Chapter 52

This nap seemed to last for an unknown duration, until the sudden clamor and commotion outside roused Yang Shouwen from his slumber.

"Xizi, come quickly."

As soon as Yang Shouwen sat up, he heard Lady Song's cries. His heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly got off the meditation bed and rushed to the door.

Under the porch of the gatehouse, Yang Qingnu lay on the ground, while Youniang wailed. Lady Song and Lady Yang appeared at a loss.

In Yang Molili's hand was a gray, dead venomous snake.

Yang Shouwen was startled and quickly ran over to Yang Qingnu's side.

"What happened?"

"Earlier, Sister Qingnu said she would help Yang Molili clean the courtyard, but she was accidentally bitten by a snake," Youniang sobbed, clearly frightened.

Yang Shouwen didn't hesitate. He lifted the hem of Qingnu's skirt and saw a prominent bite mark on her ankle.

"Aunt, get a torch."

Lady Yang quickly responded, running to the kitchen to fetch a burning piece of wood.

Yang Shouwen took out a dagger, heated it over the fire, and then pressed it against Qingnu's wound. The blade slid in, and a stream of foul-smelling black blood flowed out. He continuously squeezed the wound to expel the venom, then knelt down and used his mouth to suck out the venom, spitting it on the ground. Fortunately, he had learned how to treat snakebites in his previous life, and the snake's venom didn't seem to be very potent. Soon, fresh red blood began to flow from the wound.

Yang Shouwen rinsed his mouth, returned to the room, and took out a bottle of ointment from his leather pouch.

The ointment was made by Tian Cunzheng. Many people in the village relied on Hu Valley Mountain for their livelihood, and with venomous insects and snakes around, it was inevitable that someone would get bitten. To ensure everyone's safety, Tian Cunzheng had specially prepared some ointments. As long as the poisoning wasn't severe and the treatment was timely, there would be no danger.

He applied the ointment to Qingnu's wound, and seeing her slightly swollen leg, he let out a sigh of relief.

"Don't worry, Mother. The snake venom has been extracted, and with Tian Cunzheng's ointment, Qingnu will be fine."

At this moment, Lady Song, who was usually calm and composed, was in tears. Hearing Yang Shouwen's words, she finally relaxed and held his hand, repeatedly thanking him.

"Don't be so formal, Mother. I'll stay here with Qingnu. You all go and take care of your tasks."

Qingnu lay in Yang Shouwen's arms, mumbling incoherently.

Yang Shouwen held her in his arms and sat down on the porch.

"Yang Molili, check the courtyard again to see if there are any other snakes."

In theory, after autumn, snakes and insects retreat into the mountains and become less active. Qingnu was just unlucky to be bitten by a venomous snake.

This incident cast a somber mood over the Zen temple. Lady Yang and Lady Song were distracted and cautious. Helplessly, Yang Shouwen had to ask Yang Molili to check again to prevent any further accidents.

"Big Brother, don't kill me!"

Qingnu suddenly shouted, her small hands tightly gripping Yang Shouwen's robe. "I know I was wrong. I won't be naughty again. Big Brother, don't kill me."

Yang Shouwen's heart ached, and he instinctively hugged Qingnu tighter.

He suddenly realized how much the incident from the other day had affected her.

Despite her seemingly normal behavior the previous night, she still harbored a deep fear of him.

She's just a child!

Yang Shouwen felt a pang of guilt and gently stroked Qingnu's cheek.

"Xizi, will Sister Qingnu be okay?"

"Of course, she will be."

"Okay, I'll wait for Sister Qingnu to wake up. We promised to go see the scenery behind the temple."

Youniang sat down next to Yang Shouwen, while Wukong and Bajie ran over, circling around the three of them before lying down beside them.

Fortunately, the snake's venom wasn't strong, and Qingnu's poisoning wasn't severe.

In the afternoon, she woke up, ate some porridge, and then fell asleep again. Even in her sleep, she clung to Yang Shouwen's clothes, refusing to let go. Lady Song tried to carry Qingnu away but was stopped by Yang Shouwen.

"It's fine. Holding her like this will help her sleep better."

Hearing this, Lady Song's mood brightened. She could sense that after this incident, Yang Shouwen had become more caring towards Qingnu.

In the afternoon, Lady Yang went down the mountain again.

When she returned, she brought several porters with her, along with a variety of fruits, vegetables, and some alcohol. She also brought up all the Qingping Tiao that Yang Shouwen had brewed.

For the next few days, they wouldn't need to go down the mountain, as they would wait on the mountain. In two days, it would be the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Night fell again.

Yang Molili and Bodhi patrolled the Zen temple, ensuring there was no danger before returning to their room.

Yang Shouwen, holding Qingnu, sat on the porch with Youniang. Qingnu's complexion had improved, though her face was still pale, a hint of color had returned. She clung to Yang Shouwen, asking him to continue the story.

Yang Shouwen then recounted the story of Gao Laozhuang and Liu Shahe, all the way to Huang Feng Ridge.

"Big Brother."

"Hmm?"

"Look at that tree."

Yang Shouwen, tired from storytelling, chatted with Youniang and Qingnu.

Qingnu suddenly pointed ahead. "Look at that tree. It looks like an old man with long eyebrows."

Following Qingnu's finger, Yang Shouwen saw an ancient tree in a corner of the temple. With autumn's arrival, most of the leaves had fallen. The bare branches swayed gently in the night breeze, making a faint rustling sound.

An old man with long eyebrows?

Yang Shouwen was taken aback and stared at the tree.

This was the tree where the assassin had hidden and attacked him with a bow and arrow. It had been only a short time, yet most of the leaves had already fallen. Yang Shouwen squinted, staring at the tree for a long time, deep in thought.

A long-browed arhat?

He shivered and helped Qingnu sit up.

"Youniang, take care of Qingnu."

"Big Brother, what are you going to do?"

Qingnu, who had shown an unparalleled dependence on Yang Shouwen after waking up from her injury, clung to his clothes, her face showing a pitiful expression.

Yang Shouwen smiled and patted her head.

"I'll be right back... Sit here obediently, and we'll finish the story of Huang Feng Ridge, then go to sleep."

"Okay."

Qingnu nodded and let go of his clothes.

"Xizi, do you want to help?"

"No, just take care of Qingnu."

Yang Shouwen patted Youniang and then jumped down from the porch, quickly walking to the large tree.

The tree trunk was thick, requiring two people to encircle it. It was estimated to have lived for many years, thriving with the essence of heaven and earth.

Yang Shouwen circled the tree a few times and then squatted down.

He noticed a small hole at the base of the tree, its origin unknown. Due to the surrounding weeds, it was hard to spot unless one looked closely. The hole was small, just large enough for Yang Shouwen's fist to fit inside.

"Youniang, get a torch."

"Okay."

Youniang nodded, helped Qingnu lean against the porch pillar, and ran to the kitchen. She soon returned with a torch. Yang Shouwen took the torch and slowly approached the tree hole. Inside, something seemed to be placed there. He took out his dagger, prodded a few times, and, after confirming there was no danger, reached inside.

The tree hole was not deep but a bit damp.

Yang Shouwen felt he had grabbed something and then pulled his hand out.

"Huh?"

Youniang, seeing the item in Yang Shouwen's hand, was surprised. "Xizi, what's in there? What is it?"

It was a small oil paper package, seemingly containing something.

Yang Shouwen weighed it in his hand and nodded to Youniang, who immediately covered her mouth and nodded vigorously.

Don't make a fuss!

The默契 between Yang Shouwen and Youniang didn't need words.

He placed the oil paper package in his leather pouch, held the torch, and led Youniang back to the porch.

"Big Brother, what were you looking for?"

Qingnu didn't see what Yang Shouwen was doing under the tree, as he was blocked by the tree trunk from her view.

Yang Shouwen inserted the torch into a hole in the porch pillar and held Qingnu in his arms.

"Nothing, let's continue the story..."