Chapter 2: The First Encounter with the Mysterious Illness Girl (2)

“Eh? I’m fine?” Jiang Xiaoman touched herself up and down in disbelief, whispering, “How is that possible…”

The young man, accustomed to the various tricks female cultivators used to get close to him and his brother, merely smiled coldly at her strange behavior and teased, “Looks like Miss Jiang’s ailment is finally cured today?”

“Impossible! Absolutely impossible!” Jiang Xiaoman reacted swiftly and vehemently, her eyes wide open, hands shaking wildly.

Counting carefully, she had lived nineteen years with this strange illness that had become a part of her body. She had never dared to hope for a day when she could speak so many words in one breath and remain completely unharmed.

Except in dreams.

She realized this must be a dream!

She slapped her own cheek hard.

Pain!

Looking up again, the expression on the young man’s face was as if he were looking at a fool.

Not a dream!?

Could it be that the cursed disease that had plagued her for nineteen years was truly cured!?

—

“Two immortals! This way!”

Jiang Xiaoman, overwhelmed and confused, heard a call from the shore.

The voice pierced through the stillness of the lake, faint but audible.

She turned her head in surprise and saw a crowd gathered on the shore.

The onlookers were clearly shaken by the intense battle between cultivators and the monster, cheering for the two figures in the center of the lake. At the forefront stood a conspicuous middle-aged man in a plain official robe, flanked by tall, muscular soldiers maintaining order. He was waving vigorously at the two in the lake, the voice that had called out just now belonging to him.

Ling Sicheng waved back gracefully, then smiled gently and pointed to the shore. “Since that’s the case, why not find a civilian to try next?”

Jiang Xiaoman was momentarily stunned.

That actually made some sense.

Ling Sicheng moved swiftly like a swallow, flying to the shore in an instant.

The official ordered his subordinates to disperse the passersby, then stepped forward with a warm smile and bowed, “Young Master Ling of Mount Yue is truly courageous and powerful. I knew this water demon was no match for you. Now the people of Yangzhou can sleep peacefully at night. It was indeed wise to send you down the mountain to eliminate the demon!”

Ling Sicheng waved his hand modestly, “A mere water demon, just a yellow-rank monster, nothing worth mentioning. By the way, I asked Prefect Lin about something; has there been any progress?”

“Yes, yes.” Prefect Lin quickly replied, about to elaborate, then suddenly noticed a shadowy dark head behind the white-clad youth. Upon closer look, it was a girl in red hiding behind, her black and clear eyes nervously glancing at him from time to time.

“I was just about to ask, who is this young lady fighting alongside the young master?”

Ling Sicheng turned and smiled, “See, I almost forgot. This is my little sister. I brought her down the mountain to gain experience. She usually doesn’t socialize much and can be a bit shy.”

He glanced at Jiang Xiaoman and gave her a nod. “This is the famous Prefect Lin of Yangzhou. Why don’t you go greet him?”

Prefect Lin was surprised; the renowned Mount Yue Ling family was one of the five great immortal sects, but he had only heard of three sons, never of a younger sister.

Seeing Jiang Xiaoman hesitating and shrinking behind Ling Sicheng, he clicked his tongue and gently pushed her forward.

Jiang Xiaoman stumbled a few steps to Prefect Lin.

Prefect Lin smiled broadly and said humbly, “I’m honored. Miss Ling’s swordsmanship is truly extraordinary, showing the grace of your brother.”

Though he hadn’t witnessed the entire battle, flattering esteemed cultivators was never wrong.

But the girl before him trembled, her lower lip pale and pressed tight, whispering, “I’m not…”

“Hm?”

Jiang Xiaoman paused, took a deep breath.

No matter, she decided to try again!

Clenching her teeth, she blurted, “I’m not from the Ling family. I’m Jiang Xiaoman of the Jiang family from Tuzhou. Our Jiang family disciples do not practice swordsmanship…”

But just as the words left her mouth, her face turned pale, and she clutched her abdomen, groaning in pain.

It’s coming, it’s coming!

“Miss, what’s wrong?” Prefect Lin was still recovering from her earlier words when he saw her in such agony and panicked.

She trembled and let out a muffled groan, feeling the familiar pain flood her body again as the world around her blurred—

Thud!

Jiang Xiaoman’s body went limp, collapsing straight to the ground.

The other two stood frozen, helpless, exchanging glances.

“Young Master Ling, I didn’t do anything, this…”

Ling Sicheng was clearly shocked, eyes wide, muttering, “No way…”

*

She had been asleep for who knew how long.

Bubbles kept rising around her.

This is… underwater?

Before her was a massive, motionless creature, staring straight at her with familiar eyes.

Those eyes were just a few feet away, clearly reflecting her floating form.

A water demon.

Wait, why is this water demon crying?

Hold on, it’s leaving?

…Don’t go.

She still needed its demon pill; Xing’er was waiting at home for her to come back and save her…

*

When Jiang Xiaoman opened her eyes again, a faint, elegant fragrance of lilac blossoms drifted beside her pillow. She turned her head and blinked; the golden light slowly clarified to reveal a bamboo lantern decorated with golden lion patterns quietly standing not far at the bedside.

Looking up, she saw a familiar yet unfamiliar white-clad youth sitting by the bed, propping his face with his hand and dozing against the curtain pole. His long eyelashes drooped gently, serene as a painted magnolia.

She shifted and sat up; the snow-white silk quilt slipped off, revealing the red gauze dress she had been wearing all along.

This movement startled Ling Sicheng, who immediately opened his eyes.

He stood up, his sharp gaze showing no trace of fatigue.

Seeing Jiang Xiaoman was alright, he smiled, “Awake? You were unconscious for a full day and night. If anything had happened, I wouldn’t know how to explain it to Patriarch Jiang.”

Jiang Xiaoman was still dazed, her expression somewhat vacant.

Her eyes wandered around: the ebony wood desk scattered with tea bowls, the porcelain pot with lilac on the carved bookshelf, the brown bamboo screen painted with yellow birds… indeed a refined and elegant bedroom.

After a while, she softly asked, “Where is this place?”

“The guest room of the Yangzhou Prefect’s residence.” Ling Sicheng leaned against the desk opposite the bed, arms crossed. “The doctor examined you; your heart imagery suddenly lost balance and all your meridians were inexplicably blocked. I helped input some spiritual energy to clear them.”

He laughed self-deprecatingly, “I thought you were just talking nonsense, but it turns out you really have this illness.”

Jiang Xiaoman said nothing.

She sat quietly on the bed, perfectly still.

Not because she didn’t want to move, but the moment she sat up just now, it felt as if her muscles and veins were being torn apart.

This was always the case; the aftermath of this strange illness was never mild.

Because of this, she had been living cautiously for years—never speaking unless absolutely necessary, never uttering more than a few words.

“This illness of yours is truly peculiar; I’ve never heard of anything like it.” Ling Sicheng propped his chin with his hand, frowning slightly. “But why were you fine when you talked to me just now?”

Jiang Xiaoman remained silent, her pale fingers tightly entwined.

Little did he know! She had indeed thought she was cured, only to be joyfully mistaken.

…

“Are you alright?” Seeing her silence, Ling Sicheng cautiously asked.

Though Jiang Xiaoman didn’t speak, her eyes and mind were racing.

As her father had said, a person’s weakness could also be their strength. At least this Young Master Ling hadn’t abandoned her, proving he had some conscience.

With this in mind, she might as well take another chance; she couldn’t let her illness be in vain.

“It hurts so much…” she murmured, eyes brimming with tears.

The room was quiet. Ling Sicheng raised a hand and lightly scratched his nose.

“Sorry about that.”

After a moment, he returned to the bedside and sat down slowly.

“My master, Ancient Wood Immortal, is skilled in medicine. How about I bring you to Mount Yue to let him take a look? Consider it an apology for causing your illness to flare up.”

Jiang Xiaoman shook her head, “No need.”

Her father had taken her to famous doctors across the land, even palace physicians and the famed Three-Needle Masters of the Wen family; none had helped. Unless his master was a celestial immortal from Penglai, what hope was there?

But Penglai’s gates had been closed for centuries, barring even cultivators from ascending and never sending immortals to the mortal realm. It was said the mortal world and the immortal realm were completely severed. Where could she find any immortals here?

“Won’t you even try?” Ling Sicheng’s rare emotion seeped into his words as she resolutely refused.

Jiang Xiaoman blinked.

“Apology, yes. Demon pill.”

“What?”

She pressed her lips, opening her fair palm.

“The water demon’s demon pill.”

Ling Sicheng’s expression darkened after a long pause.

—

“What do you want the water demon’s pill for?”

Jiang Xiaoman didn’t answer immediately.

Mentioning the demon pill, she knew well this wouldn’t be easy.

The demon pill was the monster’s essence; it was said to contain the catastrophic power born at the dawn of the demon realm. If a powerful demon pill from a profound or earthly ranked demon were broken and released, its demonic aura would spread, suffocating all life within a hundred feet. Only ancient celestial weapons could suppress it.

Thus, strict decrees in the Penglai Immortal Realm required that any demon pill collected by immortals be personally taken to Kunlun and destroyed in the celestial furnace under the Jade Purity Sect’s control.

Though destroying demon pills was the rule, exceptions existed…

Silence filled the guest room. Jiang Xiaoman sat upright on the bed, contemplating.

“I’m hungry.” She said plaintively.

The youth by the bed raised an eyebrow.

Jiang Xiaoman hurried to explain, “Out playing, no money. Black market, exchange.”

Luckily, she had heard from her senior brother that the lowest-level yellow-rank demon pills posed little threat. Hence, the five great immortal sects often turned a blind eye to their circulation in the black market.

After all, many wealthy merchants were willing to pay high prices to cultivators in need for these treasures. The sects tacitly accepted this as a livelihood for some cultivators.

Though the water demon’s pill held deeper meaning for her.

After finishing, she timidly cast a pleading look at the youth.

At the mention of the “black market,” Ling Sicheng’s eyes briefly flashed coldness but quickly dissipated.

He teased, “Surprising that you know about the black market without ever leaving your home.”

Jiang Xiaoman nodded calmly, sitting obediently on the bed, playing with her fingers.

“My senior brother mentioned it.”

Ling Sicheng rolled his eyes with some mockery.

“Your senior brother Mo Lian is the famous Phoenix Flute Gentleman of Tuzhou. If you speak ill of his reputation like this, does he know?”

“Uh…”

That much she hadn’t lied about.

To relieve her boredom in the inner chambers, Mo Lian loved telling her strange stories and even bought her favorite tales of the three realms.

Ling Sicheng shook his head and snorted coldly.

He fixed his gaze on her, filled with scrutiny, weariness, and impatience for her endless lies.

“First, the fire talisman and freezing needles you carry are clearly prepared against water demons; second, you have half a pack of special sedatives. The Jiang family dotes on you — how could they allow you to travel alone? You must have drugged your companions and slipped away.”

“You went through my things!” Jiang Xiaoman’s pitiful expression turned fierce.

“I’m just trying to find the cause of your sudden illness.”

Ling Sicheng didn’t argue; after this, his expression grew cold.

“Third, demon pills are forbidden and must be surrendered for destruction. As a Jiang family member, you must know this rule but still say such nonsense.” He emphasized each word, “Whether you want to sell it on the black market or have other plans, I absolutely will not give you the water demon’s pill.”

…

Jiang Xiaoman was dumbfounded.

No way, it’s just a yellow-rank demon pill, yet Young Master Ling treats it so seriously!?

She couldn’t argue and found no counterpoint, sweat trickling down her forehead, her lips pouting involuntarily.

After finishing, Ling Sicheng’s solemnity faded, and his usual smile returned.

He casually adjusted his clothes, preparing to leave, saying lightly, “Miss Jiang, it seems you’re fine now. Let’s part here. I’ll visit Tuzhou another day to apologize for causing your illness.”

Just as he spoke, the girl on the bed grabbed his sleeve.

“Wait!” she forced a smile, “Kunlun, give it to me. I’ll go instead…”

Ling Sicheng smiled and gently freed his sleeve.

“No need. Kunlun is a thousand miles from here; with your strange illness, it’s inconvenient. Better to rest properly here.”

Seeing him truly ready to leave, Jiang Xiaoman couldn’t sit still.

If he stepped out that door, the water demon’s pill would truly be gone, and who knew when another water demon would appear…

Thinking this, she broke into a sweat.

“Come back! You can’t leave!!”

She shouted hoarsely, “If you leave, what will become of an orphaned woman like me!”

…

The white-clad youth stopped in his tracks.

“Huh?”