Song Yao said, “Senior Ji—Ji Duchuan—refined it for me.”
Ninth Elder was even more shocked.
Not only did Ji Duchuan write prescriptions and give her his personal notes, but he had even refined a pill of this grade for her?
Just what kind of sweet talk had she used to coax him?
The other elders clearly shared this confusion. Song Yao explained succinctly, “I just said it was to treat Second Senior Sister, and Senior Ji agreed. I don't know the exact reason either.”
These people were all old foxes; they understood immediately upon hearing her words.
Medicine King Valley had always remained neutral in the conflicts between the various sects of the Tianshu Realm. For Ji Duchuan to become an honored guest of the Beiyao Sect at this critical juncture would inevitably make people think Medicine King Valley was taking their side.
Now, by refining a pill for Little Wood and writing prescriptions for her, he was showing immense sincerity. He wanted to signal to Nine Saints Hall that he harbored no hostility toward them, thus cleanly removing himself from the conflict.
“I understand his intent,” Second Elder said, stroking his beard. “If I have time in the future, I will certainly pay him a visit to express my gratitude.”
He turned his head, only to see Song Yao holding the pill, staring at him without blinking, her eyes filled with anticipation. He paused slightly.
Beside him, Ninth Elder caught on even faster. “I understand what you mean too. But as you know, we sword cultivators have always been poor. Fortunately, Third Elder is very wealthy. You can ask him directly for whatever amount you want later.”
He then added, “The Golden Scale Snake Grass is yours. The sect will definitely not take advantage of you for nothing.”
If it were anyone else, they might have let it slide. But this little girl had been clamoring to leave the sect, and she wasn't even close to Zhu Zhao. Taking her pill for free would be no different from robbery.
It was better to keep their accounts clear.
Song Yao furrowed her brows, clearly deep in thought.
These elders were much shrewder than they had been in her past life.
They wouldn't default on her debt too, would they?
Third Elder also had quite a bad temper...
But since she wanted to be an honest, upright person, it didn't seem right to be overly calculating.
While she was debating with herself, someone walked out of her room, unfastened a peace jade from his waist, and handed it to her. “Keep this as collateral for now. Ask me for the money later, and I'll pay you back along with the one hundred and fifty thousand from last time.”
Song Yao was stunned. She looked up at her Fourth Junior Brother.
This peace jade was an heirloom left to him by his parents. It contained some of his talismans and was his most treasured possession.
In the past, she had tried to steal it multiple times, but he had caught her every single time.
Back then, he would always shake his head helplessly and say, “No, not this. At least not right now.”
He would even get a bit annoyed if she tried to steal it too often.
Yet now, he was casually handing it over to her as collateral?
The elders nearby were also clearly surprised. Before they could speak to stop them, Song Yao had already completed the transaction with clean efficiency—one hand delivering the goods, the other receiving the payment. She took the peace jade and handed him the Golden Scale Snake Pill.
As Xie Zhou went inside to administer the medicine, Song Yao began twirling the peace jade in her hand, making the elders' hearts skip a beat.
Sixth Elder said nervously, “Good child, please make sure you don't break your Fourth Senior Brother's jade pendant. It's not easy for him to suppress his inner demon.”
Song Yao's hand froze. Curious, she asked, “What is Fourth Senior Brother like when he succumbs to his inner demon?”
Since this touched upon his privacy, Sixth Elder sighed and shook her head. “You wouldn't want to know. Come, let's go inside and take a look.”
She then entered the room to check on Zhu Zhao's condition.
Song Yao followed behind her and peeked inside.
Second Senior Sister lay quietly on her bed. Her breathing was a hundred times weaker than before Song Yao had left, and her chest barely rose or fell.
Her face was deathly pale, and several dark purple veins protruded beneath the skin of her neck, creeping out from her collar in a terrifying manner.
Xie Zhou gently tilted her chin up, slid the pill into her mouth, and then took a half-step back, standing aside with lowered eyes.
Sixth Elder immediately stepped forward. A soft white light coalesced in her palm as she gently placed it over Zhu Zhao's dantian. Her spiritual energy slowly traveled along Zhu Zhao's meridians, gradually dispersing the medicinal efficacy of the pill.
Under the shroud of the white light, the dark purple veins on Zhu Zhao's neck faded at a pace visible to the naked eye.
Her previously bloodless cheeks gradually regained a faint flush of red, and even her breathing grew slightly stronger.
Standing by the door, Song Yao raised her brow almost imperceptibly.
As expected of a Heaven-grade pill; it was indeed effective.
She just didn't know how long it would delay the poison.
Sixth Elder withdrew her hand, wiped the thin layer of sweat from her forehead, and gestured to Xie Zhou. The two of them walked out together, clearly having more to discuss.
Song Yao, however, furrowed her brows.
Wait.
Was she going to have to sleep in the same bed as Zhu Zhao from now on?
She hastily called out to Xie Zhou, “Fourth Senior Brother.”
Xie Zhou turned to look at her.
Song Yao said tactfully, “Wouldn't it be a bit inappropriate for Second Senior Sister and me to keep sharing a room? Besides, there's only one bed.”
Xie Zhou paused for a moment. “I have spare rooms in my courtyard.”
Song Yao had no intention of moving into his courtyard.
Living under the same roof made it too easy for her to expose herself.
She said quickly, “Then you should take Second Senior Sister with you.”
Xie Zhou replied, “No.”
Song Yao asked, “Why?”
Xie Zhou said, “We don't get along.”
Song Yao: “?”
Since when did they not get along?
Although they hadn't really spoken much in the past, it shouldn't have reached the point of having a conflict.
Xie Zhou added, “There are too many things in my courtyard, and it is under restrictions. It would be inconvenient for Sixth Elder to come and go to care for her.”
Song Yao: “...”
Fine.
Only her courtyard had barely any belongings, making it the most suitable for requisition.
There was no other way.
She gave up the struggle. “Alright, then I'll go back to live on Baicao Peak.”
Xie Zhou: “...”
He pursed his lips and looked at the flock of chirping ducklings, chicks, and the puppy in the courtyard. “If you live on Baicao Peak, traveling back and forth will be inconvenient.”
Song Yao sighed sorrowfully. Just as she was about to say she could bring her entire menagerie back with her, Xie Zhou added indifferently, “I am rarely in the sect anyway. Just stay there; you don't need to worry too much.”
“Furthermore, the main peak is rich in spiritual energy, which is beneficial for your body.”
This was actually true.
Staying on the main peak made her feel less fatigued.
She had to take advantage of her time at Nine Saints Hall to nurse her body back to health.
Song Yao considered it seriously for a moment, then nodded. “Alright.”
Xie Zhou hadn't returned once during her long stay on the main peak previously.
Living in his courtyard meant they probably wouldn't run into each other very often, so it shouldn't be a major issue.
Xie Zhou nodded slightly and said succinctly, “Come over once you've finished packing.”
With that, he turned and left.
Song Yao couldn't help but sigh in amazement once more.
Her Fourth Junior Brother was so aloof now.
He was truly a completely different person compared to before.
She didn't have many belongings in this room to begin with, so she only packed a few changes of clothes.
After thinking about it, she walked over to Zhu Zhao's side, pulled out her little ledger, and began writing down the debt. “I'll charge you one hundred spirit stones per night. You've stayed here for over a month. Remember to pay up when you wake up.”
She didn't have a good relationship with Zhu Zhao, so there was no reason to let her stay in her courtyard for free.
No matter how bad Zhu Zhao's temper was, she surely wouldn't kill her just because she charged her money upon waking up, right?
This behavior was perfectly reasonable.
She tore out the page and stuffed it into Zhu Zhao's hand. Just as she finished, Jiang Jin walked in with a frown. “You're charging Second Senior Sister? She's your senior sister. This... this isn't very appropriate, is it?”
Without a second thought, Song Yao held out her hand to him. “Then you pay for her.”
Jiang Jin: “...I—I am also your senior brother.”
Song Yao: “I don't care what kind of senior brother you are.”
Jiang Jin: “...”
Rate on N.U.
