Dusk had only just fallen when Peace Preservation Hall hung up its closed wooden sign early.
"Doctor Xu, that will be all for today."
Bai Suzhen put the last packet of medicinal herbs back in its place and said gently to Xu Xian'er, who was still sorting through medical records, "I need to meditate in seclusion for a while. If there is nothing important, do not disturb me."
Seeing the trace of gravity between her brows, Xu Xian'er nodded obediently. "Don't worry, Sister Bai. I understand."
Inside the quiet room, sandalwood incense curled upward.
Bai Suzhen sat cross-legged, formed seals with both hands, and clear light flowed around her body, slowly restoring the magic power she had spent over the past several days suppressing demonic poison for others.
It was not until midnight that she quietly came to the rear courtyard and lifted her head to gaze at the moon.
Moonlight poured down like white silk.
She silently circulated her profound art. A snake's nature gave her an innate affinity for moonlight, and streams of pure Great Yin power were absorbed into her, merging into her limbs and bones, nourishing her damaged vital energy.
After several cycles, color returned to her pale cheeks, and the aura around her became rounded and harmonious, even a fraction more advanced than before. Her condition had already been adjusted to its peak.
She opened her eyes, clear light shining brilliantly within them.
With a sweep of her sleeve, a simple, ancient-looking sheathed sword about three feet long appeared in her hand.
The scabbard was dark gold, carved with dense, fine runes.
She slowly drew the sword from its sheath. The blade was a rare realgar yellow, glowing under the moonlight with a luster warm as jade yet hiding a keen sharpness. A peculiar scent