Proud Sword Soaring Clouds

"What herbs do you need!" In his excitement, Qiu Jianhua grabbed Ling Xiao’s hand, completely forgetting his own status as the Dean of the Imperial Academy and a Marquis. "As long as it exists in this world, I can get it for you!"

"Ahem!" Qiu Chen coughed impatiently. "So you still remember I’m here? You have important duties to attend to. Go on, get back to them."

Even with an outsider present, Qiu Chen didn’t spare his high-ranking son any face, speaking to him bluntly.

The otherwise imperious Qiu Jianhua now wore a cautious, placating smile. "Father, I... I heard Yutong was here, so I thought I’d come see you, too."

"Hmph!" Qiu Chen snorted and ignored him. The truth was, the old man knew his son was truly busy as the Dean of the Imperial Academy. But since falling ill, Qiu Chen’s entire outlook had changed. A once-mighty figure who could command the world had been reduced to an ordinary old man, shrouded in the aura of twilight. Naturally, he hoped his children would visit more often, so a little resentment was normal. Thankfully, the old man was reasonable and only complained occasionally.

Ling Xiao said, looking troubled, "That particular herb only grows on the great grasslands. And... I’m the only one who can recognize it..."

"Huh?" The others were stunned for a moment, but they quickly came to a realization. It made sense, after all. So many Pharmacists had been completely unable to diagnose Qiu Chen’s condition, yet Ling Xiao had described it with perfect accuracy and detail. It was only logical that he alone would know which herbs were required.

Besides, this was Ling Xiao’s personal secret. It was only natural that he wouldn’t want to disclose it—much like a doctor’s prescription, which very few people can actually read in its entirety.

Shangguan Yutong chose the perfect moment to stoke the flames. With a smile, she said, "A few years ago, while I was out training, a companion of mine—a Tier One Demon Swordsman—suffered an injury that blocked his meridians. Just recently, my student here was the one who cured him. However, I hope Uncle Qiu can help keep this a secret!"

The look in Qiu Jianhua’s eyes as he gazed at Ling Xiao was that of an Adventurer who had just discovered a Top-Grade Treasure. He then turned to Shangguan Yutong and said in a low, serious voice, "Teacher Yutong, please make an announcement. In three days, the entire academy will conduct a field training expedition. Participation is voluntary. The destination... the Mesopotamia Grassland!" If he weren’t afraid of being too rash, Qiu Jianhua would have sent them out tomorrow.

’With so many people going on the expedition, Ling Xiao... should be able to blend in completely, right? That way, even when Father recovers, no one will trace it back to him.’ In truth, he didn’t need Shangguan Yutong’s reminder; how could Qiu Jianhua not have considered this?

’Besides, this talent of Ling Xiao’s... I bet even my good friend Ling Tianxiao has no idea. After that last incident, Ling Tianxiao apologized profusely for causing me trouble. Back then, I didn’t really care what happened to Ling Xiao; I was just doing my old friend a favor.’

’Who would have thought that my decision to go against all opposition and insist, along with Shangguan Yutong, on letting Ling Xiao stay would end up... saving my father’s life!’

At this thought, Qiu Jianhua couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. ’Could this be divine will? To deliver such a talent right to my doorstep?’ His eyes scanned Ling Xiao from head to toe, with an intensity that made Ling Xiao rather uncomfortable.

Ling Xiao cleared his throat and said, "Grandmaster Chen, your next flare-up should be in two or three days. How about this? I’ll use acupuncture to clear your meridians for now. That should hold you for about a month. If all goes well, we should be back by then." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

At Ling Xiao’s words, even Qiu Chen came to believe that this young man could truly treat him. For a moment, his heart, which had been all but dead, began to pound with life again. As an old General who had spent his life on horseback, he would rather die on the battlefield and be buried in a warrior’s shroud than become a cripple and waste away in lonely helplessness.

In truth, if he hadn’t been concerned for his children, Qiu Chen would have taken his own life long ago. The dignity of the strong is inviolable! This was also why he had remained secluded in this dilapidated old building for a decade, never venturing out to see his former subordinates.

If not for the fact that Grand Marshal Qiu Chen’s prestige in the Empire was still as radiant as the midday sun, and that his death would undoubtedly warrant a state funeral, people would have long begun to suspect he was already gone. For many years running, Marshal Qiu had been absent from the Empire’s New Year’s banquet. Whenever asked, Dean Qiu Jianhua would simply state that the old man preferred tranquility and was resting, not wishing to be disturbed. Only a handful of people knew the truth.

"Then... then hurry and treat my father!" Overcome with emotion, Qiu Jianhua nearly stuttered. Shangguan Yutong, finding the scene amusing, reached out and gently pulled him away. "Uncle Qiu, why don’t we wait downstairs? You can try the dessert I made."

"Ah, haha, it’s a rare treat to get to try Yutong’s desserts!" Qiu Jianhua said, snapping out of his daze. He turned back, gave Ling Xiao a solemn bow, and said, "My good nephew, I’m entrusting my father’s illness to you!"

Ling Xiao quickly stood up. "Dean, you do me too much honor. Marshal Qiu has served the country and its people. It is only right that I do everything in my power to help him!"

Ling Xiao had Qiu Chen lie down on the bed. When he rolled up the man’s pant legs and saw the pair of nearly withered limbs beneath, Ling Xiao couldn’t help but be moved. ’No wonder Shangguan Yutong pulled Qiu Jianhua away,’ he thought. ’Anyone would break down in tears seeing their father in such a pitiful state.’

At the same time, his respect for Qiu Chen deepened. ’In my eyes,’ Ling Xiao thought, ’a Demon Sword Master is only at the Heartbeat Stage of the Cultivation Realm. They can barely manage short-distance Sword Flight; their power isn’t all that impressive. Yet he can endure such pain and torment while maintaining such a peaceful state of mind.’ Ling Xiao was certain that once this illness was cured, the old man’s strength might even rise to a new level.

It was even possible that, within his lifetime, he could comprehend the Sword Dao and enter the Sword Sect.

Ling Xiao took the box of Golden Needles from his ring. In his eyes, Qiu Chen’s condition wasn’t particularly severe. Of course, that was only from his perspective. To someone from the Cultivation Realm, an ailment wasn’t considered truly serious unless the soul itself was scattered. After all, even death could be followed by reincarnation.

’His desire to go to the grasslands was mostly for my own selfish reasons. Otherwise, I’m confident I could find most of the herbs needed to treat Qiu Chen right here in the Imperial Capital. And even if some were missing, it wouldn’t be difficult to obtain them with the Qiu Family’s influence.’

’But finding the Stone Bamboo Grass I need is a different matter entirely. The Huangpu Family already knows about it, and word has been sent out through the Adventurer’s Guild. If I were to openly ask Qiu Jianhua for help, it would inevitably draw the attention of the wrong people.’

’Until I have the absolute power to protect myself, I need to be careful!’