Chapter Twelve: The Life-Saving Lingzhi

Outside the window, heavy rain poured down, drenching the small courtyard where the spirit tree stood, its leaves scattered across the ground by the relentless downpour.

Song Liyao frowned as she repeatedly wiped Da Wa’s body with cool water, carefully avoiding the wounded area and peeling away the coarse cloth still stuck to the cut. To her horror, the wound had turned purulent, emitting a foul stench.

Any cultivator with a bit of knowledge would know this was no ordinary injury. Despite taking herbal medicine, the wound had decayed like this—there was definitely something wrong.

“Yao, keep watch here. I’ll go find some spirit herbs,” she said urgently.

Yao solemnly continued wiping and repeatedly channeled her spiritual energy into Da Wa’s body. The dim flame flickered on the table, while the wind outside howled as if trying to snuff out the tiny light.

Jiang Xu’s eyes stung, but he fought tears, blaming the flickering wick for the pain in his eyes. Jiang Yunyun could only hold her sister silently, too scared to speak, quietly sobbing on the sidelines.

She dared not cry loudly, fearing she might disturb their parents as they tried to save her brother. She was terribly afraid—afraid of losing the man who treated her like a father, who understood the delicate thoughts of a girl.

Jiang Haohai stared wide-eyed at her eldest brother’s pale face, filled with worry. Yet today, she had given her elixir in full measure—he would surely be alright.

Yes, he would definitely get better.

“Xu-ge, there’s Lingzhi mushrooms in the mustard seed pouch. I found them in the minor secret realm today. Hurry and brew them into medicine for Da Wa!” Song Liyao suddenly exclaimed, her hands freezing mid-motion with a spark of hope.

Jiang Xu, not caring whether it was the right remedy, took out the Lingzhi and began brewing it. He tended the pot anxiously, his heart sinking to the depths.

This was his first child.

From when he was still a young man with no knowledge of the world, also a child himself.

Only after Da Wa’s birth did he transform, shouldering responsibility and duty.

He had once endured the agony of bone-extraction pain, had been driven away like a stray dog, his pride utterly shattered, leaving behind only hatred for the world.

The boiling water splashed onto Jiang Xu’s hand, bringing him back to the present.

He brought over the freshly brewed life-saving medicine, but Jiang Lin was unconscious, mouth tightly shut, unable to swallow.

Song Liyao saw this and lifted Jiang Lin, letting him lean against her.

Seeing the many scars on the child, the mother almost burst into tears.

Her eldest son was always sensible; since birth, he knew how to share her burdens. Even knowing his own aptitude was poor, he never despaired, constantly going out to find ways to earn some spirit stones to support the family.

The once proud and vigorous young boy now lay weak and barely breathing—her heart as a mother could not bear it.

The foolish second sister held her younger sibling, helping with small chores. She had never expected her eldest brother to be so covered in wounds. Standing by, she stirred the medicine, hoping it would cool quickly so he could drink and recover.

Taking advantage of the family’s focus on the eldest brother, Jiang Haohai secretly poured much of the elixir from the gourd into the medicine.

Sweat dripped down her face; this was her limit.

Not a single drop remained!

“Husband, I’ll support his head. You have to mouth-to-mouth feed the medicine!” Jiang Xu sensed the medicine was now drinkable. He took a large gulp himself, steadied the head, and forced the medicine into Da Wa’s mouth, one swallow at a time.

After feeding him, his mood lifted slightly, praying to the heavens.

Jiang Haohai looked at her fragile father, who seemed like a gust of wind could blow him away, her heart aching even more.

The whole house was bustling and lively, but the father remained quiet, moving and speaking softly, holding her gently.

Yet, he was strong. She had never seen her father show weakness—except once, when he took the blame for Manager Li.

Though not old, just about a hundred years—still considered youthful and vibrant in the cultivation world.

If he were in the 21st century, he would be nothing more than a naive university student, concerned only with eating.

But it seemed as if a heavy burden pressed down on his back—unseen, yet bending his pride, his smiles, and his youth.

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The night passed with the courtyard’s lights burning throughout. After the rain, the sky gradually welcomed the morning glow.

The spirit tree outside the courtyard, having endured wind and rain, grew even sturdier and more upright.

The children couldn’t stay awake all night. Jiang Yunyun kept dozing off only to startle awake again.

Jiang Haohai was exhausted too—after giving all her elixir from the gourd, her energy and strength were at their limits.

Under the flickering light, she only saw her parents mechanically continuing to wipe her eldest brother’s body.

With a final flicker, the lamp went out.

The courtyard plunged into darkness. Jiang Xu, unable to control his emotions, wailed softly like a wounded beast licking its wounds.

---

Since childhood, he had sensed his mother’s deep aversion towards him. No matter how he tried to please her, all he received was disdain.

Only when others were around would she spare him some favor.

Why bring a child into the world only to treat her with such contempt?

Later, living alone, he met Yao.

Yao not only saved him but accepted his weakened body, further debilitated by the bone extraction.

Thus, Da Wa was born, and he became a father.

Though not living in the luxurious Jiang household with abundant elixirs, he felt the taste of happiness.

So he fought to live, willing to do anything for the family he cherished.

Just yesterday, Da Wa was still alive, proudly watching his sister wear the new magical shoes he had bought.

He’d always been sensible, never complaining about his own pain.

Now, holding his son, he broke down, crying bitterly.

His heart ached deeply.

Unable to bear the overwhelming grief, his body collapsed to the side.

A strong shoulder embraced him, offering steady support.

No matter when, Yao seemed always there.

This Yao, unlike ordinary female cultivators, was the best woman in his eyes.

He could feel her trembling body, her voice quivering as she said:

“Husband, it’s alright. We have spirit stones at home. We’ll buy a sturdy spirit coffin for Linzi, so he can be reborn into a good family—a wealthy family. That will be better, it must be better than this…”

Jiang Xu’s heart boiled with powerless rage. Why did heaven always play such cruel jokes?

His child was not yet grown, had not truly seen the world, nor experienced a prosperous life.

His child had never harmed anyone, always kind-hearted. Why must heaven take him away?

If it was his own sin, let heaven punish him—but why let his child suffer!