Empress, please lay down your armor, for I will save the world with a single sword!

The aroma of medicine in the room grew stronger.

The charcoal fire was burning brightly, casting a dark red glow under the furnace. The furnace body was slightly heated and occasionally emitted a very soft "crackling" sound.

Wu Liang sat in front of the alchemy furnace, holding a thin copper stick in his hand, occasionally stirring the charcoal fire, and glancing down at the medicinal powder laid out beside him.

This busy period lasted until evening.

It was completely dark outside, and the courtyard was quiet except for the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves.

Wu Liang was so engrossed in refining medicine that he almost forgot about time.

Until a soft knock sounded at the door.

"Young master?"

Wu Liang looked up, rubbing his slightly sore neck. "What is it?"

Du Juan whispered through the door, "The meal is ready. Butler Yan said that the young master has been busy all afternoon, so please don't go hungry. He sent me to invite you to eat."

Wu Liang then realized what was happening.

My stomach does feel a bit empty.

He patted the powder off his hands, stood up, walked to the alchemy furnace, and took another look.

It's still a bit too hot.

Based on the current situation, it's estimated that this batch of pills will be completed in about two hours.

"Okay, got it."

Wu Liang responded, then turned to look at the pile of medicinal herbs, feeling somewhat satisfied.

This afternoon's work was worthwhile.

The preparations for the "Unpredictable Elixir" and the "Nine-Turn Rejuvenation Elixir" are almost complete.

On Zui Qingfeng's side, only a few final steps remain.

And the old bastard Hei Jiu's medicine has also been roughly prepared.

I'm busy, but having a few more cards to play makes me feel more at ease.

Wu Liang pushed open the door and went out.

The night breeze outside helped me wake up quite a bit.

Du Juan stood at the door. Seeing him come out, she quickly bowed her head and said, "Young master, the food has been placed in the side room."

"Um."

Wu Liang nodded, then suddenly remembered something, "Where's Hei Jiu?"

"That old gentleman is still in the next room," Du Juan whispered. "He hasn't moved much all afternoon, like he's meditating."

Wu Liang nodded and turned to go next door.

There were no lights on in the room.

Hei Jiu sat cross-legged on the bed, his eyes slightly closed, his whole body as thin as a withered tree root.

Even so, his back remained straight.

He doesn't look like a patient; he looks more like a stone statue about to crack.

Wu Liang stood at the door and glanced around a few times.

The old man still looked half-dead, but he was definitely a little better than when I brought him back this afternoon.

At least that feeling of being on the verge of dying isn't as strong anymore.

"Old Black".

Wu Liang called out, "Dinner's ready."

Hei Jiu opened his eyes.

"Black Nine".

"Alright, Old Black Nine."

"..."

Hei Jiu stared at him coldly.

Wu Liang waved his hand, "Don't look at me like that. If you don't eat soon, you'll starve to death before you're even injured. I'll have suffered a huge loss as your servant for the past three years."

Hei Jiu slowly stood up.

The movements are still very slow.

But he remained the same, neither uttering a sound nor leaning against the wall.

Wu Liang clicked his tongue inwardly as he watched.

Despite his stubbornness, this old man is truly incorrigible.

The two entered the side room one after the other.

The food was already laid out on the table.

The Prince of Beiyong's residence is quite generous when it comes to entertaining guests.

A plate of roast chicken, a steamed fish, a bowl of hot soup, two small dishes, and a small pot of wine.

The rice was also piping hot.

Du Juan stood by and, seeing the two enter, quickly stepped forward to set out chopsticks.

As soon as Hei Jiu sat down, Wu Liang frowned.

He stared at Hei Jiu for a couple of seconds, then sniffed, his expression somewhat complicated.

Hei Jiu said calmly, "What are you looking at?"

Wu Liang didn't answer him, but turned to Du Juan and said, "Miss Du Juan, could you please have someone prepare a tub of bathwater?"

Du Juan nodded immediately, "Yes, young master, I will go and have someone boil water right away."

"No hot water."

Wu Liang said, "Cold water."

Du Juan was taken aback.

"cold water?"

She glanced outside instinctively. "Young master, the weather is already getting chilly. Won't you catch a cold taking a bath in cold water?"

"I want cold water."

Wu Liang waved his hand, "The colder the better."

Although Du Juan didn't understand, she didn't ask any further questions.

"This servant will go right away."

After saying that, she turned and left.

Hei Jiu looked at Wu Liang, a smirk playing on his lips. "Are you trying to cure me, or are you trying to freeze this old man to death?"

Wu Liang picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of chicken, and said, "The residual energy of thunder and fire on your body is burning like a furnace; a bucket of cold water wouldn't freeze you to death."

As he spoke, he frowned and added, "Besides, you really stink."

"I'm afraid that while I'm eating, I'll throw up all of yesterday's food."

Hei Jiu was surprisingly not angry.

Instead, he chuckled.

The laughter was hoarse and low, and a little eerie.

"That would be great."

"Do you think I want to look this slovenly?"

"It's all because of the circumstances."

After saying that, he didn't stand on ceremony and picked up his bowl to start eating.

This old man has a very ruthless way of eating.

The chopsticks moved so fast that almost half a bowl of rice was eaten in one bite.

Holding a bowl in one hand and grabbing a chicken leg in the other, he took a really crisp bite.

Wu Liang was speechless.

"Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you."

Hei Jiu didn't even look up.

"I haven't had a proper meal in so many days."

Wu Liang paused.

That's a very understated statement.

But listening to it, you can feel the stories it tells.

What exactly did this old guy go through in the past?

However, Wu Liang didn't ask any further questions.

He and Hei Jiu aren't that close yet.

The two ate in silence for a while.

Hei Jiu suddenly reached for the wine jug.

Wu Liang stretched out his chopsticks and pressed them down on the wine pot.

"You're not allowed to drink it."

Hei Jiu raised his eyes.

"I'll take a sip."

Not even a single drop.

Wu Liang said irritably, "Your body is currently experiencing a three-way conflict involving sword energy, lightning fire, and death energy. Are you trying to make it even more exciting by drinking more alcohol?"

Hei Jiu frowned.

"Alcohol can improve blood circulation."

"You call that promoting blood circulation?"

Wu Liang sneered, "You're trying to activate your blood now, but before your blood even comes alive, your sword energy has already activated. What will I do then? You'll spit a mouthful of blood in my face, and who will I complain to then?"

Hei Jiu stared at the wine pot, clearly unwilling to give up.

But in the end, he let go.

"Tsk."

Wu Liang laughed, "You're quite obedient."

Hei Jiu coldly replied, "I will only follow the doctor's advice for now."

"They're all the same."

Wu Liang took the wine pot to his side and poured himself a cup.

Hei Jiu looked at him. "You can drink?"

"Nonsense, I'm not sick."

Wu Liang picked up his wine glass and took a sip in front of Hei Jiu.

Hei Jiu's eye twitched.

That kid is a real scoundrel.

After the meal, Dujuan also prepared cold water.

The bucket was placed in Hei Jiu's room.

Du Juan wanted to ask if they needed more hot water, but Wu Liang waved her away.

"Alright, you don't need to serve me here."

"Go get some rest."

Du Juan glanced at Hei Jiu, then at Wu Liang, and nodded obediently.

"Yes, young master."

After the cuckoo left, the courtyard became quiet.

Wu Liang then returned to the alchemy room and retrieved several medicinal herbs.

He put the medicinal herbs into a mortar and pestle and ground them into a fine powder little by little.

Hei Jiu stood at the door watching.

"What are you going to do now?"

Wu Liang didn't even look up.

"bath."

Hei Jiu sneered, "Medicated powder for bathing?"

Wu Liang said, "Your bath is very expensive, made entirely of rare medicinal herbs. Ordinary people couldn't afford it even if they wanted to! Don't be ungrateful!"

Hei Jiu didn't say anything more.

Wu Liang ground the medicine powder and carried the medicine bowl into Hei Jiu's room.

The wooden tub contained a whole tub of cold water.

Crystal clear.

Wu Liang walked over and poured the powder in little by little.

The next moment, the originally clear water changed color at a speed visible to the naked eye.

It was pale red at first.

It then went deeper and deeper.

In just a few breaths, the entire bucket of water turned bright red, like blood.

A strong, pungent medicinal smell also spread out.

Hei Jiu stared at the bucket of blood-like liquid without even flinching.

Wu Liang clapped his hands.

"Go in."

Hei Jiu glanced at him.

Aren't you going to explain?

"Explain what?"

"This doesn't look like something for people to soak in."

Wu Liang smiled and said, "Then you don't look human either."

Hei Jiu: "..."

Wu Liang pointed to the wooden barrel. "Enough talk, get in."

Hei Jiu didn't ask any more questions.

He simply unbuttoned his tattered clothes and stepped into the wooden tub.

The moment the cold water submerged his body, his emaciated frame trembled slightly.

But it quickly stabilized.

He sat cross-legged in the tub and closed his eyes.

His body was soaked in bright red medicine.

The scene looked a bit eerie.

Wu Liang walked behind him, rolled up his sleeves, and placed his palms on his back.

"Don't move."

Hei Jiu said calmly, "I understand."

Wu Liang took a deep breath and began to circulate the Longevity Technique.

The gentle internal energy slowly flowed into Hei Jiu's body once again.

……