BDSMST -Chapter 134 The Challenge Left by the Medicine King

As Jiang Suisui walked along the stone-paved path back to the village, her heart remained restless. The mysterious blueprint was like a small stone tossed into the lake of her mind, sending ripples spreading outward.

She had a strong intuition that what was recorded on it might be a secret far more fundamental and ancient than even the Medicine King’s medical arts and mechanical techniques.

That vortex-like eye symbol seemed like a key—one that could unlock even more unknown mysteries.

She recalled the prophecy the Medicine King had left behind:

“Grasp the changes of Yin and Yang, and hold the power over life and death.”

The power she possessed now seemed far more than just a space that could be used for planting and storage.

The secrets hidden behind Medicine King Valley and the Spring Heart Bracelet might be far deeper than she had ever imagined.

She looked up toward the patch of blue sky framed by the sinkhole above the valley. For the first time, she felt a powerful curiosity about her own origins and the truth of this world.

Who exactly am I?
Why did I come to this place?
Besides what I can see, what else is hidden in this world?

One question after another circled in her mind. She knew that the answers might lie within that ancient blueprint.

Without realizing it, her steps quickened. Passing through the village where cooking smoke curled into the air, she headed straight for the stone house where the High Priestess was recuperating.

Seeing that something was on her mind, Gu Yan asked nothing. He simply followed silently behind her, offering the most steady and reassuring companionship.

Inside the stone house, the High Priestess already looked much better. She was leaning against the soft couch, listening to two young women of the tribe chatting about amusing things happening in the village.

When she saw Jiang Suisui enter, she gestured for the young women to leave and then tried, with some effort, to sit up straight.

“Spring Master, you’ve come.”

“High Priestess, please rest properly,” Jiang Suisui said quickly as she stepped forward to support her shoulders, helping her lie back again.

She did not beat around the bush. Instead, she directly revealed the doubts in her heart and carefully described the patterns and symbols drawn on the ancient parchment.

After listening to her description—especially when she heard about the “Eye of the Vortex” symbol—the High Priestess’s face, which had just regained some color, grew solemn again.

She remained silent for a long time, her gaze passing through the doorway of the stone house toward the depths of the valley, her eyes distant.

“Spring Master,” she finally said slowly, “what you saw is the most ancient secret of Medicine King Valley, and also the only path to obtaining the Fruit of Life.”

“What do you mean?” Jiang Suisui asked quickly. “Isn’t the Fruit of Life able to grow under the nourishment of my… under the nourishment of the Sacred Spring?”

The High Priestess slowly shook her head and explained in a hoarse voice:

“The Spring Master’s power can indeed accelerate the fruit’s development, but that only allows it to take form. A truly mature Fruit of Life, one capable of cleansing the body, transforming the marrow, and completely eradicating the Blood Withering Poison, requires more than simply the accumulation of energy—it also requires a certain qualification.”

She paused briefly, as if organizing her thoughts.

“When the Medicine King Patriarch left behind his inheritance, it was not without conditions. He left his life’s work and the foundation of Medicine King Valley to future generations—but he also set a final test. Only those who pass the test are qualified to truly inherit everything he left behind, and only they may pick the fruit that represents rebirth and hope.”

“That blueprint…”

“That blueprint is the key to opening the trial,” the High Priestess said, her gaze returning to Jiang Suisui’s face.

“It is called the Star Track Diagram. What it depicts is not the heavens and earth we see, but the complete mechanism map of a natural trial cavern hidden deep within Medicine King Valley. That vortex eye is the entrance to the cavern. Only the Spring Master, wearing the Spring Heart Bracelet, can activate the blueprint with her own blood and locate the hidden entrance.”

Jiang Suisui’s heartbeat skipped.

At last she understood.

Previously, when she cultivated the Fruit of Life, she had simply taken a shortcut. But the Medicine King’s true inheritance was far more than that.

What he sought was not merely someone with powerful abilities, but a guardian worthy of that power in character, wisdom, and courage.

“What are the trials?” Gu Yan asked from beside her. His voice was steady, helping calm the slight turbulence in Jiang Suisui’s heart.

“There are three trials,” the High Priestess said reverently.

“The Medicine King Patriarch devoted his life to studying medicine, mechanisms, and the laws of heaven and earth. He transformed the three things he valued most into three trials.”

“The first trial tests the Heart of Medicine, concerning discernment and compassion.”

“The second trial tests Wisdom, concerning strategy and the ability to break through difficulties.”

“The third—and the most difficult—tests the Will to Protect, concerning one’s true heart and choices.”

She looked at Jiang Suisui, her eyes filled with both worry and expectation.

“For hundreds of years, our Guardian Clan has only been able to study the most basic medical and agricultural knowledge carved on the inheritance stone walls. No one has ever opened these three trials, because we are not the Spring Master—we do not have that qualification.”

“Spring Master… this path will be very difficult, and even dangerous. You…”

“I accept the trial.”

Jiang Suisui did not hesitate in the slightest. This was not only for the Guardian Clan, but also for herself. She wanted to know what kind of world the Medicine King had left behind, and she also wanted to know just how far she herself could go.

This was not merely a test imposed from the outside—it was also a journey of self-exploration.

The High Priestess looked into her bright and resolute eyes. After a long moment, she finally nodded with relief. From inside her clothing, she took out something tightly wrapped in animal hide and solemnly handed it to Jiang Suisui.

“This has been passed down orally by generations of High Priestesses. It contains scattered records about the trials. Perhaps it may help you.”

Jiang Suisui accepted the warm leather bundle and opened it. Inside was an equally ancient bamboo scroll, written in the old script of the Guardian Clan.

“Use these three days to prepare well,” the High Priestess said with a tone of solemn entrustment. “The blessing ceremony three days from now will be the best time for you to begin the trial. At that time, the entire clan will pray for you.”

Leaving the stone house and walking through the moonlit village, Jiang Suisui’s emotions remained unsettled for a long time. She lowered her head, looking at the bamboo scroll in her hands, then glanced at Gu Yan walking silently beside her.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked softly.

“I’m thinking that no matter what the trial is, I’ll go with you,” Gu Yan replied simply.

He didn’t understand medical theories, nor mechanical strategies, but he knew one thing—if he stood by her side, he would always be the first to face any danger.

Jiang Suisui stopped walking and turned to look at him. Under the moonlight, the lines of his face were sharp, his gaze focused and sincere.

She stuffed the bamboo scroll into his hands.

“Then help me read what it says.”

She did not know many characters, and this ancient script was even more incomprehensible to her.

Gu Yan took the bamboo scroll and carefully examined it under the moonlight. During his time in the army, he had studied various ancient scripts and regional dialects to decipher enemy codes. Although the Guardian Clan’s script was obscure, it still shared similarities with some ancient seal characters.

He read slowly, but with great concentration.

“The first trial is called the ‘Hundred Herbs Map.’” He read word by word.

“Those who enter must distinguish truth from falsehood among thousands of herbs, identify their toxicity, and prepare the ancient formula known as the ‘Soul-Returning Decoction.’ Among them are nine hundred false herbs, three hundred poisonous herbs, and only a little over a hundred genuine medicinal ones. One wrong step, and the participant will fall into illusion and remain trapped forever.”

Hearing this, Jiang Suisui felt reassured.

Identifying herbs was one of her strengths. With her knowledge of modern botany combined with the medicinal diagrams carved on the inheritance stone walls, she felt confident she could handle it.

“The second trial is called the ‘Zhenlong Game,’” Gu Yan continued.

“Stones serve as pieces, and the earth itself as the board. One wrong move, and the entire game is lost. The method to solve the game lies not in victory, but in life.”

“Not in victory, but in life?” Jiang Suisui repeated thoughtfully. It didn’t sound like an ordinary chess game.

“The third trial…” Gu Yan paused slightly, his brows knitting together.

“There are only four words written here—‘Face your true heart.’ There is no further explanation.”

The simplest descriptions often meant the most complicated trials. Jiang Suisui understood that well.

The two of them walked all the way back to their stone house. Inside, Gu Xuan and Bai Ling’er were leaning over a lamp, excitedly studying a new mechanical blueprint.

When they saw them return, the two children immediately ran over.

“Mother, look! We figured out how to add a steering device to the reconnaissance kite!” Gu Xuan said excitedly, showing off his results.

Bai Ling’er handed over the mysterious Star Track Diagram again.

“Madam Hou, I feel like this diagram is somewhat related to the geomantic star compass of our Mo School, but it’s also completely different.”

Jiang Suisui looked at the children’s eager, curious faces, then glanced at her calm and reliable husband beside her.

The uncertainty and confusion in her heart suddenly faded a little.

She wasn’t fighting alone.

She had family, companions, and many things she wanted to protect.

Taking a deep breath, she slowly spread the Star Track Diagram across the table.

At the center of the blueprint, the vortex-like eye symbol seemed to slowly rotate in the candlelight, as if waiting for the one destined to open it.

In three days, she would face the challenge the Medicine King had left behind—one that had endured for hundreds of years.