Unorthodox Wuxia: While Others Practice Martial Arts, I Cultivate Immortality - Chapter 31

Chapter 31: To Go or Not to Go? 

Because the six horse-drawn carts were heavily loaded, they moved slowly, and it was not until dusk that Yuan Zhao finally returned to Tianmen Town.

On her way home, some acquaintances greeted her: “Yo~ Miss Yuan, where are you coming back from? And with so many carts too!”

Yuan Zhao smiled and replied, “The stock at the shop ran out, so I went to Blackstone City to restock.”

“Oh, I see… Looks like the noodle shop is doing well, and Miss Yuan is getting busy.”

“Who says it isn’t?”

Someone else joked, “Miss Yuan, where did you go to strike it rich? You’ve got a whole convoy of carts—don’t tell me they’re filled with money?”

Yuan Zhao half-joked in return, “And what if I told you they were?”

The person laughed, thinking she was teasing: “Hahaha~ Then won’t we be in trouble? If Miss Yuan gets rich, the noodle shop won’t open anymore. Where would we go to eat Jinghong Jade Noodles then?”

Yuan Zhao quipped, “Ah, so in your hearts, you’re all hoping I never get rich!”

“Hahaha~~”

…And so, chatting with familiar faces along the way, Yuan Zhao arrived at her doorstep.

Since Yuan Zhao had been away, the noodle shop had not opened that day. Free of chores, Ah Qing was sitting on the threshold reading.

The sound of neighing horses drew her attention. Seeing Yuan Zhao on the lead cart, she instantly ran forward in excitement.

“Big sister! You’re back!”

“Mm, I’m back.” After getting down from the cart, she immediately asked, “Has Uncle Ming returned?”

At these words, the smile on Ah Qing’s face instantly faded. “He did… but not in good shape.”

Yuan Zhao had already expected as much, so she said, “Let’s get the carts into the courtyard first.”

Only then did Ah Qing think to ask about the carts. “Big sister, where did all these carts come from?”

Leading the horses, Yuan Zhao replied, “I’ll explain later. Anyway, they’re ours now.”

Hearing this, Ah Qing brightened and hurried to help, though she muttered as she strained, “What’s inside these carts? They feel so heavy.”

Once everything was inside and the gate shut, Yuan Zhao clapped her hands. “Ladies, you can come down now.”

At her words, thirty-six young women helped one another down from the carts.

Ah Qing’s jaw dropped, her round eyes widening in disbelief.

‘So many beautiful sisters.’

Those kidnapped by desert bandits were, naturally, all beauties—if not of breathtaking grace, then at least of charming, refined looks.

Some of them, having long been cut off from the outside world, stepped down bewildered and frightened.

Ah Qing asked in puzzlement, “Big sister, where did all these beautiful sisters come from?”

Yuan Zhao answered, “That too I’ll explain later. For now, go boil water so they can bathe, then buy each of them two sets of clothes, and afterward let them rest well. I’ll go check on Uncle Ming.”

“Alright, I understand,” Ah Qing nodded.

Then Yuan Zhao addressed the women: “This is my younger sister, Ah Qing. Listen to her arrangements for now—bathe, change into fresh clothes, and get a good night’s sleep. When you wake, a new life begins. As for the past, let’s treat it like a dream. Forget what should be forgotten.”

At these words, the young women’s eyes welled with emotion. They bowed deeply in gratitude: “Thank you, Miss Yuan!”

Yuan Zhao’s words filled them with hope and anticipation for the life ahead.

“Elder sisters, please follow me,” Ah Qing warmly beckoned.

After giving her instructions, Yuan Zhao went to the room where Lang Mingyue and Xiao Kong Kong were.

Lang Mingyue lay unconscious on the bed, while Xiao Kong Kong dozed at his side. Since Lang Mingyue had been brought back, he had been the one caring for him.

Hearing the door, Xiao Kong Kong snapped awake. Seeing Yuan Zhao, he exclaimed with joy, “Boss, you’re finally back!”

“How is Uncle Ming’s condition?” Yuan Zhao asked.

At that, Xiao Kongkong sighed heavily. “Doctor Hu temporarily sealed his meridians, but that’s only a stopgap. If he isn’t properly treated, he’s doomed.”

Yuan Zhao’s brows knit tightly. “Did Doctor Hu propose a cure?”

Xiao Kong Kong shook his head. “How would I know?”

Just then, Doctor Hu entered, holding a pristine white porcelain bottle.

“So Miss Yuan has returned!” he said cheerfully.

Xiao Kong Kong snapped, “Old man, you’re still grinning? A life is hanging at the death door—don’t you have any medical ethics?”

Doctor Hu shot back, “Brat, so what if I like to smile? Am I supposed to cry instead? Tears don’t heal! Besides, who is he to me? He isn’t dead yet, and even if he were, it’s not my place to mourn.”

Xiao Kong Kong was left speechless, only managing to bark, “Shameful for a physician!”

Doctor Hu was about to argue more when Yuan Zhao cut in, “Enough, quiet!”

She turned to Doctor Hu. “So tell me—can Uncle Ming still be saved?”

Doctor Hu’s expression turned conflicted. “There is a way… but it depends on whether you’re willing.”

“Please, speak plainly.”

Doctor Hu cleared his throat. “Lang Mingyue’s injuries stem from two causes: First, his body is severely depleted, leading to premature aging. Second, his spirit is drained, putting his mind into a deep sleep. As for the premature aging, that I can treat immediately.”

He shook the white porcelain bottle in his hand. “See this? It’s a Supreme Rejuvenation Pill I just refined. Once taken, and with proper rest, his body will slowly recover. It just takes time. Only… there is one catch.”

“What? Out with it, stop stalling!” Xiao Kong Kong snapped.

Ignoring him, Doctor Hu continued to Yuan Zhao, “This pill costs three thousand taels. The question is, will you part with the money?”

At this, Xiao Kong Kong jumped up. “You old crook! Why not just rob us outright instead of making a fancy pill?”

Doctor Hu bristled. “What do you know, brat?! That one pill took a five-hundred-year golden ginseng, a six-hundred-year purple ganoderma, and a seven-hundred-year black fleeceflower root. It cleaned out my stores! Three thousand taels barely covers the cost. Don’t you dare act wronged.”

Xiao Kong Kong shot back, “And we’re just supposed to take your word for it? You used them before we agreed to buy, and you call that not swindling? Who knows if you even had those herbs?”

As their quarrel escalated, Yuan Zhao scolded, “Enough! There’s a patient here!”

Silenced, the two dared not utter another word.

Turning back, Yuan Zhao asked, “This Supreme Rejuvenation Pill—does it truly work?”

Doctor Hu answered confidently, “Of course. You may question my character, but never my medicine. Otherwise, I’ll take offense.”

“Fine. I’ll buy it,” Yuan Zhao said firmly. Lang Mingyue had just helped her earn sixty thousand taels—she would hardly begrudge three thousand to save him.

“Good, I knew I wasn’t wrong about you,” Doctor Hu said with satisfaction.

He went to Lang Mingyue’s bedside, tipped out the pill, and placed it into his mouth. “That should keep him alive for now.”

Then he added to Yuan Zhao, “But the pill only heals his body. It cannot mend his spirit. If his wounded spirit isn’t restored, he’ll remain a living corpse.”

Yuan Zhao understood at once—that meant a vegetative state.

“How can it be treated?” she pressed.

“Ah~” Doctor Hu shook his head. “It’s difficult. I have no medicine for it. Back when his injuries were lighter, I could’ve slowly nursed him back with acupuncture. But he didn’t value his life and even used that forbidden art… Now, even I am powerless.”

“There’s really no way?” Yuan Zhao asked.

If possible, she still wanted to keep Lang Mingyue alive.

After some thought, Doctor Hu said, “It’s not that there’s no way…”

Hearing that, Yuan Zhao’s face lit up. “What way? Please, tell me quickly.”

Doctor Hu asked, “Miss Yuan, do you know of the great snow mountain a thousand li from Tianmen Town?”

“You mean Yulian Mountain?” Yuan Zhao asked.

Though close to the border, most of Yulian Mountain lay within the Great Xiao Kingdom. The vast grasslands that covered 70% of its territory were nourished by its melting snows.

Doctor Hu nodded. “Precisely. Within Yulian Mountain lies the Grand Peak, where grows a miraculous herb called Purity Grass. If we can obtain it, I will have a method to heal Lang Mingyue’s wounds.”

“That’s easy enough, I’ll just go and fetch it,” Yuan Zhao said.

Though the journey was long, saving a life was worth it, especially someone who had sworn loyalty to her.

But Doctor Hu shook his head. “It’s not that simple. Yulian Mountain is a land of a thousand years of ice, bitterly cold. Few who enter ever come out. And the Grand Peak is the most perilous place of all. Do you think no one has set their sights on Purity Grass before? It’s a miraculous herb—even without illness, eating it aids cultivation. Yet most who go in return empty-handed.”

“Oh? Why’s that?” Yuan Zhao asked curiously.

“They say a terrifying snow python guards it,” Doctor Hu replied. “Those who never return were its meals, while many of the survivors came back with their courage shattered.”

“I see…” Hearing how dangerous it was, Yuan Zhao hesitated. “Let me think about it…”

She truly wanted to save Lang Mingyue, but she wasn’t prepared to risk her own life for him.

Seeing her deep in thought, Doctor Hu said, “Miss Yuan, whether you go or not is up to you. I’ve only provided the information.”

With that, he walked off.

Xiao Kong Kong trailed after him, shouting curses. “You rotten old man, you’re wicked to the core! You knew saving half was no saving at all, and still you sold our boss that overpriced tonic pill. What’s your game…”

The old and the young bickered noisily outside.

Yuan Zhao looked at the unconscious Lang Mingyue, sighed deeply, and left the room, closing the door behind her.

Next, she checked on the rescued girls. They had bathed, changed clothes, and were now piled onto the beds, sleeping soundly. Some even had faint smiles on their faces. Clearly, they hadn’t slept peacefully in a very long time.

But Yuan Zhao’s house had too few rooms and too few beds—the girls were packed together tightly.

At that moment, Ah Qing came over and whispered, “Big sister, are they going to live with us from now on?”

Smiling, Yuan Zhao tapped her on the forehead. “Yes. You don’t want that?”

Ah Qing squirmed a little. “It’s not that I don’t want to… but our house is small, there’s no way it’ll fit everyone.”

Yuan Zhao fell into thought, then said, “Don’t worry, your sister has a plan.”

Ah Qing frowned again. “But can we even afford so many people? Won’t we be eaten out of every penny?”

Yuan Zhao flicked her forehead again. “You little housekeeper. Don’t worry, it won’t be free food and lodging—I’ll arrange work for them.”

In fact, she already had a plan. Though Tianmen Town’s environment wasn’t suitable for most crops, it was perfect for growing grapes. The biggest problem was water, but that wasn’t something she needed to worry about.

So grape cultivation was absolutely possible. She could build a vineyard, turn the harvest into wine, and have caravans traveling along the border sell it. How could that not make money?

Her inspiration for grapes and wine came from her past life—her father had been a vintner at a winery, making wine for the wealthy. She had grown up around winemaking. She might not have been an expert, but she knew plenty.

Hearing her sister’s words, Ah Qing let out a sigh of relief. As long as it wasn’t just free meals, it was fine.

She then clung to Yuan Zhao’s arm, rubbing her head against her sister’s shoulder. “Big sister, you won’t throw Ah Qing away now that you have all these beautiful sisters, right?”

Yuan Zhao flicked her forehead again. “Stop talking nonsense.”

“Hehe~” Ah Qing kept nudging her sister’s shoulder. “I don’t care, you’ll always have to be my best, best, best sister! Number one in the world!”

“Yes, yes, always with you,” Yuan Zhao said helplessly, shaking her head.

Hearing that, Ah Qing beamed and skipped happily out of the room.

Closing the door softly behind her, Yuan Zhao left the sleeping girls and beckoned Xiao Kong Kong over.

“Boss, what is it?” he asked, hurrying up.

Yuan Zhao said, “As a thief…”

Before she could finish, Xiao Kong Kong cut her off. “Stop! Boss, mind your words. I’m no mere thief—I am the world-famous Divine Thief!”

“Fine, Divine Thief, whatever!” Yuan Zhao nearly rolled her eyes. Stealing was stealing. “As a Divine Thief, you’ve probably seen many secret chambers, right? Do you know how to build one?”

For those sixty thousand taels of silver she needed a safe, hidden place to stash them. A secret chamber was the best choice.