“Did you hear what happened to some of the Zhou Li troops? Tens of em’ dead in just a day!”

“Aiya, and the rest are bedridden, aren’t they? How scary…”

“Aye, some of em can barely talk. They’re apparently running ‘round looking for the best doctors in the area.”

“Ha! Serves them right! It’s about time karma caught up to those Zhou Li bastards!”

“HAHA! I agree, but don’t let the wrong person hear ya, my friend!”

Doctor Lin came out of the inner room after spending over an hour making medicines. “Xiao Qiang, did something good happen?” She asked upon finding the boy with a wide smile on his face.

Wei Qiang couldn’t very well tell her his poisoning attempt was a success. “Grandpa’s been sleeping very well thanks to aunty Lin’s advise!” And we haven’t seen those beasts for two months! It’s really the best! 

“This little one, you really care about your grandpa, don’t you?” Doctor Lin giggled, finding her student much too cute for his own good. 

Wei Qiang nodded furiously with a pair of eyes blown wide with juvenile adoration. “My grandpa is the best in the whole world!”

The doctor wished old man Shen were around to hear those words. He would blush so fiercely the remaining snow would disappear without a trace. She stifled her laugh and patted her student’s head. “Our Xiao Qiang is such a good child.” Her eyes dipped to the book in his hands. “…Xiao Qiang, are you already on the third book?”

Wei Qiang nodded. “Thanks to aunty Lin, I was able to advance faster.”

The woman wanted to argue; Surely he skipped over some things, but then she remembered how smoothly things have been running in the clinic.

She would say a medicine and Wei Qiang would bring it without further information. In fact, sometimes a patient would come in and amidst describing their symptoms, Wei Qiang would already have brought out the right herbs, or tools, to treat them. 

Hiding her awe, Doctor Lin wondered if a genius stumbled into her path without her realizing. 

Wei Qiang was as oblivious to his abilities as her. He didn’t realize he was actually a lot smarter than he gave himself credit for. 

In the time that passed, he had already memorized the contents of two books and was halfway through the third. 

Sadly, he set his standards uselessly high due to how magnificently he perceived his biological family to be. 

Pressured by the blessing of rebirth, his mental age, and what awaits him in the capital, Wei Qiang couldn’t see how amazing he truly was. He had a talent that would choke many scholars green with jealousy. 

Thankfully, Doctor Lin noticed. “Xiao Qiang, from tomorrow you will watch as I treat patients. I warn you, this profession can be frightening, but a good doctor must keep a cool head or it will cost lives.”

To show his resolve, Wei Qiang stood and cupped his fist while bowing to Doctor Lin. “Xiao Qiang understands! Aunty Lin, thank you so much for this opportunity, I promise not to let you down.” Wei Qiang didn’t know what he had done to be allowed to progress in his lessons by such a leap, but he wasn’t about to refuse. The quicker I learn, the better. After all, his time here is limited.

She laughed heartily, “I like that attitude, Xiao Qiang. Here,” She handed him a list and instructed, “You already know these are the herbs any decent doctor must have at all times, so make sure to get especially familiar with them.”

Wei Qiang nodded and got off the floor. He fastened his cloak, lifted the basket on the back, and headed for the forest.

This Ran Zhu territory didn’t have good weather. Not only surrounded by mountains, it was snowy six months of the year, cool and rainy for two, then nearly blistering hot the remaining four. Right now, they were entering into the cooler months and seeing less, and less snow. 

Wei Qiang found it easier to hike the forest. Finally, flower buds were taking form, leaves stuck out of branches that were slowly regaining life, and small blades of grass pushed through the thin layer of snow. 

It was a wide and natural view that couldn’t be seen in the capital, and Wei Qiang was sure to enjoy it whenever he went out to pick herbs. 

Soon enough, the basket was half full, but one of the herbs listed continued to allude him. He thought it over briefly, then headed deeper into the forest. I’ll be quick, Wei Qiang promised himself to alleviate the guilt on his conscience. at this time of day, nothing will happen. 

Probably the most impressive thing about Ran Zhu is the wide range of foliage that grew and persisted through seasons. 

Of course, the quality and quantity of herbs were best when the snow receded and warmth creeped in.

Wei Qiang reckoned he’d earned a rest, and after a while of searching he found a good place to sit. It was uphill at a point touched by a good amount of sunlight, but still covered in snow. 

Where there are no plants, there are no herbivores, and where there are no herbivores, carnivores will not visit. Furthermore, the vantage point would help him see any animal before it got too close. 

He didn’t expect that not even a few minutes later, an arrow would cut through the air and stick itself into the tree he was leaning on— just an inch or so above his head.

A violent tremble seized Wei Qiang’s body, his breaths coming and going as short, dry, heaves. He stared up at the arrow in horror, I… I almost died…! The fear of death didn’t last long however, soon giving way to a burning rage. Die and let grandpa's wish go unfulfilled again?! I’ll never forgive that bastard!

Standing up, he yanked off his hood and looked around. Where’s the fool that can not differentiate between human and animal?!

A chuckle drew Wei Qiang’s attention towards a thick tree. A man stepped out from behind it.

As he made his way over to Wei Qiang, the younger male felt familiarity… and foreboding… 

Wei Qiang had expected someone from his village, but once that person was close enough for their features to be recognized, his body jolted a little. “Y-You… You are…”

“Aiya, ain’t this old man Shen’s kid?”

The man was paler and thinner than he was that day, but he was definitely the soldier that blocked Wei Qiang from reaching Guang Shen. 

Shivering, Wei Qiang took half a step back. The man was uncomfortably close, and his gaze was as unnerving as Wei Qiang remembered. 

In the man’s eyes, Wei Qiang’s fear was a little inviting. He was like a small rabbit one couldn’t help but bully. “What are ya doing out here, hm?” He asked, “Didn’t the hermit teach ya not to play in the woods?”

“N-Not playing…” For the life of him, Wei Qiang could not figure out why the soldier wasn’t dead or bedridden. Was he not exposed long enough? He already heard some soldiers died, and was hopeful that the commander who stole from them had passed away with all his men. Lowering his eyes, Wei Qiang did his best to contain his malice. What sort of dog shit luck does this guy have?!

Shallow breath poison goes into effect almost immediately. However, while lethal, a certain dosage still needed to be administered before it resulted in death. 

The soldier was clearly poisoned, but the fact he was still moving around, hunting in the forest, was proof he didn’t stick around for long while the wood burned.

Clenching his fists, Wei Qiang gulped back a lump. Could it be… Do they know I tried to poison them? His stomach twisted with fear. Regardless of the cold, sweat started to dot his brow. …Is that why he shot at me? 

“Hey, kid!” The soldier barked, drawing Wei Qiang back to reality. “Why aren’t you answering me?!” With his face showing annoyance, he grabbed a handful of Wei Qiang’s hair and forced him to look up. 

Discreetly searching the man’s mannerism, Wei Qiang decided that wasn’t the case. He would have already killed me, or dragged me back to the army camp if that was it. “S-Sorry,” Wei Qiang unwillingly apologized while forcing a smile, “Xiao Qiang was muddled for a moment…” 

The soldier observed Wei Qiang’s pained expression. Really too tempting… The boy’s watery eyes and pursed, pink, lips— The kid’s just begging to be ravished.

The man’s mind had been haunted by thoughts of Wei Qiang since he last saw him. It especially didn’t help that after soldiers died of unknown causes, and others were left ill, the squadron commander realized that his men had not been doing work, but going out and collecting things from villagers. 

Since these were resources perceived to be personally gathered by the soldiers, none of it was checked. Any item from any village could have been poisoned, and the source could no longer be pinpointed as it was already consumed.

The only reason the soldier didn’t receive a harsher punishment was because he was already ill, and while their army walked around like giants around men, they were low on manpower and resources. 

The war has waged too long, and everyday the Yuxuan army seemed closer to breaking this stalemate. 

His commanding officers settled for having him go hunt and gather wood all by himself.

Thinking about it made the man grit his teeth. Treating me like a fucking errand boy! Because he was doing the work of a whole group by himself, the soldier no longer found time to visit prostitutes. 

His eyes narrowed in on Wei Qiang’s lips. He really didn’t have a thing for men, but, Ah, fuck it! It’s his fault for being so pretty. 

With his free hand, the soldier pushed trough Wei Qiang’s clothes and touched his chest. “Kid, the old man shoulda taught ya; when you offend someone, ya gotta do whatever it takes to make ‘em forgive you.”

Before Wei Qiang could process the meaning of the words, the soldier shoved him back and positioned himself over the younger male.

Wei Qiang took two breaths, then immediately started struggling. 

In response to his pathetic strength, the soldier sighed, drew his fist back, and drove it into Wei Qiang’s stomach.

After all the air left his lungs as one big cough, bile quickly came after. The soldier let Wei Qiang turn over and empty his stomach.

“Kid,” —Wei Qiang’s face was bloodless as the man rubbed his erection against his backside— “don’t make me hurt that pretty face.”

Wei Qiang unconsciously controlled his breathing. His whole body went stiff as a board whilst violently quivering. 

As the soldier reached around to undue the sash around his waist, tears welled in Wei Qiang’s eyes and trickled down his face. He wanted to run, fight, scream for any help, but all he could think about was the pain radiating from his stomach and how large the man was. In comparison to him, Wei Qiang felt like a brittle leaf. 

He was unwilling. He would take dying a second time over this, but Wei Qiang also knew he had no power to refuse the man’s abuse.

The soldier pulled his pants down, and his eyes went wide. “This—! This can’t be…!” He breathed in awe. He cupped Wei Qiang’s hip, and surveyed the red markings in disbelief. 

It was too natural to be a tattoo. A vivid red rose spanned over Wei Qiang’s right hip and buttocks, a thorny vine dipping down to curl around his thigh. 

The man’s eyes flashed between Wei Qiang and the large birthmark as he gave a wry laugh. “You… You’re a cursed flower!”

The words were like a stake pin being jammed into Wei Qiang’s heart. He could hear a hundred different voices saying those words— their tones ranging from aversion to pure disdain. 

For Wei Qiang, having that flower exposed was more humiliating than being stripped naked. 

“This is great!” The man laughed. He held Wei Qiang to the floor by the nape of his neck, his other hand working to release his throbbing cock. “No wonder I was attracted to a guy, you were seducing me, weren’t ya? Damn, I always wondered why that filthy hermit was raising ya, turns out he was bringing up he’s own personal whore!”

Wei Qiang’s eyes sharpened the moment Guang Shen was mentioned. Terror spun into rage as his hand felt through the snow. Finally, his fingers closed around a rock.

“Fucking pig!” He twisted out of the man’s grip and bashed the stone square into his face. 

The man scrambled back with a cry, clutching his bleeding nose whilst teary eyed regarded Wei Qiang with pain and surprise. 

Wei Qiang stood, no longer shivering, but baring a murderous hatred on his face. “You don’t peacefully die but look for someone to drag you to hell?” He threw his head back on an empty laugh, “Fine, I’ll graciously honor your wish.”

In the midst of charging, he leaned down and picked up the dagger abandoned with his pants. Like a voracious demon, Wei Qiang was upon the startled man.

The man stretched out a hand to ward Wei Qiang off, but the boy wasn’t fazed. He pierced through the man’s palm, using his whole weight to force him on his back. Wei Qiang cried out his frustrations as he withdrew the blade to stabbed again, and again. 

Strangely, he wasn’t angered the man hit him, or that he tried to rape him. All these things paled in comparison to the man’s disrespectful words towards Guang Shen. I’ll never forgive you! He stabbed into the man’s shoulder, “Dare to defile me and interfere with grandpa’s wish?! I’ll personally send you down the yellow path[1] today!”

When the dagger stabbed one of the soldier’s eyes, he screamed and bucked Wei Qiang off.

The younger’s head hit a tree, causing dizziness to blur his vision for a moment. 

The soldier picked himself off the floor. “Damn cursed bastard!” The gleam of Wei Qiang’s fallen knife caught his one good eye. He snatched it off the ground and started approaching menacingly. “After you, I’ll take care of the hermit bastard who doesn’t know how to raise his flower properly!”

He raised his hand, and Wei Qiang smiled. Was his second life actually going to end more pathetically than the last? Grandpa’s wish… I will disappoint grandpa… again…?

TRANSLATION

1. Yellow road: I’ve also seen this written as “yellow springs” and “yellow path”. Nonetheless, it has to do with the land of the dead. 

NEXT UPDATE- July 1st 22