Chapter 35

Jiang Yunzhou thought to himself, "Heroine, your guess is spot on; the pre‑dynastic treasure you've been painstakingly seeking is indeed right before your eyes."

Translation: Jiang Yunzhou thought, "Heroine, your guess is spot on; the pre-dynastic treasure you've been painstakingly seeking is indeed right before your eyes."

Heroine, your guess is spot on; the pre-dynastic treasure you've been painstakingly seeking is indeed right before your eyes.

Make sure not to add extra.

However, upon further reflection on what the heroine just said, Yan Shi'er asked again:

Translation: However, upon further reflection on what the heroine just said, Yan Shi'er asked again:

However, upon further reflection, what the heroine just said—Yan Shi'er asked again:

"Most people don't know its current name or whereabouts, which means some heroines still know of it."

Translation: "Most don't know its current name and whereabouts, which means some heroines still know?"

We need to keep quotes. The Chinese line includes quotation marks. We'll keep English double quotes.

Although I hold the Formless Dark Paper, my master has already passed away, so the origin of this thing can no longer be verified.

Translation: Although the Wuxiang Ming Paper is in my hand, my master has already passed away, so the origin of this thing can no longer be verified.

Formless Dark Paper

But my master has already passed away, so the origin of this thing can no longer be verified.

Since it is one of the pre‑dynastic treasures, perhaps by examining other treasures scattered among the populace we can discover who originally took them, and then my own origins will become clear.

Translation: Since it is one of the pre-dynastic treasures, perhaps by investigating other treasures scattered among the populace we can find out who originally took them, and then my own origins will become clear.

One of the pre-dynastic treasures, other treasures scattered among the populace—perhaps we can investigate to find out who originally took them; then my own origins will become clear.

And this Heroine Zhen is an excellent breakthrough, after all she knows so much pre‑dynastic lore.

Translation: And this Heroine Zhen makes a fine breakthrough, after all she knows so much pre-dynastic lore.

Heroine Zhen, a fine breakthrough—after all she knows so much pre-dynastic lore.

"This isn't exactly a secret either," Zhen Qing said, nodding:

Translation: "This isn't exactly a secret either," Zhen Qing said, nodding.

This isn't exactly a secret either—Zhen Qing said, nodding:

"For example, the Heavenly Dao Alliance's Soul‑Suppressing Stone is actually a fragment of the pre‑dynastic Great Zhou's Five‑Nine Mystic Stone; Young Hero Yan, you must have heard of this treasure."

Translation: "For example, the Soul-Suppressing Stone of the Heavenly Dao Alliance is actually a fragment of the Five Nine Mystic Stone from the pre-dynastic Great Zhou; Young Hero Yan, you must have heard of it."

The Soul-Suppressing Stone of the Heavenly Dao Alliance is actually a fragment of the Five Nine Mystic Stone from the pre-dynastic Great Zhou—Young Hero Yan, you must have heard of this treasure.

I have heard Uncle Hu speak of it; it is said that carrying this stone not only allows dual cultivation of body and soul, but can even let the holder's soul and body never dissipate, achieving a semi‑immortal state.

Translation: I have heard Uncle Hu speak of it; it is said that carrying this stone not only allows dual cultivation of body and soul, but can also let the holder's soul and body never dissipate, achieving a semi-immortal state.

I have heard Uncle Hu speak of it; it is said that carrying this stone not only allows dual cultivation of body and soul, and can even let the holder's soul and body never dissipate, achieving a semi-immortal state.

That stone is located in the martial arts holy site officially recognized by the court; otherwise, if it were elsewhere, the court would surely have seized it for its own use.

Translation: That stone is located in the martial arts holy site officially recognized by the court; otherwise, if it were elsewhere, the court would surely have seized it for its own use.

That stone is located in the martial arts holy site officially recognized by the court; otherwise, if it were elsewhere, the court would surely have seized it for its own use.

"Heroine Zhen knows so much pre‑dynastic secrecy, and I've also heard rumors in the jianghu that the Kunlun Lingxiao Palace has deep ties with the pre‑dynastic Great Zhou, right?"

Translation: "Heroine Zhen knows so much pre-dynastic secrecy; I've also heard rumors in the jianghu that the Kunlun Lingxiao Palace... has deep ties with the pre-dynastic Great Zhou, right?"

Heroine Zhen knows so much pre-dynastic secrecy; I've also heard rumors in the jianghu—the Kunlun Lingxiao Palace... has deep ties with the pre-dynastic Great Zhou, right?

Upon hearing this, Zhen Qing frowned slightly and said:

Translation: Upon hearing this, Zhen Qing frowned slightly and said:

Upon hearing this, Zhen Qing frowned slightly and said:

"As for matters of the Lingxiao Palace, I cannot elaborate further; please understand, Young Hero Yan."

Translation: "As for matters of the Lingxiao Palace, I cannot elaborate further; please understand, Young Hero Yan."

As for matters of the Lingxiao Palace, I cannot elaborate further—please understand, Young Hero Yan.

It seems Heroine Zhen is still quite loyal and cautious toward her sect, so I won't press further.

Translation: It seems Heroine Zhen is still quite loyal and cautious toward her sect, so I won't press further.

It seems Heroine Zhen is still quite loyal and cautious toward her sect—so I won't press further.

Gathering information from a person is much like flirting; you need to push the boundaries bit by bit, and once the relationship becomes utterly vulgar, there's nothing left that can't be talked about or done.

Translation: Gathering information from a person is much like flirting; you need to push the boundaries bit by bit, and once the relationship becomes utterly vulgar, there's nothing left that can't be talked about or done.

Gathering information from a person is much like flirting; you need to push the boundaries bit by bit, and once the relationship becomes utterly vulgar, there's nothing left that can't be talked about or done.

Yan Shi'er rose, no longer questioning, and shifted the conversation:

Translation: Yan Shi'er rose, no longer questioning, and shifted the conversation:

Yan Shi'er rose, no longer questioning—and shifted the conversation:

"Understood, you're still poisoned by gu; let's go to the city for treatment first."

Translation: "Understood; you're still poisoned by gu, so let's go to the city for treatment first."

Understood—you're still poisoned by gu; let's go to the city for treatment first.

Zhen Qing glanced at the black pattern on her arm, sighed lightly, and said:

Translation: Zhen Qing glanced at the black pattern on her arm, sighed lightly, and said:

Zhen Qing glanced at the black pattern on her arm—sighed lightly, and said:

"This Heart‑Shattering Parasite has no cure; at least I can't do anything, so I'm afraid I can only return to the mountain and ask my master to lift it."

Translation: "This Heart-Shattering Parasite has no cure; at least I can't do anything, so I'm afraid I can only return to the mountain and ask my master to lift it."

This Heart-Shattering Parasite has no cure—at least I can't do anything; so I'm afraid I can only return to the mountain and ask my master to lift it.

"Who says it's incurable? I do have a method, but to guarantee my identity's safety I can't recommend the Blue Medicine Hall under Yan Shi'er's name; after thinking, I can only make a gentle suggestion:"

Translation: Who says it's incurable? I do have a method, but to guarantee my identity's safety I can't recommend the Blue Medicine Hall under Yan Shi'er's name; after thinking, I can only make a gentle suggestion:

Who says it's incurable? I do have a method—but to guarantee my identity's safety, I can't recommend the Blue Medicine Hall under Yan Shi'er's name; after thinking, I can only make a gentle suggestion:

"Shangyang City is the capital; there must be detox masters there—why not give it a try? Otherwise, your trip down the mountain would be in vain."

Translation: "\"Shangyang City is the capital; there must be detox masters there—why not give it a try? Otherwise, your trip down the mountain would be in vain. \""

Shangyang City is the capital; there must be detox masters there—why not give it a try? Otherwise, your trip down the mountain would be in vain.

"The crucial point is that all medical halls in Shangyang City belong to Huashou Pavilion, which long ago lost the chivalry of healers; seeking treatment there would likely only invite official scrutiny."

Translation: "\"The crucial point is that all medical halls in Shangyang City belong to Huashou Pavilion, which long ago lost the chivalry of healers; seeking treatment there would likely only invite official scrutiny. \""

The crucial point is that all medical halls in Shangyang City belong to Huashou Pavilion, which long ago lost the chivalry of healers—seeking treatment there would likely only invite official scrutiny.

Before Jiang Yunzhou could think of a polite way to recommend the Blue Medicine Hall, a pleasant response sounded from above Zhen Qing's head:

Translation: Before Jiang Yunzhou could think of a polite way to recommend the Blue Medicine Hall, a pleasant response sounded from above Zhen Qing's head:

Before Jiang Yunzhou could think of a polite way to recommend the Blue Medicine Hall—a pleasant response sounded from above Zhen Qing's head:

"I think Senior Sister can go to the city and give it a try."

Translation: "\"I think Senior Sister can go to the city and give it a try. \""

I think Senior Sister can go to the city and give it a try.

The sudden voice startled Jiang Yunzhou, who thought another expert had appeared above his head.

Translation: The sudden voice startled Jiang Yunzhou, who thought another expert had appeared above his head.

The sudden voice startled Jiang Yunzhou, who thought another expert had appeared above his head.

Seeing Young Hero Yan on guard, Zhen Qing untied the black silk scarf bound in her hair and said:

Translation: Seeing Young Hero Yan on guard, Zhen Qing untied the black silk scarf bound in her hair and said:

Seeing Young Hero Yan on guard, Zhen Qing untied the black silk scarf bound in her hair and said:

"Don't be startled, Young Hero; this is my junior sister—must you always go about startling people like this?"

Translation: "\"Don't be startled, Young Hero; this is my junior sister. Must you always go about startling people like this? \""

Don't be startled, Young Hero—this is my junior sister. Must you always go about startling people like this?

Jiang Yunzhou saw that the black silk scarf also bore runes; as the red rune flickered, the pocket‑sized black silk scarf instantly filled, revealing a delicately built girl's figure.

Translation: Jiang Yunzhou saw that the black silk scarf also bore runes; as the red rune flickered, the pocket-sized black silk scarf instantly filled, revealing a delicately built girl's figure.

Jiang Yunzhou saw that the black silk scarf also bore runes; as the red rune flickered, the pocket-sized black silk scarf instantly filled, revealing a delicately built girl's figure.

This junior sister has no true physical body; outwardly she looks like…… a girl completely wrapped in black silk.

Translation: This junior sister has no true physical body; outwardly she looks like...... a girl completely wrapped in black silk.

This junior sister has no true physical body—outwardly she looks like...... a girl completely wrapped in black silk.

Yan Shi'er asked, bewildered:

Translation: Yan Shi'er asked, bewildered:

Yan Shi'er asked, bewildered:

"What is this?"

Translation: "\"What is this? \""

"My junior sister's body has a problem; my master had to freeze her body and, using the sect's secret method, draw out her soul consciousness and attach it to the black scarf—this time she's also accompanying me down the mountain for travel."

Translation: "\"My junior sister's body has a problem, so my master had to freeze her body and, using the sect's secret method, draw out her soul consciousness to attach it to the black scarf; this time she's also accompanying me down the mountain for travel. \""

My junior sister's body has a problem—my master had to freeze her body, using the sect's secret method to draw out her soul consciousness and attach it to the black scarf; this time she's also accompanying me down the mountain for travel.

I myself had never heard before that soul consciousness could be drawn out to exist on an object; I suppose it's a unique secret art.

Translation: I myself had never heard before that soul consciousness could be drawn out to exist on an object; I suppose it's a unique secret art.

I myself had never heard before that soul consciousness could be drawn out to exist on an object—I suppose it's a unique secret art.

The "100% Black Silk Girl" slightly bowed and said:

Translation: The "100% Black Silk Girl" slightly bowed and said:

The '100% Black Silk Girl'—slightly bowed and said:

"I am Su Tao of the Kunlun Lingxiao Palace, Young Hero Yan—your sword last time scorched me and it really hurt."

Translation: "\"I am Su Tao of the Kunlun Lingxiao Palace; Young Hero Yan, your sword last time scorched me and it really hurt. \""

I am Su Tao of the Kunlun Lingxiao Palace, Young Hero Yan—your sword last time scorched me and it really hurt.

「？？？」

Translation: "\"??? \""

Jiang Yunzhou thought that Heroine Zhen's junior sister's voice was lively and pleasant with a touch of playfulness, but the content was indeed somewhat off‑key.

Translation: Jiang Yunzhou thought that Heroine Zhen's junior sister's voice was lively and pleasant with a touch of playfulness, but the content was indeed somewhat off-key.

Jiang Yunzhou thought that Heroine Zhen's junior sister's voice was lively and pleasant with a touch of playfulness—but the content was indeed somewhat off-key.

I don't recall ever scorching her, and besides, a sword couldn't possibly scorch someone……

Translation: I don't recall ever scorching her, and besides, a sword couldn't possibly scorch someone......"

I don't recall ever scorching her—and besides, a sword couldn't possibly scorch someone...

Wait a moment, a sword?

Translation: "Wait a moment, the sword?"

Jiang Yunzhou suddenly recalled that day in the forest beside the Jade Stele Forest, when his backhand slash at Heroine Zhen seemed to be blocked by something invisible.

Translation: Jiang Yunzhou suddenly recalled that day in the forest beside the Jade Stele Forest, when his backhand slash at Heroine Zhen seemed to be blocked by something invisible.

Jiang Yunzhou suddenly recalled that day in the forest beside the Jade Stele Forest—when his backhand slash at Heroine Zhen, it seemed to be blocked by something invisible.

Could it be this junior sister?

Translation: "Could it be this junior sister?"

Ghosts are yin; that day my paper sword hadn't released its aura, I used yang energy, and yang energy scorching a ghost makes sense.

Translation: "Ghosts are yin; that day my paper sword hadn't released its aura, I used yang energy, and yang energy scorching a ghost makes sense."

Ghosts are yin—that day my paper sword hadn't released its aura; I used yang energy, and yang energy scorching a ghost makes sense.

"I've remembered—miss, don't be foolish and block my sword next time."

Translation: "\"I've remembered; miss, don't be foolish and block my sword next time. \""

I've remembered—miss, don't be foolish and block my sword next time.

"Hehe, Young Hero Yan, just be a bit gentler next time."

Translation: "\"Hehe, Young Hero Yan, just be a bit gentler next time. \""

Hehe—Young Hero Yan, just be a bit gentler next time.

Listening to this lovesick junior sister's increasingly nonsensical chatter, Zhen Qing lightly coughed to change the subject:

Translation: Listening to this lovesick junior sister's increasingly nonsensical chatter, Zhen Qing lightly coughed to change the subject:

Listening to this lovesick junior sister's increasingly nonsensical chatter—Zhen Qing lightly coughed to change the subject:

"Stop the nonsense—you just had me go to the city to treat my wounds?"

Translation: "\"Stop the nonsense; you just had me go to the city to treat my wounds? \""

Stop the nonsense—you just had me go to the city to treat my wounds?

"Exactly, Senior Sister, you forgot—today at the tavern we didn't see a handsome physician named Jiang Yunzhou being publicly rewarded? It's said he even cured illnesses that Huashou Pavilion couldn't, so he's surely not affiliated with them; that physician's skills are superb and he's young and handsome—we might as well go to the city and give it a try."

Translation: "\"Exactly, Senior Sister, you forgot—today at the tavern we didn't see a handsome physician named Jiang Yunzhou being publicly rewarded? It's said he even cured illnesses that Huashou Pavilion couldn't, so he's surely not affiliated with them; that physician's skills are superb and he's young and handsome—we might as well go to the city and give it a try. \""

Exactly, Senior Sister, you forgot—today at the tavern we didn't see a handsome physician named Jiang Yunzhou being publicly rewarded? It's said he even cured illnesses that Huashou Pavilion couldn't, so he's surely not affiliated with them; that physician's skills are superb and he's young and handsome—we might as well go to the city and give it a try.

"Fine, fine—I'm walking into a trap, huh; still, this little junior sister knows how to talk—say more, I love to hear it."

Translation: "Fine, fine, I'm walking into a trap, huh; still, this little junior sister knows how to talk—say more, I love to hear it."

Fine, fine—I'm walking into a trap, huh. Still, this little junior sister knows how to talk—say more, I love to hear it.

Zhen Qing hesitated and said:

Translation: Zhen Qing hesitated and said:

Zhen Qing hesitated and said:

"Well, we can give it a try, Young Hero Yan—have you heard of this physician?"

Translation: "\"Well, we can give it a try, Young Hero Yan; have you heard of this physician? \""

Well, we can give it a try—Young Hero Yan, have you heard of this physician?

"I've heard of him, but never met him."

Translation: "\"I've heard of him, but never met him. \""

I've heard of him—but never met him.

"If so, I'll try my luck under the cover of darkness—thank you for your help today, Young Hero."

Translation: "\"If so, I'll try my luck under the cover of darkness; thank you for your help today, Young Hero. \""

If so—I'll try my luck under the cover of darkness; thank you for your help today, Young Hero.

Having said that, she performed a salute and turned to leave; Yan Shi'er hesitated a moment, then, out of professional habit, reminded:

Translation: Having said that, she performed a salute and turned to leave; Yan Shi'er hesitated a moment, then, out of professional habit, reminded:

Having said that, she performed a salute and turned to leave—Yan Shi'er hesitated a moment; then, out of professional habit, reminded:

"If Heroine Zhen goes to detoxify, remember to take the parasite worm bag from the Southern Witch Rebel's person—I don't know where the heroine will stay."

Translation: "\"If Heroine Zhen goes to detoxify, remember to take the parasite worm bag from the Southern Witch Rebel's person; I don't know where the heroine will stay. \""

If Heroine Zhen goes to detoxify—remember to take the parasite worm bag from the Southern Witch Rebel's person; I don't know where the heroine will stay.

If anyone else asked, Zhen Qing would naturally suspect ulterior motives, but this Young Hero Yan…… if he truly intended to target me, there'd be no need for such fuss; I suppose he simply doesn't fully trust me and wants to confirm that this foreign wanderer won't cause trouble in the capital.

Translation: If anyone else asked, Zhen Qing would naturally suspect ulterior motives, but this Young Hero Yan...... if he truly intended to target me, there'd be no need for such fuss; I suppose he simply doesn't fully trust me and wants to confirm that this foreign wanderer won't cause trouble in the capital.

If anyone else asked, Zhen Qing would naturally suspect ulterior motives—but this Young Hero Yan...... if he truly intended to target me, there'd be no need for such fuss; I suppose he simply doesn't fully trust me and wants to confirm that this foreign wanderer won't cause trouble in the capital.

"In the third courtyard behind the Red Sleeve Pavilion on Willow Lane, if this poison can be cured, I will recuperate there."

Translation: "\"In the third courtyard behind the Red Sleeve Pavilion on Willow Lane, if this poison can be cured, I will recuperate there. \""

In the third courtyard behind the Red Sleeve Pavilion on Willow Lane—if this poison can be cured, I will recuperate there.

Su Tao had already bundled the gu poison medicines from the corpses on the ground, tilted her head at Yan Shi'er, and followed her sister out of the forest.

Translation: Su Tao had already bundled the gu poison medicines from the corpses on the ground, tilted her head at Yan Shi'er, and followed her sister out of the forest.

Su Tao had already bundled the gu poison medicines from the corpses on the ground—tilted her head at Yan Shi'er, and followed her sister out of the forest.

Seeing this scene, the paper person Jiang Yunzhou, who had been pretending to be an aloof swordsman all along, finally exhaled; he was about to pull out the Southern Pacification Office's bronze medal signal flare to notify the office to collect the corpses, when suddenly he remembered something:

Translation: Seeing this scene, the paper person Jiang Yunzhou, who had been pretending to be a aloof swordsman all along, finally exhaled; he was about to pull out the Southern Pacification Office's bronze medal signal flare to notify the office to collect the corpses, when suddenly he remembered something:

Seeing this scene, the paper person Jiang Yunzhou, who had been pretending to be a aloof swordsman all along, finally exhaled—he was about to pull out the Southern Pacification Office's bronze medal signal flare to notify the office to collect the corpses; when suddenly he remembered something:

"Holy crap—from the start of the fight until now, my self at the Blue Medicine Hall seems to have been constantly kissing Sister Qingru……"

Translation: "Holy crap, from the start of the fight until now, my self at the Blue Medicine Hall seems to have been constantly kissing Sister Qingru......"

Holy crap—from the start of the fight until now, my self at the Blue Medicine Hall seems to have been constantly kissing Sister Qingru...

He hurriedly patted his head, letting the paper figure continue to stay on the tree, and he also came to his senses, focusing his attention on the Cang Medical Hall.

Yet he saw Qingu sister lying on the table, already devoid of strength to resist, merely clinging tightly, gazing at him with eyes full of spring, her shyly flushed face now turned pink, looking even more pitiful under the lamp.

Jiang Yunzhou somewhat embarrassedly lifted his lips, lowered his head to look at his and Qingu sister's clothes; though quite disheveled, fortunately they were still wearing them.

"Qing... Qingu sister, I just..."

Seeing Yunzhou's gaze clear again, Shen Qingu also reacted, a fleeting hint of joy or loss barely perceptible in her eyes, she turned her head aside, tidied her clothes, rose, and spoke softly:

"It's fine as long as you're okay; just now the medicinal power surged, clouding your mind and making you hard to control—has the medicinal power worn off now?"

Does Qingu sister truly believe that she herself is the cause of the medicinal power?

"I'm fine now; I just let Qingu sister..."

"Cough cough, it's fine; I'm not as lacking in willpower as you."

"But Qingu sister, your skirt..."

Jiang Yunzhou said, lowering his head and stealing a glance; only then did Shen Qingu notice that her lower garments... seemed as if she had knocked over the teapot on the table and wet her clothes.

Shen Qingu's just-composed face instantly flushed; seeing this, Jiang Yunzhou rubbed his slightly numb lips, about to explain further, when footsteps came from outside the courtyard:

"Young master, the water has arrived."

Hearing this, Shen Qingu hurriedly jumped down from the table and ran toward the door; as she opened it, she lunged outward, clearly intending to collide with Bai Zhi, who was coming in carrying a bucket of hot water.

Bang!

"Oh!"

"An accident" caused hot water to splash over both of them, and for a moment there was no visible problem with their clothes.

"Bai Zhi, how can you be so rash and impetuous in the middle of the night?"

"Huh? Wasn't it you, Miss, who rushed out and bumped into me?"

"I... I just stepped a bit faster."