Starting with the creation of the Immortal Clan through the compilation of the family genealogy.

Chapter 7 Healing and Power

The night wind, carrying a heavy stench of blood and the bitterness of herbs, blew through the Meng family courtyard.

The fire in the kitchen was burning brightly, casting a warm glow on Bai's pale face, but it couldn't hide the fear and heartache in her eyes.

Under the dim light of the oil lamp, Meng Xihong was shirtless, with a deep, bone-revealing knife wound on his shoulder, the flesh twisted out in a grotesque manner. Bai Shi carefully cleaned and applied the wound medicine left by Physician Sun with a boiled cotton cloth.

Every time the cotton cloth touched the wound, Meng Xihong's muscles would tense uncontrollably, and fine beads of cold sweat would seep from his forehead. But he clenched his teeth and remained silent, only occasionally letting out a few suppressed groans from deep in his throat.

"Hiss..." The intense pain of the medicine powder seeping into the wound made him gasp.

Bai's hand trembled violently, and tears welled up instantly, falling in large drops onto Meng Xihong's sweat-soaked back, spreading into a small dark patch.

"Husband... if it hurts, just cry out... don't hold it in..." Her voice was trembling and tearful.

Meng Yanqing, nestled in Bai's arms, seemed to sense the oppressive atmosphere in the room. Her little mouth twitched, and she burst into tears. Her small body writhed restlessly in Bai's arms.

The baby's cry was like a small hammer, shattering the heavy atmosphere in the room.

Meng Xihong took a deep breath, suppressing the pain, turned his head, and forced a reassuring smile onto his face.

He reached out his uninjured left hand and gently wiped away the tears on Bai's face, then touched his son's red, tear-stained face with his fingertips.

"Silly wife, why are you crying?" His voice was hoarse from the pain, but unusually gentle.

"It's just a minor injury, it doesn't look scary. Doctor Sun's medicine is very effective, it will scab over in a few days. Look, even Qing'er is laughing at you."

He teased his son's little hand, trying to distract his wife: "Qing'er, be good, don't cry. Daddy's alright, Daddy chased away the bad guys and is protecting Mommy and you."

Looking at her husband's forced smile and listening to his clumsy attempts to comfort her, Bai felt a surge of bitterness and worry that instead of lessening.

She knows her husband too well.

He was always like this, bearing all the great suffering himself, leaving only peace and smiles for his wife and child.

She lowered her head, pressing her face against her son's soft hair, absorbing the faint warmth, and choked out, "From now on... don't work so hard... Qing'er and I... can't live without you..."

Meng Xihong's heart trembled, and he hugged his wife and children even tighter.

Warm tears soaked the bandage on his chest; the slight sting was nothing compared to the heaviness in his heart.

Doesn't he also want to live a peaceful life?
But this world is a realm where martial arts reign supreme and immortality reigns supreme. Mortals are nothing more than weeds and dust in the eyes of the strong... insignificant, fragile, and fleeting.

Now that I have been given this opportunity to travel here, I will fight for the Meng family!
The heaviness that had been building up in his chest was suddenly dispelled by a surge of heat, and his eyes shone with an unprecedented brilliance.

"I will elevate you to the highest heavens, granting you eternal life! Furthermore, I will ensure that every member of the Meng clan is like a dragon soaring from the abyss, breaking free from this insignificant mortal realm!"

[Daily Divination, Today's Hexagram: Minor Auspiciousness. With the help of benefactors, initial signs of authority emerge. Suitable for staying at home; fortune is moderate. Avoid injuries or bone-related ailments.]

Upon seeing the words "Avoid injuring tendons or bones," Meng Xihong gave a helpless twitch of his lips. This divination was even starting to offer hindsight advice.

In the days that followed, Meng Xihong stayed at home to recover from his injury.

Bai stayed by Meng Xihong's side almost every step of the way, decocting medicine, changing dressings, and stewing nourishing soups, taking meticulous care of him.

Meng Yanqing seemed to have become more sensible, no longer as noisy as before. She often lay by her father's bedside, staring curiously at the gauze on her father's shoulder with her big, dark eyes.

Sometimes she would reach out her chubby little hand to touch it, but then she would timidly pull it back, only making soft, sweet "ee-ee-ya-ya" sounds.

Meng Xihong's physique was already far superior to that of ordinary people due to the blessing of [Martial Arts Root Bone]. With Bai's meticulous care and Sun Langzhong's excellent medicine, his wounds healed extremely quickly.

In just seven or eight days, the hideous wound had healed and scabbed over, leaving only a dark scar.

Although there is still some lingering pain deep in the muscles and bones, and it is uncomfortable when exerting too much force, daily activities are no longer a problem.

That morning, Meng Xihong was leaning against the courtyard wall, slowly stretching his muscles and feeling the slight tingling sensation of his blood and qi flowing smoothly again through his damaged meridians, when there was a knock on the courtyard gate.

Standing outside the door was Wang Hai. He was injured in his wrist and arm, which were wrapped in thick gauze and hung in front of his chest. His face was still pale, but his spirits were still good.

Two constables followed behind him, carrying several packets of fine pastries and a box of old ginseng.

"Xihong!" As soon as Wang Hai entered the room, his gaze fell anxiously on Meng Xihong. Seeing that he looked well and was moving normally, he breathed a heavy sigh of relief. "Are you feeling much better? I was so worried about you!"

"Thank you for your concern, sir. I'm fine now." Meng Xihong quickly welcomed the person in.

Bai served tea, but Wang Hai had no interest in sipping it. He dismissed the two constables, and when only he and Meng Xihong remained in the courtyard, his expression became unusually solemn, even carrying a hint of shame and relief.

“Xihong,” Wang Hai’s voice was low and complicated. He stroked the rim of his teacup and looked at the broken wooden stake in the courtyard. “This time… it’s all thanks to you.”

"If it weren't for your life-risking rescue, I, Wang Hai, would have lost this arm—no, this life—at Black Wind Pass! And those brothers who sacrificed their lives..."

His throat bobbed, and his eyes filled with bloodshot veins and pain. "I, Wang Hai, will remember this kindness for the rest of my life!"

Meng Xihong was silent for a moment, then said, "You flatter me, sir. It's just a matter of duty and camaraderie among comrades."

"No! This is absolutely not our responsibility!" Wang Hai suddenly looked up, his eyes burning. "Your skills... we've kept them a secret for so long!"

"Hidden strength! True hidden strength! Xi Hong, you are now undoubtedly the number one expert in Wufeng County!"

He stood up, walked to Meng Xihong, and with his intact hand avoiding the injured area, patted Meng Xihong's shoulder heavily, the force substantial.

"I'm old. This injury has greatly weakened me. I'm afraid my arm will never recover to its former state. I can no longer shoulder the responsibilities of this official position."

He took a deep breath, looked directly into Meng Xihong's eyes, and said decisively, "I have already submitted my resignation to the county magistrate and recommended you!"

"Xi Hong, this position as the head of the Wufeng County government is rightfully yours! Only you can keep the situation under control, find the culprit, and avenge our fallen brothers!"

Meng Xihong was startled.

He knew there would be changes after this bandit suppression, but he didn't expect Wang Hai to be so resolute, directly relinquishing his position and recommending him!
"Officer, I..." Meng Xihong was about to say something when Wang Hai raised his hand to interrupt him.

"Don't refuse!" Wang Hai's eyes were earnest, with an undeniable determination. "I know what you want to say. In terms of seniority, you're still too inexperienced. But Xi Hong, in this world, especially in government offices, having a strong fist and great skills are the most important things!"

"Your Excellency is well aware of this! The villain has not been eliminated and could return at any time. The county needs a pillar of stability! And you are that pillar!"

He lowered his voice: "I've already explained things to the county magistrate. He praised your performance highly! Once you've fully recovered, the official document for your appointment will be issued!"

Wang Hai's words struck Meng Xihong's heart like a heavy hammer.

Power, responsibility, danger, revenge... a mix of emotions swirled and surged.

Looking at Wang Hai's arm, wrapped in thick bandages and hanging limply, and at the trust and expectation in the other's eyes that entrusted him with such a heavy responsibility, he could no longer bring himself to refuse.

This is not just a promotion, but also a heavy responsibility, a blood oath to seek justice for the fallen comrades!
He slowly straightened his back, met Wang Hai's gaze, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed deeply, his voice steady and powerful:
"Thanks to the magistrate's kindness and trust, I, Xihong, accept this post! I will certainly live up to your expectations, protect the peace of this region, apprehend the culprit, and avenge my family!"

"Good! Good! Good!" Wang Hai said "good" three times in a row, and finally a relieved and gratified smile appeared on his face, with his eyes even a little moist.

He knew he hadn't misjudged the person.

After seeing Wang Hai off, Meng Xihong stood alone in the courtyard.

The winter sun, carrying a hint of warmth, fell upon him.

He walked to the pile of ironwood scraps, bent down, and picked up a piece. The hard, iron-like wood had sharp edges that dug into his palm.

He slowly closed his five fingers, and his inner strength quietly flowed within his body.

With a soft "crack," the hard ironwood was silently crushed into finer powder in his palm, which then fell to the ground.

"A government official? That suits me just fine."

He turned around and looked at Bai Shi, who was leaning against the door, holding her child, her eyes filled with worry yet also with boundless trust as she looked at him.

Meng Xihong walked over and embraced his wife and children. He rested his chin on Bai's hair and said in a deep and firm voice, "My wife, don't be afraid."

"I will protect this family well. From now on, no one will be able to harm us easily."

Bai buried her face in his broad chest, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, feeling the reassuring strength and determination emanating from him, and softly hummed in agreement, holding the child in her arms even tighter.

Little Meng Yanqing seemed to sense the unusual aura emanating from her father. She stopped babbling, opened her big, dark, and pure eyes, and looked curiously at her father's angular jaw.

The sunlight cast a warm golden glow on the embracing family of three.

The wooden stake fragments in the corner of the yard silently tell the story of the transformation of power.

Outside the door, a brand new world full of challenges and opportunities awaits this newly appointed official to take charge.

(End of this chapter)