The Supporting Male Characters Who Died Alone All Those Years Later

“Why are you all staring at me? Did I say something wrong?” Yuan Changsheng looked genuinely puzzled, her eyes sincere.

He Dongchen clenched his fist near his mouth, chuckling softly. “No mistake, Miss Yuan’s skills are indeed extraordinary and worthy of a high price. But Miss Yuan saved our lives by driving away the Demon Cult Leader, so we won’t accept any payment.”

Jiang Xinyue, hearing that unexpectedly generous remark from He Dongchen, glanced at him and joined in, “Exactly! If you stay here at Money Valley, who knows who might take advantage of you.”

Jiang Xinyue then enlightened Yuan Changsheng about how many people wanted to kidnap He Dongchen for medical treatment. The more Yuan Changsheng listened, the brighter his eyes became, eagerly asking, “So, there are plenty of fights to be had?”

Jiang Xinyue’s smile froze momentarily, reluctantly saying, “Indeed.”

With the matter of fees settled, from the next day onwards, Yuan Changsheng sat boldly on a large tree at the entrance of Money Valley, ready for any troublemakers.

Shen Youcai, just having finished soaking in a medicinal bath and feeling utterly relaxed, glanced over curiously. “Did she really drive away the Demon Cult Leader?”

“Of course!” Jiang Xinyue, with average martial arts skills herself and unable to endure the hardships of training, but deeply admiring skilled martial artists, recounted the scene vividly and passionately. Her already exquisite features became even more lively and beautiful, like precious jade and blooming flowers.

Shen Youcai was almost mesmerized and sighed when he came back to his senses. “If Miss Yuan can cure her illness, the martial world will surely gain another talented person.”

Initially excited, Jiang Xinyue’s expression darkened at the mention of talent, thinking of Lin Changjian. She turned to Shen Youcai with a hint of self-blame, “Brother Shen, I have urgent business and must go to Jiangzhou. I can only leave you here alone.”

“No, the Demon Cult Leader covets the Green Spirit Fruit. Jiangzhou will definitely be in chaos. How can I, as a man, let you go alone?”

“But…”

“Rest assured, I’ve sent a pigeon message home. Someone will come to assist tomorrow, and we will go to Jiangzhou together,” Shen Youcai affirmed resolutely.

Jiang Xinyue was deeply moved.

Yuan Changsheng, who was at a loss for things to do, suddenly appeared and curiously asked, “Will Jiangzhou be in chaos? Are there fights to be had?”

The corners of their mouths twitched. This Miss Yuan is indeed quite a martial enthusiast.

Jiang Xinyue advised, “The poison in your body hasn’t fully cleared yet, it’s not suitable to engage in combat. Besides, Meng Xiaoyao seems to have set his sights on Doctor He. If you stay here, you can better protect Doctor He.”

Upon hearing that, Yuan Changsheng immediately lost interest in causing trouble. Indeed, protecting Doctor He was more important.

With a light and airy stride, she floated in and out, watching the sunset. She waited but trouble did not come, so Yuan Changsheng simply tapped her foot and, using light-foot technique, flew into the valley. Light as a swallow, she passed through the medicinal fields and into the peach blossom forest.

***

He Dongchen, brewing tea under a large peach tree, heard a slight movement, tilted his head slightly, and saw Yuan Changsheng in a red dress dancing through the peach blossom forest in the sunset. With each step she took, a shower of peach blossoms fell, like a dream.

In the breeze, there was also the delicate sound of bells, not only pleasant but also not noisy at all.

“Doctor He!” Yuan Changsheng saw He Dongchen in white under the peach tree, her eyes bright. With a step, she trod on the shower of peach blossoms towards the man.

Yu Zhu, who happened to pass by, covered her chest in pain at the sight. Beautiful as it was, this year’s peach blossoms were surely in short supply.

Before reaching He Dongchen, who somehow pulled out a folded fan from somewhere, unfolded it and placed it above the teacup. As soon as he finished this action, the peach blossom rain came, and petals of peach blossoms with fragrance fell on his body, the table, and the fan. Only the teacup below was safe.

Yuan Changsheng was embarrassed when she saw this scene. She blinked her eyes, then raised her hand, and a stream of gentle Qi lifted the petals from He Dongchen.

In the airflow, He Dongchen’s white robe rustled, his hair fluttered. His head remained motionless, calm and composed.

Yuan Changsheng was stunned for a moment, then he took her hand back and said, “So you’re very beautiful too.”

With Jiang Xinyue in front of her before, everyone else looked dull, regardless of whether they were men or women. Yuan Changsheng hadn’t noticed it before, but now she suddenly realized that the owner of the Money Valley was such a handsome man.

“Likewise.” He Dongchen folded his fan and invited Yuan Changsheng to join him for tea. Just as Yu Zhu was about to fetch another chair, Yuan Changsheng glanced around, picked up a flat, large stone from nearby, enveloped it in Qi, and placed it on the ground without stirring up a speck of dust.

“Perfect!” Yuan Changsheng clapped her hands, seated cross-legged on the stone, and swiftly downed her tea with a bold gesture.

He Dongchen paused for a moment, then chuckled. “Miss Yuan is indeed unconventional.”

Yuan Changsheng lifted her chin proudly. “For martial artists, there’s no need for so many formalities. I traveled from beyond the frontier, crossing mountains and rivers for over a year. When I got lost, I wandered in the wilderness for 2 months. When I finally emerged, people thought I was a wildling.”

Reflecting on her journey, Yuan Changsheng’s expression turned nostalgic. “My Father passed early, my Mother was frail and bedridden for years. I cared for her until she passed away. Only then did I seek medical help. Along this journey, I’ve seen injustice and kindness. Once I’m cured of this poison, I’ll travel the world and challenge all adversaries!”

He Dongchen listened quietly, occasionally refilling her tea.

On the horizon, the last remnants of sunlight faded, the full moon rose, casting gentle moonlight through the peach trees, scattering delicate shadows on the ground.

***

The next day, outside the valley, a group from the Shen family arrived with an extravagantly luxurious carriage, akin to a small movable house. Besides the carriage, there were hundreds of sturdy guards and a dozen beautiful maids.

Truly wealthy and powerful.

Shen Youcai, still recovering, bid his farewells with a slight bow.

In recognition of his contribution of 11,000 taels of silver, He Dongchen went out to see him off.

“Until we meet again,” Jiang Xinyue politely remarked.

He Dongchen smiled faintly. “I think it’s best not to say that.”

Jiang Xinyue, having made three trips here in just a month, forced a smile that faded quickly. She nodded to everyone, then with the help of her maids, climbed into the luxurious carriage.

Shen Youcai bowed and quickly followed.

A group of people came and went in a hurry, quickly disappearing into the main road.

Jiangzhou wasn’t too close or too far from there. With their mobile house-like carriage, it would likely take them 4 to 5 days to arrive, even with fast horses.

Meanwhile, the auction in Jiangzhou was just 5 days away.

Yuan Changsheng sighed lightly, disappointed that she couldn’t join in the excitement.

He Dongchen, with a hint of meaning, said, “Don’t worry, things will get lively here soon. By then, we’ll need Miss Yuan’s help.”

Whoever obtains the Green Spirit Fruit will need her help in refining medicine.

It’s widely known that eating an unprocessed Green Spirit Fruit is simply wasting a precious treasure; the medicinal effects can only be absorbed by 30 percent.

For those who obtain the Green Spirit Fruit, they’ve already taken ninety-nine steps, just one step away from success.

He Dongchen remained calm, and once Yuan Changsheng understood the situation, she regained her composure and actively cooperated with treatment, aiming to restore her peak strength before the excitement began.

***

5 days later, news began to trickle in.

At the auction, Shen Youcai spent a huge sum to acquire the Green Spirit Fruit and then generously gifted it to a beauty.

Jiang Xinyue decisively declined and planned to pass the Green Spirit Fruit to Lin Changjian.

Unexpectedly, chaos erupted as the Demon Cult Leader and his followers forcibly raided the auction, setting Jiangzhou city ablaze. In the confusion, they abducted Jiang Xinyue along with the Green Spirit Fruit she held, achieving two goals in one stroke.

Now, the righteous forces were furious. Under Shen Youcai’s guidance, they rushed towards Money Valley, preparing to lay in wait and annihilate the Demon Cult.

He Dongchen received a carrier pigeon letter from Shen Youcai, read it through, and then handed it over to Yuan Changsheng, who was eagerly waiting beside him.

Yuan Changsheng excitedly took the letter and, after reading it, furrowed her brows. “They actually set the city on fire! How despicable!”

He Dongchen’s expression remained cold. “Otherwise, how could they be the Demon Cult?”

Yuan Changsheng nodded heavily, indignant. “These years, I don’t know where these twisted ideas came from. They claim that those on the righteous path are hypocrites, while the Demon Cult members are true to their nature. Even their evil deeds are seen as justifiable! I bet these people are all talk and no action. Let the Demon Cult make a move against them one day, and let’s see who will come to their rescue.”

Seeing her disgruntled appearance, He Dongchen smiled faintly. “I need to set up formations in the valley. Miss Yuan, can you help?”

Yuan Changsheng immediately shifted her focus. “Of course, to eliminate demons and uphold justice is my duty!”

In Money Valley, there were a bunch of mediocre fighters and many children. Naturally, He Dongchen had to protect them. Thus, he set up a Five Elements Bagua Formation outside the valley. Without someone to guide them, people would get lost in the formation.

Furthermore, to prevent the Demon Cult from repeating their old tricks of setting fires, He Dongchen had people dig a firebreak.

The people in the valley seemed to sense the impending storm. For a while, everyone was busy, and even the children stopped studying for a few days to help the adults with whatever they could.

2 days later, people began arriving at the valley one after another. Yu Zhu and Kong Qing explained outside the valley, “Inside the valley are women, children, and precious medicinal fields. We won’t welcome everyone into the valley to prevent the Demon Cult from taking advantage. Money Valley has already prepared bamboo houses and fine wine for all you heroes. Thank you for your hard work.”

After hearing that, everyone expressed understanding.

A burly man with a heavy sword and a full beard pointed to the words ‘Money Valley’ in a loud voice, “I heard earlier that the Valley of the Divine Doctor had changed its name like the Shen family. I thought they were calculating things, but it seems like we were too narrow-minded.”

Yu Zhu smiled kindly.

Shen Youcai, who had just arrived, heard this and said dissatisfiedly, “Our Shen family has opened a bank and follows the rules.”

Just as the two men were about to start arguing, a horse rushed over from behind. Lin Changjian, the son of the leader of the Martial Alliance, who was famous for his martial arts, jumped off his horse with a serious expression and said, “We must be careful. We mustn’t break the peace.”

Seeing this, no one else spoke.

Lin Changjian calmed down and told Yu Zhu, “I want to see your Valley Master.”

“Young Master Lin, wait a moment. I’ll get the master of the valley,” Yu Zhu replied before rushing into the valley.

After hearing that Lin Changjian had come, He Dongchen went out to discuss things. Yuan Changsheng pushed his wheelchair.