Ye Qiu didn’t take Bai Bing home to “make babies” as planned. Instead, he headed to the streets, stopping by a curio shop to buy forty-nine lanterns, some yellow paper, a brush, cinnabar, and other items.
Afterward, he returned home to rest for the entire day.
Recharging his energy.
At six in the evening, Ye Qiu and Bai Bing had dinner, bathed, changed, and then headed straight to the hospital at the Beijing Military District’s retirement home.
Old Tang had called ahead to the gate guards, so this time Ye Qiu and Bai Bing passed through without any questioning.
As Ye Qiu reached the door of Old General Bai’s ward, he spotted Old Tang waiting.
“Ye Qiu, I’ve got what you asked for,” Old Tang said, handing him a wooden box.
Ye Qiu opened it to find a century-old ginseng and two century-old He Shou Wu roots wrapped in red silk.
“Old Tang, thank you so much! How much do I owe you? I’ll transfer it,” Ye Qiu offered.
Old Tang smiled faintly. “No need for money.”
“Hm?”
Ye Qiu and Bai Bing blinked, looking at Old Tang in confusion.
Old Tang chuckled. “These three herbs were originally part of Old Ye’s collection. When he heard they were needed to save Old General Bai, he told me to bring them over. He said Old General Bai is a national hero, and if these herbs can help, it’s a deed of boundless merit. So, they’re a gift.”
Ye Qiu knew Old Ye’s generosity likely stemmed from giving him face.
Bai Bing, deeply moved, said, “Old Ye sending these herbs now is like charcoal in the snow. Once Grandpa wakes up, I’ll personally visit the Ye family to thank him.”
Old Tang smiled. “Bai Bing, Old Ye specifically said there’s no need to visit. This is just his small gesture. He hopes you’ll work hard and have a happy, fulfilling family life.”
Unaware of Ye Qiu’s connection to Old Ye, Bai Bing simply felt a warm glow in her heart.
Old Tang then turned to Ye Qiu. “Old Ye told me to pass this on: go all out and don’t let him down.”
“Got it,” Ye Qiu replied calmly.
Just then, Zhang Jiuling arrived, holding a sword.
“Ye Qiu, I’ve brought the peachwood sword. Take a look—is it good enough?” Zhang Jiuling handed it over.
The scabbard was made of cowhide, and the three-foot-three-inch blade was a rich brown, etched with a Taiji Bagua symbol. As Ye Qiu drew it, a thick scent of incense hit him, and his eyes lit up. “This sword’s excellent.”
Zhang Jiuling grinned. “The head of Changchun Temple asked if I was using it to suppress evil. I said it was for healing, and he wouldn’t believe me.”
Bai Bing found it hard to believe. “A wooden sword can suppress evil?”
“It’s not just any wooden sword,” Ye Qiu explained. “The *Taiping Yulan* says: ‘The peach tree is the essence of the five woods, an immortal tree used in ancient times to subdue evil qi. Its spirit resides at the Ghost Gate, controlling all ghosts. That’s why peachwood swords are made to ward off evil.’ In ancient times, peachwood was called Dragon-Subduing Wood, known for protecting homes and repelling evil. During the Three Kingdoms, Cao Cao suffered headaches from paranoia, untreatable by normal means. His strategist suggested crafting a peachwood sword from the finest trees in the Central Plains and hanging it indoors. His headaches vanished, paving the way for his conquests and the founding of Wei. Of course, ordinary peachwood swords don’t work—they need to be consecrated or imbued with incense qi to be effective. If I’m not mistaken, this one’s made from century-old peachwood and has been enshrined in a temple for at least two centuries. It’s a top-tier artifact.”
Ye Qiu smiled. “With this, I’m even more confident in performing the life-extension ritual.”
“Right, where’s the rooster?” Zhang Jiuling asked suddenly.
“I asked Tang Fei and Long Ye to find one. They should be back soon…”
Before Ye Qiu could finish, Tang Fei and Long Ye burst in, panting.
Long Ye carried a snow-white rooster, about seven or eight pounds, with a vivid red comb and sharp, gleaming claws—a majestic specimen. Tang Fei held an insulated bucket; when opened, the sharp smell of blood wafted out, revealing a bowl of dog blood inside.
“I bought the rooster from a cockfighting enthusiast for thirty thousand. No need to pay me back—it’s my contribution,” Long Ye said.
Tang Fei added, “The dog blood’s from Grandpa’s military dog. You don’t owe me anything, Ye Qiu, but you’ll need to get some supplements for the dog later. It lost a lot of blood—it’ll take time to recover.”
“No problem,” Ye Qiu agreed readily.
“Everything’s ready now. We just need the right moment—midnight—to perform the life-extension ritual for Old General Bai,” Old Tang said.
Ye Qiu glanced at the time. It was only eight.
“We’ll start at eleven sharp. For now, I need to set up the site,” Ye Qiu said. “Old Tang, can I borrow the hospital rooftop tonight?”
Old Tang nodded. “Yes.”
“Tang Fei, Long Ye, help me out.”
Ye Qiu led the two to the rooftop, where he arranged the forty-nine lanterns in a Taiji Bagua pattern. Then, mixing cinnabar with the dog blood, he used the brush to draw talismans on the yellow paper.
He completed seventy-two talismans in total.
By the time he finished, it was past nine.
With only the three of them on the roof, Tang Fei spoke up. “Ye Qiu, Old General Bai is the pillar of the Bai family. If he wakes, Bai Yujing and his son will benefit most. Are you sure you want to save him?”
“Of course I’m sure,” Ye Qiu replied. “Why else would I go through all this trouble and ask for your help?”
“What if he wakes up and sides with Bai Yujing and his son against you?” Tang Fei warned. “Old General Bai has huge influence in the military and a good relationship with the top leader.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not afraid of him.”
Ye Qiu had already considered the consequences. Whether Old General Bai became an ally or an enemy upon waking, he was fearless.
Time slipped by quietly.
Ten fifty.
Ye Qiu wheeled Old General Bai out of his ward, and with Tang Fei and Long Ye’s help, they carried him to the rooftop.
Now, Old General Bai lay still on the bed, encircled by the forty-nine lanterns.
“Ye Qiu, what do we need to do next?” Old Tang asked.
Ye Qiu replied, “You’ve all helped me prepare everything. For now, there’s nothing more needed, but during the treatment, keep two things in mind. First, no matter what happens, don’t interrupt me—or let anyone else do so. Second, stay back and keep yourselves safe.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Ye Qiu checked the time.
Eleven oh-nine.
“It’s almost time. I’m starting the treatment!”
