When Su Changhe returned to Fushou Tower, the dishes on the table had been completely cleared away. Bai Hehuai, Xiao Chaoyan, and even Medicine King Xin Baicao had all fallen into a drunken stupor at the table. The second-floor waiter was clearing away plates to prepare for the next course. Su Zhe’s expression remained unchanged as he sat by the window, taking one drag after another from his pipe.
As Su Changhe took his seat again, Su Muyu asked softly, “What happened?”
Su Changhe smiled, “Just some rabble causing trouble while we were away.”
Su Muyu frowned slightly, “Was it Su Luandan?”
“That good-for-nothing!” Su Changhe cursed. “He doesn’t know his limits. My extended absence from Dark River was a test for him, but sadly, some people just can’t pass such trials.”
Su Muyu sighed lightly, “After we cure Hehuai’s illness with the Divine Physician tomorrow, I’ll return to Dark River with you.”
“No need. As I said, they’re just rabble – I alone am enough to handle it. After you finish your business in Nan’an City, you’ll have new matters to attend to,” Su Changhe waved his hand. “That matter… you’ll have to resolve it, though I don’t yet know how you’ll choose to do so.”
Su Muyu lowered his head and remained silent for a moment. “I won’t argue with you. As you say, you can easily handle such a rebellion.”
“But your matter won’t be so easily resolved. The Matchless City, though it’s lost its position as number one in the world to Snow Moon City, and even the one-man Mu Liang City doesn’t take it seriously anymore, is still the Matchless City. It has many elders whose strength approaches that of Sword Immortals, and the current sect leader Song Yanhui is just one step away from becoming a Sword Immortal – not an easy opponent to deal with.” Su Changhe turned to Su Zhe and asked, “Uncle Zhe, what do you think?”
Su Zhe exhaled a cloud of smoke and grinned, “I’m an outsider, better not to comment.”
Su Changhe gave a cold laugh and drank a cup of wine.
Su Zhe looked at Su Muyu and smiled slightly, “When I’m no longer an outsider in the future, I’ll give you some advice.”
“Hahaha!” Su Changhe laughed heartily. “Come, let us two outsiders drink to Uncle Zhe!”
By the time they left Fushou Tower, the sky was filled with stars. Su Muyu requested a carriage from the establishment and loaded Bai Hehuai, Xiao Chaoyan, and Xin Baicao into it. Su Zhe took the reins and headed first toward Crane Rain Medical Manor. Meanwhile, Su Changhe accompanied Su Muyu, walking side by side through the empty streets of nighttime Nan’an City.
“Our teacher once taught us that walking on streets like this at night was dangerous,” Su Changhe said pensively.
Su Muyu smiled, “Actually when you were all asleep, I often walked alone at night. The summer breeze is refreshing – I quite enjoy it.”
“I know,” Su Changhe shrugged.
They fell silent after that, slowly making their way toward Crane Rain Medical Manor. Su Changhe hummed an unfamiliar tune while Su Muyu took out a piece of osmanthus cake and ate it in small bites. By the time they reached the manor’s entrance, Su Changhe had finished his tune, and Su Muyu had finished her cake.
Su Muyu brushed the crumbs from her hands, “May your journey be smooth.”
Su Changhe stretched lazily, “It’s rare to have leisure time – might as well play the role of a swordsman.”
They both turned and returned to their respective rooms.
The next morning, when everyone gathered in the courtyard after waking, Su Changhe was nowhere to be seen. Bai Hehuai, holding a steamed bun, looked around and asked, “Where did our Master Su go so early?”
Su Muyu replied, “He had some urgent matters to attend to and has returned to Dark River.”
Bai Hehuai nodded thoughtfully, “I see. No wonder he suddenly became so agreeable yesterday – it was because he was leaving.”
Xin Baicao coughed lightly, “Senior Uncle, I have other patients to treat. Let me remove the poison from your body today. After checking on you tomorrow, if all is well, I’ll need to depart.”
Bai Hehuai’s face reddened slightly, “Chaoyan, prepare a large tub of hot water for me. Father, post a notice at the door that the manor is closed today.”
“Understood!” Xiao Chaoyan and Su Zhe quickly swallowed their food and hurried off to their tasks.
When Bai Hehuai turned around again, Su Muyu had already blindfolded himself with a black cloth.
Bai Hehuai and Xin Baicao exchanged glances, both amused and helpless, “There’s no need to be so hasty…”
Two hours later, Bai Hehuai sat in the wooden tub, completely unclothed, his body covered in silver needles. Xin Baicao stood beside him, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He said solemnly, “Senior Uncle, I will now insert thirteen needles simultaneously. You know the pain that awaits – please endure it.”
Bai Hehuai, lacking the strength to speak, merely nodded.
“Rise!” Xin Baicao waved his hand, and thirteen silver needles flew into the air. “Fall!” At his command, all thirteen needles struck Bai Hehuai’s neck and head simultaneously. Bai Hehuai let out a low cry, his brows furrowed tightly as he gritted his teeth in extreme pain.
“Young Master Su!” Xin Baicao exhaled softly, “Please strike with your palm.”
“I obey the Medicine King’s command!” Su Muyu, who had been waiting quietly nearby, slowly extended his hand and held it above Bai Hehuai’s head.
“This is the spot!” Xin Baicao shouted, “Now is the time!”
“Good!” Su Muyu struck without hesitation at Bai Hehuai’s Baihui acupoint. Bai Hehuai let out a roar that forced Su Muyu to step back, then slightly opened his mouth. Black smoke emerged, taking the form of a black worm in the air, maintaining a fierce appearance for a moment before dissipating. Bai Hehuai opened his eyes and yawned, “I’m tired.” With that, he fell asleep against the wooden tub.
Still blindfolded, Su Muyu asked Xin Baicao, “Medicine King, did everything go smoothly?”
Xin Baicao nodded, “Rest assured, all is well. If you don’t believe me, you can remove the blindfold and see for yourself.”
“Medicine King jests,” Su Muyu turned and walked out the door, removing his blindfold only after exiting. He said to Xiao Chaoyan, who was waiting outside, “The Divine Physician has fallen asleep. Go in and help him to bed.”
Xiao Chaoyan nodded and smiled, “I knew everything would be fine.”
Xin Baicao also came to the doorway at this time and looked at the sun in the sky, suddenly realizing that two full hours had passed. His stomach growled twice, and he laughed, “I’m hungry.”
Su Muyu’s eyes lit up, “Medicine King, would you like some stir-fried eggs with green peppers?”