Song Qing Shi reviewed everyone's work, determining their abilities and levels.
Yue Wu Huan has indeed chosen excellent talents. Moreover, he's assigned them to disciplines according to their strengths. Everyone has performed quite well. I won't even mention outstanding students like Qing Luan and Ming Hong; even Rong Ye, who appears rather lazy, has unique talents. His interest lies not in medicine or pharmacy, but in mechanical devices.
Yue Wu Huan smiled, saying, "Qing Luan is clever and capable. During your seclusion, she handled many troublesome affairs for me."
Song Qing Shi understood his implied message. He gestured for Qing Luan to come over, closely examined her cultivation level, and found that she had already reached the Foundation Establishment stage. With dual elemental roots in wood and water, her aptitude wasn't bad. Nodding approvingly, he decided to keep her by his side for further observation and, if all goes well, to accept her as a general disciple, making her Yue Wu Huan's assistant.
Qing Luan prostrated herself on the ground, performing a deep bow.
Song Qing Shi remembered the Hehuan Seal on her and turned to Yue Wu Huan, asking, "The Spirit Core is just a medium; the seal can be removed by using a similar formation, can't it? Why haven't you removed it?"
Yue Wu Huan explained, "They are your people, my Lord. The decision to remove the Hehuan Seal should be yours to make."
Song Qing Shi laughed, "What's there to decide about this trivial thing? Bring the Spirit Bead, and I will remove it for her."
Qing Luan cautiously raised her head and glanced at Yue Wu Huan, not daring to speak.
Yue Wu Huan gently said, "She probably doesn't have it with her. There's no rush. Since you've just come out of seclusion, let's deal with it tomorrow."
Song Qing Shi readily agreed and led Yue Wu Huan to visit his lab rats and laboratory, asking as they walked, "You've done so much in these ten years; it must have been quite challenging, right?"
Yue Wu Huan casually replied, "It wasn't much trouble, you don't need to worry about it."
Song Qing Shi inquired, "I remember that Blood Blossom Powder requires Blood Silkworm Grass, a material that's long been extinct. How did you manage to find it?"
Yue Wu Huan casually responded, "A fortunate acquisition."
Song Qing Shi, without suspicion, remarked, "You're really lucky; I searched for many years without success."
Yue Wu Huan smiled, "My luck has been consistently good ever since I met you, my Lord."
Hearing these words, Qing Luan's emotions were mixed, and she found it hard to hold back her tears. She seemed torn about what to say.
Yue Wu Huan sensed the subtle change, turned his head, and cast a warning glance at her.
Qing Luan quickly hid her tears and swallowed all the words she had wanted to say.
Song Qing Shi was eternally grateful for her life-saving grace, yet in her heart, Yue Wu Huan still held the highest importance.
She vividly recalled their first encounter when she was six years old...
In the deep autumn forest, a young man dressed in azure sat amidst golden parasol trees, a white jade flute in his hands. The tune he played was "Phoenix Seeking its Mate."
The flute's melody was lonely, echoing amidst the gold and red hues of autumn, as if ceaselessly searching for something.
The young man's phoenix-like eyes were soft enough to eclipse all beauty in the world. When the wind blew, the golden parasol leaves and crimson maple leaves seemed to transform into his flowing robes. He resembled the world's most majestic phoenix, resplendent and unparalleled, attracting various birds to perch and seek his favor with his enchanting music.
Skylarks, orioles, cuckoos, and kingfishers...
More and more birds quietly alighted on the trees and beside him, listening intently to the world's most captivating music.
Qing Luan couldn't help but move closer, joining the birds beside him, losing herself in the moment.
In legends, the Qing Luan is a vassal to the Phoenix, instinctively following and submitting to its radiance...
The feeling was ineffable, as if imprinted into her very bones and blood, helping her recognize him as the one she should pledge loyalty to.
She hoped that he could find the missing tinge of happiness in his melody.
She wished for him to forever soar joyfully across the sky.
...
Later, Qing Luan broke free from her shackles. Like a joyful bird, she brought her children to Yao Wang Valley. She had a plethora of words she wanted to share with Yue Wu Huan—questions she'd been asked and expressions she'd witnessed.
But the moment she set eyes on Yue Wu Huan, she knew he had changed.
Yue Wu Huan was visibly injured and appeared to be barely suppressing a frenzied and restless look in his eyes. He recognized her but showed no interest, even a hint of distaste. He grudgingly took them in, simply because it was an order from Lord Yao Wang.
His eyes were no longer warm, no longer kind. Though he patiently settled the children, Qing Luan could sense that every command he issued was tinged with coldness, every arrangement made at arm's length. Then he vanished, not showing his face for days.
Qing Luan sensed something might have gone wrong in Yao Wang Valley.
She immediately sent most of the children who still harbored unrealistic dreams of immortality back to the mortal world. For the remaining few who had nowhere else to go, she voluntarily took on the responsibility of their care and education.
For a long time afterward, as Lord Yao Wang was in seclusion and Yue Wu Huan became extremely busy—secluded in his study and laboratory—Qing Luan took up the role of a medicine servant. She managed the sweeping and cleaning near Yao Wang Valley's entrance during the day, and led the children in studying medical texts at night.
When she saw Yue Wu Huan again, his face had been ruined—marred by varying colors and hideously distorted.
Qing Luan was so frightened that she almost screamed.
Yet Yue Wu Huan gave her a smile, even with his disfigured face, before leaving Yao Wang Valley.
Everyone started speculating that once Lord Yao Wang emerged from seclusion, Yue Wu Huan would fall out of favor due to his marred visage.
Thinking of the gentle Lord Yao Wang, Qing Luan shook her head, a suspicion slowly forming in her heart.
Yue Wu Huan started to return with injuries—minor, severe, cuts, stabs, every type imaginable. He never allowed anyone to touch his wounds, always tending to them by himself in the pharmacy. During his convalescence, he buried himself in books and learning. Once healed, he would leave Yao Wang Valley again, destination unknown.
He maintained a semblance of tranquility in Yao Wang Valley, cleverly disguising the underlying crisis.
Qing Luan realized that she had to do something...
For Yue Wu Huan, for Song Qing Shi, for Yao Wang Valley, and for the children behind her.
Even if her feathers were frail, she would shield everyone from wind and rain.
One day, Yue Wu Huan returned with fresh injuries. Armed with resolve, Qing Luan defied orders and sneaked into the pharmacy, where she witnessed an unbelievable scene.
Yue Wu Huan was suturing a wound on his abdomen. To stay conscious, he hadn't applied any anesthetic, instead biting down on a cork stick. He pierced his skin with the needle, stitching it layer by layer. The intense pain had him drenched in cold sweat, but he managed to emit only a few muffled groans.
Noticing her spying, Yue Wu Huan hastily buttoned his robe and rasped, "Who's there?"
With sadness in her eyes, Qing Luan closed them for a moment before stepping out from the shadows.
Yue Wu Huan unsheathed his sword, eyeing the approaching figure warily.
Qing Luan immediately knelt and presented a prepared Mind Orb from her bosom, offering it with both hands.
Yue Wu Huan recognized the familiar red orb and understood her intent, his expression becoming unreadable.
"I know that something must have happened to Lord Yao Wang, and I dare not pry. I also understand your reservations, your hesitation to trust," Qing Luan's voice was soft but unyielding, "but Yao Wang Valley is my only sanctuary, as it is for those unfortunate children. Therefore, please accept my life. Imprint this Mind Orb with your will, and I will forever be unable to act against you, unable to harm my master. You can use me for anything..."
"Anything?" Yue Wu Huan chuckled hearing her naive words. "Even if I'm no longer the person you once held in your heart? Even if your clean hands become stained with blood? Even if it costs you your life? Even if it leads to irrevocable damnation?"
Qing Luan lifted her head: "Yes!"
The luan bird would forever be willing to submit at the feet of the phoenix, eternally following its celestial shadow.
Her strength might be modest, but she was willing to give her all.
Yue Wu Huan looked at her for a long time, pondered deeply, and finally accepted the Mind Orb, acknowledging her unwavering loyalty.
From that day on, Qing Luan became Yue Wu Huan's most devoted subordinate. She managed many overt and covert matters in Yao Wang Valley, witnessed the most ruthless sides of Yue Wu Huan, and countless times cleaned up the horrific remains in the torture chamber. She evolved from being nauseated to maintaining a stoic face; she helped Yue Wu Huan intricately redesign Yao Wang Valley into an immense web to control everything and everyone; she tirelessly preserved Yue Wu Huan's impeccable public image, pretending that nothing was amiss and shielding the truth from the children and Lord Yao Wang.
But these measures were far from enough...
Every day, Yue Wu Huan pushed himself to the limit. Covered in scars, he barely had time for sleep. He was frantically learning the arts of assassination, intensively studying lethal poisons and complex spells, calculating every move and every heart, all while weaving all this knowledge into his very marrow.
The most valuable herbs were often found in the most perilous places, requiring a great sacrifice to obtain.
Sometimes he succeeded, sometimes he failed. And if he failed, he would start again.
But no matter how difficult or agonizing, he never stopped moving forward.
Qing Luan was mainly responsible for the internal affairs of Yao Wang Valley and most of the time had no idea where he had gone or what he had done.
All she knew was that five years ago, Yue Wu Huan was carried back to Yao Wang Valley by the master of Ye Yu Pavilion in a comatose state. Sixty percent of his bones were broken, and not a single part of him was intact. He clung to life solely through his Wood-based spiritual root and elixirs, and in his hand, he tightly held onto something he refused to let go.
Qing Luan could no longer remain silent; she asked Master Ye Lin for an explanation.
Hearing this, Master Ye Lin couldn't help but curse, "A Foundation-stage cultivator daring to step onto the Life-or-Death Platform? He's a madman with a death wish."
The Life-or-Death Platform was a dark gambling arena in the world of cultivators, wagering rare treasures and the lives of cultivators.
The realm of cultivators was full of extravagant individuals. Tired of betting on rooster and dog fights, they eventually gambled on people.
On the Life-or-Death Platform, it was a fight to the death, and the victor could choose any treasure from the wagers.
Though Yue Wu Huan was barely clinging to life, he was still the winner of the Life-or-Death Platform.
He had acquired the Blood Silkworm Grass, a herb long extinct in the realm of cultivators.
Master Ye Lin, a man of his word, handed both the Blood Silkworm Grass and Yue Wu Huan over to Qing Luan. He recounted the brutality of the Life-or-Death Platform and angrily exclaimed, "Granted, Xuan Yu Immortal Lord may have cultivated his unbreakable body through elixirs, but a Nascent Soul cultivator has a spiritual pressure advantage over a Foundation-stage one. No ordinary cultivator can break his technique, let alone attack him. They just wanted Xuan Yu to toy with and kill young Master Wu Huan for entertainment. How could someone as intelligent as Yue Wu Huan not see through their intentions? He risked his life just for the Blood Silkworm Grass! When is Song Qing Shi going to come out of seclusion? His gem, brought back by two hundred thousand spirit stones, is engaging in such nonsense!"
Qing Luan solemnly replied, "Please refrain from such comments, Immortal Lord."
In the world of cultivators, it's not uncommon for individuals to go into seclusion. Some do so to solidify their realm, while others seek breakthroughs. Song Qing Shi, with his extraordinary talent and devotion to cultivation, had already neared the peak of the Nascent Soul stage a hundred years ago and was likely to advance to the Soul Separation stage. Hence, no one doubted his prolonged seclusion.
Ye Lin sighed regretfully, "I've never seen such a gruesome Life-or-Death Platform. His limbs were broken, he was drenched in blood, laying incapacitated on the ground. I was even ready to order a coffin. Yet, in the last moment, when Xuan Yu let his guard down in arrogance, Yue Wu Huan managed to shoot a poisoned needle from his mouth into Xuan Yu's vulnerable pressure point."
Although the Vajra Body is impervious to blades and spears, there is always a vulnerable point, an Achille's heel, which cannot be strengthened but only concealed.
Upon learning of the outcome, Ye Lin retroactively analyzed the events and concluded that Yue Wu Huan had already sensed Xuan Yu Immortal Lord's malicious intentions. Aware he would be brutalized, Yue Wu Huan continuously probed and feigned weakness to identify that vulnerable point, waiting until he himself was too injured to move and his opponent lowered his guard before launching his final strike.
The opportunity was fleeting, a split-second decision.
Yue Wu Huan struck without hesitation, and the one who ended up dead was Xuan Yu Immortal Lord.
The Life-or-Death Platform erupted in astonishment. No one could believe their eyes. Ye Lin sold the prepared coffin to Xuan Yu Immortal Lord's disciples at a discount, retrieved the Blood Silkworm Grass for Yue Wu Huan, administered life-sustaining elixirs, and had him carried back to Yao Wang Valley, explaining all that had transpired.
Before leaving, he repeatedly admonished Qing Luan, "Enough, stop crying. If he dies, you can settle the medicine costs and escort fees with Master Yao Wang once he comes out of seclusion. And make sure there are no delays in the shipments of Jade Complexion Salve."
Suppressing the chaos within her, Qing Luan agreed to everything.
Usually dealing with external injuries, she had also occasionally treated hard-to-reach wounds on Yue Wu Huan's back. Anticipating grave injuries this time, he had previously left behind various treatment plans and medicines. Qing Luan followed these protocols to tend to all his injuries, except she could not pry open the hand that was clenched tight. Through the narrow opening, it seemed like he was gripping a piece of white pebble.
Yue Wu Huan remained unconscious for three days and nights.
Upon waking up, he sniffed the scent of the stone in his hand, struggled out of bed, brushed off Qing Luan's assistance, and laboriously crawled towards Fu Ling Palace, only to collapse once more. The lecherous gazes at the Life-or-Death Platform, Xuan Yu Immortal Lord's vulgar words—everything disgusted him to the core, even the necessary physical contact by Qing Luan for his treatment.
The air felt filthy, choking him, his mind a tumultuous mess. He urgently needed to return to the side of 'that person' to breathe freely.
Kneeling, Qing Luan firmly stated, "Brother Wu Huan, I know something has happened to our Lord. Let me assist you to go see him."
Yue Wu Huan slowly turned his head, half-closing his phoenix eyes, and regarded her with a dangerously intense gaze.
Qing Luan struggled to persuade him, "You can't keep the secret alone. What would happen to our Lord if you had fallen on the Life-or-Death Platform?"
Yue Wu Huan fell into silence.
Qing Luan continued, "If you die, who else could save our Lord?"
"There is someone, so don't worry," Yue Wu Huan responded, his voice weary and hoarse. "I've created a contingency formation using my life token. If I were to die, a message would be sent out, and he could easily find the Lord...but I don't want to leave the Lord to that man, so no matter how difficult it gets, I can't afford to die."
Our Lord's injuries are severe, requiring a multitude of remedies to be tested. Not every medicinal ingredient is easily accessible, and there's no time to leisurely seek them out. With no one to rely on, he has to resort to robbery, manipulation, and calculated risks. He knows he's gambling with his life, but he has no choice but to gamble.
If he loses the gamble, the contingency formation would relay the condition of Song Qing Shi to An Long, which would be his last resort.
Having lost the ability to resist, Song Qing Shi used all his remaining spiritual power to contain the internal fire. Anyone could do anything to him now. Yue Wu Huan could almost predict what An Long, a ferociously wicked wolf, would do. The very thought of it nauseated him.
On the Life-or-Death Platform, he lost so much blood that his consciousness was hazy. He clung to his last breath, sustained solely by the content of his contingency formation and the stone in his hand. He couldn't afford to die; death would leave him with nothing. There are memory-erasing parasites, and An Long would stop at nothing to erase him from Song Qing Shi's mind.
He even felt that his past experiences in Jin Feng Mountain Villa were not the most painful chapters of his life.
Being forgotten by Song Qing Shi was...
No matter how hellish, he had to claw his way back; nobody was allowed to take his Lord away from him.
...
Yue Wu Huan finally accepted Qing Luan's offer—not out of complete trust, but because the ordeal on the Life-or-Death Platform made him realize that he could fall into a comatose state due to grave injuries. If that were to happen for several years, something could go wrong with Song Qing Shi due to a lack of care.
Qing Luan, at last, assisted him into the secret chamber, where she saw Song Qing Shi submerged in milky-white medicinal liquid and some rudimentary furniture by the side of the bath.
In disbelief, Qing Luan asked, "Brother Wu Huan, you've been sleeping here all along?"
The damp, dark, and cold underground space would discomfort even a healthy individual, let alone someone who is injured...
"He prefers me by his side; he gets lonely otherwise," Yue Wu Huan said, laying next to the bath. His taut frame finally relaxed, the light in his eyes softening. His entire soul was bound to the man in the bath; he had left nothing for himself. He took Song Qing Shi's hand, lightly kissed the back of it, and said tenderly, "Qing Shi, I've acquired the Blood Silkworm Grass. We can try a new prescription now."
"Qing Shi, I'm still alive, and I haven't fallen ill..."
"Qing Shi, it's springtime now. May I plant some flowers in your courtyard?"
"Qing Shi, they say that Bi Yu Tower has delicious peach blossom cakes. Shall we go try some later?"
"Qing Shi..."
He spoke endless words to a person who could not hear.
Holding that unfeeling hand felt like holding the whole world.
Qing Luan quietly exited the secret chamber; it was a space that could not accommodate the presence of any outsider.
In her memory, the final brushstroke was added to the tune of "The Phoenix Woos Its Mate" that echoed from the Firmiana simplex trees.
...
Recalling the torment of the last ten years felt like a nightmare.
Now that Song Qing Shi had awakened, her nightmare also ended; the heavy burden on her shoulders lifted, and her heart lightened.
She also understood what Yue Wu Huan meant; all the hardships were in the past, and there was no need to make their Lord feel guilty or upset. She looked forward to better days for everyone.
As for the relationship between their Lord and Brother Wu Huan...
Qing Luan couldn't help but smile. She would need to make a few more prayers in front of the Moon Goddess for a happy ending.
Under the hazy moonlight, a young boy in red earnestly practiced the tune of "The Phoenix Woos Its Mate" in her courtyard. Sadly, despite his efforts, the young boy wasn't gifted musically. The melody was disjointed and sometimes notes seemed to stray and never return home.
The boy looked a little ashamed and glanced at her.
Qing Luan couldn't help but laugh, taking a seat beside him, listening quietly.
She hoped for happiness for everyone.