Why do I have so many masters?

Wang Anfeng and Xue Qinshuang, led by a middle-aged man, headed higher into the mountain.

The clouds parted before their eyes as if they were walking amidst surging waves, devoid of any solidity. Wang Anfeng's inner strength slowly circulated within him, maintaining his condition in its most perfect state. His longsword was sheathed on his back, ready to be drawn in less than a breath's time, and five jade vases filled with poisons he concocted himself hung at his waist.

He had been dressed like this since they set out from Fufeng City.

It was as if he was heading to a battle to the death.

In fact, he could see the strangeness in this matter.

The death of Wei Qi, the beginning of this affair, and the end of all clues, everything pointed to Pharmacist Valley. To say there was no danger in this journey, he certainly did not believe it.

Not only was there danger, but it was considerably great; a small misstep could cost him his life. The best choice, then, was to follow what Su Wenchang had said,

"This matter has nothing to do with you, don't interfere."

But at that time, the situation was such that only he himself could come.

If he didn't, the clues would be lost, and those who had died because of him would have died in vain.

No matter how the world viewed this outcome, he could never forgive himself.

He had not planned to be involved in this matter indefinitely, he just intended to reconnect this broken thread. As long as the people from Pharmacist Valley could save the person critically poisoned, it would become clear who had secretly ordered the Fire Refining Sect masters to abandon Wei Qi, and everything that followed would become extremely clear.

At that time, being Fire Refining Sect, the foremost martial arts sect in Fufeng with numerous masters, would definitely resolve this matter with clarity, and with so many masters to associate with, having an unbroken thread of clues and mobilizing sect power, they would surely capture that murderer.

Absolutely!

Pharmacist Valley could also use this opportunity to clear the suspicions against them.

And those who died wrongfully,

could rest in peace.

Wang Anfeng let out a breath, becoming more resolute, but then thought of Xue Qinshuang, who had come with him, and an unusual annoyance arose in his heart; he had his reasons to risk coming here, and she was just as obstinate as him, impossible to persuade.

The most important point...

Wang Anfeng simply couldn't defeat her.

Biting his lip slightly, Xue Qinshuang noticed his gaze, turned her head towards him, a faint smile on her lips revealing a small dimple on her left cheek, and she asked in a cheerful tone,

"What's wrong?"

Looking at that familiar face, Wang Anfeng exhaled, his mind cleared of miscellaneous thoughts, leaving only tranquility.

He shook his head and said,

"Nothing much."

The girl seemed unconcerned, nodded, and turned her head away, hands behind her back as she looked at one of Fufeng's eight scenic views, the Sea of Clouds stretching endlessly, seemingly oblivious to any danger, her demeanor quite relaxed.

Wang Anfeng pursed his lips, withdrew his gaze, and murmured quietly to himself.

Miss Xue has been drawn into this because of me. Find adventures on My Virtual Library Empire

If real danger arises, I will risk my life to secure a chance of survival for her.

Thinking this, he raised his hand and gently tapped his forehead, scolding himself internally.

We have already come inside Pharmacist Valley, how could there be danger here?

Really... It's just wild thoughts!

Thinking this way, isn't it a disservice to Brother Chuan and Miss Meng's trust, and even more so to the people of Pharmacist Valley?

They were willing to let him enter the Inner Valley and make an effort to save a stranger.

Such thoughts of his are really too much.

Indeed, they shouldn't be.

........................

The mountain trail gradually ended.

Wang Anfeng and the others followed the middle-aged man, and for the final stretch of road, they used their light body techniques to move upward, spending about seven or eight minutes before reaching the place known as the 'Inner Valley'.

Standing there, Wang Anfeng looked down and felt the mountain terrain was extremely steep. If he hadn't learnt the new Qinggong, relying on the Shaolin Vigorous Step Technique to climb this last part would have been very difficult. If using the Spirit Snake Whip Technique he learnt from his second master, it would just about be possible to find leverage on the sheer cliffs to move upward.

Moreover, the terrain itself was extremely steep and difficult, obscured by dense clouds that never dispersed all year round, moving with the wind, constantly changing. A misstep would likely lead to a direct fall, and unless one was a Jianghu master capable of controlling their energy to stay afloat, ordinary martial artists would surely perish.

But if there were crossbows and strong bows lined up above, it's inconceivable how many martial artists' lives would be needed to breach this Inner Valley of Pharmacist Valley.

A thought such as this flashed through his mind like lightning.

But Wang Anfeng didn't dwell on it, as the middle-aged man in front paused to wait for them. The young man took one more glance at the easily defended and difficult to attack Inner Valley of Pharmacist Valley, then quickened his steps alongside Xue Qinshuang, heading deeper into the valley, feeling only the ethereal mist, and struggling to discern the true scenery.

Under the vast and boundless situation, after walking yet another several tens of steps, sudden aged laughter erupted ahead.

"Ancient doctors kept medicine at heart; with a righteous heart, the medicine proves genuine."

"Rest the diseased intestines and cease treating the elderly. At seventy, one may hope to live a century."

"Death doesn't demand the guests of Penglai Island, and those without birth have their masters in Snow Mountain."

Suddenly, the scene ahead opened up brightly.

Amid swirling mists, an old man dressed in white linen, with both beard and hair white as snow, was sitting cross-legged on a cushion as if meditating. His expression was extremely kind and amiable, resembling an ancient famous doctor who was alive, smiling gently as he looked towards the newcomers.

Wang Anfeng and another halted.

The middle-aged man standing by their side pointed towards the old man, and with a broad smile said:

"Young heroes Wang and Xue, allow me to introduce you. This is an elder from our Pharmacist Valley, a renowned divine doctor in Jianghu, who has bestowed kindness upon countless people. Thus, he has been honored with the title of 'Rival to King Yan'."

"King Yan decides one's death by the third watch; who dares delay it to the fifth?"

"Our elder 'Rival to King Yan' dares."

The tone of his words conveyed extreme admiration and respect, his face filled with pride.

It seemed as if narrating the old man's past Jianghu stories to each newcomer, seeing the respect and admiration emerge on their faces, brought heartfelt joy. Such disposition hardly drew disfavor.

The white-haired elder stood up, laughed, and scolded:

"Xiaoliu, what nonsense are you spouting?"

"Stinks! Truly unbearable to smell!"

The man rebutted with a laugh:

"What you're saying is the real 'nonsense'..."

"This 'Rival to King Yan' title is genuinely earned, not fabricated by me."

The elder seemed amused yet annoyed by his words, stomped his foot, and said:

"Reputation in Jianghu is just a bunch of fools boasting about each other; you boost me, I boost you. After all the boosting, it's all out, how much of it is true? Boost and boost, and you still boost."

"You're not embarrassed, but I'm embarrassed for you."

"Come here!"

The man went over laughing and received a light but firm slap on the forehead from the elder, who then whispered a couple more scoldings before turning his head to look at Wang Anfeng and his companion. Despite being a revered elder in Jianghu for many decades, he initiated a Jianghu salute with a smile, and said:

"Young heroes, do not listen to his nonsense."

"I'm just a poor and humble old man, my reputation in Jianghu is just the result of drunken boasts with friends."@@novelbin@@

"It should not be taken seriously, not at all."

His voice paused, then he stroked his beard and continued with a smile:

"However, I have retired from Jianghu for over a decade now, and I wonder what brings you two young heroes here..."

The elder's demeanor was bold and unconventional, Wang Anfeng did not harbor any suspicion, he bowed with fists clasped and shared their entire story, starting from his and Wei Qi's conflict, Wei Qi's men dying from the unique skills of Medicine King Valley, up to Wei Qi's death and the clue involving the poison, before finishing.

"Thus, I humbly request the elder to lend a hand in aid."

Having spoken, he raised both hands, crossed them at his chest level, eyes aligned with his hands, and deeply bowed. In this era of the Great Qin, without resorting to kneeling, this was the most solemn salute; even when meeting the Monarch, the ritual would not exceed this.

The elder seemed very surprised, he sidestepped to avoid receiving the salute, and repeatedly shook his head with a wry smile:

"How could this be permissible..."

"How could I accept such a gesture from a young hero who risks his life for strangers?"

"I dare not accept it, dare not at all."

"This could indeed shorten one's life."

Wang Anfeng looked up, pursed his lips, and spoke softly:

"I only request the elder, if at leisure, to perhaps descend the mountain and help that person with the detoxification…"

Observing the youth before him, the elder's expression turned serious. He placed his hand on Wang Anfeng's palm, and said:

"Human life is of utmost importance, valued above everything else. To heal one is a virtue greater than any."

"All who practice medicine, upon receiving a call for help, should never consider social standing or distance; they must attend."

"I have an unavoidable responsibility in this matter!"

PS: The second update…