Nameless Oral Formula

"Wake up!" "Wake up!"

A faint, distant call seemed to come from beyond the sky, rousing Han Li from his deep sleep. As he opened his eyes, a large face pressed tightly against his own. Startled, Han Li shrank back, only then recognizing the owner of that frightening face—it was Zhang Tie, the other boy.

"Quick, eat something. After dinner, we need to go see Old Man Mo," Zhang Tie said, handing two steaming buns to Han Li.

"Where did you find food?" Han Li paused before taking them.

"There’s a big kitchen near the valley. I saw everyone getting food there, so I went to get a portion. After eating, I realized you hadn’t eaten yet, so I brought two more." Zhang Tie gave a simple, honest smile.

"Thank you, Brother Zhang." Han Li was moved. Seeing that Zhang Tie looked much more mature, the title "Brother Zhang" slipped out.

"It’s… nothing. I’m used to doing chores at home. If I don’t do something for a while, I feel uncomfortable. If you ever need help, just say the word. I may not have much, but I’ve got strength." Zhang Tie seemed embarrassed and spoke haltingly.

Han Li had skipped breakfast and lunch and was ravenous. In a few bites, he devoured one bun, and soon the two large buns were gone.

"It’s getting late. Let’s go see Old Man Mo." Han Li belched, glanced at the setting sun, and decided it was time.

Zhang Tie followed Han Li to Doctor Mo’s room.

Inside, rows of bookshelves lined the walls, packed densely with books of all kinds.

"Old Man Mo!"

Doctor Mo was leaning back in a grand armchair, reading a book with obvious relish, seemingly unaware of their presence. He did not even acknowledge their greeting. Han Li and Zhang Tie, being children, did not know what to do. They stood awkwardly to the side, waiting.

Not until Han Li’s feet began to go numb did Doctor Mo unhurriedly put down his book. He gave them a cold, appraising look, then took a few sips of tea before speaking slowly:

"From today onward, you two are my disciples on probation. I will teach you some basics of herb gathering and medicine refining, and perhaps some medical skills, but I will never teach you martial arts." His expression was blank.

"I do have a set of oral formulas for self-cultivation and health preservation. Although they won’t make you strong enough to defeat enemies, they can strengthen your body. If you truly want to learn martial arts, you may seek instruction from the martial arts instructors—I won’t object. But in half a year, I will only test your progress with these formulas. If you are not up to standard, you will be sent to the outer halls as outer disciples. Do you understand clearly?"

"Yes, we understand," they answered in unison.

"You may leave now. Come again tomorrow morning." He waved them off and resumed reading.

Before leaving, Han Li couldn’t help glancing at the book in Doctor Mo’s hand. Unfortunately, he couldn’t read. He only knew the title was three large black characters. The characters knew him, but he did not know them.

Stepping out, Han Li let out a light sigh of relief. In that room, he hadn’t dared to breathe loudly, his mind tight and tense. Now outside, he immediately relaxed.

In the following days, Han Li was constantly excited. He had finally become a disciple of the Seven Mysteries Sect. Even though he was only a disciple on probation, it was better than the other boys sent home. Even if he failed the test in half a year, he could still become an outer disciple, like his third uncle. In his mind, his third uncle was already a man of status, so he wasn’t worried about the assessment. In fact, deep down he even vaguely hoped he would fail, so he could leave the mountain earlier and see his parents and his beloved little sister.

In the days that followed, Doctor Mo taught them medical knowledge in the mornings. In the afternoons, they went to a study room to learn reading and writing, as well as basic martial arts knowledge: the Twelve Main Meridians, the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, acupoint locations, and basic exercises like stance training and hitting straw dummies.

A month later, Han Li and Zhang Tie were separated from the other boys. Their time was now taken up entirely by practicing a set of nameless oral formulas. Doctor Mo strictly ordered them not to pass on the formulas to anyone else, on pain of severe punishment and expulsion.

During this period, through others’ conversations, Han Li gained a detailed understanding of the Seven Mysteries Sect and Doctor Mo. The sect had a main sect leader named Wang Lu, a direct descendant of the Seven Ultimates Sage, and three deputy sect leaders. The sect was divided into Outer Halls and Inner Halls. The Outer Halls comprised Flying Bird Hall, Treasure Gathering Hall, Four Seas Hall, and Outer Blade Hall. The Inner Halls comprised Hundred Forging Hall, Seven Peaks Hall, Worship Hall, and Blood Blade Hall. Additionally, there was an Elder Council ranking just below the main sect leader and on par with the deputy leaders.

As for Doctor Mo, he was originally not a sect member. Several years ago, Sect Leader Wang Lu was ambushed by enemies and suffered life-threatening injuries. His attendants were helpless. They happened upon Doctor Mo, whose miraculous medical skills saved the sect leader’s life. Wang Lu was extremely grateful. Upon learning that Doctor Mo also possessed considerable martial arts ability, he invited him into the sect, built him a residence in a carefully chosen valley, and appointed him as an honorary elder of the Worship Hall. In his time at the sect, although disciples had never seen his martial skills, his brilliant healing had saved many lives. Therefore, despite his expressionless face and few words, he was respected by all.