The fire raged for two full hours before gradually dying down. An area several hundred meters in radius was burned to cinders. A light wind stirred, sending ash swirling, obscuring the moonlight and starlight.
BOOM!
A section of the ground split open, and Uncle Yuan leaped out, scanning his surroundings.
The fire had just died out, but the heat waves were still scorching enough to roast a person. Uncle Yuan, however, stood amidst them, completely unaffected.
Suddenly, with a flick of his wide sleeve, a fierce wind erupted, swiftly sweeping the rolling heat waves across the void into the distance.
Once the area cooled, he looked up at the starry sky, his old eyes reflecting a mixture of sorrow, relief, and reluctance.
He spent the entire night without sleep, guarding Qin Feiyang.
「At dawn.」
The sun slowly rose.
Qin Feiyang finally awoke from his deep sleep.
That night, he had no nightmares and felt an unprecedented sense of peace.
After a night's rest, his injuries had mostly healed; only the scabs remained to fall off. His two broken arms had also mended. As long as he avoided excessive force, there wouldn't be any significant issues.
Qin Feiyang got up and stretched his limbs, exclaiming, "The effect of these medicinal pills is truly extraordinary."
Without the Bone-renewing Pill and the healing pill, I would have been bedridden for at least a month.
WHOOSH!
Uncle Yuan jumped into the secret room and sized up Qin Feiyang from head to toe, laughing, "Your recovery isn't bad at all!"
Qin Feiyang scratched his head, asking somewhat impatiently, "Uncle Yuan, can you give me the Marrow-cleansing pill now?"
"Look at how anxious you are."
Uncle Yuan shook his head with a chuckle, then took a jade box from his robes and handed the white pill to Qin Feiyang.
Qin Feiyang received the pill, his hands trembling. This is the Marrow-cleansing pill...
It had been five years! For the Marrow-cleansing pill, I struggled in Iron Bull Town for five long years. Failure after failure, despair after despair, humiliation after humiliation... Anyone else would have broken down long ago. But I never thought of giving up. I always believed that opportunities are reserved for those who strive. Heaven rewards the diligent; I have finally reached this moment!
Uncle Yuan sighed deeply, then smiled. "Feiyang, you don't blame me, do you?"
Qin Feiyang replied, "Although I don't know why you did this, Uncle Yuan, whatever the reason, I won't blame you."
Uncle Yuan felt a pang of guilt but smiled and said, "Go on, take it!"
Qin Feiyang nodded, sat down on the spot, glanced at the pill in his hand, took a deep breath, and placed it in his mouth.
The pill melted as soon as it touched his tongue, transforming into a majestic torrent of energy that surged through his limbs and body, cleansing every inch of his flesh, every cell, including his internal organs and his entire skeleton.
Gradually, dark red liquid began to seep from the pores all over his body. This was the toxin left in his body from the Elixir of Misfortune.
As the toxins were expelled, Qin Feiyang could distinctly feel his body undergoing changes.
Time passed steadily.
「Less than an Hour later.」
His entire body was covered in the dark-red fluid, which exuded a pungent stench.
PUFF!
Suddenly, his body jolted, and he spewed out a mouthful of blood. The expelled blood was also dark red.
Just then, he opened his eyes. They shone brilliantly, exceptionally vibrant!
Finally… I finally… Qin Feiyang clenched his fists, so excited by the rapidly restoring power within his body that he was speechless.
"Heaven has not abandoned me! I'm finally reborn…"
He suddenly stood up, his gaze piercing through the entrance of the secret room towards the sky. He roared again and again, the sound spreading in all directions. Tears streamed down his face.
For the past five years, every day felt like a year. That nightmare was like a curse, constantly haunting me, an inescapable shadow. Ever since I was expelled from the Imperial Capital, I never once had a peaceful night's sleep. Every night, nightmares would jolt me awake. But no more! I won't have nightmares anymore! My destiny has changed. I now have the right to fight back! Although I am still very weak—in their eyes, less than an insignificant ant—I believe that one day, I will proudly step into the Imperial Capital of the Great Qin Empire and reclaim everything that belongs to me!
Uncle Yuan wore a genuine smile and didn't disturb him. He had seen all the grievances Qin Feiyang had suffered over the last five years. Now that he had finally undergone such a transformation, it was right to give him some time to vent.
「Meanwhile, a few hundred meters away, there was a grove of trees.」
A girl, about fourteen or fifteen years old, was running, panting hard.
Although she was still young, her skin was as white as snow, and her features exquisite. Her glossy black hair was tied with a white silk ribbon. She wore a tight-fitting black martial arts uniform that perfectly accentuated her budding figure. At the same time, she exuded a gallant and crisp air, looking extremely capable.
But at this very moment, her smooth forehead was furrowed tightly, and her clear, bright eyes were filled with worry.
"Brother Feiyang, I stole many medicinal pills from home. You must wait for me…" she kept muttering under her breath.
In her hand, she held an exquisite cloth pouch. This was a Qiankun Bag. As its name suggested, 'Qian Kun' implying a self-contained world, it was specifically used for storage.
Suddenly, she halted, looking up at the sky where a long howl faintly echoed.
It's Brother Feiyang's voice. That's strange. Everyone in town said he was seriously injured and Uncle Yuan carried him back unconscious. How could he have woken up so fast? What is he shouting about?
With a mind full of questions, the girl in the martial arts uniform continued sprinting towards the lake.
After emerging from the forest, she looked towards the lakeshore, and her face instantly turned pale. "What happened here? Brother Feiyang, Uncle Yuan, where are you? It's Yiyi! Come out, quickly!" she shouted anxiously as she ran.
Inside the secret chamber, Uncle Yuan heard the shouts. A smile crept onto his old face. Carrying Qin Feiyang, he leaped out, landed on the ground, and said, "Feiyang, go wash up quickly. Don't let Yiyi see you in this state. Take the dagger and wash it too."
Qin Feiyang took the dagger. He looked up at the girl dashing towards them and chuckled, "That girl is certainly fast."
With that, he glanced at the black ashes on the ground, a cold gleam in his eyes, then ran towards the lake and dived into the cool water. He instantly felt invigorated. Refreshing! That's the only word for it.
At the same time, Uncle Yuan stomped heavily on the ground. The earth collapsed, and in an instant, the secret chamber was buried.
Then, smiling, he went to meet the young girl.
The girl's name was Lin Yiyi. She was the treasured daughter of the Lin Family Head in Iron Bull Town and the first friend Qin Feiyang had made after arriving there. They shared a very close bond.
Lin Yiyi ran up to Uncle Yuan. Before she could catch her breath, she asked, "Uncle Yuan, what happened here?"
Uncle Yuan smiled bitterly. "Last night, I was careless and knocked over a candle, burning the whole place down."
Lin Yiyi's expression changed drastically. "Are you and Brother Feiyang hurt?" she asked hurriedly. "I brought many medicinal pills. Quick, see if any of these are useful."
Saying this, she handed the Qiankun Bag to Uncle Yuan.
"No need, no need. Feiyang and I are both fine." Uncle Yuan smiled and waved his hand. Then, he frowned and asked, "Yiyi, tell me honestly, did you get your father's permission to take these medicinal pills?"
Lin Yiyi shook her head. "My father has always been prejudiced against you. If I'd asked him, he definitely wouldn't have given them to me. I sneaked out while he wasn't looking."
"Yiyi, you were too reckless! Stealing pills from the family!"
Just as her voice fell, a furious shout echoed.
Oh no, how did Father follow me here? Lin Yiyi's body stiffened, her face paling.
Uncle Yuan looked towards the sound and saw a middle-aged man in white robes striding towards them, his face filled with anger.
This doesn't bode well! Uncle Yuan sighed inwardly, then turned to Lin Yiyi with a reassuring smile. "Don't be nervous, I'll explain things."
Lin Yiyi nodded, still worried and afraid, not even daring to look at her father.
Uncle Yuan stepped forward with a smile. "Family Head Lin, it's been a while."
Family Head Lin stopped, frowning. "Are we that familiar?"
Uncle Yuan's expression stiffened slightly, but he maintained his smile. "Family Head Lin, anger is detrimental to one's health. Please calm down."
Family Head Lin said, "I don't want to waste words with you. Let me ask you, did Yiyi steal the family's medicinal pills for Qin Feiyang?"
Uncle Yuan nodded.
"I knew it! Day and night, one guards, but it's hard to prevent a thief within the family! Just wait until we get back, see how I deal with you then!" Family Head Lin glared fiercely at Yiyi, then turned to Uncle Yuan. "Yiyi is still young and naive. But you, at your age, are you also ignorant? Do you have any idea how precious medicinal pills are? Using them on Qin Feiyang is simply a waste!"
Uncle Yuan frowned. "Family Head Lin, I have always respected you. I ask that you show others some respect as well."
Family Head Lin sneered, "Respect depends on the person. Scoundrels like you and Qin Feiyang are like rats in the street, despised by everyone! My standing here talking to you is already giving you more than enough face!"
Uncle Yuan's hands clenched tightly, his knuckles cracking.
Lin Yiyi mustered her courage, looked up at her father, and said, "Father, Uncle Yuan and Brother Feiyang are honorable gentlemen, not scoundrels."
"You shut up!" Family Head Lin roared in fury. "Refuting me in front of him? Are you trying to rebel?"
"Daughter wouldn't dare." Lin Yiyi lowered her head again, tears of grievance streaming down her face.
HMPH!
Family Head Lin snorted, looking coldly at Uncle Yuan. "Qin Yuan, let me tell you, from this day forward, neither you nor Qin Feiyang are to get anything from Yiyi ever again! Lin Yiyi, what are you still standing there for? Go!"
"Yes." Lin Yiyi responded, head bowed, and walked towards her father.
"Family Head Lin, please wait!" Just then, Qin Feiyang emerged from behind a willow tree.
The dirt on his body had been washed away. Only his clothes, burned by the fire, remained the same tattered rags.
At this moment, his expression was somewhat grim.
Originally, he had slipped ashore intending to surprise Lin Yiyi, but he hadn't expected to overhear such a conversation. Uncle Yuan was his only remaining family. He could endure humiliation himself, but he would never allow anyone to humiliate Uncle Yuan!
Uncle Yuan grabbed Qin Feiyang's arm. "Feiyang, let it go."
"We've done nothing wrong. Why should we let it go?" Qin Feiyang gently pushed Uncle Yuan aside. He walked up to Family Head Lin, meeting his gaze directly. "Family Head Lin, today you must make it clear: what exactly have Uncle Yuan and I taken from Yiyi over these years?"