The Ghost Horse and the Medicinal Body

The Ghost Gentleman’s final statement, surprisingly, referred to himself. He had gifted Su Mo a small present: a Ghost Horse.

Even after Su Mo released the reins, the Ghost Horse did not vanish. Instead, it simply followed her, an air of utter resignation about it.

In the dim alley, its hooves clattered, sounding like bones tapping against the ground, a truly eerie noise.

“Smash!” The door of a common household suddenly slammed shut, and a faint, pungent smell of urine drifted out.

‘Presumably, someone had been heading out to use the latrine, only to be terrified by the Ghost Horse’s withered, grotesque form.’

When Su Mo turned to look, the Ghost Horse averted its gaze, staring up at the sky, as if following her with great grievance.

“Skinny Horse, strolling about so openly isn’t going to work,” Su Mo said, patting its face. The sound was like striking a steel plate.

Its hardness was astonishing; it might even be able to deflect attacks.

Seeing the horse sneeze in disdain and turn its head away to avoid her touch, Su Mo let out an awkward laugh.

“Ghosts can slip into objects, right? If you can pass through walls, shrinking into an item shouldn’t be difficult, should it?”

“?!” The Ghost Horse stared at her in disbelief, turning its head sharply.

Su Mo had never realized a horse’s eyes could be so enormous.

It pawed with its front hoof, snorting through its nose.

Strangely, Su Mo understood its meaning, which seemed to be:

‘You’ve already mastered one plus one equals two; now hurry and try to solve the “Yang-Mills Theory and Mass Gap Conjecture”!’

“Every profession has its specialties. It’s perfectly reasonable that I wouldn’t know about ghost lore, isn’t it?” Su Mo asserted, pulling on the reins and forcibly stroking its head.

Rolling its eyes, the Ghost Horse clearly wanted nothing to do with her.

“Buzz~” Following a flash of ethereal blue light, the Ghost Horse transformed into a worn, ancient bell.

It was an antique bell, featuring a handle at the top and a hollow, elongated body below. Fractured patterns were etched into its surface, vaguely resembling a horse, with its eye portion glowing an eerie, flickering blue.

When shaken, it produced a bizarre sound, like a chilling wind wailing or a vengeful spirit searching for someone. It possessed the ability to shake one’s mind, though its effect was currently quite weak.

A stream of information flowed into Su Mo’s mind, revealing the bell’s name: Ancient Horse Nether Soul War Bell.

Further details followed:

‘This was a horse that perished on the battlefield, having fought alongside an ancient male general and achieved illustrious military feats in life. After its death, it refused to enter reincarnation, choosing instead to await an opportunity to continue its campaigns in the Netherworld.’

‘Due to the Ancient Horse’s unique soul properties, it can absorb other souls to strengthen itself, simultaneously bestowing power upon its rider.’

“Skinny Horse, don’t fret! I’ll lead you to spill rivers of blood someday!” Su Mo declared, shaking the bell with utmost conviction.

“Huh? You don’t believe me? Is it because I’m a woman that you have an issue? Let me tell you, Skinny Horse! Men and women are equal!” Su Mo ranted, pointing at the war bell.

On the path, a random resident heading to the latrine was startled so badly they wet themselves.

Shaking her head and chattering with the Ghost Horse along the way, Su Mo finally returned to the Zhang Residence.

Lanterns swayed before the residence, and servants craned their necks, gazing left and right.

Among them, a figure in a swaying trench coat, with eyes as dark as countless stars, immediately spotted her.

“Madam, you’ve finally returned!” The servants gathered around her, murmuring their relief.

In the evening breeze, as she approached Xu Qingzhu and observed the melting frost in his eyes, Su Mo cast a cautious glance.

“So you remembered to come back? I thought you’d run off,” Xu Qingzhu said, his gaze fixed downwards.

Raising her eyes, Su Mo desperately wanted to retort with a sharp tone, but could only manage a soft, sticky voice.

“I get hungry, so I’d know to come back for food…”

“Sigh…” He draped his trench coat over her shoulders and instructed the servants to prepare a late-night meal. Xu Qingzhu asked nothing else.

He didn’t inquire about the reason for her prolonged absence, merely scanning her body with his peripheral vision.

Within the ancient, fragrant corridor, he couldn’t help but ask:

“Are you injured?”

“No,” Su Mo replied, pulling the trench coat tighter around herself.

Shaking his head, he spoke in a deep voice.

“You carry the aura of the Netherworld, and the baleful energy of ghosts permeates your surroundings. If there’s any issue, you must speak up… Later, get clean and lie down on the bed.”

His sudden shift in tone utterly startled Su Mo.

She halted, hesitant to follow him.

‘He wouldn’t want to eat me, would he? I’ve been exposed, Xu Qingzhu!’ Su Mo thought, shrinking her neck, convinced she disliked him.

Turning his gaze back, Xu Qingzhu calmly stated:

“Are you not coming to eat?”

“Oh.” She was simply hungry.

Indeed, hungry.

Uncle Zhang also arrived, coughing, even coming to chat for a while late into the night.

He coughed so much while chatting, it sounded as if he might cough out his lungs.

Taking hold of Xu Qingzhu, Su Mo leaned closer to his ear and whispered:

“Xu Qingzhu, Uncle Zhang’s condition has worsened significantly these past few days.”

“I’ve already done everything I can… In front of Uncle Zhang, call me husband.” His expression was grim.

“Keep dreaming,” Su Mo retorted, glaring at him.

Turning her head, Su Mo picked up a freshly heated piece of lamb’s head meat and offered it to Xu Qingzhu.

Her beautiful eyes held affection, and she chuckled softly.

“Husband, you’ve stood before the residence all night and caught a chill. Please, have some lamb.”

“Very well.”

Watching the affectionate pair, Uncle Zhang shook his head with a satisfied smile, then, supported by a servant, departed contentedly.

The moment Uncle Zhang left and the servants were dismissed, Su Mo immediately entered ‘storm-eating’ mode.

‘Serve food to Xu Qingzhu? No way, it’s all mine!’ she thought and declared, retaliating with a mouth so full she could barely chew.

With chopsticks dangling a piece of lamb’s head meat, Xu Qingzhu’s arm stiffened, and he ultimately set it down.

He didn’t eat it.

‘Unable to eat in the Netherworld, and now unable to eat in the Zhang Residence?’

Su Mo rubbed her little belly, swaying as she stood up, utterly devoid of any graceful delicacy.

Hot water had already been prepared. After washing and donning a new dress, Su Mo immediately turned and headed towards other rooms.

Having observed the layout of the Zhang Residence for several days, Su Mo still knew a thing or two.

Choosing an unoccupied guest room would be simple.

Avoiding everyone, she pushed open a guest room door and carefully closed the windows.

“Whoosh!” A candle flame abruptly ignited. The person by the candle turned their gaze towards her, simultaneously bending to set down the tinderbox.

His handsome face held not a trace of a smile, only a cold expression as he spoke.

“Su’s wife, do you intend to switch rooms for sleeping?”

“Ah, I’m lost,” Su Mo chuckled awkwardly, reaching for the doorframe behind her.

“Buzz!” A sword flashed out, and he appeared before her in a blur, holding it aloft.

Xu Qingzhu placed the sword against her neck, uttering that familiar phrase.

“You are not the only choice. I implore you, Miss Su, to conduct yourself with propriety.”

With a gentle finger lightly pressing against the blade, Su Mo managed a strained smile.

“Yes, I know.”

But in her heart:

‘I am very proper! It’s *because* I’m proper that I ran away! Xu Qingzhu, are you an idiot?’

After a long moment, whether his hand had stiffened or he had simply confirmed her sincerity, was unclear.

He sheathed his sword and said seriously:

“Get on the bed.”

Clutching the fierce Xuezi, Su Mo shook her head.

“Xu Qingzhu, it’s too fast, ah, no! It’s not allowed!”

“Too fast for what? You’re covered in ghostly aura; do you know that attracts ghosts?” Xu Qingzhu retorted, shedding his outer robe and casting a sidelong glance.

Half-believing, half-doubting, Su Mo lay down on the bed.

“Wrong. Expose your back, and take off your clothes,” he stated, his face devoid of expression.

Gritting her teeth, Su Mo sat sideways on the bed, her back to him, and slowly untied her robe.

Her dress slid down, revealing her fragrant shoulders. In the warm yellow candlelight, her skin was like snow, tinged with a delicate pink flush.

As he instructed, she lay prone, gritting her teeth, apprehensive of what might happen behind her.

Clutching the edge of the pillow, Su Mo’s earlobes turned pink as she felt his fingers trace across her back, leaving faint rosy marks.

“Xu… Xu Qingzhu, what are you doing?” Su Mo couldn’t help but ask.

His fingers tapped acupuncture points, and as spiritual energy flickered, he assessed Su Mo’s internal condition.

The curse mark, which resembled thorny rose vines encircling Su Mo’s back, was now stained with a trace of black — ghostly aura.

Ultimately, some unruly ghost had secretly made a move, attempting to track Su Mo in the future.

“Have you finished reading the method for the Medicinal Body?” Xu Qingzhu asked, shifting to another topic. Su Mo didn’t grasp the main point.

“Does that matter?” Su Mo tried to turn her head, but his hand pressed down, preventing her from moving.

“Don’t move. If you shift, the acupuncture points will subtly move, disrupting the next steps,” Xu Qingzhu explained.

“Hm?”

“The Medicinal Body is a truly wondrous method. This ghostly aura is of very high quality, and it can serve as a medicinal primer, assisting you in activating a specific formula,” Xu Qingzhu continued.

Su Mo was familiar with the concept of medicinal formulas.

The Grand Jade Fortification Medicinal Body Method, which involved cultivating one’s body into an immortal medicine, allowed the body to store various ‘formulas,’ each containing a unique ability.

These weren’t necessarily for self-healing; their effects were akin to the strange spiritual plants found in the cultivation world.

Some could activate bloodlines, enhance spiritual power, boost divine sense, or even control ice and fire.

It was no exaggeration to say it was like equipping the human body with a cheat, activated with a single click.

‘A modifier, capable of custom additions,’ Su Mo understood it to be.

“This particular formula is ‘Soul-Calling Grass,’ which can summon souls, attract ghosts, and even allow communication with spirits. To a certain extent, it can also control fragile souls,” Xu Qingzhu said, taking out a pill and concentrating.

“So many abilities?” Su Mo was pleasantly surprised.

‘Was this a blessing in disguise?’

“Now, don’t speak, and don’t move,” Xu Qingzhu warned.

“Of course… Mmm~”

A wet, slick sensation, as if someone was licking her.

In the candlelight, Su Mo confirmed one thing: she was indeed being licked.

He had chewed a poisonous pill, transformed it with his own poisonous body, and then spat the saliva onto Su Mo’s back.

“How disgusting… Hiss~ This feeling isn’t right…” Su Mo gasped, drawing in a sharp breath.

She distinctly felt her body yearning, frantically absorbing the nourishment Xu Qingzhu had expelled.

Almost entirely through his actions, Su Mo’s spiritual energy began to circulate throughout her body, unconsciously activating the Grand Jade Fortification Medicinal Body Method’s circulation.

It was a truly miraculous sensation: one moment her skin burned, the next it was refreshingly cool.

Sometimes it was a stinging pain, then a moment later, a delightful ache.

“So… strange… Mmm~” Su Mo’s eyes grew hazy.

Lying prone, her entire body relaxed.

He was more skilled than a bathhouse attendant; he was a master of the tongue.

“Why… is something… so bizarre… happening…” Su Mo’s eyelids grew heavy, and she gradually drifted off to sleep.

By the time Xu Qingzhu rose, several hours had passed.

He gazed at Su Mo, who was sleeping like a pig, with a peculiar expression.

He had discovered something: anything he found excruciatingly painful had the opposite effect on Su Mo.

When he felt pain, Su Mo felt pleasure – something was amiss.

“It might be due to her Nine-Tailed Body… So it has this kind of effect,” he murmured in surprise, then helped her put on her clothes.

After pondering for a moment, he took out a cultivation manual and began to read.

However, when his divine sense unintentionally swept over her, he detected lingering ghostly aura on Su Mo.

It was condensed into a ball, resembling a bell.

“It seems she went to the Netherworld,” Xu Qingzhu mused with surprise. ‘A little novice in the Qi Condensation realm, actually managing to leave the Netherworld alive?’

This finally piqued his curiosity; he felt a slight urge to ask her about it.

“Thump…” Su Mo kicked the quilt off again. Xu Qingzhu shook his head helplessly.

He habitually rose, but in that instant, felt a slight ache in his kidneys.

“I overused my poisonous body today,” he muttered, leaning against the wall, supporting his waist, and then covered her with the quilt.

In the foreseeable future, in order to rapidly help Su Mo achieve her Medicinal Body, his kidneys were going to be under considerable strain.