Seeing Ji Mo's tactfulness, Hua Tianxiang's expression finally relaxed.
Then, she began to enthusiastically praise the great talent Ji Mo, exaggerating his virtues to the heavens and the earth.
Ji Mo listened, his old face flushing, feeling quite embarrassed.
Alright, he had encountered a fan, so he had to indulge her.
Thus, he shamelessly echoed Hua Tianxiang's words.
Hua Tianxiang was greatly pleased, and her perception of Ji Mo shifted. She felt that apart from being a bit lecherous, this person was actually quite decent.
"Miss Tianxiang, is your left foot injured? How about I help you treat it?"
Ji Mo noticed something unusual about Hua Tianxiang's left foot and asked.
Such a fine girl, yet crippled – he couldn't stand it.
"This is a congenital disability; I've been this way since I was young. It can't be cured."
Hua Tianxiang shook her head. She had consulted countless renowned physicians, but they had all been helpless.
She had long since given up hope, not believing it could be cured.
"My medical skills are quite formidable. As long as the person hasn't breathed their last, I can save them," Ji Mo said earnestly.
"You corrupt official, you sure know how to brag," Hua Tianxiang didn't believe him at all.
Without a word, Ji Mo directly reached out and grasped Hua Tianxiang's left leg.
Her crystal-clear foot was immediately revealed, small and exquisite, as if carved from jade.
Even more precious was the faint fragrance it exuded.
"Let go! What are you doing? Ah..."
Hua Tianxiang cried out in alarm. She clearly saw Ji Mo reaching out, yet she couldn't dodge, only watching helplessly as her leg was held in Ji Mo's grasp.
Her skin was like congealed fat, her bones like jade, and her touch was smooth and soft.
Ji Mo examined it carefully and quickly understood the cause. It was indeed a congenital disability, with some malformation in the bones of her lower leg.
"I can cure it..."
He spoke.
However, the response he received was a foot.
Hua Tianxiang's face turned red. Thinking Ji Mo was trying to take liberties with her, she kicked him hard with her other leg.
"You dare kick me? I'll break your leg."
Ji Mo said fiercely.
Then, he truly used force.
With a "crack," he forcefully broke Hua Tianxiang's left leg.
"You corrupt official, I'll kill you..."
Hua Tianxiang's tears welled up from the pain.
Just as she was about to curse him, she saw Ji Mo take out a pill and pop it into her slightly parted cherry lips.
The pill melted in her mouth, turning into a warm current that flowed through her meridians.
Hua Tianxiang was astonished to find that the excruciating pain was slowly receding.
Then, her eyes blazed with anger as she saw Ji Mo taking advantage of her, his "salty pig trotters" kneading and rubbing her lower leg.
Stretching and pulling, pressing and lifting, separating and squeezing...
Ji Mo was not molting her; he was performing various bone-setting techniques.
His expression was incredibly focused, his movements flowing like water. Strands of Dao rhythm seeped from his fingertips, gradually repairing Hua Tianxiang's malformed bones.
Hua Tianxiang forgot to resist, captivated by the sight.
Ji Mo's techniques were profound, subtly containing traces of the Great Dao and the ultimate principles of heaven and earth, drawing her into a trance.
Soon, she felt a tingling sensation in her lower leg. The previously crooked bones had straightened, and her small face was filled with disbelief.
"Ah, open your mouth..."
Ji Mo gestured.
Hua Tianxiang mechanically opened her mouth, only to see Ji Mo take out a pill covered in pill patterns and place it in her mouth.
"Ninth-grade spirit pill!"
She was utterly stunned, never imagining Ji Mo would give her such a priceless healing elixir.
Combined with the previous one, hadn't she just consumed two ninth-grade spirit pills?
Her entire body felt warm and comfortable, her cultivation having also surged significantly, from the early to the late stage of Spirit Venerable.
Simultaneously, within the newly grown bones of her left foot, a powerful force seemed to be gestating.
Hua Tianxiang believed that once she could fully control that power, her strength would undergo a qualitative change!
She stared at Ji Mo, truly wanting to know what exactly he had done to her.
Could it be that being taken advantage of could also bring about fortune?
"Alright, there shouldn't be any more problems!"
Ji Mo wiped the sweat from his forehead, feeling a sense of accomplishment as he saw Hua Tianxiang's crooked leg become straight in his hands.
Hua Tianxiang slowly stood up, feeling her posture was much straighter than before. With her legs standing upright, she could finally hold her head high.
She took a few steps, tears streaming down her face. The feeling of being able to walk normally was wonderful.
"Um, I don't have any money to give you."
Hua Tianxiang was extremely anxious. She truly couldn't afford the cost of those two ninth-grade spirit pills.
"I don't want money."
Ji Mo waved his hand dismissively.
"You corrupt official, I will never sell my chastity."
Hua Tianxiang hugged her chest, her face full of vigilance, fearing Ji Mo might make some improper demands.
If he didn't even want money, he must have other intentions. Could he be coveting her body?
Ji Mo said with some exasperation, "What are you thinking? I'm not that kind of person."
Hua Tianxiang patted her chest, finally feeling relieved, and praised, "You bestow kindness without seeking reward. It seems you've learned a trace of the character and demeanor of the talented Ji."
Ji Mo scratched his head. What was character and demeanor?
He didn't seem to possess any.
The two rested for a night.
The next day, they set off together for the border.
...
Wule Pass was the most crucial gateway for the Great Qin Dynasty to defend against the invasion of the Yan Zhao Dynasty. However, this mighty pass had now been captured by the Yan Zhao Dynasty and reduced to ruins.
After the fall of Wule Pass, the iron cavalry of the Yan Zhao Dynasty rode south, burning, killing, and looting, and successively captured several more cities.
Now, the Yan Zhao army had already approached Cangmang City.
Cangmang City was the last barrier against the Yan Zhao army. If it fell, the entire hinterland of Great Qin would be at the mercy of Yan Zhao.
The citizens of Cangmang City had all evacuated days ago under the organization of the City Lord, Qin Zheng Tu. Now, only an empty city remained.
The soldiers originally in the city had all perished in the battle to defend Wule Pass. Currently, less than a hundred old and weak soldiers remained within the city.
Everyone knew that Cangmang City could not withstand the iron cavalry of the Yan Zhao Dynasty.
"City Lord, give up. We cannot defend it. Staying here is certain death," an old soldier advised Qin Zheng Tu to leave.
Qin Zheng Tu's face was resolute. Clad in armor, his eyes were incredibly firm. "Every inch of our land is bought with blood. I am the lord of Cangmang City. While the city stands, I stand; when the city falls, I fall."
He deeply understood the importance of Cangmang City and would rather die fighting than abandon the city and flee.
"City Lord, reinforcements are arriving."
Just then, a soldier reported good news.
Qin Zheng Tu's previously lifeless eyes immediately shone with a captivating light. He quickly asked, "Excellent! Cangmang City is saved. How many reinforcements have arrived?"
"Two..."
The soldier stammered, his expression peculiar.
"Speak."
Qin Zheng Tu roared.
"Just two!"
The soldier gritted his teeth and finally uttered the words.
"Two? Are you kidding me?"
Qin Zheng Tu was dumbfounded.