrupted by Xiao Die.

However, after practicing medicine for three days, Xiao Die finally realized her miscalculation—there are indeed many patients here, but the local economic situation is truly concerning. She had seen people taking advantage of others and buying substandard goods, but in Huizhou, it was her first encounter with patients who were taking advantage of medical services.

As soon as the door opened, there was a self-promotion... Little Die calculated the costs in her mind—it's not worth it

Xiao Die, however, has her own concerns: It seems that the owners of the Shun Yuan, Sheng Yuan, and He Yuan halls are all cut from the same cloth, being individuals who seek fame and reputation. They engage in the pretense of concocting some bizarre and peculiar herbs, which in reality serve no purpose; they even use these worthless wild grasses to curry favor. If they truly had the ability to combat the epidemic, it would be better for the plague god to find a cloud and crash into it instead!

Outside Huizhou City · Zichengguan Guest Rooms

In Xiao Die's eyes, there flowed a brilliance filled with ambition—this action could only succeed, not fail! She absolutely could not waste the golden opportunity presented to her by fate, which would allow her to make a remarkable debut!

Phoenix Claw Flower is one of the four treasures of Jinguang Cave. Its toxicity is not lethal, but for those in the martial world, such hands are as good as life-threatening. This peculiar poison will never be used on ordinary people.

She has been feeling quite idle lately... In the past, the heavens would occasionally send her a patient with a headache or fever, but now—perhaps her disrespectful attitude towards the Medical Sage has finally brought about retribution—even patients with headaches have disappeared...

This week, the doctor was a celestial herb immortal in his past life, and naturally, he was not hindered by the epidemic. He glanced at A Niu's complexion, placed two fingers on his pulse, pondered for a moment, then retrieved a medicine box from his home, taking out five or six types of medicinal herbs—ah! This truly is a case of one thing overcoming another; these five or six herbs are precisely the nemesis of the epidemic! After A Niu took the medicine, within less than an hour, he stopped groaning and fell into a deep sleep. When he woke up the next day, he felt revitalized! He was once again a vigorous and robust man!" The storyteller paused here, took a sip from his tea bowl.

Embarrassing whispers came from next door: "A Niu—stop calling out, your mother knows you are in pain, just hold on a little longer..."

"Rest assured!" Zhou Xiaodie explained nonchalantly, "What I use is a unique and unconventional therapy that is effective, quick-acting, non-toxic, painless, and without side effects"

Deep admiration and sincere applause resonated from all sides of the teahouse

When Xiao Die packed her luggage and arrived in Huizhou, the plague had not yet spread on a large scale, but the city had already become a dead zone... Those who could flee had long since escaped, and the remaining people lived in constant fear, eager to cling to anyone carrying a medicine box, for the lifeline was too precious to come by

"Uncle, please spare me," Xiao Die said hypocritically, shedding two tears. "I was also born of a mother, and I need to eat... If you lend me medicine again, even if I have the greatest abilities, I will either die from the plague or starve to death!"

She smiled slightly at Zhang and said, "Auntie, this elder brother's illness is not a big deal"

"What do you want to do?" Although Xiao Die felt guilty, she did not back down in appearance. "Why are you so fierce? Oh, I know, you must feel embarrassed about being poisoned, and you think it's shameful to have someone detoxify you, so you want to kill me to silence me? Ha, ha, ha!" She forced a laugh three times, "I knew that people from the martial world have such wolfish ambitions... Do you think this lady... this doctor can be easily slaughtered? Let me tell you the truth: actually, to detoxify you, just that one black pill is enough. That red pill is a unique poison I developed, specifically designed to prevent you from killing and silencing others! The antidote is only in my possession!"

The plump woman stepped in with a little hop, looking around and nodding her head: "The place is quite clean and peaceful—unlike the 'Heyuantang' in the east of the city, where there are more people than medicine, making even a minor illness turn into a major one"

Xiao Die does not oppose seeking fame and reputation, but the premise is that the reputation of truly talented individuals should be above that of these charlatans

Zhou Xiaodie has always been indignant about her tragic background, hoping that someone would traverse the deep alleys to discover her exquisite wine... Perhaps it is indeed true that grievances can move heaven; she has finally become the greatest competitor of her teacher—the poison sect that is gradually monopolizing the supply of medicinal substances in the world—targeting those who dig at the foundations of others.

The layout of the small courtyard is identical to that of Xiaodie’s side, with several clotheslines hanging white sheets—evidently, the Zhang family is quite diligent in their laundry work

Xiao Die sighed—who isn't struggling in these times? It's just that she is small and weak, and can only manage to get by through frugality; how could she possibly have the ability to take care of someone else's business?

The old man seemed to hesitate for a moment, turned around and clasped his fists, "What the young lady said makes sense—my name is Yao Hui. Until we meet again"

A Niu ignored these idle people, looked around the teahouse, and approached a young man wearing a bamboo hat. He said softly, "It's lunchtime, let's go home to eat! My mother said that eating on time is essential for staying strong and healthy—look at how thin you are!"

"Who is it? Boil the windmill grass and lantern flower together." She pinched the tip of her nose, "What kind of recipe is this? Why haven't I heard of it?"

"One piece is for the purchase made below, and one piece is considered as the travel expenses for the benefactor" The man's voice was quite spirited

Doctor Zhou

"Young lady, you possess great courage," the old man said with a smile, stroking his beard. "May I ask what your plans are? It is indeed difficult to make a living here. Are you considering seeking opportunities elsewhere? If you would share your thoughts with me, I would be grateful and could find a way to repay your kindness in the future."

What? A prosperous career but a ruined fortune? Heaven, are you mistaken? Do you think I can live a life of great compassion and benevolence just by relying on the northwestern wind?

A person walked up from the side, and it was Qu Guang, who was responsible for Zhou Xiaodie being exiled from her sect. "I am here!"

Having experienced the painful lesson of being "expelled from the sect," Xiao Die has finally become a bit wiser

Bang bang bang— Xiao Die fiercely knocked on the door of the Zhao family, her true self revealed in a state between sleep and wakefulness, completely forgetting to don her usual gentle and refined facade

Zhang's disappointment was unmistakable, and his spirit seemed less vigorous than when he first entered. He lowered his head and bid farewell with a sob.

"I suppose I don't need to say much more?" Xiao Die's voice was particularly sinister, neither hurried nor slow. "I want to detoxify the uncle, which has caused a conflict with the Golden Light Sect... Of course, since I have said this, I will definitely detoxify you. However, I cannot afford to offend the disciples of the Golden Light Sect, and I will inevitably have to flee in all directions. This travel expense will have to fall on the uncle—surely you wouldn't disregard the life of your benefactor, would you?"

His reaction surprised Zhou Xiaodie a bit—are people from the martial world always so peculiar towards those who have healed them? Xiaodie recalled that the poison master Qu Guang from the Poison Sect had also been quite strange towards her. However, the nameless person before her was even more displeasing: his piercing eyes were fixed intently on Xiaodie, and there was neither excitement nor gratitude in his expression

Upon seeing him drenched in sweat, Xiao Die immediately understood: an epidemic

What? Little Die was startled and cast a glance at Zhang. What does she want to do?

Zhang laughed again, saying, "Young man! Are you thinking too much? I just wanted to inquire whether the young brother cooks for himself or buys meals from outside—my family head is quite skilled in the kitchen. If you have no meals arranged, why not pay a couple of silver coins each month, and we will take care of your meals; if you have no one to wash your clothes, why not pay five cash each month, and I will specifically mend and repair them for you..."

As the saying goes, distant relatives are not as valuable as close neighbors; living so close to each other is also a form of fate. Xiao Die yawned, her sleepiness gradually fading, and said, "Besides, where can you find a doctor who would not help in times of need? At least I have not reached that level yet"

The young man merely glanced at the bloodstain and then ignored it, fully engrossed in examining the pale white powder, "Do you think this ointment was originally transparent?"

Xiao Die immediately threw the broom aside and approached with a charming smile to greet: "I am new to this precious land, not seeking great success, but hoping to be of service to the people—please take good care of me, dear neighbors!"

This young man is said to be the earthly incarnation of the Celestial Herb Fairy, specifically sent to combat the plague. He is remarkably extraordinary, and even a simple straw picked up by him can transform into a wondrous fragrant flower... An elderly man in a yellow robe passionately spoke, shaking his head and gesticulating as he engaged in grand discussions at the teahouse

The young man in the blue shirt sitting in the upper seat slightly moved his lips, his voice revealing no trace of joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness. His complexion was pale and luminous, resembling fine jade, radiating a soft glow in the faint evening light; his eyes were bright and always conveyed a sense of alertness. However, this handsome face seemed perpetually shrouded in ice, devoid of any hint of emotion.

Xiao Die pondered for a moment, where should she go? At that moment, she truly had no destination in mind

"Yongzhou, then." Xiao Die sighed, "I have heard that there is an epidemic there, and business seems to be thriving."

The old man clasped his hands together and said, "I take my leave. We shall surely meet again in the future"

Mother ... ... I can't help it !

Xiao Die, feeling unconvinced in her heart, swiftly cleaned the newly rented store with nimble hands and feet

He threw six large coins into the porcelain bowl, and Xiaodie was dumbfounded as she flipped through "The Fire Pearl Forest"

That is what one would call the realm of running a pharmacy... Little Die murmured to herself, yet her face still wore that signature polite and insincere smile: "Madam, please have a seat inside! If there is any way my little brother can be of service, do not hesitate to let me know!"

Oh? "Tai'an Hall"? A new pharmacy has opened here

About an hour later, Xiao Die pulled out the golden needles one by one, and the man's hands gradually returned to their natural color. Xiao Die brought over a basin of hot water and said: "The task is complete! Uncle, please wash your hands."

Xiao Die did not waste any words, put away the gold, rummaged through the suitcase for a while, and took out one red and one black pill

You flatter me—" Xiao Die also scrutinized the woman for a moment, "This lady, your complexion is rosy, your voice is strong, clearly indicating that your vital energy and blood are both abundant, and you are in excellent health. May I ask for whom you are seeking medical advice?"

The proprietor of Shunyuantang is Doctor Qin. He was taught by the same teacher as Doctor Ma from Shengyuantang and Doctor Wu from Heyuantang. Zhang looked at this young man, who was in stark contrast to her son, and felt some doubt about his abilities. He was indeed too young, appearing so frail; in Zhang's eyes, this image was primarily a model of unhealthiness. Could he really treat others' illnesses? He was indeed too young, appearing so frail; in Zhang's eyes, this image was primarily a model of unhealthiness. Could he really treat others' illnesses?

I said, dear madam! I am new to this place, and you may think that my words carry little weight, but I still have to say... hmm?

Xiao Die felt somewhat embarrassed as he called her "Miss" repeatedly; she was originally disguised as a man, but now her true identity had been exposed. "I am not afraid even if they come!" Xiao Die pouted, "Do they think that women who are doctors are easy to bully? This young lady has many tricks up her sleeve! Who is afraid of whom!"

The young boy gave a soft "hm" and followed behind A Niu as they walked. ... Passing by the storyteller, he weighed a few large coins in his hand, seemingly reluctant to part with them ... ! ... However, the storyteller had long remembered him: he came every day wearing a bamboo hat to listen to the tales of the tyrant, and those few coins wouldn't cost him his life! What a miser!

Ah Niu has unfortunately contracted the plague! A robust man has suddenly become nothing but skin and bones... Xiao Die thought to herself: This description is a bit exaggerated, but this is the art of storytelling! Art!

At this moment, Xiao Die finally realized that the person who appeared to be in such a pitiful state of illness was actually a sprightly old man.

The young man in the blue shirt raised his eyebrows and walked forward to two women on either side. One pricked Yao Hui with a silver needle, drawing a few drops of blood, while the other scraped the residue from between his fingers with a silver blade, both collected in a small white jade dish and presented to the young man.

Yongzhou has finally acquired its own legendary figure—Doctor Zhou Xiaofeng

"Don't be silly!" Xiao Die shook her head, "There is no secret remedy in the world that I do not know—it's the number one secret remedy passed down through twelve generations in the Liu family of Jiugong Mountain, passed from father to son, not from daughter, and only revealed at the moment of death. I memorized it when I was four years old... Windmill grass combined with lantern flower. Can such a thing really work when boiled together? You aren't just playing house like a child, are you?"

The painful moans and the incessant murmurs of comfort were sent into Xiaodie’s ears in waves

Compared to Huizhou, the situation in Yongzhou is much better—although the number of patients is limited, the economic conditions are quite good. The only concern for Xiaodie is that there are already three elderly gentlemen presiding over three long-established brands for several decades, making her business as a younger generation relatively quiet

Zhang was just feeling ashamed and shedding tears, but upon hearing her words, he widened his eyes in surprise and said: "Doctor, you are truly remarkable... this is a folk remedy."

Zhang hurriedly waved his fleshy hands and said: "I dare not, I dare not—it's just that my family is in a difficult situation and cannot afford it... If it weren't for the kindness of Doctor Qin from Shunyuantang, who generously provided a prescription and three doses of medicine, my family wouldn't even be able to manage this."

A Niu, seeing you like this makes Mother feel distressed

Xiao Die sighed, "Let me take a look—"

Hmm, now this looks like a doctor! A physician has the heart of a parent; I really don't know what gives that old man from 'Heyuantang' such arrogance. The woman unceremoniously sat down on the red-painted chair arranged in the pharmacy, glanced at Xiaodie a few times, and smiled as she said: 'This young brother has quite a handsome appearance! At first glance, he is certainly someone with a celestial affinity; his medical skills must be exceptional!'

Doctor, save me... save me!

Hahaha—"The woman laughed heartily and said, 'Our family is as strong as an ox, and we neither seek doctors nor inquire about medicine. The old Zhao next door who makes pancakes is the head of our household, and I am his wife, Zhang. I see that the young brother is here running a shop all by himself... I wonder if anyone is taking care of your food and clothing?'"

This family—Xiao Die angrily got up and put on her clothes—"I want to confront them in person! How can they have no sense of public morality? They won't let anyone sleep soundly in the middle of the night!"

Xiao Die stretched her limbs under the city gate, smiling sincerely

The ten fingers of the man curled up, unable to open his hand or form a fist. Upon seeing this, Xiao Die felt a stir in her heart: this is the unique symptom of "Phoenix Claw Flower".

Xiao Die widened her eyes. Didn't the divination book say that my financial luck was in ruins? It is possible that such a large ingot is fake? Xiao Die squinted her eyes, suspiciously weighing the ingot—its weight was substantial. ... She glanced at the divination book again and found two more lines at the back: "When encountering a noble person, turn worries into joy" ...

The large man on the bed appeared to be around 20 years old, and his physique was indeed as described by Zhang: robust as an ox. However, this ox was a white one, and the entire person looked as if he had been washed by Zhang, pale and damp.

The first customer of Xiao Die arrived at the door

Zhang, who opened the door, looked haggard, with tear stains still not wiped away

Yao Hui knelt on the ground, and upon hearing his words, immediately raised both hands high above his head

The man, puzzled, placed his hand into the basin of water, and surprisingly, all ten fingers were able to move

This young man is truly remarkable! Everyone knows Zhao's Aniu, right? Well, speaking of Aniu's family, when they first arrived in this place to make a living, his father managed to find a job as a chef with great difficulty, only to unfortunately contract a plague, leading to his dismissal by the employer and leaving him bedridden; his mother relied on mending clothes to get by; Aniu became the pillar of the family, the support beam. Little did they know that heaven had destined this good family to face a calamity, both to test them and to fulfill the first achievement of the Hundred Herbs Fairy descending to the mortal realm.

"Oh, really solved it?" The young man glanced from a distance and snorted through his nose, "Could it be that you are afraid of the toxicity accumulating for too long, with no one able to cure it, so you took the antidote yourself?"

Xiao Die immediately busied herself with stuffing the ingots into her sleeve, assisting the hunched man to sit down on a chair, and kindly laid a thick cushion for him, softly inquiring: "Esteemed guest, is there anywhere you feel unwell?"

"First, take the red one, and swallow it with cold water," said Xiao Die. After she finished speaking, she took out a pair of golden needles and, after the man had consumed the red pill, she pricked several acupoints on his wrists. "Now, take the black one, and swallow it with hot water." After the man took the black pill, Xiao Die ignited a piece of brownish-yellow wood that emitted a pungent odor. After burning for a while, Xiao Die then applied a transparent ointment all over the man's fingers

Xiao Die did not applaud—her hands were very busy, desperately covering her mouth to stifle her laughter

Once the silver entered her purse, it was as if Sun Wukong was trapped under the Five Elements Mountain, unable to move. Thus, Xiao Die smiled gently and said, "Gao Lin, I appreciate your kindness. However, I have been alone and self-reliant since childhood, managing everything by myself, from sewing to cooking. There is no need for you to labor on my behalf."

This is the remedy given by Dr. Qin from 'Shunyuantang' in the west of the city

Five days later

"Elder, I have yet to inquire your name—rest assured, I will not change my name nor my surname, so do not casually fabricate one for me." Little Die hurriedly called out before the old man left, "When we meet again in the future, I must know how to address you, right?"

Little Die leisurely enjoyed the scenery while on her journey, and after more than a month, she finally arrived in Yongzhou

At this moment, heaven sent Doctor Zhou to Yongzhou. It is said that on the night he arrived in Yongzhou, Doctor Zhou was unable to sleep, deeply troubled by the suffering endured by the people of Yongzhou (the storyteller, of course, was unaware of the matter of the mosquitoes). Just then, he heard a woman's sobbing from next door (he also did not know that if it were only sobbing, Xiao Die would not bother). Doctor Zhou found it strange, so he got up, put on his clothes, and went next door to knock on the door. Mrs. Zhang was worried about her son's illness when she heard the sound of the door. As she opened the door, she was momentarily dazzled: my heavens—there was a mist of fragrance, and auspicious colors flashed before her eyes, while the sound of the qin and elegant music, along with the jingling of ornaments, seemed to vanish in an instant—standing before her was a fair and clean young scholar. Mrs. Zhang felt puzzled, but the scholar spoke: 'Auntie, I have heard the fragrance of medicine wafting from your home; could it be that there is a patient? I am but a humble person, wishing to help the world with my skills. If there is anything I can assist with, please do not hesitate to ask.' Upon hearing this, Mrs. Zhang felt as if she had grasped a lifeline, crying and explaining her son's condition. The scholar—who was the compassionate Doctor Zhou—immediately said: 'Auntie, since our families live so close, it is fate. Let me take a look at your elder brother—there is no need for you to worry; saving lives and healing the wounded is our duty. Since I, Zhou, have resolved to practice medicine, I naturally cannot make things difficult for you at this critical moment. I will not charge you a single penny for this illness!'

"Who opened that Shunyuantang?" Xiao Die casually asked while rolling up Zhao Niu's sleeves.

"Benefactor... Although it is said that 'one should not doubt those one employs', is your method truly reliable?" The man's voice began to tremble slightly

The old man seemed taken aback by the fact that Xiao Die had such a trick up her sleeve. After a moment of surprise, he began to applaud and laughed, "Miss, you truly have a clever mind! However, you underestimate me. The red pill seems to contain the fragrance of calming incense, merely used to alleviate the noxious gas, correct? There is no need for you to be afraid; I am certainly not one to repay kindness with enmity. I am simply both impressed and astonished by your methods—this poison from the phoenix claw flower has remained unsolvable for a century. The Golden Light Sect has relied on this peculiar poison and its unique antidote to dominate the martial world, and today, finally..." At this point, his tone could not hide his sigh of regret, "But I can guarantee that the disciples of the Golden Light Sect would never dare to make things difficult for you."

She gently nodded and comforted, "Uncle need not be anxious; although the poison of the phoenix talon flower is potent, it is not without remedy. However..." She took out a gold ingot and weighed it in her hand, "Is Uncle's hand worth this much?"

"Clang!" A flash of silver light, a ingot of gold fell at Xiao Die's feet

The world of Jianghu is truly complex

Her smile was filled with confidence, which slightly moved Zhang. A hint of suspicion flickered in her eyes: perhaps this young doctor truly has some skills

The young man pinched a small piece of residue, twisted it between his thumb and index finger, examined the powder between his fingerprints, and then brought it to his nose to sniff, "Interesting... I heard she cured the White Rainbow Envoy of all his poison, but I didn't quite believe it. Now it seems this little girl has some skills—no matter how much Ren Feiqing doesn't want her, is she afraid of getting involved with the martial world? Such a fine material, it would be a pity to keep it hidden in the Medicine Sect. The White Rainbow Envoy—

In this small shop in Yongzhou, Xiao Die cannot compare its scale to that of the one in Rongzhou—here, there is only a narrow main hall, and the backyard is merely the size of a palm, with a shabby tile house half-buried among the cluttered odds and ends, which serves as Xiao Die's fragrant boudoir... It is truly lacking in elegance. As midnight approaches, the mosquitoes begin to run rampant, having starved for days, finally seizing upon Xiao Die, a veritable feast. However, before the mosquitoes can commence their revelry, they are sent to a blissful paradise by a wave of incense—Xiao Die has always attracted mosquitoes since childhood, so she has prepared a potent incense that has proven effective time and again.

She returned to the luggage area with a sullen expression, counting her belongings: dozens of doses of medicine had been lent out, and if she could not recover the money, she would have difficulty covering her travel expenses...

Xiao Die finally lay down with great difficulty, but before she could officially fall asleep, she was startled awake by the moaning and groaning coming from next door. "What the hell is going on?!" She turned over, pulled out a half-rotten piece of wood from the bed frame, and, not knowing where the strength came from, slammed it hard against the wall: "It's so noisy! Gao Lin, the walls are thin, can you keep it down a bit?"

This is truly a paradise for doctors

The storyteller's eyes widened in astonishment

At that moment, a tall and sturdy figure appeared at the entrance of the tea house

"This week, I intend to take Xiao Die under my wing. You all should pay attention to her." At this point, he suddenly thought of something and added, "Has the Cuiliao Messenger already set off for Yongzhou? It would be good to have him test this girl as well"

A stooped figure stumbled into the guest room—Xiao Die had just arrived in this place and was temporarily working as a traveling physician at the inn

"I dare not!" Yao Hui hurriedly defended, "Master, you have keen insight: the antidote from the Golden Light Cave primarily uses the roots of the Phoenix Claw Flower, embodying the principle of fighting poison with poison. However, this young lady's antidote is a hodgepodge, containing both internal and external applications, supplemented with acupuncture and fumigation... As long as the Master examines my blood and the residue of the ointment on my hands, you will naturally understand."

It is of no concern, it is of no concern! She thought to herself: When I was in Rongzhou, was it not my exceptional medical skills that allowed me to establish my footing? The journey reveals the strength of the horse, the journey reveals the strength of the horse

Huizhou has been plagued by epidemics year after year, becoming a cursed land that the common people avoid at all costs. The number of officials dismissed for their ineffective governance is countless. Eventually, Huizhou became the forefront in combating epidemics, yet the collective efforts of numerous skilled physicians only managed to reduce the incidence rate from once a year to once every two years

"Clang clang clang—" The man shook his sleeves, and a flash of golden light caught Xiao Die's attention, making her eyes widen even more. It turned out to be two pieces of gold! She had never seen such large pieces of gold in her life.

At this moment, Xiao Die began to regain some clarity. With a slight headache, she turned her neck and asked, "Is someone ill? Why not go see a doctor? I am just next door—do you not trust my medical skills?"

Xiao Die hid her face under a straw hat, lurking in the corner of the teahouse, listening to various people boast about their understanding of themselves—there was no helping it, she was just that vain; if she did not hear the admiration for "Doctor Zhou Xiaofeng" from everyone every day, she would be restless and unable to eat or sleep.

What? "We will meet again in the future"? How is this the same phrase as that of Qu Guang? Is this a common expression among people in the martial arts world?

Xiao Die inserted this needle deeper for a while, then pulled that needle out for a bit, busily working for more than half an hour. The man's hands grew increasingly red, as if a pot of fire were burning inside them

The medicine was dispensed in fifty to sixty doses, yet only six large coins were collected! Just enough to make a calculation.

"Golden Light Messenger, extend your hand and let me see."

Indeed. It feels slightly warm when applied to the hand

I truly do not understand the mindset of people! Is it really the case that doctors become better with age? Aren't they afraid of making mistakes due to their failing eyesight... Even if the prescriptions they write are correct, how many people can decipher their shaky, illegible handwriting? I fear that even the staff in their own pharmacies can only interpret it as if it were written in an ancient script—it's a wonder if they don't dispense the wrong medication!

The storyteller's eyes lit up: "Everyone take a look, this is A-Niu—who could tell that he has suffered from an epidemic? I haven't deceived you, have I!"

Yao Hui? It seems I have heard that name somewhere... Xiao Die murmured, scratching her cheek as she pondered. Suddenly, a light bulb went off in her mind: "Yao Hui?! The Lord of the Golden Light Cave, Yao Hui?! How... how did he fall victim to our sect's poison? Doesn't he have the antidote? Why is he coming to find me?"

The fragrance of medicine wafting through the air calmed Xiaodie’s mind

What is it, making me sound like a magician performing tricks

Does one gold ingot expect her to take risks? Don't think that she, Xiao Die, is a simpleton! Of course, it is best not to regard her as a kind-hearted person whose duty is to save lives and heal the wounded—she does not wish to sacrifice herself for a rogue from the rivers and lakes. The urgent matter at hand is to extort more from this wealthy benefactor and save enough money to make her escape.

The storyteller's narration is truly delightful—one could listen to it a hundred times without growing weary... Xiao Die took a sip of tea, hiding beneath her bamboo hat, secretly amused.

Mother