The next day, Gu Changqing woke up from Nalan Yanran bed.
Last night, Gu Changqing pretended to be 'drunk' and collapsed into Qingye's arms, asking her to take care of him.
Nalan Yanran, unable to bear the sight, directly dragged Gu Changqing away.
Back at the inn, Gu Changqing clung to Nalan Yanran, refusing to let go. He kept calling her "good sister" and saying things like, "You're so beautiful, Yanran. Can I sleep while hugging you? I'll teach you the 'Misty Sword Technique.'" His sweet words made it impossible for Nalan Yanran to leave him.
In the end, she spent the entire night looking after him. While it was said to be the whole night, it was more like Gu Changqing slept peacefully, whereas Nalan Yanran was left feeling both embarrassed and angry the next morning.
"Gu Changqing, how dare you kiss my cheek! I'm going to beat you!"
Nalan Yanran was really just looking for an excuse to teach Gu Changqing a lesson. After all, as the esteemed daughter of the Nalan family and the future leader of Yunlan Sect, her reputation as an untainted maiden had been tarnished by Gu Changqing's sweet-talking, leading her to spend the night with him.
If word got out, where would her dignity go? How would she maintain her authority as the future sect leader?
She had to discipline Gu Changqing properly.
The two of them bickered and played, and by the time they left the inn, Qingshan Town was already bustling.
Before they could make their way to the clinic, Xiao Yi Xian came looking for them.
"Gu Changqing, I'd like to ask you for guidance on medical knowledge. Do you have some time?"
"Don't worry, I won't ask for your help without offering something in return. I can pay you or..."
Xiao Yi Xian bit her lip, as if making a firm decision.
"I can become your disciple!"
Her eyes were full of expectation, hoping Gu Changqing would teach her more about medicine. She was even prepared to kneel and formally apprentice herself.
"Call me 'Master' first."
Gu Changqing smiled mischievously, gazing at the ethereal Xiao Yi Xian in her flowing white robes.
"Disciple Xiao Yi Xian greets Master!"
Xiao Yi Xian looked at him intently for a few moments before kneeling down, genuinely ready to become his disciple.
"Ah, good disciple! No need to kneel."
Gu Changqing quickly helped her up, but his hands purposely lingered on her soft, delicate hands. Looking directly into her clear eyes, he said, "If you want to learn medicine from me, there are some conditions. We won't be staying in Qingshan Town much longer. If you're willing, you can come with us. Once you've mastered your skills, you can return to treat more people."
As he spoke, Gu Changqing continued to gently hold her soft hands.
Xiao Yi Xian's hands were smooth and cool, like perfectly carved jade, with a touch of warmth. Holding them felt so good that Gu Changqing didn't want to let go.
"Let go of my hands first!"
Xiao Yi Xian instinctively tried to pull her hands back but couldn't. She bit her lip, casting an annoyed yet playful glance at Gu Changqing.
"I helped you so much yesterday. Letting me hold your hands isn't asking too much, is it? Besides, I'm just checking your constitution. You know, in medicine, there's 'observation, listening, questioning, and pulse-taking.' The pulse-taking part involves feeling someone's pulse and checking their body's condition through touch. I'm simply demonstrating that now."
Gu Changqing spoke confidently as he held Xiao Yi Xian's hands, pretending to be completely professional.
"Observation, listening, questioning, pulse-taking..."
Xiao Yi Xian's eyes brightened. It was the first time she had heard such a structured approach to medicine. In an instant, it was as if a door to a whole new world of medical knowledge had been opened.
"What's this pulse-taking you're talking about?"
Even though she felt a bit awkward having her hands held by Gu Changqing, she was more focused on the intriguing concepts he was explaining—pulse-taking and body-checking.
"I'll show you..."
Gu Changqing patiently explained, all while pressing certain points on her arm to demonstrate how to feel the pulse.
Xiao Yi Xian's face turned red with embarrassment, but her heart was full of excitement. The knowledge Gu Changqing was sharing seemed like a treasure trove.
"This is amazing!"
Before she knew it, admiration filled Xiao Yi Xian's gaze, and she no longer resisted when Gu Changqing held her hand.
By the end, Gu Changqing had successfully won Xiao Yi Xian's favor and convinced her to travel with him and Nalan Yanran into the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
As for whether she would continue to travel with them afterward, Xiao Yi Xian said she would first observe Gu Changqing's medical skills along the journey.
"Medicine isn't just about herbs. It also includes acupuncture, massage, energy healing, and other treatment systems. Among them, using herbs is the most fundamental but also the most complex. However, it can be combined with other systems to achieve extraordinary results..."
"Acupuncture uses needles to expel blocked energy or toxins from a person's body. It can also open up their meridians and improve their overall health. However, to study acupuncture, you need to understand all 720 points on the human body. Here, let me show you—this is the Huiyin point, this is the Tanzhong point, and this is the Ruzhong point..."
During the journey, Gu Changqing kept his promise and earnestly taught Xiao Yi Xian various medical concepts.
Of course, while teaching, Gu Changqing often used her body as an example. He would touch here and press there, making Xiao Yi Xian blush and scold him, but she was too engrossed in the new knowledge to care much.
Although embarrassed, Xiao Yi Xian was excited to learn. The medical knowledge Gu Changqing was sharing was invaluable to her.
In the end, she tolerated his small flirtations and even let him hold her as they traveled.
The two of them were so immersed in their discussions and growing more and more intimate, but little did they know, a pair of venomous eyes were watching them from the distance.
"Damn it! That brat is getting so close to Xiao Yi Xian. Once we enter the Magical Beast Mountain Range, I'll skin him alive!"
Mu Li had originally approached Gu Changqing and Nalan Yanran to gather information about them, but since they weren't interested in him, they ignored him.
Despite this, Mu Li followed the group, pretending to be a part of the escort team. Seeing Gu Changqing and Xiao Yi Xian growing closer, his killing intent grew stronger.
"Screw the Xiao family! They can't have her! My woman is being taken right in front of me!"
Mu Li was consumed by jealousy. Xiao Yi Xian was too beautiful, and after all his efforts to win her over, he hadn't even held her hand.
Yet, here was Gu Changqing, practically embracing her.
Who wouldn't be furious at this sight?