I honestly cant think of any possibility for him still being alive, Miao Qingfeng said. As he had just said, be it those terrible toxins or falling from such a high place, those were all roads that led to death without a second possibility.

He should have died, but he wasnt ready for that.

The chief must be very angry about this, Miao Qingfeng said. I think hes already working out a way. Shall we wait for the news here?

In the mountain villages thousands of miles away, the weather was much colder after the heavy snowfall. It was the coldest time of the year after the winter solstice

Now that the weather had turned cold, people were unwilling to leave their homes. So, there werent many people in the clinic. For example, on this day, only one person had come in the morning. She was from the village. She had a cold. Wang Yao prescribed some medicine to relieve the cold. No one else came.

Well, I can close early today.

He had wanted to close shop early, but an old woman with a child on her back came in the afternoon.

Auntie, what can I do for you on such a cold day? Wang Yao asked.

This was the little girl who had recently come to the village. She had been scalded by boiling water. Wang Yao had given her some medicine, which was a diluted version of Muscle Revitalization powder.

Well, Im just still worried about her, the woman said. Please take another look at Nini.

She was a little out of breath when she spoke. She had walked a long way with the child on her back, she was tired.

OK, Ill take a look at her again, Wang Yao replied.

After taking off the gauze on the girls arm, he saw that her arm was almost recovered. There were no blisters or swelling.

Does it still hurt? Wang Yao pressed on it a little.

It doesnt hurt at all, Nini replied.

Alright, its fine, Wang Yao said.

Is it really alright? the old woman asked.

Well, Auntie, you can see that as well, Wang Yao said with a smile.

Im just still a little worried, the old woman said. When she had undone the gauze at home, she knew that her granddaughters arm should have been fine. Although there was no problem, she was still a little uneasy. She decided to return to the clinic with her granddaughter on her back. In this cold weather, both the old woman and the child were freezing.

Thank you.

Youre welcome, Auntie, Wang Yao said. You should pay more attention to your body as well. Do you feel as if your chest has been a little stuffy the past few days?

Well, a little. When one gets older, these minor problems start appearing.

You dont drink much water normally, do you? Wang Yao asked.

Well, I do drink water but not much.

Its good for your health to drink more water if you have nothing to do at home, Wang Yao said.

The old womans heartbeat was not very regular, and her breathing was not in sync with a normal rhythm. Her breathing was not very smooth. Upon looking at her face again, her complexion was a little pale. The old womans heart was not good. To be exact, the meridians in her body were somewhat blocked, and her blood flow was not smooth.

Why dont you prescribe some medicine for me? the old woman suggested.

Alright, Wang Yao said.

Please take a seat. Ill be just a moment.

Wang Yao went to the medicine cabinet to prepare her medicine.

Ephedra, angelica, pseudo ginseng, Chinese peony

The prescription was made on the spot. The medicine Wang Yao gave her was mainly to dredge and clear her meridians. There were also two herbs that consolidated the corporeality. After all, the old woman was getting on in years. At her age, she needed to be supplemented properly.

Here are six doses of medicine, one for each day. Take them six days in a row and come back, Wang Yao instructed.

Oh um, Xiao Yao, when I came here, I forgot to bring money, the old woman said as she patted her pocket.

No worries, another day will do.

Alright, thank you so much.

The old woman took the medicine and left the clinic with her granddaughter on her back. The wind was still quite strong outside. It was very chilly.

Auntie, please walk slowly and safely, and try not to come out in such weather in the future, Wang Yao called out behind her.

In winter, many old people were prone to diseases, mainly cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. When the weather was chilly and one had come from a relatively warm place to a cold environment, the temperature change would be too drastic. The human body needed to adjust. Such adjustments might make people who were not very healthy physically develop diseases. That was why some old people who got sick in winter easily died.

Winter storage meant that people should keep things and themselves inside during winter.

Whoosh The wind seemed to be getting stronger.

Oh, its quite windy. Jia Zizai and Hu Mei left the courtyard in the evening. They soon arrived at Dongshan Mountain.

It was true that the wind on the mountain was stronger than that below the mountain, but it was not as cold, which was due to its proximity to Nanshan Hill.

I heard from Senior that there are battle arrays on Nanshan Hill, Jia Zizai said. Apart from the forest array at the foot of the mountain, there are two arrays on the mountain to prevent outsiders from entering.

Why did you suddenly think of that? Hu Mei asked.

Since Sir knows so many things at such a young age, who did he learn them from? Have you ever wondered that since who our grandmaster is? Jia Zizai asked.

Hasnt Sir already said that we are pharmacists? Hu Mei replied.

Jia Zizai had once asked what category they belonged in. At that time, Wang Yaos answer had been a pharmacist.

I understand that a pharmacist is a person who can heal people and rescue the dying, Jia Zizai said. I know that bit, but a pharmacist that has mastered kung fu and battle arrays isnt normal, is it?

Do you know why your progress is not as fast as that of me or Senior? Hu Mei asked in reply.

Why?

You think too much, Hu Mei said.

In addition to reading scriptures every day, all Senior ever does is meditate and practice on this mountain. As for me, I just indulge in reading, practicing, and cooking daily. It makes life purer, and we dont think too much. You always think about this and that. You have too many thoughts, and they are messy, which delays practice.

Its just because Im curious.

Alright, lets start.

The two of them sat on each side of a rock. They closed their eyes and focused. They began to guide their Qi and cultivate, letting the cold wind whistle and scrape past them.

Tsss Huuu

Except for the wind, it seemed only their light breathing existed in the world.

After a while, another man appeared.

Has it already begun? Seeing the two of them sitting upright in the cold wind, Zhong Liuchuan gently went to another place to sit down.

Their practice would not be hindered by rain or wind.

In the Valley of Thousands of Medicine, thousands of miles away

Changshun, keep an eye on matters in the valley, Miao Xihe said. If you need anything from outside, please contact Qingfeng in time. I will leave for three days. There cant be any trouble during those three days.

I got it, Master.

Alright, Im leaving.

Miao Xihe left the stockade. He entered the jungle.

A day later, nearly a thousand miles away in a forest village

Wu San, long time no see!

Miao Xihe? What a rare guest! I didnt expect you to come out.

Miao Xihe, the chief of the Valley of Thousands of Medicine, had gone to the residence of the Miajiang King of Medicine, Wu San.

The two people knew each other.

Have some tea. Wu San poured a cup of tea for him.

Thank you.

Youre still so busy. I see a lot of people waiting outside, Miao Xihe remarked.

Im used to it, Wu San said.

You havent changed at all in the past 20 years since weve parted ways, he said. You are indeed the genius of the Valley of Thousands of Medicine!

Ha-ha, you havent changed much either, Miao Xihe said. When the old chief asked you to stay, you didnt want to. You wanted to come out and show your ambition. What happened?

Its filthy outside. With your character, you can hide here and still detest the world and its ways, right? Miao Xihe took a sip of tea.

Alright, cut the formalities, Wu San said. What can I do for you?

He knew and understood the person in front of him. In terms of medicine, poisons, and insects, he was a master of all three amazing talents. Back then, his master had praised him as the best in the Valley of Thousands of Medicine in 150 years. That evaluation was extraordinarily prestigious.

Take a look at this. Miao Xihe took out a small bag and tossed it to Wu San.

Wu San caught it. He gave it a shake before gently opening it.

Seeing his action, Miao Xihe asked with a smile, Ha-ha, what are you afraid of? Do you think I would poison you or release insects on you?

Well, when I was in the valley, I experienced enough of your teasing, so Im still wary, Wu San replied.

This is?! He was stunned when he saw what was inside.

Blood Orchids!

He saw a few blossoms of blood-red Blood Orchids frozen in a box.

Yes, Blood Orchids, Miao Xihe said.

I did not expect it to exist in real life! Are all of Masters notes true?

At least the Blood Orchid is true, Miao Xihe said.

It dispels diseases, eliminates disasters, and aids in prolonging life. It was one of the Six Holy Medicinal Herbs of Miaojiang. Wu San looked at the flowers with great emotion.

You didnt bring such a good thing to share with me, did you?

Of course not. I have something to ask of you.

You have something to ask of me? Wu San was surprised. Are you kidding me?

Ive been in the valley for more than 20 years, and Ive never been out, Miao Xihe said. Do you think Ive come such a long distance to chat and joke with you?

Tell me, what is it?

Look at me.

Look? Wu San was stunned, but he immediately understood. He carefully looked at him.

Can I let out some blood?

Yes.

Miao Xihe cut his wrist and let out a small amount of blood into a bowl. The color of his blood was not bright red. It was a dark red. It had a very special scent. It was not the sharp tang of blood but an unspeakable scent. After a while, the wound on his wrist made by the knife healed itself, leaving no trace behind.

Medicine seeps into the skin, bones, and muscles, making one invincible with copper skin and metal bones, Wu San murmured. He put out his finger and dipped it into a little blood. He placed his finger into his mouth.

Bah! He immediately spat it out. He rinsed his mouth with tea and repeated it several times.

Miao Xihe, oh Miao Xihe! There was a flash in his eyes.

I did not expect you to have reached this stage already!