Chapter 173: A Healer Cannot Stand By
After settling in the village, night fell.
Luo Luo, still affected by the miasma, took some medicine and went to bed early.
Qingying, as usual, disappeared as soon as night fell. But she had her System, so Chen Yin wasn’t worried.
Only Nan Xiaoxiang remained, standing outside, her arms resting on the railing, a troubled expression on her face.
“How does it feel to be back?”
Chen Yin casually strolled over and leaned against the railing beside her. Nan Xiaoxiang frowned slightly at his closeness, but her voice remained polite.
“Just a bit nostalgic. I don’t remember much from my childhood.”
That was a lie.
If she didn’t remember, how could she have led them through the treacherous Ten Thousand Mountains to this hidden village?
Chen Yin didn’t call her out on it and just looked at the village lazily.
“Hungry?”
“…A little.”
He offered her a small cake.
Nan Xiaoxiang took a bite, the soft, fluffy texture melting in her mouth. Her eyes lit up.
“So sweet and soft… unlike anything from the Central Plains. It’s delicious.”
“How do you always have so many interesting treats?” she asked, turning to him.
Chen Yin shrugged. “There are many delicious things in the world. You’re just too busy healing the sick to try them.”
Nan Xiaoxiang looked at him expectantly.
“Do you have more?”
Chen Yin offered her a chocolate mousse.
With each bite, her eyes sparkled with delight, as if she was experiencing something extraordinary.
After finishing the mousse, she licked her lips, her gaze lingering on Chen Yin, as if she wanted to ask for more but hesitated.
“I have other flavors if you want to try them,” Chen Yin said, “but in my hometown, girls who eat sweets at night get fat. If you don’t mind that, you can have as much as you want.”
Nan Xiaoxiang hesitated, then looked away.
“I’m fine.”
Seeing that she had actually resisted the temptation, Chen Yin teased, “So you do care about your figure, Miss Nan.”
“Is it strange for a girl to care about her figure?” Nan Xiaoxiang’s voice held a hint of annoyance.
“No, I just find it… refreshing.”
He shrugged. “I thought a woman like you, dedicated to healing and saving lives, wouldn’t care about such trivial matters.”
Nan Xiaoxiang glared at him. “Those two things aren’t mutually exclusive!”
Chen Yin chuckled and shrank back playfully.
After a moment of silence, Nan Xiaoxiang sighed softly and leaned against the railing, a melancholic expression on her face. “Do you… think I’m foolish, Young Master Chen?”
“The world isn’t exactly peaceful, but it’s not a chaotic wasteland either.”
“Everyone is busy with their own lives. Is it stupid of me to always try to save others?”
Chen Yin thought for a moment. “If you think it’s the right thing to do, then why do you care what others think?”
“…So you do think it’s stupid.”
“I didn’t say that. Don’t put words in my mouth.”
A gentle breeze rustled her hair, the soft strands brushing against Chen Yin’s hand, carrying a faint, sweet fragrance.
“You’re right,” she suddenly said.
“If I think it’s right, then it is. It doesn’t matter what others think.”
“I’m living my own life.” She rested her chin on the railing, her gaze distant.
For a moment, Chen Yin found her quiet demeanor strangely comforting.
Like a cat curled up on a blanket on a summer afternoon.
Her eyes, like a sleepy cat’s, held a hint of weariness.
The night in the Wu Xuan Cave was eerily silent, even the usual sounds of insects and birds were absent.
Chen Yin didn’t speak, just stood there beside her, his presence a silent comfort.
Suddenly, a soft, muffled moan broke the silence.
The sound was filled with pain, but also restraint. A hushed, urgent whisper followed.
Chen Yin’s expression turned serious, and Nan Xiaoxiang, also hearing the sounds, frowned slightly.
“Young Master Chen, did you hear something?”
“Yes.” Chen Yin turned towards the sound. “It’s coming from that house down there.”
Nan Xiaoxiang was about to go investigate when Chen Yin gently stopped her. “Meddling might get us into trouble.”
Nan Xiaoxiang hesitated, then shook her head.
“I’m a physician.” She looked at Chen Yin calmly.
Chen Yin released her hand.
He followed her down the mountain towards the house.
The door was slightly ajar. As they approached, the sounds inside became clearer.
It was the voices of two young boys.
One was groaning in pain, while the other whispered urgently, “Brother, hold on!”
“Don’t fall asleep!”
Nan Xiaoxiang pushed the door open. A young boy, about thirteen or fourteen, looked up at them nervously. “Wh-who are you?”
She simply replied, “A physician,” and walked towards the older boy, who was writhing on the ground in pain. She took his wrist and checked his pulse.
Chen Yin leaned against the doorframe, watching silently, making no move to intervene.
“His pulse is erratic, his lips are black, and there’s blood on his forehead…”
Nan Xiaoxiang’s expression turned cold as she turned to the younger boy. “You live near the Wu Xuan Cave, don’t you know how dangerous the Cold Bell Netherleaf is?”
“You dare consume such a thing? Are you tired of living?”
Her sharp tone made the younger boy flinch.
But he still said stubbornly, “Wh-what do you know?!”
“My brother has a strong foundation, he just hasn’t reached the threshold for poison resistance required to become an official disciple.”
“If he can survive the Cold Bell Netherleaf’s poison, he’ll have a chance to join the Wu Xuan Cave!”
Nan Xiaoxiang was both angry and worried. She was about to say, “What good is being an official disciple if you’re dead—”
But then she stopped.
There was no hesitation or doubt in the younger boy’s eyes.
Only determination and a deep-seated hostility.
As if he was ready to fight her if she tried to stop his brother.
…Right.
The children living near the Wu Xuan Cave were the most talented from the surrounding tribes.
Each of them carried the hopes and dreams of their clan, their only goal to join the Wu Xuan Cave and become immortals.
For them, the opportunity to cultivate was truly more important than their lives.
Her hand trembled slightly as she held onto the older boy’s wrist.
Chen Yin watched her silently, his eyes flickering.
After a moment, Nan Xiaoxiang regained her composure.
…The Cold Bell Netherleaf was a potent poison. Once it entered the body, even immortals couldn’t save you after an hour.
She was the only one who could save this boy.
She took a deep breath and pulled out several silver needles from her pouch.
The younger boy, realizing what she was about to do, lunged at her, trying to pull her away.
“What are you doing?! Don’t interfere!”
“My brother has endured so much! If you stop him now, all his efforts will be wasted!”
He tried to pull Nan Xiaoxiang away from his brother.
But she remained unmoved, her slender fingers skillfully placing the needles into specific acupoints on the older boy’s body.
She knew his condition.
He wouldn’t survive.
The silver needles, connected by a thin, shimmering thread, vibrated slightly, their tips frosting over, wisps of black energy swirling around them. It was a disturbing sight.
The younger boy, his eyes filled with tears, grabbed a stool and was about to throw it at Nan Xiaoxiang.
But suddenly, his body went limp, and he couldn’t even lift the stool.
A tiny, almost invisible Gu worm had bitten him on the neck.
He collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down his face, his voice hoarse with rage.
“Bastard! Stop it!”
“You bitch! Don’t touch my brother!”
Nan Xiaoxiang’s expression remained calm, her eyes downcast, her fingers moving deftly as she continued to manipulate the needles.
The older boy’s groans of pain gradually subsided, and he looked up weakly, his eyelids fluttering.
“Stop…”
“…It…” he whispered.
Nan Xiaoxiang’s hand trembled for the first time.
But only for a moment.
She continued her treatment, drawing the poison’s chilling energy into the needles, then tied a frost-covered thread to one of them and pierced it into her own palm.
After fifteen minutes, the younger boy’s curses subsided, replaced by quiet sobs.
The older boy lost consciousness.
Nan Xiaoxiang withdrew the needles, her face slightly pale, and stood up, her steps unsteady.
Chen Yin was still leaning against the doorframe, watching her silently.
“It’s done.” Nan Xiaoxiang avoided his gaze. “Let’s go.”
“…I take back what I said before.”
Chen Yin said calmly, “You’re truly foolish. And stupid.”
Nan Xiaoxiang lowered her head and didn’t speak.
“If I were you, I wouldn’t have intervened.”
“Then you’re not me.” Nan Xiaoxiang said weakly.
“A healer cannot stand by and watch someone die.”
Chen Yin was silent for a moment, then stopped her as she tried to brush past him.
“Your hand.” His voice was calm but firm.
Nan Xiaoxiang hesitated, but he had already taken her hand.
A warm, soothing energy flowed into her palm.
It was comforting. And pleasant.
Nan Xiaoxiang bit her lip and said softly, “I can handle the Cold Bell Netherleaf’s poison. I’m fine.”
“Then consider this me taking advantage of you.” Chen Yin retorted, mimicking her words from before.
Nan Xiaoxiang blushed as he held her hand, unable to argue with his playful teasing.
Finally, she closed her eyes,
Pretending nothing had happened.
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