Chapter Three: Finding Shelter

"Thank you!"

Jiang An, who was waiting for news in the hospital director's office, accepted a cup of hot water. He looked up and thanked the young female assistant who brought it, his deep, tranquil eyes causing the assistant, who had been staring intently at his handsome face, to immediately lower her gaze, a blush quickly spreading across her cheeks.

"No... No need to thank me," the assistant stammered, her heart pounding as she made a hasty retreat.

Jiang An remained calm as still water, gently turning the white paper cup in his hand. Yet, inwardly, he was sighing at the challenge of cultivating on Earth. The spiritual energy in the city was incredibly thin and chaotic. Even though he faced no cultivation bottleneck due to rebuilding his power, it would take at least fifteen years to reach the middle stage of Qi Refinement! Even in the so-called sacred mountains and great rivers, when could he hope to achieve the Golden Core stage? Upon first arriving on Earth, although immediately sealed off by the consciousness of this world's interface, and without intentionally scanning with his divine sense, he could still vaguely sense several formidable powers scattered across the planet. These forces, though, were not even a billionth of his former might. In his prime, or even upon his initial descent with his Nascent Soul cultivation, he could have united the world single-handedly. But that was all in the past. The world’s seal was not something that could be easily broken. At the very least, he would have to use Earth's resources to cultivate to the Golden Core stage before even considering how to restore his peak strength. Before that, Jiang An was vulnerable. As a mere rookie at the beginning of Qi Refinement, if he encountered a truly powerful enemy, it was inevitable that he would suffer some injuries, even if he had countless secret arts to ensure survival.

But once he reached the Golden Core stage, things would be different. The power of karma generated then would be enough for him to perform one of Buddhism’s great supernatural arts... Heh, the karma needed to erase the traces of an otherworldly presence must be immense. Even small things—drinking water here, eating local food—would accumulate karmic energy, but the most effective way would likely be to take lives.

At the sudden surge of this murderous intent in Jiang An’s mind, the air grew inexplicably chilly. Director Yang, entering the room just then, shivered involuntarily, goosebumps rising on his skin.

"Is the air conditioning broken? Why is it suddenly so cold?" Yang Hanmin complained as he walked behind his desk and sat down, placing a few sheets of white paper—Jiang An’s file—on the table.

"Jiang, has anyone neglected you?" Yang Hanmin inquired.

"Not at all," Jiang An replied.

"The patient's condition has stabilized. If not for your intervention, things could have been dire. He’s an old comrade of mine; if anything had happened to him, I wouldn’t know how to face his family. Thank you, Jiang, both on behalf of the patient and myself." Yang Hanmin stood up and offered his sincere thanks.

"You’re too kind. I was merely doing my duty," Jiang An said with a smile.

"So capable at such a young age. By the way, you’re an orphan, right? And a top graduate from the Eastern University’s College of Arts," Yang Hanmin said, waving the file in his hand. "Don’t mind me; I didn't investigate you on purpose, just wanted to understand your background."

"It’s fine. I have nothing to hide," Jiang An replied, unbothered, as he had expected this.

"The records say you disappeared for five years. Were you studying during that time?"

"Yes," Jiang An answered succinctly.

Sensing Jiang An’s reluctance to discuss the topic, Yang Hanmin paused, then continued, "Let’s return to what we discussed in the ambulance. Talents like you, I can’t let slip away. Since you graduated from Eastern University, why not accept my proposal and become a lecturer at the Medical College? Don’t worry about the paperwork—I’ll handle it all. Due to the affiliated hospital, you may occasionally be called upon as a consulting expert. As for salary, you’ll receive top double pay at the level of a national master, as compensation for your earlier use of the Golden Needle Salvation technique. If you have any other requests, feel free to mention them."

"Thank you, Director Yang. I do have two requests: first, help me get a new ID card; second, find me a place to stay," Jiang An responded without hesitation.

Yang Hanmin was not offended; instead, he laughed. "That’s nothing. I’ll have your documents ready in a couple of days. As for accommodation, the dormitory at the Medical College happens to be vacant—make yourself at home..."

As they talked, Yang Hanmin, perhaps intentionally, shifted the conversation toward traditional medicine, which then took on a life of its own. He discovered that Jiang An was indeed remarkably talented—not only was his theoretical knowledge of traditional medicine profound, but he could also effortlessly reference ancient formulas. Even more astonishing was his unconventional thinking, such as using large needles on the Baihui point, which, though shocking, provoked deep reflection. By the end of their conversation, Yang Hanmin felt he had gained much.

About an hour later, night had fallen. Reluctantly, Yang Hanmin ended the conversation. "We’ll continue next time. It’s late and you should rest. I have an important dinner tonight, otherwise I’d invite you to my home. Instead, I’ll have my assistant, Zhang, take you to the dormitory. She’s my student and lives nearby."

He called in the young woman who had earlier brought Jiang An water, gave her some instructions, and Jiang An left with her.

After Jiang An departed, Yang Hanmin leaned back in his chair, frowning as he turned to the last few lines of Jiang An’s file: "...once detained and prosecuted for attempted rape, later released due to insufficient evidence, then disappeared..."

"Heh, attempted rape? This young man doesn’t seem the type. But the supposed victim was Liu Xu—from the Liu family! The same Liu Xu who married into the Li family! That makes two of Lin City’s seven great families your enemies, Jiang. Could it be you’ve returned for revenge? Of course, if you were an ordinary man, going up against the Li and Liu families would be like an egg striking a stone. But if you possess the medical skills to snatch life from the jaws of death... Well, the higher their status, the more they fear death. That makes you valuable—and gives you leverage!"

...

Lin City Medical University had been merged into Eastern University some twenty years ago, now called "Eastern University Medical College." The faculty dormitory was in a complex known as Mingde Court, adjacent to the campus and very convenient for classes. Yang Hanmin’s assistant drove Jiang An there in silence, then led him up to the fifth floor.

"Um, Mr. Jiang—Teacher Jiang—I’m Zhang Xue. This is Director Yang’s dorm, and it’ll be your place from now on." After opening the door, Zhang Xue finally mustered the courage to speak. Despite nearly an hour together in the car, the two had barely exchanged words, the air between them stifling. Normally outgoing and cheerful, Zhang Xue couldn’t explain why she always felt nervous and shy before this young man.

"Thank you for your trouble," Jiang An said, taking the key with a smile.

"No trouble," Zhang Xue replied, more at ease now that the initial barrier was crossed. "It’s late, and there’s a good restaurant downstairs. Why don’t I treat you to a simple meal? We’ll be colleagues, after all."

"Thank you, but I don’t have any appetite tonight. Perhaps another time," Jiang An declined.

Hearing this, Zhang Xue looked a little disappointed but forced a smile. "That’s fine, next time then. Also, the Director asked me to tell you that there are some clothes belonging to his son in the dorm. He’s been in the army for years, and his build is similar to yours. If you don’t mind, feel free to use them. You were supposed to have a few days to settle in, but tomorrow afternoon there’s an elective acupuncture class at the Medical College. The original lecturer, Professor Zhao, is on extended leave, and the class has been postponed several times. So, if you don’t object..."

"I understand. I’ll be there on time tomorrow afternoon," Jiang An replied.

"Good. All the paperwork will be done before your class. Honestly, the Director thinks highly of you," Zhang Xue said, suddenly pulling an envelope from her bag and placing it on the table. She quickly took her leave: "Here’s something for you from the Director. Rest well tonight. I’ll see you tomorrow!"

She left before Jiang An could respond.

Jiang An glanced at the corner of red bills peeking from the envelope and smiled, shaking his head. He wandered around the apartment—a modest two-bedroom with a living room, simply but tastefully furnished, scholarly in atmosphere. All he needed, however, was a bed suitable for meditation.

In the world of cultivators, a saying prevailed: "Those who feed on Qi do not die; those who feed on intent are immortal." Jiang An had reached the supreme realm of feeding on intent, so even though his current cultivation was low, he could still abstain from food. Of course, he could eat if he wished, but would never feel full, for all mundane food would be instantly refined in his body—its nutrients absorbed, the impurities expelled as a breath of turbid air.

Now, he needed to consider how to continue cultivating.

If Jiang An likened himself to a grand mansion, then the "Heavenward Record" was its foundation, the "Crossing of Hardships Canon" its beams and pillars, and the "Divine Treasury Diagram" its interior decoration. All three were indispensable, complementing one another to form the capital that once made him a legend in the immortal realm. Of these, the Heavenward Record and Divine Treasury Diagram required no further cultivation; the Crossing of Hardships Canon was his main practice. Given the meager spiritual energy on Earth, it was best to find some pills or spiritual treasures to accelerate his training. Otherwise, relying solely on meditation to reach the Golden Core stage would take an eternity.

But there was no need for haste. What must come, would come. Jiang An believed this firmly. Thus, following the habit formed over more than a thousand years, he naturally sat cross-legged on the bed, palms and soles facing upward, and quickly entered a meditative state. For him, this was sleep.

But just thirty minutes later, a faint rustling at the door roused him. Instinctively, he tried to release his divine sense, only to remember that he could not. Fortunately, his senses were still far sharper than any ordinary person’s. Focusing intently, he listened—and couldn’t help but smile.

The visitor was not human.

(To be continued)