novelaction Chapter 55, First Helper
Chapter 55, First Helper
"How dare you!" A sharp rebuke rang out as a spirit crystal dagger, gleaming coldly, pierced straight at the little demon. The blade sliced through the black smoke, hurtling towards the demon. The little demon's eyes widened in terror as it watched the approaching light. It tried to control its demon core to return, but it was too late. The cold light instantly shattered the demon core, striking the little demon's body. The demon let out a piercing scream, its body flying several feet away before crashing heavily to the ground, raising a cloud of dust, and remaining motionless.
Ning Ziqing walked over cautiously and confirmed that the little demon had been stabbed to death.
With a "whoosh," the dagger stuck in the little demon's chest flew up, circled Ning Xiaoxi once, and then disappeared.
"Besides martial arts attacks, demons also use demonic magic and demonic energy attacks. Brother has only just started circulating his spiritual meridians and he's already able to suppress this little demon. Once I teach him how to use spiritual power to draw talismans for defense and offense, he'll be even more powerful!"
Ning Ziqing looked steadily at Ning Xiaoxi, "Xiaoxi, don't worry, your brother will try his best."
Ning Xiaoxi's eyes reddened slightly. "Brother, you don't doubt..."
"Sister." Ning Ziqing slowly walked over, gently put his arm around Ning Xiaoxi's shoulder, and said slowly, "Brother is very simple. Brother no longer wants to make a name for himself or serve anyone. He only wants our family to be together and live out the rest of our lives in peace." Ning Ziqing rested his chin on Ning Xiaoxi's head. "Sister, you just need to know that you will always be your brother's sister."
There were flocks of wild ducks on the meadow by the lake. The brother and sister caught a few ducks and collected half a basket of duck eggs. Then they stopped wandering around and caught up with the exiled caravan.
When the two returned to the group, the sun had just set, and the fires in the camp flickered with a warm light in the night sky.
Only one wild duck was kept; the rest were sent by Ning Ziqing to Wu Dayong and the others.
When Ning Xiaoxi handed the Polygonum multiflorum and honeysuckle to Doctor Zhao, the old man checked their quality and was very pleased. He quickly told his youngest son to take them, saying, "Young lady, if you need any more medicinal herbs, just give them to me, and I promise to process them for you."
Ning Shi took the wild duck to the stream to clean it, while Ning Xiaoxi nestled beside Ming Luoying, taking out bracken to make a cold salad for her mother, and then taking out blueberries and peaches to wash. Speaking of the stream, one has to admire Wu Dayong's steadiness; his route planning is always reasonable, and he always manages to find suitable campsites, demonstrating his understanding and familiarity with the Bingzhou environment.
Ning Shi and Ning Ziqing quickly returned with the cleaned duck, placed it over the fire to roast, and then slowly coated it with seasonings. As the aroma of roasted duck filled the air, they chopped up the arrowhead and cooked it in an earthenware pot to make a soup as a staple food, while the cold bracken salad was slightly crunchy.
Nestled beside her mother, eating the food she had prepared, Ning Xiaoxi felt incredibly happy, and she wanted to stay happy like this forever.
After the meal, Ning Xiaoxi's family sat around the fire, water boiling in a clay pot on the makeshift stove. The other prisoners had all returned to their tents, while the guards gathered around the fire, eating roast duck, drinking wine, and chatting, creating a lively atmosphere.
"Father, Mother." Ning Xiaoxi glanced at her brother and was about to speak when Ning Ziqing shook his head at her.
Ning Ziqing chimed in, "Father, Mother, I've cultivated spiritual power."
Ning paused in adding firewood, then continued adding more, nodding slightly as he watched the flames gradually grow stronger.
Ming Luoying looked at her daughter, then at her son, and felt a lump in her throat. How did their family end up like this?
"If my sister isn't here, I can protect our parents. If she needs help, I will do everything I can to help her." Ning Ziqing's voice was low and a little hoarse.
"Our family, though not a great clan, is still a local prominent family. In the hundreds of years since, we've never produced a Celestial Master." Ning Shi ladled a bowl of hot water and handed it to Ming Luoying. "Your mother, though from a wealthy merchant family that has been prosperous for generations, has also never produced a Celestial Master." He then handed bowls of water to Ning Xiaoxi and Ning Ziqing. "Although I've read about Celestial Master families and the Celestial Master Pavilion in ancient texts, it's still just books. While the Celestial Masters suppressed the rampage of demons in their battles against them, it was only through the sacrifices of the Celestial Masters. Celestial Masters without a family lineage are more vulnerable to injury in battle."
Ning Shi took a sip of water. "Although I don't understand the rules of the Celestial Masters, nor do I know what you all have to go through in your cultivation, I can tell from the fact that the Celestial Masters have been fighting against demons for nearly a thousand years but have not been able to completely eliminate them that fighting demons is very difficult. Although the king values the Celestial Masters, the officials rely on the Celestial Masters, and the people revere the Celestial Masters, from any perspective, this is not a good profession for a young lady." After glancing at Ming Luoying, she continued, "This time, I was implicated and exiled to the harsh land of Youzhou. I thought it would be lucky if my whole family could stay safe. I never expected to be in such a predicament. Now it seems that it's not entirely a bad way out."
Ning Shi drank the water in the bowl in one gulp. "Before, it was just Xiao Xi by herself, and your mother and I were very worried. We were afraid that something might happen to her outside and we wouldn't be able to help her. Now it's all right. With Zi Qing helping out, Xiao Xi has someone to look after her, and your mother and I can rest assured."
Ming Luoying looked at Ning Shi, wanting to say something, but ultimately remained silent.
"Father, Mother, I will work hard to cultivate, protect my sister, and protect myself." Ning Ziqing looked down at the bowl of water, the steam gradually dissipating.
Ning Xiaoxi took out the blueberries and peaches that she had washed before the meal. "Come on, try these blueberries and peaches. I picked them all when they were ripe, so I guarantee they're sweet."
"Well, it's delicious."
"Yes, it's so sweet."
"My sister is really amazing. She knows so many wild vegetables and fruits, and she let us taste flavors that we've never had in the royal city."
In an instant, the sweet aroma of fruit filled the air around the small fire.
The next morning, Ning Xiaoxi and Ning Ziqing did not set off with the group. They got up early and headed ahead.
Actually, Ning Xiaoxi didn't come out today to collect wild vegetables and fruits. She wanted to help Ning Ziqing get his body in better shape first. A more agile body would allow him to better protect himself when combined with the rune's spiritual power.
After walking about five miles, the two found a secluded grove of trees, where Ning Xiaoxi activated the illusion space.
Inside the space, Ning Xiaoxi initiated an immersive experience, allowing Ning Ziqing to feel the Tiger Roar Fist, the Spirit Swallow Kick, and the Swimming Dragon Step that she had learned. Through continuous practice, he deepened his understanding and appreciation of the fist techniques, leg techniques, and footwork.
Ning Xiaoxi left Ning Ziqing in the illusion space to study and train, and wandered around by herself.
This was a secluded grove they had temporarily found, far from main roads and paths, and with no one in sight. It was a mixed forest, with all sorts of trees growing haphazardly.
Ning Xiaoxi took the opportunity to enter her cave. As soon as she entered, she was attracted by the spirit fields behind the main hall.