After having breakfast and taking his medicine, Lin Wenxiu fell into a heavy sleep again.
Liu Tian'er could not sit still for even a moment and rushed off in a flurry to find Li Xiangyi. Meanwhile, Su Ci stayed behind in the medical hall's main hall to tidy up the tools used the previous night.
For a moment, the medical hall grew quiet.
Elsewhere.
After leaving the medical hall, Liu Tian'er made inquiries all the way.
Fortunately, Li Xiangyi was always the center of attention wherever he went, and she finally found him at an inn in the east of the city.
As soon as she saw Li Xiangyi, Liu Tian'er eagerly told him about the destruction of the Lin Family and Lin Wenxiu's current condition, then looked at him with eyes full of expectation.
Hearing the tragic news of the Lin Family massacre, Li Xiangyi flew into a rage. "I thought Difangxuan was a man of his word, but I never expected that right after we signed the alliance, his men would pull something like this. I will definitely seek justice for the Lin Family!"
With that, he picked up Shaoshi, got to his feet, and strode quickly out of the inn.
Seeing this, Liu Tian'er hurried to follow.
Noticing that Li Xiangyi was heading in the direction of the medical hall, she asked curiously, "Does the Master Li know the way to the Su Family medical hall? Do you know A-Ci?"
Li Xiangyi shook his head. "I don't know the Miss Su you speak of. However, when I entered the city yesterday, I heard of Miss Su's good reputation. I heard that despite her youth, she possesses remarkable medical skills, and even more rare is her benevolent heart as a healer, so I had originally planned to visit her today."
Liu Tian'er suddenly understood. "Well, that is quite a coincidence. Yesterday A-Ci decided to go out for a journey and ran into this situation. It's fortunate for him that he met A-Ci, otherwise he would have died of his severe injuries long ago."
Hearing this, Li Xiangyi nodded, said nothing more, and quickened his pace.
In barely a quarter of an hour, the two of them arrived at the medical hall.
As Li Xiangyi and Liu Tian'er stepped into the medical hall, Su Ci was organizing herbs. Hearing footsteps, she looked up and hurried forward with a pleasant surprise. "Tian'er, you're back already?"
Then she glanced at the man in red and smiled slightly. "I am Su Ci, greeting Master Li." With that, she offered a bow to Li Xiangyi.
Looking at Su Ci, Li Xiangyi could not help praising her inwardly.
The young woman wore a purple, symmetrical, waist-cinching, floor-sweeping luqun skirt, bound at the waist with an ink-colored sash from which hung a lotus jade pendant of fine quality.
She had a pair of crystal-clear eyes, bright and limpid as the stars, curved like crescent moons as if their lively spirit were overflowing.
Li Xiangyi returned the bow. "I am Li Xiangyi of the Sigu Sect, greeting Miss Su. I wonder how Young Master Lin is doing right now?"
Su Ci replied, "Young Master Lin is already out of danger and will be able to get out of bed after half a month of recuperation. However, if he wants to make a full recovery, he will need another three months of rest."
Hearing this, Li Xiangyi let out a sigh of relief and praised, "That's good to hear. Miss Su truly lives up to your reputation for brilliant medical skills and a benevolent heart."
Liu Tian'er also chimed in with an expression of deep admiration. "Exactly, exactly! A-Ci's medical skills are super amazing. To be able to save Young Master Lin from such severe injuries is just incredible!"
Looking at the sincere faces of Li Xiangyi and Liu Tian'er, Su Ci smiled with curved eyes. Who wouldn't love receiving sincere praise?
"Would it be convenient to see Young Master Lin now? There are some questions I'd like to ask him in person. Also, is Young Master Lin in a condition to be moved? I'd like to have him sent to the Sigu Sect to recuperate, as it is much safer there," Li Xiangyi asked with some concern.
Su Ci thought for a moment. "He is currently fast asleep and probably won't wake up until around noon. If you want to ask him questions, you'll have to wait."
"I've just finished stitching his wounds, and moving him now would very likely cause them to tear open. The earliest he can be moved is three days from now. Even then, given his physical condition, I'm afraid he won't be able to bear the bumpy journey."
Upon hearing this, Li Xiangyi made an immediate decision. "Very well, we will depart in three days then. I'll send a letter to the Sigu Sect and have them send people here to escort Young Master Lin back to the sect for recovery."
Then, he looked at Su Ci with some hesitation and spoke doubtfully:
"I wonder if I might ask Miss Su to help escort Young Master Lin to the Sigu Sect? I know this matter really has nothing to do with you, but there are no highly skilled doctors within the sect, and I worry that Young Master Lin might encounter accidents along the way. Therefore, I would like to ask for Miss Su's help. Afterward, I will certainly reward you generously."
Su Ci hesitated. If she were to send Lin Wenxiu to the Sigu Sect, it would inevitably disrupt her plans to travel to Qinling.
Seeing the troubled look on Su Ci's face, Li Xiangyi tactfully spoke up, "Does Miss Su have any concerns? If there is anything you need, just say the word, and I will certainly do whatever little I can to help."
Liu Tian'er also chimed in, "That's right, A-Ci. Is there something troubling you? I can help too."
Su Ci pondered for a moment. Her plan to travel to Qinling was, on the one hand, to behold the magnificent scenery of Qinling and reminisce about the past while gazing upon the mountains;
and on the other hand, Qinling had since ancient times been a natural treasure trove nurturing all kinds of rare medicinal herbs, and the rare herbs she needed were there.
Several of those key herbs, which served as the main ingredients for making Baicao Detoxification Powder and Nine-Turn Soul-Returning Pill, were nearing maturity, and she could not simply abandon them.
Yet, faced with Li Xiangyi's request, it was hard for her to refuse.
"Master Li, to be honest with you, I was originally planning to head to Qinling to search for rare medicinal herbs. If I miss this chance, I don't know when I'll be able to find them again," Su Ci said slowly, a trace of reluctance showing in her eyes.
Hearing this, Li Xiangyi was slightly startled, then nodded in understanding.
"So that's how it is. However, Young Master Lin's condition truly requires your help. I wonder what herbs the young lady needs? I can help you look for them as well."
Su Ci did not stand on ceremony and rattled off the names directly: "Ape-containing Grass, Silver Fruit, Hanya Grass, Senecio scandens, Tongtian Grass, and Dragon-knot Grass."
Upon hearing this, Li Xiangyi clicked his tongue in astonishment. These were all exceptionally precious herbs, especially Hanya Grass and Dragon-knot Grass, which were legendary treasures of nature.
Li Xiangyi said, "I will keep an eye out for the items Miss Su mentioned. Right now, I have a proposal, and I wonder what Miss Su thinks of it?"
Su Ci looked at Li Xiangyi with curiosity. "Please go ahead, Master Li."
Liu Tian'er also looked at Li Xiangyi with a curious expression.
"The Sigu Sect and Qinling both belong to Yongzhou and lie in the same direction. Miss Su can travel along with us to prevent any accidents. Once you all reach Pingma Town, we can go our separate ways—Young Master Lin will go to the Sigu Sect, and Miss Su can detour to Qinling. This way, it neither delays Miss Su's schedule nor fails to take care of Young Master Lin's injuries," Li Xiangyi proposed.
Su Ci's eyes lit up; this was a good proposal.
That being the case, Su Ci raised no further objections and readily agreed. "Since Master Li trusts me, Su Ci will naturally do her utmost."
Hearing Su Ci agree, Liu Tian'er said happily, "That's wonderful, A-Ci. We can travel together."
Seeing Liu Tian'er looking so happy, Su Ci beamed at her.
Li Xiangyi cupped his fists in gratitude. "Thank you, Miss Su."
Su Ci shook her head. "No need to thank me. Saving Young Master Lin is merely fulfilling my duty as a healer. On the contrary, Master Li's actions fill me with admiration. Not everyone possesses the chivalrous heart of Master Li, willing to rush about for the sake of a complete stranger."
Li Xiangyi modestly replied, "I merely wish to do my meager bit and return peace to the martial arts world."
Watching Li Xiangyi, who tried to look modest while failing to mask the joy on his face, Su Ci could not help laughing out loud.
The greatest hero in the world, who grew so happy just from having his actions validated, was after all still just a young man who had barely reached adulthood.