Chapter 112: Life-Saving Elixir, A Sudden Escape

After a moment of thoughtful silence, Lu Qing began treating Wei Fu Ren.

Seeing the woman’s evident suffering, he first applied silver needles, pricking several key points on her body.

After just a few minutes, the deep furrow in Wei Fu Ren’s brow eased slightly, and her pallid complexion regained a faint hint of color.

Lu Qing gave a small, satisfied nod.

Thanks to his recent studies in Medical Skills and the deeper understanding of the human body brought on by his progress in martial cultivation, he had already developed a solid grasp of acupuncture. The immediate relief shown in Wei Fu Ren was proof enough.

But this was only a temporary measure—symptom relief, not a cure.

Wei Fu Ren’s condition was far too severe to be resolved by mere needles. Ordinary medicines would likely be ineffective. And with their current situation, lighting a fire to brew a decoction was out of the question.

After easing her pain with the acupuncture, Lu Qing reached into the small medicine box inside his backpack and withdrew a jade vial, lost in thought.

“Lu Qing Little Doctor,” Wei Xiao Gongzi exclaimed in surprise, staring at the vial.

As a noble-born young master, he might still carry some youthful naivety, but his discernment in matters of value was unquestionably sharp. The vial was pure white, flawlessly smooth like lamb’s fat. He instantly recognized its immense worth—priceless, beyond any ordinary sum.

If such a vial was this precious, what could possibly be inside?

“This,” Lu Qing said calmly, “is a rare spiritual medicine my master prepared. I’m considering how best to administer it.”

“A rare spiritual medicine?” Wei Xiao Gongzi asked urgently. “Does that mean… it can save my mother?”

“It should,” Lu Qing replied. “Even if she doesn’t recover immediately, it should at least stabilize her condition and keep her alive.”

Wei Xiao Gongzi’s eyes widened. “Lu Qing Little Doctor, please save my mother! No matter how precious this medicine is, my Wei Family will repay you double—no, tenfold!”

“Young Master An,” Lu Qing smiled gently, “you jest. If I’m to save her, I wouldn’t hesitate to use medicine. What I’m truly weighing is something else.”

“Is there something else troubling you, Lu Qing Little Doctor?”

Lu Qing shook his head. “Never mind. I’ll administer the medicine now.”

He instructed Wei Xiao Gongzi to gently support his mother’s head, then carefully opened the jade vial and dripped two drops of translucent jade-colored liquid into her mouth.

Perhaps driven by thirst, or perhaps by the instinct to survive, the liquid entered her mouth, and without any need for stimulation of the jaw point, Wei Fu Ren swallowed it instinctively.

“That’s it?” Wei Xiao Gongzi, watching with growing anxiety, asked. “Can’t you give her a few more drops?”

“Too much is as bad as too little,” Lu Qing explained. “This medicine is potent. Her body is too weak to absorb a large dose at once—overloading her would do more harm than good.”

He spoke truthfully, but not entirely.

The medicine was powerful, yes—but the real reason he limited the dosage wasn’t due to overstimulation or weakness.

It was fear that she might recover too quickly.

The vial contained a concoction he had recently developed with his master’s guidance, based on ancient texts from the Divine Seal Sect Heritage concerning Dipulse Spiritual Fluid, combined with Century-Old Ginseng juice and other rare herbs.

One drop of Dipulse Spiritual Fluid, matched with an entire century-old ginseng root and other precious ingredients, yielded only three vials of this miraculous elixir.

So when Lu Qing said it was “extremely precious,” he wasn’t exaggerating. A single drop was worth a fortune.

As for its effects—his master had tested it.

It couldn’t match the miraculous power of directly consuming Dipulse Spiritual Fluid—no resurrection of the dead, no instant enhancement of talent. But it did possess extraordinary healing properties, capable of reviving even the faintest spark of life.

The Abilities Probe confirmed its strength, rating it at Red Light Level.

He had prepared three vials in total—two kept with his master, one carried on his person, just in case.

This was true life-saving medicine. He rarely used it.

Even when Ma Gu suffered a serious shoulder wound, Lu Qing had refrained—because the injury wasn’t life-threatening.

Only now, with Wei Fu Ren on the brink of death, had he dared to draw from this reserve.

And even then, he’d only used two drops. The rest would be saved for her gradual recovery.

Wei Xiao Gongzi listened, nodded, and didn’t question further.

He understood the principle of “not overburdening a weakened constitution.” His mother’s body was too frail for heavy medicine.

Once he grasped that, he turned to Lu Qing with genuine remorse. “Forgive me, Lu Qing Little Doctor. I was too impatient.”

“Of course,” Lu Qing smiled. “You only care deeply for your mother’s wellbeing.”

In truth, he was quietly surprised.

This time, Wei Xiao Gongzi seemed different—less arrogant, more mature.

Perhaps the trials they’d endured had finally shaped him. His heart had grown.

“So… is my mother safe now?” Wei Xiao Gongzi asked.

“She’s stabilizing,” Lu Qing replied. “Look—her breathing is already calmer. Isn’t it?”

He had full confidence in the medicine, forged through meticulous research and testing.

The Abilities Probe had confirmed its strength.

Wei Xiao Gongzi turned to his mother’s face. Her breaths were indeed deeper, her forehead no longer slick with cold sweat. Most importantly, the deathly pallor was fading—color was returning to her cheeks.

He touched her forehead. It was no longer burning hot.

His eyes lit up. “Lu Qing Little Doctor! Your medicine really worked! Her condition has improved so much!”

Now, he truly believed—this was no bluff to inflate the price. His mother had been on the verge of death. And within moments, after just two drops, she was breathing steadily, her color returning.

It was nothing short of a miracle.

“The foreign evil qi is being expelled,” Lu Qing said. “The wound’s inflammation is receding. Let her rest. We’ll step outside.”

“Alright.”

Wei Xiao Gongzi now trusted Lu Qing completely.

After wiping a final bead of sweat from his mother’s brow, he followed Lu Qing out to the cave entrance.

“How is Wei Fu Ren?” Ma Gu asked the moment he saw them.

“She’s stable. With rest, she should wake soon.”

“Thank goodness,” Ma Gu exhaled, his long-held tension finally easing.

Wei Fu Ren had been the one the Yin Yue Wei had fought desperately to protect. He himself had nearly died in the process. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing her.

“Lu Qing Brother,” Ma Gu said, “your Medical Skills are truly remarkable. No wonder you’re Chen Laodaifu’s prized disciple.”

“Don’t flatter me,” Lu Qing waved it off. “It’s all thanks to my master’s medicine. My skills are still far from mastery.”

As Lu Qing and Ma Gu waited, the others remained in the cave, watching over the unconscious Wei Fu Ren.

Meanwhile, back at the waterfall valley where Lu Qing had fought earlier…

More than a dozen powerful martial artists stood in a circle, faces grim, staring at two lifeless bodies sprawled in the valley.

Whoosh.

A sudden gust of wind swept through the valley, and a white-robed youth appeared, his hand resting on a feather fan, his face pale and refined.

“Second Senior Brother!”

The warriors bowed instantly.

“Why did you summon me so urgently?” the youth asked. “Did you capture Wei Xinghe’s wife and child?”

“No,” one warrior replied. “Second Senior Brother… Third Senior Brother and Seventh Senior Brother are dead.”

The men stepped aside, revealing the two corpses beneath them—Wang Qing Shan and Lao Qi.

“What?!” The white-robed youth gasped, stepping forward.

When he saw the bodies, his pupils contracted.

After a thorough inspection, his expression darkened.

“Cruel. One had his head severed. The other was pierced through the chest—his heart torn out. Any leads on who did this?”

“No,” another warrior answered. “When we arrived, only their bodies were here. No sign of anyone else.”

The youth fell silent.

But inside, he trembled.

He had expected a simple capture mission—just a few Yin Yue Wei protecting a noble’s family. Nothing difficult.

Yet Old Three and Lao Qi—both powerful martial artists—had been slain here, in this nameless ravine.

Lao Qi was expendable. But Old Three… he was a Nei Fu Jing minor attainment master—nearly equal in strength to the youth himself.

Even if he couldn’t defeat a Nei Fu Jing peak warrior, he could still flee.

But the wounds… Old Three had been disarmed first. Then his heart was ripped out.

And there were traces of a secret technique’s activation on his body.

That meant Old Three had fought with all his strength—and still been defeated in a single blow.

And yet, not a single mark remained on the attacker.

Whoever did this… was terrifying.

Could it be a Nei Fu Jing peak master from another sect?

But that was impossible. Wei Family had only one such master—Wei Xinghe—and he couldn’t have left the residence without his master’s knowledge.

And the wounds… they weren’t made by any known Wei Family technique. They looked… unnatural. As if forged by some strange, ancient weapon.

Had another faction entered the game?

A chilling thought struck the youth.

If so… the situation had just become infinitely more dangerous.

“Second Senior Brother,” one warrior asked nervously, “what should we do now?”

The youth sighed.

“Return. Take Old Three and Lao Qi’s bodies. We go back to Cang County.”

“But… what about Wei Xinghe’s family?” the warrior pressed. “We haven’t captured them yet.”

“No point,” the youth said. “If someone could kill Old Three so easily, we’re no match for them. If we stay, we may not leave alive.”

The others froze.

Old Three had been slain. And he was one of the strongest.

If that unknown enemy could kill him so effortlessly… then they were all just sitting ducks.

A cold dread crept through their bones.

Their eyes darted toward the dark trees around them—like shadows hiding a monster.

“Enough,” the youth said firmly. “Load the bodies. We leave now.”

He didn’t want to stay. Not even for revenge.

He had no real bond with Old Three or Lao Qi. And honestly? Their deaths might even be a blessing.

More resources for him, in the master’s eyes.

But… the master’s reaction…

Old Three was his master’s adopted son. Their relationship was deep.

Now he was dead.

The youth shuddered at the thought of facing his master’s wrath.

He’d have to craft a convincing story—quickly.

Unbeknownst to Lu Qing and the others, the deaths of Wang Qing Shan and Lao Qi had sent shockwaves through the Tian Cang Sect disciples hunting them.

Terrified, they had pulled back from the mountains, abandoning the pursuit.

Lu Qing and the others remained hidden in the cave, waiting for Wei Fu Ren to awaken.

Suddenly, a rumble came from Wei Xiao Gongzi’s stomach.

The young man blushed in embarrassment.

Then Ma Gu’s stomach growled in reply.

“Sorry, Lu Qing Brother,” Ma Gu admitted sheepishly. “We haven’t had a proper meal in two days. Our stomachs are empty.”

Wei Xiao Gongzi nodded in agreement.

For a moment, he even missed the raw rabbit meat from last night.

It had been raw, yes—but it had filled his belly.

Lu Qing nodded. “I understand. Martial cultivators need more food. A few days without eating is tough.”

He reached into his backpack, rummaged around, and pulled out a small package wrapped in oil paper.

“This dry rations were meant for emergencies. If you don’t mind, please take some.”

Ma Gu didn’t hesitate. He unwrapped the paper.

Inside were thick, golden-brown oil-fried pancakes, their rich aroma filling the air.

Ma Gu’s mouth watered.

Wei Xiao Gongzi stared, eyes wide.

“Young Master An, please,” Ma Gu said, handing him a few pancakes.

Wei Xiao Gongzi hesitated, then accepted, blushing slightly.

“Thanks, Lu Qing Brother. We’ll eat with gratitude.”

After handing Wei Xiao Gongzi a few, Ma Gu took a huge bite.

His eyes lit up instantly. “Lu Qing Brother, where did you buy these? They’re incredible!”

Wei Xiao Gongzi took a small bite. His expression changed.

The crisp, savory layers, the rich oiliness, and that subtle, unique fragrance—this was unlike any pancake he’d ever tasted.

“These aren’t bought,” Lu Qing smiled. “I made them myself.”

They were based on recipes from his past life, enhanced with a rare spice he’d recently discovered.

They tasted different from anything in this world.

“Who knew you had such a talent?” Ma Gu groaned. “I’ve turned down your invitations to dinner so many times. What a regret.”

“It’s not your fault,” Lu Qing chuckled. “Every time I invited you, you said you had business to attend.”

“Now I really regret not staying,” Ma Gu sighed.

Wei Xiao Gongzi kept eating, his appetite growing stronger with every bite.

He’d never tasted anything so delicious.

“Lu Qing Little Doctor,” he asked, mouth full, “what kind of oil did you use? It’s so fragrant!”

Lu Qing looked at the young man’s curious face, and for a fleeting moment, he remembered the first time he’d seen him in the Big Market.

A mischievous thought sparked.

He grinned. “Pork lard.”

“Pork lard?”

Wei Xiao Gongzi’s mind flashed to pigs—those filthy creatures.

Instinctively, he recoiled.

He’d never eaten pork in his life.

But he couldn’t bring himself to spit out the food he’d already swallowed.

Well… I ate raw rabbit meat. What’s one more thing?

With that mental justification, his discomfort vanished.

He took another huge bite.

“Amazing… I never thought pork-based food could be this good. I guess I was just prejudiced all along.”

Lu Qing nodded approvingly.

He saw it—the change in Wei Xiao Gongzi.

This wasn’t the same boy who had screamed in horror at the sight of pork intestines in the market.

“Pigs may look dirty,” Lu Qing said, “but when prepared right, their meat is truly delicious.”

“Then once we get out of here,” Ma Gu said eagerly, “I’m definitely asking you to cook for me.”

“Anytime,” Lu Qing laughed.

The pancakes were generous in quantity, but even so, Ma Gu and Wei Xiao Gongzi only ate half.

Wei Xiao Gongzi carefully saved one pancake—intending to give it to his mother when she woke.

She’d been unconscious for days. She must be starving.

Lu Qing and Ma Gu didn’t object. They understood the gesture.

An hour passed.

Then, from inside the cave, a soft moan echoed.

Wei Fu Ren—after days of unconsciousness—had finally awakened.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end