Chapter 39

The girl in his arms was covered in blood, her features barely recognizable, making her look particularly horrifying.

The metallic scent of blood filled the air around him. Shen Jizhi tightly pursed his lips and carefully took out a black cloak from his spatial pouch, gently draping it over Jian Huan's body.

With a sweep of his wide sleeves, the snow-white sword embedded in the tree trunk withdrew and obediently returned to his side.

The black-clad man had already used a teleportation talisman to escape the moment his flying darts were knocked away by the snow sword.

Shen Jizhi didn't pursue him. Instead, he collected the fallen darts from the pile of decaying leaves and stored them in his spatial pouch. Without further delay, he carried Jian Huan and swiftly made his way toward the nearest Approaching Immortal City.

Jian Huan had instructed him to find the cheapest healer.

Approaching Immortal City did have a healer with the lowest fees, someone Shen Jizhi was familiar with. However, if one were to consider the cheapest option, the Imperial Pacification Office would undoubtedly be the place.

The Imperial Pacification Office wouldn't ignore Jian Huan's injuries. They would certainly have their own healers treat her, and afterward, they wouldn't have the heart to charge for the treatment.

After all, this incident was a result of the Imperial Pacification Office's oversight.

But which healer from the Imperial Pacification Office would treat Jian Huan, and how skilled they were, Shen Jizhi had no way of knowing.

After hesitating for a moment, he decided to take Jian Huan to a more reliable place. He leaped lightly across the rooftops of the city, landing in a quiet backyard.

In the backyard, an elderly woman with graying hair was bent over, drying herbs.

Hearing the commotion, she turned around and, upon seeing Shen Jizhi's face, her expression immediately darkened. "Young man," she said, "Medicine Granny here has raised her prices recently."

Shen Jizhi: "..."

He coughed lightly. "Medicine Granny, it's not for me. It's for my friend who's been seriously injured. I'd appreciate it if you could take a look."

"Friend?" Medicine Granny straightened up and wiped her hands on her apron. Her eyes, filled with curiosity, glanced at the figure covered by the black cloak.

She led the way into the house, still unconvinced. "Your friend... wouldn't happen to be as broke as you, would she?"

Shen Jizhi shook his head. "She's a bit better off than me."

Medicine Granny: "..."

That didn't reassure her much. If she was only "a bit better off," how much better could she be?

Shen Jizhi followed Medicine Granny into the house and gently placed Jian Huan on the bed, carefully lifting the black cloak from her body.

Medicine Granny sat down beside her and used her spiritual energy to examine Jian Huan's condition.

Shen Jizhi stood nearby, watching as Medicine Granny withdrew her hand. "How is she, Medicine Granny?" he asked.

"She looks badly injured, but she's avoided any fatal wounds. She'll survive," Medicine Granny replied, using her spiritual energy to stop the bleeding. "How do you want to proceed with the treatment?"

Shen Jizhi glanced at the person lying on the bed. Since he was currently penniless and her medical fees would have to come from her own pocket, he decided to follow her wishes. "Under the premise of curing her and not leaving any scars, please use the cheapest possible medicine."

A fine, prickling pain spread across her body, accompanied by a slight itch.

Jian Huan couldn't help but let out a muffled groan.

She slowly opened her eyes, and in her blurred vision, she saw tiny lines that seemed to quiver at the ends, like the legs of a mosquito.

Jian Huan blinked a few times, wondering if there was something wrong with her eyes.

Soon, she realized that these were the edges of the white bandages wrapped around her.

She breathed a sigh of relief.

At the moment, Jian Huan's entire body was wrapped in white bandages, leaving only her eyes, nostrils, and mouth exposed.

With great effort, she pushed herself up from the bed and looked around.

The room was small and simply furnished, containing only a cabinet, a table, three wooden chairs, and little else.

The sound of conversation drifted up from downstairs, muffled and distant, as if coming from another world.

Getting up from the bed had already drained most of Jian Huan's strength. She glanced behind her, then used her bandaged hand to grab a pillow and toss it forcefully to the floor.

A dull thud echoed through the room, and the conversation downstairs paused for a moment. Shortly after, the door creaked open, and Shen Jizhi appeared in the doorway.

The dimly lit hallway offered little light, and his face was hidden in the shadows, making it hard to see his expression.

Jian Huan tilted her head slightly, listening carefully. She hadn't heard any footsteps, so his sudden appearance surprised her. "Why didn't you make any noise?" she asked.

Shen Jizhi paused, then collected himself and replied calmly, "I'm at the Foundation Establishment First Layer."

That made sense.

Jian Huan nodded, her tone light with amusement. "Thank you for saving my life. But how did you happen to be there?"

"I was just passing by," Shen Jizhi said, recalling the events of the previous day. He couldn't help but feel a lingering fear.

If he had been delayed even for a moment and arrived just a step too late, then...

"Thank goodness, thank goodness. It seems my life isn't meant to end just yet," Jian Huan said, patting her chest lightly. She wanted to lie back down but realized she had thrown her pillow to the floor.

She pointed to it with her bandaged hand. "Shen Jizhi, could you please pick up the pillow for me? Thank you."

Shen Jizhi walked over, picked up the pillow, and placed it behind her.

Jian Huan carefully lay back down and sighed contentedly.

"Yesterday, at the base of the tree, a black-clad man threw poisoned darts at you," Shen Jizhi began, getting straight to the point. He took out a wooden box containing the poisoned darts from his spatial pouch and showed them to her. "Do you have any recollection of this?"

Jian Huan examined them carefully, then shook her head. "No."

She narrowed her eyes. "I had a strange feeling that someone was waiting for me down there. It seems I was right."

"I'll need to hand these darts over to the Imperial Pacification Office later," Shen Jizhi said, putting the darts away. He then handed her a bag. "This is the reward from the Imperial Pacification Office—six thousand."

Jian Huan suddenly sat up, but the movement pulled at her wounds, causing her to cry out in pain. "Ouch!"

Shen Jizhi couldn't help but roll his eyes. "What's the rush? I'm not going to take it from you."

Jian Huan, still in pain, hugged the six thousand tightly to her chest. She tilted her head and looked at him cautiously. "How much of this six thousand do you think you should get?"

She wasn't too keen on sharing, as she had taken down the puppet and the Demon Heart Worm on her own.

But he had knocked away the black-clad man's poisoned darts, saving her life, and had taken her to the healer. Not giving him anything would be a bit unreasonable.

Shen Jizhi: "..."

He suddenly changed his mind. "Well, actually..."

Jian Huan: "???"

Shen Jizhi: "I still owe you one hundred thousand, minus nine hundred and twenty-one. Let's just round it back to one hundred thousand."

Jian Huan thought for a moment, then agreed decisively. "Alright!"

Shen Jizhi raised his eyes and looked at Jian Huan's face, but it was completely wrapped in white bandages, leaving only her lively eyes exposed. They sparkled with a bright light, almost dazzling.

Unable to read her expression, he asked, "How are you feeling now?"

Jian Huan, who was happily hugging the reward, replied, "I'm fine."

Shen Jizhi then said, "There are people from the Imperial Pacification Office downstairs who want to ask you some questions. Should I let them come up?"

...

In the cramped room, Shen Jizhi and two officers from the Imperial Pacification Office sat at the table.

Behind them, two more stood, making the already small space feel even more confined.

Jian Huan briefly recounted the events of the previous day.

The man who had stopped her and Shen Jizhi outside the Imperial Pacification Office frowned deeply. "Miss Jian, I believe that black-clad man was targeting you. Think carefully—have you offended anyone?"

Jian Huan lowered her eyes subtly, pretending to ponder for a moment before shaking her head. "No, I've always been on good terms with everyone at the Jade Clarity Sect. If I had to say I've offended someone, it would be related to the incident in Yujiang City."

The man now knew who Jian Huan and Shen Jizhi were. "That's possible. I didn't dare tell you too much before, but the Shadow Hand is indeed connected to the Yujiang City incident."

Jian Huan was surprised by this revelation. "What do you mean?"

"We've deduced that the Yujiang City incident involved different people handling different parts of the operation. Qi Wan was in charge of maintaining the array, Bing Lian coordinated the various locations, and the lower-ranking Blue Robes quietly abducted children with spiritual roots from different places. Meanwhile, the group led by the Shadow Hand investigated children with spiritual roots and reported this information to the Blue Robes. That's how we were kept in the dark for so many years. Before coming to Approaching Immortal City, the Shadow Hand was causing trouble in Azure Dragon City. Shortly after he left, children in Azure Dragon City began disappearing one after another... That's the general picture. It's getting late, and we should return to the Imperial Pacification Office to report this."

The man stood up and bowed to Jian Huan. "Miss Jian, if you remember anything else, please notify us immediately."

Jian Huan smiled. "Of course, thank you for your hard work."

She glanced at Shen Jizhi, signaling him to see the officers out.

Shen Jizhi slowly got up and half-heartedly saw off the group from the Imperial Pacification Office at the door, watching them descend the stairs before returning and closing the door.

He sat back down in his original spot, holding a ceramic water cup in his hands, not drinking, and asked, "Who was that black-clothed man?"

Jian Huan was leaning against the pillow, deep in thought. Upon hearing his question, she turned her head to glance at him. "I do have someone I suspect."

"The black-clothed man didn't come up with the puppet to besiege me. He didn't not want to; he just couldn't. He probably only has the cultivation level of a Qi Refining stage. He deliberately chose to strike when I was alone, indicating that he only has a grudge against me. Moreover, he probably doesn't want to provoke you. Even if your master is a spendthrift, he's still the peak master of the Jade Clarity Sect, a Nascent Soul stage expert. The black-clothed man wouldn't want to offend him. That leaves only one person—"

Jian Huan silently mouthed a name to him: "Hu Zhi."

Medicine Granny was a freelance cultivator who had traveled far and wide in her earlier years, practicing medicine. Now that she was tired, she had retired to live in Approaching Immortal City.

Her cultivation level was not high, but with years of experience treating countless patients, she could use common medicinal herbs mixed with small amounts of spiritual herbs to treat minor injuries. The only drawback was that the recovery time was longer.

However, not many people knew about her. She mostly didn't see patients but sold her medicines to the clinics in front.

Shen Jizhi knew about Medicine Granny because, back then, he had taken a mission from the Immortal Storage Tower and had unfortunately been severely injured. By chance, he had met Medicine Granny.

Later, he realized that because his cultivation level was low, the reward for the missions he took was insufficient, and in the end, it wasn't even enough to cover the medical fees. Thus, he had no choice but to give up and turned to making a living through craftsmanship, eventually honing his skills into those of a craftsman.

Jian Huan woke up the second day after the incident but couldn't get out of bed until the fifth day.

She hobbled to the backyard with a cane, sat in a chair to bask in the sun, and held a bowl of medicine in her hands.

The medicine was as black as ink, with a strong, bitter smell, quite different from the medicine she had been drinking the past few days.

Most importantly, this medicine seemed familiar.

Jian Huan stared at the medicine for a long time.

The floral curtain was lifted, and Medicine Granny came out carrying a basket of herbs.

Jian Huan quickly asked, "Granny, what is this medicine? What is it for? Why is it different from the medicine I've been drinking before?"

Medicine Granny paused and turned back to ask, "Are you and that boy siblings?"

Jian Huan was puzzled. "Huh?"

Medicine Granny dumped the herbs from the basket onto a drying tray on the ground, her face long. "You all love asking, always asking. I don't understand, what are you asking for? Even if you ask, you won't understand. Just drink it; do you think I'd poison you?"

Jian Huan didn't get annoyed. She knew the granny had a sharp tongue but a soft heart. She smiled and explained, "Medicine Granny, neither of us has much money. We try to save on medicine costs where we can."

Medicine Granny glanced at her sideways. "Didn't he say you have money?"

"!" Jian Huan widened her eyes and immediately shook her head. "He's lying; don't listen to him! I'm only a little better off than him."

Medicine Granny chuckled and muttered to herself, "Indeed, siblings, same nature."

Jian Huan: "Granny?"

Medicine Granny put the empty basket aside, crouched by the drying tray, and spread out the herbs with her hands, replying as she worked, "It's for nourishing the dantian. The previous medicine was for healing injuries; the two shouldn't be mixed."

Jian Huan's eyes lit up. She carefully placed the medicine bowl aside and took out some herbs from her mustard seed pouch. These were herbs she had gathered in advance during her time in Yuxian City.

"Granny, take a look. Are these the ones?"

Medicine Granny turned her head, sniffed, and nodded. "Yes."

"Then, Granny, can I drink my own medicine for the next few days?" Jian Huan quickly asked.

Medicine Granny stood up, picked up the empty basket, and left, her tone drawn out. "Can—but you two can brew it yourselves. Your 'brother' is quite good at brewing medicine, hehe."

"Look," Medicine Granny saw the figure hurrying in from the gate, "here he comes."

Shen Jizhi brushed past Medicine Granny, receiving a meaningful glance from her.

He pushed open the floral curtain, his face showing a look of confusion, and asked Jian Huan, "What 'brother'?"

“Oh, Granny thought we were siblings because we're both so frugal,” Jian Huan took out all the herbs from her mustard seed pouch, piling them on the ground, and gave him a light wink. “Brother, I hear you're very good at brewing medicine—”

Shen Jizhi's eyebrows furrowed, and his body stiffened as he refused, "…Don't call me that."

"Why? Don't you like being called that?" Jian Huan didn't think there was anything wrong with it; it was just a form of address. She often called people that on the Xuantian Mirror.

Shen Jizhi lowered his eyes. "Yes, I don't like it."

"Alright then," Jian Huan pointed at the pile of herbs, hinting, "Then—"

Shen Jizhi sighed softly. "I know, I'll brew it."

Jian Huan gave him a satisfied look, picked up the medicine bowl from the side, and prepared herself mentally to drink the medicine.

It was going to be very bitter.

Shen Jizhi glanced behind him, hearing the sound of Medicine Granny going upstairs.

After Medicine Granny went upstairs, he walked over to Jian Huan, crouched down, and whispered, "It's all arranged."

Jian Huan nodded. "Good."

Regarding Hu Zhi's matter, Jian Huan didn't mention it to the Imperial Pacification Office, fearing it might alert him.

She thought that Hu Zhi must be feeling anxious right now, hiding outside the sect and keeping an eye on the situation. If he sensed any danger, he would likely flee immediately.

The Nine Provinces were vast, and once Hu Zhi left, it might be difficult to find him again.

But if there was no movement, Hu Zhi would most likely return to the Jade Clarity Sect.

He wouldn't easily give up his identity as a disciple of the Jade Clarity Sect.

So Jian Huan only mentioned this to Elder Yu Qing. They agreed not to make a fuss and wait for Hu Zhi to return to the sect before capturing him.

Shen Jizhi had been running back and forth these past few days to arrange this.

The ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‍medicine in Jian Huan's hands sloshed around the bowl as she nodded, splashing out a couple of drops that landed on her hand.

Jian Huan felt a pang of regret and quickly steadied her hands.

She picked up the bowl of medicine, took a deep breath, and started drinking it in big gulps.

Most of the gauze on Jian Huan's face had been removed, revealing her scarred eyebrows and eyes, making her look somewhat ferocious.

Shen Jizhi lowered his eyes, his fingers lightly moving.

Jian Huan put down the bowl, wiped her mouth with the gauze-wrapped hand, and was about to say something to Shen Jizhi when she saw a... piece of candy?

Floating quietly in front of her, wrapped in paper, was a square piece of candy.

She was surprised and looked at him. "For me?"

"Yes," Shen Jizhi took her bowl, not wanting to say more, and stood up.

Jian Huan's ferocious expression softened. She clasped her hands together toward him. "Thanks."

Shen Jizhi turned and walked toward the door, said calmly, "You're welcome."

Jian Huan took the candy, unwrapped the paper, and found that the candy was a bit damp, probably having been stored for a while.

But she didn't mind and directly bit into it, carefully savoring it. Suddenly, her face contorted.

"Shen Jizhi!"

Shen Jizhi's hand had just touched the curtain when he heard her and turned around. "What?"Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Jian Huan looked at him, hesitating. "How long have you had this candy?"

Shen Jizhi: "……"

In his eyes, a hint of something unusual appeared.

He seemed to have forgotten something before giving her the candy...

Jian Huan puffed out her cheeks. "Shen Jizhi?"

Shen Jizhi pursed his lips, not directly answering, and explained softly, "I took a glass jar from the Jiang Family Old Mansion, and I didn't throw away the candy inside."

So, it was candy that had been stored for sixteen years.

Jian Huan: "……"

Shen Jizhi looked down at his toes and said, "You should spit it out."

Jian Huan savored it again. "Forget it, although the taste is a bit strange, it's still a bit sweet."

After all, she was now at the Foundation Establishment stage; it wouldn't hurt her stomach.

Remember Shen Jizhi's "I don't like it," and see if he likes it or not later, tsk tsk.