Ancestor Tianhe was greatly startled. Swooping swiftly sideways like a vulture, he turned his head and saw a fellow wearing straw sandals, with a Vermilion Gourd hanging at his waist.
The man twisted his mouth, slanted his eyes, and grinned wickedly. "You old relic... that sauce-brown bald head of yours, seen from a distance-hah! It really does look like a braised egg!"
He rubbed his belly with a roguish air, took the Vermilion Gourd from his waist, pulled out the stopper, and tilted his head back for a swig. Then he wiped his mouth on his sleeve and said, "Speaking of braised eggs... I really am getting a little hungry."
He raised one hand high and greeted them exuberantly. "Brother He An... I'm here! Tsk, tsk, tsk... how did you get hurt? What did I tell you back then? Didn't I tell you to buy some of my miraculous medicines, just in case? Ah, if you'd listened to me, it never would've come to this..."
At that, he suddenly spat several times on the ground. "Pah, pah, pah! Listen to this crow's mouth of mine, croaking bad luck! Forgive me, forgive me!"
He An knew his temperament and took no offense. He introduced him to Qu Yong beside him. "This is a friend I met on the road. His name is Liu Chuang."
Qu Yong nodded slightly. Liu Chuang had already walked up to them, a small wooden box appearing in his hand as if by magic. He flipped open the lid, swiftly scooped up a dab of green salve with his finger, and smeared it over the wound on He An's shoulder. "Come, come, Brother He An! Let me show you what miraculous medicine really means!"
The salve was lustrous emerald green and carried a rich medicinal fragrance. He