Chapter 56

(56)

"Really, it's a stroke of luck!"

Nengsuomai, who had just finished her breathing exercise, let out an exclamation.

She checked the level of her internal energy in her dantian several times, but it was hard to believe.

"To catch up with my previous internal energy in just a month…"

As she was unable to hide her surprise, a shrill sound of a flute pierced her eardrums.

The sound was so loud that it would have disrupted her concentration if she had heard it during her practice.

Nengsuomai frowned as she stepped out of the cave and saw Chao Ailiang heading outside. Soon after, Fan Jiawei and Han Xuehua also appeared, their brows furrowed and their expressions clearly displeased.

Only Dan Aixian walked around the valley with a calm expression.

"What's all this commotion?"

In response to Fan Jiawei's question, Dan Aixian smiled and answered.

"The Chief is practicing the flute."

"Why suddenly?"

"He said he wanted to take up a hobby, so I recommended it to him."

"This is beyond the level of something we can listen to."

Nengsuomai nodded in strong agreement.

The melody was as violent and bizarre as a ghost's wailing.

It was a wonder how such sounds could come from a flute.

At this level, it could rival any sound attack.

Then, to make matters worse, he started humming a tune.

"The travelers do not look back. If they do, all traces are erased, and memories are like a maze. On the boat that advances into the world, the wind and waves surge. Therefore, travelers, even if you could not overcome evil, if you have obtained medicine and a heart, go to the painful world and suffer."

Unable to bear it any longer, Han Xuehua stuffed cotton in her ears.

The flute playing was bad enough, but his singing was equally terrible.

Finally, Fan Jiawei burst out.

"Can't you stop? Do you live here alone?"

His stern voice shook the air.

A moment later, Shiwuxin appeared with an embarrassed smile.

"Hehe, I'm sorry. I got carried away."

They say you can't spit on a smiling face, and that was exactly the situation.

With his apology, Fan Jiawei felt awkward.

At this moment, Chao Ailiang spoke up.

"Is that a quote from the Shan Hai Jing?"

Shiwuxin nodded.

"Yes. I added a tune to the last passage."

"Why the Shan Hai Jing? Isn't that a geographical book that compiles myths?"

"I found it by chance in the warehouse. It seems to have come with the supplies we bought at the market last time. As you know, the only books here are medical texts."

"True."

If he had made a song from the already rigid content of a medical text, it would have been even stranger.

"Anyway, do it in moderation."

"I will be careful."

As Shiwuxin whistled and walked away, Fan Jiawei grumbled.

"He's really become strange since he came back from the dead. What's so good that he's always grinning?"

In contrast, Nengsuomai looked up at the sky with a dazed expression.

It was a mere coincidence, but the passage from the Shan Hai Jing that Shiwuxin recited kept overlapping with her current situation.

'The travelers do not look back.'

Nengsuomai nodded to herself after repeating it several times.

Isn't life inherently like that?

"The Virtuous Woman and the Dark Woman always go together."

She recalled a passage from the Nirvana Sutra.

The Virtuous Woman brings wealth, health, and happiness, while the Dark Woman brings misfortune and disaster.

But they are always together.

Although she entered Xingma Valley due to a tragic event, it had turned into a blessing in disguise.

Chao Ailiang, who had been watching from a distance, frowned.

"Why is he like that? Is it a side effect of the internal energy cultivation?"

"It's unlikely."

Fan Jiawei firmly denied it but then tilted his head.

"Is there something wrong with this place? Why do they all become strange when they come here?"

"Didn't you and your sister used to be strange too?"

"Others I don't know, but I don't want to hear that from you, Brother Chao."

Seeing the two bickering as usual, Han Xuehua shook her head and turned away.

* * *

It had been two months since Nengsuomai arrived at Xingma Valley.

The seasons had changed, and the weather had become quite cool, allowing her to enjoy the autumn scenery of the valley.

Nengsuomai soon realized the reason for the busy atmosphere in Xingma Valley that morning.

'Ah, it's today, isn't it?'

It was the day Shiwuxin's trade caravan was setting out on its first journey.

A moment later, Shiwuxin, who had packed his bags, was saying goodbye to the others.

"Do you have to go yourself, Chief?"

Dan Aixian, who looked disappointed, made Shiwuxin smile slightly.

"Since it's the first trip, I have to."

A high-level expert was necessary to guard against any unforeseen dangers.

Moreover, no one was more familiar with the grassland routes than him.

"According to the letter, the young man I handed over is the successor of the Blood Cloud Sect. A tribe I have a close relationship with took him as a hostage and negotiated with the Blood Cloud Sect."

Thanks to this, the safety of some trade routes was secured, but one could never be too careful with the Blood Cloud Sect, as they might break their promises at any time.

"Please be careful. And don't forget to take this."

Since Shiwuxin was going on a long journey, Dan Aixian gave him a box of pills for emergencies.

"I'll use them sparingly."

Dan Aixian shook her head.

"Use them as needed. The pills can always be made again."

Shiwuxin smiled and nodded.

"I'll keep that in mind."

After saying goodbye to Chao Ailiang, Fan Jiawei, and Han Xuehua, Shiwuxin loaded his luggage onto a cart and left Xingma Valley.

Nengsuomai saw him off.

"Go on in."

"Brother…"

Nengsuomai looked at Shiwuxin with a wistful gaze.

It had only been two months.

A short time, but they had grown quite close and had become confidants.

Their closeness was natural, given that they were the only ones of similar age in Xingma Valley.

"Please return safely."

"Thank you. Take care of the Valley Master and the three seniors while I'm gone."

Then, as if remembering something, Shiwuxin added one more request.

"Check on the village from time to time and keep an eye on Yi's Hall."

"Don't worry. I'll take care of the pigeons you cherish as well as the kids."

"Hehe, thank you. I'll repay you when I return."

"Repay? I just want you to return safely."

"Then, thank you for your hard work."

After saying goodbye, Shiwuxin left.

Nengsuomai stayed until Shiwuxin was out of sight before returning to Xingma Valley.

However, she sensed a different atmosphere.

The three people surrounding Dan Aixian had unusually serious expressions.

"Let's start martial arts training today."

Chao Ailiang's words made Dan Aixian nod.

"Yes!"

It had been agreed upon long ago, so Dan Aixian nodded without hesitation.

Chao Ailiang and the other two stood in a formation around Dan Aixian to act as guardians.

Dan Aixian sat cross-legged, closed her eyes, and focused on the incantation.

Nengsuomai was puzzled.

"Didn't you say this was your first time practicing internal energy?"

There was no process of guiding the energy, and the incantation for internal energy was not even mentioned.

Even when Nengsuomai first learned the Weihua Divine Skill, Chao Ailiang and Fan Jiawei had taken turns helping her.

Fan Jiawei said bluntly.

"Dan Aiyuan created the Weihua Divine Skill. We played a role, but the person who understands it best is Dan Aiyuan."

Chao Ailiang nodded.

"Since she understands the meridians and qi channels, adding unnecessary advice would only increase her distractions."

"…!"

Nengsuomai looked at Dan Aixian in surprise.

At that moment, Dan Aixian opened her eyes and exclaimed.

"Ah! I almost forgot."

"What did you forget?"

Chao Ailiang asked, and Dan Aixian smiled sheepishly.

"I forgot something."

She ran to her pavilion and returned with something.

Nengsuomai realized it was a pill wrapped in wax.

Chao Ailiang looked puzzled as Dan Aixian peeled off the wax and put the pill in her mouth, and a fragrant aroma spread.

It was a familiar scent.

"Isn't that a health pill?"

Dan Aixian nodded with a smile.

"My father made it a long time ago."

"For the Divine Doctor?"

"Yes. In case I ever started practicing martial arts."

Surprise appeared in Chao Ailiang's eyes.

"He had already made arrangements."

"Yes. That's why it's special to me."

Saying this, Dan Aixian closed her eyes again and began her breathing exercise according to the incantation.

A cool stream of energy awakened in her dantian and began to move through her body.

At first, it was weak, but it gradually grew stronger as it absorbed the energy from the pill