Two days had passed since they accepted the old horse.
After Li Qi gave him a strand of Azure Dragon Divine Qi, the old horse became quite fatigued. For these two days, he mostly followed slowly beside Li Qi and Shen Shuibei, looking drowsy.
Li Qi was somewhat worried that the old horse couldn't handle the Azure Dragon Divine Qi, compounded by his advanced age and weakened body.
Would he die just like that?
Shen Shuibei, however, studied the situation and reassured Li Qi, "Don't worry; he's just using the qi to dispel the malevolent qi."
Then, she started reciting from ancient texts:
"Qi from the upper burner emerges to warm the muscles and nourish bones and joints, reaching the skin."
"Yin and Yang are fully expanded, following the breath to circulate through channels, with paths and principles, aligning with the heavens, never stopping."
Another quote: "Qi from the middle burner emerges like dew, flowing into the body's crevices and seeping into the blood vessels, harmonizing fluids and transforming them into red blood, which flows through the meridians."
Li Qi didn't understand much of what she said, but he made an effort to remember it and later asked her for detailed explanations. Eventually, he understood.
In the human body, various types of qi generated flow through different channels throughout the body.
The qi from the upper burner warms the muscles and skin, nourishes bones and joints, and reaches the pores.
The qi from the middle burner flows like natural rain or dew, permeating the body's muscle spaces and entering the blood vessels. Through the heart and lungs' qi transformation, it becomes blood that circulates through the body's meridians.
Blood circulation is orderly, first filling the smallest vessels (sun mai), then moving to larger ones (luo mai), and finally to the main meridians (jing mai). Yin and Yang meridians become full of qi and blood, circulating with each breath throughout the body.
Within the body, the circulation of qi follows these patterns, akin to the celestial movements, cyclical and endless.
Thus, the small universe within the human body mirrors the larger universe outside.
Now, the old horse was using his own strength to control the Azure Dragon Divine Qi, gradually following the pattern to dispel the malevolent qi within him.
When malevolent qi invades the blood vessels, it causes sluggish blood flow, leading to stagnation and accumulation of defensive qi in certain areas. If the qi and blood cannot circulate properly and instead gather locally, it forms abscesses. These swellings can turn into pus, causing muscle rot and eventually spreading deeper into the body.
If it reaches the vital organs, it damages bones, preventing the malevolent qi from being expelled, leading to bone marrow stagnation and blood depletion.
Stagnant blood means that muscles, bones, and internal organs lack nourishing and defensive qi, ultimately resulting in flesh decay and death.
Although the wounds were cleaned, the old horse still had malevolent qi inside, necessitating a strand of Great Forest Wood Qi from the Azure Dragon Divine Qi.
Shen Shuibei added, "Books mention that this condition, named 'gu jing ju,' starts in the thighs and shins. Though externally not very noticeable, the pus tightly clings to the bones. Without prompt treatment, death could occur within thirty days. That's why the old horse was so anxious."
Li Qi learned that 'gu jing ju' affects the thighs and lower legs, with pus adhering closely to the bones. Without swift treatment, death could occur within thirty days.
So, the old horse was extremely anxious.
"The Great Forest Wood Qi, derived from the springtime rising wood qi, takes its essence from the Eastern Wood constellation and the Azure Dragon's divine qi. At this time, plants are flourishing, lush and abundant, taking advantage of the vigorous growth of wood to promote one's vitality. With the wood qi, it can expel malevolent qi."
Shen Shuibei spoke eloquently, leaving Li Qi in awe.
Truly, a cultured rabbit.
Li Qi pondered this for a while.
Damn, when you translate it, it's basically about boosting one's immunity to let the pus dissipate! Rely on the body's immune system to fight off the infection!
Understanding this, Li Qi stopped worrying.
Boosting immunity would certainly lead to fever, weakness, and dizziness, but it should pass in a couple of days.
So, he climbed a hill to scout for signs of a village, then spent half a day heading towards it.
First, visit the village, exchange his pots, pans, and farming tools for supplies, and properly care for the old horse.
After all, the old horse could barely walk now, let alone carry anyone. Li Qi himself was almost too weak to move.
Moreover, Li Qi had little to offer the horse besides wild fruits, spring water, and rice cakes. The old horse could only nibble on grass and leaves.
Shen Shuibei said this wasn't enough; recovery would be slow.
Li Qi agreed. If things continued like this, the old horse might succumb to the infection. They needed to get some bird eggs, soybeans, and other nutritious foods.
This world didn't have many chicken eggs because the chickens here could fly and were quite fierce.
Could those even be called chickens?
Forget it, no use dwelling on that.
The old horse seemed aware of his condition. Along the way, Shen Shuibei translated multiple times as he repeatedly thanked the two of them.
Li Qi didn't know what to say. After all, he was dealing with an eight-foot-tall dragon steed. If not for his current plight, someone like Li Qi wouldn't have had the chance to ride such a magnificent creature.
So, Li Qi simply reiterated the principle of mutual assistance and transferred another strand of Great Forest Wood Qi he cultivated the next day.
By the second day, they finally reached the village.
The village was conservative, even surrounded by rudimentary wooden walls made from thick logs driven into the ground.
Establishing a village in the wilderness meant these villagers weren't easy prey. Ordinary bandits likely wouldn't dare mess with them.
A world with cultivation techniques was indeed tricky.
"Fellow villagers!" Li Qi stood outside the village, holding the old horse. "We're passing merchants! Want to see some goods?"
"I've got salt, hoes, rakes, and cloth!" Li Qi set down his backpack, showing the farming tools and fabric inside.
A middle-aged farmer with a pitchfork asked loudly, "Other merchants travel in groups. Why do you dare to go alone?!"
"They don't have horses! I do! What takes them four days, I can do in one! No fear on the road!" Li Qi shouted again, "My horse is injured! We need a place to rest and buy some food!"
His words were reasonable, and his backpack contained essential items like salt and iron farming tools.
Plus, he had brought a woman.
A man traveling with a woman surely posed no threat, especially with a horse.
A merchant with a horse wouldn't be interested in their village's modest offerings.
The simple wisdom of the villagers led them to open the gate: "Come on in!"