The Great Hero forced a smile as he asked me,
"You're awake."
I nodded slightly, but then noticed how tired he looked, with dark circles under his eyes.
Guessing, I asked, "You didn't sleep last night?"
I gave an awkward smile.
"I, I don't really like to sleep."
I looked at him in surprise, feeling both guilty and warm.
It seemed the Great Hero wasn't as crude as he appeared on the surface.
Deep down, he was still a thoughtful and kind person.
He slowly stood up and stretched his back. After a moment, he said,
"It's a hundred li to Thousand Grass Peak, and it will likely take another day and night to get there.
I think you should go now; it's better to arrive sooner."
I agreed and replied,
"Alright, I'll set off now."
He slowly walked over to me, picked up A'li, and headed towards the horses.
He gently placed A'li onto the horse's back.
Then, he helped me mount the horse. Before we parted,
He took out the bag of gold coins from his embrace and handed it to me.
"You'll need money for many things on your journey, so please take this bag of gold."
I looked at him in surprise and repeatedly refused.
He then directly stuffed the bag into my hand.
"We're good friends, this little bit of money is nothing. Hurry along now."
I was deeply touched.
I never expected to receive help from someone else during my most difficult times, and I was very grateful.
"Thank you, Great Hero. You're different from what I thought; you're a good person."
The Great Hero laughed heartily.
"Hahaha, who told you I was a bad person?
But it's not too late for you to know me now.
Alright, the road is long and the mountains are high. We'll meet again if fate allows."
"Okay, we'll meet again if fate allows."
With that, he slapped the horse's hindquarters.
The horse, sensing his intent, immediately galloped into the distance.
The Great Hero shouted from behind,
"Muye! Be careful on your journey!"
I called back to him, "Okay! You take care!"
Hearing my response, he was filled with joy and waved goodbye contentedly.
Then, he watched the horse carrying me disappear into the rising sun.
With a satisfied smile, he leaped away.
The horse carried A'li and me at a full gallop.
I had just heard the Great Hero say it would take another day and night to reach Thousand Grass Peak.
It seemed quite far. This time, I would likely not rest.
Traveling through the night would also get me there faster.
We ran like this for a day and a night.
Suddenly, I saw a sharp and towering mountain appear ahead.
Clouds and mist swirled around the peak of the mountain.
The horse galloped forward with all its might, finally reaching the foot of the mountain.
I looked up; the stone steps led straight to the summit, disappearing from sight.
It was just as Celestial Master Zhang had said.
There was a stone staircase leading directly to the summit. This must be Thousand Grass Peak.
After dismounting, I carefully helped A'li down.
The horse seemed to know its mission was complete.
It neighed at us and then turned around and ran away.
As it left, I shouted,
"Thank you, little horse."
Gazing at the majestic mountain peak, I was about to take A'li up when
Suddenly, I heard someone call out from behind me,
"Young lady, are you from Northern Divine Capital?"
I turned around in surprise, only to find no one behind me, leaving me full of confusion.
Then, I heard someone speak again.
"Young lady, are you here for medical treatment?"
I turned around again, and this time, I finally saw someone.
It was a Daoist priest, holding a horsetail whisk, dressed in white, with a long beard.
"Daoist priest, do you live here too?"
He smiled slightly, flicking his horsetail whisk as he walked over to me.
He sniffed A'li and said,
"The poison of the Ten Thousand Snow Spider and the wine from Northern Divine Capital."
I looked at him in surprise and exclaimed,
"Daoist priest, how do you know?"
He still didn't answer me directly, only saying,
"I have an old friend named Celestial Master Zhang. Have you met him, young lady?"
Speaking of Celestial Master Zhang, he was very familiar. I nodded and said,
"Yes, yes, I have."
"He is my junior brother. I am Daoist Gu Zhen."
"Daoist Gu Zhen, so you are Celestial Master Zhang's senior brother.
That's wonderful! You must be a master.
Can you save A'li then?"
Since this person was Celestial Master Zhang's senior brother,
His cultivation must be higher than Celestial Master Zhang's.
Therefore, he would definitely be able to save A'li.
This time, I was finally quick-witted.
He shook his head helplessly and said,
"The poison of the Ten Thousand Snow Spider is beyond my ability to cure.
You are destined to go up Thousand Grass Peak to see the divine physician Luo."
"Alas."
I sighed, realizing that only the divine physician Luo could save A'li.
He asked me,
"My junior brother and I have not seen each other since we left the sect.
I wonder if he is well?"
"He's doing well, eating and drinking, and drinks a whole pot of wine a day."
"I didn't expect him to be the same as years ago, unchanged."
"He's much better now. When I first met him, he looked like a beggar on the street."
Hearing my words, he burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, I wonder where my junior brother is now?"
"He's in South Sea City. He said there's a major gathering there.
I don't know what it is."
"I have heard about this matter recently.
Since we have met by chance, it is fate.
As it is fate, I shall bestow upon you this White Jade Pill."
Saying this, he extended his hand.
A bright, translucent white pill appeared in his palm.
He continued, "This White Jade Pill can detoxify miasma and also the poison of snakes and rats.
Take it with you; it will be useful in the future."
I took the pill and thanked him gratefully.
"Thank you, Daoist priest."
"Hurry up and go.
I'm going to South Sea City to see my junior brother whom I haven't seen in many years."
"Alright, goodbye, Daoist priest."
With that, I saw the Daoist priest step onto white clouds and ascend into the air, heading into the distance.
I watched, dumbfounded. When would I be able to possess such abilities?
I looked at the pill in my hand and secretly rejoiced.
I never expected to get such a good item for free, thanks to my connection with Celestial Master Zhang.
I quickly put the pill into my embrace and secured it.
Then, carrying A'li on my back, I started walking up the mountain.
After only a few steps, a cold wind suddenly swept by, blowing fallen leaves into my eyes.
Immediately after, I heard someone recite a poem,
"A fierce sword burning with fire desires this body, a cold spear guarding this form."
Then, leaves fell, and suddenly I saw a stream of water shoot straight into the sky.
I also saw a stream of fire shoot upwards.
The fierce fire and cold water intertwined, soaring towards the heavens.
I watched from below, stunned, before I could even react to what was happening.
Then, the stream of cold water and fire suddenly turned around and plunged back to the ground.
Startled, I quickly carried A'li on my back and ran to the side.
At this moment, the stream of water and fire impacted the ground, then bounced up and flew to both sides.
Afterward, the stream of water and fire transformed into human forms.
They landed on the branches of the trees on either side of the road.
I looked up and saw that they were two youths.
One held a snake-shaped sword, and the other held a red-shafted spear.
With light steps, the two of them leaped into the air and began to fight.
The youth with the snake-shaped sword was the first to raise his sword and unleash fire.
The other youth, holding the red-shafted spear, flipped backward two steps.
Then, using his spear, he drew a vortex in the air, from which a stream of water gushed forth.
The cold water and fierce fire intertwined, evenly matched.
The youth with the snake-shaped sword charged forward first, thrusting his sword.
The youth holding the red-shafted spear parried with his spear, deflecting the opponent's sword by half an inch.
Then, he swung his spear upwards. The youth flipped into the air, shaking his sword as he engaged in combat with him.
The two of them drew closer, using their hands and feet to wrestle with each other.
I watched, dumbfounded, wondering what deep hatred these two held.
Suddenly, I remembered that I needed to save A'li quickly, so I ignored them.
Carrying A'li on my back, I continued towards the summit.
Suddenly, one of them landed in front of me, not far away.
The other chased after him.
Carrying A'li on my back, I had to move aside.
After only a few steps, the two of them fought their way over again, blocking my path.
I turned to leave in another direction, but they fought closer and closer.
Finally, they started fighting around me.
Then, one of them threw his spear at me.
In my terror, I quickly ducked my head.
The red-shafted spear flew over my head and was kicked back by the other person's foot.
Afterward, the two of them, brandishing their weapons, shouted and prepared to attack.
Terrified, I quickly ran up the mountain with A'li on my back.
I didn't know what was wrong with these two, but they chased after me.
Then, they charged at each other, trapping me and A'li between them.
Seeing that they were about to engage in a fierce battle, I surrendered in desperation.
"Two elder brothers, please be merciful and let me go.
I'm in a hurry to save someone. I will never forget your great kindness."
Hearing my words, the two of them stopped and looked at me blankly.
After a moment, they said, "Young lady, who are you?"
I frowned and explained,
"My name is Liu Muye, and I'm here to find the divine physician Luo on this mountain."
The youth holding the red-shafted spear looked at me with confusion, his curiosity piqued.
"Young lady, how did you get between us?
Are you here to stop us?"
I was speechless. They were the ones chasing me.
Couldn't they see a person as large as me?
Despite my thoughts, I politely said,
"I stumbled upon you two by chance and was accidentally caught up in it."
"Oh, I see.
Then let's continue, ah!"
Saying that, they were about to raise their swords and attack each other again, completely disregarding my presence.
I quickly called out to them, "Hey! Wait!"
"What is it?" The two of them stopped and looked at me with confusion.
"Wait a moment, you two. I'll go up first, and then you can fight."
"Oh."
They watched me take a few steps up and, feeling it was acceptable, resumed their fight.
I wondered what it was about me that attracted them.
As they fought, they chased after me again, blocking my path.
A'li was now severely injured.
If I didn't treat him quickly, he might not survive.
These two guys, who only knew how to fight and were so troublesome, ignited my anger.
My temper flared, and I shouted,
"Stop! Stop fighting!"
Seeing that I had interrupted them again, they had no choice but to stop and ask again,
"Young lady, what do you want? Why do you keep interrupting us?"
I pointed to the sky, filled with indignation, and said,
"Can you two go and fight up there?
Your fighting is blocking my path, and I'm in a hurry to save someone."
Upon hearing this, they also felt a bit embarrassed and slowly moved to the sides, clearing the path.
I felt that these two were possessed and didn't want to bother with them.
So, I continued walking up the mountain.
Just then, the youth holding the snake-shaped sword called out to me,
"Young lady, please wait. Are you looking for the divine physician Luo?"
I nodded slightly.
The two of them slowly walked up to me, looked at A'li on my back, and began to speak.
"The young master on your back looks quite seriously injured."
The other added, "And he was injured by the Ten Thousand Snow Spider."
I looked at them in astonishment.
I never expected them to be able to state A'li's injury so accurately.
"Have you been to Ten Thousand Snow Mountain?" I asked cautiously.
The youth holding the red-shafted spear shook his head.
"We haven't been there, but we can guess it was the Ten Thousand Snow Spider.
Because you carry a scent of wind and snow, which is unique to Ten Thousand Snow Mountain."
The other youth, holding the snake-shaped sword, spoke of the divine physician Luo.
"Divine physician Luo will not easily treat outsiders."
"Do you know the divine physician Luo too?" I asked curiously.
"No, my brother and I live nearby.
We know a bit about this divine physician Luo."
"You are brothers?"
I was somewhat skeptical, as the two who had been fighting to the death moments ago
Were now brothers.
Seeing my disbelief, the youth holding the red-shafted spear explained,
"We are sworn brothers, not blood brothers.
What you saw just now was merely us sparring here.
It wasn't a real fight."
I found it strange and didn't quite understand these people's thinking.
However, it was like the sparring between heroes in a martial arts novel.
I thought it must be like that.
So, I said, "That's good. I thought you two were killing each other."
"Not at all."
I turned my head slightly and saw A'li's haggard face, which caused me a dull ache in my heart.
Thinking I couldn't delay any longer, I still needed to save A'li first.
Just as I was about to move up, they suddenly stopped me again and kindly advised,
"Young lady, to be honest with you.
This divine physician Luo has a peculiar personality and likes to torment people the most.
If you ask him to save someone, you have to let him torment them until they are half-dead."
More than my own safety, I cared about A'li.
He had a choice, but he didn't choose.
In a moment of crisis, he unhesitatingly saved me.
And I should be the same as when he saved me, without hesitation.
"No matter what he's like, as long as he can save A'li, I will ask him."
Seeing my stubbornness, they couldn't persuade me further.
So, they voluntarily helped me carry A'li.
"Let us carry this young brother."
The youth holding the red-shafted spear took A'li from my back.
And carried him himself.
As I hesitated, the youth holding the sword suddenly scooped me up, a smile on his face.
"These thousand steps are thousands of steps.
It takes an ordinary person a day to reach the summit.
We're moving faster, let us take you up."
Before I could agree, they were already moving quickly upwards with me and A'li.
I saw the mountain scenery flashing by like lightning, forming a colorful painting.
The sound of the wind rushing past my ears was deafening.
It felt as if I were in a dream, filled with wonder.
Before I could recover from this beautiful scenery, we had already reached the summit.
He put me down and gently placed A'li back into my arms.
He said, "Young lady, take care. We're going back."
Only then did I ask, "What are your names?"
The youth holding the red-shafted spear replied,
"My name is Shui Fang, 'Shui' for water, 'Fang' for direction."
The youth holding the snake-shaped sword also replied,
"My name is Ying Lu, 'Ying' for hero, 'Lu' for road.
May I ask what this young brother's name is?"
I replied for A'li,
"His name is A'li, and my name is Liu Muye.
Although I've said it before, I'll say it again."
"Alright, you go ahead. Since you want to save him.
Then ask the divine physician Luo to let you stay."
"Okay, thank you."
"You're welcome."
With that, the two of them leaped down the mountain.
I watched their receding figures and sighed,
"There are still many good people in the world."
After bidding them farewell, I turned back.
I saw a small path behind me, leading into the mountains.
I assumed that at the end of the path lived the divine physician Luo.
Carrying A'li on my back, I carefully walked inside.
Walking along the path, I gradually entered a forest.
The forest was exceptionally dark, with only faint light filtering through.
Walking inside, the surroundings were eerily quiet, with only the occasional shrill cry of birds.
I felt a little scared, but thinking of A'li,
My heart filled with strength, and I bravely walked forward.
Shui Fang, Ying Lu:
"A fierce sword burning with fire desires this body, a cold spear guarding this form."
Shui Fang, whose true form is of the ancient divine beast Bifang clan.
A wandering hero from the seaside.
Ying Lu, whose true form is of the ancient divine beast Ying Zhao clan.
A wandering hero from the north.
The two met in Dongyue Town and became companions out of admiration for each other.
They became sworn brothers under a willow tree and enjoyed sparring.
Shui Fang's red-shafted spear is called the "Desire Water Golden Crystal Spear."
Legend has it that it is the treasure of the Sea Dragon King of the South Sea.
Ying Zhao's snake-shaped sword is named "Blazing Fierce Sword."
Legend has it that the "Blazing Fierce Sword" was the sword of the demon general Twelve Nights ten thousand years ago.