Chapter 7 – The Audacious Fiend

Chapter 7 – The Brazen Fiend

Xiao Xianyu had warned Master Zhang that he would regret his decision. When he saw Master Zhang approaching with a group, for a fleeting moment, he wondered if the man had come to apologize to him.

Yet reality was far from his expectations. The arrogant demeanor of the so-called master, who was in fact a fiend in disguise, made Xiao Xianyu’s mood even worse.

It was his first time descending the mountain and dealing with these people. He acted as his master had taught him, but no teaching could cover every situation, and what happened today was something his master had never mentioned.

His master had told him to keep kindness in his heart, but if others trampled on your goodwill, it was no harm to teach them a lesson.

The young man’s gaze became resolute as he swept a cold glance over the master and Master Zhang, causing the latter’s confidence to falter.

Without another word, Xiao Xianyu strode forward.

He hadn’t gone far before, so his return took no longer than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea.

Just as he rounded the corner, Uncle Gu, who was returning from the market with vegetables, saw the crowd surrounding Xiao Xianyu and heading toward Master Zhang’s house. He was greatly surprised. “Hmm? Isn’t that my benefactor? Why is he going to Master Zhang’s house?”

“I heard Master Zhang’s concubine has also fallen ill. Could it be he’s invited my benefactor to treat her? I must go see!”

With these thoughts, Uncle Gu picked up his basket of vegetables and hurried after them.

…

Back inside Master Zhang’s residence, Xiao Xianyu turned to him and said, “I want to see the patient.”

Master Zhang frowned slightly, but then led Xiao Xianyu into the main hall.

There, his beloved concubine’s body lay on a wooden bed, eyes shut, her face ashen, breath already stilled.

As the inner hall was off-limits to villagers, the people of Xinshou Village could only crane their necks to peer inside from the doorway.

The master followed them in as well, and Master Zhang brought in several strong servants to prevent Xiao Xianyu from causing trouble.

Once inside, the master pointed at the concubine’s corpse and barked, “Boy, see the mess you’ve made! If not for you, would this young lady have died?”

Xiao Xianyu’s expression darkened. He glanced at the master and replied, “Whether it’s my fault, you know better than anyone.”

Xiao Xianyu lowered his head to examine the woman, then addressed Master Zhang, “She’s not dead yet. I can still save her!”

The woman was indeed afflicted by corpse-eating worms. The poison had nearly spread throughout her body, but there was still hope.

Master Zhang was incredulous, glancing at the so-called master for confirmation.

The master sneered, “Nonsense. Her vitality is gone, and it’s all your fault!”

Xiao Xianyu snorted coldly, ignoring the master, and looked straight at Master Zhang. “Since things have come to this, why not let me try?”

Master Zhang looked at his beloved, nodded heavily, and said, “Fine! I’ll let you try. If you fail, I’ll settle old and new scores together!”

With a cold laugh, Xiao Xianyu drew a silver needle from his left wrist and, with lightning speed, pricked the woman’s chest—a movement so swift that even those standing nearby failed to catch it.

He then seized her wrist, pressed on her pulse, and sent a surge of pure immortal energy into her body.

Her affliction was far more severe than Aunt Gu’s, and the master’s posturing had wasted precious time. Thus, besides expelling the corpse-eating worm with the needle, Xiao Xianyu also had to drive out the chill within her with immortal energy.

After channeling the energy, he lifted the woman up. Suddenly, she opened her mouth and spat out a black object.

A wisp of black vapor then drifted from her crown.

With a flick of his wrist, Xiao Xianyu sent the silver needle flying, striking the black object. Then he produced a small black gourd from his waist and absorbed both the worm and the black vapor into it.

No sooner had he finished than the woman coughed twice and woke up.

…

“Master!”

She looked around, saw Master Zhang, and called out to him.

Witnessing this, Master Zhang was stunned, while the so-called master’s face was filled with terror.

Xiao Xianyu smiled faintly and turned to Master Zhang, “Well, what do you say now?”

Overjoyed, Master Zhang hastily helped his beloved off the bed and instructed the servants to take her back to her room to rest.

He then approached Xiao Xianyu, bowed deeply, and said with heartfelt gratitude, “Young sir, your medical skills are divine. I am truly grateful for saving my beloved’s life, and I cannot thank you enough!”

Xiao Xianyu smiled and asked, “So, do you still think I delayed your concubine’s treatment?”

Master Zhang blushed, deeply ashamed. “I was foolish and blind. Please, divine healer, do not hold it against me!”

At that moment, the master standing aside suddenly shouted, “Wait!”

All eyes turned to him as he declared, “Master Zhang, your concubine’s recovery is not due to this boy’s skills, but to my own power!”

Master Zhang was baffled. “What do you mean, Master?”

The master sneered, “Earlier, I set up an altar, drew talismans, and chanted incantations—my efforts were not in vain. The effect was merely delayed because this boy interfered. Now, as he happened to arrive just as my spell took effect, your beloved awakened.”

The servants and Master Zhang all uttered a collective “oh,” as if suddenly enlightened.

The master then looked at Xiao Xianyu with the air of a magnanimous elder and said, “Boy, you were fortunate today not to have cost a life. Now, be gone!”

At these words, Xiao Xianyu suddenly bellowed, “You fiend! I endured your earlier insults, but my forbearance has only emboldened you!”

“Do you truly believe all men are weak and easy to bully?!”

As he spoke, an intangible aura radiated from Xiao Xianyu. In the eyes of Master Zhang and the other mortals, he seemed to be surrounded by golden light, illuminating the entire room.

The master’s face twisted with terror, cold sweat beading on his brow, his body trembling uncontrollably.

Xiao Xianyu raised his right hand, and a black longsword appeared out of thin air. He pointed the sword directly at the master’s nose and shouted, “Fiend! Show your true form at once!”