Chapter 272: Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng, Yijin Forging Bone
The noisy sounds echoed on the lake shore. Qiu Qianren, Ouyang Feng, Ouyang Ke, and others rushed to their pleasure boats to pursue. However, on the water, how could they match the ability of Yanbo Diaosou?
Diaosou rowed the boat, the small boat pushing through the waves. In just a few dozen breaths, they had shaken off the pursuing boats, widening the distance.
Zhou Yan saw that Hong Qigong’s face was ashen. He felt his chest; though it was beating, it was extremely weak. How could he dare to be careless? He had been struck by “Vajra Prajna Palm” and was also hit in the back by the lingering force of Ouyang Feng’s Toad Stance.
How powerful was the palm force of “Vajra Prajna Palm”? In the world of Heaven Sword, Zhang Sanfeng, struck by the Vajra Sect’s Gang Xiang, spat blood and said he would only recover in three to five months.
Huo Gong Toutuo’s cultivation was not comparable to Gang Xiang’s. Hong Qigong’s injuries far surpassed Zhang Sanfeng’s.
In an instant, Zhou Yan made a decision.
Yuezhou was only a two-day journey from Tung Phoenix Mountain, where the Hundred Herbs Immortal resided.
The Immortal could save people.
“Brother Diaosou, to Tung Phoenix Mountain.”
“Alright.” Although Yanbo Diaosou didn’t know Hundred Herbs Valley, he knew Tung Phoenix Mountain.
Zhou Yan took out a porcelain bottle from his **bosom**, pouring out a “Nine Flowers Jade Dew Pill.” Hong Qigong was delirious, but upon smelling the refreshing fragrance of the pill, he voluntarily opened his mouth slightly.
This saved a lot of trouble.
Zhou Yan gave Hong Qigong a pill and took one himself. Then, he sat cross-legged at the bow of the boat, circulating energy to heal. He had taken a palm strike from Qiu Qianren; though he avoided the vital point, it was still serious.
…
The fierce clash between the Manichaeism and White Lotus Sect outside Yueyang Tower temporarily ceased with Zhang Sanqiang’s withdrawal.
Helian Chuncheng, Ni Mo Xing, and others, who had found no trace, had ashen faces.
The young master of the former Changfeng looked at the scars on Qiu Qianren’s shoulders and recalled the confrontation inside Yueyang Tower, his face suddenly showing a look of lingering fear.
Zhou Yan’s current cultivation was so high that he could even fight Qiu Qianren and injure him.
Yang Kang was also present. He sighed, having missed a perfect opportunity to kill Zhou Yan and Hong Qigong. After the battle of Shaoshi Mountain, he was stimulated. However, Yang Kang, who already possessed martial arts talent, began to diligently cultivate martial arts. He picked up the “Nine Yin White Bone Claw” and “Heart-Piercing Palm” that Mei Chaofeng had taught him.
Yang Kang’s conditions for practicing martial arts were too outstanding.
He knew Quanzhen Techniques. He had obtained “Divine Camel Snow Mountain Palm” and “Instant Thousand Li” from Ouyang Ke and Ouyang Feng respectively, and he also received continuous guidance from Ouyang Feng, Qiu Qianren, and others.
After diligent cultivation, no one knew what level Yang Kang’s realm had reached, but his eyesight was outstanding.
A small boat disappeared into the misty waves. The pursuit was in vain. Yang Kang said to Helian Chuncheng, “Zhou Yan’s most formidable aspect is his ability to fight beyond his actual strength in combat. Few can match this.”
“Indeed.” Helian Chuncheng’s face was grim. He nodded.
“How is Yin Kexi?”
“His arm was directly severed.”
“I don’t know if Hong Qigong is alive or dead.”
As his words spread, Huo Gong Toutuo chuckled sinisterly, “Even if he doesn’t die, his meridians are irreversibly damaged. After healing, his cultivation will plummet.”
“Excellent.” Yang Kang smiled gently and said to Helian Chuncheng, “Let’s go see Yin Kexi’s injuries.”
Yang Kang had no need to tell Qiu Qianren that it was the Iron Palm Sect’s turn to clear out the Manichaeism in the Western Hunan region.
He knew very well what to say and what not to say, and he also knew what Qiu Qianren would do.
…
The small boat had been moored in a patch of reeds for nearly two hours.
A mass of white steam rose from Zhou Yan’s head. His originally pale complexion turned ruddy again.
“Hoo.”
Zhou Yan exhaled a turbid breath, feeling refreshed.
Using the healing effect of Jade Guanyin, his internal injuries were healed in two hours.
Yanbo Diaosou saw Zhou Yan looking energetic and laughed, “I told you, as long as they don’t kill you on the spot, you’ll definitely survive afterward.”
Zhou Yan chuckled.
Yanbo Diaosou said, “While you were healing, I already hired a horse carriage.”
“Thank you, Brother Diaosou.”
“No need to be polite.” Yanbo Diaosou rolled his eyes.
“Heh, how is it at Yueyang Tower?”
“I saw Ouyang Feng and the others from afar but didn’t dare to get too close. Zhang Sanqiang escaped. However, the Manichaeism’s influence in Western Hunan will likely be wiped out under the attacks of the Iron Palm Sect and the White Lotus Sect.”
“Mm!” Zhou Yan nodded. He couldn’t worry about these things now; saving the person was the priority.
He carried Hong Qigong to the lakeshore. He saw a black horse carriage parked by the roadside. The “Night-Shining Jade Lion” saw Zhou Yan and excitedly snorted.
Zhou Yan placed Hong Qigong in the carriage and then leaped onto the carriage.
Yanbo Diaosou said, “I’ll drive.”
“Brother Diaosou, ride ahead on horseback. I’m an expert at driving carriages; it’s fast and steady.”
“I forgot you were once an escort who started as a runner.” Yanbo Diaosou chuckled and leaped onto the “Night-Shining Jade Lion.”
“Giddy up!” The horse carriage started smoothly, moving from stillness to motion, from slow to fast, galloping towards Tung Phoenix Mountain.
…
White mist, like gauze, floated in the early dawn sky. A campfire burned in the forest.
Zhou Yan handed Hong Qigong a roasted mountain chicken, which he had shot with a stone.
The previous night, Hong Qigong had been unconscious for most of the time. He had woken up later, but soon became delirious again.
However, he was clear-headed now. Hong Qigong took the chicken leg and tore at it. After a few bites, he felt weak and said, “This old beggar is fond of food, but now I don’t even have the strength to eat, and my stomach is full of cravings.”
Zhou Yan said, “It’s only temporary.”
“This old beggar doesn’t know his own injuries. The old monk’s palm force damaged his meridians and viscera, and he was also injured in the back by the lingering force of the old venomous Toad Stance. Even if he recovers, his meridian injuries are irreversible, and his cultivation will likely be greatly reduced.” Hong Qigong’s voice was weak. After saying this, he pondered for a moment, “Kid, why don’t you become my disciple? I’ll teach you a set of ‘Dog Beating Stick Method,’ and I’ll pass on the position of Beggars’ Sect Leader to you. After all, you’re free and unburdened now that you’re no longer an escort.”
Zhou Yan smiled and said, “The Beggars’ Sect has too many rules. You can’t kill this, you can’t kill that. I finally escaped from the escort bureau, and now is the time for swift revenge. If I become the Beggars’ Sect Leader, won’t I be tying myself down again?”
Hong Qigong rolled his eyes. “Aren’t you going to help this old beggar?”
Zhou Yan got up, picked up Hong Qigong, and walked towards the carriage. “Seven Master’s injuries will definitely heal, and his cultivation will surpass what it was before.”
“Nonsense!” Hong Qigong laughed and cursed, picking up the chicken leg and tearing at it.
Zhou Yan put Seven Master inside the carriage. He drove again, and they traveled for two days and nights with little rest.
…
The dawn light appeared in the vision of Zhou Yan and Yanbo Diaosou: strange peaks rising like clouds, solitary peaks standing out, green cypresses shading the peaks, and clear streams gurgling.
Hundred Herbs Valley was in sight.
The horse carriage traveled a few miles, and a large expanse of lush green forest came into view.
Zhou Yan stopped. This forest had changed considerably since his last visit to Hundred Herbs Valley. He recognized it as a formation deployed by Huang Rong.
“Is the Immortal here? Zhou Yan has come to visit!”
He circulated his energy and spoke, his voice like a thunderbolt that carried for several miles.
After a few breaths, a light voice replied, “Haha, Young Friend Zhou, I still have a few jars of ‘Hundred Herbs Wine.’ It’s just right for drinking and having a good time.”
Upon hearing the word “wine,” Hong Qigong’s eyes suddenly lit up.
“Good, let’s drink three hundred cups with the Immortal.”
“Splendid.”
As the two spoke, the light voice grew clearer. The Hundred Herbs Immortal, with an air of immortal grace, darted through the forest, moving swiftly, and arrived before Zhou Yan.
“Young friend, are you well?”
“Immortal, I am well.”
After greeting each other, Zhou Yan said, “Recently, the Five Venoms Sect has been active in Western Hunan. Has the Immortal been disturbed?”
The Hundred Herbs Immortal clicked his tongue in admiration, “Miss Huang’s deployed formations are truly marvelous. Several groups from the Five Venoms Sect have come, but they were all trapped within the formation. I took the opportunity to end their lives.”
“Excellent. I have come this time not only to visit the Immortal but also to ask for a favor.”
The Hundred Herbs Immortal glanced at the horse carriage and smiled, “It must be to save someone. Let me take a look.”
“Thank you!”
“What’s there to be polite about?”
The Hundred Herbs Immortal approached the carriage. Zhou Yan lifted the curtain. The old man looked at Hong Qigong’s complexion, and his expression immediately became solemn. Hong Qigong smiled, “No need to trouble the Immortal. This old beggar’s meridians are damaged, and his viscera are severely injured.”
“You are quite lucid.” The Hundred Herbs Immortal took Hong Qigong’s pulse. After a while, he said to Zhou Yan, “It can be treated. Let’s talk in the valley.”
“Alright.”
Zhou Yan carried Hong Qigong, the Hundred Herbs Immortal led the way, and Yanbo Diaosou followed. The three turned left and right. After about a hundred breaths, they emerged from the formation. The view suddenly widened, and a bamboo forest with bamboo huts became visible.
The bamboo forest had also been transformed by Huang Rong into a formation similar to the “Boulder Maze.” Passing through the forest, Zhou Yan temporarily placed Hong Qigong on a bamboo couch.
A young attendant served tea to Yanbo Diaosou, while the Hundred Herbs Immortal led Zhou Yan to the Pill Room.
The old man took out a brocade box and opened it. Inside was a snow-white ginseng about a foot long, resembling a formed infant. It had a head, body, hands, and feet, and its skin faintly glowed with a reddish hue. It was truly a rare treasure.
The Hundred Herbs Immortal said, “This thousand-year-old Snow Ginseng can cure terminal illnesses and neutralize all poisons. It can even bring the dead back to life. If the old beggar takes this Snow Ginseng, and I adjust it slightly, his visceral injuries will be resolved. However, the meridian ailment is truly difficult to resolve.”
Zhou Yan was first surprised, then delighted. This Snow Ginseng was the very item the Immortal had given to Guo Xiang in the world of the Divine Condor.
“Thank you, Immortal. As for the meridian ailment, I will find a way.”
Zhou Yan had his own method: Yijin Forging Bone.
Hong Qigong had not been injured for long. His martial arts insights were profound. By cultivating the “Yijin Forging Bone Chapter” and “Healing Chapter” of the Nine Yin Manual, he would be completely healed and even surpass his former self, which was not a problem.
“Good, if that’s the case, I will begin the treatment now.”
Zhou Yan thanked him again and went to the bamboo hut first.
Hong Qigong saw him approaching and said, “Kid, don’t bother. Hurry up and learn the ‘Dog Beating Stick Method’.”
Zhou Yan moved a bamboo chair and sat beside Hong Qigong. He said, “I accidentally obtained a cultivation technique, and I don’t understand many of the meanings. Can Seven Master enlighten me?”
“Tell me about it!”
“Alright!”
“Yi means the way of yin and yang. Yi means change. Although the changes of Yi exist in yin and yang, the changes of yin and yang actually exist in people. Manipulating the sun and moon in the pot, grasping yin and yang in the palm… Jin refers to the meridians of the human body. They circulate blood and vessels, serving as external aids to spirit and energy. Like the ability of the shoulder to carry, the hand to grasp, the foot to tread, and the liveliness and agility of the entire body, all depend on the firmness of the Jin…”
Zhou Yan spoke at a moderate pace, his voice gentle, reciting the “Yijin Forging Bone Chapter” and “Healing Chapter” of the Nine Yin Manual to Hong Qigong.
