Whooooosh...
Szzzt...
CRAAACK!
The furious windstorm roared outside with unrelenting force.
Each gust struck harder than the last more violent, more savage.
At every crackling flash of lightning, the entire world seemed to be torn apart: trees big and small swayed and snapped, broken branches danced through the air, leaves and dust whipped around like spirits in a frenzy, and rooftiles vibrated restlessly, as if about to take flight.
Then came the thunder.
Sharp, deep, deafening.
Each crack of it split the air like the roar of an enraged dragon.
"Brother… something's… something's happening inside me… my stomach… ah… Brother…"
Shan Mei's eyes were wide frightened not by the storm outside, but by the strange, powerful stirring deep within her. She was trembling, her pupils dilated in awe and dread.
Xiao Baichuan stood frozen.
Her pale face, her trembling form he couldn't think, couldn't move.
"Hold on, Dear sister. I'll fetch Grandmaster. Just hold on."
But as he moved to leave, Shan Mei seized his hand tightly.
"No! Don't go… don't leave me…"
Her grip was desperate, like a drowning soul clinging to driftwood.
Just then, a shadow appeared at the doorway.
"I'm already here."
Dao Master entered with a calm that defied the storm's fury.
Without delay, he approached Shan Mei, checking her pulse with practiced fingers. Gently, he laid her back and pressed a warm metal probe against her abdomen.
"Hm…"
A faint sound of astonishment slipped from his lips.
He closed his eyes, focusing his spiritual sense.
Outside, the storm screamed—
"Fssshh… Zjjjj!"
—followed by a bolt of lightning so bright, it lit the room like daylight. A deafening thunderclap followed close behind, crashing just outside the house.
Everyone in the room flinched.
"Brother…"
"Ah!"
Shan Mei shrank at the sound, her body trembling like a leaf.
Xiao Baichuan held her hand tightly, whispering soothingly into her ear.
"Don't be afraid. I'm here. I'm right here with you."
But it wasn't the storm that made Dao Master falter it was what he felt.
From within Shan Mei's womb, there was movement strong, forceful, and alive.
His eyes lit up, the corners of his lips curling in disbelief and joy.
"Yes… Yes, that's it…"
Xiao Baichuan blinked, confused.
"Grangmaster, what is it? Please tell us. We're so worried."
Dao Master finally stood straight, looking between the two.
"Don't worry. The child… the child is awakening. It's remarkable. For six months, its heartbeat was faint and motionless. But now—it's alive. It's strong. It's fighting."
"Venerable one…"
"Brother…"
Both Shan Mei and Xiao Baichuan looked at each other, hands tightly held, eyes welling with tears of relief and wonder.
Dao Master stepped aside, listening for a moment to the howling wind outside.
Then he nodded to himself and murmured softly.
"I see now… I understand."
Without missing a beat, he turned back.
"Xiao Baichuan, come. We need to treat her right away. Light the stove—use the big one. Once it's burning, set the large medicine pot on it. Fill the half-barrel with water."
As he began selecting herbs from his pouch, Xiao Baichuan followed his instructions quickly.
The stove roared to life, and soon the pot was set and water added.
"It's ready, Grandmaster!"
"Good. Step back."
Dao Master poured the herbs in, stirred them with focus, and let them simmer.
Outside, the storm raged on.
Inside, the air filled with the scent of boiling medicine strong, bitter, healing.
Once the mixture had steeped and the aroma reached its peak, Dao Master lifted the pot and poured its steaming contents into the barrel of warm water.
"Bring Shan Mei."
Bai Baichuan gently carried his sister toward the barrel, just as instructed.
Shan Mei watched every move made by Dao Master and Xiao Baichuan, her eyes flickering with curiosity and wonder. Her emotions were stirred, unable to stay calm.
Dao Master handed her a pill.
"Here, take this. It'll calm your heart."
Without hesitation, Shan Mei swallowed the pill. As soon as it entered her stomach, a gentle warmth began to spread.
Dao Master turned to Xiao Baichuan and nodded.
"Soak her in the medicinal vat."
Xiao Baichuan carefully lifted her from where she had been resting and lowered her into the vat.
As Shan Mei's body submerged into the fragrant, warm medicinal waters, a wave of intense heat surged through her, followed by a soothing sensation that made her body feel light and comfortable. Slowly, her eyelids grew heavy. The warmth lulled her into a deep sleep.
Dao Master spoke again.
"Now, Xiao Baichuan. Begin channeling your internal energy. This time, there is no need to restrain it like before. Let your cool, tranquil energy flow gently from your palms into her meridians. Stop once she begins to stir."
"Yes, Grandmaster," Xiao Baichuan replied.
He sat cross-legged before her, facing her sleeping form. Placing his palms gently against hers, he steadied his breath, gathered his inner force, and began to circulate it.
The energy entered through his own meridians, flowed steadily to his palms, and then passed into Shan Mei's body. The transfer was smooth and uninterrupted.
Outside, a fierce storm raged.
CRAAACK!
BOOOOM!
Thunder roared across the heavens, lightning splitting the skies like celestial wrath. But within the chamber, time flowed slowly, and peace reigned.
The hour passed. Midnight faded. The storm, perhaps satisfied with its fury or exhausted by its own might, began to settle.
Shan Mei's face now bore the serene beauty of someone completely at ease. Her breathing was smooth, and she slept soundly.
Xiao Baichuan, however, began to feel the toll. His internal energy was not yet strong, and the continuous transfer was draining. Still, he pressed on, remembering Dao Master's words: "Stop only when she begins to wake."
Finally, Shan Mei's eyelids trembled she was about to awaken.
Dao Master gave the signal.
"That's enough. Stop now."
Xiao Baichuan withdrew his hands and ceased the flow of internal energy.
Shan Mei slowly opened her eyes.
"Brother…"
Her voice was sweet and gentle, filled with vitality.
Xiao Baichuan hadn't heard her speak with such clarity and warmth in so long—his heart swelled with joy. Every ounce of exhaustion was swept away in that moment.
"How do you feel, dear sister?"
Shan Mei smiled softly and nodded.
"I feel… really well, dear brother."
"Good. I'm so glad. Come, let's get you out of the vat. I'll help you."
He stood and reached toward her.
But Shan Mei grasped his hands firmly and pulled herself up.
"Can you manage?" he asked gently.
"I can," she replied.
Seeing her rise on her own stirred something deep within him. Fearing she might collapse, he kept hold of her hand to steady her.
It had been so long since she could even sit, let alone stand. Though her legs were still weak, and she wobbled slightly, he held her steady.
He looked at her with concern, silently asking, "Are you sure?"
She met his gaze and nodded with a quiet smile, her eyes shining.
Supporting her gently, Xiao Baichuan helped her step out of the medicinal vat.
Shan Mei took her first step. Then another. And another. Each step grew steadier, more confident. In time, she walked on her own.
Tears welled up in her eyes—tears of joy. And she wasn't alone.
Even the stoic Xiao Baichuan, a man of few words and strong heart, found his vision blurred. The happiness was overwhelming. For a moment, husband and wife were left speechless.
"Well done! Well done indeed."
Dao Master's joyful voice echoed, as if blessing their silent reunion.
With a swift and sudden motion, Xiao Baichuan stepped forward and tightly embraced Shan Mei, pulling her entire body into his chest as if to shield her from the world.
Had he not been haunted this entire time by the terrifying thought that he might lose the woman he loved most? He had tried to push away that dreadful fear, but it always found a way to sneak back in. And now—at long last—that shadow had been completely dispelled. That heavy, icy weight of fear had vanished.
"Dear sister… I'm so glad. I'm so glad, truly."
Shan Mei too was no different. Hadn't she been tormented by the fear that she would be left behind by the man she loved?
"Brother… my dear brother… ah… ahh…"
The husband and wife clung tightly to one another, as if afraid that their tears of joy might slip away and disappear if they let go.
Even the seasoned Dao Master, who had experienced the brutal tides of life and seen its bitter and sweet, could not help but watch them with misty eyes. He smiled through tears of quiet joy.
Outside, the raging winds and roaring storm finally began to die down.
At that moment, a single clearing of the throat sounded from the doorway.
"Ahem."
With that sound, three silhouettes emerged at the room's entrance.
Xiao Baichuan and Shan Mei broke from their embrace at once and turned together to face the doorway.
Dao Master turned as well.
Standing at the entrance was the old man Zhuo Zhelai supporting two women at his sides.
His robe was torn at the chest and stained with blood. The two women beside him were trembling uncontrollably, utterly exhausted and frightened beyond words.
Dao Master stepped forward.
"What happened? And who are these women?"
Old man Zhou responded in a hoarse, strained voice.
"Give me a moment to catch my breath. My chest wound... please, help me stop the bleeding first."
Still supporting the two women, he stepped into the room.
Xiao Baichuan glanced at Shan Mei, who gave him a soft, understanding smile and a gentle nod. With that, he stepped away and moved to assist old man Zhou and the two women, helping them to seats and offering a place to rest.
Though the women still retained hints of their natural beauty, their current condition told of sheer panic and exhaustion. One of them appeared to be in her fifties or early sixties, while the other was likely around Shan Mei's age.
The two women, their eyes filled with gratitude, sat down quietly and accepted the offered help.
Elder Zhou made his way to Dao Master and exposed the deep wound on his chest—blood still flowing freely. It was no minor injury. Any ordinary man might have already collapsed, if not died. Only someone with formidable inner strength like Elder Zhou could still be standing.
Dao Master gave each woman a healing pill and handed one to Elder Zhou as well. Then he tended to Elder Zhou's wound with medicine and bound it tightly with a bandage.
"Now then," said Dao Master calmly, "Tell us. What exactly happened?"
Elder Zhou nodded and began his account.
"It went like this..."
---
In a wealthy residential quarter of Guangzhou City, a grand estate stood with its gates wide open. Every lamp within the estate walls was brightly lit, casting a strange glow throughout the courtyard.
Though late-summer winds had blown ceaselessly all day long, their occasional violent gusts made the lamps sway dangerously.
Such extensive lighting might suggest a banquet or grand celebration—but this was not the case. Only the courtyard glowed. The mansion itself remained cloaked in darkness. There were no sounds of revelry. No signs of festivity.
Roughly fifty men armed to the teeth moved silently throughout the courtyard. None wore expressions of joy. Their eyes were sharp, focused, scanning the area constantly.
Thump… thump…
Two dull knocking sounds echoed from afar, carried by the wind.
Midnight had passed.
Yet the guards did not relax their vigilance—in fact, their alertness only deepened.
Screech!
A night bird burst out from the shadows beyond the estate wall, its cry sharp and startled.
The men in the courtyard turned sharply toward the gate, eyes narrowing. They gripped their weapons tighter, assuming battle-ready stances.
"Heh… heh… heh…"
A chilling laugh emerged from the darkness.
"Hmm… not bad. Not bad at all. Everyone seems ready and waiting. That'll make this go quickly. Heh… heh…"
With those words, shadows emerged from the dark, stepping leisurely into the courtyard.
There were four brothers—middle-aged men with rough faces and dark beards and four Crimson Crows trailing behind them.
At the sight of these intruders, the guards within the estate tensed instantly. The courtyard turned deadly silent as weapons were drawn and blades flashed in the dim light.
Shing… Shing… Shing…
Gu Wei chuckled coolly, the corners of his lips lifting in a calm, almost mocking smile.
"Ho ho ho… easy there, now. No need to get all worked up. It's a hot night, and I'd rather not go through all the trouble of moving too much. So, I've thought of a better way."
He paused briefly, letting his gaze sweep over the estate guards as though they were mere playthings, then continued casually.
"How about this—why don't you all go ahead and kill yourselves? That way, I won't have to lift a finger. Ha ha ha!"
Amused by his own twisted suggestion, Gu Wei tilted his head back and burst into hearty laughter.
"Ha ha ha!"
Behind him, his four middle-aged brothers joined in, their laughter echoing eerily into the night.
But one of the estate guards could no longer tolerate Gu Wei's insolence. With a shout of rage, he lunged forward, thrusting his spear directly at Guu Wei's chest.
"Hyah!"
"Whee—"
Gu Wei didn't even glance at the incoming weapon. Just as the spearhead neared him, he spun with a fluid motion, his body turning like silk in the wind. With a quick move of his left hand, he seized the shaft mid-air, and in one sweeping arc of his right palm—
Crack!
The spear snapped in two as if it had been struck by a thunderbolt. A weapon that would have taken great strength to cut through with a sword had shattered under the force of a single blow from Kou Wei's palm.
Without missing a beat, Kou Wei flicked the broken tip of the spear toward the attacker.
"Whizz—" "Thunk!" "Ugh!"
Like a thrown dagger, the broken shaft rocketed forward, embedding itself deep into the guard's chest.
The guard gasped, looked down in disbelief at the splintered spear now buried in him, then collapsed lifelessly onto the ground.
The entire event took no more than a heartbeat.
No dramatic movements. No roaring shouts. But just like that, a man had died.
End of Chapter