Chapter 66 – Scars Remain For A Lifetime
Zhu Que’s heart was filled with hate, but remembering her Master’s imprint, she only glanced at Hexi with gloomy and cold eyes, before flinging her sleeves and leaving.
It wasn’t until Zhu Que’s figure and scent had completely disappeared from the room, that Hexi finally couldn’t bear it any longer, vomiting out a mouthful of blood. Her already pale face lost even more colour, becoming paler.
She hadn’t expected that a martial artist of Gold Core stage only needed to casually move their hands, and they would be able to injure her to such a degree.
She really was too weak!
***
Hexi endured the pain all over her body and entered her space. The existence of her space and the real world was like a mirror, it’s the reason why when she eats in her space, she wouldn’t be hungry in reality.
Therefore, when her consciousness entered her space, she was still wearing a thin bloodstained nightdress, her complexion unsightly due to the heavy injury.
The rich spiritual energy in her space fused into her body, soothing the pain Hexi felt, helping her to relax a lot.
Although Dan Dan was in the Xumi Palace, it was still able to know all that happened in the space, so when Hexi returned injured, it suddenly started crying loudly, “Mother, are you in pain? Does it hurt? Dan Dan is useless, I can’t do anything to help mother.”
Hexi’s face held a helpless expression, yet her heart was somewhat touched, “Good Dan Dan, wait until you can come out, then you can help mother!”
“Um, when Dan Dan comes out, I will help mother beat that bad person! Whoever dares to bully mother, Dan Dan will make him humiliated!”
It’s soft and immature child voice was full of anger and hatred. So much so, that Hexi was able to imagine a child with its small fists tightly clenched and pouting cheeks, swearing an oath with an adorably angry appearance. The depressed feeling in her heart suddenly lessened.
She arrived at the edge of the Ninth Secluded Spirit Spring, drinking some of the spring water. The burning pain in her meridians disappeared in a flash, like cooling water across a burn, making her sigh in comfort.
When she recalled that Zhu Que had looked at her with disgust, as if she had been watching an ant, on top of her insulting words and actions, it made Hexi’s eyes glint with a sharp trace of killing intent.
Zhu Que was it? Very good! This debt, I will remember this. Inevitably, there will be a day where I will pay it back.
As for that small wound on Zhu Que’s face, Hexi sneered while touching her own cheek. That can remain as her having received an advanced payment.
In Zhu Que’s eyes, she was nothing but an ordinary person. Her face having received such a small wound was already enough to insult her, so she simply didn’t care about it.
However, what Zhu Que didn’t know, was that Hexi was known as “Bai Wuchang[1]”, the double poisonous doctor. In her previous life, her opponents had been afraid to come within ten meters of her, and that is because anytime, anywhere, there would always be extremely poisonous and incurable poisons in her hands.
And Zhu Que, if she discovered that the scars were unusual earlier, perhaps there would still be time to use spiritual power to tend to the poison, but if it’s too late...hehe, she should be prepared to live with the scars for a lifetime!
Although she was already very tired, Hexi still took out the spiritual plants she had bought today, proceeding to concoct all kinds of poisons.
There was anaesthesia, Blood Sealing Throat poison, and a large assortment of poisons that could either injure or kill a person. There were also poisons that could cause a person to be in so much pain, they would want to die...the confrontation with Zhu Que had made Hexi profoundly understand, that in this world, it was those with power that had the upper hand.
Before she was able to remove the seal on her dantian, she must have strategies in place to defend herself.
Suddenly, in her mind, there flashed an image of Nangong Yu’s handsome and outstanding appearance, his eyes luminous as they gazed towards her. Hexi narrowed her eyes, quickly dispersing this visual from her mind.
Once all the poisons were concocted properly, Hexi released a relieved breath.
Just as she was about to exit her space, she suddenly touched the bottle of medicine in the pocket of her nightdress. Opening the bottle’s lid, a strong and pure medicinal fragrance permeated the air. What Zhu Que had said was right, this is indeed a good medicine.
Chapter 67 – The Legendary Hell King
Hexi smelled it and disdainfully curled her lips, throwing the bottle towards Xumi Palace, “So arrogant and yet it’s only a second rate medicine, the quality not even achieving complete fusion. Dan Dan, I’ll give this to you to eat!”
Dan Dan happily swallowed the medicine, shouting frankly that it still wanted more.
This little guy, from head to tail and from top to bottom, really is an eater. Wanting to eat the sword and spirit tools, spiritual plants and magic pills, it also wants to eat properly cooked food. It eats so much, yet why doesn’t it show even the tiniest sign that it’s shell will crack, does it want to make her bankrupt?
Hexi helplessly came out from her space, secretly praying in her heart. She only wished that when Dan Dan hatched in the future, it wouldn’t be so spoiled, otherwise, she would become penniless.
***
Waking up the next day, Hexi happily discovered that the pain in her meridians and dantian had almost disappeared.
After hesitating for a while, she finally decided to go on time to meet Nangong Yu at Wan Feng tea house.
Although Zhu Que’s warning and attack yesterday had made her very unhappy, being able to advance her strength is more important.
However, just before she left, Hexi called Mo San to ask him about Hell King’s background.
Mo San’s face now looked lively, it was no longer in a state of panic like when he was controlled, his attitude towards Hexi more respectful, “Answering Master, His Highness, Hell King, can be said to be our Jin Ling country’s number one man. Regardless of whether it’s his strength or control, the power in his hand makes even Jin Ling’s royal family, and every influential family, not dare to rashly provoke him.”
“This subordinate once heard that he possessed amazing innate talent, becoming a Gold Core martial artist at the age of fifteen. At the time his core was formed, the Ninth Heaven’s Black Thunder appeared in the sky, shocking the entire Mi Luo Continent. Afterwards, because all the influential parties were afraid of his powerful innate talent, they at once sent the highest level martial artists to secretly kill him. But no one was able to injure the Hell King in the slightest, instead, they all died in his hands.”
Hexi frowned, her heart shocked by Nangong Yu’s powerful strength. He was just fifteen years old when he had reached Gold Core stage?
Mo San continued, “It is said that the Hell King’s outward appearance is handsome, just like a demon, surpassing the beauty of a woman, yet his temperament is extremely cold and mercilessly cruel when killing. Two years ago, the troops from Magical Beasts in the West of Gui Jin mountain range suddenly assembled, invading Jin Ling’s border in a large scale attack. The King of Jin Ling dispatched several tens of thousand elite troops to face the enemy, but their General was killed by Magical Beasts, then the whole army was destroyed. At that time, people in Jin Ling were panicking, thinking that the day people would starve and their country would fall to ruin had come. Though unexpectedly, the mere eighteen year old Hell King had suddenly led thousands of Metal Qilin troops to the Gui Jin mountain range, and with his strength, he killed the leader of Magical Beasts, then annihilated the troops from Magical Beasts.”
“Some people said that the war was extremely tragic, flesh and blood flying everywhere, people blown to pieces, until the soil on the battlefield on Gui Jin mountain range was soaked by blood, so that to this day, it’s still a reddish brown. If ordinary people near the battlefield, their seven apertures will shed blood because of the impact of the land. The title of his Highness, the King of Hell, was bestowed from the war, it means ‘King of the Underworld, ruling over the life and death of the human world, controlling the Six Paths of Reincarnation’.”
Hexi momentarily couldn’t calm down after hearing Mo san’s recounting.
Extremely cold temperament, mercilessly cruel when killing...ruling over the life and death of the human world, controlling the Six Paths of Reincarnation...but what appeared before her eyes was only a man with demonic charm and an annoying smiling expression. Were these two very different people really the same person?
***
Hexi ate breakfast, then seeing the time had reached Chen, she prepared to leave.
After just leaving the courtyard’s small path, under the mount cliff not far away, she could see two children squatting.
The boy looked to be around fifteen to sixteen years old, while the girl looked to be around seven to eight years old, both of them wearing shabby clothes.
Chapter 68 – The Brother And Sister Pair
With a glance, Hexi was able to recognise the two people as being the brother and sister pair that she had saved in front of Ji Sheng Hall yesterday. But compared to their miserable appearances of yesterday, with their hair neatly combed, revealing two washed clean faces, they now looked more neat and tidy.
Although the youth’s stature was thin, his eyebrows were like swords over starry eyes, while the little girl’s face was carved with powder, and combined with the jade coloured outfit she was wearing, it looked absolutely adorable. Together, they stood up when they saw Hexi approaching, two pairs of bright eyes looking at her earnestly.
The youth stepped forward, bowing gratefully, “Many thanks to Young Master’s kindness for saving me yesterday. My name is Wu Qi, this is my sister, Xiao Li.”
Today, the little girl’s face looked innocently refreshed, not a trace of yesterday’s sadness left. She bashfully hid behind the youth and timidly said, “Thank you for saving my Brother yesterday.”
However, Hexi immediately frowned while cautiously eyeing them, “How did you find me here?”
She was able to cast off those people from Ji Sheng Hall and Sheng De Hall when they were following her, even discovering Qing Long’s tracking of her. So how could she be found in front of her door by these two children?
The youth, Wu Qi, sensed her cautiousness, quickly pulling the little girl out from hiding behind his back, explaining, “Young Master, please don’t be suspicious, we don’t have any evil intentions and we didn’t really follow you. Due to my sister Xiao Li’s innate gift, she’s able to communicate with animals and she...she asked the insects and birds that were hiding in every corner of the city. With that, we were able to found you here.”
Hexi was shocked. She hadn’t expected that there was a person who was able to communicate with animals in this world.
Her gaze fell on the brother and sister, seeing the little girl named Xiao Li’s blushing face. With her somewhat afraid look, it couldn’t conceal the gratefulness and fondness in her eyes as she stared at Hexi.
Hexi understood the thoughts of an innocent person more than anyone, that treasuring a jade ring would become a crime, getting a person into trouble on account of a cherished item. A person’s talent will arouse the envy of others. This youth, without even the slightest hesitation, had just revealed their secret. Was it just to eliminate her suspicions towards them?
As if understanding the direction of Hexi’s thoughts, Wu Qi quickly said, “I hope Young Master can take Xiao Li under you care, to ensure that her life is safe and sound.”
Xiao Li’s ability was certainly very powerful. She was able to communicate with fish, birds, beasts, and all animals in the ground. For assassins, using the information to spy and investigate, it was simply a perfect weapon.
However, a pie doesn’t just fall from the sky. Hexi didn’t believe that she would gain a huge benefit just like that, without the need to take responsibility.
Remaining calm and collected, she asked, “You can see that I’m merely an insignificant ordinary person without a cultivation base. Considering that my martial power isn’t equal to yours, how can you think that I would be able to protect your sister? Besides, why should I help you two?”
She’d saved this youth just because she had recalled the suffering in her past. While the most important reason was that she had wanted to understand medical treatments and the level of medical skills in this world, not out of any sort of compassion. Hexi didn’t need other people’s gratitude.
Wu Qi startled, staring blankly when he heard what was said. However, not the slightest trace of disappointment or anger appeared on his face, instead, he suddenly knelt on the ground, “Young Master, I, Wu Qi, is willing to vow with my own blood. I will settle all accounts with my family’s enemy, then, when I come back, I will recognise you as my Master and serve you. From now on, Xiao Li and I will only obey Young Master’s orders.”
Hexi raised her eyebrows, “You want to become my slaves?”
“No!” Wu Qi quickly shook his head, “We want to be Young Master’s servants, not slaves.”
In Mi Luo continent, a slave can’t have independent thoughts, they’re also unable to cultivate to advance their levels, it can be said that their existence is the lowest of the low. As for a servant, although nearly the same, they have a Master and servant relationship. They are perfectly happy and most willing to serve their Master, just like Qing Long and Nangong Yu.
Chapter 69 – To Devote One’s Life
Saying that, Wu Qi took out two dark green transparent tablets with faint streaks of dark red jade, handing them over to Hexi, “These are my and Xiao Li’s Life Jade Tablets, they’re refined from our blood. If the jade tablets are broken, we will be overcome with great sorrow, then finally die.”
Hexi took the jade tablets, her fingers lightly touching the warm surface. After her divine senses had slightly examined them, she believed the youth’s words.
These jade tablets stored extraordinary spiritual power inside, and she could faintly sense auras similar to the two children.
However, Hexi’s heart still had doubts, “Why did you find me? With Xiao Li’s extraordinary ability, this world would have plenty of people willing to offer shelter to you. I don’t have any defensive abilities, so why should you find me?”
“In this world, many greedy people want to take advantage of us, even stripping us to the bone to obtain our benefits.”
Wu Qi revealed a ridiculing bitter smile on his face, immediately after he raised his head and looked towards Hexi, his gaze shining, “Xiao Li said Young Master is a good person, I would like to believe in Xiao Li’s judgement.”
Hexi fiddled with the jade tablets in her hand while sneering, “Oh, a good person? This is the first time I’ve heard someone evaluate me that way, is it because I saved you?”
Xiao Li, who had still been hiding behind Wu Qi, timidly peeked her head out, her voice like a mosquito’s, “You are a good person, the animals in the ground and little birds have told Xiao Li. Moreover, Brother has said, for the kindness of saving a life, one must devote one’s life. Therefore, Xiao Li and Brother want to follow you.”
When Wu Qi heard that, his face turned red, embarrassedly saying, “Xiao Li, don’t speak randomly, to devote one’s life isn’t used like that.”
Xiao Li blinked in confusion, her glass-like coloured eyes fixedly staring at her Brother, before switching to look at Hexi.
Hexi put the jade tablets away, lightly laughing, “Since it’s like this, then you two can stay. However, I’ll tell you now, if you follow at my side, you need to be completely loyal and keep anything you hear to yourselves. For every day that I’m alive, I’ll certainly protect you. But if you dare to betray and scheme against me, humph, I dare to guarantee that you would suffer to where it would feel like having your heart pierced by thousands of arrows.”
Hexi’s words made Xiao Li jump with shock, so she hid behind Wu Qi’s back again in fear.
However, Wu Qi sighed in relief. This kind of fondness and hate was clearly a promise and a warning that made him feel relieved; relief at handing over the Life Jade Tablets, relief at vowing their loyalty and devotion, and relief at entrusting his sister.
Wu Qi dragged Xiao Li to Hexi’s side, gently stroking her head. His eyes exposed his sadness and a strong reluctance to part, his voice heavy, “Good Xiao Li, you must listen to Young Master’s words, do you know that? Brother will soon come back to find you.”
“Brother—!” Xiao Li pulled at Wu Qi’s sleeve, tears streaming down her face, her eyes filled with unwillingness.
She knew her Brother had to leave her to do something dangerous, but she didn’t know if her Brother would able to return safely, so she was extremely reluctant and sad! However, she knew that the thing her Brother wanted to do, he would certainly accomplish it. She shouldn’t be crying, otherwise it would make her Brother sad too.
Xiao Li tightly clutched Wu Qi’s sleeve while crying, “Brother, Xiao Li will be obedient. I’ll wait for Brother to return, so Brother, you must come back soon!”
When Wu Qi finally walked away, Xiao Li wiped her tears, but new tears fell straight away.
Hexi, who was standing on the side, looked at the sky. The agreed time for meeting with Nangong Yu was approaching, so she finally sighed and walked forward to place a hand on Xiao Li’s small head, “Why do you have to cry? It’s not like you two will be separated forever, your brother is very powerful, he will certainly come back.”
Chapter 70 – You’re Not Allowed To Call Me Your Highness, Hell King
After this youth called Wu Qi had recovered from his injury, Hexi had examined him but was completely unable to detect his cultivation base. She could only say that his strength was definitely stronger than her own, moreover, it wasn’t just stronger by a little.
Xiao Li felt Hexi’s gentle caress and a surge of emotion rose within her heart, so she turned around to hug Hexi, crying, “Xiao Li doesn’t want brother to die, wuwuwu...”
Hexi helplessly said, “Alright, alright, I’ll promise you, as long as your brother returns, if he’s sustained any heavy injuries, I will cure him. If it’s like this you feel more assured, right?”
Xiao Li cried again, wiped her nose and tears on Hexi, then under Hexi’s comfort, ceased her crying.
Hexi told her to go to the courtyard to find Wet Nurse Chen, then hurriedly headed towards Wan Feng tea house.
She was just about to use her Qing Gong to quickly depart, when suddenly, from behind Hexi, she heard Xiao Li’s childish voice, hoarse from crying too long, “I knew Big Sister was a good person, Xiao Li likes Big Sister the most!”
Hexi’s foot stumbled, causing her to nearly fall to the ground.
To be able to communicate with animals and so on, it’s good to use it against an enemy, but to use it on her, that’s too troublesome! She wouldn’t have any privacy!
***
Hexi arrived at Wan Feng tea house in a hurry, where Nangong Yu was already waiting.
Seeing the picturesque appearance of a youth dressed in white clothes and a fur coat slowly walk over, Nangong Yu’s originally indifferent eyes suddenly shone bright. Even the corner of his mouth lifted into a slight smile.
Qing Long, who stood on the side, had followed Nangong Yu for many years, he could clearly sense that his Master’s mood was very good today.
As he snuck a peek at the jade crest that bound the youth’s hair, Qing Long felt his mouth twitch, breaking his cold and indifferent expression.
Master’s attitude towards this boy was very good, he had been waiting impatiently in the tea house since early in the morning, and before going out, he had even changed his clothes several times. This is no way resembled the behaviour of one going out to meet an ordinary youth lacking cultivation, this was just like he was going out to meet his beloved person.
When Hexi saw Nangong Yu, she felt herself become absent-minded in an instant.
That man, amongst the youths, possessed a handsome face that could turn all people upside down. At this moment, he was dressed in a dark purple brocade robe embroidered with a line of silver. Attached to his waist he wore a ring of tassels, and a jade crown sat upon his head, containing his fine black hair, exposing his exquisite facial features and the smiling expression in his eyes.
The faint morning light shone down on him, and the man’s eyes looked straight at her. The light in his eyes was luminous, as if they reflected the world and all living things, however, as it happened, it was only to her that he showed this expression.
Hexi’s heart slammed against her chest, almost completely absorbed in that focused gaze.
But the next moment, she recalled Zhu Que’s warning. Remembering that she felt that it was beneath her dignity last night, she felt a slight throb in her heart, very quickly replacing her expression with a cold stare.
A trusted servant’s attitude was sometimes a reflection of their Master’s mind.
This man before her eyes was the outstanding and famous King of Hell, the talented genius who formed a Gold Core at just fifteen years old. How could he care about her, the kind of trash that didn’t know whether she would be able to cultivate or not.
Hexi retained the expression on her face, and taking several steps forward said, “Your Highness, Hell King, I’ve arrived. May I ask now how I can remove the seal on my dantian?”
Nangong Yu’s face suddenly sank, the smiling expression in his eyes disappearing as his body released a sharp burst of power pressure, “I’ve already said that you’re not allowed to call me Your Highness, Hell King, again.”
Hexi jolted from the invisible power pressure, her face paling. No matter how hard she thought about it, she still couldn’t figure it out. How could he become so displeased just because of an address?
However, a wise man knows better than to fight when the odds are against him, so she immediately corrected herself, “Nangong Yu...a...a moment ago, I was wrong.”