Chapter 55 Night Duty at the Smoked House

“So this is the power of the Mountain Shattering Palm? Not bad, I’ve already mastered the basics,” Xiao Yan exclaimed in astonishment.

“Alright, after such a long period of training, I should go outside and take a look around.”

Just as he opened the door, a young girl’s voice rang out, “Brother Xiao Yan!” It was his sister, Xun’er.

“Oh? So it’s little Xun’er. How come you have time to visit your brother?” Xiao Yan said, gently ruffling her hair.

Xun’er dodged slightly and let out a coquettish hum, “Brother Xiao Yan, you’re touching my head again!” Her eyes brimmed with gentle complaints.

“Ah! Alright, I won’t touch it anymore. Can you tell your brother now?” Xiao Yan conceded, admitting defeat.

“Hmph, that’s better. Brother Xiao Yan, the clan is holding a Dou Qi test the day after tomorrow. I came to inform you, but you’ve been inside so long, training all the time—I thought you’d forgotten about me,” Xun’er protested, her tone clearly tinged with grievance.

“Hehe, my dear Xun’er, how could Brother Xiao Yan ever forget you? I was just busy cultivating Dou Techniques,” Xiao Yan replied, scratching his head.

“As compensation, how about Brother Xiao Yan takes you out shopping?” Xiao Yan swiftly changed the subject.

Our naive Xun’er hadn’t caught on and immediately agreed, “Okay!”

“Phew, finally distracted her. Women are such trouble,” Xiao Yan thought to himself.

On the Xiao Clan’s street—

The two walked together; the streets were lively, with vendors selling all sorts of goods.

“Hey, Xun’er, do you like candied hawthorn? Brother will buy some for you,” Xiao Yan said, holding Xun’er’s small hand as he looked at the cart ahead.

Being suddenly pulled by him, Xun’er’s heart skipped a beat and her cheeks flushed. “So this is what it feels like to be held by someone of the opposite sex?” It was the first time, aside from adults, that she’d been held like this, and every girl would react this way.

“Brother Xiao Yan, what is candied hawthorn?” Xun’er asked.

She was born into an ancient clan and found great novelty in these foods from the outside world. She had never eaten, heard, or seen them before.

“Candied hawthorn is delicious! Every child loves it, and Brother wouldn’t lie to you. Come, I’ll buy some for you,” Xiao Yan coaxed her in a gentle, childlike tone.

“Okay, Brother Xiao Yan,” Xun’er replied obediently, nodding her head. She was full of anticipation.

~

“Candied hawthorn for sale! Delicious and sweet!” a middle-aged man pushing a cart called out.

“Uncle, I’d like a skewer,” a child said.

“Alright! One gold coin per skewer,” the man replied.

“Here,” the boy handed over a gold coin.

“Good,” the man handed him a skewer.

The boy immediately took a bite, “Mm, so sweet, so tasty.” He walked away munching.

At that moment, Xiao Yan was queuing behind, watching as each child got their treat and left.

“Brother Xiao Yan, this candied hawthorn must be really delicious. So many children are buying it,” Xun’er observed as she watched the line.

“Of course! When I was young, it was my favorite. Our turn will come soon,” Xiao Yan replied with a smile.

In his previous life, Xiao Yan had loved candied hawthorn as a child, and even now, in this new world, his fondness remained. Hearing that it was sold here filled him with excitement—his favorite treat was right before him.

Soon, it was their turn.

“Boss, two skewers of candied hawthorn,” Xiao Yan ordered.

“Alright, two gold coins for two skewers,” the man replied cheerfully.

“Here,” Xiao Yan handed him two gold coins and took the two skewers.

“Brother Xiao Yan, hurry and let me try some,” Xun’er jumped up excitedly.

“Here you go,” Xiao Yan handed her a skewer.

Xun’er’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at the candied fruit. So this was candied hawthorn! It looked delicious. Without hesitation, she licked the surface.

“Well? Isn’t it tasty? Brother Xiao Yan didn’t lie to you,” Xiao Yan said, smiling as he watched her delight.

“Mm, it’s so good!” Xun’er replied, her face full of happiness, her small lips wrapped around the treat.

Afterward, Xiao Yan took our little princess around many places in the market. Today, she was truly joyful.

...

That night, when the sky was quiet, someone entered Xun’er’s room in the Xiao Clan—it was Xiao Yan.

Over the past few days, Xiao Yan had noticed that Xun’er’s body was frail, and a cold energy lingered within her, which was detrimental to her health.

In his previous life, having lived for more than thirty years, he’d learned a thing or two from an elderly Chinese doctor. He was familiar with acupoint massage and pulse diagnosis.

Thus, Xiao Yan conceived a noble idea—to show off his skills and help Xun’er while she slept.

He arrived at her door; the lights inside were already out. He looked around, “Seems Xun’er is asleep,” he thought.

He quietly opened the door and entered.

At that moment, Ling Ying, who was in charge of Xun’er’s safety, sensed an intruder and moved stealthily to observe. Seeing it was Xiao Yan, he relaxed. “This kid, sneaking into Miss’s room in the middle of the night—what’s he up to? Surely things haven’t progressed that fast? But Miss can’t lose her innocence before reaching Dou Saint.”

“Just watch quietly. My disciple isn’t quite as you imagine,” a gentle voice echoed in Ling Ying’s ears.

Ling Ying’s face flushed red. “I was overthinking.”

Meanwhile, Qian Mo, who was inside the ring, mused, “Ah, it’s been three years since I came to this world. From five to eight years old—I must make good use of my time. I wonder what will happen next.” Qian Mo lay on a bed within the ring.

Xiao Yan approached Xun’er’s bedside, gazing at her sleeping form. “I never imagined my little Xun’er would be so beautiful. Even asleep, she’s stunning. When she grows up… Forget it, I should check her pulse. After days of observation, I noticed a cold energy inside her, which is very harmful. Her body is weak, probably because of this cold. Luckily, I learned a bit from that old man. I’ll start with some acupoint massage.”

Lying on the bed, Xun’er’s cheeks were flushed. Hearing Xiao Yan’s words, she felt deeply moved but kept her eyes closed.

Soon, Xiao Yan began working on her acupoints, massaging her head, chest, and legs, almost every part, slowly dispelling the cold energy.

“Phew, finally done. Didn’t expect this to be so exhausting. Now I truly understand how hard that old man worked,” Xiao Yan wiped the sweat from his forehead.

“Just massage isn’t enough. Tomorrow I’ll get some herbs from the pharmacy and make her some medicinal soup. That’ll help her recover faster. Alright, I’ll leave now—so tired!” Xiao Yan muttered quietly.

After he left, Xun’er opened her eyes, tears glistening in them. No words were needed; Xiao Yan’s actions had moved her deeply. “Thank you, Brother Xiao Yan.” She would forever remember him in her heart.

Her complexion was a little rosier, her health visibly improved. Yet, after being massaged all over, and being a young girl, she was incredibly shy.

Xun’er quickly buried her head in her pillow.

“Ah, didn’t expect that kid to have such skills. After what he did, I can really sense that Miss’s cold energy has decreased, and her aura and complexion have improved. Well done!” Ling Ying remarked happily, his face full of admiration, oblivious to other implications.

As for what those other implications are… you know.

(End of this chapter)