Volume II: Inheriting the Legacy, Brocade Robes Stained with Blood Chapter 107: Blood Elixir

Yang Ning said disappointedly, "Could it be that even Miss Tang cannot help me solve this trouble?"

Tang Nuo thought for a moment before replying, "It's not that there's no way, but it will take quite some time. Without three to five months, I'm afraid it will be difficult to recover."

Yang Ning thought to himself, if even a medical expert like Tang Nuo needs several months, then the true energy in his dantian was indeed a grave problem.

However, if Tang Nuo could really solve this trouble, three to five months would be acceptable. The only concern was whether he had to stay here for several months.

At this moment, Tang Nuo had already stepped outside, and Yang Ning followed her out. The sky had already darkened, the moon hung high in the eastern sky, and all around was quiet, with no sign of Anau or the others.

They saw the garden in ruins; most of it had been destroyed. Tang Nuo furrowed her delicate brows but did not stop and walked to the pond ahead. Yang Ning then remembered there was someone in the pond. Approaching, he saw a corpse floating on the surface — it was the same large man.

Yang Ning frowned. He had already guessed that if nothing went wrong, the little demon girl Anau must have left in a rage, venting her anger on this man.

Tang Nuo sighed. Yang Ning couldn't help but ask, "Miss Tang, you seem quite familiar with that little demon girl?"

"She wasn't like this before," Tang Nuo said softly. "Seeing her like this today, it can't all be blamed on her."

"By the way, Miss Tang, you live deep in the valley, a remote place. How have you been able to improve your medical skills here?" Yang Ning said, "In my opinion, reading thousands of books is not as good as traveling thousands of miles. You only study herbs here but don't personally treat patients. Your medical skills won't improve quickly."

Tang Nuo glanced at him and asked, "You mean I shouldn't stay in the valley?"

"I don't mean that," Yang Ning said. "Your medical skills are naturally excellent. If you live here leisurely for your own interest, then I have no objection. But... Miss Tang, forgive my frankness, as a healer with your skills, you should treat more people, applying what you learn to its fullest. Otherwise, even if you were the best doctor in the world, what use would that be?"

Tang Nuo frowned slightly, then slowly relaxed her expression. "I never said I wouldn't treat patients. Whenever I see someone sick, I will help."

"Your intentions are good. Today I also saw that you are kind-hearted. No matter who comes, you help without distinction," Yang Ning sighed. "But since you live deep in the valley, I'm afraid not a single person will come by for days. If you were somewhere else, you could treat many patients daily." He paused, then added, "That way, not only could you help others, but your medical skills would also improve rapidly."

Just then, a sudden light flared behind them. Both turned to see the three thatched cottages ablaze. Though the flames were not fierce yet, there were many fire points, flickering on the roofs and inside.

"Not good," Yang Ning exclaimed, "It's the little demon girl—they haven't left yet."

He gripped his cold blade and dashed over. The three thatched cottages, made of wood and grass, were especially dry at the transition between autumn and winter, making them highly flammable. As he ran toward them, the fire was already spreading rapidly.

He was anxious; this was Tang Nuo's residence. If it burned down, it would be impossible to rebuild quickly. Tang Nuo would have to sleep outdoors. Although there was a pond nearby, there was no bucket to draw water. He rushed inside, but all around was already ablaze, with roaring flames and rolling black smoke. He covered his nose, realizing that with just himself and Tang Nuo, they could not stop the fire.

Seeing the silver needle case on the table, he didn't hesitate, took it, and quickly went outside. Tang Nuo was standing a short distance away, calmly watching the burning cottage, showing no intention to put out the fire. Bai Ling appeared from somewhere, tugging on Tang Nuo's trouser leg with one hand and pointing at the burning house with the other, making chirping sounds, as if explaining what she saw.

"Miss Tang," Yang Ning handed her the silver needle case, "Keep this safe. The cottage... I'm afraid it can't be saved." He snorted coldly, "A leopard can't change its spots. If you see that little demon girl again, you must not let her go."

Tang Nuo was silent for a moment before saying, "I don't know your name yet."

"I am... Qi Ning!" Yang Ning said. "Miss, the house is burned down, but don't be too upset. You can rebuild it."

Tang Nuo shook her head. "We can't stay here anymore."

"Ah?" Yang Ning's eyes lit up immediately. "Miss Tang, are you planning to leave here? That's excellent. Staying here, away from people, is too lonely."

"I'm not afraid of loneliness. I've been here many years. My master stays here only a few days a year," Tang Nuo said after some thought, "Anau knows I'm here, so this place won't be peaceful anymore."

"Exactly, exactly. That little demon girl is cunning. Miss Tang, you are reluctant to be harsh with her, but she has no kindness toward you. From the start, you have been at a disadvantage," Yang Ning said. "You can guard against her ten or twenty times, but if you slip once, you'll fall into her trap. You should leave here." Seeing Tang Nuo silent, he cautiously asked, "Miss Tang, may I invite you to a place? I wonder what you think?"

Tang Nuo turned to look at Yang Ning. Under the moonlight, her face was delicate and beautiful. Though she spoke no words, her eyes held a questioning look.

Yang Ning hurriedly explained, "I see you are very interested in medicine. Why not go to the capital? The capital is densely populated, and many sick people live there. You can open a clinic to treat patients and thus fulfill the healer’s mission. Besides, many famous doctors reside there. You would have the chance to learn from them and improve your skills... Please don't misunderstand. I’m not saying your skills are lacking, just that there is always someone better. Learning from others is never a bad thing."

In truth, seeing Tang Nuo’s excellent skills, he was secretly scheming.

But people like her, who live secluded in the mountains like hermits, indifferent to worldly affairs, are usually very difficult to coax out.

Yet Tang Nuo seemed somewhat persuaded, so he encouraged her further.

"My medical skills are actually quite ordinary," Tang Nuo said calmly. "I am far behind my master. Even he does not claim to have unmatched skills."

"You are modest," Yang Ning smiled. "But learning more never hurts."

"You are right. There are always people better than oneself, and to improve, one cannot avoid going out," Tang Nuo said softly. "In the past two years, my progress has been very slow. My master advises me not to rush, but I know there must be a reason. Hearing you say this today, maybe you are right. I need to see more, encounter more difficult and strange diseases to advance my studies."

Indeed, she was an ambitious and diligent young woman.

Yang Ning felt pleased but showed no expression. He said seriously, "Speaking of difficult diseases, the capital has plenty. Many with strange illnesses seek famous doctors there. Miss Tang, I have some connections in the capital. I can arrange for some patients with rare diseases to be sent to you for treatment."

Tang Nuo frowned and finally said, "You should leave here first. I have some things to organize and need some time. Once I am ready, I will come to the capital to find you."

Yang Ning exclaimed excitedly, "So you agree to go to the capital? The common people will be blessed. Don’t worry, once I return, I will find you a place and help you open your clinic."

"No need," Tang Nuo shook her head. "I will find a way myself and don't want to trouble you too much."

"Not a trouble, not a trouble," Yang Ning was delighted inside. "Miss, you don’t know how complicated things are in the capital. Opening a clinic as a lone woman is not easy. You don't have to worry. Leave it to me. If it weren’t for you, I might have fallen victim to that little demon girl. Consider this my repayment to you."

"You don't have to keep calling her 'little demon girl,'" Tang Nuo said. "I don't even know if I can cure your dantian problem. You shouldn’t be too happy yet."

Yang Ning was startled and a little embarrassed, thinking this woman was truly sharp, seeing through his thoughts at a glance.

"Miss Tang, I think it's best if I stay until morning," Yang Ning looked up at the sky. "The house is burned down. I worry that little demon... Anau might come back to cause trouble. With me here, you would have another helper."

Tang Nuo shook her head. "She burned the house and dare not stay here any longer. She should be far away by now." She held out her hand, holding a porcelain bottle. Yang Ning asked curiously, "Miss Tang, what is this?"

"This is Blood Pill," Tang Nuo said. "It took my master over ten years to develop. No matter what poison you are afflicted with, once you take it, the Blood Pill seals the toxin’s spread for three days. For ordinary poisons, it can easily detoxify. For the most potent poisons, it slows the poison’s effect. You will be safe for three days. If you worry that Anau might trouble you again, with this Blood Pill, you don’t need to fear."

Yang Ning thought such a treasure was priceless and said, "Such a precious thing—I don’t know if I should accept it." Though he spoke thus, his hands eagerly took it and tucked it into his bosom. He also knew that Tang Nuo giving him the Blood Pill was like a polite way of telling him to leave. He bowed and said, "Miss Tang, take good care. I will wait for you in the capital. When you arrive, come to the Brocade Guards’ Mansion and give my name."

"Brocade Guards’ Mansion?" Tang Nuo nodded slightly. "I will remember." She heard those words with no surprise, as if it were just an ordinary household.

Yang Ning did not linger and turned to leave. After taking a few steps, he looked back and saw Tang Nuo still quietly watching the burning cottage. Hesitating, he finally said, "Miss Tang, you... you’re not going to back out, are you?"

Tang Nuo did not turn her head but said calmly, "Don’t worry. At the latest, within half a month, I will arrive in the capital."

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