Chapter 43: Parting Ways

Chapter 43: Parting Ways

The afternoon had passed halfway, and the sun was already setting in the west, casting a thin fog over the mountains.

Xiang Ling's chest felt warm, and she occasionally stomped her feet, humming and groaning as if she were drunk.

Meng Yuan's hand rested on the hilt of his blade, and he quickly retraced his steps back the way he came.

After a swift dash through the mountains, Meng Yuan felt a subtle change within himself.

His strength had increased slightly, but more importantly, it had become more enduring. His senses had sharpened, and the blood and energy in his limbs and bones circulated smoothly, making him feel lighter.

His Dantian seemed to have expanded, and the Lower Triple Thrity-Three Art appeared to have grown slightly. It was as if the river channels had widened, allowing the river water to flow more smoothly.

"It seems that the Green Fruit can enhance one's physique. Regardless of the cultivation path, it offers tremendous benefits."

"My Lower Triple Thrity-Three Art is fully open, and most of the nutrients are absorbed by the Vital Energy. Therefore, the improvement isn't as significant. However, if it were an ordinary person or a small foolish spirit like Xiang Ling, the enhancement should be immense."

Meng Yuan summarized his thoughts as he made his way back.

In less than half an hour, they had exited the mountains. In the distance, Meng Yuan spotted the livestock farm and the nearby village, which somewhat eased his worries. He took Xiang Ling out, cradling her in his arms like a child.

The little one was soft and boneless, her body slightly warm. Her nose was moist, and her eyes remained closed as she mumbled incoherently.

Meng Yuan, having eaten the Green Fruit himself, knew that it was non-toxic. Moreover, it contained a certain spiritual energy that was highly beneficial to the consumer.

He remained unharmed due to his strong physique, a result of the Lower Triple Thrity-Three Art, and also because most of the nutrients were absorbed by the Vital Energy.

However, Xiang Ling was different. She was an ordinary foolish spirit who could only talk incessantly without any other abilities.

In her current state, Xiang Ling seemed unaffected by the Green Fruit, almost as if she had overeaten.

Meng Yuan lacked experience in dealing with such situations, and Nie Shi wasn't around. He genuinely had no idea where to find someone to consult about this matter.

"Xiang Ling?" Meng Yuan thought that Xiang Ling's wet nurse should have taught her how to handle the aftermath of consuming the Green Fruit.

"Huh?" Xiang Ling murmured in response, still half-asleep.

"How are you feeling?" Meng Yuan asked, leaning close to her small ear.

"I'll be fine after a nap," Xiang Ling replied lazily without opening her eyes. She arched her nose slightly and said, "Just hold me tight."

"Okay." Meng Yuan's heart settled, and he immediately tucked Xiang Ling back into his shirt, covering her with one hand over his chest.

Upon their return to the livestock farm, Zhao Datou noticed the blood on Meng Yuan's body and became curious.

He knew that Meng Yuan had gone to see Auntie, and he had expected that she might lose her virginity on this trip. However, he hadn't anticipated the blood.

Contrary to his expectations, Meng Yuan's complexion didn't appear drained; instead, he looked radiant. He kept his hand on his chest, as if guarding some precious treasure.

"Little Meng, your future is limitless. It's fine to try new things, but you should know when to stop," Zhao Datou advised.

"I'll stay for one more day," Meng Yuan replied. With little Xiang Ling still unconscious, he didn't dare to take her into the city. He decided to wait another day until Xiang Ling woke up.

"That's fine," Zhao Datou agreed without much thought. "Since you're not in a hurry to leave, the farm has some newly born calves and lambs. Could you help with the castration?"

"Hasn't the farm found another veterinarian?" Meng Yuan asked curiously.

Zhao Datou sighed, "We hire an external veterinarian when needed, but it's not convenient. They only come when we have an issue, and we have to pay them on the spot. I thought since you're here, you could lend a hand and save the Empress Dowager some money."

Meng Yuan, now responsible for Xiang Ling, agreed.

The two of them approached Sun Zhuangtou, who readily agreed upon seeing Meng Yuan's sincerity.

Meng Yuan got straight to work. From cattle to sheep, chickens to ducks, each animal had its testicles removed. The chicken and duck testicles were like grains of rice, while the cattle and sheep testicles were the size of fingertips. All were castrated cleanly.

His skilled technique demonstrated that his expertise in this area remained intact.

Upon witnessing this, Sun Zhuangtou pulled Meng Yuan aside to a secluded spot and whispered, "I've figured it out. He's hanging out with Xun Mei, and although he seems to be thriving in the palace, he's actually quite uncomfortable. He keeps wanting to come out and castrate animals! Remember, if he comes again, we'll get some pigs, dogs, chickens, and ducks for him to play with!"

By evening, Meng Yuan had finished his task, and Xiang Ling was still sleeping soundly.

After dinner, Meng Yuan returned to his old residence, which had been vacant ever since the livestock farm lost its veterinarian.

He took Xiang Ling out from his collar, where she had been sleeping soundly, no longer feverish, and breathing evenly.

Meng Yuan wiped her wet nose, untied her small bag, and placed her on the bed before heading outside to practice his sword techniques.

The Gale Blade Technique, which he had already mastered, felt even more fluid as he circulated his True Energy between his Dantian and various Acupoints. With each repetition, Meng Yuan felt his power increase.

However, the sense of stagnation remained, as if something was still missing.

Meng Yuan couldn't quite understand it, but he decided to ask Nie Shi about it when he returned.

He fetched two buckets of well water and brought them into the room, where he removed his clothes and washed himself while thinking about his Vital Energy.

Now, with his Vital Energy twice perfected, it would take longer than the first time, perhaps another half a month without the Green Fruit.

However, since nurturing his Vital Energy was challenging, he believed that this body tempering would yield better results.

Meng Yuan wasn't in a hurry for the next day or two and planned to chat with Nie Shi before tempering his body again.

"Little Castrator, you're so shy!"

As he was thinking, a crisp voice reached him from behind.

Meng Yuan turned and saw Xiang Ling lying on the bed, her nose pressed against the pillow, her big eyes sparkling as she stared at him.

"Little Castrator, you didn't even castrate yourself, how can you do business?" Xiang Ling was full of curiosity, her gaze unwavering.

Meng Yuan, having finished dressing, ignored her.

"Why aren't you talking?" Xiang Ling asked again.

"How do you feel?" Meng Yuan rubbed his forehead.

Xiang Ling rolled around on the bed and then lay down again, saying, "I'm so thirsty!"

Meng Yuan brought her some tea, which she drank several large gulps.

"I'm still hungry," Xiang Ling said.

Meng Yuan had already prepared five boiled eggs, which he began to peel.

Xiang Ling watched from the side, and when Meng Yuan finished peeling, he fed her, causing her to praise him nonstop, "You're so good!"

She chomped down two eggs and then happily bounced a couple of times, "Little Castrator, you're the best!"

"What did your wet nurse tell you to do after taking the great medicine?" Meng Yuan asked.

"She did, she did! My wet nurse said that after taking the medicine, my brain would work better, and I'd remember more, so I can learn to read and write! I'll be able to transform soon too!" Xiang Ling looked at Meng Yuan very seriously and asked, "Little Castrator, do you live in the city?"

"Yes, do you want to go to the city?" Meng Yuan asked with a smile.

"My wet nurse said I have to wait until I have a human form and can read and write before going!" Xiang Ling spoke with great reason, "Great Head Mountain is my home."

She lay down again, blinking her big eyes, and continued, "Once I transform, you'll take me to play in the city!"

"Okay," Meng Yuan smiled and lay down as well, saying, "Tell me about your wet nurse."

Xiang Ling leaned against Meng Yuan's ear and began chattering away.

Before long, perhaps due to the medicine's effects, Xiang Ling fell asleep again.

When Meng Yuan woke up at dawn, Xiang Ling was already packing her small bag.

"Little Castrator, I have to go home," Xiang Ling glanced at the table.

There were three boiled eggs left on the table, two of which Xiang Ling had eaten the night before.

"I'll see you out," Meng Yuan said, putting the three eggs into her bag.

Meng Yuan bid farewell to Big Head Zhao and Sun Zhuangtou without eating breakfast. He mounted Little Red Horse and tucked Xiang Ling into his collar.

Once they left the farm, Xiang Ling poked her head out, jumped onto the saddle, and exclaimed, "Giddy up!"

Little Red Horse ran even faster, and seeing her high spirits, Meng Yuan circled a few times before stopping at the foot of the mountain.

"I'm going back!" Xiang Ling jumped off the horse and waved her little hand, "Little Castrator, when will you come to play again?"

"In a month," Meng Yuan replied.

"You're the best!" Xiang Ling was even happier, and as she turned to leave, she seemed to remember something and said, "Then next time, bring me some textbooks, I want to study poetry!"

"Okay," Meng Yuan smiled.

Seeing that Meng Yuan had agreed, Xiang Ling bowed and then skipped off towards the mountain.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end