Chapter 3: Begging for Medicine
Dual Yin Life Chasing Palm! Hearing this, Yao Qing’s expression immediately changed. At the time when it hit you there would be no effect, and if it was discovered early enough it could be easily expelled with some effort. But if it was not detected, then its poisonous Yin Dou Qi seed would bury deep into your body. After a short time passed, it would suddenly break out; attempting to cure it at that time would already be too late!
Yao Qing was terrified, but she forcefully calmed herself. As quickly as she could, she opened a box that was hidden beside the bed. Inside were all kinds of medicinal pills and precious medicinal ingredients. These were all things that Yao Huo had previously slowly saved up. Originally they were supposed to be used for Yao Chen, but at this time she couldn’t take that into consideration. Yao Qing suppressed her panic and quickly picked out the pills and herbs that had healing effects. Placing them into the correct sequence, she fed them into Yao Huo’s mouth one by one. Since he couldn’t swallow them, she placed her mouth on his and after chewing them she managed to have him swallow them.
The medicines took effect in just a short time and Yao Huo woke up. However this time, no matter how he opened his mouth, he was unable to form a single word. Only his eyes were slowly looking around. He was only barely conscious and blood suddenly flowed out from his mouth…. At this time, he didn’t even have the strength to cough up the blood, and he could only let it fill up his mouth and nose before letting it drip out.
“Quick, lay your dad down on his side so that he can spit out the blood.”
Yao Qing’s fingernails dug deeply into her palms, and traces of blood started to flow out. “I’ll go beg the clan elders to save you. You stay home and no matter what, protect your father. Don’t let him… because of his own blood… in any case, be careful.”
No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t get the words out. Tears were already rolling in her eyes, but she didn’t want to start crying again in front of her son. She told herself that she had to be strong; the more terrible the situation was, the less she could afford to collapse.
Yao Chen energetically nodded his head. The Dual Yin Life Chasing Palm’s foundation was to seek and kill lives, so any ordinary pill had no ability to cure it. Only sacred healing medicinal pills at the sixth tier and above had a chance to treat it, but sixth tier pills marked a dividing line within the Yao clan. Pills at the fifth tier and below could be found in any number of quantities in the Yao clan, but each pill at or above the sixth tier were considered a treasure. Only the clan head and some core elders had the authority to use them.
The sunlight seemed to pierce her eyes, causing Yao Qing’s mind to feel a little faint. From morning till now she had only eaten some bread and she had also experienced some chilling winds while she had been on the mountain picking herbs. She had been planning on coming home to take a hot bath.
Shaking her head, Yao Qing forced herself to stay focused. The clan had given him a horse for work ince Yao Huo had been an Iron Guard for more than ten years. In addition, he was a fourth tier alchemist and was extremely talented with a bright future ahead of him. Yao Qing started rushing towards the clan head’s estate; the clan head would definitely not just watch as he died without being helped. If he really didn’t agree to take out the medicinal pills, once word spread it would make the hearts of all the regular clansmen go cold.
However….
Fate was always fickle. There were always unexpected occurrences.
“The clan head isn’t here, go home.”
“Not here? If the clan head isn’t here then where is he?” Yao Qing knelt in front of the clan head’s estate. Her face was a mix of fear and anxiousness as she begged for help.
The worst situation was actually this one, where even the man himself could not be found.
“Hmph, do you think that the clan head’s location is something that someone like you can ask for?”
The gatekeeper of the estate became angry, thinking that Yao Qing didn’t believe him.
Right at this time, elder Yao Lan was walking close by. Seeing the situation, he quickly walked over and asked, “What’s the matter?”
“Ah, elder Yao Lan, it’s not that I don’t want to help her, but the situation really is… ai, the clan head really isn’t here.” The gatekeeper became noticeably more respectful. The location of the clan head was something he absolutely couldn’t divulge.
“It’s ok, I understand. You can go now and I’ll take over here…. It’s Yao Qing right? Why are you looking for the clan head?” Yao Lan recognized Yao Qing as Yao Huo’s wife.
“Elder Yao Lan…” Yao Qing hurriedly told him about Yao Huo’s condition, telling him everything, including the Dual Yin Life Chasing Palm.
“Right now, he’s in imminent peril. Other than a sixth tier medicinal pill….”
“Truthfully, the clan head isn’t here. And it’s not just him; most of the other elders are also not here….”
Yao Lan’s face became extremely ugly. It was precisely at this critical moment that the clan head and core elders had gone out to accompany the demon clan.
When she was young she had also been taught the basics of alchemy by elder Yao Lan. She was very clear that based on his character, there was no way that he would just tell her wild lies.
Yao Lan made some calculations in his head; even if he sent a messenger eagle requesting the clan head for help, it would at the very least require two days. However the Dual Yin Life Chasing palm would take a person’s life in at most six hours from its flare-up. “Bring me to go see Yao Huo. I’ll see if I can help extend his life.”
After all, Yao Huo was one of the disciples he was most proud of. Yao Lan wouldn’t be so callous as to not care for him.
Once he arrived at their house, he saw Yao Huo lying on the bed. His appearance made it so that he could be perceived as already dead. Blood was still flowing out from his mouth, but the originally red blood had become an extremely sinister black.
“Quickly, help him sit up.” Yao Lan rapidly took out all the healing medicine that he had on him, with quite a few being very precious fifth tier medicinal pills. He really was not being stingy at all.
The problem was that this could only prolong the time it took for the Dual Yin Life Chasing Palm to completely erupt.
Although Yao Lan was also an elder, as a clan school elder, there was a very large distance separating him from those core elders. No matter how generous he was, a sixth tier medicinal pill was something that he simply had no means of taking out.
“It’s no good. These pills will only allow him to survive for one day, and his ability to absorb more medicine has already reached his limit. No matter how many additional fifth tier pills he’s fed, they would all be useless. But maybe using some extremely extraordinary medicinal herbs would also extend his lifespan a bit. “
Yao Lan carefully felt Yao Huo’s pulse. After a short moment he stated his diagnosis, and wrote a list of medicines that could extend Yao Huo’s life. However his eyebrows were tightly knit. No matter how he tried, he couldn’t say that although these medicinal herbs could extend Yao Huo’s life, they were all precious to the extreme and their value was frightening.
To describe it one word: difficult. To describe it in three words: extremely, extremely difficult.
“I’ll go beg for medicine….”
“I’ll be staying here. You guys should go together.” Yao Lan said while giving a glance at Yao Chen.
Yao Qing nodded. Picking up Yao Chen, she once again speedily rushed out.
Yao Chen was held next to her mother’s chest. Listening to the wind flying by, the tearstains on his face had dried. No matter how hard he wanted to cry, nothing came out of his eyes.
He wanted to ask his mom: dad’s going to be alright, right?
But he truly didn’t dare to open his mouth, and he didn’t dare to make any sound. His mother had never had such a pale face. His heart was extremely terrified that if he made any sound his mom would also suddenly end up like dad and collapse.
Yao Qing’s rushing brought her to the Zuo family. The Zuo family had many hundreds of years of history in the Yao clan as an influential alchemy family. The Zuo family also had a couple of disciples who had become Iron Guards, and while they weren’t extremely close to Yao Huo, they could still be called brothers-in-arms.
Due to this, the Zuo family didn’t treat her like a regular clansman and invited her in. Although they didn’t give her any of the herbs that she needed, they gave her quite a few sacred healing herbs. But Yao Huo’s currently condition meant that they would have basically no use.
Yao Qing had no choice but to take her leave and think of some other method. Even when the Zuo family gently sent the out the two of them, Yao Chen didn’t say a word. He only tightly clenched his mouth as he watched everything.
After leaving the Zuo family, they went to the Li family. The situation was basically the same as the Zuo family. Although they expressed their sympathy, they also did not take out any herbs that could extend Yao Huo’s life.
“Miss Yao, I’d advise you not to waste your time. Just go directly to the clan treasury. The items on your list are not things that we would have. Only… well, you already know what kind of people would be able to obtain and store these kinds of medicines.”
The Li family’s housekeeper glanced at the pitiful Yao Chen, causing him to truly feel a bit of compassion. When he escorted them out the estate to give them the herbs he also quietly gave the mother-son duo some advice before turning around and going back.
Yao Qing’s eyes flickered. She bit her lips in thought. Although these kinds of medicinal herbs were extremely valuable, the powerful Yao clan would definitely be able to bring them out without problem. Inside the clan treasury were definitely quite a few in stock. However, the clan treasury’s precious high tier medicinal treasures could not be touched without either the clan head’s or an inner elder’s permission.
“Let’s go to the main bloodline.”
The main bloodline’s position in the Yao clan could only be described as unfathomably deep and immeasurable. Other than for the purpose of going to the clan treasury, it was only the main bloodline’s families that could possibly have the extremely high tier herbs. When it came to the branch families, even if they managed to obtain such a high tier object, they would have to immediately hand it over to the clan treasury in exchange for either merit points or for powerful Dou techniques that could raise their family’s power.
And even if they had managed to keep such an object, it would be considered a precious family heirloom and stored away deeply. There was no way they would easily take it out. Sympathy returns sympathy, but when a person injured himself and wanted to beg for other people’s aid, how many people would have such a noble thought? Although there was elder Yao Lan, from the very beginning and till the day he died he would only be ranked in the least powerful group of elders, one of the clan school’s elders.
The gateway to the main bloodline’s domain was three hundred meters tall. The people inside were all famous within the clan and whose estates would be very difficult to enter. In comparison, the branch bloodlines, no matter what level of prestige they held, no matter what kind of power they had, had all had their family heads come out to talk with Yao Qing and Yao Chen upon hearing them begging for Yao Huo’s life. Even if they weren’t of help, they at the very least gave her face as a member of the same clan.
But the aloof and remote main bloodline would rarely ever let the regular members of the clan enter into their eyes.
“Begging for medicine? What is this? The family head isn’t here, can’t find him.” This main bloodline’s family doorkeeper was even more domineering and haughty than the clan head’s doorkeeper.
Of course, Yao Qing already knew that she would receive this kind of abuse. At this time she had no other method than to bitterly plead for help, “I’m begging you, I know third brother is home, I just want to see him for a moment.”
“This… fine, I’ll go help you ask.”
The doorkeeper started to feel a bit doubtful when he heard the words ‘third brother’ come out from Yao Qing’s mouth. He was really worried that Yao Qing had some kind of relationship with the third young master.
Yao Chen saw everything. Even his young and immature mind knew that this was father’s last hope. His tiny little fist was tightly clenched.
Just a few moments passed before the gatekeeper angrily ran out with his fist raised. “Hurry up and go! The third young master said he doesn’t know you and even gave me a scolding! Go!”
The gatekeeper angrily slammed the door behind Yao Qing, and even then he wasn’t satisfied. Going to the side door he also slammed that door shut as well.
What the gatekeeper didn’t see was Yao Qing biting her lip as she went to the second main bloodline’s house….
“Not here.”
The second house… although they were very polite, and the gatekeeper even invited the mother and son duo to come in and offered tea, but once he heard they had come begging for medicine he started to stall and back out, “Hehe, the family doesn’t have anyone present who can see you. I’m only a housekeeper, ai, I can’t help you as much as I wish to… I’ll send you out.”
At this time, Yao Qing’s heart was already in a panic, and she directly knelt down. She was unable to say anything, but she used her tears to beg for aid. From when she was a child to now, she had only ever knelt down for her father and mother and for the clan offerings.
“Don’t be like this; I can’t stand to watch it.”
The gatekeeper sighed, however he still remained unmoved. Yet again he let out an “I can’t help you as much I wish to,” and politely kicked the mother and son out the door.
The cold wind covered the leaves on the trees as it blew by. It truly was true… the hypocrisy of the world was something nothing else could surpass.
Yao Qing gloomily forced out a laugh, “Let’s go back Chen-er.”
Yao Chen pursed his lips, “Mom….”
Yao Chen’s voice grated, sounding like rocks knocking into each other. “The medicines….”
“First let’s go back and think of a method. Maybe the clan head and the elders will return before sunrise.” Yao Qing suppressed her sorrow as she spoke to her son.
“Ok.”
Yao Chen was already as worried as he could possibly be. But at this moment there was nothing he could do. Perhaps there was nothing anyone could do.
Yao Chen lowered his head, looking at his extremely small fist. If only he had more strength, more power, then who would dare to lock their doors and refuse to see them?!
Turning around and looking at the main bloodline’s mansions, the sky had already turned gloomy and those luxurious mansions had already lit their oil lamps. Standing in the sky’s background, the mansions gave off a glorious and powerful feeling.
Yao Chen tightly clenched his fist. Within him was growing desire: after he grew up, he must definitely stand out amongst his peers and become extremely strong. Strong to the point where there would be no one who would neglect and ignore him, letting his father and mother feel pride for him.
Returning home, they saw elder Yao Lan was refining medicine. Uncle Luo Bing, and a group of his father’s other brothers were also present.
“You didn’t manage to obtain any of the herbs? Ai….”
Yao Lan finished his refining, and five pills flew out of the medicinal cauldron, landing into a porcelain bottle in his hand. Turning around, he told Yao Qing, “These five medicinal pills… they can let him survive until sunrise. Right now you don’t need to give him one, but in two hours and every two hours from then give him one pill…. I’ve already sent a messenger hawk. If our luck is good it’s possible that the clan head and them will… sigh, I’m leaving now.”
Yao Lan shook his head. He had already done everything that he could, and he really did not want to stay here to watch until the end.
“Many thanks to elder Yao Lan for giving us this medicine. Yao Qing will forever engrave this moment into her heart… Chen-er, hurry up and kneel!” Yao Qing knelt down. After her experiences from begging for medicine, looking at elder Yao Lan who had done his absolute most to help gave her a feeling that could not be described in words.
Luo Bing and the others also made a banging noise as they knelt down grandly. They all truly felt distress; they felt as if it was themselves who were wounded. But they really had no more methods to help. The sullen feeling in their hearts, how could it be described with just words? After all, real men couldn’t just kneel down for just anything.
“That’s enough, what are you guys doing?! Get up! What? The words I speak have no use? You guys… ai, Yao Huo was also one of my students, how could I not help him? After all, it’s not like I could get infected.”
Elder Yao Lan supported Yao Qing to help her up. Even until his very last words he was shaking his head as he helplessly left.
Luo Bing and the others got up. Looking at Yao Qing and Yao Chen, they were all silent. Just before, they had also gone out begging for medicine using their considerable networks as Iron Guards. They managed to get quite a few medicines, however these medicines all had their limits, and when used on the Dual Yin Life Chasing Palm’s poisonous Yin Dou Qi, they all had extremely minute effects. Only through Yao Lan’s refining did they obtain five pills that could extend his life.
“Everyone, please go home… all your intentions, Yao Qing will definitely remember them until I die.” Yao Qing sighed, squeezing out the ugliest smile of her life as she let out a small laugh.
“Sister-in-law….”
Luo Bing shook his head, “Let’s go.”
Everyone knew that with Yao Huo’s condition nothing more could be done; although their hearts had the will, they didn’t have the means to do anything. It was better to leave him to spend his remaining time with his family.
After sending everyone off, Yao Qing’s pale expression finally showed signs of cracking apart. She was long past her limit. She lay down on the bed, using her slim hands to tightly hold onto Yao Huo’s arm, eyes flickering. To be separated by life and death was the greatest pain she had felt in her entire life. If they didn’t have Chen-er, then she might really follow her Huo-ge.
“Mom, don’t die!”
Suddenly, Yao Chen’s young panic-filled voice jolted Yao Qing. Hearing this, Yao Qing’s held-back tears finally burst out.
“Mom won’t die, mom’s fine, it’s just… I’m tired.” Yao Qing made an effort to get up. Her body and her heart were already completely exhausted, but looking at the very small Yao Chen, she had no choice but to be strong.
“Mom!” Yao Chen dashed up and his small hands clutched his mom’s clothes.
The room became silently calm after that. Outside the room came short bursts of bird cries. Yao Chen’s ears could also hear his father’s quiet breathing. It was only because of this very quiet sound that he didn’t completely collapse apart. For the first time, Yao Chen really understood what it meant for someone to be the pillar of the family.
“Cough….”
Suddenly a burst of coughing noises sounded out.
“DAD!”
Yao Chen abruptly raised his head.
Yao Qing’s throat was stuck with emotion and she was unable to even form half a word. However she did take out the pills that Elder Yao Lan had refined, and gently placed one in Yao Huo’s mouth.
After Yao Huo swallowed it, he said “Life Extending Pill?”
“Yes…” Yao Qing’s vision became blurry once again. Hearing her husband’s voice, large tears started warmly falling once again.
“Chen-er? Is your mom crying again? I can’t see clearly….”
“Mom….”
“I’m not crying. You already promised me that in my entire life you would never make me cry, so clearly I’m not crying.”
“It’s ok, I’m fine. Chen-er, did you practice your technique today?”
“I….”
“Go. Don’t come back in until you finish a full ten revolutions.” Yao Qing rubbed the Yao Chen’s head. She knew her husband had words he wanted to say to her alone.
Yao Chen didn’t really understand, but he still nodded his head as he did what they told him to do and walked towards the house courtyard.
Yao Chen looked up to the sky from the center of the courtyard. Looking at the stars, the moon, and feeling the cold wind, his body shuddered as his heart suddenly started to ache. His originally drained eyes which he thought did not have any more tears left once again started to flow.
Erasing his last teardrops, Yao Chen told himself that today he would let out all the tears of his entire lifetime. From today onwards, it would be unfair to his mother to cry anymore.
Forcing himself to settle down and focus, his body’s Dou Qi rapidly moving. His Dou Qi revolved cycle after cycle throughout his body.
Only when half the cycles were finished did he hear the sound of the door closing and footsteps coming over.
Turning his head, he saw his mom supporting his dad as they walked out from inside.
Yao Qing beckoned with her hand, “Chen-er, come here.”
“Dad, mom.”
Yao Huo held out his hand, gently put his arm around Yao Chen’s shoulder, he said, “Accompany your father to the Clan Monument to take a look. Our whole family together.”
“Ok.”
Yao Qing turned around. Carrying Yao Huo on her back, they took one step after another towards the mountain top.
Yao Chen followed behind them, hearing his dad laughing, “When we got married it was me who carried you through the door. Now it’s actually you carrying me as you send me off.”
“You’re not allowed to speak. No talking.” Yao Qing trembled. Even at this kind of time he was still in a talkative mood.
Yao Chen followed behind them with his head down. Every day he would take this road to the clan school. He never thought that a time would come when every step on the road would feel so heavy.
Suddenly the footsteps stopped. Yao Chen lifted his head and realized they had already reached the Clan Monument.
At this moment it was late into the night. The public square was already completely empty. Of course, anyone who came and saw them would immediately understand what was happening and wouldn’t show themselves.
Yao Huo’s two eyes suddenly began to glow with a fiery light, and his whole being became clear and awake.
Nevertheless, Yao Qing’s face quickly changed. She knew that this was final light before the setting sun….
Yao Huo took out a pill and swallowed it in one gulp. He appeared just like an emperor as he took his final breaths. He gently got off of Yao Qing. With his heavily injured broken body, who knew just where he managed to obtain that kind of strength. He walked one step at a time towards the Clan Monument. Reaching out his hand, touching the cold surface, he softly read it.
“Chen-er!” Yao Huo suddenly turned around, his eyes flickering. He forcefully suppressed the injuries in his eyes, letting him see a bit clearer.
“Dad.”
“Do you know what this is?”
“I know….”
“What is it?” Yao Huo persisted in asking Yao Chen what its name was.
“It’s the Clan Monument.”
“Louder!”
“IT’S THE CLAN MONUMENT!”
“Good, very good…. Chen-er, having you and your mother’s warmth has actually already made me satisfied with my life. The only thing is, my sole regret is that I didn’t have the chance to carve my own name onto this surface. If a person is a hero while he is living, then when he dies he will become a ghost that people will remember. Chen-er, your father’s hope will have to be passed into your hands. In those days, your great-grandfather, at this very spot, also had to give this hope to my father, who didn’t have the chance to achieve it….”
Yao Huo’s voice was becoming quieter and quieter. Suddenly, his legs trembled and he tumbled to the ground. Sitting there, back to the Clan Monument, the fire in eyes rapidly faded as the poisonous Yin Dou Qi surged up to replace it.
“Dad!”
Yao Chen threw himself onto him, holding his father. His young heart suddenly understood his father’s last moments had arrived.
“I’m tired; just let me rest for a bit.”
Yao Huo’s coarse hands lightly felt Yao Chen’s face as his two eyes firmly closed.
Suddenly, it seemed like he had thought of something. His mouth was opened slightly. Yao Chen quickly put his ear closer.
He managed to catch his father’s soft voice, “Chen-er, today, your mom didn’t mean to hit you. In the future, you’ll have to listen to what she says and take of her....” His voice continued to fade as he spoke.
Yao Chen nodded his head like his life depended on it. “I will, I will….”
The morning light spilled into the sky.
The sun had come out.
His father no longer moved, and Yao Chen couldn’t hear any sounds of his breathing.
A lump of blood was pushing out in his throat from his heart….
Yao Chen’s eyes only saw black, and his body’s Qi wildly rebelled....
Crack.
The originally bottlenecked energy suddenly started to crazily surge. Seven star, eight star, nine star….
Yao Qing’s face abruptly changed, “Chen-er, NO!”
She rushed forward, pressing one palm onto his body. A sealing Dou Qi rushed into Yao Chen’s body. In this kind of scenario, she didn’t even have time to grieve. Yao Chen’s current wild breakthrough was definitely not a good thing.
It was like demonic energy breaking into the body; for the moment the breakthrough would bring you to a higher level, but it would cost you your future potential.
Blessings never come in pairs, but disaster, it never comes alone.
Time would always be the best medicine.
Chapter 3: Begging for Medicine
Dual Yin Life Chasing Palm! Hearing this, Yao Qing’s expression immediately changed. At the time when it hit you there would be no effect, and if it was discovered early enough it could be easily expelled with some effort. But if it was not detected, then its poisonous Yin Dou Qi seed would bury deep into your body. After a short time passed, it would suddenly break out; attempting to cure it at that time would already be too late!
Yao Qing was terrified, but she forcefully calmed herself. As quickly as she could, she opened a box that was hidden beside the bed. Inside were all kinds of medicinal pills and precious medicinal ingredients. These were all things that Yao Huo had previously slowly saved up. Originally they were supposed to be used for Yao Chen, but at this time she couldn’t take that into consideration. Yao Qing suppressed her panic and quickly picked out the pills and herbs that had healing effects. Placing them into the correct sequence, she fed them into Yao Huo’s mouth one by one. Since he couldn’t swallow them, she placed her mouth on his and after chewing them she managed to have him swallow them.
The medicines took effect in just a short time and Yao Huo woke up. However this time, no matter how he opened his mouth, he was unable to form a single word. Only his eyes were slowly looking around. He was only barely conscious and blood suddenly flowed out from his mouth…. At this time, he didn’t even have the strength to cough up the blood, and he could only let it fill up his mouth and nose before letting it drip out.
“Quick, lay your dad down on his side so that he can spit out the blood.”
Yao Qing’s fingernails dug deeply into her palms, and traces of blood started to flow out. “I’ll go beg the clan elders to save you. You stay home and no matter what, protect your father. Don’t let him… because of his own blood… in any case, be careful.”
No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t get the words out. Tears were already rolling in her eyes, but she didn’t want to start crying again in front of her son. She told herself that she had to be strong; the more terrible the situation was, the less she could afford to collapse.
Yao Chen energetically nodded his head. The Dual Yin Life Chasing Palm’s foundation was to seek and kill lives, so any ordinary pill had no ability to cure it. Only sacred healing medicinal pills at the sixth tier and above had a chance to treat it, but sixth tier pills marked a dividing line within the Yao clan. Pills at the fifth tier and below could be found in any number of quantities in the Yao clan, but each pill at or above the sixth tier were considered a treasure. Only the clan head and some core elders had the authority to use them.
The sunlight seemed to pierce her eyes, causing Yao Qing’s mind to feel a little faint. From morning till now she had only eaten some bread and she had also experienced some chilling winds while she had been on the mountain picking herbs. She had been planning on coming home to take a hot bath.
Shaking her head, Yao Qing forced herself to stay focused. The clan had given him a horse for work ince Yao Huo had been an Iron Guard for more than ten years. In addition, he was a fourth tier alchemist and was extremely talented with a bright future ahead of him. Yao Qing started rushing towards the clan head’s estate; the clan head would definitely not just watch as he died without being helped. If he really didn’t agree to take out the medicinal pills, once word spread it would make the hearts of all the regular clansmen go cold.
However….
Fate was always fickle. There were always unexpected occurrences.
“The clan head isn’t here, go home.”
“Not here? If the clan head isn’t here then where is he?” Yao Qing knelt in front of the clan head’s estate. Her face was a mix of fear and anxiousness as she begged for help.
The worst situation was actually this one, where even the man himself could not be found.
“Hmph, do you think that the clan head’s location is something that someone like you can ask for?”
The gatekeeper of the estate became angry, thinking that Yao Qing didn’t believe him.
Right at this time, elder Yao Lan was walking close by. Seeing the situation, he quickly walked over and asked, “What’s the matter?”
“Ah, elder Yao Lan, it’s not that I don’t want to help her, but the situation really is… ai, the clan head really isn’t here.” The gatekeeper became noticeably more respectful. The location of the clan head was something he absolutely couldn’t divulge.
“It’s ok, I understand. You can go now and I’ll take over here…. It’s Yao Qing right? Why are you looking for the clan head?” Yao Lan recognized Yao Qing as Yao Huo’s wife.
“Elder Yao Lan…” Yao Qing hurriedly told him about Yao Huo’s condition, telling him everything, including the Dual Yin Life Chasing Palm.
“Right now, he’s in imminent peril. Other than a sixth tier medicinal pill….”
“Truthfully, the clan head isn’t here. And it’s not just him; most of the other elders are also not here….”
Yao Lan’s face became extremely ugly. It was precisely at this critical moment that the clan head and core elders had gone out to accompany the demon clan.
When she was young she had also been taught the basics of alchemy by elder Yao Lan. She was very clear that based on his character, there was no way that he would just tell her wild lies.
Yao Lan made some calculations in his head; even if he sent a messenger eagle requesting the clan head for help, it would at the very least require two days. However the Dual Yin Life Chasing palm would take a person’s life in at most six hours from its flare-up. “Bring me to go see Yao Huo. I’ll see if I can help extend his life.”
After all, Yao Huo was one of the disciples he was most proud of. Yao Lan wouldn’t be so callous as to not care for him.
Once he arrived at their house, he saw Yao Huo lying on the bed. His appearance made it so that he could be perceived as already dead. Blood was still flowing out from his mouth, but the originally red blood had become an extremely sinister black.
“Quickly, help him sit up.” Yao Lan rapidly took out all the healing medicine that he had on him, with quite a few being very precious fifth tier medicinal pills. He really was not being stingy at all.
The problem was that this could only prolong the time it took for the Dual Yin Life Chasing Palm to completely erupt.
Although Yao Lan was also an elder, as a clan school elder, there was a very large distance separating him from those core elders. No matter how generous he was, a sixth tier medicinal pill was something that he simply had no means of taking out.
“It’s no good. These pills will only allow him to survive for one day, and his ability to absorb more medicine has already reached his limit. No matter how many additional fifth tier pills he’s fed, they would all be useless. But maybe using some extremely extraordinary medicinal herbs would also extend his lifespan a bit. “
Yao Lan carefully felt Yao Huo’s pulse. After a short moment he stated his diagnosis, and wrote a list of medicines that could extend Yao Huo’s life. However his eyebrows were tightly knit. No matter how he tried, he couldn’t say that although these medicinal herbs could extend Yao Huo’s life, they were all precious to the extreme and their value was frightening.
To describe it one word: difficult. To describe it in three words: extremely, extremely difficult.
“I’ll go beg for medicine….”
“I’ll be staying here. You guys should go together.” Yao Lan said while giving a glance at Yao Chen.
Yao Qing nodded. Picking up Yao Chen, she once again speedily rushed out.
Yao Chen was held next to her mother’s chest. Listening to the wind flying by, the tearstains on his face had dried. No matter how hard he wanted to cry, nothing came out of his eyes.
He wanted to ask his mom: dad’s going to be alright, right?
But he truly didn’t dare to open his mouth, and he didn’t dare to make any sound. His mother had never had such a pale face. His heart was extremely terrified that if he made any sound his mom would also suddenly end up like dad and collapse.
Yao Qing’s rushing brought her to the Zuo family. The Zuo family had many hundreds of years of history in the Yao clan as an influential alchemy family. The Zuo family also had a couple of disciples who had become Iron Guards, and while they weren’t extremely close to Yao Huo, they could still be called brothers-in-arms.
Due to this, the Zuo family didn’t treat her like a regular clansman and invited her in. Although they didn’t give her any of the herbs that she needed, they gave her quite a few sacred healing herbs. But Yao Huo’s currently condition meant that they would have basically no use.
Yao Qing had no choice but to take her leave and think of some other method. Even when the Zuo family gently sent the out the two of them, Yao Chen didn’t say a word. He only tightly clenched his mouth as he watched everything.
After leaving the Zuo family, they went to the Li family. The situation was basically the same as the Zuo family. Although they expressed their sympathy, they also did not take out any herbs that could extend Yao Huo’s life.
“Miss Yao, I’d advise you not to waste your time. Just go directly to the clan treasury. The items on your list are not things that we would have. Only… well, you already know what kind of people would be able to obtain and store these kinds of medicines.”
The Li family’s housekeeper glanced at the pitiful Yao Chen, causing him to truly feel a bit of compassion. When he escorted them out the estate to give them the herbs he also quietly gave the mother-son duo some advice before turning around and going back.
Yao Qing’s eyes flickered. She bit her lips in thought. Although these kinds of medicinal herbs were extremely valuable, the powerful Yao clan would definitely be able to bring them out without problem. Inside the clan treasury were definitely quite a few in stock. However, the clan treasury’s precious high tier medicinal treasures could not be touched without either the clan head’s or an inner elder’s permission.
“Let’s go to the main bloodline.”
The main bloodline’s position in the Yao clan could only be described as unfathomably deep and immeasurable. Other than for the purpose of going to the clan treasury, it was only the main bloodline’s families that could possibly have the extremely high tier herbs. When it came to the branch families, even if they managed to obtain such a high tier object, they would have to immediately hand it over to the clan treasury in exchange for either merit points or for powerful Dou techniques that could raise their family’s power.
And even if they had managed to keep such an object, it would be considered a precious family heirloom and stored away deeply. There was no way they would easily take it out. Sympathy returns sympathy, but when a person injured himself and wanted to beg for other people’s aid, how many people would have such a noble thought? Although there was elder Yao Lan, from the very beginning and till the day he died he would only be ranked in the least powerful group of elders, one of the clan school’s elders.
The gateway to the main bloodline’s domain was three hundred meters tall. The people inside were all famous within the clan and whose estates would be very difficult to enter. In comparison, the branch bloodlines, no matter what level of prestige they held, no matter what kind of power they had, had all had their family heads come out to talk with Yao Qing and Yao Chen upon hearing them begging for Yao Huo’s life. Even if they weren’t of help, they at the very least gave her face as a member of the same clan.
But the aloof and remote main bloodline would rarely ever let the regular members of the clan enter into their eyes.
“Begging for medicine? What is this? The family head isn’t here, can’t find him.” This main bloodline’s family doorkeeper was even more domineering and haughty than the clan head’s doorkeeper.
Of course, Yao Qing already knew that she would receive this kind of abuse. At this time she had no other method than to bitterly plead for help, “I’m begging you, I know third brother is home, I just want to see him for a moment.”
“This… fine, I’ll go help you ask.”
The doorkeeper started to feel a bit doubtful when he heard the words ‘third brother’ come out from Yao Qing’s mouth. He was really worried that Yao Qing had some kind of relationship with the third young master.
Yao Chen saw everything. Even his young and immature mind knew that this was father’s last hope. His tiny little fist was tightly clenched.
Just a few moments passed before the gatekeeper angrily ran out with his fist raised. “Hurry up and go! The third young master said he doesn’t know you and even gave me a scolding! Go!”
The gatekeeper angrily slammed the door behind Yao Qing, and even then he wasn’t satisfied. Going to the side door he also slammed that door shut as well.
What the gatekeeper didn’t see was Yao Qing biting her lip as she went to the second main bloodline’s house….
“Not here.”
The second house… although they were very polite, and the gatekeeper even invited the mother and son duo to come in and offered tea, but once he heard they had come begging for medicine he started to stall and back out, “Hehe, the family doesn’t have anyone present who can see you. I’m only a housekeeper, ai, I can’t help you as much as I wish to… I’ll send you out.”
At this time, Yao Qing’s heart was already in a panic, and she directly knelt down. She was unable to say anything, but she used her tears to beg for aid. From when she was a child to now, she had only ever knelt down for her father and mother and for the clan offerings.
“Don’t be like this; I can’t stand to watch it.”
The gatekeeper sighed, however he still remained unmoved. Yet again he let out an “I can’t help you as much I wish to,” and politely kicked the mother and son out the door.
The cold wind covered the leaves on the trees as it blew by. It truly was true… the hypocrisy of the world was something nothing else could surpass.
Yao Qing gloomily forced out a laugh, “Let’s go back Chen-er.”
Yao Chen pursed his lips, “Mom….”
Yao Chen’s voice grated, sounding like rocks knocking into each other. “The medicines….”
“First let’s go back and think of a method. Maybe the clan head and the elders will return before sunrise.” Yao Qing suppressed her sorrow as she spoke to her son.
“Ok.”
Yao Chen was already as worried as he could possibly be. But at this moment there was nothing he could do. Perhaps there was nothing anyone could do.
Yao Chen lowered his head, looking at his extremely small fist. If only he had more strength, more power, then who would dare to lock their doors and refuse to see them?!
Turning around and looking at the main bloodline’s mansions, the sky had already turned gloomy and those luxurious mansions had already lit their oil lamps. Standing in the sky’s background, the mansions gave off a glorious and powerful feeling.
Yao Chen tightly clenched his fist. Within him was growing desire: after he grew up, he must definitely stand out amongst his peers and become extremely strong. Strong to the point where there would be no one who would neglect and ignore him, letting his father and mother feel pride for him.
Returning home, they saw elder Yao Lan was refining medicine. Uncle Luo Bing, and a group of his father’s other brothers were also present.
“You didn’t manage to obtain any of the herbs? Ai….”
Yao Lan finished his refining, and five pills flew out of the medicinal cauldron, landing into a porcelain bottle in his hand. Turning around, he told Yao Qing, “These five medicinal pills… they can let him survive until sunrise. Right now you don’t need to give him one, but in two hours and every two hours from then give him one pill…. I’ve already sent a messenger hawk. If our luck is good it’s possible that the clan head and them will… sigh, I’m leaving now.”
Yao Lan shook his head. He had already done everything that he could, and he really did not want to stay here to watch until the end.
“Many thanks to elder Yao Lan for giving us this medicine. Yao Qing will forever engrave this moment into her heart… Chen-er, hurry up and kneel!” Yao Qing knelt down. After her experiences from begging for medicine, looking at elder Yao Lan who had done his absolute most to help gave her a feeling that could not be described in words.
Luo Bing and the others also made a banging noise as they knelt down grandly. They all truly felt distress; they felt as if it was themselves who were wounded. But they really had no more methods to help. The sullen feeling in their hearts, how could it be described with just words? After all, real men couldn’t just kneel down for just anything.
“That’s enough, what are you guys doing?! Get up! What? The words I speak have no use? You guys… ai, Yao Huo was also one of my students, how could I not help him? After all, it’s not like I could get infected.”
Elder Yao Lan supported Yao Qing to help her up. Even until his very last words he was shaking his head as he helplessly left.
Luo Bing and the others got up. Looking at Yao Qing and Yao Chen, they were all silent. Just before, they had also gone out begging for medicine using their considerable networks as Iron Guards. They managed to get quite a few medicines, however these medicines all had their limits, and when used on the Dual Yin Life Chasing Palm’s poisonous Yin Dou Qi, they all had extremely minute effects. Only through Yao Lan’s refining did they obtain five pills that could extend his life.
“Everyone, please go home… all your intentions, Yao Qing will definitely remember them until I die.” Yao Qing sighed, squeezing out the ugliest smile of her life as she let out a small laugh.
“Sister-in-law….”
Luo Bing shook his head, “Let’s go.”
Everyone knew that with Yao Huo’s condition nothing more could be done; although their hearts had the will, they didn’t have the means to do anything. It was better to leave him to spend his remaining time with his family.
After sending everyone off, Yao Qing’s pale expression finally showed signs of cracking apart. She was long past her limit. She lay down on the bed, using her slim hands to tightly hold onto Yao Huo’s arm, eyes flickering. To be separated by life and death was the greatest pain she had felt in her entire life. If they didn’t have Chen-er, then she might really follow her Huo-ge.
“Mom, don’t die!”
Suddenly, Yao Chen’s young panic-filled voice jolted Yao Qing. Hearing this, Yao Qing’s held-back tears finally burst out.
“Mom won’t die, mom’s fine, it’s just… I’m tired.” Yao Qing made an effort to get up. Her body and her heart were already completely exhausted, but looking at the very small Yao Chen, she had no choice but to be strong.
“Mom!” Yao Chen dashed up and his small hands clutched his mom’s clothes.
The room became silently calm after that. Outside the room came short bursts of bird cries. Yao Chen’s ears could also hear his father’s quiet breathing. It was only because of this very quiet sound that he didn’t completely collapse apart. For the first time, Yao Chen really understood what it meant for someone to be the pillar of the family.
“Cough….”
Suddenly a burst of coughing noises sounded out.
“DAD!”
Yao Chen abruptly raised his head.
Yao Qing’s throat was stuck with emotion and she was unable to even form half a word. However she did take out the pills that Elder Yao Lan had refined, and gently placed one in Yao Huo’s mouth.
After Yao Huo swallowed it, he said “Life Extending Pill?”
“Yes…” Yao Qing’s vision became blurry once again. Hearing her husband’s voice, large tears started warmly falling once again.
“Chen-er? Is your mom crying again? I can’t see clearly….”
“Mom….”
“I’m not crying. You already promised me that in my entire life you would never make me cry, so clearly I’m not crying.”
“It’s ok, I’m fine. Chen-er, did you practice your technique today?”
“I….”
“Go. Don’t come back in until you finish a full ten revolutions.” Yao Qing rubbed the Yao Chen’s head. She knew her husband had words he wanted to say to her alone.
Yao Chen didn’t really understand, but he still nodded his head as he did what they told him to do and walked towards the house courtyard.
Yao Chen looked up to the sky from the center of the courtyard. Looking at the stars, the moon, and feeling the cold wind, his body shuddered as his heart suddenly started to ache. His originally drained eyes which he thought did not have any more tears left once again started to flow.
Erasing his last teardrops, Yao Chen told himself that today he would let out all the tears of his entire lifetime. From today onwards, it would be unfair to his mother to cry anymore.
Forcing himself to settle down and focus, his body’s Dou Qi rapidly moving. His Dou Qi revolved cycle after cycle throughout his body.
Only when half the cycles were finished did he hear the sound of the door closing and footsteps coming over.
Turning his head, he saw his mom supporting his dad as they walked out from inside.
Yao Qing beckoned with her hand, “Chen-er, come here.”
“Dad, mom.”
Yao Huo held out his hand, gently put his arm around Yao Chen’s shoulder, he said, “Accompany your father to the Clan Monument to take a look. Our whole family together.”
“Ok.”
Yao Qing turned around. Carrying Yao Huo on her back, they took one step after another towards the mountain top.
Yao Chen followed behind them, hearing his dad laughing, “When we got married it was me who carried you through the door. Now it’s actually you carrying me as you send me off.”
“You’re not allowed to speak. No talking.” Yao Qing trembled. Even at this kind of time he was still in a talkative mood.
Yao Chen followed behind them with his head down. Every day he would take this road to the clan school. He never thought that a time would come when every step on the road would feel so heavy.
Suddenly the footsteps stopped. Yao Chen lifted his head and realized they had already reached the Clan Monument.
At this moment it was late into the night. The public square was already completely empty. Of course, anyone who came and saw them would immediately understand what was happening and wouldn’t show themselves.
Yao Huo’s two eyes suddenly began to glow with a fiery light, and his whole being became clear and awake.
Nevertheless, Yao Qing’s face quickly changed. She knew that this was final light before the setting sun….
Yao Huo took out a pill and swallowed it in one gulp. He appeared just like an emperor as he took his final breaths. He gently got off of Yao Qing. With his heavily injured broken body, who knew just where he managed to obtain that kind of strength. He walked one step at a time towards the Clan Monument. Reaching out his hand, touching the cold surface, he softly read it.
“Chen-er!” Yao Huo suddenly turned around, his eyes flickering. He forcefully suppressed the injuries in his eyes, letting him see a bit clearer.
“Dad.”
“Do you know what this is?”
“I know….”
“What is it?” Yao Huo persisted in asking Yao Chen what its name was.
“It’s the Clan Monument.”
“Louder!”
“IT’S THE CLAN MONUMENT!”
“Good, very good…. Chen-er, having you and your mother’s warmth has actually already made me satisfied with my life. The only thing is, my sole regret is that I didn’t have the chance to carve my own name onto this surface. If a person is a hero while he is living, then when he dies he will become a ghost that people will remember. Chen-er, your father’s hope will have to be passed into your hands. In those days, your great-grandfather, at this very spot, also had to give this hope to my father, who didn’t have the chance to achieve it….”
Yao Huo’s voice was becoming quieter and quieter. Suddenly, his legs trembled and he tumbled to the ground. Sitting there, back to the Clan Monument, the fire in eyes rapidly faded as the poisonous Yin Dou Qi surged up to replace it.
“Dad!”
Yao Chen threw himself onto him, holding his father. His young heart suddenly understood his father’s last moments had arrived.
“I’m tired; just let me rest for a bit.”
Yao Huo’s coarse hands lightly felt Yao Chen’s face as his two eyes firmly closed.
Suddenly, it seemed like he had thought of something. His mouth was opened slightly. Yao Chen quickly put his ear closer.
He managed to catch his father’s soft voice, “Chen-er, today, your mom didn’t mean to hit you. In the future, you’ll have to listen to what she says and take of her....” His voice continued to fade as he spoke.
Yao Chen nodded his head like his life depended on it. “I will, I will….”
The morning light spilled into the sky.
The sun had come out.
His father no longer moved, and Yao Chen couldn’t hear any sounds of his breathing.
A lump of blood was pushing out in his throat from his heart….
Yao Chen’s eyes only saw black, and his body’s Qi wildly rebelled....
Crack.
The originally bottlenecked energy suddenly started to crazily surge. Seven star, eight star, nine star….
Yao Qing’s face abruptly changed, “Chen-er, NO!”
She rushed forward, pressing one palm onto his body. A sealing Dou Qi rushed into Yao Chen’s body. In this kind of scenario, she didn’t even have time to grieve. Yao Chen’s current wild breakthrough was definitely not a good thing.
It was like demonic energy breaking into the body; for the moment the breakthrough would bring you to a higher level, but it would cost you your future potential.
Blessings never come in pairs, but disaster, it never comes alone.
Time would always be the best medicine.
