Healing Injuries

Moonlight splashed across the starry river, the long road stretched on, wind and smoke had faded away, and a lone shadow stood dimly.

Under the night sky, the young man with half his blue robe stained red darted toward Magical Beast Town. He looked rather miserable, but his injuries were not serious. Only after leaving the Magical Beast Mountain Range did he finally let out a long breath and slow down.

Crimson Ice Snake King, Fire Fox, I'll remember this!

It was not as though he had never fought magical beasts before, but those in cages were completely different from those outside.

Today's crisis taught Chen Guan many lessons. To survive in a place like this, he had to keep himself in peak condition at all times, especially never letting down his guard.

If he had remained at his peak, then even against that Snake King, playing to his strengths and exploiting the enemy's weaknesses, he would never have ended up in such a sorry state.

Ignoring the strange looks from the mercenaries along the street, Chen Guan headed toward the inn. But after giving it some thought, he changed his mind and immediately turned toward Ten Thousand Medicine Hall.

Since he was injured, wasn't this the perfect chance to get acquainted with Xiao Yi Xian?

Ten Thousand Medicine Hall was as lively as ever. The moment he entered, countless gazes fell upon him—some suspicious, some astonished, and even some envious. After all, only those who were truly injured had the chance to go upstairs and receive treatment from Xiao Yi Xian. Otherwise, the other mercenaries would not give you an opportunity.

Not seeing the familiar Steward Chang, Chen Guan did not mind. Clutching his arm, he went up to the second floor. He had learned the rules from the mercenaries' discussions last night.

The second floor was very spacious. Xiao Yi Xian had a room all to herself where she treated the mercenaries, making it seem like a clinic.

When Chen Guan arrived, Xiao Yi Xian was taking a mercenary's pulse. He found a seat and waited. In just a few minutes, she was done, and only then did Chen Guan rise and sit before her.

"Sorry to trouble you."

"No need to be polite. Were you injured by a magical beast? You'll need to take off your shirt so I can treat and bandage this properly." After giving him a simple examination, Xiao Yi Xian spoke.

She recognized Chen Guan. They had met briefly last night.

Though she was somewhat curious about what had happened to him, she did not ask. They were not familiar with each other, after all.

Chen Guan nodded and removed his outer robe, along with the soft armor beneath it, revealing a clean, sturdy upper body. His chest was slightly bruised, while the claw marks on his arm were especially conspicuous.

At the same time, he replied, "I got ambushed by a Fire Fox. I'm going back tomorrow—I have to catch it and roast it. I remember its scent, so I'll definitely be able to find it."

"You really do hold grudges. Fire Foxes are Tier 2 Magical Beasts, and I hear they do not even taste good. They have a strange flavor."

As she cleaned Chen Guan's wound with her tools, she casually made conversation to avoid any awkwardness.

"This isn't holding grudges. It's settling the score. That little thing looks delicious. I just need to get rid of the strange taste. No one understands how to handle ingredients better than I do."

Xiao Yi Xian did not respond. Lowering her head, she secretly rolled her eyes.

Of course. Just as simps never thought of themselves as simps, people who held grudges were the same.

Chen Guan continued chatting. "When you treat these mercenaries at Ten Thousand Medicine Hall, do you not charge them? That one just now slipped away without paying."

After carefully washing the wound, Xiao Yi Xian applied her own specially made healing medicine and began bandaging it. Without lifting her head, she said, "It depends. Some give gold coins, some use medicinal herbs instead, and some even give magic cores. Anything is fine. Whether they pay or not does not make much difference; it is only a small effort anyway. Of course, if they need medicine from Ten Thousand Medicine Hall, that is another matter."

"You're quite easygoing. No wonder they all call you Xiao Yi Xian."

"I'm not suffering a loss either. Generally speaking, what they give me is more valuable than the consultation fee. Besides, I often have to enter the Magical Beast Mountain Range to gather herbs, and they help me with that. Sometimes they even help me test medicines for free."

Chen Guan nodded slightly. He knew that Xiao Yi Xian's true dream was to become an alchemist.

Unfortunately, she did not meet the requirements to become one, so she could only settle for becoming a physician.

Physicians were also greatly respected, especially in a place like this. But for Xiao Yi Xian, who possessed the Poison Body of Misfortune, it was somewhat beneath her talents.

For the time being, he did not reveal his intentions. Soon, the wound on his arm was bandaged, complete with a bow tied into it. It looked rather strange. After moving his arm slightly and finding that it did not affect his movements, he simply let it be.

"Thank you. My name is Chen Guan. I'll probably have to trouble you often in the future."

After putting on his soft armor, Chen Guan took out a new set of clothes and put them on. He also presented two notebooks containing various rare medicines and a physician's accumulated experience as payment for the treatment. He had come prepared and knew what Xiao Yi Xian liked.

Sure enough, after flipping through the notebooks a few times, Xiao Yi Xian was instantly captivated. Even her curiosity about his storage ring was suppressed. Her entire attention was fixed on the notebooks, and she was eager to read them.

"These notebooks are very precious. You're suffering a great loss by using them as payment. Logically, I shouldn't accept them, but they truly appeal to me. Thank you."

"You deserve them. What is immortal medicine to me may be poison to you; what is waste paper to me may be a treasure to you. Everything can only show its greatest value in the hands of someone suited to it."

"You certainly have plenty of sayings."

"Haha, it's the truth. Farewell. Next time, I'll treat you to braised Fire Fox head."

"..."

Xiao Yi Xian watched the young man leave, feeling that he was quite an interesting person.

He claimed not to hold grudges, yet he could not stop thinking about that Fire Fox. And his background seemed far from ordinary—he even had a storage ring.

A trace of curiosity arose within her, but it was quickly drowned out by her desire for the notebooks. Closing the door, she happily went to recharge.

Rabbit Wanes, Crow Sinks, and a new day arrived.

Chen Guan purchased a batch of seasonings and cooking utensils in town before once again setting off for the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

After being bandaged and taking a Grade 2 Healing Pill when he returned, the injury on his arm was already nothing serious and would not affect his combat strength.

Today's small goal was to settle the score, especially with that Fire Fox! He truly did not hold grudges. Buying seasonings and cooking utensils was only for convenience.

After all, the magical beasts in the mountains were either too large or too small. A Fire Fox was just the right size to eat. He could wrong anyone but his stomach, so buying extra ingredients was only natural. Ganges River, wasn't it?

Just as he entered the mountains, two men—one tall and one short—appeared at the foot of the mountain. They looked incomparably conflicted, as though hesitating over whether to enter.