Chapter 0015: Five Against Four

Zhang Xiao left the antique shop, hailed a taxi, and returned to the Chen family residence in Wolong Alley.

Chen Yue was a quick and observant girl. The moment she saw Zhang Xiao carrying medicinal herbs and a wooden box tucked under his arm, she immediately went up to help him bring everything inside.

As soon as Zhang Xiao sat down, Chen Yue promptly poured him a glass of water—a complete transformation from her previous attitude toward him. Zhang Xiao understood perfectly well that Chen Yue was only doing this because he was helping the Chen family, so he accepted her courtesy without hesitation.

Soon after, Zhang Xiao announced that he would begin refining medicine. Chen Wei, perceptive as ever, realized it would be inappropriate for him and Chen Yue to remain present. With unspoken understanding, the siblings excused themselves, saying they would go buy groceries and cook dinner later for Zhang Xiao. Then, they left.

Once the two had gone, Zhang Xiao took out the black-gold cauldron and prepared the medicinal ingredients, arranging everything for the alchemical process.

In the art of alchemy, one uses a small cauldron for refining medicine and a large one for concocting elixirs. The black-gold cauldron was a fine vessel for such work. Zhang Xiao lit a fire beneath it with wood, then added the pre-ground herbs in the correct order.

Throughout, Zhang Xiao did not leave the cauldron’s side. Beyond the importance of the vessel and ingredients, maintaining the proper flame was crucial; he had to constantly stoke the fire as needed.

Minute by minute, the process unfolded. Gradually, a unique, clear fragrance began to waft from the cauldron, filling the entire room.

Another half hour passed before Zhang Xiao finally relaxed, a faint smile gracing his lips.

It was done.

Just then, Chen Wei and Chen Yue returned. Zhang Xiao opened the cauldron and took out a single black pill, its delicate aroma refreshing and pure.

With a casual toss, Zhang Xiao threw the pill to Chen Wei. “Take this Essence Nurturing Pill. It should help restore some of your cultivation.”

Chen Wei accepted it, so moved that he was momentarily speechless. With heartfelt gratitude, he thanked Zhang Xiao and swallowed the pill in one gulp.

As soon as the pill entered his stomach, a warm current spread outward, the medicine’s power diffusing into his bloodstream and quickly circulating throughout his body.

Chen Wei felt an indescribable comfort, a sense that his martial cultivation was slowly returning. In his dantian, where his inner strength had long since dissipated, true energy began to coalesce seemingly from nothing.

Zhang Xiao spoke: “Now sit in meditation, calm your mind, and guide the medicine’s power through your dantian. Don’t waste it—this pill is quite expensive.”

Chen Wei dared not neglect the instructions. He nodded and immediately began to meditate as Zhang Xiao had told him.

Zhang Xiao then turned to Chen Yue. “Go make dinner. I’m hungry.”

Chen Yue quickly agreed and hurried to the kitchen.

Half an hour later, a table full of fragrant dishes was ready. Chen Wei was still meditating, absorbing the medicinal effects, while Zhang Xiao sat at the table, helping himself to the food.

Chen Yue sat anxiously beside him, eyes fixed on her brother.

Noticing this, Zhang Xiao tapped his chopsticks on the bowl. “Eat. Staring at your brother won’t help him.”

Chen Yue made a sound of acknowledgment and picked up her bowl, but her gaze never left Chen Wei.

After the meal, Zhang Xiao patted his stomach in satisfaction. “Xiao Yueyue, your cooking is excellent.”

Chen Yue didn’t hear Zhang Xiao’s praise, nor did she notice the teasing nickname he had just given her. Her attention never wavered from Chen Wei.

At that moment, a faint white mist rose above Chen Wei’s head, sweat beading on his brow, yet his expression was calm, as serene as a meditating monk.

At last, Chen Wei quietly opened his eyes, brimming with joy and astonishment.

His martial cultivation had returned to the second stage!

He rose and came before Zhang Xiao, clasped his fists, and said, “Your great kindness and virtue—I, Chen Wei, will never forget. From this day forth, whatever you command, I shall obey without hesitation, even at the cost of my life!”

Zhang Xiao, unimpressed, replied, “You can’t even defeat me—what use would I have for your service? Enough with the dramatics. With the Essence Nurturing Pill, your cultivation is restored to the second stage. I made three pills in total, but you must wait between doses. Take the next pill after half a month, and the last one another half month after that. In two months, your martial cultivation will be fully restored.”

Chen Wei began to tremble uncontrollably. Since Zhang Xiao had destroyed his martial foundation, he’d never dared dream he might one day return to the martial path.

Seeing Chen Wei’s emotion, Zhang Xiao waved him off. “Alright, enough sentiment. I already said—I’m doing this to repay your family’s kindness to my grandfather. You don’t need to feel indebted.”

Straightforward by nature, Chen Wei nodded firmly. Though he said nothing, he made a silent vow: from this day on, anyone who opposed Zhang Xiao would be his enemy.

Zhang Xiao glanced at the time and stood up. “I need to find a suitable burial site for the Jiang family. I’ll be leaving for now—call me if you need anything.”

With that, Zhang Xiao left Wolong Alley.

He caught a ride straight out of the city. To find a suitable feng shui burial site for the Jiang family, he would have to venture into the hilly outskirts.

He spent the entire afternoon searching. At last, his efforts were rewarded—he found a geomantically auspicious site: a nameless hill. Although its feng shui was not as exceptional as the Pearl Mountain with its Azure Dragon Embracing the Pearl formation that Jiang Yan had previously purchased, it was still a place where wind and water gathered—a fine spot.

Letting out a breath, Zhang Xiao left the matter of purchasing the hill itself to Jiang Yan. Once the sale was finalized, Zhang Xiao would select an auspicious date for the burial, and his task would be complete.

He then walked down the hill to the highway and flagged down a cargo truck heading for the city, promising the driver a hundred yuan for the ride.

Upon reaching the city, Zhang Xiao headed straight for Yunshui Mountain Villa. With the auspicious site found, he wanted to see if he could negotiate with Jiang Kongqing to obtain the Goddess’s Tear ahead of time.

The five vital energies within his body were at their peak, his blood surging. In this state, he had only three years to live. He needed the supremely cold and yin Goddess’s Tear to suppress the five energies and prolong his life—this was his first reason.

The second was something he had never told anyone.

Master Zhang had once said that there was not a trace of spiritual energy within Zhang Xiao’s body, making him unfit for cultivation. That was only half true.

Zhang Xiao was, in fact, half a cultivator. He possessed cultivation techniques and knowledge, but because of the five energies within him, he could not easily embark on the path of cultivation.

Cultivators draw spiritual energy from heaven and earth into their bodies. Zhang Xiao’s body, however, was like a red-hot furnace. If he drew in a large amount of spiritual energy now, the furnace would overheat and collapse, leading to his destruction.

Thus, to cultivate, Zhang Xiao needed to resolve the issue of the five energies first.

And now, Zhang Xiao was done waiting.

He arrived at Yunshui Mountain Villa, but as he stood outside, his brow furrowed. The villa’s gates were wide open, but not a soul was in sight.

Something was wrong.

Taking a deep breath, Zhang Xiao strode inside.

Only when he reached the main hall of the villa did he find three people waiting: a deathly pale man, a corpulent middle-aged man, and the Master Zhang he had seen before.

All three turned to look at him. The corpulent man sneered, “So, you must be Zhang Xiao? I’ve waited long enough for you!”

The moment he saw Master Zhang, Zhang Xiao had already guessed the fat man’s identity—Zheng the Tiger.

Zhang Xiao’s expression was calm, not the slightest hint of fear. “So you’re Zheng the Tiger? I thought you might act out, but I didn’t expect you to move so quickly. Where are Jiang Yan and his daughter?”

Zheng the Tiger sneered and clapped his hands. Several of his men emerged from the back, escorting Jiang Yan and Jiang Kongqing, both with their hands bound. The moment they saw Zhang Xiao, their faces lit up with hope.

Zheng the Tiger’s eyes glinted cruelly. “Once I’ve taken you down, I’ll send the three of you on your way together!”

Seeing that Jiang Yan and Jiang Kongqing were unharmed, Zhang Xiao relaxed. He calmly sat down on a sofa near Zheng the Tiger. “So you must have prepared a formidable helper; otherwise, you wouldn’t be so confident.”

He glanced at Master Zhang, shook his head, then looked at the deathly pale Daoist, locking eyes with him. “Is it you?”

The Daoist’s lips curled into a smile. “How composed in the face of danger. You know we’ve made preparations, yet you remain so calm. Are you merely putting on a show?”

Zhang Xiao shrugged. “If it’s just a show, why don’t we find out by crossing hands?”

The Daoist studied Zhang Xiao for a moment before grinning cruelly. “A body of pure yang—no wonder you were able to break my disciple’s Soul-Binding Corpse Formation and even injure Young Master Zheng’s yin spirit. But for that very reason, you can’t cultivate and must rely solely on martial strength. For one of your age to reach the fifth martial stage is rare indeed. With a bit more time, you might even reach the sixth, and a sixth-stage martial artist is formidable anywhere. Pity, though—you won’t live to see it.”

Zhang Xiao showed no surprise at having his secret exposed, only smiled. “Oh? Such confidence. Aren’t you afraid you’ll be proven wrong in a moment?”

The Daoist sneered. “A fifth-stage martial artist, with physical strength alone, can match a third-stage cultivator. But unfortunately for you, I am now at the fourth stage. Let’s see if you can handle that.”

As he spoke, Zhang Xiao suddenly sensed a fierce wind behind him. He sprang up and rolled forward, the gust brushing over his head.

A silver flying sword, just over a foot long, circled the Daoist.

A few strands of Zhang Xiao’s hair floated gently to the floor. For the first time, a grave look crossed his face.

A life-bound flying sword!