"I am Liam Ardent," he said lightly, "current master of Butterfly Valley. My medical skills… perhaps just a touch higher than that old bull's."
Xander Farrow, Garreth Hallowway, and Tobias Kane exchanged uncertain glances.
Liam was only fourteen or fifteen by appearance—how could his skill surpass Master Edric Thornwell's?
"Brother Liam, what's going on?"
From within the hut, Isla Drake emerged, her youthful beauty like a fresh spring bloom.
Liam smiled, ruffling her hair.
"Nothing much. They came seeking treatment but don't trust my skills. Their manners aren't exactly polite."
The three Huashan men recognized her instantly as the girl who traveled with Lady Moira Drake.
At once, Isla spoke with crisp indignation:
"Brother Liam's medical skill is amazing! He already healed my mother—she's resting inside. If you don't believe him, then just stay in pain!"
The three men hesitated, then dropped to their knees with pitiful earnestness.
"Young Master Liam, we were blind and failed to recognize your greatness. Please, forgive us! Treat our wounds—we will reward you handsomely!"
The rhythm of hooves and the rattling of wheels broke the moment.
A carriage hurtled into the valley and stopped at the hut's entrance.
From it leapt a sallow-faced young man who half-carried, half-dragged a bald elder to the ground.
"Is Master Edric Thornwell here?" he called breathlessly. "I am Galen Ashford, the 'Saint-Hand Garan' of the Kongtong Sect—we have come a long way seeking his treatment—"
Before he could finish, he collapsed.
The two horses pulling the carriage stood foaming at the mouth.
Behind them came four or five more figures—some limping, some leaning on companions—every one of them battered and bloodied.
The valley soon rang with the arrival of more riders and carriages; within moments, a dozen new supplicants crowded the entrance, all clamoring for Master Thornwell.
"Edric Thornwell knew a great enemy was coming and fled," Liam announced calmly. "You will not see him."
Xander Farrow spoke up:
"It's true—'the Healer of Butterfly Valley' is not here. But this young master claims he can heal us. He has already cured the Emei Sect's Lady Moira Drake. We are begging him now for treatment."
The bald elder galen sneered.
"To kneel and beg before a mere boy—Huashan Sect disciples truly have pride! The wounds Isolde Serpentis left on us are strange and vicious. Many famed physicians have failed to cure them. Only the Healer of Butterfly Valley might succeed, yet you actually believe this boy can treat us?"
The skin of Galen's head glistened with a toxic salve, his scalp itching so violently that his hands—bound by iron chains—twitched with the urge to scratch. The chains jingled with every move.
The [Charm Card (Opposite Gender)] effect burned silently in Liam's mind; men meeting him were predisposed to hostility. Galen, seeing him, felt instant dislike—and his tongue lashed accordingly.
Liam strode to Xander Farrow, a faintly wicked smile tugging his lips.
"He doubts my skill. I'll treat you first. Do you dare let me?"
Xander's brow furrowed—he still harbored doubt. But with Thornwell gone and his own arm shattered, chest tight, head throbbing… the agony outweighed his pride.
"Very well! My arm is broken, my insides aflame, my skull feels ready to split—I'll take the chance!"
Seven golden needles flashed between Liam's fingers, plunging into Xander's key meridian points.
Each quivered at a different frequency, drawing blackened blood along their gleaming shafts until it dripped free.
Moments later, Liam withdrew the needles.
Xander's eyes lit up in surprise.
"Thank you, young master! The pressure in my chest and the pain in my head have eased greatly—you truly are a divine physician!"
Liam's voice was cool.
"I've only drawn out your stagnant blood. You still carry eighteen different toxins, each gnawing at your mind. Your wounds are far from cured."
"Please, heal me fully! Xander Farrow of the Huashan Sect would die a thousand times to repay you!" Xander's knees touched earth again without shame.
"I'm not here to heal," Liam replied coldly. "Since some doubt my skill, I'll let them see whether I have it. But as for treatment—my mood says otherwise today. No one's getting cured."
Panic crossed Galen's face. He dropped to his knees, his tone suddenly groveling.
"Brother Liam, I was foolish! You are the greatest physician alive. Please, forgive my tongue and treat me—I'll scratch my scalp off before long!"
One by one, the others followed suit, bowing and pleading. But in the shadows of their eyes, cold malice flickered.
Humiliated before this youth, none would forgive him easily if fortune turned.
"You mocked me moments ago and now beg for help? Useless. When I say I won't heal, I won't."
Liam's tone was as hard as winter stone.
After more begging failed, Galen suddenly leapt to his feet in a rage.
"If we're going to die anyway, better to take him with us! Everyone—attack! Let's all perish together!"
But before the others could move, Xander Farrow's arm shot out, pressing the tip of an Emei dagger Galen's chest.
"Our lives depend on this man's aid. You offend him, and I'll kill you first."
Though Galen's martial arts surpassed Xander's, his hands were bound. He could only glare.
Liam, about to dismiss them all, paused—an idea forming.
"I can treat you… on one condition. Each of you will hand over your most powerful martial arts manual. Then, I'll cure your wounds."
The valley fell silent, save for the wind in the trees.
Glossary – Chapter 7
Xander Farrow – Huashan Sect; disciple of Master Soren Blackridge; mid-stage second-rate expert.
Garreth Hallowway – Huashan Sect elite; early-stage second-rate expert.
Tobias Kane – Huashan Sect elite; early-stage second-rate expert.
Galen Ashford('Saint-Hand Garan') – Kongtong Sect elder; known for precise strikes; wounded by Isolde Serpentis's poison.
Isolde Serpentis – Mysterious femme fatale; her Golden Flower weapon often carries unusual poisons.
Charm Card (Opposite Gender) – Causes automatic hostility from male NPCs and strong attraction from females.
Golden Needle Technique – Precision acupuncture method for purging toxins and restoring meridian flow.
This story is inspired from various Wuxia novels ,so if you find any similarities please dont mind . and if you think this is boring wait till the Dual cultivation starts ,Thank you .
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T/N :
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