Chapter 379: You Slow Down Too

Chapter 379 You Too, Slow Down

The room was not, of course, a hunting ground for ducks, but a wrestling arena of grapple and capture.

"Speak. What on earth is 'Puxin'?"

"Eh? Didn't you look like you understood just now? Turns out you were just pretending while remaining utterly clueless... Ow! I'll speak, I'll speak... It means universal values and peerless trustworthiness... Ow! Why are you still hitting me?"

"Don't think that just because I don't know the exact definition, I can't recognize a derogatory term when I hear one. Where is your honesty and integrity?"

"Fuck..."

"And profanity, too!"

"Ow~"

Zhao Changhe felt that ever since that kiss, he had fallen into an endless cycle of domestic violence. She was clearly just picking any arbitrary excuse to thrash him. She cared neither about 'Puxin' nor his slippery excuses; she was quite plainly retaliating for that single kiss.

The most tragic part was that he had hardly gotten to experience a thing.

What use was it that the bleeding on his shoulder had stopped? He was bleeding internally from the sheer loss.

Yet, on the other hand, when a woman like Tang Wanzhuang set aside her usual serene, water-like temperament to pin you down on a bed and rough you up...

Did it mean that certain things had already changed?

"The wound has been treated. How much longer do you intend to lie idly on the bed?" Tang Wanzhuang rapped against the wooden bed frame, her voice sharp. "Get up. Don't force me to wring your ear."

Zhao Changhe stole a sidelong glance at her. "Hey."

"What?"

"In what capacity are you wringing my ear?"

"I..." Tang Wanzhuang stiffened her neck. "Your light-footwork, does it not incorporate the steps of Treading Water and Riding Waves?"

"It does."

"That saber technique of yours, does it not combine with my Spring Water sword intent?"

"It does."

"And your mental cultivation technique, your grappling hands! Do I not count as your master? Can a master not wring your ear?"

Who was the one who previously claimed she didn't want to overstep her bounds and become an imperial preceptor...

Zhao Changhe felt that this auntie was soft everywhere right now, except for her stubborn mouth.

After all, he hadn't tasted it clearly just now, so he didn't know exactly how soft it was.

"To be completely fair... Tossing and turning through the martial world, I've sought guidance from far too many people, and many have taught me." Zhao Changhe rolled over, resting his head lazily upon his laced fingers. "Of course, if this world absolutely must produce one person who counts as my master, that would bound to be..."

Tang Wanzhuang blinked her eyes rapidly.

"...Instructor Sun Hengchuan, Instructor Sun."

"?"

Tang Wanzhuang's willow-leaf brows flew up in vexation, yet she had no way to forcefully contest it. Instructor Sun was a perfectly legitimate answer, one that no one could argue with. Who would desperately force the claim that they were the true master?

The two of them suddenly fell into silence.

In truth, it was an unspoken understanding.

The reason Tang Wanzhuang desperately tried to force her status into that of a "master" was, naturally, to stop the rogue, teasing words he had spoken earlier. Since I have taught you so many things, if not a master, I am at least half a master. You want me to wash up clean?

Yet this fellow was entirely impervious to her tactics. Even if he had previously regarded her as a half-master in his heart, he absolutely refused to acknowledge it now.

If this status were formally established, things might become even more illicitly thrilling for him. But a woman like Tang Wanzhuang would absolutely never indulge in such a thrill with him, which would mean an utter disaster.

Shame and annoyance filled Tang Wanzhuang's heart. Now that this fellow had laid his cards on the table to pursue her, what was she to do?

Previously, she had favored him and wanted to support his rise, on the sole condition that he wouldn't harbor designs on her like the others. Now, he had broken the agreement! What on earth was she doing then? Had she personally raised a man who wanted her washed up clean?

What infuriated her even more was that she really had been kissed. Having been kissed, she couldn't even use it as a reason to lose her temper, because he was saving her life. Not only could she not rage against it, but she also had to do her utmost to avoid the topic, acting as if nothing had happened.

The absolute most infuriating thing was that there wasn't actually much fury left in her heart. If the person in the illusion represented her own deepest yearning, what did that imply?

The absolute, ultimate most infuriating thing was that this kind of treatment was not a one-time affair; it would likely have to continue.

What should she do in the future?

"Wanzhuang," Zhao Changhe suddenly called out.

Tang Wanzhuang's heart skipped a beat, and she forced her face into a rigid mask. "Who permitted you to call me that?"

"..." Zhao Changhe thought to himself that he usually called her that in front of others anyway, having grown quite accustomed to it... Come to think of it, this was rather strange. Back then, he had found it immensely difficult even to call Hongling by her name, so why was he so naturally intimate with Tang Wanzhuang? Calling her Wanzhuang left and right didn't feel the slightest bit out of place.

He didn't voice these thoughts, turning instead to say, "Your injury, I cannot heal it entirely... because my capability is still insufficient, but the direction is definitely correct."

Tang Wanzhuang pursed her lips, offering a quiet "Mhm."

"This is not only tied to cultivation, but also closely related to my mastery of the Rejuvenation Art and my understanding of the Natural Way. Cultivation is easy enough to discuss, and I feel the gap isn't too vast, but my grasp of the Rejuvenation Art falls quite short. At present, I've merely mastered the superficial basics. Treating external wounds might suffice, but facing a condition like yours requires a level far beyond this..."

Tang Wanzhuang said, "If I have not guessed incorrectly, the grade of this technique is exceedingly high. It likely belongs to a category of fundamental laws. If the heavens are divided into the Four Symbols, then this is one of the aspects represented by them. Let alone our understanding, even in the previous era, there were very few who possessed the qualifications to thoroughly master it."

Zhao Changhe laughed. "I didn't bring this up to complain about the difficulty. On the contrary, my point is that while it's hard for me to make progress in other areas within a short time, the Rejuvenation Art is currently the shortest plank in the bucket. Perhaps it can be partially elevated in the short term."

Tang Wanzhuang asked curiously, "What method do you have to elevate it?"

Zhao Changhe replied, "I want to study medicine, starting from the very beginning."

Tang Wanzhuang's eyes widened in astonishment.

Medicine and martial arts shared the same root. A martial artist who had already cultured themselves to the Secret Realm possessed an understanding of the human body far superior to that of a layman. Learning medicine was actually relatively easy for them, and they could sometimes even instruct physicians in turn. However, studying medicine meant one could not avoid studying pharmacology, and medical theory and pharmacology were two entirely different matters. Just memorizing medicinal herbs and their characteristics with absolute precision required an unimaginable amount of mental effort. Furthermore, researching the interactions of sovereign, minister, assistant, and envoy to the point of compounding medicines without relying on established prescriptions was a pursuit that could take an entire lifetime.

This was a rough bear of a man who lacked the patience even to learn the zither or painting. He had only reluctantly practiced them because he knew his blood-wraith energy was too heavy and needed something to quiet his mind, and to this day, who knew how few times he had actually practiced. Yet now, without anyone prompting him, he had actively proposed to study medicine.

What use was it for him to study medicine... Perhaps it truly would be of great assistance to the advancement of his Rejuvenation Art, but judging by his performance where the art remained mere superficial basics until now, he had never cared about how much it could be elevated.

It was solely to save her.

Zhao Changhe continued, "Xiangyang is a major city, naturally possessing famous physicians. Now that we can be considered in control of Xiangyang, it won't be difficult to summon an eminent doctor to teach me. I shall attend to this at daybreak... As for you..."

He paused, a rather peculiar expression coloring his face. "Right now, do I count as your attending physician?"

The corner of Tang Wanzhuang's mouth twitched. "What are you trying to say?"

"You must follow the doctor's orders and listen to me."

Tang Wanzhuang felt as though his next sentence would surely be telling her to go wash up clean. Suppressing the urge to pinch the soft flesh at his waist, she took a deep, steady breath. "Very well, Doctor, please give your instructions."

To her surprise, Zhao Changhe said, "From this moment on, you are not to inquire about any matters regarding Xiangyang, including the affairs of Jiangnan and the escape of the Maitreya, or how to handle the aftermath... None of it is your concern."

Speechless, Tang Wanzhuang asked, "Then what am I to do?"

"I shall study my medicine, and you shall stroll the streets. This is an ancient and famous city with a long history stretching back to the previous era. Having arrived here, how can you not view the clarity of the Han River, or listen to the chants of Longzhong? To the south, the Chen River gracefully winds around Mount Chen; to the west, the night rains of Mount Ba swell the autumn pools. Since Chief Tang loves landscapes and rivers, why not slow down?"

Slow down...

The gaze in Tang Wanzhuang's eyes gradually softened into water. Only after a long while did she speak, "With all matters in turmoil, how can one find leisure?"

Zhao Changhe said matter-of-factly, "Because I am here."

"You say you want to study medicine, yet you won't let me manage affairs, taking everything upon your own shoulders. Will you have enough time?"

"Time is like water in a sponge; there is always some if you squeeze."

"Why push yourself so hard?"

"If I cannot be certain of prolonging your life, I have no heart to continue my cultivation."

Tang Wanzhuang was silent for a long while, then suddenly smiled: "You say you are my attending physician, but have you ever thought that I might also be yours?"

Zhao Changhe: "?"

"The spear wound on your shoulder is easy to treat, but the blood-fiend weakness is hard to dispel. Right now, your condition is no better than mine, yet when have you ever thought of yourself?" Tang Wanzhuang gently reached out and touched his brow: "Sleep now, tomorrow I will listen to you... but for now, you listen to me."

Her fingertip seemed to ripple, drowsiness washed over, Zhao Changhe's eyelids began to droop, and soon he fell into deep sleep.

Tang Wanzhuang sat beside him, gazing fixedly at him for a very long time, then slowly rose and left the secret chamber.

Opening the door of the secret chamber, the sky was already bright, harsh sunlight spilled in, and Tang Wanzhuang instinctively shaded her eyes.

Da Zhou and Li Si'an were both standing in the courtyard, two spies facing a heap of messy accounts from Xiangyang, anxious to report to the chief, pacing in circles. So many matters awaited the chief's decision—why had she gone into the secret chamber and not come out? Was her injury that serious?

Uh, there was a man inside, a lone man and woman... the sun was already high...

The secret chamber door opened, both were delighted and hurriedly approached: "Chief, you've come out! The sun is already baking our..."

Their words caught in their throats. The spies looked strangely at the chief's slightly disheveled appearance, her face still flushed, compared to her usual pallor, vivid as jade, breathtakingly beautiful.

Including Tang Wanzhuang herself, the same line of poetry arose in all three hearts almost simultaneously... because Tang Wanzhuang knew exactly what they were thinking:

"The spring night is too short, the sun rises high; from now on, the sovereign will hold no early court."

Tang Wanzhuang's face tightened, and after a long while she said: "I will no longer concern myself with the affairs of Xiangyang."

The two were shocked: "Chief, this..."

"When Zhao Changhe comes out, give him full authority."

"?"

It was over—she had favored her inner pet, and even entrusted all major matters to him...

"Oh, and first, do one thing for me."

At least she still knew to give orders... Both breathed a sigh of relief and quickly cupped their hands: "Chief, please instruct."

Tang Wanzhuang said: "Go find the best physician in Xiangyang..."

Li Si'an patted his chest: "Chief needs treatment? Leave it to us! We'll go at once!"

"No, it's for Zhao Changhe... When the physician comes, send him directly to see Changhe."

"?"

Tang Wanzhuang yawned, turned and left, muttering to herself: "Why hasn't that girl Baoqin come yet... I want to go see Mount Wu..."

The spies looked at each other, terrified in their hearts.

This was exactly how a bewitched tyrant behaved—going to see Mount Wu? Why not just make rain and clouds on Mount Wu itself, wouldn't that be more fitting?