Interlude: The Father''s Tale Part V

    ~~~

    The Punishment Hall was a medium-sized, one-story building with a single basement level.

    In spite of the name, nothing particularly terrible happened there. It was just a building with dozens of holding cells where disciples who had broken the rules of the Xiao Sect were sent to. As far as punishments went, it was a light one. The punished disciple just had to stay in a cell for a day or more depending on the offense.

    Those who were wise used the time to focus on their cultivation.

    Of course, that was not an option available to Liu Jianguo.

    He and Li had been locked up in two small, adjacent cells located in the basement. Each only had a pile of hay with a blanket on top where one could sleep on. There were no windows of any kind, so the only light came from the dim candles outside the cells.

    By Liu Jianguos estimate, over half a day had passed since they were brought in.

    Naturally, rather than being worried about himself, Liu Jianguo was worried about his son who he had left with Old Man Gao. Since he had first held Liu Jin in his arms, this was the longest Liu Jianguo had ever been away from him. It was a situation the doctor was not accustomed to, and it was not one he liked one bit.

    Certainly, he had left the old couple with strict instructions on what to do, but still!

    What would happen if his son woke up crying in the middle of the night and he wasnt there!

    What if his son got sick? Old Man Gao lacked knowledge of the healing arts. Liu Jianguo frowned as dozens of different scenarios flashed through his mind, ranging from somewhat possible to profoundly unlikely, yet his mind took each of those scenarios with utmost seriousness.

    I wish to apologize.

    The doctor blinked as Lis voice drew him out of his increasingly fantastical worries. He looked to his side, which was a useless gesture as the walls of his cell blocked his view of Li.

    I do not recall you having done anything that requires an apology.

    Lis laughter filled the empty place. It was tinged with bitterness.

    Doctor Liu, I see your sense of humor is as good as always, but please, now is not the time for it. There is no denying it was this stupid disciple who pleaded for you to come here. If it werent for me, youd be with your son. I I knew there was always a possibility of things ending this way, but I truly believed everything would work out.

    The regret in his voice was easy to hear, and from one point of view, it was almost easy to agree with him. However

    Contrary to what you may think, I do not make it a habit of joking, Liu Jianguo replied, sitting on the pile of hay and leaning against the wall. You are young, and that you think you can claim responsibility for my actions shows it all too clearly. I am here because I chose to be here. Nothing more. Nothing less.

    But I insisted so many times!

    You did, Liu Jianguo agreed without a trace of heat or an ounce of bitterness in his voice. You constantly pestered me about it. It was quite annoying.

    Then you can see-

    But, the doctor said, softly but firmly, I did not choose to go with you so that you may stop pestering me. You explained your reasoning to me, and I agreed with it. That is all there is to it. You didnt force me to come. I am here of my own free will. There is no need for you to feel guilty about the choices I made.

    It was almost funny. If someone had talked to him like this in the past, then maybe things wouldnt have gone the way they did.

    However, Liu Jianguo had no time to entertain what-ifs. Not anymore.

    As expected, Doctor Liu is truly an amazing man, Li said after a while. No wonder the Heavens made Doctor Liu unable to use Qi. Itd be the height of unfairness for a man to have both power and wisdom in such measures.

    Liu Jianguo laughed.

    He couldnt help it. He laughed long and hard. The sound echoed across the empty cells.

    Doctor Liu?

    Forgive me, he said, still laughing and wiping a tear from his eye. Its just I wasnt expecting you to say something like that. Power in exchange for wisdom? Is that how you see it?

    Li might be more right than hed ever know.

    Amusing, the doctor said. Life truly is amusing.

    Well, well, someone said. I see you two are having fun. Dont you know this is supposed to be a place of punishment? At the very least, youre supposed to pretend to be penitent. The Elders do so love that.

    Young Master Xiao Nan!

    Liu Jianguos eyebrows rose as he saw the young boy walk in front of his cell. He was carrying a tray of food.

    Greetings, Liu Jianguo said, inclining his head. I must admit my surprise. I did not think we were worthy of being visited by a person of your esteem.

    You arent, Xiao Nan replied without hesitation. However, like you, I am being punished.

    As he spoke, he set the tray down and opened the lock. The plate with food was pushed in a second later.

    As Im sure you know, even weak cultivators can go a day or two without food just fine, Xiao Nan explained, making no effort to close the gate. He didnt need to. There was nothing Liu Jianguo could do to escape with Xiao Nan in the way. Except in the cases of disciples who have misbehaved enough to be here for weeks or months, there is really no need to bring food here. However, youre a cripple, and thus, need food to survive.

    I am aware of that.

    Burden, you say? Xiao Nan chuckled bitterly. I just feel like a fool now.

    My apologies.

    Xiao Nan did not reply immediately. He stayed there for a while, silent and thoughtful.

    Hey! Xiao Nans blue eyes peered into his red ones. If you had those ingredients, could you heal uncle?

    I have said it many times, and Ill say it again, yes.

    I see.

    With one last look at him, Xiao Nan left and closed the door behind him.

    ~~~

    It was late at night when Liu Jianguo woke up after feeling someone opening his cell.

    Get up, the unmistakable voice of Xiao Nan said. Ill have you prove your words.

    Young Master Xiao Nan, Liu Jianguo said, rising with grace that should not belong to someone whose sleep had just been interrupted. To what do I owe this pleasure?

    Unlike in his previous visit, Xiao Nan was dressed in dark clothes. He had a sack of cloth in his hands, which he quickly put down.

    I brought what you need.

    Liu Jianguos eyes widened.

    Oh dear.

    Are those-

    Three phoenix feathers, Dragon Blood Flower, and Sweeping Flame Lotus, Xiao Nan said, taking the ingredients out of the sack one by one. You said this was what you need, didnt you? Well then, start preparing. I even brought the Powdered Moon Grass and Blue Spirit Root. We dont have much time until the guards realize someone broke into the storage. Once the Elders notice what was stolen, theyll know to come here.

    This child had stolen from his own Sect.

    This child had broken into the storage and taken the ingredients he had listed the other day. Audacious didnt begin to cover it. Liu Jianguo would have smiled if he wasnt aware of how precarious this made his situation. There was no time for hesitation now. He needed to prepare the medicine as fast as possible.

    Very well, but Ill also need-

    I brought a furnace, Xiao Nan said, anticipating his words. He took a small ornate furnace out of the bag as well. This is what our doctors use. Im not sure if itll do but

    It will do, Liu Jianguo said, recognizing the quality of the item. It is not ideal, but for our purposes, this is good enough.

    As he spoke, Liu Jianguo was already preparing everything. He placed the ingredients in order and started heating up the furnace. If he had his Qi, itd be much easier, but hed have to make do. With mortar and pestle, he ground the Dragon Blood Flower and the Sweeping Flame Lotus. He focused on his work, slowly losing sight of even the room around him.

    Once he was satisfied with the result, he started placing the ingredients inside the furnace.

    Youre only putting in two phoenix feathers, Xiao Nan observed.

    The last one must be added later, he said. We need to wait until the smoke turns purple.

    Then it would be time. However, for now, all he could do was wait and hope no one intruded.

    One breath. Five breaths. Fifty breaths. Time stretched as the vapor changed from gray to orange and finally to purple.

    Its purple. Add it.

    Patience. Ill need your help for this part, Liu Jianguo said, carefully fanning the flame. Ill need you to pull me out the moment I add the last feather.

    Wait, what does that mean?

    As Liu Jianguo threw the feather not with the other ingredients but into the fire, Xiao Nans eyes widened. The child quickly grabbed Liu Jianguo and pulled him out of the room. Not even a second later, flames exploded all around the furnace, reducing everything in Liu Jianguos cell to ashes and even melting the bars.

    The fire lasted only for an instant, yet its heat warmed the entire floor.

    Are you crazy? Xiao Nan shouted. Who places a phoenix feather right in the fire?!

    It was the only way the fire would reach the temperature required to properly refine the medicine. The end result would have been substandard otherwise, Liu Jianguo explained, not looking particularly worried that he came a second away from being burned alive. Thankfully, it worked as expected.

    Xiao Nans face turned hopeful.

    Then it is?

    Liu Jianguo nodded. It is done. The pill your Uncle needs is finished.

    It was at that moment that the guards rushed in.

    ~~~