"Mom!" Yi Ling yelled as she entered their courtyard, bringing the laundry with her.
"I'm in the back!" Yu Feng answered.
Yi Ling saw her mother helping an old woman get up.
"You are all set. This is the prescription that I have for you. Boil all the herbs and drink it. Do this three times a day for one week." Yu Feng handed the paper to the old woman.
"Thank you, doctor. Here are the fees." The old woman handed over ten silver coins. She had not felt this relaxed in over ten years and was so happy. She left after nodding at Yi Ling as she came in.
Yu Feng was called the Hermit Doctor. She lived in a remote mountain behind the small town called Rock Valley.
Most people who lived here were normal people, but some were cultivators. Qi cultivators were treated as gods in this valley. They were stronger than regular people. Although this valley only consisted of ten Qi cultivators, they were only at the starting rank. The valley lacked spiritual energy, so they were not able to breakthrough.
Due to this circumstance, not many cultivators stayed in this valley. They only had the Hermit Doctor to help them in times of need. The townsfolk wanted Yu Feng to move into town, but she refused. She never wanted to live in a town or a village after the accident happened. They did not know that, though. What they did know was that Yu Feng had a daughter. Some said she was very beautiful, but no one believed this rumor because they seldom saw her during treatment. Yu Feng tried to hide Yi Ling from anyone who got interested in her, ever since she found out some clues that led to the massacre.
"Mom, I've seen some herbs near the river. I brought them along." Yi Ling handed the herbs to her mother.
"Ling'er, you really have good eyes. Thanks!" Yu Feng rubbed Yi Ling's head as they went inside the house.
"Oh, mom! I heard there's a festival in town tonight! My birthday is almost here. Can we go down there and celebrate it in advance?" Yi Ling showed her big rounded eyes to her mother, acting pitifully.
Yu Feng's brows furrowed. She seldom let her daughter go down to town, fearing that she would attract those who hunted them in the past. It had been three years since they moved to Rock Valley. The two years before that were spent running and hiding in the forest. They accumulated a lot of herbs during this time, hence they were able to set up her clinic.
"Hmm. Fine. I'll let you go, but you must obey me at all times when we head there! Also, let's tie up your hair and change your clothes." She handed her some boy's clothing.
"Must I really wear these?" Yi Ling never understood why her mother always made her dress up like a boy whenever they went to town. Even her mother changed her look by putting some dirt and makeup on her delicate face.
"Yes, you must, or we will not go there!" Yu Feng was hesitant about this decision. She felt like something wasn't right, but she couldn't put her finger on it.
Yi Ling sighed and did as her mother told her, but she couldn't help but make a face while doing it.
Yu Feng saw it. She shook her head as she finished placing the herbs in the cabinet.