When Su Changhe returned to Fushou Tower, the food on the table had already been devoured. Bai Hehuai, Xiao Chaoyan, and even the Medicine King Xin Baicao were all slumped drunk across the table. The second round of dishes was being cleared by the waiter to make way for the next course. Su Zhe, however, remained unfazed, sitting by the window and puffing away at his pipe.
Seeing Su Changhe take his seat again, Su Muyu asked softly, "What happened?"
Su Changhe smiled. "Just some trash who thought they could cause trouble while we were away."
Su Muyu frowned slightly. "Su Luandan?"
"That bastard!" Su Changhe cursed. "He doesn’t know his own limits. My long absence from Dark River was a test for him. Sadly, some people just can’t pass such tests."
Su Muyu sighed. "After we cure Hehuai’s illness tomorrow with the Miracle Healer, I’ll return to Dark River with you."
"No need. Like I said, it’s just trash—I can handle it alone. Once you’re done with your business in Nan’an City, you’ll have new matters to attend to." Su Changhe waved his hand. "That issue you must resolve—though I don’t yet know how you’ll choose to handle it."
Su Muyu lowered his head in silence for a moment. "I won’t argue with you. As you say, such a rebellion is easily quelled by you."
"But your matter isn’t so easily resolved. Unparalleled City—even though its former status as the world’s foremost has been overtaken by Snow Moon City, and even Mu Liangcheng, the man who stands alone as a city, no longer regards it highly—it is still Unparalleled City. It has many elders whose strength approaches that of Sword Immortals, and its current leader, Song Yanhui, is just one step away from becoming a Sword Immortal himself. Not an easy opponent." Su Changhe turned to Su Zhe. "Uncle Zhe, what do you think?"
Su Zhe exhaled a thick cloud of smoke and grinned. "I’m an outsider. It’s not my place to speak."
Su Changhe smirked coldly and downed a cup of wine.
Su Zhe then looked at Su Muyu and smiled faintly. "When I’m no longer an outsider, I’ll give you some advice."
"Hahaha!" Su Changhe laughed heartily. "Come then, let us two outsiders toast Uncle Zhe."
By the time they left Fushou Tower, the sky was filled with stars. Su Muyu arranged for a carriage from the tower to transport Bai Hehuai, Xiao Chaoyan, and Xin Baicao. Su Zhe took the reins and headed first for Crane Rain Medicine Manor, while Su Changhe walked alongside Su Muyu through the deserted streets of Nan’an City in the dead of night.
"Our teacher once warned us that walking these streets at night is dangerous," Su Changhe mused.
Su Muyu smiled. "Actually, when all of you were asleep, I often walked alone at night. The summer breeze is refreshing—I liked it."
"I know," Su Changhe shrugged.
They fell silent, strolling slowly toward Crane Rain Medicine Manor. Su Changhe hummed an unfamiliar tune, while Su Muyu nibbled on a piece of Osmanthus Cake. By the time they reached the manor’s gate, Su Changhe’s song had ended, and Su Muyu had finished his cake.
Su Muyu brushed the crumbs from his hands. "May your journey be smooth sailing."
Su Changhe stretched lazily. "Rare leisure—why not play the swordsman for a while?"The two turned simultaneously and walked back to their respective rooms.
The next morning, when everyone awoke and gathered in the courtyard, Su Changhe was nowhere to be seen. Bai Hehuai, holding a steamed bun, glanced around and asked, "Where did our Boss Su go so early in the morning?"
Su Muyu replied, "He had urgent matters to attend to and has already returned to Dark River."
Bai Hehuai nodded thoughtfully. "I see. No wonder he suddenly became so amiable yesterday—he was leaving."
Xin Baicao gave a light cough. "Martial Uncle, I still have patients to attend to elsewhere. Today, I will remove the Gu Poison from your body. After one more day of observation tomorrow, I must depart once all is well."
Bai Hehuai's face flushed slightly. "Zhaoyan, prepare a large bucket of hot water for me. Father, put up a notice at the door—the Medicine Manor is closed for the day."
"Understood!" Xiao Chaoyan and Su Zhe quickly swallowed their food and hurried off to their tasks.
When Bai Hehuai turned back again, Su Muyu had already covered his eyes with a black cloth.
Bai Hehuai and Xin Baicao exchanged glances, both amused and exasperated. "There’s no need to be in such a hurry..."
Two hours later, Bai Hehuai sat in a wooden tub, her clothes removed, her body covered in Silver Needles. Xin Baicao stood beside her, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He spoke solemnly, "Martial Uncle, I will now insert thirteen needles simultaneously. The pain will be intense—please endure it for a while."
Bai Hehuai lacked the strength to reply and merely nodded.
"Rise." Xin Baicao flicked his wrist, and thirteen Silver Needles flew into the air. "Fall!" With another command, the needles plunged into Bai Hehuai’s head and neck. She let out a muffled groan, her brows furrowed, teeth clenched in agony.
"Young Master Su!" Xin Baicao exhaled softly. "Please strike now."
"As the Medicine King commands!" Su Muyu, who had been waiting silently nearby, slowly raised his hand and held it above Bai Hehuai’s head.
"Here!" Xin Baicao shouted. "Now!"
"Understood!" Without hesitation, Su Muyu struck Bai Hehuai’s Hundred Convergences Acupoint. Bai Hehuai roared, the force sending Su Muyu stumbling back a step. Then, she slightly parted her lips, and a plume of black smoke escaped her mouth. The smoke twisted into the shape of a long, sinister black worm, writhing grotesquely in the air before dissipating moments later. Bai Hehuai opened her eyes and yawned. "I’m tired." With that, she leaned against the tub and fell asleep.
Su Muyu, still blindfolded, asked Xin Baicao, "Medicine King, did everything go smoothly?"
Xin Baicao nodded. "Rest assured, all is well. If you don’t believe me, you can remove the blindfold and see for yourself."
"You jest, Medicine King." Su Muyu turned and pushed the door open, then removed the black cloth. To Xiao Chaoyan, who was waiting outside, he said, "The Miracle Healer has fallen asleep. Take her to her room."
Xiao Chaoyan nodded with a smile. "I knew everything would be fine."
At that moment, Xin Baicao also stepped outside. Gazing at the sun, he suddenly realized two full hours had passed. His stomach growled twice, and he chuckled. "I’m hungry."Su Muyu's eyes lit up: "Medicine King, would you like to eat stir-fried eggs with green peppers?"
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