"Inn... In all my years, never have I encountered an affliction such as this. Not once have I seen its likeness described in the ancient scrolls within my reach. There are countless instances where a fetus may bring harm to the mother, but this… this kind of counter-samsaric entanglement is beyond rare. The symptoms are so subtle, they almost evade detection.
The child appears utterly lifeless, yet it still breathes. Its life force—its heartbeat—is so faint, it defies the nature of any known creature. By the laws of medicine, such a fetus should not survive more than a week. And yet… it has lived for over six months now. Extraordinary."
Grandmaster Sun spoke as if to himself, his voice steeped in contemplation.
Both Xiao Baichuan and Shan Mei sat silently, their hearts racing as they listened. If even Grandmaster Sun was confounded by what he saw, what hope did they have of understanding it?
After a moment, Grandmaster Sun continued, deep in thought.
"What's more… the mother's body has grown cold, unnaturally so. It's a chill that radiates from the fetus. The child has begun freezing the mother's very being. If my calculations are correct, within the next month, she will begin to feel stiffness and piercing pain in her limbs—eventually becoming paralyzed. When that time comes, both mother and child will be at the edge of death.
The child's chill will slowly freeze the blood coursing through the fine strands of the mother's vessels… until even the heart grows cold and still. That, I fear, shall be the mother's final moment. And if she perishes, the child will not survive either.
Ah… of course. The child is only alive because it clings to the mother's life force. Remarkable."
Hearing the Grandmaster's words—that both mother and child might not live past another month—Xiao Baichuan and Shan Mei were struck by a dreadful realization.
Xiao Baichuan, heart pounding, asked in a trembling voice:
"Then... what must we do, Grandmaster?"
Grandmaster Sun closed his eyes and replied after a long pause.
"For now, do not concern yourself with the child. All attention must be given to the mother. In caring for her, you protect the child. As long as she remains alive, there is hope."
Xiao Baichuan moved forward, knelt before the Grandmaster, and bowed until his forehead touched the floor.
"Grandmaster, I entrust the fate of the Xiao family to your hands. Please, I beg you—save us. The Xiao family will forever remember your grace. We will carry your kindness on our foreheads like a sacred mark. Please, save us."
Grandmaster Sun watched the heartfelt plea of Xiao Baichuan and the couple's quiet suffering with eyes of deep understanding and compassion. Then, with a solemn nod, he gently grasped both of Xiao Baichuan's forearms in a gesture of acceptance and support.
Through the old master's touch, a strange and subtle energy passed into Xiao Baichuan's arms, then flowed deeper into his body. It eased the burning turmoil in his heart, like water quelling fire, and stilled the anxiety that had been raging within his soul.
"Thank you, Grandmaster… thank you so much,"
Xiao Baichuan said, bowing deeply again and again, gratitude overflowing from every word.
Nearby, Shan Mei struggled to sit up, determined to show her respect as well.
But Grandmaster Sun lightly pressed a bamboo staff across her forearm, halting her.
"Stay down. Rest. I'll save both you and the child. Just know—it won't be easy."
The moment his staff made contact, a mysterious warmth entered her weary body, and like a wind brushing over flame, it soothed the pain and distress in her chest.
"Ah… thank you, Master. I, Shan Mei, offer my deepest respect from where I lie. Please forgive me for not standing to show it properly."
"No need for apologies," Grandmaster Sun said gently. "This is not about gratitude. Just think of it as fate guiding us to meet. Fate… ah, it truly is strange and full of mysteries."
The grandmaster's calm and reassuring words reached deep into the hearts of the troubled couple, lifting a weight they hadn't realized was crushing them.
"Now then… Xiao Baichuan," he continued. "I will write you a prescription. Get everything on the list. Leave nothing behind."
Without wasting another moment, he turned to begin.
Xiao Baichuan leapt to his feet and quickly laid out paper, brush, and an inkstone on the writing table, arranging them neatly.
Seated before the table, Grandmaster Sun began to write out the list of medicines—one by one. The list grew long, eventually filling an entire page. When he was finished, he handed the completed sheets to Xiao Baichuan.
"These are the herbs your wife needs. Every last one of them. There are exactly one hundred listed here. They will support her life—so not a single one must be missing. Go. Waste no time."
With firm resolve, Xiao Baichuan received the sheets with both hands, bowing as he did.
"Yes, Grandmaster. I'll find them as quickly as I can. Shan Mei, I'm going to get your medicine now."
He turned to his wife, who watched him with eyes full of hope and trembling emotion. Speaking gently to her, he then swept out of the room with hurried steps, determination blazing in his heart.
"Grandmaster…"
A short while after Xiao Baichuan had left, Shan Mei softly called out to Grandmaster Sun. Though she had something to ask, she hesitated—uncertain whether to speak or remain silent. Eventually, she gathered her courage and asked quietly:
"If there's anything about my health that my husband shouldn't know… may I be allowed to know it myself, Grandmaster?"
Grandmaster Sun smiled gently, as if he had already understood her worries.
"You and your husband share a deep and unwavering love, that much is clear. Don't torment yourself with unnecessary thoughts. As I said before, I will save both you and the child. Just stay calm. Don't be anxious. Xiao Baichuan entrusted his family to me because he believes in me—and that trust obliges me to do my utmost."
His words, spoken with steady conviction, comforted Shan Mei's troubled heart. Rising slowly, he then stepped out of the room.
Hearing his reassuring voice, Shan Mei's anxieties began to ease—yet her thoughts did not fall silent.
Her hand gently reached for her belly, rubbing softly over it.
"So… we have a child," she whispered.
With quiet wonder, she continued to caress her stomach—not from panic, but from something pure and tender. A joy unlike any she had ever known filled her heart. In that moment, a new strength arose within her.
"I never gave up on myself or on him… but hope kept slipping further away. I couldn't bear the pain anymore. Now that we're having a child… no matter what, I will never give up. I must live. I must stay strong—and bring our child into this world."
Her eyes began to shine, clear and resolute, as she spoke softly to the life growing within her.
"My little one… don't worry. Your mother and father will love you with all our hearts. So stay strong, stay healthy. Be born safely, my dear. Did you hear your mother speaking to you? I didn't know you were here inside me… so please don't be upset with us. Now that I know you're here, I promise—I will never give up again. Not knowing about you made me want to let go of everything. But now that I have you… I'll hold on with all I've got. For your sake, I'll get better. I'll do everything I can. My precious little one, be healthy, be strong. Know that we love you dearly."
These words flowed not just from her lips, but from the deepest chambers of her heart.
Whether the tender affection in her voice reached the child within, no one could say. But in that moment, she felt a strange sense of warmth and relief—more than she had felt in days.
Tears of quiet joy welled in Shan Mei's eyes as she continued to stroke her belly and whispered once more:
"My sweet, gentle little one…"
And far above, beyond the troubles of the world, the full moon cast its soft golden glow—radiant and serene.
Would you like me to continue translating the next section? Or refine this one into a more poetic form?
As night deepened, the once-busy streets gradually became less crowded. Most people had already returned home, though a few still moved about under the silver glow of the moon.
Xiao Baichuan, having ridden out on horseback to buy medicine, glanced up at the moon.
"Hmm… The moon is already high. It's no longer early."
He patted the horse's mane gently and gave it a soft command.
"Let's do our best, little Blacky. Only after I've bought the medicine can I rest easy."
With those words, he steered his steed toward the direction of Gunagzhou City's famous apothecaries.
The black stallion, understanding its master's urgency, quickened its pace, hooves thudding rhythmically against the cobblestones.
"Thump… thump… thump…"
Not long after, they arrived at the Kon Apothecary.
A pair of red lanterns hung on either side of the shop's signboard, gently swaying in the night breeze. This was the largest apothecary in Guangzhou City—known for having medicines unobtainable elsewhere. It was precisely for this reason that he had come here first.
Unfortunately, the door was already closed. Perhaps they had shut for the night.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"I need to buy some medicine, please!"
Xiao Baichuan knocked firmly on the door, raising his voice.
"Who is it?"
An elderly voice called from inside.
Recognizing it as the shopkeeper's voice, Xiao Baichuan quickly replied. He had been here many times before, ever since Shan Mei fell ill.
"Master Kon, it's me—Xiao Baichuan. I came to purchase some medicine."
"Xiao Baichuan? Wait just a moment—I'm coming."
Everyone in Guangzhou City's medical world knew of Xiao Baichuan, the man struggling with his wife's mysterious illness. There wasn't a physician he hadn't seen, nor an apothecary he hadn't visited. How many times had he stood just like this, knocking on these doors?
Creeeak…
"Ah, Xiao Baichuan, come in. You just missed us—we closed only moments ago. It's quite late now."
The apothecary owner opened the door with a warm yet weary smile, greeting Xiao Baichuan kindly.
"I'm sorry for coming late, sir. I was in such a rush that I forgot the closing time."
"No trouble at all. Come, come. What medicine do you need?"
Clearly eager to close up and rest, the shopkeeper moved quickly to serve him.
Xiao Baichuan handed over a folded paper—the prescription written by Grandmaster Sun.
The shopkeeper scanned the list. For a moment, his eyes widened in mild surprise, but then he nodded, unsurprised. Every time Xiao Baichuan came, it was with some rare or unusual formula—medicines for a strange and stubborn illness.
This time, the list included exactly one hundred types of herbs.
Without delay, the shopkeeper began opening and closing drawers, pulling out roots, leaves, and dried herbs. With practiced hands, he wrapped each bundle in fine paper. When he was done, one hundred neatly packed medicinal packets sat on the counter.
He placed them into two large satchels and passed them over with both arms.
Xiao Baichuan accepted them gratefully, offering a warm smile as he paid in full.
"Thank you very much, Master Kon."
"No need to thank me. Go now—you're clearly in a hurry. I need to close up as well."
With that, Xiao Baichuan carried the two heavy bags out of the shop. He strapped them onto his horse and, in one smooth motion, mounted it. Then, without delay, he galloped off into the moonlit night.
Would you like the next part translated too?
Uncle Pan stood at the gate, already prepared to welcome them. He, too, had not yet been able to sleep.
"Uncle Pan, once you've put the horse away, please follow me inside."
"Yes, young master."
When Xiao Baichuan arrived in front of the house, he dismounted and carried the two medicine pouches inside. Grandmaster Sun was calmly seated on a bench in the guest hall.
"Master, I've brought the medicines."
Grandmaster said,
"Good… Excellent. Take them straight to Shan Mei's room."
"Yes, Grandmaster."
Xiao Naichuan did as instructed, carrying the medicine and heading toward Shan Mei's room. Grandmaster Sun also got up from his seat and followed behind him.
Inside the room, Shan Mei lay curled up, seemingly enduring her pain quietly. Her discomfort always worsened around this time of night.
"Sister, how are you feeling? Is the pain bad?"
Xiao Baichuan gently put down the medicine bags and approached her with concern.
"I'm okay, brother. Please go ahead and do what you need to. I can endure it."
Shan Mei closed her eyes after saying that, no longer moaning in pain.
Xiao Baichuan looked at her face, enduring the pain, and couldn't help but feel uneasy.
Then Grandmaster arrived from behind.
"Alright, Xiao Baichuan. Bring in a large stove, a smaller one, and a water basin into this room—quickly."
Xiao Baichuan stepped away from his wife and hurried out of the room. Soon after, he and Uncle Pan returned carrying the large stove into the room.
"Put it here."
They placed the stove where Grandmaster indicated and quickly left to fetch more items.
A short while later, Uncle Pan returned carrying the smaller stove, and Xiao Baichuan came back with the water basin.
"Just place them down for now. Next, bring a small and large iron plate to put beneath the stoves, six evenly-sized stones to use as supports, a bag of fire charcoal, water, a large clay jar for pouring the water, and both a large and small medicine pot for boiling the herbs."
Grandmaster Sun listed off the remaining necessary items.
Once everything was gathered, they placed the large iron plate in the center of the room, used three stones to form a stand on top of it, and placed the large stove atop the stones. Then they began preparing the charcoal, setting it ready to light. As the fire was lit and the stove heated up, the room gradually began to warm.
"Mm… hnng… hnng…"
As the temperature in the room rose, Shan Mei began to groan again.
"Sister…"
Hearing his wife moaning again, Xiao Baichuan grew worried.
"Don't worry. Come quickly and help."
Grandmaster instructed, setting up the small stove similarly—three stones on a smaller iron plate, then the stove on top. He immediately lit it.
Then, Grandmaster personally placed a medicine pot on the stove, heating it until it dried. Once ready, he poured in half a pot of water and began boiling it.
Meanwhile, he told Xiao Baichuan to take the medicine packets from the large bag and lay them out neatly on the table. Once the water boiled, Grangmaster opened a few of the packets, selected some herbs, and dropped them into the boiling water.
As the herbs entered the water, they released a sharp, intense fragrance. The scent filled the room, warming the hearts of Xiao Baichuan and Uncle Pan and refreshing their senses.
Shan Mei, too, ceased her moaning.
Relief washed over Xiao Baichuan. After six long months of various treatments failing, they had finally begun to ease her suffering.
Moved by seeing Shan Mei at ease, Xiao Baichuan's eyes welled with tears.
Grandmaster Sun silently observed both the state of the medicine and the patient, nodding with quiet satisfaction.
"Alright, that's enough for now. Let's leave the room. This medicinal vapor is meant only for the patient—it's not good for healthy people to breathe in too much of it. With the strength of this vapor, she'll likely sleep soundly tonight. Let's all get some rest. We'll continue the treatment tomorrow."
At Grandmaster Sun's words, the three of them left Shan Mei's room.
Xiao Baichuan prepared a room and a bed for Grandmaster and then went into his own.
His room was cluttered and dusty. During this period, all his attention had gone to Shan Mei's health, and he'd neglected caring for himself.
But no matter how tired he became, he never missed his regular internal energy practice—he kept that discipline no matter what.
Sitting cross-legged on his bed, he began practicing the internal energy cultivation method passed down through the Xiao lineage.
At that moment—
"Tong… tong…"
The sound of the midnight temple bell echoed through the still night.
The Xiao residence, bathed in moonlight, remained silent and tranquil, gently wrapped in the mists of fate's unfolding.
[End of Chapter 2]