Inside the inn.
Outside, the night was at its darkest, the moon hidden behind thick clouds. The world was enveloped in a peaceful silence, the last monts before dawn.
Inside the room, the candlelight flickered. Luo Luo and Chen Yin sat quietly, barely daring to breathe.
Qingying, as always, stood by the door, her eyes cold and observant.
By the window, Nan Xiaoxiang gently held Ya Ya’s wrist, her slender fingers lightly tapping the pressure point between her thumb and index finger.
After a long while, she withdrew her hand and said calmly:
“Severe exhaustion, weakened constitution, frail ridians. If you were mortals, I would tell you to prepare for the worst.”
“Fortunately, you’re demons. After transforming into human form, your ridians are more resilient than ordinary mortals. I can temporarily sustain your lives with acupuncture.”
“Three parts each of cinnamon twigs, millet stone flower, longan fruit, and dried ginger, simred for two hours. Two bowls daily. I’ll prescribe further treatnt after three days.”
Luo Luo’s eyes lit up with hope. “That’s great! Ya Ya and the others will be alright!”
Chen Yin also breathed a sigh of relief and bowed slightly. “Thank you.”
“You trust her that easily?”
Qingying, still guarding the door, said with suspicion, “A mortal physician, treating demons with such confidence? Isn’t she afraid of the differences between humans and demons?”
Chen Yin was about to speak when Nan Xiaoxiang retorted calmly:
“What else can she do? Can you treat them? Or are you going to find a veterinarian?”
“You!”
Qingying’s eyes narrowed in anger, but Chen Yin quickly intervened, “Hold on, we’re not physicians. Why don’t we listen to what the doctor has to say?”
Nan Xiaoxiang glanced at them with her alluring, fox-like eyes, then sat down at the table and took a sip of tea.
“After transforming into human form, demons’ bodies, ridians, and organs are no different from those of humans. And you cultivators, before achieving immortality, aren’t you also mortal?”
“You eat food, you drink water, just like ordinary people. You just happen to know so spells and manipulate spiritual energy. Without your spiritual powers and spells, without specific body tempering techniques, how different are your bodies from those of mortals?”
“We call you ‘immortals’ out of respect. Don’t actually start thinking you’re gods.”
“Don’t underestimate the art of dicine.”
Nan Xiaoxiang finished her tea and said softly, “It’s not as simple as you think.”
Her words were calm and composed, not what one would expect from a mortal speaking to cultivators.
Qingying’s expression flickered for a mont before she snorted and turned her head away, refusing to speak.
Chen Yin could only chuckle awkwardly.
…This physician has a strong aura.
Not only was she unfazed by the presence of cultivators, but she even dared to retort their words with sharp wit. Her words sent chills down Chen Yin’s spine.
“Alright, their condition has stabilized.”
Nan Xiaoxiang stood up slowly, her eyes sweeping over Chen Yin. “Please escort back, Immortal. I’ll give you the prescription for their follow-up treatnt.”
“Thank you for your trouble.”
Chen Yin bowed gratefully, then instructed Luo Luo to take care of Ya Ya and the others. He left the room with Nan Xiaoxiang.
“Miss Nan, I apologize for any disrespect earlier. The situation was urgent.” Chen Yin apologized again as they were leaving.
Nan Xiaoxiang, as if she hadn’t heard him, nodded silently. After a long pause, she finally spoke:
“I have one question for you, Immortal.”
“When you were standing outside my room earlier… were you peeking at while I was bathing?”
“Absolutely not.”
Chen Yin patted his chest reassuringly. “Even if I were a pervert, I wouldn’t do sothing like that in this situation. There are people waiting for to save them. I wouldn’t be so irresponsible.”
“Heh, so you’re saying that if you didn’t need my help, you would have stayed and watched?”
Nan Xiaoxiang’s gaze seed to pierce through him, leaving Chen Yin speechless for a mont. He coughed awkwardly and said shalessly:
“Who knows? If I didn’t need to save anyone, I wouldn’t have co to your clinic.”
Nan Xiaoxiang didn’t answer. She lowered her eyes and said casually:
“You’re quite the smooth talker, Immortal.”
…Translation: You’re a good liar.
Chen Yin pretended not to notice the underlying aning and chuckled, scratching his head.
“So, Miss, shall I escort you back?”
Nan Xiaoxiang was silent for a mont, a rare flicker of discomfort crossing her face.
“Is there… a way to get back without flying?”
Chen Yin: “…?”
You want to summon a car from the System Shop and drive you back?
He hadn’t figured out the System Shop yet and wasn’t planning on using it until he understood it better.
“Uh, this is the fastest way.”
“A slower thod is fine too.” Nan Xiaoxiang looked at him seriously.
Chen Yin was in a dilemma. He didn’t mind taking his ti to escort her back, but he couldn’t forget about Xiang’er and Senior Sister, who were still asleep.
If he didn’t return before dawn, who knew what they would think?
“I’m sorry, Miss Nan, but I’m a bit pressed for ti.”
He thought for a mont. “How about this, if you’re truly afraid of heights, just close your eyes. I promise you’ll be ho as soon as you open them. Quick and convenient, right?”
Nan Xiaoxiang still looked hesitant. She whispered, “Will I… fall?”
“No! Just hold on tight to .”
Nan Xiaoxiang glared at him playfully.
Chen Yin chuckled awkwardly, then asked tentatively, “Th-then if you’re not comfortable with that… I can hold you?”
“…Are all immortals as shaless as you, taking advantage of won?”
“…I’m sorry.”
In the end, she relented.
On the Eternal Light sword, Nan Xiaoxiang closed her eyes, her hands gripping Chen Yin’s robe tightly, the wind whistling past her ears.
Her legs felt weak, as if she would collapse if she relaxed her grip.
Chen Yin, however, had the leisure to glance at her.
He had to admit, Nan Xiaoxiang’s beauty was exceptional, even by the standards of the cultivation world, let alone the mortal world.
With her natural beauty, dressed in a simple white dress that was neither too flamboyant nor too plain, she possessed an elegant charm, like a plum blossom blooming in the snow.
And more than her beauty, Chen Yin admired her courage and composure.
To ordinary mortals, cultivators were powerful and unconstrained by mortal laws, their lives at the rcy of these immortals. So whenever mortals encountered cultivators, they would be nervous and fearful, afraid of offending them.
But Nan Xiaoxiang remained calm and collected in their presence, speaking with confidence and even daring to retort Qingying’s words.
Such composure was rare in a mortal woman.
“Miss Nan, have you treated cultivators before?”
“The only clinic in Yanxia Province that treats immortals is our Xiaoxiang dical Clinic.” She replied, her eyes still closed, her voice calm, though her body trembled slightly.
“You’re that impressive… Who did you learn your dical skills from?”
“Half from my ancestors, half self-taught.”
“With your beauty and talent, you must have many admirers, right?”
Hearing this, Nan Xiaoxiang was silent for a long ti before sighing softly.
“Why beat around the bush, Immortal? If you’re interested in my appearance, the worst you could do is find a secluded spot and force yourself on . Such subtle hints are rather crude.”
Chen Yin almost stumbled.
“…No, do you really think so lowly of ?”
“Whether you’re a decent person or not is not for , a re mortal, to judge.”
Nan Xiaoxiang’s expression remained calm. “From the mont you kidnapped , I’ve already prepared for the worst.”
“Why don’t you just be straightforward, Immortal? What can a weak mortal woman like do to resist you?”
Chen Yin struggled for a mont, then finally managed to say:
“Miss, do you have a persecution complex?”
“…”
“It was just a casual question. How did you co up with all that?”
Nan Xiaoxiang didn’t answer. She kept her eyes closed, her body trembling slightly despite her efforts to appear calm. It was a sight that evoked pity.
Chen Yin sighed.
He had to admit, Nan Xiaoxiang’s concerns were valid.
Ordinary mortals were powerless against cultivators. If they encountered righteous cultivators, they might be fine. But if they encountered those with ill intentions, they could be brutally exploited and abandoned without anyone caring.
Had this girl truly prepared herself for the worst, as she had said?
Chen Yin was even more intrigued. He couldn’t help but ask:
“So you were willing to treat those little foxes, even though you knew you might be hard?”
“If you truly intended to harm , Immortal, I wouldn’t be able to escape even if I refused.”
She said calmly, “I might as well practice dicine one last ti and fulfill my purpose.”
“I don’t practice dicine for others. It just makes happy.”
Chen Yin chuckled. “I thought you might secretly poison the little foxes and use them as leverage to force to protect you.”
“I did consider it.” She lowered her eyes. “But I gave up on the idea.”
“Why?”
“Because I only heal. I don’t kill.”
Her matter-of-fact tone made Chen Yin fall silent.
After a while, Nan Xiaoxiang suddenly felt her feet touch solid ground. She opened her eyes and found herself back in her own courtyard.
“Alright,” Chen Yin’s voice ca from beside her. “I’ve fulfilled my promise and brought you ho safely.”
“You… truly don’t intend to harm ?” Nan Xiaoxiang asked hesitantly.
Before she could finish her sentence, Chen Yin flicked her forehead lightly.
“Stop thinking so negatively about people.” He said with a lighthearted tone. “There are still good people in this world.”
“…Like you?”
Nan Xiaoxiang rubbed her forehead and blinked.
“Alright, I don’t have much money on . Take these spirit stones as paynt for your services.”
Chen Yin handed her a small pouch. “In a couple of days, if the little foxes are doing better, I’ll bring them here for you to treat.”
“You wouldn’t mind, would you, Miss?”
Nan Xiaoxiang was silent for a mont, then smiled.
“A physician treats all living beings equally.”
“I’ll do my best.”
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