127 The Baichuan Soul-Returning Elixir

Page 1/3

While Zhao Yaoyang was tending to Liu Qingqing’s wounds, the disciples of Xuanyu Temple had been completely wiped out. Only the second and third leaders of the bandits remained, their hands and bodies stained with blood, their faces twisted into demonic visages, with small reversed thorns sprouting from their foreheads.

“How dare you practice such an incredibly sinister and evil technique!”

Though Zhao Yaoyang deeply wished to send Liu Qingqing back to Xuanyu Temple, the possessed demons had to be dealt with first.

Furious, Zhao Yaoyang channeled his spiritual energy, two palm bolts of lightning flashing swiftly from his hands, shattering the bandit leaders.

He lifted Liu Qingqing onto the horse’s back, tying her securely behind him, and rode off at full speed, no longer having time to handle the village’s affairs.

“Father, how is Qingqing’s condition?”

Arriving back at Xuanyu Temple, Zhao Yaoyang hurriedly had Zhao Weizheng take her pulse.

“Qingqing, you’ve disturbed the fetal energy.”

After taking her pulse, Zhao Weizheng said gravely.

“Is the child in her womb all right?”

Hearing this, Liu Qingqing’s heart sank. Disturbing fetal energy meant the child might be born mentally impaired at best, or miscarried at worst.

“Qingqing, don’t worry. Father’s medical skills are excellent; there will surely be a way to heal you both.”

Zhao Yaoyang comforted her gently.

“Qingqing, your pulse is chaotic. I fear the child has been poisoned by an evil toxin. This toxin spreads through a person’s spiritual energy and can infect others, even future generations. It is extremely insidious. If the child isn’t removed soon, even your life may be at risk.”

Zhao Weizheng’s face darkened with anger; he had not expected the bandits to resort to such malicious tactics.

“Father, no! That is my child—I must save him!”

Liu Qingqing’s voice trembled with tears and desperation.

“Qingqing, don’t be anxious.”

Zhao Yaoyang grasped her trembling hands and turned to Zhao Weizheng.

“Father, is there any way to save the child? After all, that’s your grandson.”

“Do you think I don’t want to save him? But this is a gamble with both their lives. You must listen to me.”

Zhao Weizheng clenched his fists tightly.

“Father, I am but one life, and the child is another. If saving the child means sacrifice, then I am willing to do whatever it takes.”

Liu Qingqing glanced at Zhao Yaoyang, her resolve firm.

“Father, please find a solution.”

Zhao Yaoyang also wished to save the child.

“If you keep the child, neither of you may survive. My only choice is to expel this poisoned fetus as soon as possible to save Qingqing’s life.”

Zhao Weizheng was resolute.

“No, Father! This child is our flesh and blood. My husband was infected by this evil toxin while healing me. We both carry the poison now—there’s no chance for another child.”

Liu Qingqing wept openly.

“What? Yaoyang, even you are infected?”

Zhao Weizheng turned to Zhao Yaoyang in shock after hearing Liu Qingqing’s words.

“Father, I’m fine. The most important thing is to save the child.”

Hearing that the toxin was transmissible, Zhao Yaoyang realized he too had been poisoned.

Liu Qingqing clung to him, tears flowing.

“Sigh, saving Qingqing and the child will be very dangerous. Given the circumstances, I will devote all my spiritual power to preserve their lives.”

Zhao Weizheng knew the situation was dire and resolved to protect them at all costs.

“Father, how confident are you in saving Qingqing and the child?”

Zhao Yaoyang sent Liu Qingqing to rest and followed Zhao Weizheng out of the room.

“If you insist on saving the child, I can only control the toxin within Qingqing. As for the child’s poisoning, that is left to fate.”

Zhao Weizheng shook his head.

“These bandits have caused great losses to Xuanyu Temple. All disciples are gone. Once the child is born and stable, we must open the gates widely to recruit new disciples.”

With that, Zhao Weizheng departed.

---

Eight months later,

Liu Qingqing lay on the bed, pale as death, gripping a quilt tightly. She was in labor, moaning continuously. The midwife was inside the room.

“Quick, bring a basin of hot water!”

The midwife shouted.

Hearing this, Zhao Yaoyang rushed from the kitchen with a basin of hot water. Approaching the door, he suddenly felt a surge in his chest and spat a mouthful of fresh blood into the basin. He threw it to the ground as the poison raced through his body. Unable to stand, he sat cross-legged, channeling spiritual energy to suppress the toxin.

Inside, Liu Qingqing also coughed up blood.

“Madam, you are bleeding heavily!”

The midwife’s forehead was covered in cold sweat.

Knowing her end was near, Liu Qingqing summoned her remaining strength to push out the child. When the infant’s cry filled the room, she closed her eyes before seeing him, blood still dripping from her mouth.

Outside, Zhao Yaoyang heard the newborn’s cry and, after suppressing the toxin, entered.

“It’s a boy,” the midwife announced.

A smile flickered on Liu Qingqing’s lips before her breath ceased, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.

---

Main Hall of Xuanyu Temple.

“This child carries the evil toxin. I fear he may grow into someone unimaginable. We must find a kind-hearted person to accompany him, hoping to suppress the toxin within.”

Zhao Weizheng had anticipated such a fate but still had to deal with the child’s future.

Zhao Yaoyang was about to speak when the poison within him flared violently, causing a backlash. Blood dripped from his mouth.

“Father, my days may be numbered. I have no regrets. Please, guide the child on the righteous path. I entrust him to you.”

Zhao Yaoyang knelt.

“You poisoned yourself trying to save Qingqing and the child. Get up; I will find a way to save you.”

Zhao Weizheng grasped his hand.

“Master!”

At that moment, a six-year-old bald boy ran into the hall and knelt.

“Who are you, child?”

Zhao Weizheng had never seen him before.

“My name is Zhou You.”

Zhou You knelt.

“Zhou You, why have you come to Xuanyu Temple? Stand and speak.”

Zhao Weizheng channeled spiritual energy to help him up.

“I am a villager from beneath Mount Changbai. Master Beihong sent me with an antidote. Please accept it.”

Though Zhou You wished to study magic, no one had accepted him. An orphan with no money, he had only his feet to run.

“Beihong? The leader of Mount Changbai?”

Zhao Weizheng nodded knowingly.

“Master Beihong said to deliver this Baichuan Resurrection Pill quickly to save lives. He said one pill can suppress the toxin’s activation. I rushed here as fast as I could.”

Zhou You presented a porcelain bottle to Zhao Weizheng.

“Yaoyang, get up. I promise you: take this Baichuan Resurrection Pill. It will suppress the poison within you, though how long it lasts is uncertain.”

Zhao Weizheng understood Beihong’s plan—to save Liu Qingqing—but there was only one pill; otherwise, why would Zhou You be sent?

“During this time, teach your son well, especially the Ice Heart Technique. It can neutralize the toxin inside him. This matter is crucial. His fate will decide all.”

Zhao Weizheng handed the pill to Zhao Yaoyang.

“I understand, Father. I will guide him on the righteous path.”

“Zhou You, since you’ve left Mount Changbai, stay here to study the Way.”

Zhao Weizheng addressed Zhou You, already aware of Beihong’s intentions.

“Master, I have no money to learn the Way.”

Zhou You smiled but lowered his head, an orphan with no means.

“No worries. Xuanyu Temple will cover all your expenses. Stay here and study diligently.”

Zhao Weizheng smiled, relieved.

---

“But I am not your master. Your true master is him,” he said, pointing to his son Zhao Yaoyang. “You may call me Supreme Elder. You also have a senior uncle cultivating on the back mountain; like you, he is bald.”

Zhao Weizheng half-jokingly pulled Zhou You away from the hall.

“Zhou You, have you ever heard of a place east of Mount Changbai called the Forest Enclosed by Rivers?”

They arrived at the ancestral tablets of past elders. Zhao Weizheng picked up a blank new tablet.

“I’ve only seen the title of that book, never read its contents.”

Zhou You shook his head.

Zhao Weizheng took a carving knife and began engraving the tablet, then exhaled deeply.

“Once, a forest full of birds and beasts was threatened by a wildfire. Only a narrow gap remained for escape, but a river blocked the way. The animals were trapped. A great stag stepped forward and crossed the river. It lay between the two banks, allowing others to cross over its body. Its flesh was trampled, but to save them all, it endured the pain until the last hare passed. Then, unable to bear it any longer, the stag fell into the river and died.”

“That stag was truly pitiful. Supreme Elder, are you saying I am that stag? I am already a lonely orphan. I do not wish to become a stag again.”

Zhou You touched his bald head, realizing the metaphor.

“Do not worry. Stay here and visit your master on the back mountain tomorrow.”

Zhao Weizheng placed the tablet carefully—it bore Liu Qingqing’s name.

“Yes, Supreme Elder.”

Zhou You nodded.

---

The next day, back mountain.

“Zhou You, come here.”

Zhao Yaoyang called him over after making Zhou You hold a horse stance for half an hour. Zhou You gritted his teeth and endured, pleased with himself.

“From now on, you will follow me.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Since Long Jie joined earlier, call him your senior brother.”

Zhao Yaoyang held Zhao Longjie in his arms.

“Yes, Master.”

Zhou You paid no mind; Long Jie was younger in age.

As time passed, the two grew up: Zhou You dressed in white, Zhao Longjie in black.

On the back mountain, they sparred, more like testing moves than fighting.

Each attack by Zhao Longjie was dismantled and countered by Zhou You.

Zhou You knew this was unfair and loosened his grip, holding back.

Zhao Longjie, frustrated at being subdued by his junior, seized the chance. He broke Zhou You’s defense, slapped his chest, forcing him back two steps, then kicked hard in the chest, sending Zhou You flying backward, landing on the fallen leaves.

Watching nearby, Zhao Yaoyang sighed quietly, recognizing Zhao Longjie’s competitive nature.

He stood and helped Zhou You up.

“Zhou You, are you hurt?”

“Master, no,” Zhou You shook his head vigorously.

“Long Jie, how many times have I told you—stop when you’re ahead in sparring.”

Zhao Yaoyang scolded.

“Master, it’s my fault for being careless that senior brother got the upper hand.”

Zhou You clutched his chest but started coughing before he could finish.

“Junior brother is right.”

“Father, having junior brother teach me martial arts is unfair. Next time, how about you teach me personally?”

Zhao Longjie teased, smiling.

Page 3/3