Heaven rewards diligence: Survive until you reach immortality in the newbie village!

Chapter 13 Probing and Peeping

Zhou Han stood outside Xiu'er's courtyard gate, his blue Taoist robe fluttering slightly in the morning breeze.

His gaze swept across the courtyard and landed on Chen Mo, who had just come out, his eyes filled with scrutiny.

"You're here quite early," Zhou Han said in a nonchalant tone.

Chen Mo stopped in his tracks, a perfectly respectful smile on his face.

"Master, Xiu'er's mother's condition worsened last night, and I was worried she wouldn't make it through this morning, so I came earlier than usual."

Zhou Han frowned slightly and stepped into the courtyard.

"His condition has worsened? I just gave him some heart-nourishing pills yesterday, how could this be...?"

Before he could finish speaking, a gasp came from inside the house from Aunt Xiu'er.

"She's awake! She's really awake!"

Zhou Han paused in his steps.

Chen Mo stepped aside to make way and calmly said, "Please, Daoist Master."

Zhou Han strode into the house.

On the bed, Xiuer's mother was sitting up against the pillows. Although her face was still a little pale, her lips had regained their color, her eyes were clear, and she was drinking porridge from a bowl.

Aunt Xiu'er stayed by the bedside, her eyes still red, but her face was full of joy.

Zhou Han was stunned for a moment.

When he arrived yesterday, the old woman was clearly on her deathbed, as if she could die at any moment.

How come I was able to sit up and drink porridge overnight?

"The effects of the Nourishing Heart Pill... are so fast?" Zhou Han muttered to himself.

Chen Mo followed him in, speaking respectfully.

"The Taoist priest's elixir is indeed miraculous. Last night I gave Xiuer's mother some acupuncture to clear her meridians, and with the help of the elixir, her condition stabilized."

Zhou Han turned around, his gaze lingering on Chen Mo's face for a moment.

"You also know acupuncture?"

"I know a little bit." Chen Mo lowered his eyes. "I studied with Li Lang from the village for a few years."

Zhou Han snorted and didn't say anything more.

He walked to the bedside and placed his hand on Xiuer's mother's pulse.

A moment later, his brows furrowed even more.

The pulse is steady, and the Qi and blood are in harmony.

The hidden injury to the heart meridian... has actually healed completely?

Zhou Han's heart skipped a beat.

He knew very well that Xiuer's mother's heart meridian had been injured by someone using spiritual power, and the method was extremely subtle.

Even with the Heart-Nourishing Pill, this kind of injury can only be temporarily stabilized. To completely heal it, at least a medium-grade or higher healing elixir is needed.

But now...

Zhou Han withdrew his hand and turned to look at Chen Mo.

"What kind of acupuncture did you give her?"

Chen Mo's heart stirred slightly, but his face remained expressionless.

"Master, it's just a common method to unblock the meridians. Xiuer's mother's illness has been going on for a long time, and her meridians are blocked. I'm afraid that just relying on pills won't be enough, so I used a few more acupuncture needles."

Zhou Han stared at him, his eyes filled with a hint of inquiry.

"Standard acupuncture technique?"

"Yes." Chen Mo nodded. "It was taught by Physician Li."

Zhou Han remained silent for a moment, then suddenly raised his hand, and an invisible aura pressed down on Chen Mo.

The oppressive aura of the seventh level of Qi Refining.

Chen Mo's expression changed slightly, and his body swayed slightly, but he quickly regained his balance.

He looked up, his eyes filled with fear and confusion.

"Master Daoist... this is..."

Zhou Han withdrew his oppressive aura, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes.

There was no fluctuation of spiritual energy.

He was indeed just an ordinary person.

"It's nothing." Zhou Han waved his hand and turned to walk outside.

Chen Mo followed behind him, the fear on his face gradually fading and returning to calm.

For a brief moment, he almost thought he was about to be exposed.

Fortunately, the [Aura Concealment] skill is already at its maximum level, so even if a Foundation Establishment cultivator were to investigate in person, they might not be able to see through it.

Moreover, Zhou Han is only at the seventh level of Qi Refining.

The two walked out of the courtyard.

Zhou Han stood at the doorway, glanced back at the room, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

"Your medical skills are quite good," he suddenly said.

Chen Mo was taken aback.

"You flatter me, Daoist Master."

Zhou Han gave a cold laugh.

"I'm not praising you." He paused. "I just think that for an ordinary person to heal a hidden injury to their heart meridian, they either have extraordinary luck, or..."

He didn't go on.

Chen Mo's heart tightened, but his face remained respectful.

"Master, I do not understand your meaning."

Zhou Han stared at him for a few seconds, but finally looked away.

"Never mind. Anyway, Xiuer's mother is cured, so I've completed my mission."

He took a small porcelain bottle out of his pocket and tossed it to Chen Mo.

"These are the remaining three Heart-Nourishing Pills. Now that she's alright, keep these pills and give them to anyone who needs them in the future."

Chen Mo caught the porcelain bottle and bowed to express his gratitude.

"Thank you, Taoist priest."

Zhou Han waved his hand and turned to leave.

After taking a few steps, he suddenly stopped.

"By the way," he turned around, "what's your relationship with Xiuer?"

Chen Mo's heart skipped a beat.

"Replying to the Daoist Master, Xiu'er is my neighbor; we grew up together since childhood."

Zhou Han narrowed his eyes slightly.

"that's all?"

"That's it." Chen Mo nodded. "Xiu'er is exceptionally talented, and now that she has joined a sect of immortals, she and I are from two different worlds."

Zhou Han stared at him for a few seconds, then finally snorted.

"At least you have some self-awareness."

He turned and strode away.

Chen Mo watched him walk away, the calm in his eyes gradually replaced by a hint of coldness.

"System, bring up Zhou Han's latest photo album."

【A Pictorial Record of Encounters - Zhou Han】

Name: Zhou Han

[Identity]: Outer disciple of Tianxuan Sect

[Cultivation Level]: Qi Refining Level 7

[Affection Level]: -8 (Suspicion and Dissatisfaction)

[Recent Encounters]: Due to Xiu'er's mother's sudden improvement in her condition, she became suspicious of Chen Mo. She plans to report this matter to "that person" after returning to Tianxuan Sect.

[Hidden Information]: Zhou Han was not the mastermind behind the assassination of Xiu'er's mother; he was merely acting under orders. The true mastermind is an inner sect elder of the Tianxuan Sect, who has a long-standing feud with Xuanming Zhenren and seeks to weaken Xuanming Zhenren's power by suppressing Xiu'er.

Chen Mo's pupils contracted slightly.

Inner Sect Elder.

The rival of Master Xuanming.

He took a deep breath and made another decision.

"System, can you find specific information about that inner sect elder?"

[Testing in progress...]

[The host currently lacks sufficient permissions to view detailed catalogs of cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage and above.]

[Tip: This can be unlocked by upgrading the [Chronicle of Fate] or by directly interacting with the target character.]

Chen Mo frowned slightly.

It seems this lead can only go this far for now.

But at least one thing is certain.

The matter of Xiu'er's mother is related to the power struggle within the Tianxuan Sect.

And he, a mere village doctor, has already been caught up in it.

Chen Mo turned and walked back to his small courtyard.

He closed the courtyard gate, sat cross-legged on the kang (a heated brick bed), and closed his eyes to practice the "Hibernating Dragon Returning to Origin Technique".

The system notification sounded in my mind again.

[Hidden Quest "Undercurrents" Progress Update: 40%]

[A key figure, an "Inner Sect Elder of the Heavenly Profound Sect," has been detected. He is about to dispatch his subordinates to Matongli Village, where they are expected to arrive within three days.]

[Note: The other party's intentions are unclear. It is recommended that the host make preparations in advance.]

Chen Mo opened his eyes, a cold glint flashing in them.

Within three days.

Three more days passed.

It seems this turmoil is far from over.

He stood up, walked to the window, and opened it.

In the distance, Zhou Han's figure had already disappeared at the village entrance.

Chen Mo muttered to himself.

"Since there's no way to avoid it..."

A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Then let me see what you're up to."

Outside the window, the morning light is growing stronger.