Travel plans gone awry can lead to anything from unhappiness to downright animosity and breakups among friends.
Song Qing Shi was a responsible person and would never allow such a disaster to happen.
He had pulled all the information related to Nanhai City from the library and read it once again. He then sent a letter to Ye Lin, asking him to gather more books on the local customs, stories, and geography along the way to Nanhai City. He was committed to being the ultimate tour guide, ensuring a comfortable trip without any glitches for his two companions.
Yue Wu Huan instructed him to have his left half massaged three times a day for rehabilitation.
Being a good patient who listened to medical advice, Song Qing Shi lay on the corridor of Fu Ling Palace, embracing the obedient Xiao Bai, enjoying the warm sunshine. While receiving his massage, he was busy jotting down notes:
Yue Wu Huan is a germaphobe; be mindful of food hygiene during the trip, and bring our bedding and utensils.
An Long tends to make a scene after drinking; better to find a secluded spot to avoid collateral damage.
Yue Wu Huan dislikes being harassed; pay attention to any lecherous gazes around him and remove them promptly.
An Long enjoys teasing beauties; be cautious not to let him cross the line. When things get out of hand, take Yue Wu Huan away from him to avoid any unnecessary involvement.
...
"Ouch—" A sharp pain coursed through Song Qing Shi's arm. He turned back to see the Alaskan Malamute, who had apparently found it fun to forcefully take over Yue Wu Huan's rehabilitation work. Grumbling, he said, "Could you be a bit gentler?"
His arm and thigh were bruised in several places due to the "affectionate" massage from the Alaskan Malamute, causing intense pain. He wanted to reject this peculiar form of attention, but feared igniting a conflict that could put Yue Wu Huan at a disadvantage. Hence, he clenched his teeth and endured.
"Don't act coy after gaining an advantage," An Long said gleefully, leaving Song Qing Shi's arm to take hold of his leg, placing it on his knee and pinching his toes one by one. His demeanor was nothing like that of a professional masseur. "I, the esteemed head of the Wan Gu Sect, am stooping to massage you. You should be grateful. Relying solely on Yue's gentle touch won't get you healed anytime soon."
Song Qing Shi was indignant, "I like his gentle touch!"
"Is that so?" An Long paused for a moment and then broke into a sly grin, reaching for Song Qing Shi's sole. "Let me try, then."
Song Qing Shi was particularly ticklish. He quickly pulled back his foot, yelling, "Stop! You're not allowed to massage anymore!"
An Long looked serious, "See, your left foot is already showing strength. Massages have to be forceful; don't fear the pain. I've been in many fights, I know what I'm talking about."
Feeling that An Long just wanted an excuse to tickle him, Song Qing Shi jumped up and fled, retorting, "I'm a physician, I know what will help me heal!"
Yue Wu Huan arrived carrying a bowl of prepared medicine. Seeing the spectacle before him, he took a deep breath, set down the bowl, and said, "My lord's injuries are not fully healed; he needs to rest. We're not in a hurry. An, please refrain from teasing him."
Clinging to Yue Wu Huan, Song Qing Shi vigorously nodded. His guardian angel understood boundaries and didn't court trouble.
Yue Wu Huan took hold of his arm, carefully applying ointment to the bruised areas and resumed the massage, very gentle as if afraid of causing him pain.
"You really have a high tolerance," An Long scoffed, unimpressed with Song Qing Shi's act of coy modesty. He had originally thought Song Qing Shi, having fallen unconscious in Yue Wu Huan's care, would have been utterly taken advantage of by now. Surprisingly, both remained chaste. This spoke volumes about Yue Wu Huan's restraint, temporarily saving him from An Long's desire to kill.
Song Qing Shi continued to lie on the ground, diligently taking notes, his hand never stopping as he wrote thousands of words.
He was putting in considerable effort, detailing each tourist spot and every possible emergency, convinced that nothing was too difficult if one applied oneself. He had even secretly practiced his speeches with an anatomy professor to avoid stammering during the trip.
Both troublemakers glanced at the notebook filled with meticulous plans, felt moved, exchanged a knowing look, and silently agreed to reserve their mutual grievances for later. For now, they would maintain a peaceful and cheerful facade to honor these efforts.
...
After about ten days, Song Qing Shi finally regained full use of the left side of his body. He cleared the residual poison in An Long's system, took excellent care of Yue Wu Huan's body, entrusted Qing Luan with matters concerning the Valley of the Medicine King, and packed up. Lastly, he received a generous amount of spending money from Yue Wu Huan and happily led the group on their journey.
Typically, they would ride magical beasts when going on official business. These creatures were incredibly fast but not ideal for sightseeing. Moreover, they were rare and generally used only by major sects or high-level cultivators. Traveling with three would attract too much attention.
After consulting the others, Song Qing Shi decided they would travel on horseback.
This was a common mode of transportation for ordinary cultivators in the immortal world and suitable for low-key travel.
"This rock formation is known as Shuang Long Yan," Song Qing Shi sneakily checked his cheat sheet hidden in his sleeve, locating the tourist spot, and tried his best to recite the guide, "As documented in Yun Ying Zhen Ren's 'The Mythology of Nanyang Mountain,' two dragons fought here due to personal vendetta, causing incessant rains and floods. The Heavenly Emperor dispatched a deity to slay the dragons, transforming them into this rock formation. Take a close look and absorb the details..."
Without hesitation, Yue Wu Huan exclaimed, "Indeed, my Lord speaks the truth. This rock, formed through the essence of heaven and earth, is quite extraordinary."
After hearing this unabashedly flattering reply, An Long managed to suppress the urge to blurt out, "I think it looks like a broken toad." He deliberated for a while before grudgingly saying, "It does resemble a dragon..."
Hearing the compliments, Song Qing Shi looked back at the rock, but no matter how he looked, it resembled a toad. He sneakily glanced at the two men behind him who kept praising its dragon-like majesty. Unsure of his own eyes and afraid of being laughed at for lacking artistic vision, he decided to join in the praise. Eventually, he summarized, "So, what moral lesson did you gather from this story?"
The question left An Long dumbfounded, "Huh?"
After some thought, Yue Wu Huan responded, "The importance of brotherly unity and refraining from fighting?"
Song Qing Shi was extremely satisfied, as expected, his own guardian angel understood him best.
An Long looked heavenward, utterly despondent. He suddenly recalled a time in a simulated world where, in a fit of anger, he modified dream scenarios and even the character design of Song Qing Shi. Despite fooling and seducing him into compliance, he found himself barraged with endless social, ethical, and health-related questions in bed, leaving him utterly drained.
Life was hard for him.
Although he loathed Yue Wu Huan, he had to admire the man's extraordinary patience.
He just couldn't bring himself to blindly spout nonsense like this.
"An Long, what are you thinking?" Song Qing Shi noticed his lack of focus and called him back to attention, ready to move on to the next site. However, the view before him left him puzzled, "Huh? This place didn't look like this before. What has changed?"
Yue Wu Huan followed his gaze to see a magnificent temple on the mountain, its architecture richly decorated and glittering in gold. The temple was bustling, with a street full of vendors selling incense, candles, and food. Believers and merchants moved to and fro, creating a lively atmosphere.
Curiously, he asked, "Is there something wrong with this temple?"
Song Qing Shi was perplexed, "I remember this used to be a dilapidated mountain temple, rarely visited."
Yue Wu Huan chuckled, "When was the last time you were here?"
Song Qing Shi thought for a moment, "I stayed here for a while during my foundation-building stage. That was over eight hundred years ago."
"After so many years, change is to be expected," Yue Wu Huan said, understanding that his lord was not well-versed in worldly matters. He skillfully changed the subject, "Why would you stay in a dilapidated temple? The immortal realm has numerous places for lodging that are not expensive. Even a foundation-building cultivator would have no trouble finding accommodation in town."
Realizing his slip, Song Qing Shi felt awkward and explained, "I had found a seriously ill child at the time and it was inconvenient to stay in town. I had no choice but to find a secluded place."
Yue Wu Huan was even more puzzled, "Why?"
Song Qing Shi clarified, "The child was a half-demon who had been abandoned."
Yue Wu Huan instantly understood.
In the Immortal Realm, mortals are considered the lowest in status, but it is the demonic race that is most detested. Demons are creatures born from malevolent thoughts in the Endless Wastelands. Most have bizarre appearances and lack human emotions, filled only with desires for slaughter and greed. Wherever they go, they bring about a storm of blood and violence.
Occasionally, demons would abduct human women, giving birth to half-demons.
These half-demons often bear some demonic features, and as they grow, most are gradually overtaken by malevolent thoughts, transforming into full-fledged demons.
In the Immortal Realm, half-demons are taboo, universally scorned.
An Long glanced at him, sneering, "Always poking your nose into other people's business. Aren't you afraid of raising an ingrate?"
Song Qing Shi earnestly explained, "The child was afflicted with three conflicting poisons, leading to full-body decay. His condition was extremely complicated..."
He knew saving a half-demon wasn't a wise decision, but seeing the child struggling for life in the mud, he couldn't help but take him in. Fearing detection, he hid in a remote, dilapidated temple in the mountains. It took him two full years to cure the child.
Later, he wanted to send the child to the compassionate Immortal Master of the Wanfa Sect. This master was a half-demon himself, but he had tamed his inner demonic nature with benevolence. Highly respected, he did not discriminate against half-demons and would provide them shelter and education. Under his influence, most of these children retained their human nature, never turning evil.
However, the child fled shortly after arriving.
He recounted the past events hesitantly to Yue Wu Huan, who listened intently. He remembered that the compassionate Immortal Master had died valiantly in a great battle to seal demons three hundred years ago, with most of his disciples also perishing. Even the despicable Jin Fei Lun spoke of him with respect.
Song Qing Shi sighed, "Fortunately, the child didn't go; otherwise, it would have been too dangerous."
Although he didn't participate directly in the war, he treated many injured survivors and knew the extent of the battle's carnage. The guilt weighed heavy on his heart.
An Long jeered unsympathetically, "Why would you bother with such filth?"
"He was my first severely ill patient, whom I diligently treated for two years," Song Qing Shi recalled, feeling particularly downcast. "But back then, I was poor at communicating, unable to express myself adequately. I was cold and terrible at taking care of him, so he ended up despising me and left without saying a word."
Yue Wu Huan comforted him, "Perhaps it's just his malicious nature."
An Long corrected him, "That's called an irredeemable demonic nature."
"He wasn't that bad; it was my fault," Song Qing Shi admitted guiltily. "When I was engrossed in refining medicines or researching, I'd often forget everything around me, even forgetting to feed him. The child was so hungry that he had to fend for himself, searching for birds and fish. Eventually, he ate my treasured Zhu Snake Fruit..."
Yue Wu Huan hesitantly inquired, "The Zhu Snake Fruit that blooms once every three hundred years, the visually captivating but highly poisonous one?"
"Yes," Song Qing Shi couldn't help but facepalm, recalling the unfortunate incident. "I was horrified at the time, and in the emergency, I used a violent treatment method. I almost killed him in the process. After that, I didn't dare to keep him around anymore, fearing I'd inadvertently cause his death."
The more he spoke, the more despondent he became. He had lacked experience at the time, making many mistakes, causing his patient untold suffering.
Unfortunately, his communication issues back then were even more severe than they are now; he couldn't express anything.
An Long, unyielding, derisively said, "I remember when I first met you, you were even more inarticulate than you are now!"
Song Qing Shi was infuriated, ready to incinerate him: "That's too much!"
An Long hastily begged for mercy: "I was wrong. You're quite eloquent now; you can even recite without stumbling over words."
...
Yue Wu Huan pondered thoughtfully, feeling like he was on the cusp of some revelation.