5 The Poison Master (2/2)
XieRong washed her old clothes thinking of her identity as Fa Chun.
'The next time I wear boy clothes it will be as XieRong, not Fa Chun.'
XieRong felt her stomach grumble as she approached the mouth watering scent coming from inside the hut.
”Master, I'm back,” XieRong greeted, sitting down next to her sister.
Bai Yueliang was happily munching on some grass and vegetables.
Her master didn't say anything and handed her a plate.
XieRong hadn't realised how hungry she'd been.
She'd had some of the dried meat and fruits on her way but perhaps the strain on her physical and mental wellbeing had been more than she'd anticipated.
”Master, how are their wounds?” XieRong asked, in a hushed voice as she went help her master with the dishes.
”Your skills have improved, child. There wasn't much more that I could do for them that you hadn't already done.”
”Mother said that FeiHong's fingers could be healed.”
”They can be, but only after she starts cultivating.”
”So, when will you remove the poison from us master?”
”The treatment takes five days to be completed. Before I start you'll have to get me some 100 year old ginseng from the capital. The hour of the horse (11AM – 1PM) is nearing it's end. Leave with this, the ginseng shouldn't cost more than what is in it. Return tomorrow by the hour of Dragon (7AM – 9AM). The forest is dangerous at night, even for you.”
The old lady handed XieRong around seventy five taels of silver in a small plum coloured pouch.
”I have enough to buy some ginseng, master.”
XieRong refused to accept the money, especially from the old master.
”I know you do, you proud brat, but you'll need all the money you can save. Give me the rest of the pheasants and rabbits in exchange, then that would be considered payment. Leave your sister with me. She will be safe here.”
XieRong hugged her master.
”Thank you, master!”
”Let go of me!”
The old lady said hitting XieRong's back lightly. XieRong knew her master did it only to keep her reputation as a sullen old lady, but let her go anyway.
”FeiHong, hand me the small bag which I told you keep in your spatial ring.”
XieRong removed some of her mother's jewellery and kept in her own bag, returning the small bag to her sister.
”FeiHong, Jie is leaving. I'll come back tomorrow. Help master with the chores and start learning medicine.”
”Jie, I can't come?”
”No, I want you and Bai Yueliang to rest. When I come back we can start getting cured together, okay?”
”Okay. Return safely.”
Handing the pheasants and rabbits over to her master, XieRong left the small hut.