Chapter 24

The Demon's Selection (24)

"Oops, I'm sorry."

Feng Jinsheng smiled and apologized, then reached out and grabbed the needle.

"I'll help too."

"Stop it! What are you doing?!"

Fan Jiewei showed strong resistance.

"How can I trust my body to someone treating the daughter of the Wulin Alliance leader?"

"There's no such thing as a proper way to treat a patient."

Dan Aoxian also supported Feng Jinsheng.

"You can trust him. He has been learning for much longer and has more experience than I do."

"Well, if Doctor Dan says so..."

With both of them moving simultaneously, the treatment progressed even faster. In the midst of this, Feng Jinsheng casually brought up a topic.

"Would you like to take a look, Palace Master?"

Understanding the meaning behind his words, Dan Aoxian's face showed a hint of awkwardness.

"It's interesting, but I can't leave here. I need to treat the uncles and aunts."

"Yes... I see."

Feng Jinsheng nodded.

"Xue Shuzun's condition also seems quite precarious."

"Yes. It has improved a lot, but there's still a long way to go. His meridians are just beginning to stabilize. If he were to force his inner energy, it could lead to..."

"An irreversible outcome."

"At that point, I would have no way to help."

"It should be fine. As long as he doesn't recklessly test his luck."

Feng Jinsheng smiled and joked.

"He has probably used up all his luck just by meeting you."

"Come to think of it, I was worrying unnecessarily. What use would there be for martial arts here? There's no enemy in sight."

Dan Aoxian and Feng Jinsheng looked at each other and laughed.

However, only Fan Jiewei couldn't laugh.

"Uncle, it's done. Just do a headstand for half an hour, and then take the decoction."

"Thank you, Doctor Dan."

As Fan Jiewei got off the bed, Dan Aoxian's eyes showed a hint of confusion. Fan Jiewei's eyes were moist as he headed out of the room.

"Is something bothering you?"

Fan Jiewei blinked a few times to wipe away his tears and weakly shook his head.

"No, nothing."

With that, Fan Jiewei headed out.

Just then, he met Chao Ailiang, who was also coming out of the room.

"Brother Chao, I'm sorry for what I've done."

Chao Ailiang's face showed deep suspicion at Fan Jiewei's sudden apology.

"What's this all about?"

"It's not a trick, it's genuine."

Chao Ailiang frowned.

"Why are you suddenly doing something you've never done before? And what's with that look in your eyes?"

"What's wrong with my look?"

"It's a look that makes me want to punch you."

At that, Fan Jiewei nodded and patted his chest.

"Alright. Give me a good punch. They say even the dead can fulfill a wish, so why can't a dying person?"

"Who's dying? Who?"

Looking at Fan Jiewei's steady gaze, Chao Ailiang's heart sank.

"Did Doctor Dan say you're dying?"

Confused, Chao Ailiang nodded at Fan Jiewei's question.

"Brother Chao, you'll die if you use your inner energy. But you used it when dealing with the Pasa Sect members last time."

Chao Ailiang finally calmed down.

"What are you talking about? That was just..."

Just then, Dan Aoxian's voice came from behind Fan Jiewei.

"Was that why you were feeling depressed?"

Dan Aoxian walked out of the room.

"Uncle Chao is fine. I checked his pulse last night."

"Huh? So he's not going to die?"

"Of course not. But there's something I don't know, isn't there?"

Dan Aoxian looked at Chao Ailiang.

"Did you use your inner energy without me knowing?"

Chao Ailiang and Fan Jiewei froze.

"Y-You..."

Growling, Chao Ailiang glared at Fan Jiewei, who fumbled for words.

"No, I didn't use any inner energy to deal with those guys. Right, Brother Chao?"

Fan Jiewei tried to brush it off, but it only raised more suspicion.

"Those guys? Who are they?"

"That, that was..."

Unable to explain, Fan Jiewei closed his eyes tightly.

"It's a secret!"

"A secret?"

"Yes! Everyone has one, don't they?"

"I don't have any secrets from the uncles and aunts..."

Dan Aoxian's voice sounded dejected, surprising Fan Jiewei.

"You have a secret from me."

"Doctor Dan, are you upset?"

"It's a secret."

Pouting, Dan Aoxian turned around, clearly upset.

"Doctor Dan, that's not what I meant..."

Flustered, Fan Jiewei turned to Chao Ailiang for help, as he was better at thinking.

"Brother Chao! Say something..."

Fan Jiewei couldn't continue.

Chao Ailiang, who had been standing in front of him a moment ago, was gone.

"What a coward!"

Fan Jiewei quickly followed Dan Aoxian.

"Doctor Dan, listen to me. Okay?"

But Dan Aoxian remained silent and disappeared into the hall.

"What should I do?"

Fan Jiewei paced outside the hall, restless.

Watching from a distance, Feng Jinsheng found the situation amusing.

* * *

That evening.

The savory smell of meat filled the Demon Valley.

A bonfire in the center of the valley, with deliciously roasting meat, drew people like moths to a flame.

"Whose meat is this? We should only eat what Doctor Dan allows."

In response to Chao Ailiang's question, Fan Jiewei, who was carefully roasting the meat, replied curtly.

"I'm not eating it. It's for Doctor Dan."

"Will that make her happy?"

"Does Doctor Dan only want to eat vegetables every day? She's just enduring it for us. Besides, smell this. Who could refuse this?"

Indeed, the smell of the meat Fan Jiewei was roasting was irresistible.

Chao Ailiang, who couldn't help but swallow, scolded him.

"Why didn't you catch a bigger one? Like a wild boar?"

Fan Jiewei snorted.

"What do you know? Look at this tender meat. This is the best time of year for rabbits."

"Is that so? Then let me help."

Chao Ailiang naturally took a seat by the bonfire and started roasting a skewer of rabbit meat.

"What are you doing? Trying to get a share now?"

Fan Jiewei's brow furrowed.

Before he could finish, Hansuelhua appeared and started roasting meat.

"These people! Don't touch it! It's all for Doctor Dan!"

Just then, Dan Aoxian's voice was heard.

"Don't be like that. We should all eat together. For health, we need to consume meat occasionally."

Dan Aoxian, walking alongside Feng Jinsheng, arrived at the bonfire.

Fan Jiewei quickly handed her a skewer.

Taking a bite, Dan Aoxian exclaimed.

"Wow! It's really delicious!"

"Right?"

Checking Dan Aoxian's reaction, Fan Jiewei asked cautiously.

"Are you not mad anymore?"

"Huh? I wasn't mad."

Fan Jiewei's face lit up. His hard work had paid off.

"Can we eat now?"

Feeling better, Fan Jiewei waved Chao Ailiang over.

Chao Ailiang, Hansuelhua, and Feng Jinsheng each took a skewer.

As they enjoyed their meal, Chao Ailiang noticed something.

Rabbit skins were being dried out.

"What are you going to do with these?"

Fan Jiewei answered.

"I'm going to make gloves for Doctor Dan."

"Can you make them?"

"That's for Brother Chao. You're good with your hands."

Chao Ailiang nodded.

"Sure. Consider it payment for the rabbit meat we ate."

Just then,

"Rabbits?"

Dan Aoxian asked, her voice trembling.

"The meat we're eating... is rabbit?"

Dan Aoxian walked over to the rabbit skins. Staring at them blankly, she looked at Fan Jiewei with a trembling gaze.

"Was one of these rabbits... missing half an ear?"

"Huh? How did you know, Doctor Dan?"

Thud.

Dan Aoxian dropped the skewer and hugged the rabbit skin.

"Ahh! Aso!"

Everyone was bewildered by Dan Aoxian's sudden outburst.

"Aso? Who's Aso?"

Dan Aoxian, sobbing, explained.

"A friend I met while gathering herbs. I treated him when he was injured, and we became close. He could understand me and all..."

Dan Aoxian's tears fell like pearls.

"I'm sorry, Aso. I ate you!"

"..."

Fan Jiewei was stunned.

At that moment, Chao Ailiang quietly put down his skewer and stood up, and Hansuelhua pretended to be busy and moved away from the bonfire.

* * *

Lying on the bed, Dan Aoxian couldn't sleep.

A vague thought had been circling in her mind all day, but she couldn't quite grasp it. As she slowly retraced her day, a sudden realization made her sit up.

The conversation with Feng Jinsheng came to mind.

"Cause and symptoms!"

Dan A