Chapter 161 — The Treasured Jade Returns to Its Master

The Butcher's body slowly closed together, though the skin at his waist had not yet grown. At last Shen Mu applied dragon saliva to the wound, and the skin grew of itself, sealing the injury. He roused his spirits, lifted the Butcher, and placed him in the medicine cauldron. He poured in the last packet of ingredients, lit the fire, and began to simmer it slowly.

In the great cauldron, the Butcher rested his arms on the rim and said suddenly, "Shen, you have worked hard. " Shen Mu shook his head and smiled.

"I studied medicine under Grandpa Alchemist for many years. Whatever skill I have, he taught me—it is no hardship. " "I hope you do not end up as notorious as the Alchemist.

" The water gradually came to a boil. The Butcher exhaled a white mist in comfort and said, "By the way, I noticed you kept pulling things from that little cloth bag—even this cauldron came out of it. There is something strange about that bag.

Let me see it. " Shen Mu handed the bag over.

"I picked this bag up from the treasure house of Loulan's Golden Palace. Somehow it holds about a mu of land inside, so I use it to carry things.

" The Butcher opened the bag and glanced inside, his expression turning strange. "Shen, you picked up quite a lot from the Golden Palace's treasure house.

" Shen Mu's face reddened slightly. "Learning from the Lame Elder is fine, but you must not become addicted to it.

" The Butcher sighed.

"In truth, everyone in our village has his own faults. The Lame Elder likes to steal. The Alchemist poisons at the drop of a hat, and leaves lovers everywhere. As for me, I was once too arrogant—I drew my blade against the gods.

The blind elder looks down on everyone and is a lecher besides. The deaf elder is too proud. The silent craftsman keeps his own counsel and tells no one anything.

And the village head—need I mention him? He puts on an air of unfathomable mystery every day.

And Granny has a nature that invites disaster.

I only fear you will learn all our flaws.

" Shen Mu said gravely, "Rest easy, Grandpa Butcher. Since leaving the village, I have never once stirred up disaster. Our Patriarch is most pleased with me! " "Good. You may stir up trouble, but you must be able to settle it. " The Butcher shook the bag and laughed. "I have seen bags like this before. They are called Taotie Bags, refined from the hide of a Taotie.

There should be pure-blooded Taotie in the Wasteland, but it would take our whole village together to beat one. The hide used for your Taotie Bag is not pure-blooded either, though its bloodline is extremely high.

The Taotie Bags I have seen before were only a zhang square—they could not hold much.

They were likely made from the hide of a strange beast with Taotie blood. " "I see. " Shen Mu was astonished, and asked hurriedly, "I have seen houses that look small from the outside but are vast within. How is that possible? " "Simple. Grind the bones of strange beasts with Taotie blood into powder and mix it into the stone, or use it in plaster. That way the interior space grows larger. " The Butcher said, "The Taotie is a divine beast, a kind of dragon.

This beast only eats and never excretes; the space in its belly is vast.

Its hide is used to refine Taotie Bags, its bones to build houses—both are very useful. Only pure-blooded ones are too rare.

" Shen Mu kept watch beside him. The two chatted, and before he knew it, Shen Mu had fallen asleep sitting up. When he woke, the fire beneath the cauldron had already gone out.

He was about to add more fuel when the Butcher's voice came from beside him. "Shen, no need. I feel my body is more or less recovered. " Shen Mu turned hurriedly and saw the Butcher was already neatly dressed, wearing a new pair of trousers—the pair Shen Mu had bought cloth for when buying medicine, and had finished first.

The old man wore a loose robe on his upper body, and the messy beard on his face had been shaved clean, giving him a crisp, commanding air without anger. The Butcher looked him up and down and nodded again and again.

"You have grown up. In the past we helped you; now you can help us. Very good, very good.

. . " The blind elder's voice came from outside.

"Pig Butcher, if you keep talking you will not be able to leave. That disciple of yours has caught up.

" The Butcher walked outside and said, "There is a divine hand bone in your Taotie Bag. I will keep it for you for now. This thing, you cannot carry it yet—that god is still alive.

If you carry it, it will only bring you disaster. " Shen Mu was startled.

"The owner of the hand bone is still alive? "