Ancient Strengthening Technique (Portraits of Beauty) Ancient Strengthening Technique Chapter 1342-1343

AST 1342 – Yuan Su Stayed Behind, Who Changed?

Meeting Yuan Su here made Qing Shui especially surprised. Back then, there was a hint of romantic feeling between them. It was because he had seen her fully naked body when he was treating her. However, this lady then taken the initiative and asked him for a favor. When Qing Shui saw her, he easily recalled.

“Can we not ever see each other again in the future?” Yuan Su hesitated for a moment before she had said that. She wasn’t looking at Qing Shui but was looking at some other place.

“I understand. Let’s head back!”

“I really don’t have any other choice. I hope to forget about that matter. Otherwise, I won’t be able to attain a breakthrough in my cultivation. When I see you, I’ll think about what happened that day. I wish to forget about it,” Yuan Su sighed and said.

“Don’t feel burdened. I understand. I’ll be returning to the Greencloud Continent in a few days time. I don’t know when the next time I’ll be coming to the Central Continent is but I won’t come to the Seven Stars Country in the future.”

This was what Qing Shui had said when they parted ways. Back then, he had also treated Yuan Su as someone in his life’s journey whom he was thankful to. He might also be the same kind of existence to her. However, they were also pa.s.sersby in each other’s lives.

They had both gained a lot from each other but it was a pity that this parting went on for over ten years. If it wasn’t because they had met again today, Qing Shui would definitely have forgotten about her. However, he hadn’t expected for them to miraculously meet each other today. It really could be said to be a miracle.

It was already very hard for people to be able to pa.s.s by each other in such a vast world. If they could pa.s.s by each other and sparks were to grow between them, it would be good fortune that had taken them over 1,000 years to cultivate. For them to be able to meet made Qing Shui feel that the world was really very small. However, the truth was that the world was terrifyingly big and boundless. To think that they would still be able to meet under such a situation. This was when the chances of them being able to encounter each other in the same city was already close to zero.

“I’d never have expected that I’d be able to meet Miss Yuan here,” Qing Shui regained to his senses and said, smiling. His tone was both surprised and warm but yet he was being very polite.

“h.e.l.lo. I hadn’t expected this either. I didn’t know that the Imperial Cuisine Hall was yours,” although Yuan Su was surprised, she still smiled and said.

The moment she saw Qing Shui, what she felt was both surprise and a kind of other feeling. All these years, she didn’t know if she could forget about Qing Shui. Maybe it’ll all pa.s.s if they continue to not meet each other. She had also not expected that she would meet Qing Shui here.

“The Imperial Cuisine Hall doesn’t just belong to a person alone. Both myself and Elder Brother each only take up 10% of its owners.h.i.+p,” Qing Shui smiled and corrected her.

“I apologize. I wish to join the Imperial Cuisine Hall. May I know if there are any conditions?” Yuan Su knew that she had said something wrong and thus she decided to get straight to the point.

“The condition is very simple. The most important thing to a physician is one’s character, then followed by medical skills. Neither of these can be absent.”

Qing Shui’s words caused Yuan Su to be stunned. She thought of what that had happened between Qing Shui and herself. She didn’t know if Qing Shui was commenting on her character. Was the problem between them something that related to character?

Or was it a personal feud?

However, she soon felt a bit of a guilty conscience. She didn’t know why. It was as if she had done something wrong to him. Back then, was she considered to have burned the bridge after crossing it?

Yuan Su looked at Qing Shui calmly, “Then how can we know if there’re any problems with my character?”

“The consultation hours will begin soon. The three of us will go together. Does Miss Yuan have a problem with that?”

Physicians were faced with many different problems, such as metrorrhagia and infected ulcers. The symptoms of many types of medical issues were especially disgusting. Therefore, this was when a physician’s character would be brought into play. After all, when encountered with such a situation, many physicians would just toss a bottle of medicine in the patient’s direction and get them to apply it themselves. They might not even take a closer a.s.sessment of the type of ulcers the patients had.

Qing Shui wasn’t just being a physician who treated the rich and powerful. Right now, his reputation was closely a.s.sociated to the free medical consultation the Imperial Cuisine Hall provided. Although many people despised the poor and loved the rich, most people’s true natures would still be to pity the weak. At least, from the third party’s point of view, they would still pity the weak.

Another thing was the power of conviction. Qing Shui didn’t care if it was true but there was a cause and a result to everything. Many people were grateful to him. If they had more descendants and one of them ended up to be someone with great abilities, it would be beneficial to him. This was a way of repayment as well. Kindness would be repaid with kindness and evil-doers would end up in a bad plight eventually. This was all karma.

“Alright. I’ve no problems with that,” Yuan Su smiled and said.

“So the two of you know each other. That makes things easier. The two of you chat first. I’ll go take a look at Li Ji,” Soulsearch said and left.

Qing Shui nodded before he got Yuan Su to take a seat. “We’re considered acquaintances. Let me treat you to a meal to welcome you.”

Very soon, someone brought up some dishes. Qing Shui took out a vat of Plum Blossom Wine. He wasn’t a petty person to still be hating her. Back then, he didn’t fall in love with her either. Moreover, she had also been a great help to him. If it wasn’t for her back when he was in the Central Continent, the consequences would have been inconceivable.

Therefore, deep in his heart, he was still grateful toward her. It was just that he felt a bit of discomfort with the situation back then. After so many years had pa.s.sed, everything had dissipated with the wind.

“Thank you!”

Yuan Su smiled and sat down opposite Qing Shui. Qing Shui still needed to ask her some questions. He was also curious about how she got to this place.

“I’m really curious to know why I’d meet you here.” Qing Shui poured her a cup of wine.

“I’m curious to find out too.” Yuan Su smiled and looked at him.

“I’m here to look for someone and it just so happened that there was an item which could bring me here. It’s a pity that it can only bring me alone.” Qing Shui didn’t hide anything.

“There’s a restricted area in the Medicine Sect. I stumbled across it unknowingly and found myself here, unable to get back. I can only rely on the little medical skills I have for a living. It’s going to be two years soon.” When Yuan Su brought this up, there was a slightly bitter expression on her face.

Qing Shui had initially thought that some great master had brought her here but hadn’t expected that she would be so unlucky. It must have been hard for her to be living here alone for two years. Thankfully, she was no longer the weak and feeble lady she was when they had first met. Right now, she was already a Peak Martial Saint expert. Moreover, she had great knowledge in medicinal herbs and could come up with her own alchemy recipes. Therefore, as long as she could pull off an accurate a.s.sessment of the ailments, she would be able to hold her own.

The ability of the Meridians Knocking Soul Pulling technique was very powerful but that was Soulsearch’s ultimate skill. His contact with Yuan Su hadn’t been short. Although there was a hint of unpleasantness between them in the end, he knew that she was a good person. If it wasn’t because of some other reason, she wouldn’t have done what she did. Qing Shui wasn’t sure what the reason was but it shouldn’t be something concerning a breakthrough in her martial arts.

“You can pick a room here. In the future, you can stay here!”

The fifth story was very big and although it seemed to be a room, it was one which included the living hall, bedroom, kitchen, study and others.

“Mmm. When I saw you earlier, that moment felt very dramatic.” Yuan Su looked at Qing Shui and said something which he couldn’t really understand.

“I don’t understand!”

“You do. Back then when I parted with you in that manner, were you angry?” Yuan Su looked at Qing Shui seriously.

“Why would I be?”

“You don’t hate me for treating you like that? You’ve helped me so much but yet I treated you in that manner.”

“It’s already been so long. If I was still bothered by it, don’t you think that it'd be a problem?” Qing Shui smiled and said.

There would only be hatred if there was love. Without love, there wouldn’t be hatred. The stronger the love, the deeper the hatred. Without love, there would be no hatred.

“The reason I did that back then was so that I wouldn’t have to meet you ever. However, fate seems to have played a huge joke on us. To think that after so many detours, we’re back to square one.” Yuan Su picked up the wine cup and took a sip.

“Your wine is still as delicious as ever!”

“Why weren’t you willing to see me?” Qing Shui couldn’t understand.

“Would you believe it if I were to say that I did that back then for fear that I would like you? Therefore, I told you that we should never meet again.” Yuan Su smiled as she looked at Qing Shui. Right now, she seemed to have been better able to accept this.

Qing Shui didn’t say anything. He had thought of similar things back then. If this lady were to become his woman, she could come up with her own alchemy recipes and with his powerful abilities in alchemy, they would be a great match if they were to work together. However, he hadn’t expected for them to be unable to become even friends.

“Right now, I don’t even know if I should stay,” Yuan Su then said again.

“It’s already been so many years. Things are no longer the same as before. You should let go of the things which you should let go of!” Qing Shui looked at Yuan Su.

“I don’t know. Maybe I’ve already let go of them. Do you think that I should leave?” Yuan Su asked seriously.

“No need to leave. You’ll become a member of this place. When the time comes, you’ll have 10% owners.h.i.+p of this place. I might be leaving after a while but this place will still need your help. In the future, you’ll be able to rely on your own abilities to travel across the nine continents. Don’t you wish to go home? You won’t be able to return with your current cultivation level. At least, if you were to stay in the Imperial Cuisine Hall, no one would dare to bully you,” Qing Shui smiled and said.

“You’re going to leave?”

“I will leave but it’ll probably still be some time still. I still need to look for someone. However, the Imperial Cuisine Hall will continue to exist. It might even expand out to all nine continents. Back then, I had set up a blacksmith store in the Western Oxhe Continent. It was a pity that the effect there wasn’t as good as this place, primarily because there wasn’t anyone suitable to take over. Things are different now. Elder Brother Soulsearch now has the ability to run it by himself. You should be able to do the same too.”

“I don’t have a lot of confidence,” Yuan Su said, hesitant.

“Don’t worry. I know what you excel in. Brother Soulsearch has a set of great medical skill for taking the pulse. After you learn it, you won’t have any problems.”

“You’re still going to help me? Aren’t you afraid that when the time comes, I’ll leave again?” Yuan Su realized that she was still a little guilt stricken.

“It’s a blissful thing to be able to meet an acquaintance in a foreign land. Even if you’re someone who’s bad, I’ll still help you. Moreover, you aren’t considered to be bad,” Qing Shui smiled and said.

“Qing Shui, I’m curious. What kind of person do you see me as?”

“I don’t know. A bad person to one could be a good person to another.”

“I’d like to know what kind of person you see me as.”

“You’re an intelligent lady. You might be rational and maybe emotional. And I know that you’re a kind-hearted person.”

“Thank you!”

“You’re welcome! I’ll go call for Brother Soulsearch so that you can get to know him. This Imperial Cuisine Hall was his to begin with but after I came, it was split into ten parts of owners.h.i.+p. In the future, there will be ten people who will co-own the Imperial Cuisine Hall. Therefore, you should keep a lookout to see if there are suitable people as well.” Qing Shui smiled and stood up.

Right now, Yuan Su felt as if all sorts of feelings were running amok in her heart. She didn’t know what she was feeling right now. He had changed. He hadn’t changed. Was she the one who had changed? She didn’t change either.

Time was the one that had changed!

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AST 1343 – Shui Clan, Imperial Cuisine Hall’s Status

When Qing Shui found Soulsearch, the latter had actually not gone to look at Li Ji. Earlier, Soulsearch had only used that as an excuse to leave Qing Shui to have a chat with Yuan Su. Seeing Qing Shui, Soulsearch smiled and said, “Brother, you’re really blessed with good fortune in love.”

“Alright, Elder Brother, I need to discuss something with you. Can you teach your pulse taking technique to her?” Qing Shui smiled and said.

“Of course. Brother, right now, your mastery of it is much stronger than mine. As long as you wish for it, you can teach it to anyone,” Soulsearch quickly said. It wasn’t as if his great technique had a rule of not pa.s.sing it to females or any other restrictions like that.

“Come, let us go in. In the future, the Imperial Cuisine Hall has one more new addition.” Qing Shui smiled and indicated for Soulsearch to enter with him. Li Ji was no longer there and was resting quietly in that small manor. After all, this place was too lively.

When Yuan Su saw Qing Shui and Soulsearch walking in, she quickly stood up.

“Elder Brother, she is Yuan Su, a friend of mine from the past. You should be clear of her medical skills and things like that. If you’re agreeable, she’ll be officially a member of our Imperial Cuisine Hall.”

“Welcome. Of course I have no objections. I’m more than happy,” Soulsearch said happily.

“Thank you, Miraculous Physician Soulsearch!” Yuan Su smiled and said.

“Don’t go about calling me Miraculous Physician, it’s jarring to the ears. Right now, you’re also a member of the Imperial Cuisine Hall. Moreover, you’re friends with Brother. If you don’t mind, you can call me Elder Brother as well,” Soulsearch waved his hand and said.

“Elder Brother!” Yuan Su didn’t stand on ceremony.

“Alright, alright, come, let’s all take a seat. It’s a happy day today. With La.s.s Yuan joining in, the Imperial Cuisine Hall’s abilities has increased quite a bit.”

…

The next day, Li Ji came as well. Her figure was now more rounded but if one didn’t pay close attention, one wouldn’t be able to tell that she was pregnant. When she saw Yuan Su, she was very happy. The two ladies appeared to get along very well.

Qing Shui also started to teach her the Meridians Knocking Soul Pulling technique, as well as a few sets of medical techniques which he had taught Soulsearch. However, Qing Shui got her to place her focus on medicinal herbs. Acupuncture was only a supportive measure.

Yuan Su had an inborn talent in the area of medicinal herbs. As long as she could a.s.sess the illness, she could even create her own alchemy recipes. However, the only downside was that she was slow. Therefore, Qing Shui got her to pick up some acupuncture techniques. If there were any problems, she could just apply some simple acupuncture and there would be no need to write any alchemy recipes.

There was free medical consultation today.

Earlier, Qing Shui had said that all three of them would have to take part in the providing of free medical consultation. However, it wasn’t just the three of them. Yao Qubing, the guy from Yao Clan, was also around as well. Yao Qubing was actually quite happy that Qing Shui had also brought him along for it.

During this period of time, although Qing Shui had gotten him to deal with miscellaneous work, he was often given opportunities to provide medical treatment. He realized that he had learned a lot and now knew of Qing Shui’s kind intentions. Qing Shui was trying to train him. After having gone through this period of time, he also realized how arrogant he was before.

In terms of medical skills, the two here both surpa.s.sed him. Even the beautiful lady who had just joined was also stronger than him. He had always felt that amongst the younger generation, there was no one who could surpa.s.s him in terms of medical skills. But now, he realized how ignorant he was and he felt very embarra.s.sed about it.

Right now, he felt that his life was more fulfilling. In Yao Clan, he was a son born by a concubine and thus wasn’t highly regarded. Although that young man called Qing Shui was very young, he wasn’t a simple character. One day, Qing Shui would definitely soar up. Therefore, Yao Qubing felt that it would be quite good if he himself could become a physician in the Imperial Cuisine Hall.

After having thought through this, Yao Qubing’s mind was more calm and he pa.s.sionately did the work he was supposed to do. He had undergone a tremendous change compared to how he was when he first came.

For this free medical consultation, Qing Shui continued to observe Yuan Su as he provided consultation. Regardless the patient, Yuan Su would wear a faint smile and appeared to be very skilled. Although she still didn’t know how to use the Meridians Knocking Soul Pulling technique, she was skilled in looking.

Chinese medicine emphasized on look, smell, question and to feel. Yuan Su could be said to have brought the ‘look’ and ‘question’ aspects to a great level of mastery, being able to have a rough estimation of the ailment just by looking. She would then be mostly clear after asking the patients about their reactions and condition.

Qing Shui would occasionally nod his head. As long as she could tell what the ailment was, this lady would be able to prescribe the proper prescription. This was why Qing Shui had wanted her to learn the Meridians Knocking Soul Pulling technique. As long as she could learn that, she would basically be considered a top notch physician.

Of course, when compared with Qing Shui who had the Force of Rebirth, miraculous acupuncture skills, Qi of the Ancient Strengthening Technique and the Life and Death Needles, she was still a far cry. The ancient legacy had made Qing Shui to be as if he was given some kind of cheat skills.

“Make way, our Young Master is dying.”

“Scram off, what are you looking at…”

“How dare you guys dare to hit others in this place owned by the Miraculous Physician?”

“If you don’t make way, I’ll kill you. If anything were to happen to our Young Master, all of you will have to die together with him.”

A commotion broke out. Qing Shui felt very puzzled. In the Yehuang City, his Imperial Cuisine Hall was connected even to the Yehuang Clan. By rights, no one would dare to be so rude and brazen here, let alone to raise their hands and fight.

There were guards in the Imperial Cuisine Hall and a few of them immediately went up and said, “Making a racket is forbidden here. Arrest everyone who has started a commotion.”

“d.a.m.n it! How dare you arrest us. If you were to cause our Young Master’s illness to deteriorate, I’ll make sure your entire family joins him in death!” That arrogant voice sounded extremely agitated.

A few people behind them were carrying a man who was covered in a blanket. The man was convulsing and spewing white foam. The blanket was filled with blood traces.

“Brother, that’s Shui Clan’s youngest Young Master. He probably got into trouble at the brothel.”

“Is Shui Clan very powerful?” Qing Shui asked.

However, before he got a reply, the few arrogant people had already beaten up a number of people and had left the man who was wrapped up in blanked on Qing Shui’s table.

“Quickly treat our Young Master, If his condition were to be delayed, you won’t be able to answer.”

It was only then that Qing Shui took a clear look at this man. Right now, the young man’s head was covered in sweat and his face was flushed red. He didn’t seem to be middle-age and his countenance was pale, his eyes slightly red. His lips were thin and his nose slightly bent upward. This was a person who gave the feeling that he was an unfeeling person.

“Why would I have to answer? My place doesn’t provide treatment to everybody. Moreover, our Imperial Cuisine Hall isn’t a place for you to be throwing your weight about.”

With that, with a wave of his hand, the over ten people, together with the man wrapped up in a blanket, were sent flying out. They spewed blood in midair and when they landed, they couldn’t get up for a while.

“Great! They deserved to be hit! This is the air of a Miraculous Physician, to treat one and all the same.”

“These idiots don’t even try to see what place this is. To think that they dare to throw their weight about in the Imperial Cuisine Hall.”

“They are from Shui Clan, a clan who it is said to won’t lose out to the Yehuang Clan. It is said that there’s another person in the Shui Clan who had attained False G.o.d level.”

“It’s no wonder that this Shui Clan’s Young Master is so arrogant.”

…

“Miraculous Physician, we beg of you, please save our Young Master. Please save him. Otherwise, all of us will have to die.”

The person who was the most arrogant suddenly crawled toward Qing Shui, shouting out loudly.

“Stop begging him. Don’t you know that the Miraculous Physician doesn’t save people like that? Quickly bring him away. Otherwise, there’ll really be no more chance to save him,” an old man sighed and said.

“Quick, bring him away to some other place. If you’re any later, it’ll be too late.”

…

The group of people lifted that unconscious man with great effort and left.

The people who were injured were given priority in receiving treatment. Very soon, the place resumed to its earlier peaceful scene.

Right now, Qing Shui wouldn’t be afraid of anyone. False G.o.ds wouldn’t come out just for a small issue like this, let alone for a profligate son like him. Therefore, Qing Shui wasn’t afraid. Even Peak Martial Emperors wouldn’t be free to deal with these issues. They would be busy striving to attain a breakthrough from the Martial Emperor realm.

Even if Peak Martial Emperors came, they wouldn’t be able to do anything to Qing Shui. Moreover, in a situation like this, no one would want to offend Qing Shui, On the contrary, many people would be willing to help Qing Shui. It would mean a lot for Qing Shui to owe them a favor. Right now, everyone knew that Qing Shui could extend one’s lifespan and as long as the person still had his last breath, he would be able to more or less extent a bit of their lifespan.

It might be that the few subordinates of Shui Clan didn’t know how powerful Qing Shui was. They had been with Shui Clan for many years and had always felt that Shui Clan was the most powerful. Even Yehuang Clan might not be more powerful than Shui Clan. Therefore, they could do whatever they wished in the Yehuang City, only paying attention to a few powers.

This interruption wouldn’t bring Qing Shui any kind of effect.

The day of providing free consultation pa.s.sed by very quickly and Qing Shui was very satisfied with Yuan Su’s performance. However, another thing was that there was a need to enhance the guards. For example, to get them to be able to deal with slightly stronger existences.

Soulsearch was also a State Master level cultivator. Don’t look down on physicians. They could provide themselves with the fastest cultivation speed. Although Yuan Su was only at Peak Martial Saint level, her abilities would be improving at a rapid rate.

The free medical consultation was over. After seeing what had happened today, Qing Shui felt that there was a need to beef-up their abilities, at least so that they could take care and protect themselves. With the Yang Pills, their abilities could improve tremendously. There were also the Ren Meridian Strengthening Pellet and Du Meridian Strengthening Pellet.

Since he had decided on it, Qing Shui got right down to taking action. Although he wouldn’t be leaving in the short term, there was no harm for him if they were to get stronger. Soulsearch was just like a blood brother to him.

Qing Shui could sense this. When making friends, what was important was the sentiments.

Soulsearch was knowledgeable, having experienced a lot of things in life. Yuan Su also had great knowledge which she had gained through books and other stuff. Therefore, both of them were especially shocked when they knew that Qing Shui had Yang Pills and they were One-Yang Pills to Three-Yang Pills at that. They were also surprised that these could be taken twice.

Yuan Su looked at Qing Shui. It was a pity that she couldn’t take it now and had to leave it for the future. However, it should be fast. Earlier, after having taken medicinal pills and Qing Shui had applied acupuncture on her, she had already attained a breakthrough. Moreover, her breakthrough had directly brought her to a height which she would never have dared to even think about in the past.

She was also a Martial Emperor cultivator right now. However, Elementary Martial Emperors were still very weak. She would still need to take some more time if she wished to use the Yang Pills.

Yuan Su was astonished. So many years had pa.s.sed and she didn’t know that Qing Shui had already reached such a level. However, she knew that there would be no way that she would be able to catch up to him. It might not be a bad decision for her to stay next to him. After having run away for so many years, was she going to end up returning in the end?

Why did she still have to fuss about all this? Even she herself didn’t know what she was struggling for. Could it be that she was still unable to let it go? Many years ago, he had left very coolly, with a little anger. However, she had been feeling down about it for a very long time.

When they met again today, he was still very cool and she was still feeling down as before.

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