All the way there, it seemed there was always something new to teach, and Zhong Shenxiu’s mouth hardly ever stopped moving. Robin, for her part, behaved with remarkable docility, never showing impatience at Zhong Shenxiu’s incessant chatter; instead, she displayed immense interest.

However, on the trip back after fetching the water, Zhong Shenxiu ceased his instruction and switched to testing her. Now pointing to a blade of grass and asking what it was, now indicating a flower and inquiring about its species—his mouth was never quiet, no matter the subject.

After this little examination, Zhong Shenxiu discovered that the girl Robin possessed an astonishing memory; she could answer everything he had taught her without a single error, a fact that brought him considerable relief.

By this time, the sun was climbing higher, and the temperature had noticeably risen.

It took them quite some effort to haul back the two buckets of water; their efficiency was truly lacking!

It seemed high time to teach Robin the Qinggong (Lightness Skill); otherwise, this slowness wouldn't do. Zhong Shenxiu mused on this inwardly but gave Robin not the slightest hint of his intentions.

Setting the water aside, Zhong Shenxiu gathered firewood and some stones, set up a large cauldron, poured the fetched water into it, and called out to Robin, “Robin, the task of boiling this water is yours. Call me when it’s boiling.”

With that, he paid Robin no more mind and brought out the water jar he had purchased.

Then, Zhong Shenxiu became busy moving in and out, continuously placing various herbs into the jar.

While working, Zhong Shenxiu couldn't help but feel a pang of regret in his heart, thinking: What a waste of these rare heavenly treasures. If these were refined into elixirs, oh, the possibilities!

Zhong Shenxiu dared not dwell on it further; he feared the more he thought, the more his heart would ache.

This experience only solidified Zhong Shenxiu’s determination to increase his magical power. Only with power could he refine elixirs, forge weapons and equipment, and better study the unknown...

Just as Zhong Shenxiu was lost in these thoughts, Robin’s sweet voice chimed in, “Master, the water is boiling.”

This little girl’s throat sounded less hoarse; it seemed she really needed someone to care for her!

“Hmm, I know,” Zhong Shenxiu replied just as he dropped the final medicinal ingredient into the jar.

Zhong Shenxiu carefully poured all the boiling water from the cauldron into the jar. Immediately, a strange odor rose up—a scent layered with something acrid and sour. In short, the smell was quite peculiar.

He sealed the jar lid tightly and secured it with a rather large stone, then looked over at Robin, who was watching with an air of profound curiosity.

“This is called compounding medicine. You wouldn't understand if I explained it now; I’ll tell you slowly when I have time,” Zhong Shenxiu said, turning away to attend to his tasks inside. It seemed he had endless chores that day.

When Zhong Shenxiu emerged again, he found Robin still standing there blankly. He thought to himself, I’m swamped with work, and you’re idle—I must find something for her to do.

With that thought, Zhong Shenxiu retrieved a wooden basin from inside, filled with heaps of Xibang Cao (Slender Stalk Grass), and in his hand, he held a stone rod about three inches long.

“Robin, come here.” Zhong Shenxiu called out.

“What is it, Master?” Robin scurried over eagerly.

“Crush all this Xibang Cao; we’ll need it later.” After speaking, Zhong Shenxiu handed her the rod and performed a couple of symbolic gestures to demonstrate.

About half an hour later, Zhong Shenxiu lifted the jar lid. He addressed Robin, who was nearly done pounding the herbs: “Robin, set that down on the ground, and come here for a moment.”

Seeing Robin obey instantly, Zhong Shenxiu stated rather plainly, “Take off all your clothes and soak in this jar. You are not to come out without my permission.”

Robin paused for a moment but said nothing further. She immediately began to undress, displaying a rare spirit of resolution for a woman.

With her clothes gone, Robin’s body was covered in pustules. Were it not for Zhong Shenxiu, most people would likely be horrified. She hardly looked human anymore; to suffer such torment at such a tender age was truly a pity.

The water in the jar was still slightly scalding, but Robin had endured pains far worse than this slight burn, so she barely noticed the heat. With almost no hesitation, Robin jumped into the jar; the water level rose just past her neck.

Seeing Robin’s obedience, Zhong Shenxiu was exceptionally pleased. It’ll be good to have a follower, he thought.

As Zhong Shenxiu considered this, his hands remained busy; he casually replaced the jar lid, though this time he omitted the heavy stone. Perhaps afraid Robin would be frightened, Zhong Shenxiu kindly offered a reassurance: “Just bear with it a little longer. When you get out, the sores on your body will be healed.”

Zhong Shenxiu did not rest afterward. He fetched several large leaves from outside, each about the size of a dining table, and gathered a supply of thin, long grasses.

Time passed slowly. Zhong Shenxiu occasionally spoke a few words to Robin, checking on her condition inside.

Five hours later, Zhong Shenxiu finally lifted the jar lid and told Robin inside, “You can come out now.”

Once Robin emerged, Zhong Shenxiu quickly directed her to the bonfire to dry the medicinal water on her skin, repeatedly instructing her not to wipe it dry with anything.

Just out of the water, Robin seemed to feel a slight chill and huddled near the fire, shivering.

By now, the pustules on Robin’s body had noticeably decreased, and most of the remaining ones had begun to close and scab over. Furthermore, Robin’s skin was no longer that ghastly pale color but showed a faint flush of red.

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the medicinal residue on Robin’s body was finally completely dried. However, Zhong Shenxiu did not let her dress immediately; instead, he had her lie down on the large leaves and began applying the herbs she had just pounded onto her.

After a flurry of activity, half an hour later, he had finally smeared the herbal paste onto every sore and wound covering Robin’s body.

But Zhong Shenxiu still did not allow Robin to put on her clothes. Instead, he wrapped her layer upon layer in those large leaves, finally leaving openings only for her nostrils to breathe, wrapping everything else tightly shut.

After wrapping her, Zhong Shenxiu secured her firmly with ropes woven from the thin grasses. Once everything was set, Robin had truly transformed into a giant zongzi (rice dumpling).

Only then did Zhong Shenxiu finally let out a quiet sigh of relief, able to rest for a moment.

Thinking back now, Zhong Shenxiu found it somewhat amusing. This was the first time he had used such a crude method to treat an illness; when he still possessed his magical power, things were never this cumbersome.

What pleased Zhong Shenxiu, however, was how remarkably obedient Robin had been despite his handling her for so long, which saved him a great deal of trouble.