Underneath The Moonlit Night

Chapter 43 - Fragments Of Trust

Fueled by an unyielding determination, Yu Yan pressed onward on her journey toward Gusu Sylvatica. If sacrificing her son's happiness and security was the cost of ensuring the survival of her people, she would willingly make that trade once more.

"Mother, you've returned," Jing Shi greeted with a warm smile as Yu Yan entered the Tribal Hall. Closing the distance between them, Yu Yan returned the smile and reached out to study Jing Shi's face, delicately brushing away a stray strand of hair.

"Am I imagining things, or has my daughter become more beautiful and radiant each day?" Yu Yan praised Jing Shi's beauty, her words filled with maternal pride.

Sensing a subtle shift in her mother's demeanor, Jing Shi raised an eyebrow and asked, "Mother, did you try one of Mrs. Wong's bamboo shoot brews again?"

Yu Yan chuckled softly, shaking her head. However, Jing Shi couldn't shake the sense of concealed sorrow lingering beneath the surface. Before she could delve deeper into the matter, Yu Yan shifted the conversation, redirecting their focus.

"Jing Shi, do you recall when I spoke to you about the benefits of blood healing?" Yu Yan took a seat at the Council Table, her tone turning more serious as she broached the topic.

Jing Shi found herself utterly bewildered. Blood healing, an ancient technique steeped in dark magic, was renowned for its extreme complexity and inherent danger. Any misstep in its execution could jeopardize a person's entire life. The consequences of an error during the healing process were severe – the blood could become poisoned, leading to a slow and inevitable death. Alternatively, it might result in a blood infection, transforming the person's consciousness into madness, causing them to behave like beasts for the rest of their days. Conversely, if the technique were to be successfully performed, it had the potential to extend a person's lifespan and grant immunity from various illnesses.

Despite its potential benefits, the Koeh elders had unequivocally declared blood healing techniques as forbidden. Under no circumstances were they to be practiced. This revelation left Jing Shi shocked; the very mention of such a forbidden technique by her mother was unsettling.

"I do recall. However, mother, wasn't this technique deemed forbidden by our elders?" Jing Shi inquired as she took a seat to her mother's right at the Council Table.

"The technique itself isn't inherently bad. It merely requires understanding and careful execution. When done correctly, it can prove to be highly effective and beneficial, fully healing the patient and providing protection against major illnesses," Yu Yan explained, her gaze fixed on her daughter.

"However, I won't delve into the specifics of the technique just yet. Right now, I want to experiment with transforming blood into a healing potion to see how it might work," Yu Yan continued, still looking at her daughter. "And for this experiment, I'll need your healing skills."

After contemplating her mother's request for a moment, Jing Shi reluctantly replied, "Alright, I can help you. I've also been pondering the idea of using blood as a healing medium for a long time. I just didn't know where or how to start."

Satisfied with her daughter's response, Yu Yan replied, "Good! Let's get started. We can begin by using my blood for the experiment." She stood up and walked towards their Alchemy building.

Jing Shi called after her mother, "Mother, let's use mine too. There are a few things I want to test as well." She followed closely behind Yu Yan.

Yu Yan smiled as the mother and daughter arrived at the Alchemy Lab. Jing Shi wasted no time, rushing to one of the work tables and diving into her tasks. Meanwhile, Yu Yan called over one of the apothecaries and silently instructed her.