Chapter 39: Treating Shao Xian

“You’re awake?” Yun Jiao asked calmly.

Shao Xian blinked, dazed for a moment, unable to react. Yun Jiao walked forward and deftly removed a few silver needles from his body, her expression serious as she instructed, “Your body has almost fully recovered. Once you take this medicine, you’ll be fine.”

“My illness… is cured?!” Shao Xian’s eyes flew wide, staring in shock at his own hands as though he couldn’t believe it. His sickness could actually be completely healed?

“Mm.” Yun Jiao nodded, unconcerned. She packed away the needles and turned to leave. “I’ll go bring you the medicine.”

Even as she left the room, Shao Xian still felt like it wasn’t real. He had seen every famous physician for years, yet never once improved—only worsened—until even his father had been helpless. He had long prepared himself for death. Yet now… he was cured.

Thinking of his crazed father, his heart sank again, sorrow shadowing his expression. He disapproved of his father’s actions, but blood ties were blood ties.

Yun Jiao didn’t bother with his mood. She walked straight to the kitchen. Bai Yu, who had been tending the fire, immediately bustled over. “Girl, that kid’s awake?”

“He is.” Yun Jiao nodded, pouring out the decoction.

“So when are we going home? Old Zhou cast a hexagram—my fortune’s lousy lately. First trip out, and we hit a nest of ghosts. Safer to be back at the temple.”

Carrying the medicine out, Yun Jiao replied, “Soon. Once he drinks this, we’ll leave.”

“Oh.” Bai Yu put down the fan and followed her, glancing at the bowl. “Girl, didn’t you say he wasn’t sick?”

“He isn’t.”

“Eh? Then why the medicine?”

Yun Jiao turned, her face solemn. “It’s not illness—it’s a curse.”

“A curse?!” Bai Yu startled. “What kind?”

“The Curse of Gathered Resentment.”

Bai Yu froze, then his eyes bulged. He cursed, “Damn! That fat Shao bastard—how vicious can he be?!” No wonder Yun Jiao had to pin down Shao Xian’s soul with silver needles.

The so-called Curse of Gathered Resentment drew in malice and grievance—an evil spell used by crooked sorcerers to raise ghosts or cultivate sinister arts. Fiercer wraiths carried heavier resentments.

Shao Laoye had cast the Hundred Ghosts Convergence Array to secure his wealth. With so many wraiths trapped, the accumulated resentment was immense. Normally, it would backfire on the caster. But since he wasn’t skilled enough to withstand it, he placed the curse on his son instead, shunting all the grievance into Shao Xian’s body.

No wonder charms and talismans had no effect. Honestly, it was a miracle the boy survived this long.

“So… he recovered because Shao Laoye died?” Bai Yu asked.

“Mm.” Yun Jiao nodded.

With the caster gone, the curse naturally dissolved. And with the ghosts devouring Shao Laoye in vengeance, the hatred tied to him scattered. Yun Jiao had only sealed Shao Xian’s meridians temporarily so his soul wouldn’t slip away before the curse faded. Recovery was inevitable.

“Then… what’s that medicine?” Bai Yu pointed at the bowl.

“Oh, this?” Yun Jiao’s expression didn’t waver. “Just a simple ginseng broth.” A tonic counted as medicine, right?

Ginseng… broth?!

○|￣|_

Bai Yu nearly fell over. Two hours of fire-tending, and it was that?!

His face full of grievance, he trailed behind as Yun Jiao carried the bowl into the room. Neither noticed the bamboo tube at her waist give a tiny twitch.

“Here’s your medicine.” Yun Jiao handed the bowl over as she entered.

Polite despite his frailty, Shao Xian bowed his head. “Many thanks for saving me, Immortal Masters. If ever I have the chance, I will repay this debt.”

“Mm.” Yun Jiao nodded briskly. “No need for thanks—it’s a paid commission. Drink up, and you’ll be fine.”

Shao Xian lifted the bowl. Just as he was about to drink, the liquid rippled, then shot up in a water column, flying straight toward the bamboo tube at Yun Jiao’s waist. With a pop, the lid sprang open; the broth poured in without spilling a drop. The lid then plopped back down and even twisted itself tight.

Yun Jiao: “…”

Bai Yu: “…”

Shao Xian: “…”

It happened so fast—in mere heartbeats, the bowl was empty. Shao Xian stared blankly at it, then at them. Had his medicine just… flown away? “Immortal Masters, the medicine—”

“You’ve finished it!” Yun Jiao cut in instantly, stepping forward to pat his shoulder. Her face remained perfectly serious. “Rest easy, you’re cured.” Not a hint of guilt showed.

Shao Xian hesitated, pointing at the bamboo tube. “But just now—”

“That was the last dose,” Yun Jiao interrupted again, pressing down his hand. “The evil aura in you is already gone.”

“But—”

“No buts! Do you doubt my medical skills?”

“No, no! I just meant—”

“Do you still feel unwell anywhere?”

“…No.”

“Then it’s settled.” Yun Jiao gave a firm nod, her steady gaze making it impossible to refute. “You are healed.”

“I…” Shao Xian faltered. Her conviction made him doubt his own eyes. Maybe he had imagined it? He bowed instead. “Thank you, Immortal Master.”

“You’re welcome.” Yun Jiao subtly exhaled in relief—then her tone turned brisk again. “Since you’re cured, our commission is complete. Kindly settle the medical fee.” She held out her hand. “As per the posted reward—one hundred taels of gold. Cash, or a bank note?”

Shao Xian: “…” Was emptying a bowl really worth that much?!

Bai Yu: “…” She actually pulled that off?!

Bamboo tube: “…” Burp~

(End of Chapter)