Chapter 118: Helpless
In medical terms, this was akin to an operation. It was often considered taboo, and Anji could relate to that opinion a little. When her shifu inserted her energy threads into Anji as a spiritual probe to assess the seal her father placed inside, Anji had no other thoughts except complete faith. She failed to consider the thoughts and feelings of her teacher.
Now, on the other end of the treatment, Anji faltered. One wrong move and Wei Zhen’s cultivation life was over. Like her, the porter remained oblivious to the risks involved, only grateful for a glimmer of hope. However, now that Anji was more educated, the expectations only placed a huge responsibility on her shoulders.
"What are you thinking so seriously about?" Bai Dajin asked, feeling nervousness from the child still sitting on his shoulders. They were heading back down the river to the town because Anji had enough hauls from the gold panning operation. She wanted to look at the medicinal herbs she gathered, but more importantly, there was a patient to treat.
Originally, Bai Dajin’s hair was wavy and messy after he came out of the river. However, he had combed it back with his fingers, so they looked neat. Yet now, one could only describe it as similar to a bird’s nest after Anji constantly fiddled with the greying streaks. It was not a very flattering look, and Anji apologetically tried to soothe the wild-looking lion mane’s hair while still sitting on the man’s shoulders. Eventually, she started braiding them when the strands would not stay in place. Without a hair tie, this would only last for a while.
"Is it really okay for me to be doing this type of treatment?" she asked quietly so that Wei Zhen, who was in the lead, would not overhear them. I’m not as skilful as my shifu."
If they were talking about cultivation level, Anji would most certainly be the least qualified among them. However, she was also someone with a unique ability. On top of that, she was both a medical and spell apprentice from the best masters in those fields. Her combined knowledge would give her the right to attempt such a treatment. Not to mention, she wasn’t doing this alone. Gu Ying and Bai Dajin might not be medically trained. However, they could help to contain a qi deviation frenzy and subdue Wei Zhen forcefully if ever required, not that Anji had to know.
"Everyone starts somewhere," he grunted when Anji tugged at another loose strand of hair. "Even tiger cubs are weak when they first hunt. It takes them experience to become an indomitable hunter."
There was logic in Bai Dajin’s words. However, it did not diminish the anxiety in Anji’s heart. Many things could go wrong, but she had only one chance. It wasn’t the same as training on wooden dummies. Moreover, none of her teachers was present to supervise her.
Was this what it felt like to become independent?