Half an hour later, the water had cooled, and the two of them reluctantly climbed out of the medicinal vat.
They followed their usual routine of evening lessons and fist practice. Qin Sang had already formed the habit of returning to his room at the hour of the Pig, where he began cultivating the "Netherworld Scripture" again.
After completing one circulation, Qin Sang suddenly stopped cultivating and opened his eyes, his face filled with shock.
Over this period, he had grown accustomed to making tiny improvements each time, but today was suddenly different. A single circulation had actually matched the progress he usually made in half a day!
Feeling the qi within his body had clearly grown much stronger, Qin Sang hurriedly calmed his mind and entered meditation again, continuing into the next circulation.
The second circulation also brought a noticeable improvement, though it was slightly less than the first. Qin Sang continued operating his cultivation technique. With every circulation, the gains diminished in turn, until by the ninth circulation, they had become no different from usual.
After nine Greater Celestial Circuits, Qin Sang lay down. He should have slept for an hour to restore his energy, but he was too excited to fall asleep.
There could only be one explanation for such enormous progress today: last night's medicinal bath. He had never expected the old Daoist's inherited prescription to not only strengthen the foundation and replenish vitality, but to even benefit the "Netherworld Scripture."
Worthy indeed of an Imperial Physician.
Qin Sang secretly rejoiced. The "Tiger Subduing Long Fist" had truly been put to perfect use. Fortunately, he had dragged Mingyue into the water as well; otherwise, the old Daoist might not have been willing to bring out a secret prescription for him alone.
Thinking of this, Qin Sang hurriedly recalled the formula. His memory seemed to have improved as well, and he memorized every last detail of the prescription. Once he left the old Daoist in the future, he could gather herbs and prepare medicine himself.
With the medicinal bath's aid, Qin Sang had finally glimpsed the dawn of a breakthrough. He was so excited that he could barely sleep. Soon, daylight broke, and Qin Sang rolled out of bed and hurried to Green Goat Hall to light the fire and brew the medicine.
After the master and disciple had washed up and entered the main hall, they could not help looking at each other in surprise at seeing Qin Sang so proactive for the first time.
Daoist Master Jixin stroked his long beard and said with a smile, "Well? How effective is this poor Daoist's prescription?"
"You truly are a divine physician! Divine medicine!"
Qin Sang repeatedly gave him a thumbs-up.
Mingyue sidled up beside Qin Sang, shifting his back somewhat awkwardly as he asked in a low voice, "Senior Brother, what did you feel last night? Why did I feel unbearably hot inside, and a little numb and itchy too? I didn't fall asleep until very late, and I don't think it did me any good."
Mingyue had certainly been affected by the medicine's potency. However, since Mingyue did not know the "Netherworld Scripture," his efficiency in absorbing the medicine was likely far inferior to Qin Sang's. It had all turned into heat and gone to waste.
Qin Sang made something up on the spot. "Oh, don't be afraid. You've reached puberty."
Mingyue kept asking what puberty was, even during the medicinal bath.
Soaking in the medicinal broth, Qin Sang recalled how the medicine's potency had gradually weakened while he cultivated last night. Suddenly, an idea stirred in his heart. What would happen if I operated the "Netherworld Scripture" during the medicinal bath?
Cultivation only required sitting in meditation and calming one's mind. The medicinal broth was murky, and no one outside could see his posture beneath the surface. Qin Sang acted as soon as the thought occurred to him, immediately sitting cross-legged and beginning to operate the cultivation technique.
Unexpectedly, before he had even completed one circulation, Qin Sang suddenly felt threads of pain coming from his meridians. He was extremely familiar with this sensation and hurriedly stopped cultivating.
Mingyue was still resting with his eyes closed and did not notice Qin Sang's little movements.
Qin Sang lowered his head to glance at the medicinal broth, and his gaze tightened slightly. The color of the broth around him had actually become much lighter than that around Mingyue. If the lighting in Green Goat Hall had not been so dim, it would have been easy to spot.
Qin Sang hurriedly stirred the medicinal broth back into an even mixture, then sensed the qi within his body. The progress had indeed been enormous, but the pain from his meridians was far too clear. At any moment, they might be unable to bear the burden.
It seemed that absorbing too much medicinal potency was not necessarily a good thing.
After that, Qin Sang could only patiently absorb a little at a time.
By the final medicinal bath on the seventh day, the medicinal potency in the broth had become exceedingly thin. Only then did Qin Sang dare to let himself go and absorb it freely, not stopping until he had absorbed every last trace of medicinal potency without wasting a drop.
After the medicinal bath, Qin Sang and Mingyue scraped out and discarded the remaining dregs. The formerly pitch-black medicinal broth had unexpectedly become somewhat clear.
"Senior Brother, why hasn't Master returned yet?"
Holding a wooden ladle, Mingyue stood at the entrance to the Daoist temple and gazed outward, asking with unconcealed worry.
Today was another auspicious day. A family at the ferry crossing was building a new house and had chosen this day to raise the main beam, inviting the old Daoist to perform rites to settle the household and pray for blessings. It would soon be completely dark. At this time on ordinary days, they would nearly be starting evening lessons, yet the old Daoist had still not returned.
Qin Sang frowned. "You stay and guard the temple. I'll go down the mountain to meet Daoist Master Jixin."
The old Daoist had ridden off on the donkey. Qin Sang grabbed a wooden stick and headed down the mountain.
The forest was dense, and at the end of the mountain path, only a black hole could be seen. When the night wind blew, rustling sounds erupted all around, as though countless ghostly shadows were baring their fangs and brandishing their claws.
Yet Qin Sang did not find it particularly frightening. Though he only knew a crude fist technique, after cultivating the "Netherworld Scripture," his ears and eyes had become sharp, his limbs nimble, and his movements swift. Even if he encountered a vicious wolf, he was confident he could fight it.
Mingyue practiced martial arts alongside Qin Sang, yet he was no match for Qin Sang even for a single exchange, which left him deeply frustrated.
However, before Qin Sang had even descended the mountain, he spotted three dark figures. With his keen eyesight, he recognized the one in front as Daoist Jixin.
"Daoist Master, why are you returning so late today?"
Qin Sang ran over to help lead the donkey, eyeing the stranger following behind the Daoist Master.
The man was extremely small and thin, carrying a large bundle on his back.
From afar, Qin Sang had thought the old Daoist had found spring in a withered tree and brought back a girl. Only upon drawing closer did he see that it was an elderly man.
He was only a little taller than a dwarf, with a hunched back and a waxy yellow face covered in wrinkles. He looked to be fifty or sixty, yet his steps were light and steady even on the perilous mountain path. He followed closely behind the old Daoist at a glance, clearly a poor man accustomed to walking long distances.
"This is Benefactor Wu." The old Daoist gestured toward his mouth at Qin Sang. "Benefactor Wu cannot speak. He works as a towman at the First Ferry Crossing. He was originally from the north and has only recently fled here to escape disaster. He cannot find a place to stay, so I invited him to live at the Daoist temple for a while. Your room is empty, so let him stay next door to you."
Then he said to the mute man, "This child is called Qin Sang. He has a quick mind. If you run into trouble in the future, ask him for help."
Qin Sang was full of secrets and naturally did not want someone living beside him. But the Daoist temple was not his, and he had no right to interfere with any decision Daoist Master Jixin made. So he greeted him, "Old Wu, from now on, just call me Qin Sang... right!"
Qin Sang lightly slapped his own mouth and said apologetically, "I speak without thinking. Please don't take offense."
Old Wu looked awkward. He repeatedly gestured with his hands and made a few ah-ah sounds from his mouth. He really was mute.
There was not much to say to a mute man. The three of them silently returned to the Daoist temple. Old Wu ate dinner with them, and Qin Sang led him to see his room.
After returning to Green Goat Hall, Qin Sang asked the old Daoist about Old Wu. The old Daoist sighed softly.
Before you continue