From outside, a frantic knocking resounded.
A junior disciple from the Red Cloud Sect rushed to announce, "Someone from the Golden Phoenix Manor has arrived, seeking an audience with the Celestial Medicine Sovereign. Here is their list of gifts."
Song Qingshi nearly spat out the sweet soup he was sipping. He cast an uneasy glance at Yue Wuhuan, who wore a dark expression, wishing he could swear an oath to the heavens.
He truly had nothing to do with that detestable sect and had no desire for any association!
However, Jin Feng Mountain Manor was a renowned entity in the Immortal Realm. The disciple from the Red Cloud Sect, inexperienced and easily overwhelmed by the enormous gifts, didn't pause to think. He came straight to report, assuming by default that Medicine King Immortal was visiting the sect. The list of gifts and the calling card were presented with no room for refusal.
Song Qingshi skimmed the list with a cold expression, finding an array of exotic plants and herbs that itched his curiosity to the core.
No, he had to firmly reject these scoundrels for the sake of his little angel!
Agonized, Song Qingshi returned the list as if he had never seen it, slamming his hand on the table, and declared, "Do not admit them!"
Wu Huan glanced at the calling card and said, "Seeing them would do no harm."
The anger on Song Qingshi's face instantly crumbled. He turned around, staring at Wu Huan in disbelief.
Wu Huan took back the list from the Red Cloud Sect disciple, perused it, and chuckled, "They've already come; we should find out what they want. Prepare a reception area. Will the flower hall suffice?"
Seeing that they accepted the calling card and the list, the Red Cloud Sect disciple quickly agreed and hurried off.
"Why do you want to meet those people?" Song Qingshi became frantic, clutching Wu Huan's sleeve. "They are beasts; I despise them. Even though I can't beat them now, if I could, I would burn down that place…"
"Master, please be at ease," Wu Huan flipped open the calling card, pointing at the name and smiled, "It's not Jin Feiran who's coming, but a slave called Bai Zihao. Well, he should no longer be a slave now but Jin Feiran's cherished companion. Jin Feiran got injured in the Extreme Flame Secret Realm protecting him, and rumor has it that they are to become Dao companions soon."
Song Qingshi felt the name sounded familiar. After pondering for a long time, he finally remembered the youth in white he had met at the Langgan Terrace.
The Blood King Vine wrapped itself around his wrist once again, snuggling tightly and giving a little shake.
"He's not a bad person," Wu Huan smiled, "Master, you should meet him. I'm curious to know what he wants."
Song Qingshi was utterly powerless to resist his little angel's request and had no choice but to comply.
Wu Huan straightened his disheveled hair and cast two cleaning spells on his robe, making sure he appeared as dignified as Medicine King Immortal should be. Excitedly, he then urged him to the flower hall for the meeting, trailing behind inconspicuously with a tendril of the Blood King Vine to investigate the situation.
Reluctantly arriving at the flower hall, Song Qingshi sat on the grandmaster's chair, adopting the annoyed look he wore when his experiments were interrupted. He drummed his fingers impatiently on the table, hoping to convey his lack of interest in small talk.
The Red Cloud Sect disciple ushered in the envoy from Jin Feng Mountain Manor.
Seeing the person entering, Song Qingshi still found himself momentarily stunned.
In his mind, Wu Huan would forever remain the world's most beautiful individual. However, this young man named Bai Zihao had also left a deep impression on him. Like a pure moon, he wasn't startlingly gorgeous but commanded attention nonetheless. Now, Bai Zihao looked even more refined and carried a certain beguiling charm, as if a flower that had bloomed in full, casually arranged in a vase in its most appealing state, waiting for people to admire.
Although still very attractive, he seemed to have no grievances with life.
Jin Feiran truly loved him, elevating him from slave status to a Dao companion, which is a miraculous ascension envied by all in the Immortal Realm.
Song Qingshi felt something was oddly uncomfortable about the whole situation.
Knowing that Song Qingshi disliked beating around the bush, Bai Zihao formally bowed and straightforwardly asked, "I heard Medicine King Immortal has acquired the Spirit Pearl of a ten-thousand-year-old Water Demon. Jin Feng Mountain Manor wishes to obtain one. Would you be willing to part with it?"
Besides being an essential ingredient in the Aqua Elixir, the Water Spirit Pearl could also effectively treat and suppress fire-related injuries.
Bai Zihao had a water-attribute spiritual root but requested the Water Spirit Pearl instead of the Aqua Elixir, clearly not for himself but for that wretched brute Jin Feiran.
Fuming internally but at a loss for words, Song Qingshi abruptly left.
Bai Zihao knew of Song Qingshi's eccentric personality and unorthodox conduct. He had never assumed he could obtain the Water Spirit Pearl immediately. After being dismissed, he settled in a nearby town, planning to continue his persuasion over a few days. With his good looks and even better temperament, he quickly won over several naïve disciples of the Red Dragon Sect, using them to keep tabs on Song Qingshi and occasionally "bump" into him.
Song Qingshi was diligent in treating his patients and only stopped once he confirmed they had stabilized and entered the recovery phase.
Immortal Yan Yuan was not particularly talented; his lifespan was advanced, his constitution poor, and he had various underlying chronic issues, resulting in an unpredictable condition. Song Qingshi decided to stay a few more days to ensure everything was alright before leaving, out of respect for the teaching and guidance he had received from Yan Yuan.
Now, Bai Zihao's meddling made him want to leave.
Song Qingshi went to Wu Huan to complain, "Jin Feiran, that beast, must already know that you're my disciple, right? How dare he still send someone to ask for the Water Spirit Pearl? Wu Huan, rest assured, I won't give it to him, no matter how much he begs."
Wu Huan suddenly interjected, "Give it to him."
Song Qingshi almost choked, quickly grabbed his good-hearted little angel, and earnestly advised him as a loyal minister might advise a misguided ruler, "Wu Huan, don't repay malice with kindness."
"That's not what I meant," Wu Huan realized he was misunderstood and hurriedly clarified, "Jin Feiran intentionally sent Bai Zihao to ask for the Water Spirit Pearl. Bai Zihao and I share a similar origin. We have no animosity, even some goodwill. He's a kind person who once spoke on my behalf and gifted me medicine. I bear him no ill will."
Song Qingshi hesitated for a moment, "But he's asking for Jin Feiran."
"If he returns empty-handed, he will be punished," Wu Huan sneered, "Jin Feiran's methods of discipline are numerous and perverse. He doesn't show mercy to anyone. You must have noticed the scars on Bai Zihao's neck and wrists. If you were to probe further, you'd find many more. He has no choice but to ask, lest he suffer greatly upon his return."
Song Qingshi was confused, "Isn't Jin Feiran fond of him? Aren't they supposed to become Dao companions?"
Shouldn't a Dao companion be treasured and protected from even the slightest harm?
Wu Huan smiled faintly, "Jin Feiran's fondness is like his feelings for him; his disdain is like his feelings for me."
The difference was merely between being mistreated by one person or by many.
Song Qingshi understood, feeling both disgusted and nauseated by the loathsome behavior. He was at a loss for words and felt slightly sick.
"There's no need to take issue with him; he's merely a pitiable soul caught in circumstances beyond his control," Wu Huan said, contemplating his own scars while showing just the right amount of sympathy for Bai Zihao. "Even without the Water Spirit Pearl, the injuries from the Infernal Blaze Secret Realm could still be treated—though it would be cumbersome and painful. Jin Feiran sending Bai Zihao, an old acquaintance of mine, with lavish gifts as a peace offering serves as an olive branch. Since we're not prepared to be enemies with Jin Feng Mountain Manor, we might as well accept their generous offer and respond in kind to prevent misunderstandings from escalating."
Slaves from Jin Feng Mountain Manor occasionally gained favor and achieved a better fate. These low-born individuals rarely caused any significant issues. Medicine King Valley had no disputes with the world, and there was no reason to take them seriously. However, Wu Huan's recent actions had been too conspicuous to ignore.
For the safety of his master, he refrained from interfering with any matters related to Jin Feng Mountain Manor.
Yet Jin Feiran had begun to harbor suspicions toward Medicine King Valley, and this request for the pearl likely aimed to probe Song Qingshi's stance.
Any missteps could lead to endless future complications.
Song Qingshi calmed down, understanding the reasoning but still feeling unwilling to comply.
Unwillingness fueled him to strive harder, transforming his resentment into motivation.
"On my return from this journey, I'm halting all the pharmaceutical experiments I had planned," Song Qingshi took a deep breath, putting aside his personal interests for now to focus on more pressing matters. "I've contemplated the 'Nie Family Book of Poisons,' and I believe there's great potential to enhance the Hua Jiu poison and Black Death Butterfly poison. I aim to create a poison capable of killing Dividing Spirit cultivators. Can you assist me?"
He intended to study toxicology comprehensively, kill Jin Feiran, and avenge Wu Huan!
"Alright, I'll help you. Let's procure some Venomous Serpent Grass when we're in Nanhai City," Wu Huan, amused by his indignant expression, teased, "Master, don't get angry. This is not a matter worth stressing over. I'll give the Water Spirit Pearl to him for you; after all, we do share a history, and I would like to catch up."
Jin Feng Mountain Manor was insignificant compared to Medicine King Valley; hatred was not as important as the immediate objectives.
Wu Huan had a few questions he wanted to ask that naive young man.
...
Song Qingshi felt entirely uneasy about Jin Feng Mountain Manor. Although Bai Zihao appeared harmless, he had multiple skilled individuals guarding him. Wu Huan mentioned that Jin Feiran must have arranged this without including any distasteful characters Song Qingshi knew, but what if someone slipped through?
He was determined to stay close for protection, refusing to leave.
Left with no other choice, Wu Huan let him wait in town.
Bai Zihao was staying in the very courtyard where they had lodged a while ago, making it easy to locate.
Song Qingshi sat in a nearby tree, monitoring Wu Huan's safety through spiritual perception while daydreaming, staring at the clouds. Soon, the clamor of the world jolted him back to reality.
As the sun set into dusk, villagers who had toiled all day began to return home, their conversations filled with laughter. A young cowherd sang love songs to flirt with girls returning from lotus picking, only to be playfully hit on the head and face with a lotus flower. Two village women quarreled by the river, spewing coarse language; yet, they inexplicably made up shortly after.
Song Qingshi secretly memorized a few insulting words, thinking they might come in handy for cursing Alaska in the future.
On the field ridge, a farmer carrying a deer sauntered along cheerfully, calling out to his friends, "I found some game at the foot of the mountain. Bring good wine and food tonight; we won't go home until we're drunk!" His friends were ecstatic, cheering and reaching out to touch the plump deer.
Song Qingshi looked at the deer and paused.
He immediately leapt from the tree, rushed over, and snatched the deer away. Red Lotus Mystic Fire ignited in his hand, reducing the deer to ashes.
The farmer looked at him as though he'd seen a ghost.
Stumbling over his words, Song Qingshi began to explain, "This one, you can't eat, you can't touch…"
Before he could finish, the farmer scrambled away in a panicked roll.
Song Qingshi hurriedly grabbed the farmer, and the Netherworld Ghostly Fire ignited in his hand. After encircling him twice, he released his grip.
Terrified and wetting himself, the farmer broke down crying, incessantly kowtowing, "Mercy, Great Immortal, mercy!"
Growing anxious, Song Qingshi found his words stuck in his chest. After composing himself and sorting out his thoughts, by the time he was ready to articulate what had happened, the farmer had already fled far away, and the surrounding villagers had scattered.
"This deer… died from eating poisonous grass; its skin and flesh contain strong toxins…"
"I was merely trying to detoxify you…"
"Don't be afraid, I won't harm you…"
Song Qingshi stood by the roadside, speaking words that nobody would hear to the deserted path.
He stood there for a long while, thinking deeply. Then he extended his spiritual perception, controlling numerous insects to locate and eradicate the poisonous wild grass at the foot of the mountain that had that familiar toxin. After that, he conducted a round of inspections in the area…
In the end, he returned to the tree, quietly staring at the clouds in the sky.
The clouds really were beautiful.
He found himself missing Wu Huan and felt a touch of sadness…