An He Zhuan: Act Two – Chapter 1
Listening to rain through the night in a small tower,
Selling flowers in deep alleys come morning.
…
Jiuxiao City.
“‘Cutting down all injustice, ascending to the ninth heaven with you.’ So this is Jiuxiao City, where the Poet Swordsman made his name with one stroke?” Bai Hehuai lifted the carriage curtain, curiously examining the city.
Though centuries had passed since the Poet Swordsman’s reign, the city still preserved its reverence for that era of poetry, wine, and swordplay. Small sword shops dotted the streets, and flower-selling maidens wore delicate wooden sword ornaments at their waists, each carved with exquisite poems.
“North practices the sword, South wields the blade—this tradition began with the Poet Swordsman during the founding era,” the Grand Elder spoke like a grandfather telling stories to his granddaughter, his tone gentle. “Back then, of all the wandering warriors, nine-tenths wanted to be the Poet Swordsman, and the remaining tenth wanted to marry him.”
“I’ve heard this story too. Master told me all swordsmen dream of visiting Jiuxiao City in their youth, hoping to feel that poetic sword intent that split the ninth heaven, even centuries later,” Bai Hehuai looked up at the sky. “What kind of sword could split the ninth heaven?”
“Splitting the ninth heaven is just a legend. According to historical records, when the Poet Swordsman killed the Sword Demon with his final strike, the sword might scatter all clouds in the sky. After the Sword Demon died and the Poet Swordsman departed on his sword, Jiuxiao City saw ten straight days of heavy rain. For a northern city, ten days of rain was unprecedented, leading to claims that his sword had pierced the heavens—hence ‘splitting the ninth heaven,'” the Grand Elder explained.
Bai Hehuai nodded, then glanced at the Sleeping Dragon Sword beside the Grand Elder: “You’re a swordsman too, Grand Elder. Did you want to visit Jiuxiao City in your youth?”
The Grand Elder paused, then shook his head: “Common folk’s swords are swords, but Dark River’s swords are merely killing tools. Besides, I didn’t use a sword in my youth—I learned swordplay later.”
“Oh, what about Su Muyu?” Bai Hehuai asked. “Would he be interested in this legend?”
“His sword is also just a killing tool,” the Grand Elder said gravely.
“Stop looking around!” came a shout from outside as the driver pulled the curtain shut, blocking the view. Bai Hehuai pouted, returning to her seat: “That ugly ox holds such a grudge just because I called him ugly once.”
“Young Divine Physician, you mentioned finding a way to completely cure me. Might you share it now?” The Grand Elder’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Of course, of course. While I can temporarily suppress the Snow-Fallen Plum Blossom poison in your body, I’m only forcing it down with other medicines—fighting poison with poison, as they say. Though it prevents immediate death, it’s not a long-term solution.” Bai Hehuai took out a silver needle from her robe and gently inserted it into the Grand Elder’s wrist.
“Snow-Fallen Plum Blossom is called the world’s second strongest poison because only Master Tang Er knows its cure,” the Grand Elder said calmly.
“I’ve seen the Mirror Flower Moon created by the Wen Family Leader—that’s the world’s strangest poison, so potent even its creator can’t cure it. How can Snow-Fallen Plum Blossom compare?” Bai Hehuai withdrew the needle, and a faint plum fragrance filled the carriage.
The Grand Elder’s brow furrowed as something occurred to him: “Your surname is Bai…”
“I’m called Bai because my master was named Bai,” Bai Hehuai held up the needle, where the blood was milky white rather than red. “But you’ve guessed wrong, Grand Elder. I’m not surnamed Wen either. My mother was a Wen—she’s the sister of the current Wen Family’s young master, Wen Hujiu.”
“I see.” The Grand Elder nodded. “I didn’t expect the Young Divine Physician to be the Wen Family Leader’s granddaughter.”
“What? Feeling things are more complicated now? Finding it inconvenient to silence me?” Bai Hehuai raised an eyebrow.
“You jest.” The Grand Elder lifted his teacup for a sip.
“Indeed, I jest. Back to the poison—the Wen Family excels at both poisoning and curing. They have a Poison-Breaking Hall where extraordinary people study antidotes. These people are even more fanatical than the poisoners. When they encounter an incurable poison, they test it on themselves—cure it if they can, die if they can’t.” Bai Hehuai examined the needle closely. “They have a saying in Poison-Breaking Hall: only by truly experiencing a poison can you understand it, and only by understanding it can you counter it.”
“Testing poisons on oneself, getting poisoned before finding the cure—it has a ‘no madness, no life’ feel to it.” The Grand Elder set down his cup. “But I don’t understand why the Young Divine Physician would risk self-poisoning for mere silver notes?”
“Of course, I wouldn’t. I’m not foolish.” Bai Hehuai shrugged.
The Grand Elder fell silent, then smiled: “Surely the Young Divine Physician didn’t share all this just to mock me?”
“Grand Elder, you forget—I’m only half Wen Family, but I’m a full Medicine Valley disciple. Have you heard of Medicine Valley’s Soul Transfer technique?” Bai Hehuai smiled proudly.
“Soul Transfer?” The Sleeping Dragon Sword suddenly hummed. “The technique even Xin Baicao couldn’t master, you learned it?”
“That kid’s medical talent surpassed even Master’s, but his mind was too simple to learn Soul Transfer.” Bai Hehuai’s eyes flashed golden for an instant. “I’ve been cunning since childhood. Master said I was born for this technique. In all of Medicine Valley, I’m the only one who’s inherited it.”
“Soul Transfer—once used on someone, you share their senses and can even occupy their consciousness. Their past, their present thoughts, all consumed by the user,” the Grand Elder said softly. “When I first heard of this technique, I thought it wasn’t medicine but sorcery.”
“Indeed. We physicians typically treat bodily ailments, but Soul Transfer can treat illnesses of the mind,” Bai Hehuai put away the needle. “Though this time, I’ll use Soul Transfer to cure a physical poison. I can try not to look at what’s in your heart, Grand Elder.”
The Grand Elder pondered for a long while before speaking slowly: “If Soul Transfer is used, then my life…”
Bai Hehuai smiled, meeting the Grand Elder’s gaze: “Will be completely in my control. I could kill you whenever I wish!”
“Good! Hahaha!” The Grand Elder’s laughter boomed as Bai Hehuai maintained her composure, letting him laugh until the entire carriage shook. Finally, his laughter ceased, and in that instant, killing intent radiated from his body.
“I want to try it.”