"Decades ago, the Tendon Severing Palm was a coveted manual among External Style Martial Masters, but now no one cares for it anymore." Sheng Zhangku's drooping eyes made him look perpetually drowsy.
"Why?" An Jiu asked.
Sheng Zhangku leaned lazily against the armrest and yawned. "This manual has long been lost. More importantly, pure External Cultivation is extremely rare nowadays. While it's undoubtedly a formidable martial art, the process of tempering the body through External Cultivation is too brutal and arduous. In the end, one might endure all that suffering without ever mastering the Tendon Severing Palm."
"Moreover, the higher one advances in External Cultivation, the more inseparable the mind and body become, making it impossible to transcend the physical form. No matter how much one trains, they can never reach the Transformation Realm." He curled his lips slightly. "Those who choose External Cultivation are usually martial artists destined never to possess Inner Force—people who have no other choice..."
Sheng Zhangku turned his head and casually pointed at the rows of small drawers marked with red ribbons behind him, dousing her enthusiasm. "Those were all External Style Martial Masters, the highest reaching the ninth rank. But they all died on missions. Nowadays, the Crane Control Institute no longer trains External Cultivation masters."
Yet An Jiu remained undeterred. "Thank you. Then... do you know how the Crane Control Bureau plans to deal with Lord Chu?"
"Oh?" Sheng Zhangku leaned forward, propping his chin on one hand as he narrowed his eyes at her. "This official is but a lowly storekeeper. Why would you think I'd know anything about the Crane Control Bureau's affairs?"
"Intuition." An Jiu sat rigidly straight.
"Ah—" He drew out the syllable, his face still wearing that faint, elusive smile, like a white fox. "This official doesn’t know the real news, but I can make a guess... Lord Chu's sudden breakthrough to the Transformation Realm has made some people envious. They’ll likely seize this chance to force him to hand over his martial secrets. He’ll surely suffer for it. But after all, he’s a Transformation Realm Master—the Crane Control Army still has use for him. His life won’t be in danger."
"Besides," he added after a pause, "I don’t think that Lord Chu is some harmless figure. Little girl, don’t be fooled."
An Jiu felt a twinge of resistance to his words, yet she also found them reasonable. She didn’t believe anyone would selflessly devote themselves to her without reason—she just couldn’t figure out what she had that he might want.
"I understand. Thank you for the warning." An Jiu stood and clasped her hands in salute.
No sooner had An Jiu stepped out than someone rushed in urgently. "Sir!"
"Speak." Sheng Zhangku rested his cheek on his palm, absentmindedly twirling his brush and splattering ink across the paper.
The man spoke hastily, "Sir, the higher-ups have ordered you to personally fetch Miracle Doctor Mo immediately."
An Jiu froze mid-step, listening intently.
"Mo Sigui?" Sheng Zhangku said.
"Yes. Miracle Doctor Mo is currently sitting out in the street. The Crane Control Army sent people, but after some exchange, he insists on coming to the Crane Control Institute."
"Let’s go."
Sheng Zhangku immediately set down his brush. Mo Sigui was someone the Crane Control Army had long wanted. Whether he entered the Crane Control Institute or joined the army directly didn’t matter. He’d heard the man had a temperamental streak—if he suddenly changed his mind, Sheng Zhangku couldn’t afford the blame.
Rushing out, Sheng Zhangku’s gaze flickered past An Jiu without stopping.
At this moment...On Bianjing's Vermilion Bird Street, Mo Sigui sat atop his medicine chest by the roadside. Beside him stood a blue cloth banner with flamboyant calligraphy: "This master wants into the Crane Control Institute—come fetch me now!"
"Brother Mo, elder sister abandoned me. Don't you abandon me too, okay?" Lou Xiaowu pouted, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.
Yet this had been her exact expression for three straight days without a single teardrop falling.
From a tavern balcony overlooking the street, Hua Rongjian watched with a radiant smile. "Miracle Doctor Mo, won't you join me for a drink?"
Onlookers craned their necks, their gazes magnetized by his dazzling beauty.
Mo Sigui snapped open his folding fan, his peach-blossom eyes shimmering with equal charm. "No thanks. This master has serious business to attend to. Why would I keep company with a wastrel like you?"
"Ah, just yesterday the Miracle Doctor praised the boy I keep as utterly enchanting, yet today you pretend we're strangers. How cruel." Hua Rongjian leaned against the windowsill, sipping wine with an amused smile that belied his words.
"If you're reluctant to part with me, just say so—no need to drag that boy into it." Mo Sigui's smile deepened. "With your slender waist, long legs, and pretty face, Rongjian, I do fancy you. But I vowed to my master to heal the sick—my destiny is to wander. Best you find another lover, lad."
Never one for shame, Hua Rongjian sighed dramatically. "Must you be so stubborn? If you insist on taking the dominant role, I'll humor you!"
And just like that, another chapter of their scandalous romance unfolded!
Hua Rongjian had been particularly unrestrained lately—first came rumors of impending marriage that mysteriously vanished, then sightings of him carousing in pleasure quarters, and now this dramatic vow of undying love with Miracle Doctor Mo. Each scandal outdid the last, making his life seem thrillingly turbulent. While he remained unbothered, poor Old Madam Hua's emotions seesawed violently between extremes, leaving her fainting repeatedly from rage.
"Make way! Make way!"
A group of bailiffs shoved through the stunned crowd.
Sheng Zhangku strode forward and clasped his hands respectfully at Mo Sigui from the steps. "I am Sheng Zhangku of the Crane Control Institute. An honor to meet the Miracle Doctor."
Mo Sigui studied the man—clad in jade-green official robes, his face half-hidden behind a silver mask revealing only unremarkable thin lips. His snow-pale skin contrasted strikingly with the metallic sheen, creating a memorable impression.
Meanwhile, Sheng Zhangku observed Mo Sigui—his russet robe, peachwood hairpin securing half-bound locks, the fan's ribs casting violet reflections that danced in his smiling peach-blossom eyes like distant rainbows, ethereal and mysterious.
Snapping his fan shut, Mo Sigui shouldered his medicine chest and approached familiarly, grabbing Sheng Zhangku's arm. "Let's go, let's go!"
Departing, he called back to Hua Rongjian: "If you're reborn a woman next life, we'll continue this romance! This master truly prefers women!"
"Likewise—you must become a woman too!" Hua Rongjian bid farewell with theatrical longing.
What absurd nonsense! The crowd felt thoroughly played.
The tears Lou Xiaowu had been holding finally fell—Mo Sigui hadn't spared her a single glance, treating even a friend like thin air.
Hua Rongjian watched the retreating figure, slender fingers toying with an empty wine cup. Gazing at the Jun kiln porcelain glowing like sunset clouds, he suddenly remembered Mei Shisi's face—that perfect balance between innocence and voluptuous beauty."What a pity..." It was rare for him to take a liking to a woman, yet fate had destined them to walk different paths.
Mo Sigui led Sheng Zhangku a distance away before finally exhaling in relief. Flicking open his folding fan, he panted as he fanned himself. "I can't stand drawn-out goodbyes."
Elder Qi had even faced death with straightforwardness—so straightforward it made his heart ache.
Mo Sigui's mood darkened again.
Sheng Zhangku invited him onto the carriage and asked, "Why did Miracle Doctor Mo choose the Crane Control Institute over the Crane Control Army?"
"Someone owes me a favor, and I owe someone else one," Mo Sigui replied with a grin.
The former was Lou Mingyue, the latter An Jiu.
Sheng Zhangku naturally didn't understand, but he was never one to pry.
Upon arriving at the Crane Control Institute, Sheng Zhangku didn’t summon Xu Zhi for a mind-reading session, nor did he archive Mo Sigui’s records. Instead, he simply said, "Miracle Doctor, whatever requests you have, as long as they abide by the rules, I will do my best to fulfill them."
"You have divisions here, don’t you? Assign me to Mei Shisi’s group," Mo Sigui stated, his only request.
Lou Mingyue owed him a favor, and he wasn’t in a hurry to collect. But if he owed someone else and didn’t repay it, he’d feel uneasy all over.
Sheng Zhangku wasted no time. Raising his voice, he called, "Attendant!"
"Here!"
"Escort Miracle Doctor Mo to settle in the quarters beside Xuan Ren’s. Also, inform the four instructors that Miracle Doctor Mo is assigned to the Profound Division."
...
By the time Sheng Zhangku left, the four instructors had already received the news. They had all been waiting, knowing that a Miracle Doctor like Mo Sigui must possess many medicines beneficial for martial training. Each was eager to welcome him with open arms.
The Earth Instructor, upon hearing the news, smashed an entire tea set in fury.
The Profound Instructor trembled with excitement.
The other two instructors remained silent.
...
Outside, it was daytime, but the residences of the Crane Control Institute were steeped in darkness.
A guide carrying a lantern led the way for Mo Sigui.
An Jiu sat on the stone steps in front of her door, watching the faint glow of the lantern draw closer until she couldn’t help but stand.
"Cousin," Mo Sigui greeted An Jiu with a smile, as if they had just seen each other yesterday.
"Miracle Doctor, your quarters are right there," the guide said, pointing to the room next to An Jiu’s.
"Understood," Mo Sigui replied.
"I’ll take my leave now," the guide said, handing him the lantern before departing.
An Jiu stared at him expressionlessly for a moment. "Mo Sigui, this isn’t a place for you."
"In this world, there are places people dare not go, places they refuse to go—but nowhere is truly forbidden," Mo Sigui said, half-joking. "The only two women I’ve ever had any connection with are both here. What reason do I have not to come?"
Lou Mingyue had been about to step out when she suddenly overheard these words. She lowered her hand, retracted her aura, and stood silently by the door.
"Your life has only just begun," An Jiu said.
Mo Sigui was a highly skilled physician with a solid reputation. There was truly no need for him to wade into these troubled waters.
"You don’t know me," Mo Sigui replied, closing his fan. Holding the lantern, he approached the steps and reached out to An Jiu.
She knew he wanted to check her pulse—something he always did whenever they met—so she extended her hand.
Mo Sigui held her wrist for a moment before releasing it. Then, with a smile, he glanced toward Lou Mingyue’s room. His meridians were of the rare "Wind" attribute, granting him extraordinary agility and sensitivity. He had sensed Lou Mingyue’s presence long before she concealed her aura.As An Jiu had said, his life had only just begun. Yet he was innately indifferent and wholly devoted to the way of medicine. Elder Qi had urged him not to forsake the meaning of love, but his heart truly could not bear too much affection.
Amidst the turmoil of the mortal world, with three thousand weak waters to choose from, Mo Sigui would drink but one ladle in his lifetime...
Yet though this love was singular, its depth remained hard to discern. (To be continued...)
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