"Brother, don't be careless. This place is damp and cold, likely home to large snakes. You're injured, so be extra cautious."
Liu Yu deliberately walked behind Ren Yuanhao. He knew that some venomous snakes, much like top predators, preferred to trail their prey and wouldn't act until they had an absolute advantage.
"Mm, I know," Ren Yuanhao said. He hadn't brought his "Cun Xue" sword with him, understanding the basic courtesy required when seeking medicine.
Liu Yu was different. He gripped his black saber. The damp, cold air continuously filled his nostrils, and the ground beneath his feet crunched with withered leaves. Apart from this sound, he could occasionally hear birds flapping their wings and taking flight, the force of their wingbeats indicating a considerable size. He guessed they were carrion birds like vultures.
Just then, a rustling sound, like something slithering on the ground, emanated from the northwest. Liu Yu shoved Ren Yuanhao aside, moving with the agility of a dragon. His saber flashed out, its strokes like iron painting and silver hooks, slicing through the air and scattering the low-hanging withered leaves. Instantly, a vividly colored, long snake with indistinct dark spots was cut in half!
As the snake fell, it managed to burrow into the rotting leaves to escape. Liu Yu was about to pursue it when Ren Yuanhao stopped him.
"Don't chase it. That's a Taiwan pit viper. They generally don't attack humans proactively. I suspect someone is controlling it."
As soon as Ren Yuanhao finished speaking, a crisp, sharp system voice echoed in his mind.
"Ding ding! According to the system's perception, a large snake should reside here. If you can kill it and consume its gall and blood, it will be of great help to the surging, restless internal energy within your body."
"Now is not the time for hunting. I'm worried about Ye Lan."
"You claim you don't want to delay her, yet you can't let go. Humans always say one thing and mean another. Fine, don't argue with me. I'll state my piece: we can retrieve it when the opportunity arises. Furthermore, your bonus mission is complete, earning you 200 points. As for the invalidated order for Bai Fu, that's up to her."
Ren Yuanhao was already worried about being penniless, and now he had an additional 200 points, which amounted to 200,000 yuan. In this unfamiliar place, money was indispensable, especially with the living and accommodation costs for so many people to manage. He couldn't just shamelessly stay at the Shi family's to recover.
After this incident, the two became even more cautious. After walking for about two to three minutes, they could faintly discern a low thatched cottage. Through what looked like a circular window, a dim, bluish-green candlelight flickered.
The candlelight flickered as if it were an errant will-o'-the-wisp. The cottage was covered in lush green vines. To the right, a waist-high fence enclosed what seemed to be medicinal herbs and vegetables. In front of the main entrance, just as Shi Kexin had described, lay more than a dozen coffins, arranged in a crisscross pattern. Some had their black lacquer faded, others were wrapped tightly by vines, and some were covered in moss, resembling the filth vomited by someone with a stomach flu.
A cold wind rose from the ground, making the ghostly green candlelight flicker more eerily. The mist appeared like a malevolent spirit crouched on the cottage roof, baring its fangs and roaring at the two men.
As they held their breath and slowly approached, they suddenly heard a piercing wail from within the cottage.
"Ow~~ It hurts, it hurts! Godly Physician Sha, could you be a bit gentler? Ouch, my flesh!"
Then, a dry, hoarse voice drifted from the circular window: "Flesh? From now on, that won't be your flesh anymore."
"Godly Physician Sha, wh-what are you talking about? Ah~ Ow~!"
The man's wails were as sharp as ghostly cries. Ren Yuanhao, with his exceptional senses, could smell a faint, acrid scent of blood drifting out. Immediately after, another extremely hoarse voice followed.
"What, you're howling like a ghost after I've only taken two and a half jin of your flesh? I think you should just leave. I'm not treating your injury anymore."
"Wh-what do you mean, two and a half jin?"
The man's panicked voice startled Ren Yuanhao and Liu Yu. As they exchanged glances, they immediately realized this was the man who had attempted to molest Shi Kexin and whom Ren Yuanhao had kicked away earlier!
They looked at each other, only to hear the extremely hoarse voice turn into a cold laugh.
"Heh heh, don't you know my style, Old Sha? Fine, fine, let me tell you. Every person I save, I take five jin of their flesh as medical fees. Now, do you understand?"
"Wh-what? Five jin of flesh? Won't I die then?"
"Die? If I take your flesh and can't save you, what kind of Godly Physician Sha am I? I advise you, don't move around too much. I guarantee that after I take your flesh, you won't die; instead, you'll be full of vigor, your conjugal life will double, you'll eat heartily, and your body will be exceptionally strong. For now, there are still two and a half jin left. Looking at you, I'm finding it a bit difficult!"
The man, hearing this, was immediately terrified and cried out in despair, possibly even soiling himself.
"Godly Physician Sha, your knife cuts very painfully. Are there any other conditions?"
Godly Physician Sha chuckled coldly, his voice sharp as a knife, not only cutting through the flickering candlelight in the room but also transforming into invisible energy blades that brushed against Ren Yuanhao and Liu Yu's skin, causing a stinging pain.
"Heh heh, there are indeed conditions," Godly Physician Sha's voice paused abruptly, and he deliberately raised his voice, saying, "There are two foolish guys outside right now. I think you can have a fight. If you can cut double the amount of flesh from them, I'll agree to treat you."
Upon hearing this, Liu Yu's temper flared. He tightened his grip on the black saber, about to erupt, but Ren Yuanhao placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Brother, this guy named Sha looks like trouble. Let Big Brother go in, put the black saber to his throat, and see if he's scared!"
"Don't rush. We're asking for a favor. Although this Godly Physician Sha seems a bit eccentric, his medical skills appear to be exceptional. We can't afford to offend him." Ren Yuanhao again placed a hand on Liu Yu's shoulder, his expression darkening slightly, his eyes reflecting a faint green light.
Liu Yu resentfully sheathed his saber and retorted, "Damn it, if this guy named Sha asks you to give up five jin of flesh before agreeing to give you that 'Thousand Snow Fluff Flower Grass,' would you really do it?"
Ren Yuanhao hadn't considered this question, but if he could get the 'Thousand Snow Fluff Flower Grass' that easily, he might just agree!
Ren Yuanhao remained silent, but nodded heavily.
"Holy hell, brother, you actually believe this eccentric man will keep his promise? Do you know what five jin of flesh means?"
Ren Yuanhao shook his head, then put on a carefree smile and deliberately spoke loudly, "Everyone in this area knows about Godly Physician Sha's integrity and trustworthiness!"