Chapter 3

The Demon's Hand (3)

"By the way..."

To change the subject, Chao Ailiang asked another question.

"Why don't your parents show up?"

No matter how skilled in medicine, Dan Aixian is still a child. Chao Ailiang found it strange that a child lived alone in this deep mountain.

He just hadn't had the chance to ask.

But Chao Ailiang immediately regretted it when he saw Dan Aixian's expression suddenly darken.

"They passed away."

"Oh! What happened..."

Chao Ailiang hastily swallowed his words.

He felt he had asked an unnecessary question. The bright and cheerful child was now completely immersed in sorrow.

Just seeing this made him feel guilty.

An awkward silence fell between the two.

After some time, Dan Aixian, who had been silently continuing the treatment, put the needles back in the box.

"Then I'll be off."

Dan Aixian stepped out of the cave.

Only after Dan Aixian completely disappeared from sight did Chao Ailiang let out a long sigh and blame himself.

"It's not just that I lack shame, but I also lack tact."

Tianxia Wujue Xueshuzun was deeply troubled by the young doctor's change in expression.

* * *

Dan Aixian passed through the market and entered an alley where old shops were clustered.

At the end of the alley was a shabby herbal shop.

This was a regular shop he had been trading with for a long time.

"Hello, Uncle."

Dan Aixian entered and greeted.

"Who's this?"

A middle-aged man, grinding herbs in a mortar, greeted Dan Aixian with a smile.

"Welcome, Doctor Dan."

"Are you well?"

"Hehe, thanks to you, I'm doing well. How have you been lately?"

The herbal shop owner treated Dan Aixian casually.

"Alright, I guess."

Dan Aixian took out the herbs he had brought and placed them on the table. The herbal shop owner nodded with a satisfied look.

"The ones you brought this time are all top-notch. Starting from this time, I'll give you a better price as promised."

"Thank you. Instead of money, can you give me herbs?"

The herbal shop owner's face showed a difficult expression as he took the paper Dan Aixian handed him.

"Realgar, orpiment, and musk?"

"Is it difficult?"

"Except for the others, musk is hard to get. Nowadays, musk is very expensive."

"Is it very expensive?"

"A few months ago, it was as valuable as gold of the same weight, but now it's even harder to get a whiff of it."

The herbal shop owner smiled wryly.

"How about using ox bile instead of musk? It might have a similar effect."

Dan Aixian shook his head.

"It won't meet the effect I want. Could you at least try to find some? I'll try to arrange the money somehow."

"Is that so? Alright, I'll look into it. Don't get your hopes up too high."

"Thank you."

"What are you thanking me for? I should be the one thanking you. Most of the precious herbs sold in my shop are brought by you..."

The herbal shop owner pointed to one side.

"Realgar and orpiment are over there. Go take a look. You'll choose them yourself anyway, right?"

"Yes!"

Dan Aixian cheerfully answered and approached the drawers where the herbs were stored.

The herbal shop owner smiled fondly as he watched.

"You always go there when you come."

"Yes. It reminds me of my parents."

Dan Aixian carefully examined the herbs and started picking the ones he needed.

At that moment.

People entered the herbal shop.

"Is this the village doctor?"

The herbal shop owner hesitated.

That was because the two people, including the one who asked the question, all carried swords.

He answered with a nervous face.

"I'm not a doctor, just a herbal shop. As you can see, it's a poor village..."

A man who had looked around the shop suddenly spoke.

"Have you seen any strangers recently?"

"Strangers?"

"Someone who might have serious injuries."

"No one like that has come here."

"Is that so? Then is there a doctor or clinic nearby?"

"About a clinic..."

The herbal shop owner inadvertently looked at Dan Aixian. The men's gazes naturally turned to Dan Aixian as well.

The herbal shop owner suddenly shouted.

"There he is again? Hey, kid! These are all for sale! They're not your toys!"

He realized his mistake too late.

The men's demeanor was far from ordinary.

Fortunately, his quick thinking seemed to work, and the men's interest in Dan Aixian subsided.

He was too young.

They probably saw him as just a neighborhood kid looking for something to play with.

The man looked back at the herbal shop owner.

"If you see any strangers or hear any related rumors, please contact the inn. I'll give you a good reward. But if you hide anything..."

The man left his words hanging.

Instead, the chilling aura he emitted made the herbal shop owner's face turn pale instantly.

"Remember, he is an unparalleled villain. Those who help him will be treated the same."

"Of course, I'll do as you say."

The herbal shop owner nodded, sweating coldly under the man's threat.

A short while later, the men left the herbal shop.

Watching them leave, Dan Aixian muttered.

"Those who mess with ordinary people are bad people."

To threaten someone who doesn't even practice martial arts so openly.

Indeed, it was a stark contrast to Chao Ailiang.

The owner spoke to Dan Aixian, who was gathering the herbs and standing up.

"Did you see that? The village atmosphere is tense these days, so be careful for a while."

"Thank you for your concern."

"No, no, it's nothing."

The herbal shop owner saw Dan Aixian to the door.

"Be extra careful. Don't get involved in unnecessary trouble."

After returning to the Demon's Hand, Dan Aixian immediately went to the cave where Chao Ailiang was staying.

After explaining what happened in the village, Dan Aixian asked.

"Are they looking for you?"

"Probably."

Chao Ailiang nodded.

"I won't be at ease until they confirm my body."

"Who are they?"

"Probably the Wu Lin Meng."

Chao Ailiang answered calmly.

"They declared a few months ago that they would capture and kill me and a few others."

They had declared the extermination of the Ten Great Evils of the martial world four months ago. It was an annual event, so he thought it would end with a superficial reason this time too, but it didn't.

Even the head of the Nahan Hall, the head of the Tang Family, and the elder of the Nangong Family were involved. He never thought they would mobilize all the core experts of the Wu Lin Meng to kill him.

"The others won't be safe either."

If even he, the leader of the Ten Great Evils and one of the Five Greats, was in this situation, what could he say about the others?

"My mother always said that martial artists never change."

Chao Ailiang looked at Dan Aixian, who sighed, with a guilty expression.

"Anyway, I've caused you trouble because of me."

Dan Aixian smiled and shook his head.

"Don't worry. It's hard to find this place. There's an array at the entrance."

"Are you saying you'll keep taking risks for me?"

"The treatment isn't finished yet. At least until you can move on your own, I need to treat you."

"Is there a specific reason for that?"

"Because no one else can treat you."

"Ah..."

Chao Ailiang nodded.

Indeed, that was true. Then, suddenly remembering something, Chao Ailiang looked at Dan Aixian.

"Can I bring one more person here?"

"Is that person a patient?"

A vague emotion appeared on Chao Ailiang's face.

"A patient, yes. If we judge by symptoms, he might be worse than me."

"What kind of symptoms?"

"He has a madness that makes him go crazy at the sight of blood."

Dan Aixian's eyes lit up.

"Is that so? It sounds like a very interesting case."

"Why are you so excited?"

"First, the symptoms are unique. I'd like to see it firsthand if possible."

"But there's a problem."

Dan Aixian, who was puzzled, saw Chao Ailiang with a troubled expression.

"He's also one of the Ten Great Evils."

"Like you?"

"He's different from me. In many ways..."

Dan Aixian answered nonchalantly.

"I don't mind, so bring him."

Chao Ailiang's expression brightened.

"Are you sure? If I bring him, the medicine will be taken care of. There are quite a few valuable items in his hideout."

"It's a win-win. But where will you go to find him?"

Chao Ailiang waved his hand.

"I'll bring him."

"But many people are looking for you?"

"I have to go. No one else can persuade him."

Chao Ailiang continued.

"Besides, I can't put you in more danger."

"Will you be okay?"

Chao Ailiang felt a tickle in his chest.

"Don't worry. I'll be back in ten days. But..."

Chao Ailiang, hesitating for a moment, opened his mouth with a troubled look.

"I should tell you in advance, he's a bit special, besides the madness."

"Are our parents the only special ones?"

Chao Ailiang burst out laughing at that.

"Haha. You're right. I was worried for nothing. I'll be back soon."

As soon as he finished speaking, Chao Ailiang stood up, and Dan Aixian held him back.

"Wait a moment."

Dan Aixian quickly went to his quarters and returned.

"Take this if you feel dizzy."

Chao Ailiang nodded, taking the medicine Dan Aixian handed him.

"Don't worry. Fortunately, his hideout isn't far from here, so I'll be back in ten days."

With that, Chao Ailiang immediately left the cave.

Even though he couldn't use his inner energy, the fact that he could walk on his own was a big improvement.

If he hadn't met Dan Aixian, even this would have been impossible.

After walking for a while and leaving the Demon's Hand, Chao Ailiang suddenly stopped and looked back.

In the distance.

He could see Dan Aixian still waving.

It was a warmth he hadn't felt in a long time.

On the fifth day after leaving the Demon's Hand.

Chao Ailiang was wandering deep in the mountains.

The valley, fitting its name Jian Dan Shan (Rapids Sword Mountain), was filled with sharp rocks that looked like inverted swords. Fierce rapids roared through the gaps, creating whirlpools everywhere.

A misstep could result in being swept away and torn to pieces.

"Huff."

Chao Ailiang took a deep breath.

If his inner energy had recovered, this wouldn't be a problem, but now his strength was no better than a commoner's.

Still, he couldn't afford to rest because it was only a matter of time before the Wu Lin Meng found this place. Fortunately, there were no signs of them approaching yet, but the eyes and ears of the Tianyi Sect, their information network, would soon find this place.

Chao Ailiang went deeper into the ravine.

After some time, the scenery changed.

Instead of the sharp rocks, a wide gravel field appeared.

A landscape artificially altered by immense power.

'His temper hasn't changed.'

Chao Ailiang sat on a flat rock that had been shattered. He opened the bottle of liquor he had brought. The pungent aroma of alcohol filled the valley on the wind.

Boom!

Soon, a heavy impact shook the ground, and a man fell beside the rock.

At the same time, a chilling sound tore through the air.

Swoosh.

"It's me."

Thud.

A massive object suddenly loomed in front of Chao Ailiang and stopped.