Chapter Eighteen: Escaping Death

  As the clouds gradually dispersed, Sang Shen bid farewell to Chang'an. Before his departure, Wang presented him with a thousand pieces of gold. Mr. Sang declined, but Zhe encouraged him, saying: "Gold and silk are not rewards for meritorious service, but merely a small assistance for travel expenses. Moreover, there are many poor and sick people in the world, and you are good at saving them."

  The Book of Southern Chu · Biography of Jiang Suiyun

  What it's like to escape from the jaws of death, I suppose only those who have experienced it can understand. So when I opened my eyes, although I felt numb all over and had a severe pain in my chest that was hard to bear, I couldn't help but reveal a faint smile. With great difficulty, I moved my limbs again, and another wave of pain confirmed that I was still alive in this world, not having arrived at the underworld. I groaned out loud, and as soon as my hoarse voice escaped from my lips, someone came over to lift up the silk curtains on my bed. I looked closely and saw a middle-aged imperial physician. I forced out a faint smile, and he turned around excitedly, calling out: "Lord Jiang has awakened! Quickly go notify Mr. Sang!" Then I heard steady footsteps by my ear, and soon I saw that familiar face.

  Although it's been many years since we last met, Mr. Sang's appearance hasn't changed much. His hair and beard are grayish white, his face is lean, and his eyes always seem to hold a focused yet emotionless gaze. Yes, emotionless - that's the kind of person Mr. Sang is. In the mouths of people everywhere, he's known as a divine doctor with magical healing hands, often going to great lengths to treat illnesses for poor people without complaint. But his heart is cold and unfeeling, something I've known since back then. To him, patients are just blurry faces, men and women without distinction. When treating them, he's fully focused on the task at hand, with a deep understanding of their condition and emotional fluctuations. However, once they recover, they become strangers to him; if they unfortunately pass away, he won't feel even a hint of sorrow or regret. Perhaps in Mr. Sang's eyes, people are only divided into two categories: patients and healthy individuals. To him, patients are merely tools for testing his medical skills - unless, that is, you're an exception... and I'm probably the only one who qualifies as such.

  I remember the first time we met, my father asked him to treat his illness. He took one look and said that my father's disease had taken root in his bones, and even if he was treated, he would only live for a few more years. My father was initially disappointed and even considered giving up treatment. I told my father: 'A few years may be short for ordinary people, but it is crucial for us as father and son. As a child, I am still young, and without your care, I will be homeless and adrift. If you were to pass away now, how could you be at peace with the thought of my future livelihood? It's better for us to rely on each other for survival and hold on for a few more years. If you are in pain, I won't force you to endure it, but as long as I take good care of you, you shouldn't have too much suffering.'

  My father was initially disheartened, but after hearing my sincere words, he sought medical attention again. Mr. Sang listened to me and simply said, "This child is quite articulate." He then stayed behind to treat my father and kept me by his side for several months, teaching me medicine. I once heard him say that he had no ambition to practice medicine to benefit society; it was just a means of making a living. Although he spoke in a detached and unfeeling manner, I liked his straightforwardness. Mr. Sang couldn't bear the sight of patients, but fortunately, he was taciturn by nature. If people knew what the revered doctor thought, they would be shocked.

  As I saw Mr. Sang, tears flowed out uncontrollably. He is the only elder I have in this world. Mr. Sang understood my thoughts and came over to take my pulse, saying calmly: "Suiyun, your injury has no major problems now. These days, you've taken a lot of precious tonics, which saved your life but also made your vital energy too strong. For the time being, just slowly recover, and after your injury heals, I'll carefully treat and nurture you again."

  I looked at Mr. Sang with inquiring eyes, and he smiled slightly: "You're asking about Prince Yong and that kid who's been using his true energy to keep you alive? Prince Yong has been too tired lately, so I let him go back and rest. He's still asleep now, according to what I heard. Your attendant is indeed loyal and devoted, but I saw that he was exhausting himself too much and wouldn't take a break, so I gave him some medicine to make him go rest. When he wakes up later, it'll be the perfect opportunity for him to start anew. I'll supervise him to practice his skills diligently. You're not cut out for martial arts due to your innate deficiencies, but that kid is a prodigy. Although his martial arts skills are indeed exquisite, it's still thanks to his exceptional talent that he was able to reach this level. My few moves haven't been passed down yet, so why don't I teach them to him instead? He's like half my disciple, and he's devoted to you, so teaching him would be the same."

  I was overjoyed, and although I didn't know the extent of Mr. Sang's martial arts skills, his tone suggested that they were quite extraordinary. Upon further reflection, I recalled that Prince Yong must have been extremely exhausted in recent days, otherwise he wouldn't have slept so soundly without waking up, and I couldn't help but feel a bit anxious. I hastily grasped Mr. Sang's hand and wrote the character for "king" on his palm. Mr. Sang smiled slightly and said, "It's rare for Your Highness to be so affectionate towards you; I've already gone to see him, so don't worry."

  I finally relaxed, and at this time a maid brought over a bowl of medicine and carefully served me to take it. After taking the medicine, I felt sleepy again and fell asleep in a daze, and so on for several days, I spent my time sleeping and taking medicine until seven days later, when I no longer needed to drink that medicinal soup, and could finally lie awake in bed.

  I rubbed my somewhat stiff legs, wanting to get out of bed and move around, but was stopped by Mr. Sang. Xiao Shunzi had originally wanted to serve me, but was blocked by Mr. Sang's words: "There are many high-ranking martial artists in the world, do you want your young master to suffer such injuries?" Now he is closed off, practicing bitterly, and it seems that although Mr. Sang's internal skills and heart methods are vastly different from Xiao Shunzi's, Mr. Sang's research on martial techniques is not something Xiao Shunzi can compare to. So my surroundings have become much quieter, at least no one is bothering me to apologize.

  The Duke of Yong and the Duchess brought Rong Lan to see me once, but were then forbidden by Mr. Sang from visiting again, saying I should focus on recovering and not worry about external matters. Since then, the Duke of Yong has only sent people to ask after my well-being every day, and hasn't come himself. According to Mr. Sang, it seems the Duke is personally overseeing the defense of the palace, as the previous defenses had many loopholes that wouldn't withstand high-ranking martial artists.

  Although resting has been beneficial for my body, it's also been quite stifling. I'm not even allowed to touch my beloved books, and Mr. Sang only brought me a few Daoist scriptures that are calm and carefree, saying they would help me calm my mind. But it seems to be having an effect, as my mood has become much more tranquil after experiencing life and death. Many things seem insignificant now, and even the memory of Xiangxiang's shadow doesn't linger in my heart. When I do think of her, it's mostly the happy, sweet memories that come to mind, rather than the heartbreaking pain.

  After another five or six days, Mr. Sang finally allowed me to get out of bed and move around. Xiao Shunzi was also back by my side, and with his support, I took my first steps after recovering from my illness. My footsteps felt softer than cotton, but after walking less than a circle in the room, I was already panting slightly. It was now mid-March, and several peach blossoms in the garden had bloomed. Although the spring breeze still carried some chill, it no longer cut to the bone. Xiao Shunzi ordered someone to surround a pavilion in the garden with brocade on three sides, blocking out the wind, and then spread thick Persian carpets inside, setting up soft couches and chairs. I sat comfortably on the couch, wrapped in the silver fox fur coat that the Duke of Yong had bestowed upon me last winter. Mr. Sang sat in a chair, his eyes slightly closed, while Xiao Shunzi brewed tea beside us. Before long, two cups of hot tea were brought over, and I drank mine in one gulp, feeling invigorated from head to toe.

  Mr. Sang also took a sip and smiled: "The tea sent by the prince is indeed good, Zunyun, King Yong treats you like a national scholar, it seems that you are not willing to retreat with me."

  I was taken aback and asked: 'Sir, why do you say that? Don't you like the King of Filial Piety and Virtue?'

  Mr. Sang smiled faintly and said, "I'm too lazy to care about these worldly affairs. The King of Yong is not a foolish person, so it's not bad for you to assist him. I just worry about your health, and I'd rather have you resign and retreat from the world."

  I calmly said: 'But can't my body be overworked from now on?'

  Mr. Sang shook his head and said, "It's not just that, Suiyun. Your injury is severe, but with careful nursing, you can recover in a few years. These past few years have been spent being overly cautious, and there hasn't been any major harm. However, your heart disease is hard to cure. Your heart meridian has been injured by the seven emotions. If you cannot calm your mind and quietly cultivate your spirit to heal your illness, I fear that in ten years' time, you will fall gravely ill. As I see it, you must have experienced great joys and sorrows when your body and mind were exhausted, which is why you injured your heart meridian. These past few years, your sadness has not stopped, so you've developed a chronic illness. Your medical skills are good, but even the best doctors can't cure themselves, which is why things have ended up like this today."

  Xiao Shunzi's face turned pale as he listened. He stared at Sang Chen without saying a word. Sang Chen shook his head slightly, let out a sigh, and stopped talking.

  I escaped from the jaws of death, but then I heard this news. However, strangely, my heart didn't feel any sorrow. With a faint smile, I said: "This is also fate's arrangement. If I had wanted to retreat in the past, now that I have received such kindness from Prince Yong, if I couldn't repay it, wouldn't I be uneasy for the rest of my life? Moreover, if my heart was not at peace, what use would there be in cultivating in the deep mountains? I dare not deceive you, brother. I bear a grudge for killing my wife, this hatred will not be avenged, and I will not close my eyes in death. How can I cultivate in seclusion? However, ten years' time is already enough. I am confident that I can avenge my hate, assist Prince Yong in achieving great things, and then drift away on the lakes and seas, transcending life and death, viewing wealth and honor as floating clouds. Isn't this happiness? What regret would there be in dying?"

  Xiao Shunzi first turned pale, but later his expression became calm. Sang Chen looked at him and asked: 'Do you also allow your master to be reckless?'

  Xiao Shunzi said respectfully: 'If the young master likes it this way, I can only follow him. At most, I'll accompany him to the spring below, and I'm sure he won't be lonely.'

  He said that, but I wasn't moved. After experiencing life and death, many of my thoughts have changed. Xiaoshunzi's sacrifice for me is just adding another friend in the afterlife. And with my abilities, it wouldn't be difficult to let him live on, so I just gave him a faint glance and a slight smile, acknowledging his good intentions. He only said that to get me to try harder to live a few more years.

  "Alright, this is up to you, but I'll take good care of you for the time being. After that, it's all up to you."

  I asked in doubt: 'Why does Mr. still want to travel far? Mr. is so old, why do you still need to be a wanderer?'

  San Sheng said calmly: "I'm old, I don't want to get involved in worldly disputes. The waves here are turbulent, and I'm not as young as you people, can't withstand the wind and waves. However, my age is indeed not light, this time I plan to return to my hometown to seclude myself. If you have anything in the future, you can find me at Donghai Penglai."

  I nodded and said: "Sir is right, if the situation stabilizes later, I also want to go see the scenery of the overseas fairy mountain."

  Mr. Sang hesitated for a moment and then said: "Suiyun, is your enemy the Fengyi Sect?"

  I was taken aback and said calmly, "Sir, how could you say that? The Phoenix Seal is the leader of the martial arts world, a spiritual leader of the righteous path, and also a great hero. How could I be an enemy to them?"

  He said calmly, "You don't have to worry, I have nothing to do with the Fengyi Sect. When the master of the Fengyi Sect became famous, I was already in my forties. Although she asked me several times to be her guest, I didn't agree. This time they came to ask for medical help, and after taking a look, I knew that Liang Wan had been poisoned by the 'Disheartening Grass' concoction. There is no antidote for Disheartening Grass, and only you and I know of this medicine in this world. So I knew it must have been your doing. However, you would never do something unreasonable, so I didn't tell them anything. I just said to take good care of Liang Wan, and she can recover as usual, but her past memories are gone forever."

  I felt a bit relieved and asked: 'Sir, won't you blame me for being so rude?'

  Sang Chen smiled faintly and said: "I don't ask about worldly affairs, but this Duan En Cao is too toxic, so don't use it in the future."

  I asked again: 'How do you view Fengyimen, sir?'

  Sang Chen looked at me deeply and said, "The master of Fengyi Gate is a pitiful person. A hateful person must have a pitiful side. You can do whatever you want without any blame, but don't hurt your own body. If there's hatred, just remember who the enemy is. As for that grudge, it's better to forget it. Burning heart and bone, not remembering is the best way to treat yourself."

  I bowed my head slightly and said, "Thank you for your advice, sir." Since the only person in this world who could make me yield had made it clear that he wouldn't interfere with my affairs, I really didn't have anything to worry about. Although I didn't know what kind of past Mr. Sang and the master of Fengyi Gate had, it was already an unimportant matter.

  He let out a sigh, this child himself felt a sense of camaraderie with him at first sight, although their ages were like those of grandfather and grandson, he really did regard him as his own grandson. However, he also knew that he couldn't change the boy's mind. The master of Fengyi Gate, Yan Hui Yao, had several times shared drinks and conversation with him. That woman was a dazzling existence, although he had grown accustomed to living alone, he had once been smitten with her. He had even given her the incomplete copy of the Taiyin Heart Scripture that he had collected. If not for the part he gave her, he believed she wouldn't have achieved what she did today, at least not for another ten years. He had never regretted it, as martial arts weren't important to him. However, for this child who would eventually clash with Yan Hui Yao, he passed on all his martial skills to Li Shun, thinking that way Li Shun could better protect Jiang Zhe.

  Jiang Zhe looked at him, and Sang Chen said lightly: "I'm leaving now, take care of yourself."

  I hastily said: "Today is too sudden, let's stay a few more days, I can also see Mr. off."

  Sang Sheng smiled slightly and said: "No need, you're not feeling well, what's the point of sending me off?"

  At this time, a light and quick voice came from afar: "What's going on? Who wants to leave?" I looked up and saw that it was Prince Yong Li Zuo bringing Sima Xiong over. He said: "Your Highness, Mr. Sang is about to leave."

  Li Zai hastily said: "Sir, how can you be in such a hurry? Last time you saved my life and I haven't had a chance to repay you yet. This time you've also saved Jiang Sima's life. If you don't stay for a few more days, I'm afraid people will say that I treated you poorly."

  "Staying longer would be of no benefit. Su Yun has already recovered from his injuries, and I still have matters to attend to, so I must take my leave."

  Li Zuo saw that Sang Shen's words were firm and resolute, knowing that he could not be forced, so he had someone bring a thousand pieces of golden pearls worth a thousand gold coins and said: "The king does not dare to detain you strongly, please take these golden pearls, I do not dare to thank you, it is just to help with your travel expenses."

  Sang Chen said calmly: "Su Yun is my old friend, if it weren't for Your Highness's precious medicine, I'm afraid he would have died long ago. Sang is grateful and how dare he accept gold and silver."

  King Yong was unwilling to accept it, and repeatedly begged Mr. Sang to take it back. I knew Mr. Sang's temperament and didn't want them to become estranged, so I advised: "Sir, you'd better take this gold and silver. If word gets out that King Yong didn't even give travel expenses, it wouldn't sound good. Moreover, sir often treats poor patients for free, and they have no money to buy medicine, which often puts a strain on your finances. Just consider these gold and silver as collected on their behalf."

  These words are really hitting the nail on the head. Although Mr. Sang's heart is as cold as ice, when he sees people who are ill, he always has to treat them, and of course, he can't avoid spending his own money, so he is often penniless. Fortunately, he has saved countless people, and there are people everywhere who welcome him, but those people probably don't know that Mr. Sang can't even remember who they are.

  Sang Chen felt that Jiang Zhe also made sense, so he accepted the gold and silver, bid farewell and left. The King of Yong personally saw him off, but only I was forbidden from following, and could only watch as Mr. Sang walked out of the Cold Garden. Alas, in this world, I only have this one elder relative, and after meeting for just a few days, we had to part ways again. The sorrow of separation filled my heart. What is most heartbreaking is only the farewell itself.

  Xiao Shunzi returned quickly after seeing me off, and said hesitantly: "Young master, do you want to investigate the relationship between Mr. Sang and the master of Fengyi Gate? These things seem not to have been seen in intelligence reports."

  I said calmly, "No need to explain, I'm very clear about Mr. Sang's character. Since he said he wouldn't interfere, then he won't. If we were to kill the master of Fengyi Sect, Mr. Sang wouldn't mind, as long as we don't use excessive methods on her. Besides, what kind of person is the master of Fengyi Sect? Even if we destroyed the entire sect, it's unlikely that we could harm her."

  Xiao Shunzi's expression changed, and he asked: 'If the master of Fengyi Gate escapes, won't it be endless trouble? We must have a way to trap her.'

  I took a look at Xiao Shunzi and smiled slightly: "This is indeed a good method, but it depends on you. If you can take down the 100 moves of Fengyimen's master without losing, then I will have a chance to win."

  Xiao Shunzi said resolutely: "Don't worry, young master, I'll get it done." I smiled and nodded. Then he said: "Why hasn't the prince arrived yet? He must have something to discuss with you today."

  Xiao Shunzi's face suddenly became very strange, and after a while, he said: "Just now, the prince received some news, so he didn't come over. He should be coming soon." As soon as his voice fell, I saw Li Ze's figure, but I didn't have time to ask Xiao Shunzi why he was anxious.