Chapter 181: Hundred Herbs Immortal in the Hundred Medicines Sect, An Old Man with a Straw Hat and Bamboo Raincoat on Misty Waves River
Xiaoxiangzi was like a zombie.
Mei Chaofeng was known as the Iron Corpse.
The “two corpses” from Legend of the Condor Heroes and The Return of the Condor Heroes were fighting each other by the Yuan River, both suffering heavy injuries.
Actually, in terms of martial arts, Xiaoxiangzi was inferior to the other party, but he suddenly used poisonous smoke. Mei Chaofeng was caught off guard and was poisoned.
The fight between the two lasted only a moment. By the time Zhou Yan arrived, Xiaoxiangzi had already fled into the water, and Mei Chaofeng lay unconscious in Huang Rong’s arms.
“That dead zombie rode my Qingcong Horse, and you pursued from behind. I had Mei Ruohua attack, but the opponent’s Mourning Stick had a hidden mechanism that sprayed poisonous smoke.”
Zhou Yan, only then realizing, remembered that Xiaoxiangzi’s iron staff contained poison, and he had ambushed Guo Jing during the battle of Xiangyang in the Divine Condor Jianghu.
Huang Rong said anxiously, “I’ve already given Mei Ruohua the Nine Flowers Jade Dew Pills, but they seem to have no effect.”
Zhou Yan looked and saw that Mei Chaofeng’s face, originally as white as paper, was now covered in a layer of black energy.
“Let’s go back first.”
“Okay.”
Huang Rong’s Qingcong Horse was struck by Mei Chaofeng’s Soft Whip and crashed into a large tree by the roadside, groaning in pain.
Zhou Yan walked over to inspect it.
It must have a broken bone and couldn’t be ridden.
He thought to himself that this Qingcong Horse was strong, and if a veterinarian could be found, it would recover. He would tell Liang Xiaowu to leave it with the courtyard owner.
Zhou Yan regained his senses, patted the horse’s neck twice, then stood up, returned, picked up Mei Chaofeng, and said to Huang Rong, “You ride the horse.”
The two of them, with the unconscious Mei Chaofeng, could not ride the Night-Shining Jade Lion together.
“Okay!”
Zhou Yan carried Mei Chaofeng and used the Golden Goose Skill. His speed was faster than an ordinary galloping horse, with Huang Rong following on horseback behind him.
By the time they reached the farmhouse Huang Rong had borrowed, it was already “dusk clouds merging, and the clear light fading from the sky.”
The three runners had already woken up. They were all strong and sturdy, with iron bones, primarily cultivating external martial arts. Xiaoxiangzi’s goal was to steal the horse, and he had only stunned the runners, not killed them, so they were not seriously injured.
On the other hand, Liang Xiaowu had suffered some internal injuries and needed to circulate energy to recover, but compared to Mei Chaofeng’s poisoning, it was insignificant.
Zhou Yan and Huang Rong were both amateurs at detoxification. In the time it took to travel from the main road to the farmhouse, the black energy on Mei Chaofeng’s face had already spread to her shoulders and neck.
The farmhouse owner was short and stout. Since Huang Rong could borrow writing materials, the person should be knowledgeable and well-connected. Huang Rong inquired if there was a famous doctor nearby.
The land of Western Hunan was full of snakes and insects. The owner also had some insight. He looked at Mei Chaofeng’s complexion and said, “There is an old brand medical hall in the county town that can treat ordinary venomous bites, but for this kind of injury, I fear it is beyond hope.”
“Head Escort, I will go to the county town to find a doctor.”
“Let the runners go.”
“Got it!”
The runners rode their horses straight to the county town. By the time the lanterns were lit, the doctor arrived. He took one look at Mei Chaofeng and shook his head, saying to find someone else, as he could not treat her.
Huang Rong was extremely anxious, almost to the point of threatening the doctor with a knife.
Zhou Yan told the doctor to leave, then used the Qingfeng Sword to cut his forearm and took a bowl of fresh blood.
Huang Rong, not understanding, asked, “What is this for?”
“I had a strange encounter and am not afraid of snake venom. Perhaps my blood has anti-toxic properties. Whether she lives or dies depends on Mei Ruohua’s fate.”
Huang Rong sighed, “Thank you. Even if she can’t be saved, she will be grateful to you. You are the first person outside of Peach Blossom Island to treat her well.”
Zhou Yan nodded and said nothing more.
He helped Mei Chaofeng sit on his lap, pried open her teeth with his left hand, and poured the blood from the bowl into her mouth.
Having lost so much blood, even with his strong physique and profound internal force, Zhou Yan felt weak and tired. After he finished giving Mei Chaofeng the blood, he went to the courtyard and sat on a chair to rest.
Huang Rong ran out with surprise, “The poison has stopped spreading.”
“That means it has some effect. I’ll feed her more blood later.”
Huang Rong took a slight breath, her voice soft, “Thank you.”
“You and she are merchants. I will do my best to ensure your safety.”
“Can’t we be friends?” Huang Rong pouted.
Her mood had finally improved considerably.
The purchased seasonings and other items were brought back. Huang Rong told the courtyard owner about the Qingcong Horse, had Liang Xiaowu bring the horse over, and gifted it to him.
The courtyard owner thanked her but showed no great joy.
Huang Rong, however, did not notice his expression. She went into the kitchen to busy herself, cooking to nourish Zhou Yan’s qi and blood.
As Zhou Yan closed his eyes to rest, the aroma wafted from the farmhouse kitchen.
The courtyard owner entered the kitchen and asked Huang Rong, “This meat smells exceptionally delicious. May I try some?”
Huang Rong was a straightforward person. She was naturally pleased when someone praised her cooking, “Of course.”
The courtyard owner picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of meat strip cooked by Huang Rong, and put it in his mouth. He found it incredibly delicious, with each chew offering a different flavor, sometimes rich and tender, sometimes crisp and refreshing, with a multitude of tastes that constantly changed.
His eyes lit up, and he praised, “Lamb’s rump meat.”
Huang Rong said, “You have a good skill. Try some more.”
The courtyard owner continued to taste, identifying each dish one by one: “Pig’s ears, calf’s kidneys, deer leg meat with rabbit meat. This dish follows the five-five plum blossom count, and because the meat strips are shaped like flutes, it’s called ‘Jade Flute, Whose Tune is Heard Among Falling Plum Blossoms’.”
Huang Rong smiled at him, but said, “To be able to name this dish, you are no ordinary person.”
The courtyard owner cupped his hands in a bow, “Since Miss and I are of the same path, I will not hide it. I am obsessed with cooking and have a nickname: ‘Chef Ren’.”
Zhou Yan overheard their conversation and his eyes snapped open, his gaze sharp. The other party had seen through Huang Rong’s disguise as a man, indicating he was someone of great background.
Huang Rong was quite surprised to hear “Chef Ren.”
The man said, “Not a chef who cooks human flesh. Miss, do not fear. I have tasted your ‘Jade Flute, Whose Tune is Heard Among Falling Plum Blossoms.’ In return, I will share a piece of information with you.”
“How so?”
“Three hundred li south from Luxi, there is a mountain called Tung Phoenix Mountain. In the mountain, there is a valley called Hundred Herbs Valley. In the valley, there is a sect called Hundred Medicines Sect, led by the Hundred Herbs Immortal. If he cannot detoxify your friend, then perhaps no one in this world can.”
Zhou Yan heard the conversation between the two in the kitchen clearly. Because Xiaoxiangzi appeared first, he suddenly thought of two people from the Divine Condor Jianghu.
Hundred Herbs Immortal, Chef Ren.
He remembered them because they had come with a group of heroes to Xiangyang to celebrate Guo Xiang’s birthday.
The Hundred Herbs Immortal had gifted a thousand-year-old Snow Ginseng.
Chef Ren, entrusted by Zen Master Wuse, had given Guo Xiang a pair of iron arhats with hidden mechanisms. When the mechanisms were rotated, they could unleash the “Shaolin Arhat Fist.”
Later, Guo Xiang had given the “Iron Arhats” to Zhang Junbao, who was Zhang Sanfeng of the Wudang Sect in the Heaven Sword Jianghu.
Therefore, Zhou Yan remembered this part of the plot particularly clearly.
Huang Rong was overjoyed and thanked him repeatedly. Chef Ren said, “If your friend recovers, perhaps you could visit again to discuss the Dao and art.”
Chef Ren was referring to culinary arts, not the swordplay that Zhou Yan and Liu Qingzhou of Hengshan engaged in.
“Okay!” Huang Rong agreed without hesitation, as this was her interest and hobby.
“We will not disturb you further for now.”
Chef Ren left the kitchen and smiled at Zhou Yan, “Head Escort, your martial arts are impressive. I admire them.”
“The green mountains share the same clouds and rain; why not share a cup of wine under the peach and plum spring breeze?” Zhou Yan said.
Chef Ren was overjoyed, “I couldn’t ask for more. Let me fetch the Hundred Herbs Wine that the Hundred Herbs Immortal treasured. This wine can help the Head Escort nourish his qi and blood.”
“I would be impolite to refuse.” Zhou Yan replied gratefully.
…
Spring tides bring rain, late evening arrives in haste; a lone sail drifts away on the river.
The large boat traveled along the Yuan River, with Zhou Yan, Huang Rong, and Liang Xiaowu all on board.
Mei Chaofeng was still unconscious, so they dared not delay.
After eating and drinking their fill, Zhou Yan and Huang Rong bid farewell to Chef Ren.
The Qingcong Horse was left with Chef Ren. He helped them find a large boat, and the group headed down the river towards Hundred Herbs Valley on Tung Phoenix Mountain.
The Hundred Herbs Wine was the essence of medicinal principles. As Zhou Yan boarded the boat, he felt the medicinal properties surge into his lower abdomen, causing his blood vessels to throb as if holding a brazier.
He went to his room and sat cross-legged, guiding his energy with his mind, circulating his qi and blood. Soon, the surging qi and blood nurtured by the Hundred Herbs Wine was guided, circulating through the Dai Meridian. The pulse qi moved, stimulating the qi and blood, and igniting his internal force.
After about half an hour, Zhou Yan’s Dantian suddenly stirred, and a wisp of internal force was generated. It flowed through the meridians. This internal force was light and delicate, like a clear stream flowing through the mountains, extremely pure.
Zhou Yan’s face showed joy, and he continued to guide his energy in cultivation, constantly refining it by circulating qi and blood.
After two hours, the boiling qi and blood gradually subsided. Zhou Yan was invigorated. Not only was he no longer tired from drawing blood for Mei Chaofeng, but he had also gained about a hundred days’ worth of internal force from diligent cultivation.
He got up and left his room. The runners, wearing conical hats, came to greet him.
“Head Escort.”
“Go get some sleep.”
“I’m full of energy.”
“Go now.”
“Alright.”
The on-duty runners walked towards the room where Liang Xiaowu and the others were resting.
Zhou Yan first went to Huang Rong and Mei Chaofeng’s location. Listening from outside the window, he heard two sets of breathing sounds, one even and the other intermittent.
He thought that by taking another bowl of blood in the morning for Mei Chaofeng to consume, the poison should be stabilized until they reached Hundred Herbs Valley. He then put on a conical hat and patrolled the area.
The escort bureau’s horses had adapted to traveling by water. The large boat flowed smoothly downstream, and the horses were quiet. As he approached, the Night-Shining Jade Lion snorted and leaned its head over.
He patted it and went to the bow of the boat.
Fishing lights, clear breeze, remnants of rain; a small boat sways, reflecting the ripples.
The Yuan River’s flow is not as rapid as the Yangtze. Even in the misty dawn, fishing boats can be seen on the river. Further in the distance, the plain is shrouded in mist, appearing like a dragon sword.
As Zhou Yan observed the unpredictable mist of the Yuan River, the Hengshan Five Gods Sword and the Returning Wind and Falling Geese Sword of Liu Qingzhou of the Hengshan Sect came to mind. He felt a sense of enlightenment.
This moment of sword enlightenment made him completely forget the passage of time.
…
Morning light broke through the fine drizzle like a lifted curtain.
A small boat appeared ahead of the large boat. A lone fisherman in a straw cape and hat sat calmly fishing.
Another fast boat was heading upstream.
A young lady emerged from the cabin. She appeared to be around the same age as Huang Rong, with bright, expressive eyes, long eyebrows reaching her temples, and a gaze that flowed, making her more beautiful than Hengshan.
The young lady looked at the lone fisherman and asked curiously, “Mother, in this kind of windy and rainy weather, how can you catch fish?”
The cabin curtain was lifted, and a woman holding a sword emerged, bending over. She looked at the angler on the river and said, “To be unique, or to be an extraordinary person like your Uncle Fishermen Hermit, you shouldn’t speak carelessly.”
The young lady smiled sweetly, “I understand.”
The two spoke back and forth, but the angler heard them clearly. He became furious.
“Shallow-minded, like a frog in a well looking at the bright moon, a mayfly gazing at the blue sky. Who is this Fishermen Hermit?”
The woman was secretly surprised by the angler’s words.
From a distance of several zhang, her daughter’s words were spoken softly, yet they were heard. This was a Jianghu hermit of extraordinary cultivation.
She immediately said, “My daughter’s words were unintentional. Please forgive me, Senior.”
“I asked who Fishermen Hermit is, why don’t you answer?” The old man’s white wax fishing rod slanted down from the air. With a flick, the fishhook suddenly shot towards the young lady.
