Chapter 164: Nan Xiaoxiang’s Wish
Anyone who emerged from that hellish place had survived by consuming poisonous insects and plants, their resistance to toxins incredibly high.
Nan Xiaoxiang had spent two years in the Yama’s Valley before escaping.
She couldn’t remember how she had survived.
It was all a blur of nightmares.
But even so, she wasn’t the only one who escaped.
Another girl, around her age, had also emerged.
“There had never been a case of two children escaping before,” Nan Xiaoxiang said slowly. “But according to the Wu Xuan Cave’s tradition, there could only be one Sacred Child.”
“In the end, the sect elders decided to make us fight to the death. The survivor would become the Sacred Child.”
“…But I knew I would be the one to die.” Her eyes dimmed.
That girl was far more terrifying than she had imagined.
If Nan Xiaoxiang had simply been lucky to survive, that girl had practically made the Yama’s Valley her home.
Chen Yin asked, “Then how did you survive?”
“I told her I would give her the title of Sacred Child, I just wanted to live.”
Nan Xiaoxiang’s gaze drifted into the distance. “The elders didn’t agree. They thought that if I lived, I might reveal the secrets of the Sacred Child selection process.”
…But the girl had agreed.
Nan Xiaoxiang would never forget her arrogant and condescending expression.
“You want to leave? Fine.”
“Destroy your cultivation base, become a mortal, and I’ll let you go.” Her smile was innocent and sweet, but her words were chilling.
It was the only way to survive.
If she refused, Nan Xiaoxiang knew her fate would be far worse than death.
So, she agreed.
After her cultivation base was destroyed, she was thrown out of the Ten Thousand Mountains. An old physician found her lying in the grass and took her in.
And so, Nan Xiaoxiang established the Xiaoxiang Medical Clinic in Yanxia Province.
“I can no longer cultivate,”
She murmured, “But I’ll never forget what happened in the Wu Xuan Cave. Never.”
Chen Yin, who had been listening intently, couldn’t help but ask, “So, you’re going back for revenge?”
Nan Xiaoxiang shook her head.
“Perhaps… I had those thoughts once.”
When she had first been rescued, she had been a young girl, lying in bed, unable to move, her mind filled with images of that girl’s sweet yet venomous smile.
She had wanted to tear that smile from her face.
But the old man who had taken her in was a kind soul.
“Little girl, do you know?”
“Countless people die every day. And countless people are born.”
“Dying is easy. Living is hard.”
“If you’re truly filled with resentment, become stronger than her.”
“But I can’t cultivate. How can I become stronger than her?” The young Nan Xiaoxiang had asked, her eyes wide with confusion.
The old man chuckled and patted her head gently.
“She kills. You heal.”
“You are already stronger than her.”
Nan Xiaoxiang had never forgotten those words.
She began studying medicine with the old man, traveling north, healing the sick and saving lives along the way.
When they reached Guyu Town in Yanxia Province, the old man passed away. She settled down there and opened the Xiaoxiang Medical Clinic.
“After all these years, I no longer hate her.”
“On the contrary,” she said softly, “I pity her.”
Having practiced medicine for so many years, Nan Xiaoxiang had seen countless young girls in their prime.
Dressed in beautiful clothes, flirting with their sweethearts, enjoying the simple pleasures of life.
The girl in the Wu Xuan Cave had never experienced any of that.
During her youth, she had been trapped in a dark and desolate cave, surrounded by poisonous insects and plants.
It was a tragic fate.
“I’m not going back for revenge.”
“She must be the Grand Witch of the Wu Xuan Cave now.” Nan Xiaoxiang said softly. “If I can, I just want to persuade her to change their cruel traditions, to stop selecting the Sacred Child in such a barbaric way.”
Chen Yin nodded in understanding.
“I see. Anything else?”
Nan Xiaoxiang paused.
“If you’re not going back for revenge, why did you go to the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain to search for the Heavenly Dao Fragment?”
His question made her fall silent.
“I’m telling you, it’s better for girls to be less scheming.”
Chen Yin wasn’t moved by her story. He shrugged casually. “Why don’t you just be honest?”
“Tell me you want revenge, that you want to use the Heavenly Dao Fragment to reclaim everything you’ve lost.”
“I might even respect you a little more.” He looked at her with a playful smile.
Nan Xiaoxiang’s eyes dimmed. She met his gaze for a moment, then looked away.
“…Is that what you think of me, Young Master Chen?”
“You’re not that bad, but old habits die hard.” He shrugged.
Once bitten, twice shy.
“Perhaps you’re right, Young Master Chen.” Nan Xiaoxiang’s voice was calm. “Perhaps I am a scheming woman.”
“But I’m not seeking the Heavenly Dao Fragment for revenge.”
“…It’s because the Wu Xuan Cave is also looking for it.”
Chen Yin’s expression turned serious.
“The Sacred Child selection process is a closely guarded secret of the Wu Xuan Cave, recorded in their ancient texts. It’s not just about choosing a Sacred Child.”
“Or rather, choosing the Sacred Child is only half the process.”
She said slowly, each word deliberate, “The other half is to fuse the Sacred Child with the Heavenly Dao Fragment.”
“This will grant the Sacred Child unparalleled power, allowing them to ascend to immortality and bring eternal prosperity to the Wu Xuan Cave.”
“But the Heavenly Dao Fragment is just a legend. No one has ever seen it.”
“I only heard rumors that it could be found in the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain, so I wanted to try my luck.”
“So?” Chen Yin asked curiously. “Even if you find it, what then? You’re no longer the Sacred Child.”
“But she is.”
Nan Xiaoxiang said seriously, “I want to save her.”
“You don’t understand, Young Master Chen. Once the Sacred Child is chosen, they become the host for the mother Gu, the source of all the poisonous insects in the Wu Xuan Cave. Their body is infused with countless toxins.”
“If they don’t achieve immortality, their lifespan is only a decade or so.”
“That’s why the Sacred Child always gives it their all, either achieving immortality or perishing in the attempt.”
“Unless they have the Heavenly Dao Fragment to extend their lifespan, allowing them to master the Dao of Poison.”
“I’ve saved many lives,” she said, her eyes filled with a complex emotion, “but I’ve never forgotten the old man’s words.”
“The person I want to save the most… is her.”
Chen Yin stroked his chin thoughtfully.
…She was probably telling the truth.
Nan Xiaoxiang had always given him a contradictory impression.
She was beautiful, elegant, and kind, a renowned physician with a compassionate heart.
But Chen Yin, having seen her other side, knew that beneath her gentle exterior was a sharp and calculating mind. Even he had been fooled by her innocent facade.
That was why he had always been wary of her.
But despite her scheming nature, she had never harmed anyone.
Even Ju Shaohé, who had relentlessly pursued her, had only been drugged and robbed of his token.
Chen Yin still remembered her words.
“I only heal. I don’t kill.”
And she had stayed true to her words.
Putting aside his prejudice, he had to admire her dedication as a physician. Healing and saving lives was truly her priority.
Although he didn’t want to get involved in her personal affairs, it seemed a trip to the Wu Xuan Cave was inevitable.
In that case…
After a long silence, Chen Yin nodded slowly. “Alright. I’ll go with you to the Wu Xuan Cave.”
Nan Xiaoxiang’s eyes lit up.
“But let me make this clear.”
Chen Yin’s tone turned serious. “I’m going there to find Ye Huang and find a cure for Ye Ling’er.”
“Your personal grudge against the Wu Xuan Cave is none of my business. Don’t drag me into it.”
Nan Xiaoxiang nodded slowly. “Of course.”
“The Southern Region is a long and dangerous journey. I’m grateful for your protection, Young Master Chen.”
“You trust me that much?” Chen Yin looked at her with a playful smile.
Nan Xiaoxiang’s expression remained unchanged. “You’re a righteous and compassionate man, Young Master Chen. I’ve seen it with my own eyes.”
“I believe I can trust you.”
A righteous and compassionate man?
You’re really laying it on thick just to get my help.
Chen Yin chuckled. “Thank you for the compliment, Miss Nan.”
“It will take me a few days to settle some matters at the clinic.”
Nan Xiaoxiang bowed gracefully. “I’ll come find you when I’m ready.”
Perfect.
He could spend some time with Luo Luo and Qingying.
“And,”
Nan Xiaoxiang asked, “should I bring Luo Luo and Miss Qingying with us to the Southern Region?”
Chen Yin frowned.
If he took them, the Wu Xuan Cave wasn’t a safe place for them. And if they left, there would be no one to take care of Ye Ling’er.
If he didn’t take them, they would definitely throw a tantrum and insist on going.
After pondering for a moment, he suddenly had an idea.
“Right. An eight or nine-year-old girl would probably get along better with someone her own age.”
Nan Xiaoxiang blinked, confused.
“But… Luo Luo is the youngest among us, and she’s still much older than Ye Ling’er.”
“It’s fine, I know a girl around Ling’er’s age.”
…Although it was only her physical age.
A mischievous grin appeared on Chen Yin’s face.
“I’m sure they’ll get along.”
Leave a Reply