Qiang Zi lowered his voice and began to speak.
Legend had it that when Nuwa mended the heavens, two mystical stones were left behind and fell to the lower realm. One absorbed the essence of the sun and moon, transforming into a monster. The other fell into the underworld, absorbing its Yin energy until it became indestructible. Later, someone brought it to the human world and forged seven mystical weapons: the furnace, sword, saber, axe, spear, claws, and mace.
As Qiang Zi spoke, he glanced at the Qilin Furnace outside and said, "That Qilin Furnace is one of those mystical weapons."
Qiang Zi then looked at the Kang Long Mace at Yu Daohen's lower back, "This Kang Long Mace is another one."
Yu Daohen subconsciously touched the Kang Long Mace at his lower back and then looked at the Qilin Furnace outside. The colors of the two items were indeed identical.
As Qiang Zi was speaking, Elder Hua came out with tea leaves and poured a cup of clear tea for the two of them.
Yu Daohen took a sip of the tea. Elder Hua looked at the scar on Qiang Zi's face and said, "Xiao Yu, is Daoist friend Xiao Qiang's current condition being sustained by a drop of blood from that esteemed person?"
Yu Daohen nodded, slightly surprised that Elder Hua knew Qiang Zi's condition just by looking. "Elder Hua is correct. It is indeed being sustained by a drop of blood from that fellow."
Elder Hua nodded and stroked his greying beard. "I can cure this poison, but your chances of survival are only fifty percent."
Qiang Zi's expression turned serious, and Yu Daohen frowned beside him.
Elder Hua explained, "Logically speaking, you should be dead by now. All your bodily functions have completely deteriorated. It's only because of that esteemed person's blood that you are still alive. However, the poison has already entered your marrow. Your chances of a full recovery are only fifty percent."
Qiang Zi nodded, a familiar lewd smile appearing on his face. "That's enough. As long as there's hope, I must try."
Elder Hua nodded. "Your condition cannot wait. I will prepare the necessary items, and the surgery will be tomorrow."
Qiang Zi nodded, a bitter expression on his face. Yu Daohen patted Qiang Zi's shoulder.
Qiang Zi looked at Yu Daohen, his bitterness fading. "Aren't there still fifty percent chances? I, Zhang Xiaoqiang, have always had good luck. I will surely turn misfortune into fortune."
Yu Daohen remained silent. After chatting casually with Elder Hua for a bit longer, the two left Elder Hua's house and headed towards Elder Tai's home.
On the way, Qiang Zi kept his head down, not speaking. Yu Daohen looked at the bowed head of Qiang Zi and asked, "Qiang Zi, are you scared?"
Qiang Zi raised his head and looked at the road ahead, his expression complex. "In our line of work, everyone puts their lives on the line. If it were before, I wouldn't be afraid. Even if there was only a ten percent chance, I wouldn't bat an eye."
At this point, a bitter expression appeared on Qiang Zi's face. "But now I am afraid. I'm afraid that if I die, Su Qing will never wake up again. I'm afraid she will be all alone and miserable."
Yu Daohen looked at Qiang Zi, remaining silent.
Indeed, in this line of work, who isn't afraid of death? They live on the edge of a blade every day. But once one has someone to care about, fear creeps in.
Halfway there, Yu Daohen stopped. "I have something to attend to. You go back first."
Qiang Zi was a bit confused. In this desolate place, what could Yu Daohen possibly have to attend to? However, he had seen Yu Daohen carrying yellow paper money and incense when they left, so he must be going to visit a grave.
"Alright, be careful with the time. This village is very strange at night," Qiang Zi cautioned.
"Don't worry, I'll keep track of the time," Yu Daohen nodded and headed towards the small path with his belongings.
Yu Daohen followed the small path towards the back mountain where he used to train with Elder Tai.
He arrived at an open space in the back mountain, where there was a grave in front and several evergreen bamboo trees on either side.
Yu Daohen walked up to the tomb and knelt. He took out three sticks of incense from his pocket, lit them, and stuck them in front of the grave. Then, he took out the yellow paper money and burned it.
"Master, your disciple Yu Daohen has come to see you."
Saying this, Yu Daohen kowtowed once, then sat cross-legged on the ground.
"Master, in a while, I plan to visit the sect."
The sect had now completely fallen to a state where it could be slaughtered.
Yu Daohen spoke for a while longer, burning all the yellow paper money in his pocket before getting up to leave.
"Master, take care. Your disciple will visit you again when I have time." After speaking, Yu Daohen walked down the mountain.
Upon returning to the village, as Yu Daohen was walking, a figure suddenly flashed past in front of him.
Yu Daohen's expression changed. Besides Elder Hua and a few others, there were only himself and Qiang Zi in this village. How could there be anyone else?
Yu Daohen gave chase. The figure, seeing that someone was following, quickened its pace, intending to shake off Yu Daohen.
Yu Daohen looked at the figure ahead. It was wearing a gray jacket. Since it was facing away, he couldn't see its face clearly.
The figure ahead, seeing that it couldn't shake off Yu Daohen, directly darted into a small alley.
Yu Daohen followed, directly drawing out the two small green flags he carried at his waist and planting them on the ground. He chanted,
"Wood Xun formation, open!"
As soon as Yu Daohen finished speaking, green silk-like threads grew from the ground where the green flags were planted, shooting towards the figure ahead.
The green threads moved quickly and directly entangled the figure, rendering it unable to move.
Yu Daohen breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, he had brought the Wood Xun Flags with him. Otherwise, this fellow would have truly escaped.