Mute Hauler

Half an hour later, the water temperature cooled, and the two reluctantly climbed out of the medicinal tub.

Following the usual routine, they did their evening exercises and practiced their fists. Qin Sang had developed a habit, and by the time of Hai Shi (9-11 PM), he returned to his room and began cultivating the Netherworld Scripture again.

After completing one cycle, Qin Sang suddenly stopped cultivating, opened his eyes, and looked shocked.

During this period, he had grown accustomed to making tiny progress each time, but today was different. In just one cycle, he had achieved half a day's worth of progress from before!

Qin Sang felt the 'qi' within him had become significantly stronger. He quickly settled his mind and continued with the next cycle.

The second cycle also showed significant improvement, though slightly less than the first. Qin Sang continued to control the circulation of the technique. With each subsequent cycle, the effect of the improvement gradually decreased until the ninth cycle, when it became the same as usual.

After nine cycles, Qin Sang lay down. He was supposed to sleep for an hour to replenish his energy, but he was too excited to sleep.

The only explanation for such a significant breakthrough today was last night's medicinal bath. He hadn't expected that the medicinal formula passed down by the old Daoist master could not only strengthen his foundation but also be effective for the Netherworld Scripture.

Truly worthy of an imperial physician.

Qin Sang secretly felt fortunate. The Tiger Subduing Long Fist had truly been put to good use. It was lucky he had dragged Mingyue into it as well; otherwise, the old Daoist might not have been willing to share his secret formula for Qin Sang alone.

Thinking of this, Qin Sang quickly recalled the medicinal formula. His memory seemed to have improved, and he remembered the formula perfectly. In the future, when he left the old Daoist, he could gather and prepare the herbs himself.

With the help of the medicinal bath, Qin Sang finally saw a glimmer of hope for a breakthrough. He was too excited to sleep, and soon the sky brightened. Qin Sang got up and rushed to the Green Goat Hall to start the fire and boil the medicine.

After the master and disciple washed up, they arrived at the main hall. Seeing Qin Sang so proactive for the first time, they exchanged bewildered glances.

Daoist Master Jixin stroked his long beard and said with a smile, "How is it? How effective is this medicinal formula of mine?"

"You truly are a divine doctor! A divine medicine!"

Qin Sang gave him a thumbs-up repeatedly.

Mingyue sidled up to Qin Sang, shifted his back uncomfortably, and asked in a low voice, "Senior Brother, how did you feel last night? I felt a constant heat and some itching inside my body, and I only fell asleep very late. I didn't feel any better."

Mingyue was definitely affected by the medicinal properties. However, Mingyue didn't cultivate the Netherworld Scripture, so his efficiency in absorbing the medicinal properties was likely far inferior to Qin Sang's. It had all turned into heat and was wasted.

Qin Sang casually made up a story, "Oh, don't worry, you're just going through puberty."

Mingyue was still asking what puberty was even during the medicinal bath.

Soaking in the medicinal soup, Qin Sang thought about how the medicinal power gradually weakened during his cultivation last night. Suddenly, a thought struck him. What if he circulated the Netherworld Scripture while taking the medicinal bath?

Cultivating the technique only required sitting meditation. The medicinal soup was murky, and one couldn't see the posture from the outside. Qin Sang decided to act on his thought immediately. He sat cross-legged and began circulating the technique.

Unexpectedly, before he could even complete one cycle, Qin Sang felt a sharp pain in his meridians. He was very familiar with this sensation and quickly stopped cultivating.

Mingyue was still resting with his eyes closed and hadn't noticed Qin Sang's subtle movements.

Qin Sang looked down at the medicinal soup, his gaze slightly narrowing. The color of the soup around him had become much lighter than around Mingyue. If it weren't for the dim light in the Green Goat Hall, it would have been easily noticeable.

Qin Sang quickly stirred the soup. He could feel the qi within him; the progress was indeed significant, but the pain in his meridians was too clear. In the next moment, they might not be able to bear it.

It seemed that absorbing too much medicinal power was not necessarily a good thing.

Later on, Qin Sang had to patiently absorb the medicinal power for only a short while each time.

By the seventh day, during the last medicinal bath, the medicinal power in the soup had become very diluted. Only then did Qin Sang dare to absorb it with all his might, absorbing all the medicinal power until none was left, wasting not a single bit.

After the medicinal bath, Qin Sang and Mingyue scraped out the remaining medicinal dregs and discarded them. The originally dark medicinal soup now had a slightly clear appearance.

"Senior Brother, why hasn't Master returned yet?"

Mingyue, holding a wooden ladle, stood at the entrance of the Daoist temple, looking out and asking with concern.

Today was another auspicious day. A family in the ferry crossing was building a new house and had chosen today for the topping-out ceremony. They had invited the old Daoist to perform rituals to bless the house and pray for good fortune. Now, the sky was about to darken completely. It was usually time for evening exercises by now, but the old Daoist had not yet returned.

Qin Sang frowned. "You stay and guard the Daoist temple. I'll go down the mountain to meet the Daoist."

The donkey had been ridden away by the old Daoist. Qin Sang picked up a wooden stick and started walking down the mountain.

The jungle was dense, and at the end of the mountain path, only a black void could be seen. As the night wind blew, the surroundings rustled noisily, as if countless ghostly figures were baring their teeth and claws.

However, Qin Sang didn't feel particularly terrified. Although he only knew a rudimentary fist technique, after cultivating the Netherworld Scripture, his hearing and eyesight had sharpened, his limbs were agile, and his movements were swift. Even if he encountered a fierce wolf, he was confident he could put up a fight.

Mingyue practiced martial arts with Qin Sang, but he was no match for him, which was quite frustrating.

However, before Qin Sang could descend the mountain, he saw three dark figures. Qin Sang's eyesight was good, and 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 and sized up the strangers following the Daoist master.

The person was very thin and was carrying a large bundle on his back.

From a distance, Qin Sang thought the old Daoist had regained his youth and brought back a girl. It was only up close that he realized it was an old man.

He was only slightly taller than a dwarf, with a hunched back and a sallow face full of wrinkles, looking like he was in his fifties or sixties. However, his steps were light, and he walked steadily on the treacherous mountain path, keeping pace with the old Daoist. He looked like a poor person who walked a lot.

"This is Benefactor Wu," the old Daoist gestured with his mouth towards Qin Sang. "Benefactor Wu cannot speak. He works as a boat tracker at the first ferry crossing. He's from the north and recently fled here, unable to find a place to stay. I've invited him to stay at the Daoist temple for a while. Your room is empty; let him stay next door to you."

He then said to the mute man, "This child is called Qin Sang. He's clever. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, find him for help."

Qin Sang, with his secrets, naturally didn't want anyone living next door. But the Daoist temple wasn't his, and he had no right to dictate any of the Daoist master's decisions. So, he greeted him, "Old Wu, from now on, you can call me Qin Sang... Oops!"

Qin Sang lightly patted his mouth and said apologetically, "I tend to speak without thinking. Please don't mind me."

Old Wu's expression was awkward. He gestured with his hands repeatedly and made "ah ah" sounds, confirming he was indeed mute.

There wasn't much to say to a mute person, so the three of them silently walked back to the Daoist temple. Old Wu ate dinner with them, and Qin Sang led him to his room.

Back in the Green Goat Hall, Qin Sang asked the old Daoist about Old Wu. The old Daoist sighed softly.