Chapter 533

Xue Hua had just stepped out when Tao Yanbai followed him out.

Seeing Pan Yun covered in blood, he was startled, rushed over in nothing but his undergarments, and supported her: "Little Master Yun, where are you injured?"

Pan Yun leaned her full weight against him with relief, casually dropped Pan Xiaohei onto the ground, and whispered: "Go back inside first."

Tao Yanbai hurriedly helped her back inside.

The commotion was loud enough to wake Miao Zhen and Miao He from deep sleep; they pushed open their windows, saw the scene, and immediately threw on clothes before rushing out.

Tao Yanbai felt Pan Yun's pulse and found her Qi severely depleted and her blood loss extreme; he quickly told his two junior sisters: "I'll go fetch hot water and brew medicine—you check where her injuries are and treat them first."

He took two medicine vials from his space, poured out one pill from each, slipped one into Pan Yun's mouth—a healing pill—and handed the other to Miao He: "Take this one after fifteen minutes."

Miao He agreed.

Tao Yanbai pushed Zhang Weiyi and Xue Hua out, then shut the door behind him.

Zhang Weiyi and Xue Hua exchanged glances, both uneasy: "Tao Yanbai, where did she go? Why is she so badly injured?"

Tao Yanbai spoke sparingly: "I don't know."

Zhang Weiyi frowned.

Tao Yanbai said: "Don't worry—if anything happens, my little master will take full responsibility. She won't let you two be burdened."

Zhang Weiyi had no way to explain his distress.

After returning from Yunnan, Master Zhang hadn't said it outright, but the meaning was clear: they were to stay in Fengqi Courtyard to watch over Pan Yun—prevent her from causing trouble, but also prevent her from getting hurt.

They had been willing to guard her before only because they assumed she wouldn't get hurt, so they gave her a favor.

At eleven years old, she had already broken through to the First Marquis rank—even if she weren't a disciple of Long Hushan, the Imperial Academy and the Celestial Master's Mansion held her in extremely high regard.

You could tell from Master Zhang's attitude.

Such a young prodigy is a blessing to the Daoist path; it no longer matters which sect or clan she belongs to.

Zhang Weiyi asked quietly: "Will her injuries be alright?"

Tao Yanbai muttered: "She'll be fine."

Zhang Weiyi and Xue Hua weren't sure whether to believe him, but they did exhale a sigh of relief.

Tao Yanbai ran to the small kitchen to boil water and brew medicine.

Zhang Weiyi and Xue Hua thought for a moment, then hurried after him: "We'll tend the fire—you go save her."

Tao Yanbai didn't refuse; he went back inside, grabbed a packet of herbs, handed it to them, then picked up the kettle of hot water and carried it over.

Pan Yun had already taken off her clothes, revealing her wounds.

She had many injuries, but two were most severe: one ran from her left shoulder blade to her right upper waist—a deep gash without exposed bone, but with torn flesh and lingering demonic energy;

the other was a puncture wound through her left upper shoulder, surrounded by sword qi.

Both wounds required removal of the demonic energy and sword qi first, or else they would keep damaging the tissue and prevent healing.

When Tao Yanbai opened the door, Miao He was seated cross-legged beside Pan Yun's bed, her Qi shimmering in her palm as she used a technique to slowly extract the demonic energy.

Less than half a minute passed before Miao He's face turned pale.

Tao Yanbai frowned and whispered: "Stand up. Let me take over."

Miao He didn't move; her palm continued hovering over Pan Yun's back: "Third brother, there's still the sword qi—it's just as ruthless."

Miao Zhen frowned; this was a medical technique she and her little master had never learned, and there was no time to learn it now.

But she was close to Miao He, so she sat behind her: "I'll transfer my strength to you."

Their internal arts shared the same origin, and they had grown up together—their internal energy and Qi did not repel each other, so the transfer was effortless.

Miao Zhen channeled her Qi into Miao He; Miao He's extraction speed immediately increased.

Once the residual demonic energy was removed, Miao He ceased her technique and rested briefly.

Tao Yanbai poured hot water to clean Pan Yun's back wound.

He washed out the dirt, disinfected the wound with medicinal solution, then took out needle and thread to prepare for suturing.

Pan Yun was utterly exhausted; she barely opened her eyes and asked: "Still need suturing?"

Tao Yanbai replied: "The wound's large—suturing will speed healing."

Tao Yanbai threaded the needle, then leaned in to glance at Pan Yun's face: "Little Master Yun, it might hurt a little."

Pan Yun dismissed it: "Go ahead—don't worry, I won't feel a thing."

This wound had been slashed by that giant bird's wing; she hadn't even felt much pain then—how much could a needle hurt?

Pan Yun remained silent throughout, and if you ignored the beads of sweat on her forehead, she truly looked as if she felt nothing.

Tao Yanbai finished suturing the back wound; Miao He and Miao Zhen each took a spirit pill and restored their energy.

They stepped forward to remove the sword qi from the puncture wound.

But the moment Miao He's Qi stirred, barely catching the sword qi hidden in the wound, the qi erupted within the flesh; Pan Yun let out a muffled groan, fresh blood gushed out, and soon the towel beneath her shoulder was soaked through.

Miao He was startled, immediately withdrew her hand, and looked at Tao Yanbai in alarm: "Third brother…"

Tao Yanbai rushed forward, frowned, and said: "Cruel sword qi—it hides within flesh and even corrodes bone. Let me handle it."

Miao He quickly moved aside for him.

Miao He had only treated common illnesses before—this was her first time dealing with residual demonic energy and sword qi in wounds.

Tao Yanbai was not new to this.

He had accompanied Wang Feiyin and Tao Ji in treating patients for years, and had encountered wounded martial artists and cultivators.

He had seen others remove residual energies, and had done it himself.

His Qi was weaker than Miao Zhen's and Miao He's, but his internal strength was sufficient.

He formed a hand seal, gently hovering his palm above Pan Yun's shoulder wound; his intent guided his power, slowly sensing the blade-like energy embedded in the flesh.

Intent moved with thought, power moved with intent; he whispered softly: "Filth, rise!"

The sword qi within the flesh was pulled upward by his force, spinning out and gathering in his palm.

Pan Yun felt as if thousands of ants were gnawing at her wound, both itchy and painful.

She bit her lip, motionless and silent.

When Tao Yan Bai removed that cluster of energy, she felt a soothing relief in the wound on her shoulder blade—only slightly damp, with no other sensation.

But how could it not be damp? Her wound was bleeding profusely.

Tao Yan Bai's face turned pale; he immediately rose and yielded his place to Miao He and Seeing Miao Zhen.

The two were in perfect sync with him, already prepared—he had barely moved aside when one immediately pressed a clean fine linen cloth against the wound, stopping the bleeding and wiping away the blood.

With a downward press and upward lift, Miao He immediately inserted needles to halt the bleeding.

Indeed, acupuncture quickly slowed the bleeding; then she immediately took the thread Tao Yan Bai had already threaded and began suturing.

After suturing, she removed the needles, applied medicine, and wrapped a gauze pad.

The wound on her shoulder blade was treated; the wound on her front shoulder was larger, with more residual sword qi lingering.

Tao Yan Bai also swallowed a spiritual pill, his brow furrowed: "This person's sword qi is incredibly sharp—Little Master, what realm is he?"

Pan Yun pulled on a clean inner robe, groaning as she reluctantly rolled halfway over, facing them sideways: "First Marquis. His realm is slightly below mine."

Tao Yan Bai and Miao He were stunned: "We're this powerful? We actually removed the First Marquis's sword qi?"

Pan Yun: "Don't doubt yourselves—you're amazing." Seeing Miao Zhen pondered: "Did he die?"

Tao Yan Bai and Miao He immediately fixed their gazes on Pan Yun.

Pan Yun paused, then nodded under three pairs of piercing stares.

Tao Yan Bai and Miao He opened their mouths slightly, murmuring: "Little Master, you're even more amazing."

Pan Yun grinned at them, modestly: "Just average, really."

Seeing Miao Zhen glanced outside and lowered her voice: "Hurry and treat it—this cannot be known by a fifth person."

Tao Yan Bai and Miao He dared not rest further; after a brief adjustment of their breath, they resumed removing the penetrating sword qi from her front shoulder.

Tao Yan Bai knew he simply lacked sufficient internal energy, while Miao He's internal energy was sufficient—she merely lacked technique.

He whispered guidance: "Don't emulate Little Master—Little Master never properly learned internal energy; he trained directly in primordial qi. You must control spells with internal energy, not first convert it to primordial qi before controlling spells."

Miao He: "But using primordial qi to control spells makes them more refined, instantly castable, and more controllable."

No mistake! One strike, one emission, one internal, one content, one look!

"That's true, but our primordial qi is insufficient—we must use internal energy, and use it sparingly," Tao Yan Bai said: "Control with intent, and though you cannot cast instantly, you can still extract sword qi—and it lasts longer."

Miao He practiced controlling with internal energy, and seemed to "see" the sword qi hidden within the flesh…

She and Tao Yan Bai took turns, finally extracting every trace of sword qi from Pan Yun's wounds.

Seeing Miao Zhen saw both were nearly drained; she threaded the needle herself and stepped forward, saying to Pan Yun, whose eyes were wide open: "Little Master, I'll do the suturing."

All disciples of Mount Sanqing learn basic medical skills; both Pan Yun and Seeing Miao Zhen had studied suturing, even practicing often on chickens and rabbits from the mountain.

Chickens from villages around and below the mountain were all routinely castrated by Mount Sanqing for free—their suturing skills were unquestionably solid.

But Seeing Miao Zhen's craftsmanship certainly wouldn't be as neat as Tao Yan Bai's or Miao He's.

Pan Yun glanced at the pale-faced Tao Yan Bai and Miao He, then voluntarily pressed her hand against the wound: "I can hold it to stop the bleeding for now. Seeing Miao Zhen, last time you sutured a castrated chicken, the scar seemed a bit raised."

Tao Yan Bai suppressed a laugh; his strength had returned somewhat, he opened his fingers and moved them—his hands no longer trembled—and stepped forward: "I'll do it."

Seeing Miao Zhen handed him the threaded needle and line.

Tao Yan Bai said: "Little Master, rest assured—I'll remove the stitches once the wound heals, then apply ointment; the scar will likely be barely noticeable."

Pan Yun asked: "Is there a spell that can erase scars?"

Tao Yan Bai frowned, thought for a moment, then shook his head: "I haven't learned one yet. When I and Little Sister learn it, I'll tell you."

"Fine, I'm counting on you two."

The suturing was barely finished when a knock came at the door.

Seeing Miao Zhen went to open it.

Zhang Weiyi stood at the threshold holding a bowl of medicine; his gaze swept quickly inside, but the bed was fully blocked by Tao Yan Bai and Miao He—he could see only their backs.

Zhang Weiyi withdrew his gaze and handed the medicine to Seeing Miao Zhen: "The boiling water is ready—do you need it?"

Seeing Miao Zhen thought for a moment, then nodded: "Please help us bring a bucket over."

Zhang Weiyi nodded, asking anxiously: "Is she alright?"

Seeing Miao Zhen showed no expression, still solemnly nodding: "She's fine—just a minor wound."

Zhang Weiyi didn't believe it for a second—she was covered in blood, Pan Yun was so proud, and when she walked in, her steps were unsteady—how could this be a minor wound?

But he didn't press further, only warned: "Tomorrow, the heads of each academy may wish to see her."

Seeing Miao Zhen kept the same expression, nodding: "Don't worry."

Zhang Weiyi was not reassured at all.

He turned and went to the kitchen, bringing them a bucket of hot water.

Pan Yun pulled her clothes together; because of the wound on her back, she couldn't lean back, so she could only lie prone—or else lie on her side.

Oh, she could also sit up.

With Miao He's help, she sat up and took the warm towel Seeing Miao Zhen had wrung out to wipe her face and hands: "Yan Bai, did you pass your entrance exam?"

"I passed."

"What rank?"

Tao Yan Bai smiled shyly: "Because I'm older and grew up in a Daoist temple, studying medicine under my Senior Uncle and Senior Aunts, I ranked first in the medical examination."

Miao He proudly said: "Head Lou of Tai Su Academy really likes Third Brother—she wants him to study medicine under her, and even said with his talent, he could skip first and second year and go straight to third year."

Pan Yun raised an eyebrow: "Did you accept?"

Tao Yan Bai shook his head: "My medical knowledge may be sufficient, but my Dao techniques and cultivation aren't—yet I don't want to fall too far behind my fellow students, so I told Head Lou I'd skip to second year."

Pan Yun nodded: "Good. But you still can't skip first-year classes."

"Yes, Zhang Yuanzhu also said to give me two months' time, to let me pass the first-year exam in June, otherwise I won't be allowed to skip a grade."

Pan Yun nodded slightly and asked Miao Zhen, "Who has moved into this courtyard?"

Miao Zhen: "Zhang Weiliang and the others have returned, still living in this courtyard. Apart from them, the Academy arranged for three senior brothers to move in, one grade above us."

Pan Yun nodded. "So Tao Yanbai is settled on living here."

Miao Zhen nodded and said softly, "Zhang Zhu Zhu Zifang was punished for this matter."

Pan Yun raised an eyebrow.

Miao Zhen added, "Not only Zhang Zhu Zhu Zifang, Zhang Ziwang was also punished."

Pan Yun's lips curved slightly. "Was it Zhang the True Person?"

Miao Zhen: "Allegedly yes."

Miao He looked utterly baffled: "How do you know? How come I didn't know?"

Miao Zhen glanced at her without a word.

Miao He, thoroughly puzzled: "We've been together the whole time…"

Miao Zhen simply tapped her forehead: "Dummy, sometimes you have to listen for what's behind the words."

Miao He: …

Pan Yun said, "Let the matter rest here. Since Zhang the True Person has stepped in, from now on we'll all keep our heads down inside the Academy."

The three siblings silently looked at Pan Yun.

Pan Yun promptly added, "Of course, I'll keep my head down too."

The three wore expressions of doubt, but whether they believed it or not, they all verbally agreed: "We'll all listen to Little Xiao Shishu."

Pan Yun: "…Don't be like that, have a little more faith in me."

Miao Zhen: "Little Xiao Shishu, did you see Lord Pan?"

Pan Yun immediately beamed like a flower and nodded: "I did!"

Miao Zhen, infected by her joy, also smiled happily, but after a moment grew thoughtful: "So, Little Xiao Shishu's omen of bloodshed has been seen off, right?"

Miao He: "Injured this badly, it must have been."

Tao Yanbai's face was full of heartache: "If I'd known it would be this serious, I wouldn't have gone."

Pan Yun, however, fell silent for a moment, then said after a long pause: "It was still something I had to do." (End of chapter)