Thinking back to how those four people were casually defeated by her husband during the day, she realized it wasn't that her husband was moving slowly but that she couldn't understand what was happening. So, she could only grit her teeth and continue practicing with her sword.

As the moon neared its zenith, Madam Tong returned from studying next door, and Song Cheng also ceased his cultivation, and they both headed back to their room.

"How's the studying going?" Song Cheng asked.

"The teacher is well-learned, and she is teaching me earnestly," Madam Tong said, "but I can tell she's a person with many stories. She... might not be young anymore. When she looks at me, I feel like she's looking at a daughter or perhaps a granddaughter..."

"She's only been teaching you for two days, right?"

"I don't really know." Madam Tong took off her outerwear and shook it in the air, dispersing a scent of herbs. There was nothing special about the herbs, just a lingering smell from mixing medicines while being taught.

The pale moon illuminated her silken sleepwear in the air, but as an old married couple, there wasn't much shyness left between them.

"Song, has she taught other students before?"

"I don't know."

"I have a feeling she hasn't."

"How do you know?"

"I always feel she's very sad, and if she's taught others before, surely those students would have treated her well. With the warmth of affection, maybe the sadness wouldn't be there." Madam Tong seriously speculated, and then added, "At least, if she continues to teach me like this, I think I would treat her well. She says it's a trade, yet she actually teaches with great dedication."

Song Cheng had already stripped down and climbed onto the bed. Without smartphones in this different world, this would have been the time to play with a phone. Life on the bed was limited—to either chatting with his wife, going directly to sleep, or playing with his wife.

As an old married couple, the desire to "play" should not have been as strong as it was in the beginning.

But martial artists are full of vigorous energy.

And so, the two of them had another splendid battle, intertwined as they danced together.

After they were done, they cleaned up skillfully and lay down again, facing each other as they went to sleep.

Madam Tong slept for a while and then suddenly remembered something, saying, "The teacher has a way to see far, she said she had seen you discussing a case of rot poison with an External Affairs Envoy from Shanhe Martial Arts Hall and his son.

The teacher has taught me the method, telling me to practice alchemy to save...

If I succeed, she will spread the news herself through Pearl Mountain Taoist Temple, and then have that envoy come to seek me."

"You know how to practice alchemy?"

"The teacher says it's similar to decocting medicine, just that the control over the heat must be stricter, and the variety and quantity of the herbs must be more precise.

Besides, every alchemy process isn't fixed in timing, but requires judging the progress in the furnace through certain details.

If it's a one-time addition of herbs, then it's considered a simple pill.

If it requires the addition of herbs midway or needs a second alchemy process, then it gets complicated."

"What about the pill for curing rot poison?"

"It requires three alchemy processes; it's very complicated..."

"..."

"I will succeed!" Madam Tong clenched her little fist with determination.

Song Cheng gently nodded his head.

Even in the darkness, even though he struggled to see, he knew his wife's eyes must be shining brightly at that moment, surely... filled with light.

In the darkness, their breathing was even.

"Did she teach you any soul cultivation methods?"

Song Cheng suddenly asked an out-of-the-blue question.

That's how an old married couple spoke, asking whatever came to mind without needing any preamble.

"I know you want to learn," Madam Tong said with a smile, "I'll ask her, there just hasn't been a chance yet."

Song Cheng then hugged his wife and kissed her fiercely.

Madam Tong, not to be outdone, left a "strawberry" kiss mark on the young man's neck, laughing as she said, "Tomorrow I'll have Sister An give you a second one."

...

...

The days passed with a semblance of calm for four days.

On the evening of the fourth day, Lady Zhushan suddenly came over with a serious expression and said, "Song, a guest has arrived."

Song Cheng instantly understood, grabbed his sword, and secured his "mechanical shield."

Da and four other attendants lifted the palanquin.

Lady Zhushan waved her hand outward, saying, "Song, get in the palanquin, conserve your strength."

Song Cheng said nothing and stepped inside.

The inside of the palanquin was a bit dark, and Lady Zhushan held a bronze mirror in her hand. To his eyes, the mirror was just a blob of ink with nothing else visible.

Shortly afterward, he felt the palanquin lift off as Da and the four others ran as fast as if they were flying.

After a while, the noise of the busy streets disappeared.

A bit later, only the wind's variable sound remained, and the palanquin tilted slightly.

They were ascending the mountain.

Lady Zhushan said, "Song, be careful. The ghost servant coming this time seems to be quite formidable.

In fact, they have already come twice in the past few days, but on those two occasions, they were dealt with by my subordinates at Pearl Mountain Taoist Temple.

This time, with the increased numbers and the clear sense of difference, I decided to take action personally.

At the scene, don't be nervous; my Illusionary Realm affects vision, and as long as you can see, whether you open your eyes or not, you will be affected.

Ghost servants can blend into crowds because they possess some human characteristics on the surface, so they too will be affected.

Once caught, strike immediately.

Don't rush, don't panic, and thoroughly kill each one you lay your hands on.

Be clean and tidy, and make sure there are no slip-ups.

If a ghost servant isn't killed, it will hardly be affected and will explode into action the moment the Illusionary Realm is lifted, killing both you and me."

It was their first cooperation, and Lady Zhushan was still not at ease, repeatedly advising him.

After all, in such a major battle, though she was unlikely to face a problem, it couldn't be guaranteed that Song, seeing such combat for the first time, would be unaffected.

If there was even a slight mishap, both she and Song could die.

Song was her weak link.

Hence, she was a little more verbose than usual.

While speaking, the palanquin slowly landed in a valley.

This valley was also within the Prefectural City of Hanping Prefecture.

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