Chapter 22: Providing Treatment

Ignoring the pain from his injuries, Tong Jin rose and bowed deeply to the ground. At this moment, even the sharp ache in his chest was forgotten, overwhelmed by the surge of excitement and joy that nearly brought a shout from his lips.

“Come, come, quickly sit down! Let us drink heartily to celebrate Brother Tong’s hope of regaining his strength!” Nan Rongyao exclaimed, helping Tong Jin up with enthusiasm, his laughter ringing clear.

Alcohol is a marvelous thing. After three cups, even a toad might croon a tune. Nan Rongyao and Nan Rongzhan, uncle and nephew, were no strangers to drinking, but this was Tong Jin’s first time. He smacked his lips awkwardly, gulping down several cups, his cheeks flushing pink. His speech lost some of its formality and gained a carefree frankness.

“Master Nan Rong, Senior Zhan, I’m just so happy today—you must have been sent by the heavens themselves!” Tong Jin swayed slightly, grinning so broadly that Feng Yue and Qing Lan, who had their mouths full nearby, nearly choked.

“That kid has a poor tolerance for wine, but his words are sweet enough,” Nan Rongzhan said with a helpless shake of his head.

“Haha, though young, Brother Tong is loyal and sincere, a man of true character. His taste in wine certainly reflects that!” Nan Rongyao teased in high spirits.

“Of course. From a young age, my grandfather taught me that to roam the martial world, one must have passion and loyalty to forge friends willing to face any fire or water together,” Tong Jin said, belching lightly and patting his chest proudly.

“So, Brother Tong, does that make us friends who’d face fire and water together?” Qing Lan asked, stifling a smile and poking out her chin.

“Absolutely! Little Qing Lan, Little Feng Yue, you’re my dearest friends! Whenever you need me, I’ll be there through fire and water!” Tong Jin declared with fervor, raising his cup and draining it in one go.

After several rounds, Tong Jin finally collapsed onto the table with a soft plop. Nan Rongyao and Nan Rongzhan exchanged amused glances and shook their heads in resignation.

“Uncle Zhan, I think it’s best we stop here. Brother Tong’s drinking skills really leave much to be desired.”

Nan Rongzhan smiled, “Yes, starting tomorrow, I’ll begin repairing the boy’s internal injuries.”

...

Early the next morning, Tong Jin awoke, lying cleanly on the bed, his mind clear. The first thing he thought of was the venomous corpse ant nestled in his arms. Yesterday, surrounded by people, he hadn’t had a chance to inspect it.

He searched his怀 for two stone boxes and placed them before him. “This...” he murmured in surprise, noticing that one of the stone boxes now bore a thumb-sized hole. Hastily, he opened the copper lid. A buzzing sound rose as the mature venomous ant fluttered its wings, seemingly greeting Tong Jin. Yet it didn’t fly out, only crawling inside the box a few times before settling quietly.

Tong Jin felt genuinely at a loss. The ant, now able to bite through the stone box and come and go freely, posed a grave risk. If it were to sting an innocent person by accident, the guilt would weigh heavily on him.

Their eyes locked—the ant seemed to be staring back. Suddenly, it buzzed up, circled once before settling on the back of Tong Jin’s hand. It didn’t bite; instead, it leisurely crawled about before fluttering back into the box.

“This ant seems to be getting close to me,” Tong Jin muttered, then glanced uncertainly at the hole in the box. Resigned, he closed the copper lid and slipped it back into his怀.

A knock sounded at the door.

“Brother Tong Jin, Grandpa Zhan wants you to get ready. He’ll come soon to treat you.”

“Feng Yue and Qing Lan? Got it,” Tong Jin replied, hearing the playful laughter of the two young girls outside. He slowly rose to dress. After the night’s drinking, the pain in his chest had somewhat lessened.

Before long, Nan Rongzhan arrived first in Tong Jin’s room, followed by Nan Rongyao and the two girls.

“Little one, are you ready?” Nan Rongzhan asked.

Tong Jin nodded. “Senior Zhan, thank you for coming to help me heal.”

Nan Rongzhan paced over to a wooden chair and sat. “Yaoye, this time repairing Tong Jin’s internal body must be flawless. It may take five to seven days. You must guard this place without letting anyone disturb us.”

Nan Rongyao nodded solemnly. “Uncle Zhan, don’t worry. I’ve reserved the entire floor of the inn this morning. No one will be allowed to bother us.”

Nan Rongzhan nodded back. “You should step outside. I will call you if I need anything.”

As Nan Rongyao left the room, Nan Rongzhan pointed to the bed. “Little one, sit cross-legged on the bed and focus your mind on your lower abdomen. When your breathing stabilizes, I will begin. Remember, I must concentrate fully during the process and cannot be distracted by conversation. No matter the pain, you must endure it.”

Tong Jin’s face grew grave. He nodded and settled into a meditative pose as instructed.

Seconds stretched by. Tong Jin struggled to quell the excitement within, repeatedly clearing his mind until his consciousness sank into a tranquil, still state, settling deep in his lower abdomen. This was once the seat of his dantian, but after the destruction of his internal power, it lay hollow and empty.

Nan Rongzhan closed his eyes to gather his spirit, then slowly opened them. “Little one, it’s time to begin.”

Tong Jin seemed not to hear Nan Rongzhan’s voice. His breathing remained steady, his expression serene.

Nan Rongzhan’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he stepped beside Tong Jin. Suddenly, an icy chill spread swiftly throughout the room.

Nan Rongzhan’s entire body took on the stillness of an ice statue. A gray-blue true qi slowly swirled around him, emanating a cold aura that condensed into white mist, drifting through the room as the air sharply cooled.

After a few breaths, Nan Rongzhan raised both palms, levitating and sitting cross-legged at the same height as Tong Jin. Slowly pushing his hands forward, a shimmering blue true qi stretched out to envelop Tong Jin, wrapping the meditating boy completely.

Feeling the biting cold, Tong Jin shivered, eyes snapping open.

“Focus your mind to follow my true qi as it moves through your meridians and dantian. Do not be distracted,” Nan Rongzhan instructed in a low voice.

Tong Jin paused, then slowly closed his eyes again and sank into stillness.

Outside the door, a father and his two daughters sat quietly. Qing Lan, more impatient by nature, spoke first.

“Daddy, I want to see Grandpa and Brother Tong Jin.”

“No!” Nan Rongyao said sternly.

Qing Lan stuck out her tongue and made a face, then obediently fell silent.

At noon, the group hurriedly ate outside Tong Jin’s door. Inside, no sound emerged. Watching the food delivered to the room gradually grow cold, Nan Rongyao resisted the urge to knock.

This agonizing silence stretched on until dusk, when finally Nan Rongzhan’s voice came from within.

“Yaoye, you may come in now.”