roccoschili Chapter 94: The Third Hand Soak, the Vitality in the Copper Basin
Chapter 94: The Third Hand Soak, the Vitality in the Copper Basin
In the west wing, a copper basin rested on a charcoal fire.
The black liquid was steaming, the smell of herbs and blood mingling together, making one's throat taste bitter.
Tang Wanqing opened the medicine packet and poured the last pinch of grayish-white powder into the basin.
Tong Kexin stood beside Cheng Xiaojin, holding a dry towel.
"Is this medicine really effective?"
Tang Wanqing stared at the medicine powder.
"Yes, it's possible. But the effects of the medicine will wear off before the appointed time."
Cheng Xiaojin sat on the stool, his sleeves rolled up to his wrists.
The back of his hand was covered in an unsightly bluish tinge, and the roots of his fingernails were so black they looked like they had been covered in rust.
He glanced at his hands and laughed, "Not bad, better looking than the batch of fake bronzes Zhao Defa got."
Tong Kexin handed him the towel.
"Bite down."
"Boss lady, can we change the procedure? Every time it's like treating livestock."
"If you say that again, I'll have Tieguai Li come in and pin you down."
Tieguai Li's voice came from outside the door.
"I heard you, I'll be there whenever you call."
Cheng Xiaojin sighed.
"The people at Panjiayuan are really friendly."
Master Ma stood by the door, not going inside.
"Let's begin."
Tang Wanqing reached out and tested the medicinal vapor.
"The timing is right."
Cheng Xiaojin looked at the copper basin.
The medicine was so black and shiny that you couldn't see a human face reflected in it.
Tong Kexin whispered, "If it hurts, just scream."
Tang Wanqing said, "We can't let our guard down. Once the medicine wears off, the yin energy will surge back, and your hand will be ruined even faster."
Tong Kexin looked at her.
"Then what did you just say?"
Tang Wanqing pursed her lips.
"I'll be watching."
Cheng Xiaojin bit the towel and reached into the copper basin with both hands.
With the first breath, his shoulders slumped down.
The second breath caused the veins on his forehead to bulge.
On the third breath, a low, hoarse sound came from his throat, and the towel was bitten until it bled.
Tong Kexin took a step forward.
Tang Wanqing raised her hand to stop her.
"Don't touch his hand."
Tong Kexin's hand hung in mid-air, her nails digging into her palm.
"Cheng Xiaojin, look at me."
Cheng Xiaojin looked up at her, her eyes were red, she had a towel in her mouth, and her eyebrows twitched slightly.
He can still hold on.
Tong Kexin snapped, "Stop pretending nothing's wrong!"
Tang Wanqing began counting her breaths.
"one."
The medicine seeped up between his fingers.
The black energy was forced out from the back of Cheng Xiaojin's hand, but was then suppressed by the medicine. The iron-blue color and the fresh blood color pushed and shoved each other under the skin, and the two waves of energy competed for passage in the flesh.
"two."
Cheng Xiaojin's back was soaked with sweat.
Outside the door, Zhou Banxian leaned against the wall and said, "Kid, hang in there, Seven Steps Three Inches is still waiting for you."
Tieguai Li responded from the other side.
"If your hands are ruined, who will I show off to when I make fakes?"
Cheng Xiaojin managed to squeeze out two words, which were inaudible through the towel.
Tong Kexin lowered her head.
"What did he say?"
Tang Wanqing frowned.
"It sounds like someone is swearing."
Tieguai Li, standing outside the door, said, "Then it's nothing."
"three."
The liquid in the copper basin darkened in color, and many white bubbles appeared at the bottom of the basin.
One by one, white bubbles rose to the surface, and after they burst open, several swollen human faces appeared on the water's surface.
Tong Kexin took a half step back, her face drained of color.
"What is this?"
Tang Wanqing picked up the copper coin.
"The Yin Water Sha was forced out by the medicine."
The face on the water had its mouth open, but it was silent, though the shape of its mouth was clearly visible.
One hundred and thirty.
One hundred and thirty-one.
One hundred and thirty-two.
Tang Wanqing stuck the copper coins to the rim of the basin.
"Don't let it exceed 135."
Cheng Xiaojin's eye twitched.
Another old man's face emerged from the water, his white hair plastered to his cheeks, his lips opening and closing.
Tong Kexin dropped half of the towel in her hand.
"Aunt Zhang..."
The towel between Cheng Xiaojin's teeth fell to the edge of the basin.
He was panting, his voice hoarse.
"Don't try to scare me with her."
The face above the water lifted up, its mouth still moving.
146.
Cheng Xiaojin pressed both hands down onto the bottom of the basin.
Tang Wanqing's expression changed.
"Don't add gas randomly!"
Cheng Xiaojin stared at the water's surface.
"If you owe money, come to me for repayment."
The black water churned to both sides, distorting several faces under its pressure.
"You have no right to bring up Aunt Zhang's debts."
He pushed Xin Jinqi down from his palm.
This time it wasn't much, but it was stable.
A low hum came from the bottom of the copper basin, and the black liquid in the medicine spread out from the center, being gradually consumed by the ash and medicinal power.
Tang Wanqing pressed the copper coin against the edge of the basin.
"Tong Kexin, the red thread."
Tong Kexin snapped out of her daze and immediately handed over the red thread.
Tang Wanqing circled the basin three times, the red thread darkening from the medicinal vapors.
"Cheng Xiaojin, calm down, don't chase after them."
Cheng Xiaojin did not accept it immediately.
Tang Wanqing raised her voice.
"If you're going to Mancheng, don't die in that basin!"
Tong Kexin gripped his shoulder, avoiding his wrist and palm.
"Did you hear that? You still owe me a signboard."
Cheng Xiaojin twitched his fingers.
"What signboard?"
Tong Kexin's voice was choked, but she still spoke stubbornly.
"The braised pork stall sign, you said it. Honest and trustworthy."
Cheng Xiaojin twitched the corner of his mouth.
"You can even keep accounts for this?"
"You owe me a lot of money."
He finally caught his breath.
The black water in the basin gradually lightened until it was only a faint medicinal color, and no more water surfaced.
Tang Wanqing immediately said, "Begin."
Cheng Xiaojin pulled his hand out of the copper basin.
Her hands were burning red, but her fingertips were cold. The bluish-black color that had climbed up to her wrists had retreated back into her nail crevices, leaving only a few light blue lines pressed against the base of her nails.
Tong Kexin quickly wrapped it with a dry towel.
"Can you feel it?"
Cheng Xiaojin closed his eyes briefly and gently touched the edge of the towel with his fingertips.
Thick lines.
Cotton yarn.
There is a filler line in the upper right corner.
He opened his eyes.
"Fifty percent."
Tang Wanqing breathed a sigh of relief and sat down on the chair next to her.
"At most 55%, it won't last long."
Cheng Xiaojin flexed his fingers, and his mouth twitched in pain.
"Enough."
Master Ma was watching him from the doorway.
"Surplus loss?"
Tang Wanqing said, "We can fix it slowly later. If something goes wrong throughout the city, then there's no point in talking about the future."
Cheng Xiaojin stood up, his legs a little weak, and Tong Kexin supported him.
"Rest for half an hour before you leave."
Tieguai Li said from outside the door, "The vehicle is ready. The Zhenhai Iron Bag has three layers, the array diagram is placed separately, and the fake bag is also included."
Cheng Xiaojin looked at Tong Kexin.
"Boss lady, go back to Huguo Temple."
Tong Kexin immediately frowned.
"What did you say?"
"The water network in the alley can't be left unattended. After what happened with Aunt Zhang, we also need to be on guard around Huguosi. Sister Zhou is still at her stall, and pancake stalls use a lot of water."
Tong Kexin stared at him.
"Are you trying to get rid of me?"
"I want you to guard the rear."
"Come on."
Cheng Xiaojin raised her hand, which was wrapped in a towel.
"If you go to Mancheng and something happens in the alley, how am I supposed to face you afterwards?"
Tong Kexin didn't say anything.
Tang Wanqing also spoke up.
"Huguo Temple needs people. You staying there will be more useful than following the cart."
Tong Kexin glanced at Tang Wanqing.
"I have high hopes for him."
Tang Wanqing nodded.
"I can."
Tong Kexin looked at Cheng Xiaojin again.
"If you dare come back with even one finger missing, I'll smash you to pieces."
Cheng Xiaojin laughed and said, "Then please lift it gently, we still owe you the stall fee."
Tong Kexin stuffed the ashtray into the inside pocket of his coat.
"Take this with you, don't misuse it."
Cheng Xiaojin looked down at the old ashtray.
"Weren't you withholding it and not letting me use it?"
"You're allowed to take it now, but you're not allowed to ruin it."
Master Ma walked out of the main room, carrying a black cloth bag in his hand.
"Board the Zhenhai Railway."
Tieguai Li and Zhao Defa's cousin carried the heavy wooden box out of the main room. The box was wrapped with red thread and mugwort, and an old cotton quilt was placed underneath.
Zhou Banxian got into the car carrying a compass, his face still pale.
"Seven steps and three inches, don't forget."
Cheng Xiaojin walked into the courtyard and glanced back at the white lamp in the west wing.
"Aunt Zhang, let me fill in the hole."
The yellow paper was gently pasted onto the edge of the brick at the wellhead, and no more counting was done.
The courtyard gate opened, and night fell at the entrance of the alley.
The old bread truck was parked outside, its lights off.
Tieguai Li sat in the passenger seat, Tang Wanqing carried the compass box to the back seat, and Master Ma got in last, placing the teacup on his lap.
Cheng Xiaojin got into the car and moved his hands, which had just regained about 50% of their tactile sensation.
Tong Kexin stood at the door.
"Cheng Xiaojin".
He peeked out.
"Why."
"Come back alive."
Cheng Xiaojin took the Zhonghua cigarette from behind his ear, tapped it against the car window, and then put it back.
"Boss lady, the signboard hasn't been put up yet."