Zhou Zhiruo

Inside the cabin.

Enduring the pain of his injuries, Chang Yuchun once again clasped his fists solemnly. "We escaped death this time entirely thanks to True Person Zhang and Young Hero Zu lending a hand."

"This life of mine was saved by the two of you. Great kindness needs no words of thanks; please accept my bow!"

Zhang Sanfeng lightly flicked his sleeve, and a gentle force naturally supported Chang Yuchun before he could bow. "Hero Chang, you flatter me. Eliminating evil and aiding the weak is our duty. Besides, Hero Chang is loyal and unyielding even unto death. This old Daoist greatly admires you."

Zu Hao added, "Brother Chang is injured. There is no need for such formality."

"Our first priority is to settle down and treat your wounds, as well as little brother Wuji's illness."

Chang Yuchun sighed. "These injuries of mine... have already penetrated deep into my organs. I do not even know how much longer I can hold on."

After pondering briefly, Zhang Sanfeng said, "Hero Chang's injuries are severe, but they are not incurable. If you trust this old Daoist, I can use my inner power to stabilize your condition for now."

But Chang Yuchun shook his head with a bitter smile. "I appreciate True Person's kindness, but I know my own body best. There is no need to waste any more of your true qi."

"Brother Chang, why be so pessimistic?"

Zu Hao suddenly spoke up. "Your injuries are not beyond treatment. As far as I know, Hu Qingniu, the Divine Physician of Butterfly Valley, possesses miraculous healing skills. He will surely be able to cure you."

"Martial Uncle Hu?"

Chang Yuchun froze. "Indeed, Martial Uncle Hu's medical skills are divine. Many brothers in the cult have received his treatment. I had originally intended to travel to Butterfly Valley and seek his aid..."

At the words "divine physician," a flash of hope immediately lit Zhang Sanfeng's eyes. Looking at Zhang Wuji beside him, whose breath was faint, he said sorrowfully, "To be honest with you both, my grand-disciple was struck by the Xuanming Divine Palm. Its cold poison has invaded his five viscera and six bowels, and ordinary medicine in this world is already useless."

"This poor Daoist has taken him everywhere in search of renowned physicians. If this Mister Hu can truly treat him, then it will be Wuji's good fortune."

Chang Yuchun looked troubled upon hearing this. "True Person, this matter... may be difficult."

"My Martial Uncle Hu's medical skill is unmatched, but he established a strange rule. He calls himself one who 'will not save the dying.' Unless one belongs to the Ming Cult, even if one offers ten thousand gold, or is a famed senior of the martial world, he will never lift a finger."

Hearing this, the hope that had just risen in Zhang Sanfeng's heart dimmed once more.

Yet Zu Hao seemed to have expected it. He said unhurriedly, "Rules are dead, but people are alive."

"Brother Chang is loyal and righteous, and he has received True Person Zhang's help. Surely Mister Hu will make an exception out of regard for the fellowship of the same cult and for Brother Chang's sake."

Chang Yuchun suddenly slapped his thigh. "That's right! True Person Zhang saved my life. Even if it costs Chang's life, I will beg Martial Uncle Hu to make an exception and treat little brother Wuji!"

Deeply moved, Zhang Sanfeng gave a Daoist salute. "Then I must thank Hero Chang!"

"True Person, please do not do this. You are embarrassing Chang!"

Chang Yuchun hurriedly returned the salute.

At this moment, Zu Hao changed the subject. Looking at Zhang Sanfeng, his tone became even more solemn. "However, True Person Zhang, Mister Hu may be able to treat Wuji, but the cold poison of the Xuanming Divine Palm is the most yin force under heaven, strange and treacherous beyond measure. Even if it is temporarily suppressed, it may be difficult to ensure that it will not recur."

"To eradicate it completely, and turn this yin poison into aid so that Wuji may gain fortune from misfortune, nothing short of the supremely yang and unyielding Nine Yang Manual will suffice."

"As it happens, I know the whereabouts of the Nine Yang Manual. I can take Brother Wuji to obtain it, and we can study it together."

"You truly know the whereabouts of the Nine Yang Manual, Young Hero Zu?"

Zhang Sanfeng's whole body shook, and an incredulous gleam burst from his eyes.

In his youth, he had heard part of the Nine Yang Divine Skill's formula before Great Master Jueyuan passed away. From it, he had created the Wudang Nine Yang Skill, so he knew well the vast profundity of this divine art.

If they obtained the complete text, not only could Zhang Wuji's cold poison be cured, but he could even establish an incomparably solid foundation.

Yet such a supreme secret treasure of the martial world had been lost for nearly a century. How had this young man before him learned of it?

What shocked Zhang Sanfeng even more was that Zu Hao was actually willing to share such a supreme martial treasure.

In the martial world, people deceived and schemed against one another, fighting for supremacy and ruthlessly struggling. A single Dragon-Slaying Saber had already caused bloody turmoil.

A divine art like the Nine Yang Manual, once it appeared, would surely make people fight until their heads bled, each wishing to keep it for themselves.

Take Shaolin, for instance. Having obtained merely one-third of the Nine Yang Manual, they hid it away tightly. Even when Zhang Sanfeng offered another third in exchange, they had been unwilling to share it.

Yet Zu Hao spoke of it so lightly that Zhang Sanfeng almost felt it was unreal.

Was what this boy said true? Did he truly possess such breadth of heart, or did he have some other motive?

Meeting Zhang Sanfeng's probing gaze, Zu Hao replied calmly, "There is not a single false word."

Zhang Sanfeng stared at Zu Hao for a long while. Seeing the openness in his eyes and his composed expression, coupled with the wondrous Sword-Controlling Art he had used against the Yuan soldiers earlier—a technique truly unheard of—he no longer seemed like a treacherous man. Zhang Sanfeng's doubts gradually faded, replaced by admiration.

He let out a long breath and solemnly bowed to Zu Hao. "Young Hero Zu's breadth of heart is beyond ordinary men. If you can truly cure Wuji, everyone in Wudang will owe you a debt of immense gratitude!"

Zu Hao was overjoyed inwardly, but his expression remained humble. He clasped his fists and returned the salute. "True Person overpraises me. Saving one life is worth more than building a seven-story pagoda. Meeting Brother Wuji today was fate."

"Good, good, good! Wuji's life is not yet meant to end!"

Zhang Sanfeng was greatly comforted, feeling that Heaven had not abandoned his grand-disciple.

With the matter provisionally settled, Zhang Sanfeng decided to proceed on two fronts. Chang Yuchun would first take Zhang Wuji to Butterfly Valley and attempt to seek treatment from Hu Qingniu. If that proved impossible, Zu Hao would then take Zhang Wuji in search of the Nine Yang Manual.

At this moment, everyone's gaze fell upon Zhou Zhiruo, who had been silently shedding tears.

Zhang Sanfeng asked gently, "Miss Zhou, do not grieve any longer. Do you have any relatives to rely on?"

Zhou Zhiruo raised her head, her eyes brimming with tears, and answered timidly, "In... in answer to the old immortal, ever since I was little, Father and I have made our living on this river. I... I have no other relatives."

As soon as she finished speaking, tears rolled down again like pearls from a broken string.

Zhang Sanfeng could not help but sigh, feeling troubled.

This little girl was alone and helpless, and her appearance was so exceptional. In these troubled times, without anyone to rely upon, her fate was easy to imagine.

Should he take her back to Wudang?

But the mountain was full of men; it would ultimately be inconvenient.

Seeing this, Zu Hao spoke at the appropriate moment. "True Person, since Miss Zhou has no one to rely on, if she trusts me, she may follow me for the time being."

"Once little brother Wuji's matter is settled, I will find her a safe place to live, or let her decide for herself whether to stay or leave."

Zu Hao looked at Zhou Zhiruo. "Miss Zhou, are you willing?"

Zhou Zhiruo stopped crying and looked up at Zu Hao.

Zu Hao stood tall and straight, with handsome features and a gentle yet steadfast gaze. He had just displayed godlike skill, and even that old immortal treated him with great courtesy.

She had drifted upon the river since childhood and seen all sorts of people. Her instincts told her that this young master was so handsome that he could not possibly be a bad man.

Zhou Zhiruo bit her slightly pale lower lip. After hesitating for a moment, she answered in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz but resolute nonetheless, "I... I am willing to follow you, Young Master."

"Good."

Zu Hao nodded. "Then it is settled."

Seeing Zu Hao take the matter upon himself, and finding his words and conduct quite upright, Zhang Sanfeng was reassured as well. "I will trouble Young Hero Zu with this."