Shegong

The group all looked up at the sky in unison.

Even the Bones that were just wailing retracted one leg, standing on three legs on the ground, and roared fiercely at the sky.

It was as if it was telling them that this thing was the culprit who had harmed them.

Su Ziyang glanced at something that looked like a cicada flying in the air. Because of the rapid vibration of its wings, it hovered in the air like a hummingbird.

Su Ziyang observed it closely. The thing was about the same size as a cicada, but its shape was quite different. It resembled an ancient drinking cup, which was very strange.

"Wasn't this thing extinct?"

Qi Chu exclaimed in surprise.

"Everyone, please be quiet!"

Qi Chu shouted, and everyone was confused, but they still quieted down.

The person calmed down, but the usually obedient Bones were now somewhat out of control.

After all, this thing is the culprit causing the swelling and pain in the Bones and claws.

After the Bones cried out twice more, it spat out something from its mouth.

Qi Chu reacted quickly and, being closest to the Bones, swiftly moved Bones aside.

The venom-like substance that was spat out did not land on the Bones.

But the Bones still howled in agony... Awooo...

"Didn't you miss? What are you yelling for? Are you scared?"

Su Ziyang sent three greetings.

Fairy Li and Mr. Mengfei, being quite knowledgeable, exclaimed in unison, "Shadow Shooter!!!"

Su Ziyang looked again and confirmed it was true. Although the insect's spit hadn't landed on the Bones, it had landed on the Bones's shadow.

The idiom "to Shadow Shooter" is probably familiar to everyone, and Su Ziyang is no exception. This idiom usually refers to secretly framing or attacking someone.

However, this meaning is only a figment of its imagination. The thing flying in the air now is the original, Shadow Shooter meaning.

This insect is called Shegong.

This thing also has two other names: "Yu" or "Shadow Shooter".

Its breath can exhale "qi," which is what Su Ziyang forbids, and it also uses "qi" to harm people.

Qi Chu quickly explained to the group what the creature was called, then whispered, "This thing has no eyesight; it mainly navigates by sound. Everyone, please be quiet. It will get tired after flying for a while, so we'll slowly retreat. We mustn't let it vomit on us."

Qi Chu fired a shot and moved to a different spot. After saying those two sentences, he quickly changed locations, afraid that the little bug might aim at him and shoot him.

After hearing this, Mr. Mengfei didn't dare to say anything, just waiting for Qi Chu to speak so that the group could leave this place quickly.

Su Ziyang pondered for a while and came up with a plan.

Then he immediately stood still, closed one eye, and assumed the posture unique to those who practice forbidden techniques.

Although I've never seen this thing before, it should belong to the category of poisonous insects. Among the various Restraining Method, there are spells specifically designed to prohibit poisonous insects.

So Su Ziyang wanted to test it out and see how it actually worked.

Silently chanting an incantation and making hand gestures, Su Ziyang pointed at the Shegong was still hovering and searching for his target.

The thing fell to the ground with a thud.

This completely stunned Qi Chu, who was just about to run away with the others.

"Holy crap. This is incredible skill!"

Startled, Qi Chu threw the Bones he was carrying onto the ground.

With Shegong prohibited, Su Ziyang quickly ran over and picked up the little creature.

At first glance, Su Ziyang thought this thing was about the size of a cicada, but upon closer inspection, it was actually much smaller.

However, this thing has a strange shape; its mouth protrudes out and looks triangular.

There was an opening in its mouth. Su Ziyang picked up a small twig and poked the guy's mouth, finding it quite amusing.

Su Ziyang fiddled with the poisonous insects, and the others gathered around. Only Bones, who had just been injured, hid to the side and watched them. No matter how Qi Chu called out to him, he stayed far away.

"This is the first time I've seen something like this up close. I saw it once in the mountains more than ten years ago, but I was hiding far away and didn't get a good look. Let me see, let me see!"

Qi Chu, being the most curious, carefully examined the creature's appearance.

"Legend has it that this thing has a crossbow bolt growing from its mouth; seeing it today, the legend is indeed true. It's a truly exquisite little gadget!"

Mr. Mengfei and Fairy Li also picked up the little thing and began to examine it.

"This thing is interesting. It's a masterpiece of nature!"

Mr. Mengfei was also repeatedly amazed.

"Master, this thing is so cute, let's take it home."

As soon as Su Ziyang spoke, Mr. Mengfei, Fairy Li, Qi Chu, and even Bones, who was hiding far away, all looked at Su Ziyang with astonished eyes.

Are you out of your mind?

Mr. Mengfei touched Su Ziyang's forehead. "Bringing this thing back is like keeping an uncontrollable machine gun at home. What if it shoots someone?"

"That's true."

Su Ziyang nodded, "Then let's throw it back into the water."

"This kid's thought process is definitely a bit different."

Qi Chu watched as Su Ziyang threw the Shegong into the water and sighed softly.

After the little incident, the group still needed to eat...

Su Ziyang continued fetching water.

After Su Ziyang finished fetching water, he saw Qi Chu holding Bones and muttering something, while Fairy Li and Mr. Mengfei watched from the side.

"Alright, Bones. You're really lucky. I've carried this medicine with me every time I go into the mountains for ten years. You're the first person to use this medicine, oh no, it's the dog..."

Qi Chu was applying medicine to the Bones using a small porcelain bottle.

The porcelain bottle contained powdered medicine. Qi Chu mixed it with saliva in his palm and then spat it onto the Bones's claw.

This medicine really works! Just now, Bones's claws couldn't even put much weight on them, but after applying the medicine, Su Ziyang found that Bones's claws could already walk.

"What kind of medicine is so miraculous?"

Su Ziyang asked curiously.

"A medicine specifically for treating Shegong. It's better to have this on hand than not. In fact, from my youth until now, I've never seen anyone get hit by Shegong."

Qi Chu handed the small porcelain bottle to Su Ziyang.

"Those who are affected by the Shegong' generally exhibit two symptoms: one is fever that comes and goes, similar to malaria; the other is red spots that appear on the Bones and then turn into sores."

"This powdered medicine is made from the roots of Cimicifuga and Belamcanda chinensis, and is specifically used to treat these kinds of swollen and painful sores."

"What if it's another situation?"

When it comes to treating illnesses, Su Ziyang is always able to apply his knowledge to new situations.

Qi Chu pondered for a moment and said, "I've never seen a patient like that before, but I know how to treat it. Take a handful of chopped scallions, half a liter of fermented black beans, 15g of kudzu root, and 8g of cimicifuga rhizome, and decoct them in water. That will detoxify the body."

"Cimicifuga rhizome is a powerful antidote, so it's essential for treating these kinds of unexplained boils and carbuncles."