The steps leading to Medicine King Valley numbered one thousand eight hundred. They were narrow, high, and exceedingly steep. The higher one climbed, the thinner the air became, and the colder the temperature grew.
Medicine King Valley was perpetually shrouded in a layer of mist, formed by the abundance of water and high humidity due to its proximity to water. Within the valley, the fragrance of thousands of herbs, growing everywhere, permeated the cold air, offering a refreshing and invigorating effect.
The air was rich and fragrant, entwined with mist, making Medicine King Valley appear like a celestial realm.
Along this path, Nan Shiying noticed many herbs typically seen only in winter along the sides of the steps. It was no wonder Medicine King Valley rarely opened its gates; these herbs, if sold elsewhere, could fetch a hefty price.
During their ascent, Poison Elder specifically introduced the current Valley Master, his senior martial brother, Si Teng, to Nan Shiying.
The orphans taken into the valley in their generation all adopted the surname Qin, after their master. Si Teng was not an orphan; he was the eldest illegitimate son of the Si family, a prominent gentry family in the Jiangnan water towns.
"Jiangnan? That's tens of thousands of miles from Medicine King Valley."
Jiangnan and Medicine King Valley were situated at opposite ends, one north and one south. Even traveling by water would take over a month. A gentry family in the Jiangnan water towns was considered wealthy. For an eldest illegitimate son, if he possessed both talent and virtue, it wasn't impossible for him to inherit the family business. Could it be that the Valley Master, at a young age, was passionate about medicine and abandoned his family fortune to seek refuge here?
Poison Elder nodded. When his senior martial brother joined the sect, he himself was still in a state of 'hell,' not yet freed. Although his senior martial brother had arrived earlier, he knew everything about him.
Years ago, he had been betrayed by his relatives and suffered torment from poison for many years, leading to a solitary and cold disposition. It was his senior martial brother who often brought medical texts into his room, without speaking, simply handing him the books. They would read quietly, one book for his senior martial brother, one for himself.
His talent was exceptional. Initially, his senior martial brother answered his questions. Later, it evolved into him clarifying doubts for his senior martial brother. Gradually, besides medicine, they began discussing other matters. It was then that he spoke of the Miao疆 region to his senior martial brother, and his senior martial brother shared his own experiences.
His senior martial brother had been poisoned as a youth, a slow-acting poison. By the time it was discovered, the toxin had already infiltrated his bone marrow. Fortunately, his master, who was traveling in Jiangnan, managed to save him.
Although the perpetrator was not identified, ultimately, the only person who harbored apprehension towards his senior martial brother was the main wife of that year. She had not given birth to the legitimate eldest son, and his senior martial brother's mother was his father's favored concubine, who died during childbirth. Consequently, his father paid little attention to him. If the poison was resolved this time, what about the next? His senior martial brother, having matured early, knew that if he remained in that household, even if he survived, his life would be far from good. Thus, he knelt before his master and begged to be taken in.
His master, being kind-hearted, accepted his senior martial brother. Initially, his master only intended to bring his senior martial brother to Medicine King Valley. Later, he discovered his senior martial brother possessed a certain talent in medicine, especially his innate gift concerning medicinal herbs, and decided to formally accept him as a disciple.
His senior martial brother was not his master's eldest disciple. The eldest senior martial brother…
Perhaps lost in past memories, Poison Elder, not paying attention, almost tumbled down the steps. Nan Shiying quickly reached out and steadied him. She looked at Poison Elder with concern. Poison Elder gave her a reassuring look that conveyed 'I'm fine, don't worry,' and then gently moved her hand away.
His actions indicated that his body was perfectly fine.
Seeing that he seemed unharmed, Nan Shiying breathed a sigh of relief. Her gaze occasionally fell upon Poison Elder, lest he slip again.
Poison Elder did not elaborate further on his senior martial brother's affairs. He simply introduced the senior and junior martial brothers who were still in the valley. Regarding Qin Mu, Qing Zhu interjected, "Senior Martial Uncle Master, all affairs within the valley are currently managed by Senior Martial Uncle Master Qin Mu."
Poison Elder nodded. Upon hearing this, he merely said, "He, ah, that's quite fitting!"