A Beauty's Ailing Feet, the Heart Technique's Mystic Use, Skillful Medicine, and the Ghost Doctor's Rising Fame
In the "Virtue-Honoring Room Far Traveler Inn" of the Yuanke Inn, the woman in the colorful dress rested for half an hour. Suddenly, she took up her sword and walked into the courtyard. She suddenly thrust forward, her sword moving gracefully. With each thrust, the blade made a "clanging" sound, which was very pleasant to hear.
The swordplay suddenly changed, but the lingering sound still remained. It gently echoed in the courtyard. Each of her sword strikes was light and graceful, without any killing intent, but each left a sound. Later, the sword sounds played together, forming a beautiful sword melody.
The melody was melodious and gentle. Everything in the courtyard seemed to dance in response: the stream flowed backward, green vines and red flowers swayed, sometimes turning purple, sometimes yellow. Weeds grew wildly, dense and lush.
The power of his swordplay was so striking that it drew everyone's attention.
Li Xian observed secretly, muttering to himself, "This sword technique is about the profound mystery of ' Double Wafting Immortal Tone.' It seems that through sword dance, Celestial Note is composed. Celestial Note is the sound of heaven and earth; all things hear Celestial Note wonders and thus dance with it, displaying their wondrous and mysterious forms. Martial arts are truly infinitely profound; the art of Double Wafting Immortal Tone alone is worthy of deep study and improvement. This is a rare opportunity to help me comprehend the mysteries of Celestial Note; I think it won't hurt to take a few more glances."
He raised an eyebrow, focusing intently. He saw a woman in a colorful skirt wielding a sword, her swordplay fluid and skillful. Sometimes she thrust, slashed, or parried; other times she kicked upwards or backhand. Sometimes she skimmed low over the grass, drifting lightly to the left, then gracefully to the right. It was truly a beautiful sight. The woman's long legs, clad in a short skirt, were striking. The combined music made the courtyard scene even more bizarre, resembling a primeval Densewood Forest, the carefully crafted scenery utterly ruined.
Sweat beaded on her forehead, her eyes bright, and she was quite pleased with herself. She turned her sword again, reciting Celestial Note in reverse. The primeval Densewood Forest returned to "civilization," gradually transforming back into an exquisite courtyard. The changes just now seemed as if they had never happened.
Li Xian was greatly inspired. Using Celestial Note as a technique could create endless variations and countless profound effects. Using it on the environment and all things could also have a significant impact. He was further inspired. "I cultivate the Sole-Self Heart Technique, and have comprehended the characteristic of Mind-Intent Transmission. If I could secretly play Celestial Note and Mind-Intent Transmission, what a sight it would be! I've been truly foolish; of all the martial arts I've practiced, I've only focused on arduous training, without giving it much thought or development."
He then thought, "I won't try it yet; let's see what else this woman will do."
The woman in the colorful skirt was exhausted after practicing her dance. She sheathed her sword, which was white with a golden tassel at the end, and exhaled a long breath.
Beside the courtyard are sword racks, clothes racks, and incense burners.
She was quite particular. She placed her sword horizontally on the shelf, lit incense, and looked out at the steaming warm spring pool.
The woman in the colorful dress was named Yao Yin. She was a member of the Nature Sect Nature Sect, a renowned and righteous sect located in the Guanlong Circuit. She was originally from Jade City, but she joined the sect to cultivate martial arts. At this time, she was visiting relatives in Hui territory.
Disliking the constraints of Lineage rules, she stayed at an inn, enjoying her freedom. Yao Yin raised her eyebrows slightly and sat down on a stone bench by the hot spring, her skirt just covering her alluring figure. She crossed her legs, untied the thin strap in her boot, and pulled down her right boot, revealing Silkworm Silk that stretched from her toes to her waist. These were exquisite garments favored by women of Jade City, embroidered with patterns that made her feet captivating and eye-catching. Her toes were painted with light red rouge, translucent and delicate. Having just practiced swordsmanship, the boots were stuffy, Yao Yin was naturally prone to sweating, had accumulated sweat in them, forming puddles. The soles of her stockings were damp, and a few beads of sweat could be poured out, giving them a slightly sour smell.
Yao Yin's face suddenly turned red with embarrassment. She looked around and, seeing that she was alone in the courtyard, felt a little better. She complained, "This ailment of mine is really troubling me. Sweating so much makes walking and practicing martial arts extremely inconvenient. Walking dozens of miles feels like walking through water. After just a few rounds of martial arts practice, I need to change my boots. I'm too ashamed to talk about it and don't want to seek medical help."
Being alone is alright for me. But traveling with others and sleeping in the wilderness makes me feel very embarrassed. And what if I find a husband in the future, and he dislikes me?
She lightly touched the spring water with her toes; it seemed quite warm, so she gently pulled her feet back. After slowly getting used to it, she took off her clothes and Silkworm Silk to bathe.
Li Xian thought to himself, "I'd be more than happy to spy on martial arts. But sneaking into someone's bath, while I do want to see more, there's no need to be so sordid. I never imagined that such a delicate young woman would worry about such a trivial matter." He coughed twice, withdrew his attention, and turned to studying his own martial arts.
In reality, Li Xian possessed a "Perfect Aspect," and his appearance was extremely superior. His entire body seemed to be naturally formed, healthy, strong, perfect, and handsome—truly a rare find. His body was flawless in every way, without any ailments or strange diseases. Naturally, he had no such worries.
However, apart from him, who is without flaws or minor ailments that accompany them throughout their lives? Furthermore, the practice of martial arts affects their physique, bringing them formidable strength but also some strange side effects or unspeakable secrets.
Even Wen Caishang, who is also considered to have a "Perfect Aspect," is slightly inferior to him in terms of her Transformed Aspect, and also has some minor flaws. However, flaws are part of human nature, and Li Xian's perfection, so natural and flawless, is unique and nowhere else to be found.
He searched with his eyes and found a potted plant with fresh flowers on it. He pondered, "Among the various types of Double Wafting Immortal Tone, I know the Self-Guarding Tone, the Assaulting Tone, the Ghost's Wail Tone, Yang Immortal Melody Music. Let's test their effects." He secretly played the Self-Guarding Tone, and his bones trembled slightly, the Celestial Note resonating within him. An invisible force the Unseen protected his entire body. Fists and feet could not harm him, and swords and blades could not reach him. In addition, he was protected by the Pure Astral-Qi Garment, with multiple layers of protection, making him extremely strong. As the Mind-Intent Transmission Celestial Note to build up, Li Xian used the "Sole-Self Heart Technique" to transmit the effects of the Celestial Note into the potted plant.
After pondering for a moment, he realized the flowers and plants seemed oblivious, failing to produce the desired effect of the Celestial Note. Li Xian thought, "My Sole-Self Heart Technique Mind-Intent Transmission, while capable of conveying my thoughts to others without verbal communication, is merely an empty shell, utterly useless. That's it... Mind-Intent Transmission is ineffective. Perhaps Intent Infusion would be more effective!"
He immediately tried again, transforming Mind-Intent Transmission into Intent Infusion. The two are vastly different. Mind-Intent Transmission is a subtle vibration of the heart, the Unseen influencing the hearts of others and transmitting one's thoughts. Intent Infusion, on the other hand, is willpower tempered through life and death, seemingly transforming into an intangible reality. It is a technique that can truly bear weight. He immediately played Self-Guarding Tone and, through Intent Infusion, sent it into the potted plants. The plants trembled, shimmering with an intangible, unique rhythm, becoming even more resilient. Li Xian turned his Wishful Jade Thumb Ring, Wishful Treasure Sword shrank to the thickness of his index finger. He gently cut the plants, but encountered great resistance.
Flowers and plants are like resilient ropes.
Li Xian's Intent Infusion already made the object more resilient. Coupled with the "Self-Guarding Tone," it reached an even higher level. Li Xian continued to try, and the Yang Immortal Melody, " " Assaulting Tone, " and " Ghost's Wail Tone " were all effective, making the " Intent Infusion " even more wonderful. Li Xian couldn't help but be overjoyed. The path of martial arts is long, and this little bit of exploration contains Infinite Pleasure.
Li Xian's thoughts wandered, and he suddenly thought, "Intent Infusion, it can detach from physical objects and be channeled into the void. Suddenly, a force bursts forth, which can act as an invisible fist. If this is combined with Assaulting Tone, this invisible fist becomes even more powerful. In actual combat, it will surely have even more wonderful uses. If one focuses their mind in front of them and combines it with Self-Guarding Tone," it can act as an invisible soft armor." He focused his mind on a spot half a zhang away, when suddenly he heard a "thud," and the wooden table shook violently, as if it had been hit by a heavy punch, leaving a dent in the tabletop.
After all this commotion, it was already evening. The waiter knocked on the door and called out, informing them that a delicious meal had been prepared in the hall on the first floor. Li Xian responded, quickly dressed, and followed the waiter downstairs. They passed through a long corridor lined with green vines, and then passed the guard in front of Yao Yin's gate. The guard stared at them arrogantly, his expression unfriendly, and he let out a muffled "humph." The waiter was so frightened that his legs went weak, and he tumbled and crawled several feet before gradually recovering after descending the stairs.
On the first floor, a crowd of customers gathered. The innkeeper invited a storyteller to tell tales of love and hate in the martial arts world. The stories were half true, half false, and half fabricated. The storyteller's rhythmic narration attracted the customers. Seven or eight-year-old children were eavesdropping in the corners and by the windows.
Li Xian chose a spot against the wall and waited a moment. A Far Traveler Inn was not owned by a clan, the manager was skilled in business and managed it well; it was a middle-class establishment. The dishes were not lavish, but they were certainly filling. The meat and vegetables were fresh. Li Xian ate and drank to his heart's content, finishing the complimentary dinner, and was still not satisfied.
Having escaped his predicament and discovered the wonderful uses of martial arts, he was in high spirits and spared no expense, spending one tael of silver to purchase a jar of "Jade Fragrance Wine." Jade Fragrance Wine was brewed by the inn itself and was a semi-turbid, semi-clear wine. It had a slightly sweet aroma. As soon as Li Xian unsealed the wax seal, several children from Jade City opened the window, laughing and begging for a drink.
Li Xian laughed heartily and generously handed over the wine jar. Each of the young men from Jade City took a big gulp. Then, leaning against the side wall, they savored the wine with relish. As the wine entered their throats, a sense of pleasure naturally arose.
As for fine wines, good wines, nectars, and Jade Nectar — Li Xian had tasted quite a lot. Wen Caishang's privately brewed wine was unparalleled elsewhere. But Li Xian's palate hadn't been spoiled; he was happy to savor good wines, and he didn't mind even the turbid ones.
He drinks only according to his mood, not whether it's good or bad. In this respect, he is completely opposite to Wen Caishang.
The food at Far Traveler Inn is cheap, but the drinks and snacks are expensive. Buying a jar of Jade Fragrance Wine comes with a complimentary dish of crispy fried broad beans. The beans are deep-fried and sprinkled with a little salt; simple, yet delicious. Each bite is crispy and fragrant, a perfect balance of wine and fried broad beans – a truly relaxing and comfortable experience.
The guests in Jade City were mostly dressed in brocade robes and fine garments, their attire exquisite and luxurious. As the sun set, guests began to ascend the stairs to listen to the music. It was the transition between day and night, and Jade City was ablaze with lights, a time of great prosperity and entertainment. Li Xian had never been before and was filled with curiosity. He carried half a jar of fine wine and half a plate of crispy beans, following the flow of guests up to the third floor. He saw that the stage was exquisitely constructed, adorned with red silk and flowers. Li Xian had arrived early, and there were still seats available. He selected a fine seat with a good view, paid three hundred coins, and sat down contentedly.
Guests arrived in small groups, mostly friends and confidants. The majority were from the Jade Citizen, with fewer from Common Citizen. Occasionally, a distinguished guest, dressed in Mud Body, would appear, simply taking a seat, followed by a stream of guests offering toasts with obsequious smiles. Some of the Mud Body -Mud Body figures were kind and would return the toasts. Others were eccentric and irritable, splashing the toasters with water. A lively scene unfolded. After a short while, the gong resounded. The troupe leader appeared, speaking clearly and fluently, delivering his opening remarks, flattering all the guests, before the play began.
This opera troupe is a "Wu Family Troupe," quite famous in Jade City. They are skilled at composing famous poems and lyrics from ancient times into pipa, flute, and qin pieces for singing. Their songs are melodious and pleasant to listen to.
A courtesan, holding a pipa, sings "Misty Mountain Welcomes Guests from the West Poem by the Nanyang poet Zi Bo. This Zi Bo truly inherited the unrestrained spirit of Nanyang. His lyrics are bold, magnificent, and stirring, moving the listener deeply.
The deeper meaning of this poem is somewhat related to Li Xian. In Zi Bo's poem, the phrase "a guest comes from the west" refers to welcoming his friend, Lü Dongzhi. Li Xian, upon understanding the meaning of the poem, felt a sense of interweaving between the past and present, a feeling that was difficult to express.
The words fell silent, and a sense of regret arose. The heroes of yesteryear had become tombstones. But then the feeling turned to exhilaration. Life is short, and we should pursue what we desire and live freely and joyfully.
Several more singers arrived one after another, some playing the pipa, some the xiao and flute, and others the drum and zither. Each song drew loud applause from the guests. The troupe leader then took a basket wrapped in red cloth and went to various seats to ask for tips.
Those who are generous will reward four or five taels of silver for a single song. The troupe leader will bow in praise, and others will also offer compliments and toasts. In an instant, their face will be beaming, and the person who gave the money will hold their head high and puff out their chest.
In most cases, the tip could range from tens to hundreds of coins. If the troupe leader refused to tip, he would bow and say, "I'm truly sorry I couldn't please our distinguished guest," before turning away.
Bystanders would inevitably turn their heads, their expressions strange. Those with thinner skin would blush with embarrassment and feel utterly helpless. After the next song ended, in order to regain face and save face, they would certainly be as generous as possible, giving away several hundred coins. Only then would the strange expressions of the bystanders melt away.
Li Xian observed silently, knowing that making a living was not easy, and that the lyrics, songs, and poems were indeed to his liking. So he rewarded them with twenty or ten coins each—not much, but acceptable. The singers warmed up the crowd, and the troupe leader struck the gong, and the main performance began.
The Wu Family Troupe was skilled in the "Dragon-Slaying Play" script. Their performance was extremely brilliant, with a plot full of twists and turns. Li Xian watched with great interest. By then, night had fallen, and the lights of thousands of homes were being lit up again.
Suddenly, the sound of fireworks and firecrackers rang out from the street. In one of the alleys of Renhua Ward, a wine shop had just opened.
The event featured a variety of performances to add to the festive atmosphere, the setting off of firecrackers, and the distribution of candy, creating a lively and joyous scene.
The owner, beaming with smiles, warmly welcomed his guests and friends. The shop was bustling with activity, a scene of peace and liveliness. Li Xian's gaze shifted, and he saw several raggedly dressed Common Citizen scrambling for leftover food in a dimly lit corner.
All the scenic spots of Jade City are right before your eyes.
The "Jasmine Fragrance Teahouse" next to the Far Traveler Inn introduced a novel drink: Crispy Tea, made with honey, goat milk, shaved ice, and fruit pulp. It quickly became a hit, with many young men from various clans enjoying it.
The Far Traveler Inn's waiter came upstairs to inquire and offered to buy some crispy tea and bring it to the table. With the long night ahead and opera performances going on all night, having crispy tea to pass the time was a different kind of enjoyment.
Li Xian inquired about the price, and a cup of crispy tea cost "forty-nine coins." He couldn't help but gasp inwardly, thinking it was outrageously expensive. But since he was determined to relax and have fun, why bother about the price? So he asked the waiter to buy the crispy tea for him.
At this moment, a Mud Body figure, who had long heard of the famous "crispy tea" but had never tasted it, asked the waiter to buy some for him. The onlookers on the third floor thought, "Ah! Even a dignified Mud Body figure is curious about the taste of this crispy tea. What are we hesitating for!"
Everyone wanted to buy crispy tea. After going back and forth, most of them bought crispy tea. The waiter wrote it down and found out which was "Jasmine Fragrance Teahouse". He then went up and down the stairs, back and forth between "Jasmine Fragrance Teahouse" and "Far Traveler Inn" to deliver the crispy tea to the tables.
The waiters inevitably served different dishes to Mud Body customers, first serving those who were dressed in fine clothes and gave generous tips. Li Xian bought the "crispy tea" first, but was the last to receive it. He didn't care at all and savored it carefully.
The crispy tea was sweet and refreshingly cool. The taste was indeed excellent. Li Xian watched plays and listened to music, strolled the streets and sipped tea, enjoying the lively atmosphere until late at night.
The play still had a second half to run. Li Xian went back to his room first, and everything fell silent again. The prosperity of Jade City couldn't erode his true nature. He thought, "Ultimately, my martial arts training is both to explore the path of martial arts and to live a better life. Enjoyment and indulgence are not wrong, but they must be moderate. I will experience the prosperity of Jade City in due time. I must not let it interfere with my important matters."
After bathing and dressing loosely, Li Xian lay on the bed. Now that he had experienced a bit of prosperity and splendor, he should think about the future, "Since leaving the Deathwish Valley, my strength and abilities have truly returned. In the past few months, I have absorbed the Heaven and Earth Essence very quickly, and thanks to several Plunder Feast, my martial arts have indeed progressed."
[Bone-Sculpting Embryo]
[Proficiency: 15/100]
He carefully examined his body; his bones were strong and his strength had increased. He then thought, "Even though Jade City is prosperous, martial artists are still a minority. At the Second Martial Realm, I can be considered a minor expert. But—in a prosperous city like Jade City, there's no shortage of wealthy people or powerful martial artists. For me to rise above others solely through martial arts is extremely difficult. Robbing and plundering are things I neither deign to do nor should I do. How to advance is a truly major problem."
"Furthermore—the cost of living in Jade City is quite high, and my forty taels of silver is really not much. If I go out without inflow for several days, I will inevitably run out of capital. I am still quite far from making a name for myself. If I could find a profession that allows me to make the most of my strengths, provide a stable income, and connect with experts from various ethnic groups, that would be the best thing ever!"
"In this way, one can discover opportunities and plan for the long term. In one's spare time, one can hone one's martial arts skills without neglecting any other pursuits."
Li Xian paced back and forth, knowing that to advance, he needed to leverage his strengths. Playing to his strengths and patiently waiting for opportunities was the best strategy. After careful consideration, he gradually clarified his direction. He pondered further, saying, "I have two strengths. One is hunting skills, which I cannot use here for the time being. The other is medicine. I inherited the Ghost Doctor's skills and study the Medical Heart Scripture and Medical Ethics Scripture daily—recently I've gained further insights, and my medical skills have advanced further."
Li Xian's eyes shone brightly. "Indeed, my medical skills should be a great tool to help me break through this predicament. I can also take this opportunity to learn about herbs, taste hundreds of herbs, and try to detoxify my body. However—my Ghost Doctor Lineage does not use medical skills to seek wealth or power. If I use medical skills for personal gain, wouldn't that go against the heart of medicine? Moreover, the Ghost Doctor Lineage requires people to seek medical help before they can be cured."
He pondered for a moment, then stood up, invigorated, and said, "My original intention was not to seek wealth or power, so why be so rigid? Besides—my practice of medicine has never changed. My Ghost Doctor Lineage —should be like ghosts and demons; even if there are rules, they should not hinder us. I only need to maintain a balance. Ghost Doctor require people to seek medical help before treating them, which is difficult to handle. Since I began practicing medicine, this is precisely what has frustrated me and added many troubles. Now that I think about it—"
"I should have adapted long ago, but there's no need for a complete change. I just need to use 'seeking medical treatment' as a pretext and call myself Li Qiuyi."
In this way, if someone asks me for treatment, they only need to state their name to be considered for treatment.
Li Xian smiled knowingly; her mind was made up.
He immediately awoke from his reverie, and upon faintly hearing the sound of wind, he saw Yao Yin already dancing with her sword in the courtyard. The sound of her sword was like a melody, and her figure was captivating.
After a quick wash, Li Xian went downstairs to have some porridge and vegetables. Once he was full, he asked the waiter for directions to the Medical Shop and then walked around looking for Medical Shop. There were a total of forty-three Medical Shop in Renhua Ward, large and small, scattered throughout the streets and alleys.
Larger Medical Shop resembled grand restaurants, their interiors filled with the aroma of medicine. Smaller clinics had only a few doctors on duty.
After walking for half a day, passing more than ten Medical Shop and walking through a medical alley, he still couldn't find anything satisfactory. So he changed his approach, crossed Westwind Avenue, and arrived at Tongji Ward. Wandering around aimlessly, he gradually felt that Tongji Ward was more prosperous, and the cost of food and lodging was higher. As dusk approached, Li Xian knew that he would not gain anything today, so he turned back to the Far Traveler Inn.
He practiced martial arts diligently in his room, rested for a night, and searched again the next day. He persisted in this way for three days until he found a medical building he liked in "Returning Spring Lane" of Tongji Ward: Life-Blessing Pavilion. This pavilion was about nineteen feet tall and its layout resembled a tower. The rules inside were strict, the medical ethics were upright, and the prescriptions written were all effective remedies that cured the disease.
Li Xian searched for a clinic for several days, not because he had high standards or looked down on the size of the Medical Shop. It was because some doctors had lost their conscience and treated medicine as a means of making money. They treated minor illnesses as major illnesses and major illnesses as minor illnesses. This was even worse than treating rare diseases, and they were exploiting patients for money.
Li Xian despised him and had no desire to work with him.
Li Xian was experienced and shrewd, acting with maturity and Common Citizen. He knew that as a commoner seeking medical help, it would be extremely difficult and he would inevitably face discrimination. He needed to find another way, proceeding with caution and tact, being both bold and meticulous. Li Xian immediately began to plan carefully, thinking, "Since I want to practice medicine and enter this Miraculous Healers Pavilion, I must first use Skillful Hands to showcase my unique medical skills without offending them. If I could meet the person in charge, that would be even better!"
A brilliant idea came to mind, so he went to another pharmacy to buy some medicinal herbs. Back at the inn, he boiled them into a soup and drank it himself.
After contracting this strange illness, which was extremely unusual, it aroused the competitive spirit of a skilled doctor. He then went to the Miraculous Healers Pavilion to seek treatment.
This round trip had already cost five taels of silver. Li Xian entered the medical pavilion and waited patiently. After half an hour, a doctor summoned Li Xian to take his pulse and examine him.
The physician was puzzled and asked Li Xian several questions, but still couldn't find a solution. After hesitating for a moment, he reported to his superiors and summoned another physician. After taking Li Xian's illness was strange and unusual, seemingly treatable yet incurable, leaving the physicians feeling uneasy and unwilling to let Li Xian seek a more skilled doctor.
This commotion went on for quite some time. The noise attracted the attention of an old man, and the other doctors quickly stepped aside to listen and observe. The old man, after taking the pulse, was taken aback, then scrutinized the patient closely, his gaze becoming increasingly strange. Suddenly, he burst into laughter and said, "Young friend, your medical skills are rare. You've used illness to convey a message and exchange medical knowledge. Those with weaker skills wouldn't be able to see the deeper meaning behind this. It's truly commendable that you've gone to such lengths. Very well, if you don't mind, you can practice medicine under your own name from now on!"
He then addressed the assembled physicians, saying, "Your medical skills are lacking. If you have time, you should learn from this young friend the secrets of medicine."
Li Xian, having achieved his wish, cupped his hands in gratitude and said, "Thank you for taking me in, Doctor!"