Chapter 293: Taking Her Punishment

The old man stroked his beard, nodded, and said, "Fate truly is favorable; I have not yet finished the latter half of my words, though it tires me, it will benefit all the people—a great virtue."

The old man's words finished, he stretched lazily, turned and walked toward the stone house behind him.

"This valley's goods, if you need them, you may take them all and leave after taking them! Do not disturb my rest."

"Sir, I have not yet asked your honorific."

"I have roamed the four seas all my life, long have I forgotten my surname and given name; just call me Nameless!"

"Thank you, nameless senior." Chi Nan Yi bowed respectfully, "I, the junior, will take the items here."

"Mm."

As the words fell, Chi Nan Yi waved her arm, and all the herbs in the valley were drawn into her space; this action did not offend him.

"Chirp chirp chirp, space truly is a wonderful thing."

"Thank you for the senior's gift; I will keep it in mind. I take my leave now. I have been in Liao City these days; if you need anything, just call me."

With that, she turned and left.

Nameless watched her departing figure and murmured, "So this is the girl that the brat was willing to kneel in my courtyard for a year just to rescue! Not bad at all."

Leaving the valley, Chi Nan Yi's wildly beating heart gradually calmed.

Did I just encounter an immortal?

Looking back, Chi Nan Yi's pupils suddenly contracted.

The path just now had already vanished.

She entered the space with her mind, gazing at the various rare herbs now growing in the medicinal field, and realized it was not a dream—it was real.

At that moment, a voice from not far away called out, Bai Lao.

"Girl!"

"Grandpa Bai."

"Why are you so absent‑minded?"

"Nothing, just thinking about something. How is Uncle Bai?"

"Speaking of it, your medicine is truly divine; in just one night, Uncle Bai could already stand, the wound healed mostly, the minor injury scabbed over—those who don't know would think it's the immortal's jade dew!"

Hearing this, Chi Nan Yi felt a shock in her heart.

The earlier tangled worry instantly vanished.

Indeed! If even this miraculous space can appear, what else in this world cannot exist?

"Girl, the Seek Dragon Gate people have already begun searching outside the city; it won't be long before they locate this place. What are your plans now?"

"I never intended to hide from them. Earlier I was to treat Uncle Bai's injury; now we can openly enter the city. All these years you've been secretly investigating the past events; now that the truth is clear, do you want to fight them outright?"

"Oh? How shall we fight?"

She produced two human‑skin masks: "From now on, you will be my ancestor‑master, Uncle Bai my master, and Fen Tian, who seeks me, will be utterly respectful to both of us, without doubt. Once we find the Seek Dragon Gate leader, we shall slaughter all around. How does that sound?"

Bai Lao heard this and his eyes brightened.

"Fine! We'll do as you say! But we are only three; facing Seek Dragon Gate might be risky. We don't mind, you are still young, you must not—"

"Do not worry," Chi Nan Yi said with a smile. "In time, there will naturally be those who help us."

After several days of recuperation, Bai Yuqi's injuries fully healed. Chi Nan Yi studied the Xijiang Gu Technique in the space each day; besides the books there, she also found a Xijiang Gu Cultivation Manual, which she now believes was deliberately left in the valley by the nameless senior.

The valley's herbs were abundant; within a few days she mastered the Gu Technique thoroughly.

"So this little bug has such a great effect." She lifted a Gu Worm larva, watching it wriggle in her palm; the earlier chill turned into a feeling of cuteness.

Early the next morning, Chi Nan Yi entered the city with Bai Lao.

The city's scouts spotted her silhouette from afar and hurried toward the stake's direction.

"We've been discovered."

"No matter, let's find a place to eat first and wait for Fen Tian to come and invite us."

Chi Nan Yi and a few others were halfway through a meal at the tavern when urgent footsteps sounded from outside.

"Brother Si Yi! I've finally found you!" Fen Tian rushed in, his booming voice causing her to frown.

Noticing two older men seated beside her, Fen Tian's steps faltered slightly, and he whispered, "Who are these two…?"

"My master and ancestor." Chi Nan Yi glanced coldly at him, "They came seeking me; I fear I cannot go with the Lord of Burning City to see your sect leader."

"What?"

"Your master and ancestor?"

"Doesn't that imply their medical skills are even more superior?"

"If they can both be recommended to the sect leader, the leader would be very pleased."

Thinking this, Fen Tian's attitude toward them grew even more earnest.

How could he have imagined that the people before him were the fugitives he had sent to capture?

"Didn't I previously tell you not to intervene in any sect conflicts? Have you forgotten?" Bai Yuqi, following their earlier agreement, said gravely, "We will leave shortly; once we return to the valley, we will punish you properly."

Fen Tian, hearing they were leaving, would not simply let them go.

Hurrying forward, he smiled and said, "Esteemed Divine Doctors, please do not be angry; actually I owe Brother Si Yi some consultation fees. My purse is empty, so we must wait for our sect leader to come to the rescue. Yesterday I received news that the leader has returned; if the three of you are free, you can meet the leader tonight."

"I don't care who your sect leader is; we have our own rules. If she breaks the rules, she must be punished."

"I am willing to take the punishment for Brother Si Yi."

"Really?" Chi Nan Yi's eyes flashed with a hint of smile; Fen Tian was truly willing to risk his life to let her go to Seek Dragon Gate.

"It is indeed true."

Bai Yuqi placed a Silver Needle on the table.

Fen Tian stared at the needle's thickness and involuntarily inhaled a cold breath.

"Where is this a Silver Needle?"

It's clearly an awl!

"You... what are you doing with the awl?"

"Twenty Silver Needles pierce the arm; if she can endure this punishment, I'll let her go with you to see the Sect Leader."

Twenty?

Twenty!

And they have to pierce the arm!

Then won't this hand become a sieve?

"Master, let's just drop it. I'll go back with you; at worst we just lose the gold."

"Stop! Stop!" Fentian swallowed, beads of fine sweat seeping from his forehead.

Which madman came up with this punishment?

At that moment, he wished he could give himself a mouth.

Why promise this in the first place?

"Really punish?"

"Mm."

He pressed his lips together: "If I take the punishment for her, will you two allow her to see our Sect Leader?"

"That works."

"Fine!"

He gritted his teeth, rolled up his sleeves: "Come on!"

Su Yining, seeing the situation, let a knowing smile curl at the corner of his lips and picked up the heap of awls on the table.

"Then thanks to City Lord Fentian."

With those words, the Silver Needles shot out,

A heart‑rending shout rang out from the tavern.