Chapter 26: Chapter 25: Crescent Fruit
Wen Qingye returned to the thatched hut at the foot of North Mountain. Looking at the swollen, purple bruises on his wrist, he knew he had to find some ointment to apply so they would heal faster. Otherwise, there was no telling when they would get better.
The area around the thatched hut was a vast expanse of white, looking somewhat desolate but with a touch of verdant green. Wen Qingye began to walk around, hoping to find some medicinal herbs for his injuries.
Suddenly, a small plant caught Wen Qingye’s eye. It was bluish-green with long leaves and a stem about two fingers thick. When Wen Qingye gripped it, he felt a gentle warmth spread through his limbs.
This was an excellent herb for treating external wounds. Wen Qingye carefully pushed aside the soil and gently took hold of the Yang Containing Grass by its roots.
"What are you doing?"
A crisp, clear voice suddenly reached Wen Qingye’s ears, and he turned his head instinctively.
A young woman stood not far away, dressed in robes as white as snow. She had an exquisite, graceful figure, a lovely and spirited face, and bright, piercing eyes. At that moment, her brows were tightly knit as she stared at Wen Qingye.
’Her?’
Wen Qingye’s heart stirred the moment he saw her—though not, of course, because of her beauty.
’My fated benefactor? Could she be the one to help me resolve my mortal tribulation in this life?’ Wen Qingye wondered.
The young woman strode over. "Who gave you permission to dig up my Yang Containing Grass?"
"This is yours?" Wen Qingye asked, puzzled.
The young woman pouted. "That’s right. I found it three months ago and have been waiting for it to mature. I never thought you’d swoop in and almost snatch it away."
Wen Qingye laughed. "You saw it a few months ago, so that makes it yours? Heavenly and Earthly Treasures belong to those capable of taking them. You need a reality check, little girl."
With that, Wen Qingye brushed the dirt from the Yang Containing Grass and stowed it away.
The young woman’s lovely eyes widened in a glare. "I found it first, so it’s mine! Are you actually going to rob me?"
"I’m using it first. I’ll make it up to you later, if I must," Wen Qingye said, rising to leave and paying her no further mind.
Watching the man just take the herb she had waited so long and worked so hard for, Xiaxia felt a sting in her nose. But then her eyes darted, a cunning glint flashed within them, and she slowly crouched down.
After taking a few steps, Wen Qingye heard sobbing from behind him. Puzzled, he walked back and said with a sigh of resignation, "It’s just one stalk of Yang Containing Grass, isn’t it? Here, I’ll give it back."
Xiaxia lifted her head and, with tear-filled eyes, accepted the Yang Containing Grass from Wen Qingye’s hand. "Thank you," she whispered.
Xiaxia deftly took the Yang Containing Grass, placed it in her cloth satchel, and wiped away her tears in an instant, a bright, clever smile replacing them.
"Don’t mention it." Wen Qingye shook his head. He looked at Xiaxia and asked, "What’s your name? Which mountain are you a student of?"
Xiaxia shook her head. "I’m not a student at Qig Mountain Academy. My name is Xiaxia. I’m just a general hand, responsible for looking after the Pill Medicine Room and managing the register."
"A general hand?" Wen Qingye asked, puzzled.
Xiaxia nodded, saying a bit sheepishly, "That’s right. At Qig Mountain Academy, anyone who isn’t a student, a teacher, a Steward, or the Headmaster is considered a general hand. Our status is very low here."
Wen Qingye nodded, and Xiaxia continued, "I see a lot of the students practicing Alchemy, so I wanted to give it a try. I don’t have money to buy ingredients, so I search for herbs around Qig Mountain Academy and secretly try to practice Alchemy myself."
Wen Qingye looked at the young woman, who seemed as fragile as a leaf in the wind, and sensed her hidden sorrows. He couldn’t help but say casually, "Alchemy is just a minor art. If you want to learn, I can give you some pointers when I’m free."
"You?" Xiaxia’s eyes widened as she stared at Wen Qingye. "Are you even capable?"
Wen Qingye pursed his lips. "Countless people in this world would weep and beg for my guidance, and I wouldn’t even bother. If you don’t believe me, then forget it."
Wen Qingye stood up as if to leave. Xiaxia quickly moved to block his path. "Wait! I believe you! I believe you, alright? Is that good enough?"
"You don’t look like you believe me," Wen Qingye said with a shake of his head. He had only offered on a whim anyway. He shrugged and turned to leave again.
Xiaxia said hurriedly, "Don’t go, don’t go! What do I have to do to prove I believe you?"
Wen Qingye waved his hand dismissively. "Fine, fine. I can see you have some cleverness about you, little girl. I’ll give you pointers for one month. After a month, you’ll believe me."
Xiaxia suddenly blushed. "Then how about you start teaching me right now?"
"Very well. Come with me."
With that, Wen Qingye started walking. Xiaxia watched his retreating back, hesitated for a moment, and then followed.
...
「Three days later.」
The wrist that Wen Qingye had treated with the Yang Containing Grass was completely healed. He was now leaning back in a recliner, facing the sun and resting with his eyes closed.
Xiaxia ran out from her room, beaming. "Master, I’ve almost finished memorizing the pharmacopoeia!"
The pharmacopoeia was a Classic Wen Qingye had compiled in his past life by searching the world for all medicinal ingredients and cataloging their properties. Its value was simply incalculable. If outsiders were to learn of it, a bloody war would surely erupt. That was why Wen Qingye was having Xiaxia memorize it, after which he would destroy it to avoid trouble.
Wen Qingye hadn’t intended to take her as his disciple, but he saw something strange about her—an inscrutable aura, a connection to fate. Such things were ethereal and illusory, but Wen Qingye couldn’t help but believe in them.
"You haven’t memorized it well enough. Go back and review it for a few more days," Wen Qingye said lightly.
One day, Xiaxia had shown him some herbs. After a single glance, Wen Qingye had identified their age, medicinal properties, and even the time they were harvested. Xiaxia had been left utterly speechless. Since then, she had been pestering him relentlessly, insisting on becoming his disciple. She had even found a hut nearby and moved in.
Wen Qingye hadn’t wanted to accept her. He himself was like a drifting leaf, with no idea where he would end up. But looking at the seemingly helpless and lonely Xiaxia, he had to admit she was promising talent. So, he figured he might as well give her some pointers.
Still, Wen Qingye had no real intention of making her his disciple. He would offer guidance, and that was all.
Xiaxia hesitated, stealing a glance at Wen Qingye.
"Master..."
Without opening his eyes, Wen Qingye said, "If you’re not going to listen to me, then don’t call me Master."
"Okay, I’m going right now!" Hearing his tone, Xiaxia scurried back to pore over the pharmacopoeia again.
A smile touched Wen Qingye’s lips as he watched Xiaxia leave. He then stood up and walked over to an empty patch of ground beside the hut. The soil was damp, as if it had just been watered.
"Xiaxia, get over here!" Wen Qingye called out, his brow furrowed.
Xiaxia immediately came running out of the hut. She blinked her big eyes at Wen Qingye. "Master, what’s wrong?"
Wen Qingye pointed to the damp soil. "This is Hexiu Dew. Its properties are yin-aspected, and it’s still in its growth phase. Why do you keep watering it? Didn’t you say you had memorized the pharmacopoeia?"
Xiaxia blinked and stuck out her tongue. "Ah, I forgot."
"As punishment, you will copy the entire pharmacopoeia by hand," Wen Qingye said evenly.
Xiaxia’s face fell. "Ah? But it’s so long! That’ll take me months!"
Wen Qingye’s voice was stern. "Then spend the next few months memorizing it. This is the foundation. Without a solid foundation, how do you expect to learn the Alchemy Dao?"
"Alright..." Xiaxia said, then her expression brightened as if she just remembered something. "Oh, right! Master, not long ago I found a Crescent Fruit. It’s nearby. I didn’t know what it was back then, so I didn’t pick it."
"Oh?" Wen Qingye’s interest was piqued.
A Crescent Fruit was a type of Heavenly and Earthly Treasure that could enhance a person’s cultivation.
According to the standards of the Celestial Martial Country, a Crescent Fruit was considered a Sixth Grade Heavenly and Earthly Treasure, which was quite valuable. If Wen Qingye could obtain this Crescent Fruit and refine it into a pill, he might be able to break through directly to the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer Heaven.
At this thought, Wen Qingye felt a surge of anticipation.
