Starting With The Martial Arts Holy Fire Order

Chapter 003: The Physician Girl, Hu Qingyang

As soon as Ling Yihan heard her voice, he became alert, cautiously on guard.

Using the movement technique from the Holy Flame Token Divine Art, he darted forward like a phantom, appearing in front of the girl in an instant.

He reached out his right hand, gripping her throat, and coldly asked, “Who are you? Why are you here?”

The girl was caught off guard as he seized her neck, her face flushing red as she struggled to speak.

“I… I’m a physician… I came to these Kunlun Mountain snow ridges to gather… Tianshan Snow Lotus… The sun is about to set… I was just looking for a place to shelter from the wind and snow…”

Ling Yihan detected the faint scent of herbs on her, which made him half believe her story.

He loosened his grip on her throat and asked indifferently, “A physician? What’s your name?”

Cough, cough… “What’s wrong with you? I’m a girl… and you’re so rough-handed… My name is Hu Qingyang…” Freeing her neck, the girl coughed a few times, finally able to breathe more easily.

“Hu Qingyang? That name sounds familiar… hmm…”

Ling Yihan murmured as he recalled something. A sudden flash of realization crossed his mind, and he asked in a serious tone, “Is the Butterfly Valley Healing Immortal, Hu Qingniu, related to you?”

“Huh? So, you know my brother?” Hu Qingyang said in surprise.

“You’re Hu Qingniu’s younger sister?” Ling Yihan looked her over more carefully.

The young girl before him might not be a peerless beauty, but her features were delicate and charming, with an air of quiet elegance.

She wore a green dress and a headscarf, appearing to be around seventeen or eighteen years old. Though she wore no makeup, she had a unique grace characteristic of a young woman from a family of physicians.

“Yes, I am. There’s no mistake about it… Wait, have you met my brother? Are you his friend or his enemy?” Hu Qingyang asked warily, her gaze fixed on him.

Ling Yihan had already used his inner energy to assess her, confirming that she had no martial skills. He replied calmly, “I’ve never met him, only heard of him. So, I’m neither his friend nor his foe. It’s cold outside; come on in.”

“Oh…”

Hearing Ling Yihan’s invitation, Hu Qingyang did not put on airs. She cautiously followed him into the cave but thought to herself, He was so fierce earlier; he might be a bad person. Fortunately, I learned a few poisoning techniques from my sister-in-law. If he tries anything improper with me, I’ll just… hmph!

Her sister-in-law was, of course, Hu Qingniu’s wife and junior apprentice sister, Wang Nangu, who was skilled in poison. Although Wang Nangu often tested her poisoning and antidote skills with Hu Qingniu, she was very fond of Hu Qingyang and had taught her some poisoning techniques for self-defense.

So, even though Hu Qingyang lacked martial skills, she could still handle ordinary martial artists with her poison skills.

“Wow, are these three camels yours? They’re so cute! Don’t they need food, or feel the cold?”

As she entered the cave, Hu Qingyang noticed the three camels huddled together and couldn’t help but feel amazed.

Ling Yihan, however, had no interest in talking to her and sat quietly beside the campfire in the cave, continuing his internal cultivation.

Seeing that he was ignoring her, Hu Qingyang felt frustrated but continued to ask, “By the way, I still don’t know your honorable name, young master?”

“Ling… Yi… Han. If there’s nothing urgent, please don’t disturb me… If you’re hungry, there’s some dry food here. Feel free to help yourself…”

Ling Yihan replied briefly, then resumed his training.

“Hmph… what’s with the attitude… so what if you know martial arts?” Hu Qingyang muttered to herself, rolling her eyes at his response.

Before long, her stomach began to growl. Without hesitation, she grabbed some food from the cave and started eating.

By the light of the campfire, Hu Qingyang took a closer look at Ling Yihan’s face, noticing that, despite his cold and fierce demeanor, he was quite handsome—a true fine-looking young man. She couldn’t help but feel a slight stirring in her heart.

The night passed quietly, with Ling Yihan and Hu Qingyang, a pair of young strangers, sleeping peacefully by the fire in the cave.

The next morning, just outside the cave, Ling Yihan led one of the camels over to Hu Qingyang and said, “Yesterday, I acted rashly and offended you, Miss Hu. I’m giving you this camel as a means of transport as an apology.”

Hu Qingyang shook her head, smiling. “Brother Ling, I’m not so petty. After all, we didn’t know each other before. Out in the world, it’s wise to stay on guard. I don’t need your camel. But if you really want to make it up to me, how about joining me in picking Tianshan Snow Lotus?”

Ling Yihan couldn’t easily refuse her request, and since he had no particular destination, he nodded and said, “Alright, I’ll go with you.”

They soon reached a steep snow-covered ridge where, sure enough, a pristine white lotus flower grew on the cliffside. It seemed to be a Tianshan Snow Lotus.

“Brother Ling, this is the Tianshan Snow Lotus I found earlier. Yesterday, the heavy snow made it difficult to pick, but today’s weather is much better…” Hu Qingyang pointed to the Tianshan Snow Lotus as she explained to Ling Yihan.

Seeing the distance to the snow lotus on the cliffside, Ling Yihan said coolly, “It’s not too high; I can retrieve it for you quickly…”

As he spoke, he prepared to leap up, intending to use his lightness skill to grab the lotus.

Seeing this, Hu Qingyang quickly held his arm, smiling. “Brother Ling, I’ll do it myself! Just because I’m a girl and can’t fight doesn’t mean I’m incapable…”

With that, she began climbing up the cliff with a grappling hook, making her way up slowly.

In no time, Hu Qingyang managed to pick the snow lotus. However, on her way down, the rock her hook was attached to suddenly loosened, and she lost her footing, tumbling down from the cliff.

“Ah…” Hu Qingyang cried out in fear as she fell.

Prepared for such an event, Ling Yihan swiftly leaped into the air, catching her petite figure in his arms and gently landing back on the ground.

With a look of lingering fear, Hu Qingyang kept her gaze fixed on Ling Yihan, taking a moment to regain her composure. She quickly pulled away from his embrace and stood aside, blushing. “Brother Ling… thank you, I…”

Ling Yihan, unaffected, replied indifferently, “Try to avoid dangerous situations like that. Risking your life for a single lotus is not worth it.”

“Oh…” Hu Qingyang nodded obediently, then added, “By the way, Brother Ling, could you accompany me to Bright Peak?”

“Bright Peak? Isn’t that the main base of the Ming Cult? Why do you want to go there?” Ling Yihan asked, curious.

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