Li Anran felt her eyelid twitch as she heard Su Qing’s words.
Two years old?
Or rather, not even two yet?
“You’re making her practice martial arts at that age? She probably can't even walk straight yet!” she exclaimed. She had never seen someone so intent on forcing growth before.
“Um... someone that small probably can't learn martial arts. Even if they're just learning cultivation techniques and not hard external conditioning, a body that small wouldn't be able to handle it,” Li Anran felt compelled to say.
Though she suspected Su Qing might just be using this as a kind excuse to let her stay, she spoke up just in case the doctor actually intended for her to teach the child.
Su Qing glanced at her and gave a small smile. “Is that so? Well, it doesn't matter. Teaching her in a year or two is the same. Besides, she hasn't even finished her basic lessons yet.”
Su Qing didn't argue with Li Anran. She hadn't raised many human children—in fact, this was essentially the first one—so she wasn't entirely sure at what age human children were most resilient to physical strain.
In any case, her own daughters had been quite capable of fighting from a very young age.
Aside from Yudie, that little freak of nature who could swing a sword the moment she was born, even Su Ying had been able to go toe-to-toe with a demon bear before she was even a few years old.
Naturally, Su Qing had a skewed understanding of exactly how weak human children were.
Li Anran breathed a sigh of relief and nodded slightly.
To be honest, even her own master, who she had always considered incredibly strict, wouldn't have made someone start martial training before the age of two.
“It’s best to wait until they’re four or five. By then, the body has begun to develop properly and can withstand the rigors of training,” Li Anran added after a moment of thought.
“Four or five? Hmm, that’s not too late.” Su Qing nodded, then asked, “So, what’s your plan? Do you want to stay here? You have nowhere else to go anyway. Staying with me is your safest option.”
Li Anran gave a helpless smile. “I suppose... I don't really have any other choice.”
She had weighed her options. Her current situation was indeed dire.
If she left, she would inevitably face endless pursuit. Especially since those people hadn't found the sect's manual—or if they had and found they couldn't break through their limits with it—they would definitely come looking for her. They wouldn't think there was anything wrong with the manual itself; they would only assume she held the 'authentic' version.
So, rather than spending her life hiding and running...
She might as well accept the doctor’s terms.
Though she had temporarily lost her freedom, she had gained the doctor’s protection. She truly didn't know what Su Qing's exact realm was, but it was undeniable that Su Qing’s strength was far above her own, perhaps even beyond her imagination.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to brush off last night’s attack so casually.
With that thought, Li Anran bowed to Su Qing. “Li Anran greets the shopkeeper.”
Su Qing’s lip twitched. “You’re a Sect Leader; why are you bowing to a commoner like me? Besides, this is a medical hall. We don't care for those formalities here.”
“Regardless, the doctor is protecting me. It is only right that I show my respect,” Li Anran insisted.
Su Qing shook her head, deciding not to argue further. “Fine, have it your way. However, since you’ll be working here, both your appearance and your name will have to change.”
“This...”
“I don’t want people coming here to cause trouble every day. Changing your face and name will save me a lot of headaches,” Su Qing said flatly.
She could protect Li Anran, but she couldn't spend every single day killing people for her.
“I understand... but how does the doctor plan to change my appearance? I don't know anything about the art of disguise,” Li Anran said with a helpless smile.
Su Qing nodded. After a moment's thought, she said, “That’s not too difficult. Just lie down and sleep for a while. By the time you wake up, I’ll have changed it for you. As for your name, you can spend this time thinking of a new one.”
Li Anran didn't overthink it. She nodded, then lay back down on the bed.
Su Qing gave Hu Lin’er a look.
Hu Lin’er, catching the signal immediately, formed a hand seal and sent Li Anran into a deep, heavy slumber.
“Honestly, Miss... you could have easily cast the spell yourself,” Hu Lin’er couldn't help but grumble.
Su Qing gave her a sweet smile. “Why do everything myself when I have help? However, you won't be able to help with the next part. I have to do this myself.”
As she spoke, Su Qing formed a hand seal, walked over to Li Anran, and lightly brushed her hands over the woman’s face.
Instantly, Li Anran’s features began to shift.
She became even more beautiful than before.
If Li Anran’s original appearance was above average, she was now at the top tier of beauty. Her features had changed significantly; even someone who knew her wouldn't recognize her at first glance. Only someone extremely close to her who spent a significant amount of time with her might notice a resemblance.
But most of the people who knew Li Anran well were likely dead by now.
“This level should be about right...” Su Qing nodded, quite satisfied with her handiwork.
Hu Lin’er looked at the transformed Li Anran and then turned to Su Qing. “It seems you really do intend to keep her around, Miss.”
Su Qing nodded slightly. “I didn't plan on it at first... but she’s the descendant of an old friend, so I’ll take her in. Besides, the girl knows martial arts. She can teach the little one later. I could teach her myself, but I’m a cultivator. Different fields are like different worlds; it’s better to leave these things to a professional.”
Hu Lin’er looked at Su Qing skeptically. As a fox, she was naturally sharp and felt that Su Qing definitely had more than one reason. Recalling Su Qing’s usual behavior and the rumors about her, she nodded.
“I see. I understand, Miss. But you certainly have a lot of old friends...”
“When you live as long as I have, you naturally accumulate a lot of them,” Su Qing said, spreading her hands helplessly, unsure if the girl believed her.
Hu Lin’er remained noncommittal, not taking Su Qing’s words entirely at face value.
“Alright, wake her up,” Su Qing said.
“So soon?”
“When someone is asleep, how can they tell how long they've been out?”
“Fair point. I understand.” Hu Lin’er nodded and cast a spell on Li Anran.
A moment later, Li Anran rubbed her temples as she sat up.
During that brief nap, she had experienced several nightmares. It wasn't a pleasant feeling.
'Is it because I’ve been under too much stress lately? My nerves are pulled too tight,' Li Anran wondered to herself.
After all, one dreams of what one thinks about during the day.
She had no way of knowing that those 'dreams' were actually illusions Hu Lin’er had randomly stuffed into her head.
As for why the fox did it... aside from a bit of mischievousness, there was no other reason.
Once her head cleared a bit, she turned to Su Qing and asked, “Is it done? Doctor, how long was I asleep?”
Su Qing stroked her chin and said with a smile, “It’s done, of course! Go look in the mirror for yourself. As for how long... not long at all. My skills are just that good, so it was quick.”
Li Anran took the bronze mirror Su Qing handed her with a bit of skepticism.
She looked into the mirror and saw a face that was somewhat unfamiliar. But she had to admit—it was very beautiful.
She had expected Su Qing to make her look plain or even ugly, as that would make her harder to recognize. She hadn't expected to be made more beautiful.
Yet, the transformation was so complete that she couldn't see her old self at all.
“So... so incredible.” Li Anran couldn't help but marvel. Su Qing’s skill was terrifying. If other women in the world knew of this ability, the threshold of this medical hall would be trampled flat.
“Well? Do you like your new look?” Su Qing asked playfully.
Li Anran nodded silently. After a moment, she asked, “How long will this appearance last?”
“Hmm? That depends on whether you want to change back later. If you don't, this face can stay with you for the rest of your life,” Su Qing answered after a thought.
She had full confidence in her magic. This wasn't a simple illusion or a glamour; she had fundamentally altered the woman’s features.
“This... Doctor, what kind of being are you exactly?” Li Anran couldn't help but be curious.
With such high strength and such miraculous medical skills, she couldn't fathom why such a person would be in a place like this.
Su Qing gave a faint smile. “Just think of me as a reclusive master who enjoys practicing medicine. As for the rest, you can guess for yourself. Whether you guess right or wrong is up to you. In fact, if you guess correctly, I might even help you take back the Yue-Nu Sect’s territory.”
Su Qing found the idea amusing, so she casually made this wager with her.
Li Anran gave a helpless smile. “Then I’ll have to think very carefully.”
In reality, she had no idea where to even begin guessing. Nor did she truly expect Su Qing to help her reclaim her sect. Such things were best handled personally in the end.
Su Qing just chuckled. “Suit yourself. So, have you thought of a new name?”
Li Anran nodded slightly. “For a new name... just call me Li Yichou.”
“A strange name... and not a very pretty one.”
“I simply don't want to forget my hatred...” Li Anran—no, Li Yichou—said.
The destruction of the Yue-Nu Sect was a pain that would always be in her heart. She could never forget that grudge. Likewise, she was determined to take back the sect’s lands.
Su Qing looked at Li Yichou and chuckled. “You’re an interesting one. Do as you wish; I only hope you truly don't forget that hatred. But while you shouldn't forget it, you can't live in it every day either. Don't forget, for the next few years, you’ll be helping out in my medical hall! I don't want a person with a long face moping around my hall every day!”
Hearing this, Li Yichou was stunned for a moment before she let out a bitter laugh and nodded. “Don't worry... I won't.”
Su Qing nodded in satisfaction. “Good. Well, for the next couple of days, just focus on recovering. I don't need your help just yet. If you get bored, I haven't had a chance to organize the herbs you knocked over yesterday; you can go take care of that.”
Hu Lin’er spoke up from the side. “Um, Miss, I already finished organizing those yesterday when I was bored.”
“...” Su Qing said helplessly, “Fine, then congratulations. You can continue to rest for the next two days.”
Li Yichou’s lip twitched, and she nodded.
After finishing her conversation with Li Yichou, Su Qing turned and left the room. She had many other things to do today besides dealing with her.
Since the medical hall was open, she couldn't neglect her patients. If anyone came seeking treatment, she needed to attend to them properly.
Time passed quickly.
In the blink of an eye, evening arrived.
Su Qing was sitting in a chair in the hall, teaching Su Qingyu. More accurately, she was watching Su Qingyu do the homework she had assigned.
The little girl was staring at a few simple math problems, looking like she had a massive headache.
Su Qing ignored her and didn't offer any hints, simply watching to see when she would figure them out.
As Su Qing watched, Li Yichou walked out from the back.
After taking two doses of Su Qing’s medicine, she had recovered significantly. However, most of the progress was due to the powerful vitality of a martial artist.
After all, Su Qing’s medicine was just ordinary medicine, not some immortal elixir.
“It looks like you’re recovering well. You’re already able to walk around.”
“Actually, I could have since noon. Big Sister Su’s medical skills are incredible; the wounds have basically healed,” Li Yichou said, shaking her head. “By the way, is this the child you mentioned?”
“Yes. Quite cute, isn't she?” Su Qing nodded. “The only frustrating thing is that she’s a bit slow. She can't even understand these simple math problems.”
Li Yichou: “...”
She had just glanced at those math problems.
Forget a child not even two years old—even she, an adult, couldn't calculate the answers instantly.
“Sister Su... aren't you being a bit too strict with a child?”
“Am I?”
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