Qin Shi: I went astray in the Heavenly Sect

Chapter 168 Bei Mingzi's Deduction, Mirror Lake Medical Manor
Taiyi pierces through the clouds, breaking through ten thousand fathoms; the azure sky seems to collapse, supporting the immortal palace.

The Qin state, on Mount Taiyi, the residence of the Heavenly Sect.

Bei Mingzi suddenly opened his eyes. He looked eastward and subconsciously began to calculate with his left hand.

After a long while, Bei Mingzi sighed softly.

"Misfortune may be a blessing in disguise, and a blessing may be a misfortune in disguise; what is meant to be experienced cannot be avoided in the end."

After a while, Chisongzi pushed open the door and entered.

"I've met my uncle."

Upon seeing his martial uncle, Chisongzi's expression became somewhat uneasy, as news had been circulating from the martial world over the past few days.

He was a young grandmaster in Daliang City with extremely impressive skills. Yan Wu, the patriarch of the Armored Sect, used a secret technique to forcibly break through the bottleneck and enter the grandmaster realm, but ultimately he was defeated by him.

The only person he could think of who could be like that was his young junior brother, who happened to be in the State of Wei at that time.

"Something happened in Daliang City. Although the Wei Kingdom tried to cover it up, rumors still got out."

"Yan Wu of the Armored Sect briefly broke through to the Grandmaster realm using a secret technique, becoming a Great Grandmaster. However, he was ultimately defeated by a young man. According to current intelligence, this young man knows a very powerful sword formation and can also use the power of starlight to overcome a major realm and kill Yan Wu."

Bei Mingzi picked up the jade teacup and took small sips without saying a word.

Chisongzi could only manage a wry smile at his unmoved senior uncle before sitting down opposite him.

The reason he said all this was because he suspected that the young man who had turned Daliang City upside down might be his junior brother, but Bei Mingzi was not worried at all.

Yan Wu is extremely strong, and his body is hard and difficult to deal with. Although he is a Grandmaster, he cannot be judged as such. His true combat power is enough to contend with an ordinary Grandmaster. If he were to encounter him, he would probably only be able to run away.

After a while, Chishongzi said, "Uncle-Master, this person might be Junior Brother Qingxu."

Bei Mingzi nodded.

"It's him."

"Qingxu's 'Harmony with the World' technique has been perfected. In addition, with the previous 'Ten Thousand Rivers Autumn Water' and 'Heart Like Still Water' techniques, his strength can no longer be measured by ordinary Grandmaster level."

Bei Mingzi knew a little about his disciple, but what he knew was enough to show that Qingxu had the ability to contend with ordinary Grandmasters.

His situation was somewhat similar to Yan Wu's; otherwise, the two wouldn't have had such a fierce battle.

Upon hearing this answer, Chishongzi was taken aback.

"Isn't your junior brother and sister worried about their junior sister?"

Although Qingxu ultimately won the battle, who could guarantee that they wouldn't have been injured in the end?

Bei Mingzi slowly put down the jade teacup in his hand and shook his head.

"Everyone has their own path to walk, and this experience is a rare opportunity for both of them."

"Based on my calculations, neither of them is in immediate danger. Let them go!"

Seeing Bei Mingzi's attitude, Chi Songzi said nothing more.

After all, the master has spoken, so why should he, as the senior brother, bother arguing?

"Has the sect started operating on the things Qingxu brought back?"

After a while, Bei Mingzi started talking about something else. Upon hearing this, Chi Songzi's expression became much more serious.

Salt and paper have such a profound impact that Taoism can promote them, but it cannot possess them. The benefits they bring are too great for any single sect to bear.

"If one's virtue is not commensurate with one's position, disaster will surely follow; if one's wealth is not commensurate with one's position, one will surely suffer losses."

Having cultivated for many years, the two were well aware of such matters.

"The benefits contained in these two things are too great. I plan to operate them together with the Human Sect. As for the workshop, each sect will send an elder to oversee it."

"If someone breaks through the defenses, then let these two things flow out naturally. Xiaoyaozi and I estimated that it would take at least half a year for these two things to appear on the market and spread. It would also take at least half a year for all parties to get their hands on them."

At this point, Chisongzi stroked his beard and sighed deeply.

"After that, let fate decide about these two things!"

Bei Mingzi nodded.

"That would be best. A house full of gold and jade cannot be kept; those who are rich and proud will bring disaster upon themselves."

Then, as if he had thought of something, Bei Mingzi spoke up to remind him.

"Keep a close eye on the people Qingxu brought back. The others are fine, but that one named Ni Chang is a Grandmaster."

"Grandmaster?"

Chisongzi was taken aback, a hint of surprise in his eyes. He had seen that girl before; by worldly standards, she was a stunning beauty. He just hadn’t expected her to be a grandmaster.

"However, there is a Taoist aura in her body, which is probably a backup plan left by Qingxu. You should handle the situation carefully."

Backhand?

Upon hearing this, Chisongzi felt a strange unease. Although his junior brother was young, he was quite cunning.

"Uncle-Master, can you tell her background?"

Bei Mingzi shook his head.

"Qingxu is usually very measured in her actions, so there should be no problem. As long as she behaves herself in my sect, let her do whatever she wants with other matters!"

Bei Mingzi didn't care much about Ni Chang's background. This was the confidence of a top expert in the world. Among the seven kingdoms, apart from irreconcilable feuds, almost no one would provoke a Grandmaster.

"Hmm~"

Chisongzi nodded.

He didn't want to get too involved in Qingxu's affairs. With his talent, he was bound to become another Beimingzi of the Daoist school. Not to mention that outsiders wouldn't want to provoke him, even the elders within the sect would probably turn a blind eye once they knew about him.

On the other side, a carriage arrived at the border between Wei and Chu. Compared to the situation in Qin and Wei, the situation in Wei and Chu was much better.

They passed through the pass with almost no obstacles.

The driver was a young boy. Inside the carriage, there was a thick, soft blanket, on which a silver-haired girl lay, fast asleep.

After passing through the pass, the boy walked and asked for directions along the way, and soon arrived at a scenic place.

Looking at the vast, misty lake ahead, the boy's gaze became somewhat complicated.

"Medicine practitioners."

The boy then led the horse to a dock, but the dock was deserted, with no boats in sight.

Looking through a fragment of his memory, the boy shook his head.

"It seems this ship is a one-way ship; it can only pick up people from the medical clinic, otherwise there are no extra ships to go there on their own."

The young man could understand this situation, after all, this place was just a medical clinic, and the two people in the clinic were two women with average skills, who could only be considered second-rate in the martial arts world.

As for the future Immortal Physician of Mirror Lake, according to his estimation, he wouldn't even qualify as the day after tomorrow. However, these things are just from his memories; the truth will only be known by seeing it with his own eyes.

By this time, it was already dark, and since he had already come this far, he didn't intend to wait any longer.

After thinking for a moment, the young man turned around and went to the carriage, picked up the silver-haired girl inside, and carried her back to the lakeside.

"You~~"

"You've been sleeping the whole way, why won't you wake up?"

Xiu Yuan glanced sideways at the little head perched on his shoulder, motionless, and felt a little helpless.

With his own Evergreen Technique, the girl wouldn't have died. He had already regulated her internal energy and qi, but she showed no signs of waking up along the way.

After briefly sensing the location of the medical manor, Xiu Yuan then released his inner energy from his throat, sending out a telepathic message that could travel a thousand miles.

"Qingxu, a Taoist master, along with his junior sister Xiaomeng, sought an audience with a successor of the medical school."

Inside the Jinghu Medical Clinic, Nian Duan and a young girl were tidying up medicinal herbs when suddenly a voice reached their ears.

Although their cultivation levels were average, they had considerable experience in the martial arts world, so their expressions changed upon seeing the newcomer's move.

"Master, what is this??"

Duanmu Rong is still just a young woman of sixteen or seventeen, and she is completely bewildered by the current situation, feeling more curious than anything else.

"It's a message transmitted over a thousand miles."

"There is a special technique in the martial arts world that uses internal force to send a sound several miles away. This technique is called 'sound transmission over a thousand miles'."

"However, relatively speaking, people who can use this method have extremely profound internal strength, which is very different from the people we usually see. We should be careful in the future."

Upon hearing Nian Duan's words, Duanmu Rong nodded.

The young woman felt a surge of anticipation for this Taoist master she had never met.

"Rong'er, go set sail and welcome the guests!"

There was no one else in the manor at the moment, so Nian Duan thought for a moment and then instructed Duanmu Rong to go and ferry the guests.

Upon hearing Nian Duan's instructions, Duanmu Rong gave a slight bow and then stepped out.

Just as the girl stepped out, she saw someone riding the waves on Mirror Lake. This sight stunned the usually composed girl.

"Such methods are indeed those of a Taoist master."

The door to the room was not closed, and Nian Duan also saw this scene. The Mirror Lake Sect Leader standing at the door couldn't help but sigh softly.

Then she came out and came to Duanmu Rong's side.

"He's younger than I expected. He seems to be a genius disciple of the Heavenly Sect. I wonder what realm he's at now."

Doctors are compassionate and dedicated to saving lives, so they don't usually pay much attention to such things. However, for other reasons, a hint of hesitation appeared in her eyes.

The Taoist school, especially the Heavenly Sect, is actually quite skilled in healing. Taoist techniques are inherently gentle, and they have a unique advantage in treating internal injuries. If this young man's cultivation level is high, then what he seeks will likely be far more difficult for Mirror Lake Medical Manor.

On Mirror Lake, Xiu Yuan arrived, riding the waves.

Under the moonlight, looking at this idyllic paradise, the young man couldn't help but feel a sense of tranquility.

He also saw the two people outside the room.

On the left is an older woman whose appearance is not particularly striking, but she gives off a very comfortable feeling, with a carefree and unassuming demeanor, as well as a compassionate and merciful aura.

When these two qualities appear in the same woman, even the most ordinary person becomes extraordinary.

On the right is a girl of about seventeen or eighteen. Under the yellow light, she is wearing a navy blue strapless dress with a half-gray-blue and half-milky-white color-blocked short-sleeved jacket. She wears a headscarf with purple and white stripes on her head, and her bangs flutter in the wind. She has a thin ponytail, long and thin dark eyebrows, and her eyes still hold a lingering surprise.

At first glance, it's not particularly stunning, but upon closer inspection, it's like a fine wine, with a lingering aftertaste.

"I am a Taoist, and my visit at this late hour is quite offensive. However, my junior sister has been unconscious for several days, so I dare not delay. I hope you two will forgive me!"

Xiu Yuan jumped off the wave and then flashed into the medical manor, standing in front of the two women.

Looking at the person in front of him, Nian Duan first sized him up and saw that he was a boy of thirteen or fourteen years old, wearing a green robe, with a handsome face, sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes.

Behind him was a silver-haired girl. There was nothing unusual about her small face, and her aura seemed normal.

However, when she heard that the girl had been unconscious for several days, she dared not say for sure what her condition was.

"Come in first!"

Being a doctor, Nian Duan did not refuse and turned to walk into the house.

As they walked, Nian Duan asked, "Master Qingxu, you are so young yet possess such cultivation; it is truly extraordinary. May I ask who your master is?"

Upon hearing this, Xiu Yuan frowned. There was a rule in the future Mirror Lake called "three types of people who will not be saved," which showed that the two women in this medical manor were not entirely without temper.

However, judging from Nian Duan's age, which was around thirty or forty, he figured that he probably wouldn't be involved with his master, Bei Mingzi. So after thinking for a moment, he replied, "My master is Bei Mingzi of the Tianzong Sect."

Upon hearing this answer, Nian Duan paused in his steps. He had thought it was an elder of the Heavenly Sect or the sect leader, but he never expected it to be that old immortal of the Heavenly Sect who had not accepted any disciples for fifty years.

"It's actually that senior figure."

Upon hearing Nian Duan's words, Duanmu Rong stood to the side, several thoughts flashing through her mind.

Spending every day with her master, she could see more about him from his every move. When the name Bei Mingzi was mentioned, her master seemed quite surprised.

"Bei Mingzi is the Supreme Elder of Tianzong. Today, the head of Tianzong is Chisongzi, who also addresses him as 'Uncle-Master'. It is said that Master Bei Mingzi has been in the Grandmaster realm for a long time and has been in seclusion in Tianzong, not concerning himself with worldly affairs. As for taking on disciples, that is out of the question."

Nian Duan tidied up the bed, then took Xiao Meng from the boy's hands. Seeing the doubt on his disciple's face, he said a few more words.

The medical community is also one of the Hundred Schools of Thought. It would be good for them to know more about the affairs of the martial arts world, so Nian Duan told them everything he knew.

"Since you are a disciple of Master Beimingzi, why didn't you seek out the master for treatment, but instead came to Mirror Lake?"

Although that's how she asked the question, Nian Duan had already taken out her pulse-taking tool and placed her hand on Xiao Meng's wrist.

Xiu Yuan stood there, and after hearing Nian Duan's words, he thought for a moment and did not hide anything. He said softly, "Junior Sister Xiao Meng is from the Wei Kingdom. Her hometown is Chenjia Village in Guancheng. About two years ago, Chenjia Village was wiped out, and she was the only survivor. Later, by chance, Junior Sister entered the Tianzong Sect and was favored by Master, who took her as a disciple."

"Later, my junior sister encountered a hurdle in her cultivation. My master said that she had unresolved issues, so he sent my junior brother and me back to the State of Wei to settle the old grudges."

In chaotic times, such a background is not uncommon. Many people have experienced similar things. Hearing Xiu Yuan's words, Nian Duan sighed softly.

The woman was already somewhat sentimental, and upon hearing that this girl was like this, she couldn't help but feel a little more pity for her.

"About half a month ago, my junior sister and I returned to Guancheng and learned some information from General Lian Po. The tragedy in Chenjia Village was caused by the collusion between traitors from Qin and Wei. Later, following the clues, my junior sister and I went to Daliang."

At this point, Xiu Yuan couldn't help but sigh softly.

The city of Daliang was nothing like what he remembered or expected.

"I have traveled to Xinzheng in the State of Han and Handan in the State of Zhao, but Daliang in the State of Wei is somewhat beyond my expectations. Back then, Lord Xinling stole the tally to save Zhao, which was a great act of righteousness throughout the land. The heroes of the martial arts world followed him and created a legendary tale. But today's Daliang is a mess. Officials are not officials, and the people are not people. The martial arts world has long lost its original character and has become a sword in the hands of the powerful to cut down the common people. People are greedy for small gains and forget about righteousness. There are even cases of buying and selling people and private robbery."

Upon hearing this, Nian Duan frowned.

As a doctor, she really couldn't bear to hear these things, but they were all realities.

"Later, after my junior sister killed the real culprit from back then, it attracted an elder from the Armored Sect. I had no choice but to fight him, and my junior sister was implicated, which is why she fell into a deep sleep."

Regarding revenge, Nian Duan couldn't say much. A life for a life, a debt for a debt—these are the natural order of things.

"What is the cultivation level of the person who made the move?"

Nian Duan suddenly spoke up and asked.

Upon examination, she found that the silver-haired girl had no injuries; on the contrary, everything in her body was normal. So she asked her about what happened that day.

"He was a Grandmaster-level expert who later used a secret technique to break through to the Great Grandmaster level."

Xiu Yuan dared not hide anything and finally told the truth.

Upon hearing this, Nian Duan was taken aback.

"Grandmaster?"

She looked at the Taoist disciple who called himself Qingxu with a strange expression.

She's not like Duanmu Rong. Having been involved in the martial arts world for so many years, she knows some of its secrets. These days, the highest level of martial arts is probably no more than that.

"Did that person show mercy in the end?"

She first glanced at Xiu Yuan, and seeing that there was nothing wrong with him, she asked another question.

No, he's dead!

Upon hearing this, Xiu Yuan remained silent for a moment before replying slowly.

"You defeated a Grandmaster??"

Seeing the doubt in Nian Duan's tone, Duanmu Rong was puzzled. Wasn't it obvious? Since Qingxu and Xiaomeng were here, didn't that mean they were the ones who won the battle?

However, Nian Duan could not explain what was going on here.

If the Grandmaster showed leniency because of Bei Mingzi's existence, that would be understandable. But to say that the other party defeated the Grandmaster is a bit of a fantasy.

After all, the boy in front of her was at most thirteen or fourteen years old, and in her opinion, someone that age couldn't possibly have that kind of fighting power.

"May I ask about Master Qingxu now?"

At this point, Nian Duan paused. She was about to ask the person in front of her what realm he was at, but then she thought that these things were already considered private matters for people in the martial arts world, so she stopped talking abruptly.

However, Xiu Yuan understood what the other party meant.

Now that he has come seeking help, he naturally needs to explain the source of Xiaomeng's injuries.

"I'm not sure about his exact level, but his combat strength should be no weaker than that of the Grandmaster back then, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to defeat him."

"At the time, I kept my junior sister by my side with the intention of protecting her. Although the aura I unleashed when I fought with the opponent was blocked, the clash of intents could not be stopped. I guessed that my junior sister must have been affected at that time, which is why she remained unconscious."

Upon hearing this, Nian Duan slowly raised his hand and then stood up.

This was the first time she had encountered such a situation, and for a moment she was at a loss.

"From the pulse diagnosis just now, I can tell that there is nothing wrong with the energy in this young lady's body. It must be because you used your internal energy to protect her heart meridian on the way here, and then she recuperated along the way, and her body has almost recovered."

"As for being unconscious, I am not entirely sure what happened, but judging from the previous situation, your Taoist methods are probably no longer very effective, otherwise he should have woken up long ago."

Upon hearing this, Xiu Yuan nodded thoughtfully.

Indeed, if the Evergreen Skill were still effective, Xiaomeng should have woken up long ago. But the fact that the girl is still unconscious means that the Evergreen Skill alone cannot wake her up.

"What does Master Nianduan mean?"

Hearing Xiu Yuan's words, Nian Duan was somewhat surprised. She hadn't introduced herself earlier, yet this young man knew her name.

"You know me?"

Upon hearing this, Xiu Yuan seemed to understand something, but it wasn't a big deal, so he nodded slightly.

“Since I came here to seek the master’s help, I must know something about this place. On the way, I overheard someone mentioning that there was a great physician at Jinghu Medical Clinic, which is why I came to visit him.”

"Later, when I was inquiring about the location of Jinghu Medical Clinic, I heard more and more things, including the names of the masters and this young lady."

"If I am not mistaken, the master is Nian Duan, and this young lady is Duanmu Rong."

Seeing that Xiuyuan was neither hiding nor concealing anything, Nianduan nodded slightly.

It's better for the other party to be straightforward than to leave people guessing.

"This old woman, Nian Duan, greets Master Qingxu!"

Nian Duan bowed respectfully to Xiu Yuan. Although the young man in front of him was very young, both his status and cultivation level were worthy of the title of master.

"Master, there's no need for such formalities. I've come here solely to heal my junior sister. May I ask what you meant by what you just said?"

Nian Duan shook his head.

He then glanced at the little girl lying on the bed and walked out into the outer room.

"Humans live between heaven and earth, eating grains and cereals. Your junior sister probably hasn't eaten anything during this time, right?"

Upon hearing this, Xiu Yuan scratched his head somewhat awkwardly. In the past few days, he had only fed him some water, and as for food, he had indeed not fed him anything.

"Let her recuperate here for a few days. I also have a set of acupuncture techniques that can stimulate acupoints in the brain. Once she has recovered sufficiently, I can try it out."

"How sure are you?"

"At most 60%. Her situation is extremely rare. If she were an ordinary person, she would probably have died from the aftershocks of a battle between grandmasters."

"So low?"

"Please allow me one night to consider it."

(End of this chapter)