Chapter Thirty: Healing with Inner Power

Qi Guoyuan fixed his gaze and saw that Yun Hao was holding a black, spherical pill in his hand. The slanting sunlight streaming in through the window glinted on the pill's surface, revealing a subtle, crystalline sheen. It even carried an air of sanctity. As the third master of Mount Shaohua, Qi Guoyuan was well-versed in rare treasures—this was clearly a miraculous elixir, the sort that money could never buy.

“This pill is an ancient immortal remedy. It requires twelve taels of white peony stamens picked in spring, twelve taels of white lotus stamens picked in summer, twelve taels of white hibiscus stamens picked in autumn, and twelve taels of white plum stamens picked in winter. These four types of stamens are dried on the day of the next year's spring equinox, then ground together with medicinal powder. You also need twelve coins’ worth of rainwater collected on the day of Rain Water…”

“You’re bluffing. Where would you find such conveniently timed rain?” Qi Guoyuan was stunned, though not a fool.

“That’s precisely the point. If there is no rain on that day, you simply have to wait. Then, twelve coins’ worth of dew on the day of White Dew, twelve coins’ worth of frost on Frost’s Descent, twelve coins’ worth of snow on the day of Light Snow. Mix these four kinds of water, combine them with the medicine, add twelve coins’ worth of honey and twelve coins’ worth of white sugar, roll them into pills the size of a longan, place them in an old porcelain jar, and bury it at the root of a flower to absorb the earth’s energy. After three years, you’ll have one pill.” Yun Hao curled his lip, glancing contemptuously at the dumbfounded Qi Guoyuan. This time, Qi Guoyuan was truly stupefied. This wasn’t an elixir—it was pure torment. Gathering the ingredients alone could drive a person mad.

“You’re lucky to have a good elder brother. Though I’m young, I value friendship. For your brother’s sake, I’ll let you have this ancestral Great Restorative Pill.” Yun Hao signaled with his eyes, and Hou Junji immediately stepped forward to untie Qi Guoyuan. If one observed closely, Hou Junji’s hands were trembling slightly as he worked.

“Are you really giving it to me?” Qi Guoyuan was full of doubt, staring blankly at Yun Hao. He wanted to reach out for the pill, but dared not; his hand jerked out and recoiled, a comical sight. The Great Restorative Pill—just hearing the name, one knew it was a luxury. Moments ago, Qi Guoyuan had been stubborn as a mule, but now he felt an urge to transform into a pampered lapdog.

“Go ahead and take it. Since my mother and I are short on funds, let’s say this pill is being sold to you. One hundred taels of silver is already a bargain.” Yun Hao shook his head and sighed.

“We brothers won’t take advantage of you. If you say one hundred taels is a loss, I’ll add another hundred!” Upon hearing the medicine was precious, Qi Guoyuan doubled the price without hesitation.

“Good! You’re trustworthy, so I can’t accept your silver for nothing. Later, I’ll give you some advice—not enough to make you invincible, but at least to let you play the hero for a while!” Yun Hao smiled and handed the pill to Qi Guoyuan.

Qi Guoyuan was so excited he nearly shook with fever. Without a word, he tilted his head back and swallowed the black pill. His heart raced, his hands trembled… but he felt nothing at all.

Seeing Qi Guoyuan take the pill, Yun Hao instructed him to remove his shirt and sit cross-legged on the couch, saying he would help him channel energy and heal his wounds.

Qi Guoyuan, mystified, let Yun Hao proceed. Yun Hao traced his finger along Qi Guoyuan’s spine, lightly gliding from top to bottom, never quite touching.

“Does it tickle?” Yun Hao asked softly.

“A bit,” Qi Guoyuan replied, finding the places Yun Hao’s fingers passed almost unbearably itchy.

Yun Hao smiled slightly, then rapidly rubbed his palms together a dozen times. He exhaled and shouted, “Om mani mani hong!” With that, he pressed his palms against Qi Guoyuan’s waist.

“Is it hot?” Yun Hao asked, panting.

“Hot!” Qi Guoyuan found it miraculous—Yun Hao’s small hands were warm, almost feverish, and the sensation was wonderfully soothing. He was now utterly convinced of Yun Hao’s skills. Even Xie Yingdeng, who had been eavesdropping by the window, stood up in confusion. Seeing Qi Guoyuan’s comfortable expression, Xie’s gaze toward Yun Hao became complicated.

After repeating the process three times, Qi Guoyuan felt a pleasant warmth in his lower back. His whole body relaxed, as though he had shed a heavy burden.

Yun Hao let out a heavy breath, joining his palms and muttering under his breath.

Hou Junji’s jaw nearly dropped—he never imagined Yun Hao possessed such abilities. If this talent didn’t lead him to a monastic life, it would be a pity. He looked exactly like a charlatan!

“Yun… young hero! That felt wonderful. Could you do it again?” Qi Guoyuan, still enjoying the sensation, saw Yun Hao stop and quickly tried to coax him.

“Get lost!” Yun Hao responded coldly, closing his eyes and appearing exhausted. He thought, To keep up this charlatan act, I even used massage techniques I learned in my previous life at a bathhouse. And yet you’re still not satisfied? Do you think I’m a masseuse, working for eighty coins an hour?

With Yun Hao ignoring him, Qi Guoyuan had no choice but to put on his clothes and leave. Xie Yingdeng immediately darted out to ask about Yun Hao’s methods.

“Brother, it was incredible. I almost wish to be poisoned again!” Qi Guoyuan answered boisterously, then walked over to the table where Shan Xiongxin and the others sat, leaving Xie Yingdeng alone at the doorway, bewildered.

Yun Hao knew that after this incident, he and his mother could no longer stay at the Two Sages Manor. Even if Shan Xiongxin didn’t come after him, he had to guard against Xie Yingdeng’s schemes—these men were notorious for their ruthless ways. If they sought revenge, Yun Hao’s frail body would surely be sent to face King Qin Guang’s sour face in the underworld.

By showing kindness to Xie Yingdeng and Qi Guoyuan now, he hoped to avoid retaliation on the road to Jinyang. Otherwise, he and his mother—both weak—would be natural targets for robbery. They might not even reach Jinyang before being forced to choose between wontons and knife-cut noodles.

Once everyone had gone, Hou Junji approached Yun Hao and asked, “You know magic?” His gaze was filled with awe.

“Yes! Just a little trick,” Yun Hao boasted.

“Don’t fool me. If you run your fingertips over someone’s body, of course it’ll tickle. Rub your hands quickly and they’ll get hot. I tried it myself just now. I haven’t read much, but you can’t trick me.” Hou Junji looked at Yun Hao with disdain. A brother who couldn’t speak honestly evidently didn’t belong in the ranks of good men.

“If you know, why ask? Be careful someone overhears,” Yun Hao grumbled, wishing he could leap up and cover Hou Junji’s mouth.

“I checked—no one’s around. I just want to know: when did the mud pellets rubbed off my body become the Great Restorative Pill? Can it really heal?” Hou Junji was full of curiosity.

“Silence!” Yun Hao jumped up and covered Hou Junji’s mouth.

Dragon King Readers Group: 282022096. If you like Dragon King, feel free to join the group and discuss "Lazy Tang"!