Song Qing Shi laid out the gifts for everyone to choose from.
Many trinkets that weren't worth much in the celestial realm became valuable treasures in the mortal world, like longevity elixirs and all sorts of gemstones.
With the Medicine King Celestial Master in a ten-year seclusion, Medicine King Valley was in a state of closure. Qing Luan didn't dare let these beautiful mortal children wander around, so they were confined to the valley for daily studies and cultivation. Back when they were at Yan Shan Gate, Xie Que never showed them any real celestial treasures, merely appeasing them with worthless trinkets. Upon their arrival at Medicine King Valley, they found that Song Qing Shi, who wasn't indulgent, had nothing but valuable medicinal herbs and books.
The dazzling array of gemstones and jewelry brought back from Nanhai City made the children's eyes sparkle.
They looked at Song Qing Shi as if they were looking at an emperor-like figure radiating gold from his entire being.
"Is this what a cultivator is like?"
Rong Ye was deeply impressed. He took a furtive look at Song Qing Shi, his throat feeling dry as he swallowed. After some discussion, it was decided that the younger ones would choose first. Ming Hong, not interested in material things, casually picked a writing brush, ink, and inkstone set along with a pair of turquoise earrings, and stepped back.
"Sister Qing Luan loves painting and is fond of turquoise gemstones."
Everyone knew what he was up to but smiled without exposing him.
Rong Ye, a smooth-talker and a favorite among the group, thanked his older brothers and sisters and happily stepped forward. His beautiful peach blossom eyes widened as he examined the gemstones on the table over and over again. His mind wavered, finding everything attractive and wishing to take them all, when he suddenly noticed a small black wooden box in the corner, made from exceptional material.
Song Qing Shi followed his gaze and apologized, "I mistakenly placed that there."
It was something he bought for Yue Wu Huan; it got mixed in due to the sheer volume of purchases.
Song Qing Shi picked up the black wooden box and handed it to Yue Wu Huan, "This is for you."
Rong Ye curiously leaned in and asked playfully, "Master, what is this?"
He leaned in a little too close, his neckline slightly revealing an attractive collarbone. The scent of the fragrance he had mixed himself wafted from his clothes. His clever hands and love for these crafts produced an aroma that was initially subtle but lingered with an indescribable sweetness, utterly captivating.
Song Qing Shi disliked people being too close to him and felt a bit rigid. However, considering that a teacher mustn't show vulnerability before students, he forced himself to remain composed.
Yue Wu Huan took the wooden box, glanced at Rong Ye's demeanor, and couldn't help but laugh.
Qing Luan was a good subordinate but had a soft heart, especially for these children who shared a similar plight. She was sympathetic to their young age and near-sale, wishing to provide them with a happy life and healthy growth. She never exposed them to any dark realities.
She reasoned that it was enough for her to suffer; there was no need for the children to suffer as well.
Yue Wu Huan found such behavior foolish, but since he was focused on consolidating control over the Medicine King Valley and rooting out traitors, these rootless mortal children were of little concern. He let Qing Luan manage them as she pleased, as long as they didn't cause trouble. Qing Luan, fearful that Yue Wu Huan's actions might negatively impact the children's characters, never spoke of harsh realities but painted a rosy future, urging them to study hard and repay Master Song's kindness.
Unfortunately, children do grow up and develop ambitions, and she found them increasingly hard to manage.
Yue Wu Huan faintly smiled and opened the wooden box, displaying its contents for everyone to see.
Inside was a perfectly crafted golden mermaid pearl, about the size of a thumb knuckle. It shimmered with radiant light, outshining all other gems on the table.
The children all revealed looks of awe and admiration.
Rong Ye was entirely captivated. His enthusiasm for the other items quickly waned, and his heart sank.
Yue Wu Huan gently closed the wooden box and smiled, saying, "I like it very much."
Hearing his approval, Song Qing Shi was pleased, "This is nothing. They say the purple mermaid pearls are even more beautiful, but unfortunately, they're quite rare. I couldn't find one this time, but I'll buy many for you in the future."
Yue Wu Huan simply smiled, "Alright."
Qing Luan, who had followed Yue Wu Huan for years, quickly sensed something dangerous in this unusual gesture—like bait being laid for prey. Realizing Rong Ye's foolish ambition, she grew simultaneously annoyed, angry, and anxious. She subtly inclined her head toward Yue Wu Huan in a silent plea to handle the situation.
Yue Wu Huan did not even glance her way, continuing to work on his kite.
Recovering his composure after the initial shock, Rong Ye selected a few suitable pieces of valuable men's jewelry and gemstones from the pile of gifts. He retreated, contentedly waiting for his companions to finish their selections. They admired each other's choices, praising each other's good taste. Everything seemed as usual, but the occasional glances he cast toward Song Qing Shi and Yue Wu Huan betrayed his hidden thoughts.
Yue Wu Huan was highly conscious of how he appeared in front of Master Song and wouldn't allow his secrets to be revealed.
Therefore, mentioning the tortured fools in Medicine King Valley's dungeons was absolutely forbidden.
Biting her nails, Qing Luan grew increasingly anxious, concerned that Rong Ye might do something foolish.
Yue Wu Huan gave her another warning glance.
She immediately dropped her hand, forcing a smile, careful not to give anything away.
Finally, after enduring until nightfall when all classes were over, Qing Luan hastily pulled Rong Ye aside for a stern lecture. She reminded him of Master Song's life-saving grace and emphasized Yue Wu Huan's significance to the Master, warning him not to harbor inappropriate thoughts or face the consequences.
"Sister Qing Luan, you misunderstand. I don't have such intentions," Rong Ye denied, trying to curry favor. "I just find Master Song to be a good person, very gentle, and I admire him. I just want to get closer and learn more from him."
The deadly aura known as Dark Fire would disfigure, melt flesh, and break bones on contact. The pain was unbearable, and one could not escape its effects until it reduced them to ashes.
The fearsome reputation of the Medicine King Immortal Master and the trepidation among his servants are largely due to the terrifying nature of Dark Fire.
Having seen Xie Que's death, Qing Luan remains cautious around Song Qing Shi, no matter how gentle he appears to be.
A tiger with a good temperament is still a tiger. Just because it doesn't want to eat people doesn't mean it won't.
A gentle tiger should still be left to those reckless and fearless strongmen like Wu Huan...
Best not to provoke.
Qing Luan wished she could pry open Rong Ye's head, shatter every pertinent fact, and funnel them in, just so he'd grasp the life-and-death gravity of the situation.
"I understand," Rong Ye grew impatient from her nagging and couldn't resist asking, "Is serving a cultivator really that dreadful?"
Qing Luan felt the child was too naive, ignorant of the world's complexities. She remembered how, at the time of the Xie Que incident, Rong Ye and Ming Hong were the same age. Yet, while others cried and panicked, he softly consoled them. While he might not fully grasp the grim circumstances, his courage lifted everyone's spirits...
People enjoyed being around Rong Ye. Even the increasingly gloomy Ming Hong would crack a few smiles in his presence.
Over the years, everyone had spoiled Rong Ye rotten. Especially He Qing Yun, who'd lost all sense of direction, indulging him so excessively that he'd lost sight of his own limitations.
Qing Luan was disheartened...
She coerced Rong Ye into promising never to approach Master Song again and to avoid provoking Wu Huan.
Rong Ye carelessly agreed, laughing as he asked, "Just how handsome was Wu Huan before his disfigurement? To be so adored by Master Song even now?"
Back when they first arrived at the Medicine King Valley, he was too young and sleepy to greet everyone, missing the chance to see Wu Huan. Over the years, Qing Luan restricted their movements, and he never got another opportunity.
When he did finally see Wu Huan, his face was marred with horrid disfigurements, ghastly and strange.
Rong Ye had never seen such a terrifying face and was haunted by nightmares for days, too scared to see Wu Huan ever again.
Only when Wu Huan began wearing a mask did he start to feel a bit more comfortable.
Now, with Master Song out of seclusion, Wu Huan wore an exquisite golden mask that exuded an aura of beauty. Despite this, whenever Rong Ye saw him, he couldn't help but recall the horror beneath. The more Qing Luan emphasized the deep affection between Master Song and Wu Huan, the more Rong Ye felt that Master Song must be ruthless, able to love such a face...
Rong Ye felt that serving a cultivator could be quite good. Even the smallest of gains from them could be infinitely beneficial for an ordinary person.
Rong Ye had seen himself in the mirror; everyone acknowledged his beauty, only rivaled by Ming Hong. However, Ming Hong's uncharming personality and single-minded focus on cultivation made him less popular. Everyone knew he had a secret crush on Sister Qing Luan but didn't dare to express it. His deliberate imitation of Wu Huan's style, aiming to attract attention, was laughably pathetic.
So just how captivatingly beautiful was Wu Huan? How alluring?
Listening to Qing Luan's incessant nagging, Rong Ye grew increasingly restless.
He sweet-talked and cajoled until he finally sent Qing Luan on her way. Then, he couldn't help but laugh.
Back at Yan Shan Gate, Xie Que claimed that he was a scholar's son to elevate his status. Thanks to Rong Ye's proficiency in poetry, music, and manners, everyone, including Qing Luan, believed this lie, and he willingly played the part.
The truth was, he was born in the pleasure quarters; his mother was a popular courtesan, and his father was an unknown patron. This ancient occupation came with its own stigma. There were only three ways out: a magnanimous patron, entering a monastery in old age, or a thin coffin.
Growing up in such an environment, Rong Ye witnessed various human dramas—comings and goings, joys and sorrows.
He was naturally inclined to the life of a young courtesan. Pure thoughts? Innocence? These were alien to him.
His mother's mood swung widely. When she was in the company of generous and gentle patrons, she would happily sing songs and play games with him. But when her clients were ill-tempered, she would turn irritable and lash out at him, asking, "Why did I even give birth to such a wretched creature like you?"
His mother forced him to learn the arts of appeasement and observation, not to mention the traditional disciplines of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. He also learned resignation.
At first, he was scared. Later, he lost that fear.
He was charming, and when his older "siblings" received large tips, they'd share some with him to buy snacks. Life was rather good.
Everyone praised his beauty and intelligence, predicting that he would become the top courtesan of his generation.
His mother would lash out even more, cursing his "wretched life."
Then, Xie Que discovered his beauty. Identifying himself as a cultivator, Xie Que offered to buy him, claiming he would take him on as a disciple.
Well-versed in the affairs of the heart, his mother seemed to sense something but sold him nonetheless.
Unwilling to leave his mother, he cried and created a fuss.
His mother struck him mercilessly, forcing him to quell his sobs. Then, she dressed him immaculately, much like a young lord from a respectable family, and handed him over to Xie Que. Xie Que appeared benevolent, telling them that given the chasm between immortals and mortals, they might never meet again and should therefore say their goodbyes.
Rong Ye would never forget his mother's expression at that moment. No sorrow at parting, no reluctance. She was like a ferocious tigress, cornering her cub to the edge of a cliff, growling softly, "With your damned life, what have you got to lose? Even if it's dangerous, you have to gamble!"
Terrified, he clung to his mother, still wanting to cry.
"Go!" She shoved him harshly out the door, "Live or die, don't you dare come back!"
Reluctantly, he followed Xie Que, leaving the world he knew behind. As the magical vessel lifted into the sky, he couldn't help but look back one last time.
Standing by the window, his mother shed tears, quietly cursing, "Cursed fate..."
...
Rong Ye looked at himself in the mirror. The eyes of the youth reflected were slightly reddened, tarnishing his otherwise peach-blossom charm.
Displeased, he rubbed his eyes, planning to use a warm stone for a heat compress later.
After the revelation about Xie Que, everyone was terrified, but he was not. Even if he were sold into slavery to serve men, it would be a return to his past life.
When Qing Luan had the attendants send everyone home, he made an excuse to tag along. Along the way, he discreetly slipped away, using minor spells he had learned to disguise himself. He detoured to the pleasure quarters to give his mother a longevity pill, only to find that she had passed away a year after he left.
The life of a mortal—cheap as an ant, laughable to the extreme...
Rong Ye didn't cry. He proceeded to tell the attendants that he had forgotten his family's address and had nowhere to go, successfully returning to the Valley of Medicine Kings.
Serving cultivators or serving mortal patrons—what's the difference?
If Yue Wu Huan can do it, why can't others?
His aptitude is inferior to Ming Hong, making it difficult to advance in his cultivation; the hope of forming his spiritual foundation remains distant. If he could please the Master, he might obtain precious elixirs to achieve spiritual foundation and become a true cultivator.
Although Qing Luan has warned him with frightening tales, still...
With a life as wretched as his, what has he left to lose?