Bai Wuzhuang could smell the scent of medicinal herbs from afar.
There was a large wooden tub placed at the edge of the courtyard, with pale green steam rising from it.
“What… what are you doing?”
Bai Wuzhuang felt a bit scared. Were they planning to cook her?
“This is our Sword Sect of Demon Apprehension’s exclusive herbal soup, great for strengthening the body and dispelling cold and dampness. When I was little, I had chills and cold invading my body—Master used this very herbal soup to soak me until I got better.” Dong Huiting introduced it proudly.
“……”
Bai Wuzhuang stood frozen on the spot, her face full of reluctance.
“What are you standing there for? Hurry and undress! And what’s with that garbage bag you’re wearing? Hurry up and throw it out, it stinks.” Dong Huiting said.
“Here? Out in the open like this? Isn’t that a bit much? I think I’ll pass, I’ll just go back to sleep.” Bai Wuzhuang started trembling as soon as she heard that, turning to run away.
“We’re all women here, what are you afraid of?” But Dong Huiting grabbed her with one hand, and in just a few moves, stripped her bare.
“Did you check the water temperature?” Bai Wuzhuang asked in a terrified whisper.
“I checked. Don’t worry, if you wait any longer, it’ll get cold.” Dong Huiting replied with a light laugh.
Bai Wuzhuang was forced to climb into the wooden tub, immersing herself in the herbal soup.
“Hoo~” Bai Wuzhuang shuddered all over, then let out a long sigh.
Stinging pain spread across her skin, but it was a strangely comfortable pain.
“How does it feel?” Dong Huiting asked.
“It’s pretty good, all my fatigue and soreness are gone.” Bai Wuzhuang soaked in the herbal soup, her face full of happiness.
Dong Huiting saw her expression and was quite satisfied, but her face soon changed, turning sullen. She couldn’t afford to be too nice to this little liar.
“What are you two doing?” Just then, Little Junior Sister Xiaochun returned to the Sect and saw this scene.
“Giving her a bath to drive out the cold—otherwise, she’d stink up the whole place.” Dong Huiting hurriedly explained.
Chun walked over to the tub, looked at the herbs inside, and complained with displeasure, “How could you waste precious herbs on this sickly slave?”
“It’s a whole bundle for a single copper coin. You can even pick it in the back mountain. What’s so precious about it?” Dong Huiting retorted.
“Senior Sister, you’re too soft-hearted.” Chun looked skeptical.
“Xiao Mei, I already asked Respected Master, and he approved. Besides, I’m doing this for everyone’s sake—her body’s too weak. If there’s ever a Demon Exorcism Mission, she won’t be able to help at all.” Dong Huiting said.
“I don’t see why you have to treat her so well.” Chun tossed out that line, glared at Bai Wuzhuang, and went back to her room.
Bai Wuzhuang shrank into the herbal soup, leaving only half her head peeking out, not daring to say a word.
“Don’t get the wrong idea, I’m not helping you, nor have I forgiven you. The only reason you’re still alive is because your Yin-Yang Eye is useful to our Sect. You heard them—we sometimes have to go out for Demon Suppression, and it’s dangerous. That’s when we’ll need your Yin-Yang Eye. But with no cultivation, facing a Demon, you’re basically doomed.”
Dong Huiting turned her head, and though she’d just defended Bai Wuzhuang, she immediately put on a cold, merciless face.
“Face Demons? Me? Surely not?” Bai Wuzhuang jumped in fright, putting on a cowardly act.
“You don’t have a choice.” Dong Huiting threw out that harsh line and left the courtyard.
But she soon came back, carrying a set of clean cloth clothes and placing them by the side.
“When the water gets cold, get out. Don’t just soak in there forever.” She barked, then hurried away.
“Thank you.” Bai Wuzhuang looked at the Senior Sister’s departing figure and called out her thanks.
“Hurry up and wash, we’re about to make dinner.” Chun came out with a towel and set it beside her.
“Junior Master, I have a question.” Bai Wuzhuang asked.
“What?” Chun replied impatiently.
“I’ve heard Respected Master and Senior Sister sometimes call you Chun, sometimes Xiao Mei. Why is that?” Bai Wuzhuang asked, puzzled.
“Because my full name is Chunmei.” Chun answered coldly.
At last, Bai Wuzhuang understood the nature of this little Sect. Turns out, everyone here is sharp-tongued but soft-hearted—no wonder they’ll never become a great Sect.
And just like that…
Several days passed…
Bai Wuzhuang settled down at the Sword Sect of Demon Apprehension, and life was peaceful.
Everyone at the Jimo Sect treated her with indifference. Chun often scolded her, but that was about it.
Plus, Chun often talked back to Respected Master and quarreled with Senior Sister, picking fights with everyone, not just her.
Bai Wuzhuang ate her fill every day, slept well, was protected by body cultivators, and lived quite comfortably.
She also soaked in herbal soup every day, strengthening her body, slowly nursing her weakness back to health, and her complexion became much rosier.
“Can you walk any faster?”
Every day, Dong Huiting took Bai Wuzhuang hiking in the surrounding mountains for physical training.
At the same time, they collected wild herbs, which Dong Huiting used for her own baths—self-sufficiency at its finest.
“Wait… wait for me…”
Bai Wuzhuang clung to a tree behind them, panting for breath, utterly exhausted.
So, Dong Huiting did most of the digging for wild herbs and medicinal plants, carrying a Bamboo Basket on her back for the haul.
If they couldn’t make it home in time, they’d even camp out on the mountain, building a bonfire.
Dong Huiting would casually take down a pine grouse, and that would be breakfast.
“I can’t go on…” Bai Wuzhuang collapsed beside a tree, waiting for roast chicken.
“You can’t even make it halfway up a mountain. With that little stamina, how are you going to join us on Demon Suppression missions in the future?” Dong Huiting scolded as she expertly roasted the chicken.
“Senior Sister, I’m sorry. I used the Yin-Yang Eye to trick you before, and yet you’re still taking care of me.” Bai Wuzhuang said.
“Hmph, don’t think words like that will soften my heart. I know what you’re thinking—you’re just afraid of dying and don’t want to go on Demon Suppression missions.” Dong Huiting snorted coldly.
“How could that be? If you really ran into danger, of course I’d risk my life to help you. After all, if you died, there’s no way I’d survive either.” Bai Wuzhuang analyzed.
“Heh, but if you’re the one in danger, don’t expect me to save you.” Dong Huiting sneered, sprinkling some seasoning on the roasting chicken.
But at that very moment…
“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!”
The trunk of a large pine tree nearby suddenly burst open, revealing a swirling void rift inside.
“Huh? What’s that?”
Bai Wuzhuang, holding half a crispy roast chicken, pretended to be startled.
In reality, she knew what it was, but was still a little surprised inside.
“That’s the Entrance to the Secret Realm! We’ve struck it rich!”
Dong Huiting grabbed a chicken leg, shot to her feet, and stared at the crack in the tree trunk, her face full of excitement.
“Secret Realm? What’s that?” Bai Wuzhuang kept up her act, playing dumb.
“It’s a treasure left behind by ancient cultivators, filled with precious cultivation pills and divine weapons, but also unknown dangers and traps. Go back to the Sect and report to Master.” Dong Huiting explained.
“What about you?” Bai Wuzhuang asked in alarm.
“These Entrance to the Secret Realm appear at random and are unstable—they might vanish any second. As a Qi Practitioner, I can’t let this chance slip by. I have to go in.” With that, Dong Huiting strode toward the Entrance to the Secret Realm.
“I’ll go with you.” Bai Wuzhuang didn’t run away. Her expression was resolute.
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