NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 68: The Arrival from Gengxin
'Cold Wind City', situated near the northern land's 'Frozen Forest', remains chilled by snow-laden winds from the north, even in May.
In stark contrast to the monochrome bleakness of the land, the camp of 'Cold Wind' presents a vibrant and lively display of blue and green, compelling passersby to pause and take a longer look.
"First Soul Skill: Verdant Vitality!"
From Ling Yi's right palm emanates energy brimming with vitality, enveloping a young man slumped in a chair before him.
Under Ling Yi's meticulous control of his soul power, nearly all the life-infused energy is concentrated on the youth's left calf.
There, on either side of the calf, two rows of menacing, blood-dripping wounds ooze black-red blood.
Bathed in the vigorous energy, the blood flowing from these wounds gradually shifts from a dark hue to bright red, eventually ceasing entirely. The wounds seem to shrink slightly.
Seeing this, Ling Yi halts the supply of soul power from within himself. The continuous green glow from his "Blue Silver Grass" spirit ceases as well.
Although the soul skill has ended, Ling Yi's treatment is not complete. As soon as the flow of life energy stops, his left hand swiftly grabs a handful of deep green 'wet clay' from a nearby pottery bowl, applying it directly to the young man's calf wounds.
“Hiss—”
“Hold still—!”
The young man took a sharp breath, and Ling Yi instructed firmly, causing him to hold his breath. His previously contracting leg froze in place, no longer moving.
Ling Yi took a roll of white gauze and skillfully wrapped the young man's calf wound along with the deep green 'mud' to secure it. He then stood up, walked over to a wooden table, and began washing his hands in a wooden basin.
“Alright, you should rest for a few more days. Come over daily and either look for me or Brother Banner to receive another round of soul healing. You should be fine after that—”
Ling Yi said, picking up a clean white towel to meticulously dry his hands.
“As for the medicinal mud on your leg, don't touch it when you go back. Come back tomorrow morning, and I'll check the results...”
After giving a few more instructions on post-treatment care, Ling Yi helped the young man out before handing him over to his squadmates outside the tent. He watched the young man's limping figure until it disappeared, his eyes lingering briefly on the gauze-wrapped leg before he turned back into the tent.
Approaching the ceramic bowl that previously held the medicinal mud, Ling Yi gazed at its empty bottom, undisguised joy in his eyes.
'"Honghua," "Chishao," "Baizhi," "Zhizi," "Taoren," "Ruxiang," "Moyao," topped with "Dahuang," this formula for the 'Blood Activating Pain Relief Paste' has finally been perfected with the help of the old medicine master...'
Ling Yi methodically arranged tools such as ceramic bowls, white gauze, and wooden basins, thinking to himself: 'The old medicine master's initial formula missed the crucial "Dahuang." But then again, who would have thought that an ingredient known for its mild toxicity and laxative effects could also serve as a principal component for promoting blood circulation, reducing bruising, and alleviating pain?'
Cold-natured herbs require careful blending to neutralize them, so I've also added "Lansilver Grass" to act as a universal harmonizer, similar to how "Licorice" worked in my previous life. This doesn't just enhance the effect; it also minimizes irritation on the human body—'
As these thoughts crossed his mind, Ling Yi squinted slightly, his mind shifting: 'With this "Blood Activating Pain Relief Paste" formula, the cultivation of "Lansilver Grass," which had dwindled in the Water Wood Principality in recent years, is now getting revitalized.'
Feeling the pervasive herbal fragrance of "Lansilver Grass" in the air, Ling Yi's gentle smile, which rarely faded, became even more radiant.
Suddenly, his smile slightly subsided as he turned towards the entrance of the tent. Though there was a thick curtain separating them, the "Lansilver Grass" all around seemed to send him an uncanny intuition: someone was swiftly approaching.
Thirty full breaths later, a voice suddenly rang from outside the tent, calling: “Brother Ling——! Brother Ling——! Someone is here to see you——!”
...
Fifteen minutes later, in the military forge area.
"Hello, I’m Ling Yi. I heard you were looking for me. May I know how I should address you and if there's anything I can do to help?"
Ling Yi asked courteously, maintaining a pleasant smile while addressing the short, stocky middle-aged man before him. He was polite yet direct in voicing his questions.
However, upon hearing Ling Yi’s query, the stout man didn’t respond right away. Instead, he observed Ling Yi with keen interest, occasionally emitting a soft tutting sound.
To be honest, the man's behavior was somewhat impolite. Yet, Ling Yi remained composed, still smiling amiably at him, graciously allowing the man to scrutinize him without showing any discomfort.
After a short while, seeing that Ling Yi continued to stand there patiently, his expression calm and unperturbed, devoid of any impatience or annoyance, the stout man silently nodded in recognition, a hint of admiration appearing in his eyes.
He stroked his curly beard thoughtfully, then patted his round belly before finally speaking: "My name is Lou Gao, and I come from Gengxin City of the Star Luo Empire..."
Upon hearing this, Ling Yi internally remarked ‘as expected’, but outwardly, he feigned surprise and confusion: "Gengxin City? The Metal Capital—Gengxin City?!"
Noting the change in Ling Yi’s expression, the stout man, Lou Gao, smiled knowingly and nodded: "Indeed, the so-called ‘Metal Capital’—Gengxin City!"
Hearing the words of the short, stout, middle-aged Lou Gao, Ling Yi slightly toned down his surprised expression and turned pensive. He then asked, "So... Mr. Lou Gao, how do you address my master, Mr. King Kong?"
At Ling Yi's question, Lou Gao paused from stroking his beard, his gaze upon Ling Yi flickering slightly before he chuckled after a few moments. "Not bad, not bad. I heard you were quite the smart fellow before, though it's hard to say how smart exactly. Still, it seems your mind indeed works pretty quickly—"
Lou Gao paused briefly here, then continued to Ling Yi, "My master, the Iron Pagoda, the only divine craftsman of this era, and also the president of the Blacksmiths' Association, studied forging under the same master as yours, around five or six decades ago..."
As Lou Gao mentioned titles like 'Iron Pagoda' and 'the only divine craftsman of this era,' his words were filled with unmistakable pride and an evident ambitious flair, as if proclaiming that it wouldn't be long before he too would become a divine craftsman, just like his master!
"I see~" Ling Yi nodded, then to Lou Gao’s surprised expression, he tidied his already neat attire, clasped his hands in respect, and declared loudly, "Disciple number thirteen of Master King Kong's workshop, Ling Yi, greets Senior Brother Lou Gao—!"
(End of Chapter)
