Bai Hehuai slept soundly for an entire day, and by the time she got out of bed the next day, she was already glowing with vitality, seemingly fully recovered. Xin Baicao checked her pulse once more and finally nodded with a smile, saying, "You're fine now. If you encounter any issues in the future, just send word to me."
Bai Hehuai took a sip of water and sighed lightly, "My dear junior, you're no longer young—why haven't you found a successor yet? Our lineage in Medicine King Valley must not end with you."
Xin Baicao replied helplessly, "I haven't come across any promising candidates. I originally wanted to pass on my legacy to Sikong Changfeng, but he wasn’t interested in the title of successor to Medicine King Valley. Now that he’s become the Third City Lord of Snow Moon City, there’s even less hope."
Bai Hehuai glanced at Xiao Chaoyan’s figure outside the door, "I do have a promising candidate here, but unfortunately, she started too late."
"Hahaha, her aptitude is indeed excellent, and she’s as elegant and beautiful as you, Master Aunt. If I ever look for a disciple, I should find one like her—even if the talent isn’t perfect, I wouldn’t have the heart to scold them," Xin Baicao laughed.
Bai Hehuai took another sip of water, "That’s a fine idea. In the future, our Medicine King Valley could boast three outstanding talents—quite a sight to behold."
"Master Aunt, I shall take my leave now," Xin Baicao said with a bow.
"Ah, I still remember the days when my senior brother presided over Medicine King Valley, and our master had yet to pass away. The valley was so lively back then. But ever since Ye Ya betrayed the valley, that liveliness has never returned. You’ve been living alone in the valley all these years—it must have been lonely," Bai Hehuai’s voice was filled with regret.
Xin Baicao’s expression shifted slightly, "I will find a way to resolve the matter with my junior brother when I return."
"His mastery of the Art of the Medicine Man has reached a terrifying level. In critical moments, I hope you won’t let sentimentality cloud your judgment. If the opportunity arises—" Bai Hehuai drew a finger across her neck, "—as the sect leader, cleanse our ranks."
"Understood," Xin Baicao nodded.
"You grew up together, and I know how deep your bond was. Back then, he was able to leave only because of your momentary mercy," Bai Hehuai shook her head. "But enough of this. May you soon find a worthy successor and restore Medicine King Valley to its former glory."
"Thank you for your kind words, Master Aunt," Xin Baicao said as he pushed the door open and stepped out.
Bai Hehuai suddenly added, "It’s just about mealtime—why not stay for a meal before you go?"
"Farewell, farewell! Farewell, farewell!" Xin Baicao bolted away.
Su Muyu was practicing his swordplay in the courtyard when he saw Xin Baicao hurrying off with his medicine chest. Puzzled, he asked, "Sir, why the rush?"
"There’s a patient in the valley who needs urgent treatment—a matter of life and death!" Xin Baicao’s qinggong suddenly became remarkably swift. In just a few strides, he dashed out of Crane Rain Medicine Manor and soon vanished from sight.
Xiao Chaoyan walked in from the backyard carrying a watermelon. She placed it on the table—usually, Su Changhe would be the one to cut it, but since he wasn’t here, she called out to Su Muyu instead, "Brother Yu, give it a slash—split this melon open."
Su Muyu paused briefly, then smiled. With a light flick of his sword, the watermelon on the table was cleanly divided into four equal parts.Xiao Chaoyan happily picked up a piece: "Not bad, not bad. Even neater than the melon Su Changhe cut. Brother Yu, you're practically a Sword Immortal!"
"A Sword Immortal's sword wouldn't be used to cut watermelons," Su Muyu sheathed his sword and smiled helplessly.
Bai Hehuai walked into the courtyard and looked at Su Muyu: "This is actually the first time I've seen you practice swordsmanship."
"I've made a decision. I'm going on a long journey," Su Muyu replied. "I'll need my sword soon, and I haven't practiced in a while. I'm afraid my skills have gotten rusty."
Bai Hehuai wasn't surprised and nodded: "Some matters must be settled eventually. Otherwise, they become obstacles in your heart. No matter how happy you are in daily life, the moment you think of that obstacle, your smile disappears. Go ahead, just don't throw your life away."
"The Medicine King must be different to you, the Miracle Healer," Su Muyu suddenly said.
Bai Hehuai was taken aback, then laughed: "Though I always tease him and have my junior pressure him with seniority, in truth, he's like an elder brother and father to me. In those past twenty-some years, he was the only one I could truly call family."
"Fortunately, you have Uncle Zhe now," Su Muyu said quietly.
Bai Hehuai turned away: "It's not just Uncle Zhe anymore."
Su Muyu twirled his sword lightly but remained silent.
"You, Zhaoyan—you can all be considered my family now. And that unpredictable Su Changhe... occasionally counts too," Bai Hehuai replied.
"Thank you, Miracle Healer. Like you, I lost my family very young. Now that I know the secrets of the past, it's time I do something for them." Su Muyu swung his sword forward, and with a sharp "clang," a Golden Ring struck his blade, spun in the air, and flew back. Su Muyu turned to see Su Zhe standing not far away, holding a Buddhist staff, the Golden Ring returning to it with a jingling sound.
Bai Hehuai complained, "Dad, what are you causing trouble for now?"
Su Zhe chuckled: "Since leaving Dark River, this is the first time I've seen Su Muyu practice swordsmanship. Without a mission, why sharpen your blade?"
"I want to go somewhere and settle some matters of the heart," Su Muyu said, stepping forward and thrusting his sword at Su Zhe.
"This isn't a killer's sword—it seeks answers. Have you decided to become a swordsman instead of an assassin?" Su Zhe raised his Buddhist staff to meet the attack. A dozen of the largest Golden Rings shot out, ensnaring Su Muyu's sword. The rings weighed heavily, forcing Su Muyu to lower his blade, and Su Zhe immediately kicked toward his head.
Su Muyu blocked the kick with his left hand, then sidestepped and mustered all his strength to pull his sword free. With a flick of his right wrist, he sent the rings flying back. His sword whirled, unleashing a powerful Sword Qi that stirred a gust of wind and sand: "At least for now, I want a different identity—to seek an answer."
"Oh? What identity?" Su Zhe caught the rings and retreated five steps.
"Successor of Swordless City," Su Muyu declared.
"And what answer do you seek?" Su Zhe leaped forward, bringing his Buddhist staff down toward Su Muyu's head."Peerless City is unrivaled under heaven, yet in the way of the sword, it cannot claim supremacy before Swordless City," Su Muyu declared, raising his blade in response.
Su Zhe laughed. "I understand. You wish to—"
"Challenge Peerless City with your sword!"
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