An old geezer with a walking stick and a nasty cough stopped in front of me. He stood still for a few minutes, reading my sign with squinted eyes.

“You’re a damn fraud,” he eventually wheezed, waving his cane at me.

Here we go…

“Oh? What makes you say that, uncle?” I replied.

“Well it’s obvious!” he spat, legs shaking as he had to put the stick down to keep his balance. “You don’t look like a cultivator and there’s no way you’d be here with us dirty commoners if you really were some kind of miracle worker.”

“How do you know what a cultivator looks like?” I retorted.

“Well, they certainly wouldn’t be wearing such shitty robes. And you’re not very handsome. Also, you don’t have any tools! Even the worst frauds would put on a better show than you,” he yelled, bombarding me with insult after insult.

I let him rage on. His words didn’t bother me. I had thick skin. Besides, the more complaints he tossed out the better my plan would work.

Looking down at my tattered robes, I frowned. That had stung a little. Perhaps I should’ve saved some of my coins to get some new clothes.

Eventually he stopped raging, only to burst into a fit of wheezing coughs.

“It seems like you’re suffering from some kind of infection, uncle. Why don’t you let me have a look? There’s no harm in giving it a try,” I answered with a smile, gritting my teeth.

I wanted to tease him a little but messing with a potential customer wouldn’t leave a good impression on the quickly gathering crowd. My only task here was to show people that my healing worked as advertised.

“Bah! What infection? I’m just old,” he cried, shaking his stick so close it almost smacked my nose.

Plenty of passersby had stopped to watch the unfolding argument, though many just scoffed at the old man’s behaviour. This clearly wasn’t the first time he’d heckled a new stall owner.

This geezer was a tough nut to crack, but luckily I wasn’t alone. It was time to unveil my secret weapon.

Before he could say another word, a young girl appeared from the crowd and grabbed him by the arm. “Grandpa, don’t waste this opportunity to regain your youth!” she cried.

He was so shocked he almost dropped his cane. Turning to the new arrival he seemed ready to bombard her with a stream of insults but his steely gaze softened upon seeing Xiao Cui’s innocent look.

“There’s no harm in giving it a go,” she continued, gently pushing him towards me. “If he is a fraud like you say, then all you’ve done is save someone else from getting tricked out of their hard earned money. But what if he’s telling the truth?”

She grabbed his walking stick and thrust him into my hands before he could utter a word of complaint. “Imagine being able to stroll through the market the same way you did as a young man, without needing this old stick?” she cried, snapping the cane in two over her leg.

The final blow had been struck.

To be honest, breaking his walking stick was a little over the top. I felt bad for the geezer when the crack of wood rang out through the market. A few onlookers gasped, but none of them turned away.

This was far too entertaining.

But that was just fine by me. The bigger my audience, the quicker word would spread once I healed this geezer’s cough.

I grabbed his wrist, not hard enough to hurt him but powerful enough that he couldn’t slip from my grasp. “Grandpa, what the girl says is right. Why not let me try?”

“You! Bastard… I bet that girl… never mind,” he started muttering random phrases before sighing. “Hmph. Why not? When you fail I’ll be able to sleep easy knowing I dealt with another trickster.”

“And you, girl!” he shouted at Xiao Cui, pointing at her with a shaking finger. “You’ll be paying for my walking stick.”

She only smiled and waved at him, not acknowledging the complaint whatsoever. Now that I had his consent, I could begin.

I let a little bit of my blood essence flow into his arm, watching as it raced through his body. Small streams broke off everywhere, but most of it settled around his lungs and right leg.

This geezer was getting a bargain. Not only was I healing his cough, but most of the minor injuries he’d picked up during his long life including whatever made him need the walking stick in the first place.

For a moment everything was going well, but then he grew red in the face and shouted, “What the hell are you doing to me, you bastard-” he began to cough and splutter partway through his complaints.

I knew nothing had gone wrong. A little discomfort was simply the side effect of my healing technique, but he didn’t know that.

And neither did the spectators.

However, now that he was committed there was nothing to do but finish the job. “Don’t worry, a little discomfort is normal. You’ve all had medicine before, remember how bitter it tastes?”

A few of them seemed placated by his statement but not all. They would change their minds after seeing the results.

I felt a burst of energy racing up my arms and smiled. Letting go of the old man’s wrist I took a step back, letting him stand on his own two feet.

“Wait, I’m crippled you can’t-”

He began to shout at me as I released his arm. His brow furrowed and then his eyes widened in shock as he realised he was standing just fine on his own.

Many of the spectators gasped, but his healed leg was just the beginning. Colour filled his cheeks and his eyes sparkled with vitality.

“Well, how does it feel to be healthy again geezer? Now you can wander the market for another decade, heckling us traders,” I joked.

That earned a few laughs from the onlookers. The old man looked a little sheepish but soon composed himself.

“Well, I have to admit that in this case I was mistaken. I don’t know how you did it but you’ve truly healed this blasted leg of mine,” he said solemnly. “And I can breathe again… the air is so refreshing. I apologise, young man.”

“Don’t worry about it, uncle,” I said with a wave of my hand. “The past is the past. All is forgiven. I hope you can forgive little Cui for breaking your cane, but I doubt you need it anymore.”

“I knew it!” he exclaimed, turning to Xiao Cui with a fierce glare. “I’ll let it go this time. But you shouldn’t go around breaking strangers’ property, young miss.”

“Many apologies, uncle. I only wanted you to grab this opportunity with both hands. My heart ached, thinking of all those years you’d suffered,” she said, putting her puppy eyes to full use.

It seemed we’d discovered little Cui’s natural calling. She was a born saleswoman.

Eventually the geezer left, continuing his walk through the market with a spring in his step.

I could see the crowd was excited, whispering and shouting amongst themselves. A few people left, but even those would talk about what they’d seen and spread the word.

“Big Brother Zhao, you forgot to take a payment from that geezer,” Xiao Cui said, tapping me on the shoulder.

Crap.

“It’s fine,” I replied. “A few coins won’t make a difference in the long run. And he more than paid for his treatment by being my guinea pig. Call it a trade for his broken cane.”

She coughed and turned away. “That makes sense.”

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

I turned back to face the crowd. “You all saw me heal that uncle. I assure you it was no fluke. My prices are low enough that any of you can afford my services, but it will depend on what ails you. Don’t be shy, step up and be cured!”

As the first person took a step from the crowd I smiled at her. “Come auntie, tell me what’s bothering you,” I called out, ushering her closer.

“My back is sore from standing at the counter all day, but I can’t afford two silver coins for the medicine to treat it. Can you fix it?” she asked.

“Of course auntie, come closer. I just need to take your hand to perform the treatment. All it will cost is five coppers. And you don’t even need to pay until you’ve been cured!”

My compelling pitch worked and she began walking towards me. However, when she was just halfway I heard a familiar voice ring out across the market.

“What is a talentless reject doing here in the city?” A man wearing the robes of the Cloudy Falls Sect sneered at me.

It took me a moment to place the man’s face. I had never met him before, but Zhao Dan had been on the receiving end of his bullying more than once. He was one of the older outer sect disciples, close to advancing to the inner sect.

His status was high, given that he had been taken in by one of the inner sect elders. But now that I had been expelled from the sect, there was no need to respect that difference in status.

Now, I was just a wandering cultivator and he was a disciple of the Cloudy Falls Sect. Whatever trouble he was trying to cause now I would do my best to avoid it, but I wasn’t above teaching him a lesson if he interfered with my business.

“Fellow cultivator, there’s no need to waste your time with me. I’m just a healer offering my services to those in need,” I replied gracefully, plastering a warm smile on my face.

Somewhere deep inside I felt a need to punch the bastard, but I knew that was some lingering will from Zhao Dan. Perhaps just the influence of his memories. I’d never liked bullies.

The man continued to advance towards me, the crowd retreating to give him a wide berth. Everyone in Three River City recognised the robes of their overlords; the sect who stood above City Lord Teng.

“Now, Junior Brother—no, former Junior Brother Zhao—that’s no way to speak to a senior,” he said, kissing his teeth. “Then again, now that you’re not even a part of the sect I think you might even need to call me something like Honoured Senior Cultivator. Yes, I like the sound of that.”

He stopped just five paces away from me. My eyes narrowed as I stared at the arrogant bastard. His long black hair was tied in a ponytail and hung to the small of his back. He had sharp brown eyes and a hooked nose like an eagle.

“I think you’ll find there isn’t much difference between us now, Cultivator Mu. It was nice to see an old friend in this city, but I really must continue with my business,” I said, waving a hand at the sign. A final warning.

I didn’t miss the way his mouth curled into a sneer as he snorted. I’d really tried to handle this amicably, but it seems that cultivators couldn’t resist flexing their strength. There was just one problem.

I couldn’t exactly go around beating up anyone who caused me problems while trying to market myself as a generous healer… Though I had no doubt the people of the city wouldn’t blame me for defending myself.

All I needed to do was let Mu Shan strike the first blow. From what I remembered, he was in nine-star Body Tempering. Far above the old Zhao Dan, but just a step above me.

The difference between eight and nine-star Body Tempering was a big leap, but I suspected he wasn’t at the very peak of the stage. I would be able to keep up.

I tensed my body, preparing for his strike. I would allow him to hit me, but only once. After that I would give him what he deserved.

But the blow I was expecting never came.

All of a sudden, Mu Shan rushed forward and I readied myself to block, but he went right past me. I heard a high pitched yelp and turned to see Xiao Cui held firmly in his grasp.

He held her arm with a tight grip, the other hand clasping the back of her neck. I sighed deeply.

If he’d attacked me, I would’ve been fine to let him off with a light beating and a warning to never mess with me again. But the idiot had to go and threaten little Cui.

The last men to do that were buried in unmarked graves.

Unfortunately, I doubted I would be able to get away with murder in the middle of Three River City. Especially not the murder of a Cloudy Falls Sect disciple.

“Now, kowtow three times and apologise to your senior and I’ll consider letting this brat go,” Mu Shan sneered.

I saw the nearby citizens take a few steps back. Fights between cultivators never ended well for any mortals in the vicinity.

Gritting my teeth, I wondered if I should just swallow my pride and apologise. I didn’t want more trouble than necessary.

No. That wasn’t an option.

I’d told myself no cowardice. And with these kinds of bullies, bowing to their whims would only show weakness and let them know you were an easy target.

There was no guarantee he would actually release Xiao Cui, even if I obeyed him and kowtowed. But I couldn’t attack recklessly while he had her in his clutches.

I knew what I needed to do.

Walking forwards, I smiled and raised my hands in surrender. I saw Mu Shan’s shoulders relax, thinking he’d won. I continued to step towards him, but when I was around three paces away he frowned.

“Stop there. Kowtow or this girl will pay the price.”

I wasn’t close enough to strike. Not without risking any harm coming to little Cui. But that was fine, I could drop his guard further. All it would take was swallowing my pride and losing a little face.

Kneeling, I placed my hands on the stone tiles in front of me and lowered my head. I heard Mu Shan snort as I did so. Glancing upwards, I saw him release Xiao Cui’s neck, but he still held her arm firmly.

I lowered my head until it touched the ground, holding it there for a second. “Good good. I am glad that you still know your place, Zhao Dan, even after being kicked out of the sect. Never forget that you’re a talentless reject. No matter how far you run you will never escape your fate,” Mu Shan taunted me, but the words fell flat.

How many times had I heard the same lines from men—and women—who thought themselves better than everyone else. Even in a new world the same shit happened.

I’d pledged to become a healer once more. Sometimes healing the world meant cutting out tumours before they could spread. Mu Shan was just another tumour, corrupting everything around him.

My essence grew agitated and I gathered it in my fist. As I raised my head from the ground, I saw him laugh and look away from Xiao Cui for just a moment.

That moment was all I needed.

I pushed off the ground and darted forwards. Before Mu Shan could even blink I’d ripped his hand off little Cui’s arm and thrown her away.

Silently apologising to her for the rough treatment, I stepped backwards as the man’s wild punch sailed towards me.

“You dare!? Zhao Dan, you insolent worm. If I don’t teach you the meaning of respect today then I, Mu Shan, shall write my name backwards for the rest of time,” he roared.

His fist struck empty air and his eyes widened in shock. Stepping past his arm I jabbed two fingers into his armpit and he buckled.

But that wasn’t just a simple strike.

The moment I made contact with him, my blood essence flowed into Mu Shan’s shoulder and began to go wild. Perhaps it was a little cruel to use the same vicious technique on him as I’d done with the bandits, but as I’d reminded myself then—men who threatened little girls deserve no mercy.

Striking fast and hard was necessary. He was a star above me and I needed to make sure the fight was won before he could leverage his advantage.

Mu Shan staggered back from my strike, clutching his shoulder. But the worst was yet to come.

He glared daggers at me and opened his mouth to say something, but then gasped and doubled over as my blood essence began to twist and mutate his flesh. It had begun.

I lamented the fact that I’d been doing more fighting than healing with my technique as of late, but I hoped that wouldn’t be the case for much longer. After this I doubted anyone else from the sect would try and mess with me.

Unlike those pathetic bandits, Mu Shan wasn’t helpless. He made a seal with his hands and then jabbed three points on his bicep, shoulder and chest. Suddenly his flesh stopped swelling, the cancerous mutation limited to the point I’d struck.

“Damn bastard, what the hell is that demonic technique? Don’t tell me you’ve sunk that low so soon after being expelled! Or perhaps that is why the elders decided to kick you out in the first place?” he cried.

“Mu Shan, don’t spout such nonsense,” I calmly replied. “Do you really think the elders would have let me leave if I had been using demonic techniques? I’m not the weak disciple you used to bully. If you leave now I can forget this ever happened.”

While I wanted nothing more than to beat him senseless, seeing that he could mitigate the effects of my technique was worrying. I was no longer sure of an easy victory.

If the man decided to drop it here we could both go our separate ways and I wouldn’t need to cause a scene in the market. I planned to live in Three River City for a while and fighting publicly in my first week wasn’t a good look.

“Bastard Zhao, if you think I’ll let you go after making me lose this much face then you’re even more delusional than I thought. I won’t be satisfied until you’re broken at my feet,” he hissed, sending spittle flying.

At this point he was just throwing a tantrum. He’d been the one to start this fight and yet he refused to let it end even after knowing we were evenly matched.

“Mu Shan, perhaps if I teach you a lesson today, I might save those poor disciples back at the sect from your wrath. Don’t forget I gave you a chance to leave with some of your dignity intact,” I declared, making sure the gathered spectators heard.

“Hmph,” he snorted, rushing towards me.

I recognised the moves of the Cloudy Falls Sect techniques. Zhao Dan had learned the same movements, but hadn’t reached the same level of mastery as Mu Shan.

For lethal effectiveness, the best martial art was Krav Maga. I’d practiced it for six years before my death. Combining it with Zhao Dan’s knowledge, I let my instincts take over.

We traded blow after blow. His fists were heavy, his cultivation suppressing mine as the battle dragged on.

However, I seemed to have the upper hand when it came to technique and every single strike of mine had the intent to maim. And when I spotted an opening I wasn’t shy about unleashing my blood essence, disfiguring his flesh.

Each time I did so, Mu Shan would need to quickly jab the surrounding acupoints to slow the spread. That gave me the opportunity to press the attack and the tides soon turned in my favour.

He lashed out and caught my chin with a lightning fast kick and I tasted blood. But even as I was knocked back by the blow I returned a devastating kick of my own, feeling the crunch of breaking bone as my foot connected with his knee.

He dropped to the ground, blood dripping from his nose. I raised a fist to deliver the finishing blow, when I heard a sharp whistle and caught a flash of silver in the corner of my eye.

I jumped backwards right as a spear blasted between us, burying itself in the cobbles.