novelapdf Chapter 15 Afterglow
Chapter 15 Afterglow
The morning mist, like a veil, gently covered Qingyang City.
Three days have passed since the bloody battle that determined the fate of the Chen family.
Old Li, a bricklayer in the east of the city, squatted in front of his shop, squinting as he watched several craftsmen across the street repairing the wall that had been cracked by the force of the energy the night before.
He spat out the grass root from his mouth and said to Wang Laosan, who was selling steamed buns next to him:
"See that? The people sent by the Chen family are well paid, and they even provide meat soup for lunch. Back in the days of the Black Wind Sect, it was considered a good deed if they didn't steal your bricks."
Wang Laosan lifted the lid of the steamer, and white steam rose up, mingling with the aroma of wheat:
"Who says otherwise? A few days ago, Chief Escort Wang from the Qingyang branch of the 'Four Seas Escort Agency' came to buy steamed buns and was chatting with me, saying that the Chen family has really made a name for themselves this time, and even the head of the escort agency, Old Master Guo, has taken notice."
"I'm afraid it won't be long before our Qingyang medicinal herb business will be able to reach Qingzhou again, just like Old Master Chen did a few years ago."
"Four Seas Escort Agency? That's a big name!" Old Li clicked his tongue.
"In the early days, the Chen family's 'Huichuntang' medicine shipments were mostly handled through them. Later, the Chen family fell into decline, and the relationship faded. Now it seems they're going to renew it."
The streets were gradually filling with pedestrians. Farmers carrying vegetables, peddlers calling out their wares, women carrying baskets to shop...
In the teahouse, the storyteller, spittle flying from his lips, was at the most exciting part of his tale:
"...In the blink of an eye! Facing the thick poisonous fog, Young Master Chen neither dodged nor evaded, but instead thrust out a palm! Guess what happened?"
"A dragon's roar, like a demon lord descending from the heavens, truly a god of war on earth, terrified the enemy..."
The tea drinkers below listened with rapt attention, even though they had heard no fewer than eight versions of the story over the past three days.
What has three heads and six arms on its back, with its eyes wide open in anger;
Fortunately, Chen Xuan had been recuperating at the Chen family's residence for the past few days and was unaware of the situation; otherwise, even the most composed person would have been furious.
...
The Chen residence, back garden.
Under the old locust tree in the garden, there is a stone table and two rattan chairs.
The old steward, Zhao Fu, was staring at the chessboard, his brows furrowed in worry.
"Checkmate." Chen Zhan placed his last piece, stroked his beard, and laughed heartily.
Zhao Fu shook his head and smiled wryly: "Master's chess style was fierce today, defeating this old servant so badly that he was routed. It seems he's in a very good mood."
"How could it not be good?" Chen Zhan picked up the purple clay teapot beside him and took a delicious sip.
"If my descendants are successful, every extra day I live is a bonus, so I should live life to the fullest."
After the great battle with the Chen family, he led people to take stock of the Black Wind Sect's assets and put them all into his own pocket.
Several martial arts schools and businesses in the city that had previously kept their distance from the Chen family have now sent visiting cards with respectful words.
These past few days, Grandpa Chen Zhan has been in high spirits, personally welcoming and seeing off guests every day, as if he has become ten years younger.
Beside the bamboo grove, a figure in green stood quietly.
Chen Xuan did not practice his skills. He simply closed his eyes, feeling the rustling of the morning breeze through the bamboo leaves and the slow, resilient flow of his internal energy like a stream.
His complexion was much better than it had been three days ago, and compared to usual, it had a subtle, warm glow like jade.
His once somewhat slender physique is now as upright as bamboo, his shoulders and back possessing a smooth yet powerful line. His bones and muscles are well-proportioned, and his blood and energy are abundant.
The powerful cleansing and marrow-cleansing effects of the complete Yi Jin Jing (Muscle/Tendon Changing Classic) make one virtually immune to common toxins.
However, the "Corrosive Marrow Poison" and the Netherworld Evil Qi are not ordinary toxins. After being suppressed and refined by the internal force of the Yi Jin Jing, they are now almost completely cured. If it were any other ordinary internal force, they would probably have died on the spot during the battle three days ago.
Su Wan carried a small food box and walked gently through the moon gate. She had changed into a light green dress, and her hair was loosely tied up with a single wooden hairpin, with a few strands of hair hanging down beside her cheeks and swaying slightly with her steps.
Upon seeing the figure by the bamboo grove, she paused, not immediately approaching, but instead standing beside a cluster of honeysuckle flowers, quietly observing for a moment.
Young Master Chen... seems a little different.
She couldn't pinpoint exactly what was different; it wasn't that her facial features had changed, but rather that her overall aura had shifted.
Like a piece of beautiful jade covered in dust, carefully wiped clean, its warm and restrained brilliance naturally shines through. It gains a sense of steadiness like a mountain, and... a reassuring power.
"Miss Su." Chen Xuan turned around and his gaze fell on her.
Su Wan snapped out of her daze, her cheeks flushing slightly. She quickly stepped forward and curtsied.
"Young Master Chen, it's time for your medicine. Today I added two calming herbs and decocted them for a longer time. The medicine is mild and will be perfect for your breathing exercises."
"Thank you for your trouble." Chen Xuan took the food box and sat down on the stone bench. Inside the food box, besides a bowl of perfectly warm medicine, there was also a small dish of crystal-clear osmanthus candied fruit.
"The medicine is bitter, but the candied fruit was made by Wan'er herself, so it can help reduce the bitterness."
Su Wan sat down opposite him and naturally extended three fingers to place on his wrist. Her fingertips were slightly cool and had a delicate feel.
Chen Xuan picked up the medicine bowl and drank it all in one gulp. He picked up a candied fruit and put it in his mouth; the sweetness instantly washed away the bitterness.
"How is it?" Su Wan asked softly after taking his pulse for a moment.
"Much better. Eighty or ninety percent of the poison in my body has been removed." Chen Xuan felt the changes within his body.
"Miss Su's prescription is exquisitely formulated, achieving twice the result with half the effort."
Su Wan's lips curved into a slight smile as she withdrew her hand: "It is because your inner strength is extremely yang and pure, which naturally restrains yin poison. Wan'er was just going with the flow."
Chen Xuan glanced at her.
For the past three days, Su Wan has been almost constantly on her feet, preparing medicine, taking his pulse, mixing medicinal baths, and even personally administering acupuncture to clear his blocked meridians. Her focus and meticulousness have long surpassed the ordinary doctor-patient relationship.
"Miss Su, you've had a hard time these past few days," Chen Xuan said gently.
He paused, then asked, "How is Mr. Su's health?"
"Father has recovered very well! The toxins in his body were already mild, and with the young master's pure internal energy protecting his heart meridian, plus the timely detoxification, he is now out of danger. However..."
"After my father woke up, he mentioned that before he was poisoned, he had seen a record in a tattered book called 'Study of Strange Herbs in Southern Xinjiang' describing symptoms similar to 'Marrow-Eating Powder'. There was also a strange note next to it, which seemed to be related to something called 'The Garden of Herbs from the Previous Dynasty'."
"The Hundred Herbs Garden of the Former Dynasty?" Chen Xuan's eyes narrowed. This subtly echoed the disappearance of his parents and the mystery of the jade pendant. Could the Shadow Pavilion's use of poison also be related to the former dynasty? He nodded: "No rush, let Mr. Su rest well. This matter might be an important clue."
"The former dynasty's court..." Chen Xuan tapped his fingertips lightly on the stone table. The search for Shadow Pavilion and the disappearance of his parents all seemed to be inextricably linked to that vanished dynasty.
That so-called "jade pendant" is probably the key to unlocking all the mysteries.
The two chatted for a few more minutes about the current situation in Qingyang City.
After the great battle, the Chen family led a team to inventory the Black Wind Sect's assets, and they have already sorted out most of them, with an astonishing amount.
Several martial arts schools and businesses in the city that had previously kept their distance from the Chen family have now sent visiting cards with respectful words.
Grandpa Chen Zhan, on the other hand, was in high spirits, personally welcoming and seeing off guests every day, as if he had become ten years younger.
As they were talking, Chen Zhan strolled over, carrying the thrush cage in his hand. The bird was chirping sweetly inside the cage.
"What are you chatting about, getting along so well?" Chen Zhan chuckled as he sat down on the stone bench next to them, his gaze sweeping over the two of them.
Su Wan quickly stood up and greeted him, "Grandpa Chen."
"Sit down, sit down, we're family, no need to be so polite." Chen Zhan waved his hand, looking at Chen Xuan with eyes full of satisfaction.
"Xuan'er, judging from your complexion, you're basically recovered. Su girl deserves all the credit!"
"Grandpa is right. Without Miss Su's miraculous treatment, I wouldn't have recovered so quickly."
Chen Zhan stroked his beard, then suddenly smiled and said to Su Wan:
"Su girl, look at my grandson. Apart from being a bit dull, his kung fu is passable, and he's a reliable person."
"Thanks to your meticulous care this time. How about... we have him repay us with his body?"
"Pfft—" Su Wan had just picked up the tea that Zhao Fu had handed her when she heard this, her hand trembled, and a few drops of tea splashed out, wetting the hem of her skirt.
Her entire face flushed crimson instantly, like a ripe shrimp, even her ears and neck turning pink. She didn't know whether to put down the teacup or pick it up, so embarrassed she wanted to disappear into the ground. Her voice was barely audible, trembling:
"Master Chen...please, please don't joke about Wan'er...I...I'll go check on the medicine stove..."
Before he could finish speaking, he hurriedly got up, disregarding manners, and left with his head down, his back view showing a rather flustered state.
Chen Xuan was also taken aback by his grandfather's sudden "matchmaking," and then helplessly rubbed his forehead:
"Grandpa, you've gone too far with that joke. Miss Su is easily embarrassed, you shouldn't..."
"Hey, how am I joking?" Chen Zhan's eyes widened, then he lowered his voice mischievously.
"Do you think your grandfather is old and blind? The way Su girl looks at you, is that how an ordinary doctor looks at a patient? This girl is kind-hearted, has excellent medical skills, comes from a respectable family, and has feelings for you."
"You're all grown up now, it's time to think about settling down, starting a family, and continuing the family line. I think Su girl is a good match!"
Chen Xuan remained silent.
How could he not have felt Su Wan's gentleness, attentiveness, resilience, and undisguised concern during this time?
However, with his parents' whereabouts unknown, the road ahead shrouded in mystery, and powerful enemies like the Shadow Pavilion lurking around, he neither wanted nor could drag her into such a deep involvement.
Although they were the original owner's parents, since they inherited their identity, they naturally had to take on responsibilities.
"Grandpa, my parents' whereabouts are unknown. I have no time for romance right now."
Knowing his temperament, Chen Zhan didn't say anything more and instead said, "Alright, let's not talk about this. The moonlight is nice tonight, how about having a couple of drinks with Grandpa? It's been a long time since we, grandfather and grandson, had a proper chat."