Hu Qingniu

At daybreak the next day, the morning light was faint.

Upon waking, Zu Hao felt refreshed and clear-headed.

With a slight focus, he sensed that his psychic power had grown stronger again.

He brought up his personal status panel.

[Host: Zu Hao]

[Fist Strength: 5 tons]

[Speed: 56 meters per second]

[Psychic Power: Telekinesis, 11 tons]

Such a rate of improvement was truly gratifying.

Applying his psychic power to himself, Zu Hao's body immediately rose half an inch off the ground. It was as effortless as lifting a feather; if he wished, he could fly through the air.

Whether in battle or escape, it offered enormous benefits.

It could also lessen the burden of his own body, increase his speed, or enhance his explosive power. Its uses were endless.

After a quick wash, the five of them ate breakfast, disembarked from the ferry, and continued west by land.

On the dirt road, Zhou Zhiruo still wore those bloodstained clothes. Her slender ankles showed through the tears in her skirt, and the edges of her little shoes had long since worn through.

Zu Hao noticed this.

When they passed through a small town, he deliberately stopped and entered a cloth shop, buying Zhou Zhiruo two pairs of soft cloth shoes and two sets of fresh clothes.

"Thank you, Brother Zu."

Zhou Zhiruo accepted the clothes and thanked him in a crisp voice. Her bright eyes curved into crescents as she smiled, making her especially endearing.

She soon went into the shop's changing room and put on the new clothes. It was a light blue coarse-cloth dress, not luxurious, but neat and clean, making her look even more delicate and lovely.

Meanwhile, Zhang Wuji followed behind Zhang Sanfeng with heavy dark circles under his eyes, listless and pale as paper, looking every bit like someone at death's door.

The cold poison flared up from time to time. Whenever it did, he clenched his teeth and trembled all over, yet stubbornly held back his cries.

Chang Yuchun also coughed every now and then. Their group of old, weak, sick, and injured people was rather conspicuous.

To make travel easier, Zhang Sanfeng bought a spacious carriage in town.

Chang Yuchun volunteered as the driver. Zu Hao sat inside the carriage, sometimes asking Zhang Sanfeng about martial arts, and sometimes telling the two children exciting stories from Journey to the West.

In this era, Journey to the West had yet to be written. Thanks to the photographic memory he had gained after developing his brain, Zu Hao told the story with vivid detail.

Not only were Zhang Wuji and Zhou Zhiruo engrossed, but even a master of Zhang Sanfeng's caliber occasionally stroked his beard and nodded, admiration showing in his eyes.

"Sun Wukong could travel one hundred and eight thousand li with a single somersault. That was truly incredible!"

Zhang Wuji rarely showed a smile, temporarily forgetting the pain wracking his body.

Zhou Zhiruo blinked her large eyes and asked, "Brother Zu, did Sun Wukong become the Jade Emperor after wreaking havoc in Heaven?"

Zu Hao smiled and continued the story, and for a time, the carriage was filled with warmth and laughter.

The journey over the next few days was quite peaceful. Most of the time was spent on the road, and they encountered no trouble.

Every night when they camped, Zu Hao would spar with Zhang Sanfeng.

Though they called it sparring, Zhang Sanfeng actually cherished his talent. He considered Zu Hao an uncut jade and deliberately taught him martial arts to forge a good bond. Thus, Zu Hao learned the Wudang Nine Yang Skill, Cloud Ladder Steps, and a set of Wudang Swordsmanship, his strength increasing by the day.

Zu Hao's psychic power grew with every passing day. By the time the group neared Butterfly Valley, he could easily control objects weighing thirteen tons.

His control over his psychic power had also become increasingly effortless.

At noon that day, the carriage entered a stretch of woodland when Chang Yuchun suddenly called, "Whoa!" He pulled on the reins and pointed toward a valley ahead. "Butterfly Valley is up ahead."

As they arrived before Butterfly Valley, the mountain path grew narrower and the forest more lush.

Zhang Sanfeng floated down from the carriage and said to Zu Hao, "We are close to the valley entrance. It would not be convenient for this old Daoist to enter, so I shall see you off here."

"Little Friend Zu, Wuji... I entrust him to you."

The old man's gaze settled on Zhang Wuji, whose breath was faint. A trace of sorrow flashed through his eyes, too subtle to notice.

He had cultivated for a century and had long seen through life and death, yet he could not set his mind at ease when it came to this grand-disciple.

"Rest assured, True Man. Since I have given my word, I will do everything in my power."

Zu Hao made the promise solemnly.

Zhang Sanfeng nodded slightly, then carefully gave Zhang Wuji a few more instructions, telling him nothing more than to endure his illness and listen to Zu Hao and Chang Yuchun's arrangements.

Although Zhang Wuji was gravely ill, he knew his grandmaster was about to leave. Suppressing both his reluctance and the agony of the cold poison, he obediently nodded. "Rest assured, Grandmaster. Wuji will behave."

Once Zhang Sanfeng had finished his instructions, Zu Hao pondered briefly before saying, "There is one more matter I wish to tell you. I heard that Wudang's Third Hero Yu had his limbs crushed by Great Strength Vajra Finger many years ago, leaving his entire body paralyzed."

Zhang Sanfeng's expression turned solemn. "That is indeed so. Daiyan has been injured for more than ten years. Whenever this old Daoist thinks of it, the pain is unbearable."

Zu Hao said slowly, "I once happened to hear that there is a monk named A San in the Western Regions Vajra Sect who is skilled in Great Strength Vajra Finger."

"Furthermore, the Vajra Sect possesses a miraculous medicine called Black Jade Bone-Setting Paste. It can heal broken bones that cannot be reset. Perhaps it may help Third Hero Yu's injuries."

A sharp gleam flashed in Zhang Sanfeng's eyes before he quickly regained his composure. However, the hand gripping his whisk tightened slightly. "Thank you for telling me. This old Daoist will remember it."

He seemed thoughtful, clearly having taken the matter to heart.

Watching Zhang Sanfeng drift away, Zu Hao finally said to Chang Yuchun and Zhou Zhiruo, "Let's go in."

The four of them entered the valley and immediately felt that its climate was entirely different from the outside world.

The valley was warm and moist, filled with exotic flowers and strange plants. Colorful butterflies fluttered through the air, their iridescent wings gleaming under the sunlight. It truly lived up to the name Butterfly Valley.

Before long, they saw several bamboo cottages built beside the water. In front of them lay a neat herb garden planted with all kinds of medicinal herbs, and a rich medicinal fragrance filled the air.

A lean-faced middle-aged man dressed in plain clothes and wearing a square headscarf was busy in the herb garden. Hearing their footsteps, he did not even look up as he coldly said, "Where did you come from? Leave at once. I do not treat outsiders here!"

Chang Yuchun hurried forward, cupped his hands in salute, and respectfully said, "Martial Uncle Hu, this junior was sent out on official business by the Cult Leader and suffered serious injuries. I have come specifically to beg Martial Uncle to treat me."

Though he belonged to the Ming Cult's Five Elements Flags, he was still considered part of the same sect as Hu Qingniu, which was why he addressed him as Martial Uncle.

Only then did Hu Qingniu raise his head. He glanced at Chang Yuchun and said blandly, "Chang Yuchun, you again. If you cannot beat them, do not charge in so recklessly. Every time, I have to clean up after you."

Despite his words, he still walked over and placed his fingers on Chang Yuchun's wrist.

After checking his pulse for a moment, Hu Qingniu snorted. "This time, you were struck by a foreign monk's Heart-Severing Palm. It should not have been a major problem, but after taking the blow, you went and fought with brute force. Now your internal organs have been injured. Still, it is nothing serious. A few doses of strong medicine will set you right."

Chang Yuchun breathed a sigh of relief, then continued pleading, "Martial Uncle Hu, this little brother was struck by Xuanming Divine Palm. The cold poison has penetrated deep into his organs, and his life hangs by a thread. I beg Martial Uncle to show mercy and save him!"

As he spoke, he pushed Zhang Wuji one step forward.

"Xuanming Divine Palm?"

Hearing this, Hu Qingniu finally examined Zhang Wuji closely. A flicker of interest crossed his eyes. "This sinister technique has not appeared in the martial world for decades. I did not expect anyone still knew it."

Then, seeing that Zhang Wuji was unfamiliar to him, he asked, "I have never seen this boy before. Which branch's disciple is he?"

Chang Yuchun forced himself to say, "His name is Zhang Wuji. He is the grand-disciple of Wudang's True Man Zhang."

"Chang Yuchun, have you lost your mind? My rule cannot be broken. If he is not from the Ming Cult, I will not treat him!"

Hu Qingniu's tone was resolute, leaving no room for negotiation.

Chang Yuchun grew frantic and was about to plead again, but Zu Hao stepped forward and stopped him. He calmly said to Hu Qingniu, "Doctor Hu, although Zhang Wuji belongs to Wudang, his mother is Yin Susu, his maternal grandfather is the White-Browed Eagle King Yin Tianzheng, and his godfather is the Golden-Haired Lion King Xie Xun. By that reckoning, though he has not joined the Ming Cult, he is still half a member of it. That should not violate your rule."

Hu Qingniu abruptly raised his head, his sharp gaze fixed on Zhang Wuji. "Boy, are you truly Yin Susu's son and Xie Xun's godson?"