The real name of the elder known as the White Ascetic was Cao Yin. Only a handful of people knew his true name, most of them being prominent figures in the martial world, one of whom was the Mystic Devil.

  On the other hand, Cao Yin did not know the real name of the Mystic Devil because the man was truly peculiar. He claimed to have forgotten his own name and always introduced himself as the Mystic Devil. Because of that, no one knew when his real name was last heard in the world.

  "Stop acting like a hero, Cao Yin," the Mystic Devil snapped as he continued pounding. "Do you think you can cure that woman's husband if you kill me?"

  Cao Yin hurriedly clasped his hands together and bowed in respect. Laughing, he said, "Hahaha, what a small world. The man I thought was a mere rogue turns out to be the greatest medicine deity in the world. How have you been, Mystic Devil? And why are you here?"

  "If I were unwell, I wouldn't be here. The reason I'm here is because I'm perfectly fine. Now shut up and stop talking!"

  Liang Kun, who had been watching their conversation, could only stand in stunned silence, his shoulders slack. Never had it crossed his mind that the man who deflected a sword with a flick of his finger was yet another great figure in the martial world. Reality had taught Liang Kun that all this time, he had been like a frog in a well.

  He glanced at his master, who was also looking at him sharply. Liang Kun hurriedly sheathed his sword and bowed deeply. "I, the ignorant Liang Kun, apologize for my disrespect."

  "Silence!" The Mystic Devil hurled a stone at Liang Kun's head. Fortunately, the young man was quick enough to deflect it. "I'm not here to play around. A life is at stake!" The Mystic Devil grabbed another stone and pounded even harder and faster.

  Cao Yin approached his disciple and whispered, "Don't take it to heart. He might be the strangest person you'll ever meet in your life."

  "Done!" The Mystic Devil jumped to his feet. "If I'm not let in this time, I'll tear down that house wall." And with that, the old man sprinted toward the house where the frightened woman had been earlier.

  Liang Kun stood frozen again, eyes wide in amazement at the old man's incredible lightness skill. His movements were agile and astonishingly light. Due to his hunched back, from a distance, he even looked like a giant frog leaping. However, Cao Yin quickly followed in his wake, knowing another commotion was about to erupt in that house.

  Sure enough, when the two arrived, a loud uproar could be heard from afar. By the time Cao Yin and Liang Kun reached the house, the door was already open.

  "Get out! Get out, you devil!" A woman's voice shrieked hysterically.

  There were also male voices, along with the sounds of blows landing relentlessly.

  Cao Yin grew concerned. He knew exactly who was being beaten. He took a long stride into the house and shouted, "Stop!"

  The young man who had been thrashing the Mystic Devil with a large bamboo stick immediately froze, while the woman in the corner gasped in shock. "Master warrior, please help us."

  However, Cao Yin only smiled gently. "Madam, you can rest assured now. With this man's help, your husband will definitely recover completely."

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  The woman widened her eyes in disbelief. "How do you know that?"

  "Do you think I'm blind?" the Mystic Devil barked, glaring. His neck was already red from being struck repeatedly by the bamboo, but he showed no sign of pain. "Do you think I'm a thief here to steal that worthless shiny junk around your neck?" He pointed at the golden necklace adorning the woman's throat. "Do I look like a robber to you? How insulting!"

  "Hey, old man, stay away from my mother!" The bamboo swung again.

  Liang Kun swiftly intercepted the strike. "Calm down and trust us," he said.

  The young man looked at his mother, while the woman looked at Cao Yin with a furrowed brow.

  Cao Yin nodded. "Trust us."

  After a brief silence, the woman finally stepped aside. "My husband is inside."

  The Mystic Devil strode in as if it were his own home. The sound of a door being flung open was followed by a startled scream from inside the room. Cao Yin and Liang Kun hurriedly followed, along with the household members.

  What they witnessed was astonishing. They had expected to see some miraculous healing technique from the Mystic Devil, but what they saw instead looked more like abuse.

  The old man forcefully shoved the pounded medicinal ingredients into the ailing man's mouth. The woman screamed in horror, but Liang Kun held her back. Meanwhile, Cao Yin was busy restraining their son, who once again lifted the large bamboo stick.

  "Now, time to heal!" The Mystic Devil rubbed the remaining crushed ingredients,those that hadn't been forced into the poor man's mouth,onto the snakebite wound. The man convulsed in pain, his eyes bulging, but the only sound he made was a gurgling noise as the crushed medicine was still stuck in his throat.

  "Done." Suddenly, the Mystic Devil leaped out of the window and vanished. His laughter echoed ominously in the distance.

  It seemed the man had passed out from the unbearable pain. His wife rushed to his bedside, weeping uncontrollably. Liang Kun was still unsure about the situation and turned to his master.

  "Master, is this..."

  "Never doubt the Mystic Devil's abilities," Cao Yin replied with a broad smile. "I assure you, before sunset, this man will be up and jumping again."

  Liang Kun remained silent.

  Time seemed to pass quickly, and before they knew it, dusk had arrived. Cao Yin and Liang Kun deliberately stayed to make sure everything was alright.

  Cao Yin's prediction was spot on. The two of them, waiting outside, heard the woman's cries grow louder, but then the son emerged with a beaming face.

  "Father is awake," he said excitedly. "He even stood up and jumped right away, even though his leg was nearly paralyzed yesterday."

  Liang Kun's eyes widened in disbelief, while Cao Yin burst into laughter.

  "Hahaha, told you so. Never underestimate that man's abilities."

  The young man bowed deeply, full of respect and gratitude. "My family and I are deeply grateful to both of you. This is an immense kindness."

  Hurried footsteps came from inside the house. The woman, her face still wet with tears, immediately prostrated before Cao Yin.

  "Thank you... thank you, and please convey my apologies to that great medicine master."

  "Hahaha, no need to be so formal. That man might get angry if you thank him too much. I'm not joking." The woman immediately stood up.

  Her husband arrived shortly after, relief evident on his face. "Thank you for coming. I don't know whether it's a blessing or a disaster that your friend treated me. Regardless, thank you."

  Cao Yin nodded slightly. "It's time for us to leave now."

  The family was somewhat reluctant, but Cao Yin insisted, and they could not stop him. As a token of gratitude, they were given some food supplies, not much, but greatly appreciated by both Cao Yin and Liang Kun.

  They continued their journey late into the night and rested in an open field deep in the forest. The place was quite far from the previous house. Just before dawn the next day, Liang Kun was startled by the sound of battle in the distance.

  "Master!"

  "I hear it." The old man quickly packed up their belongings. "Let's go see."

  With their considerable lightness skills, they swiftly maneuvered through the dense foliage, heading toward the commotion. Upon arrival, they saw a wrecked carriage being defended by a young woman in a red robe adorned with lotus patterns. She stood against seven fierce-looking men.

  "You two, find a safe place!" the young woman said, grimacing as she endured the pain from a wounded shoulder. "I'll hold them off."

  "But what about you? They're incredibly strong," said a man, appearing around twenty-five years old, his expression filled with worry.

  "I'm not afraid to die if it means protecting others!" the young woman shouted, launching an attack at her assailants.