Chapter 252: Healing Medicine

Chapter 252: Medicinal Salve

In the end, Xie Shu had no choice but to forcibly push Xiao Wu aside. The iron door clanged shut, locking automatically.

Xiao Wu withdrew the faint trace of mana he had barely managed to gather at his fingertips and sighed softly, "Xiao Yu, I mean it. In a few days, even if you come begging for my guidance, I might not be able to answer."

He was already at the end of his strength, hanging on by a thread of spiritual energy, and could dissipate at any moment.

Xiao Wu propped himself up with effort and sat upright. "Once I entered Wuwang Palace, I never planned to leave again. But Xiao Yu, you're still young. Beyond Wuwang Palace, there are vast rivers and mountains. Don’t you want to see them again?"

Xie Shu lowered his gaze and said, "No need to rush."

After completing the tragic death plotline, Xie Shu would send Song Xiaoyu himself back to the mortal world. As for him, being the Palace Lord, there was no question of being unable to leave. As for Xiao Wu...

Xie Shu said, "We’ll cross that bridge later."

Xiao Wu fell silent.

After a long while, he sighed softly, with a resigned, wry smile—like an elder indulging a stubborn child, resigned yet fond. "Xiao Yu, if you can leave, do me a favor and return to Shangling Sect for me."

Xie Shu turned to look at him.

Xiao Wu tore a corner from his robe and handed it to Xie Shu, smiling. "As leaves fall to their roots, and souls return to their homeland. I grew up in Shangling Sect, familiar with its mountains, rivers, and foliage. I always thought I would guard that place forever. But with this wreck of a body, it’s unlikely I’ll ever return. If you get the chance, go see it for me."

The edge of the fabric was embroidered with a curling vine pattern, traced in silver thread.

Xiao Wu continued, "Use this as proof. The acting Shangling Sect leader is my senior brother. Once I’m... Anyway, if you mention my name, you can directly join the inner sect."

Though he didn’t finish, Xie Shu pieced it together from his lips—he had meant to say, "Once I’m gone."

Xie Shu accepted it, carefully folding the fabric and tucking it away without a word. But inside, he scoffed, *Lord Pingwu, if you want to return to Shangling, you’ll have to see it yourself. If I go to your senior brother posing as Xie Chunshan, hand him a piece of your robe, and say, ‘Senior Brother, your junior recommended me to join your inner sect,’ your senior brother would be scared stiff.*

Xiao Lian, Xiao Wu’s senior brother, was, by design, mediocre in cultivation but skilled in trade and abacus—a managerial talent. In terms of combat ability, he wasn’t even a tenth of Xiao Wu or Xie Chunshan. If Xie Shu, wearing Xie Chunshan’s face, casually strolled up to Xiao Lian and delivered that line, Xiao Lian would be scared stiff.

Outwardly, Xie Shu only said, "Alright. If the opportunity arises, I’ll be sure to see it for you, Immortal Lord."

Xiao Wu nodded and added, "If you do meet my senior brother, please relay a warning for me: tell him to be extremely cautious before reaching the Nascent Soul stage and not to attempt a breakthrough lightly."

Xie Shu raised an eyebrow.

Every cultivation stage was a trial, known as a "bottleneck," and the Nascent Soul stage was one of the most difficult. Nascent Soul cultivators were rare—Xie Chunshan was one, and Xiao Wu had been one before his downfall.

Yet he was warning his senior brother not to attempt a breakthrough?

Suppressing his confusion, Xie Shu replied, "Rest assured, Immortal Lord. I’ll deliver the message."

Xiao Wu let out a relieved sigh, as if a weight had been lifted. Too drained to speak further, he exchanged a few polite words with Xie Shu before closing his eyes and slipping into sleep.

*

That night, Xie Shu returned to the Siyou Pavilion.

This time, he didn’t bring a food box or open the door quietly. Instead, he strode in with the full authority of the Palace Lord. Xue Sui stood at his side, followed by a row of attendants. Xie Shu cradled a hand warmer, slightly lowering his gaze in silent command. Xue Sui immediately stepped forward and barged the gate open with a kick.

Xiao Wu still leaned against the wall, exactly as Xie Shu had left him, as if he hadn’t moved at all. At the sound of the commotion, he lifted his eyes briefly before lowering them again, motionless as carved stone.

At this point, it hardly mattered who had come or what they intended to do.

The only regret was that he hadn’t yet managed to transfer mana to the boy he’d met by chance.

Seeing him like this, Xue Sui stole a glance at the Palace Lord and winced internally.

Here is the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

This was a routine he knew well—when a member of the Righteous Path offended the Palace Lord and remained defiant, he would first sternly rebuke, "Since you stand before the Palace Lord, why do you refuse to kneel?" If the righteous one proved stubborn, he would step forward, kick their knees until they broke, then seize their hair and force them to kneel before the Palace Lord. But with Lord Pingwu...

Xue Sui glanced at Xie Shu and, for some reason, hesitated.

—He had a feeling that if he charged over, before he could even lay a finger on Lord Pingwu, his own Palace Lord would strike first.

Fortunately, their Palace Lord showed no intention of pressing the matter. Instead, cradling the hand warmer, he strolled to the railing and said with a smile, "Lord Pingwu, you’ve been in our Wuwang Palace for half a month now. How has the hospitality of the Abyssal Water Prison treated you?"

Xie Chunshan was not only handsome but also possessed a pleasant voice, and with Xie Shu’s measured tone and deliberate enunciation, there was an effortless charm to his words—as if he were genuinely inviting a friend for a casual visit, inquiring at the end of a gathering whether the hospitality had been lacking.

Xiao Wu merely kept his eyes closed. "Thanks to the Palace Lord’s care, I’ve been managing well enough."

At this moment, his expression was cold and stern, his entire demeanor as cold as frost, with none of the gentleness he had shown Song Xiaoyu earlier.

Xie Shu’s gaze lingered on his features, a spark of admiration in his eyes.

Xiao Wu’s gentle demeanor was certainly pleasing, but this aloof and solemn bearing was far closer to the original conception of Lord Pingwu.

Xue Sui, standing to the side, wore an expression as if he’d seen a ghost.

Xie Shu observed him leisurely for a while, then glanced at the light screen before continuing with a smile, "Lord Pingwu’s tongue remains as sharp as ever. It seems the Abyssal Water Prison is too tame to satisfy the Immortal Lord’s tastes. No matter—the Demon Palace has many fine places to offer. Among my subordinates, there is one who currently lacks a test patient. I believe the Immortal Lord would be an ideal candidate."

As he spoke, he tipped his head slightly, signaling his subordinates. "Come, accompany the Immortal Lord back to my palace."

Several attendants stepped forward, heads bowed.

Though the word was "accompany," given the Palace Lord’s temperament, it should have been a drag. But with the Palace Lord standing behind them, his gaze sweeping over them with a faint warning, the group exchanged glances and unanimously chose to support him instead.

Xiao Wu was severely weakened, his body exhausted, and he was practically carried to the main hall. Littered with wounds, even the gentlest handling from the attendants caused him agonizing pain. Along the way, he drifted into unconsciousness, his brows tightly knit into a faint crease.

Even when Xie Shu signaled for him to be placed on the bed in the main hall, the crease between his brows remained.

Xie Shu lifted the hem of his robe and seated himself at the foot of the bed. After a moment, he raised his hand and pressed a finger to the center of the crease, smoothing it away.

An Immortal Lord of such elegance and refinement shouldn’t wear such an expression.

When Wu Buke arrived in a hurry with his medicine chest, this was the scene he witnessed.

Wu Buke had been preparing medicine in the apothecary when a servant suddenly summoned him, saying the Palace Lord had called for a medical consultation. He thought it strange.

While he did know a bit of medicine, those in the Demon Palace were always cautious, rarely revealing their vulnerabilities. If injured or ill, they would either recuperate on their own or capture a Righteous Path doctor—there was no reason to seek out a Poison Doctor for treatment.

But since the Palace Lord had summoned him, he gathered his tools and rushed over, only to find the Palace Lord seated at the bedside, his expression gentle as he carefully smoothed away the frown on someone’s brow.

Curious as to who it might be, he took a step forward—and Lord Pingwu’s face came into view.

Wu Buke: "..."

"?"

The Palace Lord had brought Lord Pingwu out of the water prison and allowed him to lie on his own bed?

He shot a frantic glance at Xue Sui beside him, sending a covert message:

"What is the Palace Lord doing?"

Xue Sui lowered his eyes. "No clue."

Here's the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

"What's this guy doing in the Palace Lord's bed?"

Xue Sui closed his eyes. "No idea."

"Why was I summoned?"

"I don't know."

"Damn it, Xue Sui, what good are you—"

Before the telepathic message could finish, they saw their Palace Lord beckon lightly. "Wu Buke, come here."

Wu Buke had to shuffle forward, standing at attention by the bed.

Xie Shu reached into the blanket and grabbed Xiao Wu's wrist. His skin was covered in cold sweat, freezing cold. He pulled the hand out from under the covers and gestured. "Come, check him out."

Wu Buke quickly pulled himself together, bending down to check him over carefully.

After a long while, he cautiously asked, "What does the Palace Lord wish to know?"

Xie Shu: "How is he?"

Wu Buke: "It's bad. His meridians are half destroyed, covered in countless major and minor injuries. The wounds are inflamed, causing a high fever. Lord Pingwu is hanging on by a thread of Mana, so he's not in immediate danger, but..."

Xie Shu repeated, neither lightly nor heavily: "But?"

Wu Buke: "If you just want him functional like an ordinary person, it's not difficult. But if you wish for Lord Pingwu to recover his cultivation, then..."

Xie Shu: "There's no need to restore his cultivation."

Later, Xiao Wu would have a plotline where he regains his cultivation, but the protagonist of that arc isn't Xie Shu. The damage to his meridians was too rare, beyond what conventional methods could repair. However, the Demon Palace was full of eccentric talents, and in the medicine hall, there happened to be an old mad Pharmacist who had created his own Art—one that could revive severed meridians. The only problem was that practicing this Art was excruciating, and no one was willing to learn it. When this old madman encountered Xiao Wu in the backyard, he took him as an experimental subject. Xiao Wu, having no other options, had no choice but to comply.

This plotline had nothing to do with Xie Shu, so he wouldn't interfere.

Wu Buke sighed in relief. "That's good then."

Observing Xie Shu's expression, he carefully chose his words. "If the Palace Lord merely wishes to keep the Immortal Lord chained to the bed for your... amusement, it's not particularly difficult. Some ointment and internal tonics will suffice."

Xie Shu: "Get the meds ready."

Before long, Wu Buke brought out a jar. "Palace Lord, this is an external ointment. Apply it to the inflamed areas and wrap them with breathable silk cloth, change the bandage every other day. As for the internal medicine, I told the servants to brew it. It should be ready in half an hour."

Xie Shu took the jar. "Mm."

His tone was indifferent, neither applying the medicine himself nor dismissing Wu Buke. After a moment of hesitation, Wu Buke ventured, "Palace Lord..."

Xie Shu casually tossed the jar back. "I'll need you later. Don't move."

Wu Buke caught the jar and forced a smile. "Right, right."

They waited in silence.

Xie Shu sat by the bed, while Wu Buke stood hunched over. Before long, sweat beaded up on his forehead, but he didn't dare wipe it away, silently wondering what the Palace Lord meant by "I'll need you."

After a long silence, a soft gasp came from the bed. Xie Shu lowered his gaze and saw Xiao Wu's trembling lashes.

He had just woken, dazed and unaware of his surroundings. His eyes opened, his gaze empty before closing again lightly. Then he remembered—he was in the Wuwang Palace.

Lord Wuwang Xie Chunshan brought him out of the Water Prison and took him back to the main hall, saying he would be used for medicine testing.

But... medicine testing?

The bed under him was soft, covered with quilts, and the braziers in the hall burned warmly, like spring.

Xiao Wu twitched his fingers before realizing someone was beside him.

The next moment, Xie Chunshan let out a cold snort, his voice dripping with mockery: "Lord Pingwu’s cultivation is truly ruined—weaker than a mortal’s. To fall asleep over such a short distance from the Water Prison to the main hall?"

Xiao Wu composed his expression. Xie Shu assumed he was trying to regain his usual cold and dignified demeanor, refusing to lose face in front of a demonic lord. But while standing, it might have been passable—now, wrapped in quilts and lying in bed, with his dark hair scattered everywhere, he was anything but "dignified."

Xiao Wu attempted to sit up, but his muscles ached and the pain was too much, so he resigned himself and closed his eyes, replying coldly, "My cultivation was already ruined. There’s no need for the Palace Lord to remind me."

Xie Chunshan laughed. "The Immortal Lord really can’t read the room. To still be so stubborn in my domain—do you know the consequences of such defiance?"

He clapped his hands. "Pharmacist Wu, bring me your medicine."

Wu Buke: "Huh? ... Oh, right."

He stepped forward and respectfully presented a porcelain vial.

The vial was made of bluish-white porcelain, smooth and warm to the touch, giving off a faint medicinal scent. Xie Shu held it in his hand and smiled. "Lord Pingwu, do you know what this medicine is?"

Xiao Wu: "No."

Of course he knew. This was the medicine he was meant to test. The Poison Doctor’s reputation was well-known—anything that slipped from his hands could make life a living nightmare. The outcome would be the same regardless, so there was no escaping this ordeal. He didn’t bother guessing, preferring to save his strength for the torment ahead.

Yet Xie Chunshan showed no irritation, merely twirling the vial between his fingers. "This little thing is called 'Green Scorpion Dissipation Paste,' extracted from poisonous scorpions and snakes, refined into an ointment. As for its effects... Pharmacist Wu, would you kindly explain to Lord Pingwu?"

Wu Buke: "..."

"?"

Green Scorpion Dissipation Paste—yes, such a thing existed, and yes, Wu Buke had indeed developed it. But the problem was, the vial in the Palace Lord’s hand wasn’t that at all.

What the Palace Lord held was actually a high-grade wound medicine called "Frostblade Powder." The demonic sects were brutal—harsh to others, even harsher to themselves—and their medicines were the most potent. Though Frostblade Powder burned like blades upon application, it dispersed blood stasis, reduced swelling, and prevented inflammation, making it one of the finest wound medicines in the palace.

He lifted his gaze, about to speak, when he saw the Palace Lord’s icy stare. The man’s lips curled slightly in amusement, but his eyes were frigid, wearing a faintly unnerving smirk.

Wu Buke: "..."

He wiped the cold sweat from his brow. "This... Green, ah, Green Scorpion Dissipation Paste is a toxic ointment refined from a blend of scorpion and snake venom. Applied to wounds, within ten days, the wound will rot and ooze pus, the toxins spreading through the limbs, turning even the blood black. It’s an extremely potent poison."

Xiao Wu didn’t react.

His eyes lowered, he said, "If the Palace Lord wishes to use it, then use it. Spare me the speech."

Xie Chunshan chuckled. "Typical of Lord Pingwu—truly unyielding."

He opened the lid, the porcelain emitting a crisp clink. Xie Shu’s slender fingers dipped into the ointment, swirling halfway, the thick, white paste clinging to his fingertips as the fragrance of orchids and medicinal herbs filled the hall.

With his other hand, Xie Shu pulled back the quilt. As warmth vanished and cold hit him, Xiao Wu shut his eyes tightly, goosebumps prickling his skin.

Not out of fear—but the Immortal Lord was a stickler for propriety. Applying medicine naturally required undressing, and he was unused to baring his body before others.

Xie Shu tilted his head slightly. "Wu Buke, Xue Sui, wait outside the hall."

Wu Buke and Xue Sui had long been drenched in cold sweat, waiting for this very order. They immediately bowed and retreated, not looking back.

The door creaked shut, and silence returned.

Xiao Wu relaxed slightly, silent.

Xie Shu said, "Immortal Lord, then I shall begin."

As he spoke, his fingers moved slightly, undoing Lord Pingwu's sash.

The cold, pale skin met the air, and Xiao Wu instantly tensed up.