Immortality Path: From the Blind Man at the Pharmacy-Chapter 49 - 48. Atop the City Wall
Chapter 49: 48. Atop the City Wall
Chapter 49: 48. Atop the City Wall
After breakfast, Song Cheng quietly pushed open the door, only to see in the side room, Madam Tong and Ying were sleeping together. One was a petite and lovely physician, the other a tall and valiant heroine…
His heart stirred lightly, wanting to crawl under the quilt and enjoy the blessings of companionship.
But upon a glance at himself, he found his clothes rather dirty and dismissed the thought.
The commotion from entering also made the two women open their eyes. Seeing it was Song Cheng, they relaxed again.
Ying emerged from under the quilt, sleeping in her clothes.
“Master, are you alright?” The stern heroine couldn’t help but ask.
Song Cheng replied, “I’m fine.”
Then he added, “Thanks to Miss An’s steady command, we were able to hold on peacefully last night.”
Although Ying agreed with Song Cheng’s evaluation of Miss An, she still felt something strange. While arranging her sleep-creased sword robe, she asked, “The ghost servants didn’t breach the city?”
“No.” Song Cheng nodded casually, then yawned and said, “You should go over to Miss An.”
Ying replied, “Alright.”
Afterward, Ling arranged for a servant to boil water and prepare clothes, portraying the demeanor of an inner courtyard steward.
Song Cheng also bathed and changed his clothes, then lay down on the couch, rubbing his thumb.
A faint stream of Gang Qi subtly flowed with the perfect force beneath his skin.
This force moved under the “intent” honed by the Pile Stance Technique, hence reaching a perfect state.
Without intent, there is only form, and thus, it remains inferior.
The “True Form of Xuanwu” was a four-form cultivation technique, primarily practiced through the “Pile Stance.”
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The “Pile Stance” emulated the forms of various beasts.
Ordinary forces at most attain one form, and the “Pile Stance” is generally a more common beast.
But the “Xuanwu,” even with four forms, remained indistinct.
This suggested that there was still much room for improvement.
If he could gather more force methods or form techniques and integrate them into his “True Form of Xuanwu,” would it mean that his foundation would be more solid?
Some people only sought to climb higher.
However, cultivation was not mountain climbing but building a tower.
The steadier the foundation, the taller the tower could stand.
‘Without taking small steps, one cannot reach a thousand miles; without accumulating small streams, one cannot form a river or sea…’
As Song Cheng thought, he felt even more tired.
He yawned, leaning against a quilt still fragrant from women, and fell into a deep sleep.
Perfection of Form Realm, compared to the Force Realm, included “Protective Gang Qi,” but it also drastically increased consumption.
After a night of fighting, he was truly exhausted…
…
…
Song Cheng slept straight until evening, skipping lunch.
Upon waking, he looked outside.
“It’s raining again…”
The weather was clear during the day, but it started raining as soon as evening came.
He hurriedly got up, washed, and went out.
By coincidence, as he opened the door, the main house’s door opened as well.
Miss An had just stepped over the threshold, the two exchanged a glance, then naturally moved closer.
Ying followed behind Miss An. Seeing Song Cheng, there was something she wanted to say but hesitated, with a touch of resentment in her valiant eyes.
Song Cheng said, “Ying, if you have something to say, just say it.”
Ying said resentfully, “Master, you lied to me.”
Song Cheng showed a confused expression.
Ying said, “Last night, the ghost servants clearly breached the city gate. It was you who repelled those ghost servants, but you didn’t say a word.”
Song Cheng said, “I reached Force Realm Perfection, and I merged the learned ‘Willow Brushing Force’ with my ‘White Snake Force.’ Wouldn’t anyone have been fine to go?
If it were you, you could have done it too.
Those ghost servants only appear terrifying, fearless of death, but they’re not strong.”
Usually cold, Ying couldn’t help but feel a bit of an urge to argue after hearing this.
What did he mean, “If it were you, you could have done it too”?
She felt she could not.
But before she could speak, Song Cheng looked at Miss An and said, “Sister An, are we going to guard the eastern city again tonight?”
An Chenyu nodded and said, “It’s been raining non-stop, the rockets are ineffective, so we have to go.
There were quite a few casualties last night, especially many were injured.
I’ve sent someone to comfort them.
For those whose family members have died, my trade guild will send some rice to them, while the government office will provide relief.
Madam Tong also went along. She said she’s a physician, so she needs to help the wounded now and also check the scene to prevent an outbreak of plague.
I sent the Ma family brothers and Ling along with some house servants and maids to accompany her.”
Song Cheng remained silent for a moment.
Before traversing time, wars that killed many were just numbers. But once involved, he realized it was endless mourning and agony.
“Let’s eat.”
He suggested.
Miss An nodded, then after taking a couple of steps, said, “Ying, if the master is around in the future, you won’t need to protect me. Go protect Madam Tong. Go now.”
Ying agreed, grabbed an oiled paper umbrella in the corner, opened it, and hurried out into the rain.
Song Cheng and An Chenyu had dinner, then they didn’t bring any guards.
After all, the remaining guards were almost non-existent. They were either on the city wall or in the streets. Who had any free guards?
The two donned raincoats and bamboo hats and rode horses to the east of the city.
They stood on the city wall for the night, fortunately, the ghost servants didn’t return to knock on the gate.
At midnight, the rain stopped.
The starlight flowed like water, illuminating the Water Pit Pond at the city wall’s base in resplendent brilliance.
An Chenyu sat against the cold city wall, hugging her knees, gazing at the sky.
Song Cheng sat by her side.
Neither spoke, yet there wasn’t a hint of discord between them.
After a while, An Chenyu closed her eyes, her breathing becoming even.
Song Cheng chuckled and leaned against her side.
The wind blowing through the city carried faint sounds of crying, while outside the city was dark, oppressive gray fog rolling, resembling a gray monster’s giant mouth, with jagged edges seemingly chewing on the small county town, trying to swallow it.
The world of “Endless Hell” was truly the land of the dead…
Here, everywhere was filled with Yin Qi.
And the people, perhaps they were the outsiders?
While lost in thought, suddenly footsteps echoed atop the city wall.
In a short while, county soldiers led two women closer.
It was Tong Jia and Ying.
In the warm glow of the brazier, Tong Jia carried a lunchbox, while Ying carried a large bag.
The large bag opened to reveal a big pack of steaming sesame cakes. Ying called out, “Come eat something.”
The Night Watchers gathered around, each taking some while expressing their thanks.
Tong Jia set the lunchbox in front of Song Cheng.
They exchanged smiles.
Song Cheng asked, “Why are you so disheveled?”
At that time, Madam Tong looked fatigued from top to bottom, with dark circles encircling her eyes.
Tong Jia smiled and said, “Eat quickly.”
She opened the lunchbox, taking out a bowl of hot noodle soup.
In Rejuvenation Hall, she had always loved making noodle soup.
And beneath the lunchbox was a serving of beautifully presented lamb rice.
Madam Tong said, “I made the noodle soup, with meat at the bottom. The lamb rice was made by Ling for Miss An.”
An Chenyu also woke up, opened her eyes, and said, “Sister, you’ve worked hard.”
Miss An wanted to take the rice but saw Song Cheng’s gaze on the fragrant lamb rice. She laughed and said, “Sister, I’ve never tasted your cooking. How about you let me have the noodle soup?”
Madam Tong was taken aback, then said, “Alright.”
With approval, Miss An picked up the noodle soup for herself and handed the lamb rice to Song Cheng, saying, “Take it.”
Song Cheng took it.
Miss An fished out several chunks of the meat on the bone from the noodle soup and piled them onto Song Cheng’s lamb rice.
Song Cheng wanted to decline.
Miss An, however, said she had been so busy that she didn’t want to eat meat.
He had no choice but to enjoy this meat-laden “luxurious lamb rice.”
The Ghost Tide was terrifying, defending the city was difficult, and the night arduous.
Yet fortunately… it wasn’t entirely unbearable.
Perhaps this was what he wanted to have and protect.
