Chapter Seventy-One: The Innate Yin Fiend Enters the Body

From a young age, Yun Tingyu’s health had always been frail. Later, after a hospital visit, she secretly glanced at her diagnosis and learned she was suffering from an incurable illness. From that moment on, she never entertained the thought of someday recovering—not out of pessimism, nor out of resignation.

Her thoughts were simple and pure. She knew only that, since falling ill, she no longer had to be forced to do homework, and her parents—who previously spent little time at home—were now often by her side. Wasn’t that a good thing?

As for the terminal illness, it wasn’t as terrifying as people imagined; it was only during a flare-up that she felt dreadful, but each time she would lose consciousness, and so the pain was minimal.

When she heard her beloved idol racer say her illness was quite challenging, her first feeling was not sorrow but an unexpected sense of relief.

Xiao Cheng had no idea about Yun Tingyu’s somewhat pitiable, even tragic, way of thinking. This illness was indeed quite difficult to handle. It was not a mere disease, but a matter of constitution. He had once heard his master mention such conditions.

Simply put, it was a case of “Yin Fiend” invading the body—a dark energy generated by death. There were two types: one was congenital, present from birth, and the other acquired from the environment later in life.

If it were the latter, it wouldn’t be difficult to treat—the vital yang energy of someone with abundant yang could expel it. Unfortunately, Yun Tingyu’s was the congenital type. Had Yun Hongliang known what was going through Xiao Cheng’s mind, he would have been astonished, for Xiao Cheng’s thoughts aligned closely with those of the old abbot, if not surpassing him.

The congenital type was extremely troublesome, as the constitution was set from the womb; after birth, it became a part of her very being, nearly impossible to reverse. Unless one possessed immense power, capable of extending her life and transforming her very marrow.

Of course, perhaps this constitution was not an illness at all. For certain sects practicing dark arts, such a body was a rare, genius constitution. For those cultivating yang energy, it was the finest vessel for their purposes.

But neither path was desirable for ordinary people. Xiao Cheng deeply despised the dark sects, as members of his own family had perished due to their machinations.

Yun Hongliang never really expected much from Xiao Cheng, so he was not disappointed by his words.

“Did Tingyu’s mother frequently visit graveyards or similar places during her pregnancy?” Xiao Cheng asked. At the same time, he avoided Yun Hongliang’s gaze and pressed several points on Yun Tingyu’s back, infusing them with a touch of true energy.

“Graveyards?” Yun Hongliang fell into thought, then nodded after a moment. “Yes, that year I lost many comrades. She accompanied me to the cemetery a few times. Why? Does this have something to do with Tingyu’s illness?”

Just as he suspected. Xiao Cheng nodded. It seemed Yun Tingyu’s condition originated from those visits; in ancient times, pregnant women avoided graveyards for good reason, though such traditions had long been forgotten. Those old taboos were not without merit.

For now, Xiao Cheng had no way to cure her completely, but he could help suppress the “Yin Fiend” and extend her life. Once he reached a certain level of cultivation—able to perform the Fire Escape technique, the extreme yang element—it might have an effect.

Yun Hongliang now linked the old abbot’s words with Xiao Cheng’s, wondering whether the “Yin Fiend” the abbot mentioned was indeed due to those visits to the graveyard during his wife’s pregnancy. What surprised him most was how Xiao Cheng could deduce such a thing. Could the boy truly possess such remarkable medical skills?

He had always doubted and looked down on Xiao Cheng’s folk healing, considering his youth—at best, the boy might know a little. Now it seemed Xiao Cheng’s expertise ran far deeper.

“Tingyu, do you feel any better now?” Xiao Cheng looked at the adorable Yun Tingyu and asked with a smile.

“Eh?” Yun Tingyu’s eyes widened in surprise. She hadn’t noticed anything until Xiao Cheng asked, but now she suddenly felt light all over, as if she could float away.

“What’s the matter, Tingyu?” Yun Hongliang asked anxiously, seeing his daughter’s expression.

“Dad, I feel so light, like I could fly,” Yun Tingyu replied, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons as she smiled.

Hearing this, Yun Hongliang was astounded. There was no doubt his daughter’s newfound ease was due to Xiao Cheng’s intervention. In all his years seeking treatment, no one else had managed this—most didn’t even understand her condition. Yet Xiao Cheng had made his daughter feel better in an instant, and what amazed him even more was that he hadn’t even seen the boy make any obvious move.

Whatever lingering doubts or condescension he’d felt toward Xiao Cheng evaporated. He finally understood the old saying: never judge a book by its cover.

“Can you cure Tingyu’s illness?” Yun Hongliang asked urgently, his voice trembling slightly.

“I’m afraid I can’t cure her completely, but I can reduce her suffering and extend her life.” Xiao Cheng silently added to himself: “Perhaps my master could cure her.”

He, too, wished he could heal Yun Tingyu—a sweet, lovable girl. But human power has its limits. He simply didn’t possess the ability to transform her marrow yet.

Thinking of his master, the Daoist Wuhe, he couldn’t help feeling a bit bemused. In his past life, Wuhe was his master. Now, having been reborn, would Wuhe still be his master? Likely, at this very moment, Wuhe had no idea he’d mysteriously gained a disciple.

Yun Hongliang was not disappointed by Xiao Cheng’s words; in fact, this was the best news he’d heard. If his daughter could live a few more years, she would reach adulthood and could then undertake the Xiao family’s plan for male heirs—surely, then, her illness could be resolved. Truly, this was the best possible outcome.

He had no idea about the difference between congenital and acquired “Yin Fiend.” The old abbot had never fully understood it; he only knew to use someone with abundant yang energy to expel the fiend. But for a body like Yun Tingyu’s, such action would bring instant death, as the fiend was part of her.

“How much longer can her life be extended?” Yun Hongliang asked anxiously.

“It’s hard to say. About five years, I think.” A heaviness settled over Xiao Cheng’s heart as he pinched Yun Tingyu’s soft earlobe, a surge of pity rising within him. In five years, she would be at the height of her beauty, and yet that might be the very moment her life would end. Of course, that was the worst-case scenario.

Yun Hongliang’s thoughts were elsewhere, still considering the old abbot’s method. If, in five years, his daughter would be eighteen, perhaps then the abbot’s technique could solve everything. Though he was deeply resistant to that method, it seemed the only viable solution.

“What herbs do you need? I’ll start preparing them!” Yun Hongliang could wait no longer. The hospital had said his daughter had only a few months left; there was no time to lose.

“Heh, we’re already almost home. Aren’t you going to invite me inside?” Xiao Cheng laughed. Treating Yun Tingyu couldn’t be rushed, and the process was simple anyway. For now, there was no need for any herbs.

“Of course! Please, come in! I was so excited I nearly forgot!”

[Whew, this chapter is the update for November 21st. On the 21st, I deleted chapter 67, which was posted on the 20th. So today I actually updated four chapters—the first two to make up for yesterday, and the last two are today’s update. Thanks, everyone, for your continued support! The recommendation votes today have been very strong as well. I hope you’ll keep supporting me; the story will only get better from here. Bowing out…]