Healing

"Come on, come on, take a look! See if this satisfies you, Dao Master!" Zhu Dexi said as he gestured to the items scattered before Li Huowang.

A pile of assorted items lay before Li Huowang, most of which were rusty swords and knives, with some jars and bottles mixed in.

"What is all this? It's all rusty, broken scrap metal!" Gou Wa crouched down and began haggling.

"Don't be fooled by the rust; a little sharpening and it can still be used. If I had any magic weapons, they wouldn't be mine, right? You know what I mean?"

Li Huowang didn't focus on the swords or knives but instead turned his attention to the jars and bottles. He squatted down, picking up one after another. None of them had any writing on them.

"This Dao Master sure knows his stuff. One glance and you can tell it's valuable," Zhu Dexi said, crouching beside him, though the smell of blood from Li Huowang's clothes made him take a step back. But he didn't mind, instead becoming even more eager.

"Dao Master, what you're holding is a treasure! This medicine is called 'Half-Step Fall.' Just a tiny bit mixed in water and it'll make someone stumble and fall after taking just a few steps. It's not expensive, only three taels of silver per bottle."

"Ah! You've got a good eye! This one is 'Crane's Top Red.' Just a pinch the size of a fingernail, and it'll send someone straight to the afterlife. Five taels per bottle."

"Yes, yes, yes, this is another good one! 'Golden Lance, Never Fails!' One pill, and you'll last through an entire night with two women. This one's from Liu Er Ye of Wolf Head Mountain. If you want it, I'll give it to you, but you have to pay extra!"

Li Huowang grew a little impatient and stood up. "I'll take the first two. Gou Wa, get the money from the cart."

"Dao Master, you're so generous!" Zhu Dexi laughed, his eyes narrowing. "You don't want the Golden Lance? I'll sell it to you cheap. You're young now, but you never know when it might come in handy for when you get older and need to carry on the family line."

Li Huowang didn't bother to respond, turning his attention to the others. "You guys pick out some proper weapons. It's better to have something than nothing."

Upon hearing this, the men, eager to arm themselves, immediately moved forward. Li Huowang, carrying the two bottles of medicine, turned to the watching Lü Zhuangyuan. "Lü Zhuangyuan, don't you want to buy something for self-defense?"

Lü Zhuangyuan immediately shook his head. "No need, I don't carry weapons. If I run into a bandit, I'll just lose my silver. But if I carry a weapon and can't fight back, I'll lose my life."

"Heh, Lü Zhuangyuan, you really think ahead. Everyone has their own way of life," Li Huowang responded, returning to the cart to rest.

After the group dispersed, Gou Wa and the others now each had a weapon in hand, though they weren't necessarily skilled with them. Still, their presence was far more intimidating than before.

Meanwhile, Bai Lingmiao, holding a thimble and some thread, approached, concern etched on her face. She picked up some red thread and started stitching the rips in Li Huowang's Dao robe.

"Li Shixiong, all of this stuff has cost us more than half of our silver, and now we only have five taels and three hundred and forty-five copper coins left," she said, counting her fingers.

"Really? That fast?" Li Huowang stepped out of the farmhouse and walked toward Lü Zhuangyuan's stage.

"It could have lasted longer, but after you had them practicing with knives and spears, everyone's been exhausted, and they've eaten more. The fool, ever since he got that wooden club, eats two pounds of noodles per meal! Two meals a day—that's four pounds of noodles!" Bai Lingmiao explained.

"Well, it's not like it's a firewood stick. It's an investment—gotta practice with it. At least they're learning basic slashing and thrusting techniques," Li Huowang said, though inwardly, he knew that simply carrying a weapon wasn't enough. The real value lay in proper training.

"Still, with the way things are, we'll only last another month before everyone is starving."

"Money, huh... That's a problem," Li Huowang muttered, stroking his chin as he glanced over at Lü Zhuangyuan's troupe.

"They must have earned quite a bit along the way, right? If we just take it from them, the problem is solved."

As soon as the thought crossed his mind, Li Huowang was momentarily taken aback. Why was he thinking like this? Lü Zhuangyuan might be smooth, but he was fundamentally an honest man. Why would he even consider robbing him?

The fleeting thought cast a shadow over Li Huowang's mood, darkening the optimism he had just felt.

Annotations and Cultural Background:

"Half-Step Fall" and "Crane's Top Red": These are not just simple poisons but part of the Chinese tradition of alchemy and medicine, often found in Taoist practices. The concept of life-threatening poisons and remedies often intertwines in traditional Chinese folklore, particularly in wuxia stories, where secret formulas and rare herbs can turn the tide in life-or-death struggles.

Taoist Terminology: The reference to "Dao Master" (道爷) is a respectful, somewhat informal title for someone skilled in Taoism, similar to calling someone "Master" or "Grandmaster" in other martial traditions. Taoism often blurs the line between spirituality and practical skills like alchemy or martial arts.

Lü Zhuangyuan: The character of Lü Zhuangyuan is an interesting reflection of the "smooth talker" archetype in Chinese storytelling. He represents someone who can navigate social situations skillfully but is inherently less involved in the practical aspects of survival. His reluctance to carry weapons is in line with the idea that relying solely on silver (or external protection) is less dangerous than relying on oneself or the volatility of force.

Economic and Survival Pressures: The group's financial strain highlights the reality of travel in ancient China, particularly in a world filled with bandits, thieves, and harsh conditions. The need for basic supplies, from food to weapons, was ever-present in the lives of the common people.