Liáng Jìn grabbed Zhào Bǎo’s shaky shoulders:
“Tell me, what’s happened?”
Zhào Bǎo cried as he recounted his experiences.
It turned out that in recent days, Zhào Bǎo had been constantly bullied by his Master and other Eunuchs.
But he wasn't discouraged by this; instead, he seized the time to practice the "Bone Melting Cotton Palm," hoping to become a Martial Artist one day.
If a Eunuch could become a Martial Artist, he could be registered at the Imperial Martial Department in the palace.
Not only would his status and treatment improve, but he would also have more opportunities.
This was also Zhào Bǎo’s biggest goal!
However…
Zhào Bǎo had practiced diligently for many days, but his sea of qi and dan tian still couldn't generate any power.
In other words, his innate constitution did not meet the conditions to become a Martial Artist.
He would never become a Martial Artist!
This also meant that Zhào Bǎo’s most cherished goal was completely cut off.
And he would likely be bullied and abused by his Master forever, with no chance of escape.
It was precisely because of this that Zhào Bǎo felt his heart turn to ash, to the point where he wanted to take his own life after entrusting everything to Liáng Jìn.
“Brother Jin, why me?”
“It’s bad enough that I’m a eunuch, but why must I also be a cripple who can’t practice martial arts?”
“If I live my whole life suffering abuse, what meaning does life have for me?”
Zhào Bǎo’s emotions surged.
His suicidal thoughts grew stronger.
After understanding the reason, Liáng Jìn couldn't help but laugh heartily:
“I thought it was something serious, but it’s just this small problem.”
Zhào Bǎo’s expression turned angry.
How was this a small problem?
But then, he dejectedly shook his head:
“Forget it, Brother Jin, you wouldn’t understand my situation…”
He turned to leave dejectedly.
Liáng Jìn stopped him:
“It’s not that I don’t understand you, but I can help you solve the problem of you not being able to practice martial arts.”
Zhào Bǎo looked puzzled.
He was a good-for-nothing, how could this matter be solved?
With a flip of his wrist, Liáng Jìn produced a pill in his palm.
It was the [Bone Strengthening Pill] he had taken from his Item Bar.
The [Bone Strengthening Pill] could change one’s innate constitution, allowing those who couldn't practice martial arts to become Martial Artists.
He had prepared this pill for Zhào Bǎo and Sū Lián long ago, but he hadn't seen them for a long time.
Since he had met them today, it was perfect timing.
“Here, eat this.”
Liáng Jìn, without further ado, shoved the Bone Strengthening Pill into Zhào Bǎo’s mouth.
This caused Zhào Bǎo to choke, his face turning red. He only recovered after drinking some water.
“It might hurt a little, bear with it and don’t cry out and attract attention.”
“After this, you will be a true Martial Artist.”
Liáng Jìn instructed.
Zhào Bǎo was initially bewildered.
But soon, he felt as if his body was undergoing peculiar changes.
His meridians, muscles, and bones seemed to be undergoing internal shifts.
It was as if a force was breaking through blockages within his body.
Before Zhào Bǎo could even be surprised, he was suddenly engulfed in intense pain throughout his body.
Remembering Liáng Jìn’s instructions, he quickly stuffed his hand into his mouth and bit down hard to prevent himself from crying out.
The pain intensified.
Zhào Bǎo was drenched in sweat, his hand bitten by his teeth, bleeding profusely.
Eventually, the pain became so severe that he couldn’t stand and could only squat on the ground.
Fortunately, the intense pain came and went quickly.
As the agony receded like a tide, Zhào Bǎo felt an indescribable sense of ease and refreshment.
Liáng Jìn’s voice rang out:
“Follow the method in the manual and sense your sea of qi and dan tian.”
Zhào Bǎo's heart stirred, and he quickly complied.
After a moment, he stood up in disbelief, his face filled with joy:
“Brother Jin, I can feel it, I—”
Liáng Jìn waved his hand to interrupt:
“Knowing is enough, don’t make noise, lest you attract punishment.”
Zhào Bǎo quickly nodded.
In his heart, a wave of excitement surged.
He had thought tonight would be the end of his life, but unexpectedly, he now had hope!
And the one who brought him hope was Liáng Jìn.
Zhào Bǎo had never heard of such a magical medicine.
Although he didn't know its value, he could guess it was extremely precious.
Yet, Liáng Jìn had given him such valuable treasures, his kindness was higher than the heavens.
Zhào Bǎo said emotionally:
“Brother Jin, I—”
Liáng Jìn again waved his hand to interrupt:
“I said, we’re all family, no need for thanks.”
“Stop sweeping, go back and rest well. Report to the Imperial Martial Department tomorrow morning and you won’t have to endure your Master’s bad temper anymore.”
Zhào Bǎo wiped away the tears that welled up again.
He had lost his family at the age of ten and entered the palace as a eunuch because he couldn't survive alone.
Six years had passed, and he had long forgotten the feeling of having family.
Fortunately, in the palace, there were Sū Lián and Liáng Jìn.
Zhào Bǎo had always felt his life was tragic, but the only fortunate thing was meeting these two.
They were his family.
Now, it was proven that his feelings were correct.
Liáng Jìn continued to instruct:
“Remember to consolidate your progress after you get back. The process of practicing martial arts in the future will be very tough, don’t slack off.”
“Most importantly, don’t give up your life so easily again.”
“If you encounter any insurmountable difficulties, be sure to tell me in time.”
Zhào Bǎo nodded vigorously.
He felt that if he had an elder brother, Liáng Jìn would probably be just like this.
“Brother Jin, I understand.”
Zhào Bǎo agreed and turned to leave.
He had arrived dejected; he left with light steps and a full spirit.
Seeing him like this, Liáng Jìn felt relieved.
………………
………………
Qingzhou.
Taiyang County.
Due to the fierce epidemic, the county town of Taiyang had been sealed off for nearly a month.
It was originally thought that this would prevent the plague from spreading into the county town, but unexpectedly, this method ultimately failed.
The plague raged in the city, with many people dying every day.
Even at this late hour of the night, one could hear the mournful cries from thousands of households in the city.
It wasn't just the common people who were awake.
It was also the county magistrate.
In the county yamen's study, a lamp was still lit.
The county magistrate Qiú Zhuó sat at his desk, looking at official documents with a frown.
The plague was spreading, affecting several counties in Qingzhou.
And its intensity was increasing.
However, the prefecture had not issued any clear directives, leaving each county to manage the epidemic on its own. If this continued, the entire Qingzhou would likely fall before long.
And the biggest problem was that a method to treat the epidemic had still not been found.
The only effective measure was small-scale isolation.
Since the epidemic had begun to spread, Qiú Zhuó had sealed off the yamen, and all officials were confined within, not allowed to leave.
This ensured that everyone in the yamen, including Qiú Zhuó, did not get infected, thus guaranteeing that the leadership of Taiyang County remained intact.
But Qiú Zhuó’s family members had already contracted the illness.
This made Qiú Zhuó worry about private matters daily while engrossed in public affairs.
Over the past month, Qiú Zhuó had lost considerable weight.
“Knock, knock, knock!”
A knock on the door.
“County Magistrate, it’s me.”
A voice sounded from outside the door.
Qiú Zhuó didn’t look up and replied:
“Master Zhang, come in.”
The study door opened, and an intelligent man with a goatee walked in.
He was Qiú Zhuó’s advisor, Zhāng Yóu.
Zhāng Yóu was concise. He walked up to Qiú Zhuó and reported directly:
“County Magistrate, I received news.”
“In Jùniú Village, there is a person who claims to be the Great Virtuous Teacher. It is said that he can borrow the power of gods and spirits to cure sickness with Talisman Water and treat the epidemic.”
Qiú Zhuó continued to look at the documents.
He was not concerned with such trivial matters and merely showed disdain, retorting:
“Curing sickness with Talisman Water? Master Zhang, do you believe it?”
Zhāng Yóu smiled and shook his head.
He didn’t believe in spirits or gods either.
Qiú Zhuó picked up his brush and wrote on the documents, saying lightly:
“Whenever there’s a major disaster, there are always demonized people who pretend to be spirits to fool the ignorant masses, purely for the purpose of amassing wealth.”
“Order the headman of Jùniú Village to bring the village militia and arrest that demonized person, sending him to the county yamen for detention. Confiscate his property for public use.”
With the current disaster, the yamen’s coffers were draining rapidly like flowing water, nearly exhausted.
If that demonized person could indeed extort money from the populace, then seizing his wealth would be a perfect way to replenish the treasury to aid in disaster relief.
Otherwise, imposing taxes rashly might incite public anger.
And the wealthy people in the city were all difficult to deal with.
Zhāng Yóu remained standing, replying:
“County Magistrate, I fear that demonized person… may not be easy to arrest.”