Chapter 51

Outside the door, frantic knocking echoed.

A junior disciple from the Scarlet Cloud Sect rushed in to report, "Someone from Golden Phoenix Manor has arrived, requesting an audience with the Medicine King Immortal. Here is the gift list they sent."

Song Qingshi nearly spat out his sweet soup. He cast an uneasy glance at Yue Wuhuan, whose face had darkened, wishing he could swear to the heavens.

He truly had nothing to do with that accursed sect! And he wanted absolutely no part of them!

However, Golden Phoenix Manor was an extremely prominent power in the immortal realm. The Scarlet Cloud Sect disciples, being rather green, were both awestruck and intimidated by the lavish gifts. Without a second thought, they rushed to deliver the news, as if it were a given that the Medicine King Immortal was a guest within their sect. With the gift list and formal request laid before him, Song Qingshi had no chance to concoct an excuse for refusal.

Song Qingshi coldly scanned the gift list, seeing piles of rare flowers and herbs, each one tugging at his heartstrings, making him itch with desire.

No! For his little angel’s sake, he had to firmly reject those scoundrels!

With a heavy heart, Song Qingshi pushed the gift list back as if he hadn't seen it, slamming the table in a fit of pique. "I won't see them!"

Yue Wuhuan glanced at the formal request and remarked, "It wouldn't hurt to meet them."

Song Qingshi’s indignant expression instantly crumbled. He turned back, staring at Yue Wuhuan in disbelief...

Yue Wuhuan took the gift list back from the Scarlet Cloud Sect disciple, perused it, and smiled. "Since they're already here, we might as well find out what this is about. Go prepare a meeting place—how about the flower hall?"

Seeing their acceptance of the request and gift list, the Scarlet Cloud Sect disciple quickly agreed and hurried off.

"Why meet with those people?" Song Qingshi asked anxiously, tugging at Yue Wuhuan’s sleeve, his words tumbling out. "They're all beasts! I hate them! If I were strong enough, I’d burn that damned place to the ground..."

"Master, please don’t worry," Yue Wuhuan said, opening the request and pointing at a name with a smile. "The one who came isn’t Jin Feiren, but that slave named Bai Zihao—no, he should have cast off his slave status by now. He’s Jin Feiren’s treasured favorite. Jin Feiren was bitten by a Fire Wolf while protecting him in the Blazing Flame Secret Realm. Rumor has it they’ll soon become cultivation partners."

Song Qingshi recognized the name. After a long moment of thought, he recalled the white-robed youth he had once seen at Langgan Terrace.

The Blood King Vine once again wrapped around his wrist, coiling tightly and swaying coaxingly.

"That guy isn’t a bad person," Yue Wuhuan said with a smile. "Master should meet him. I’m curious about what he wants."

Song Qingshi was utterly powerless against his little angel’s requests. No matter how unwilling he was, he had to agree...

Yue Wuhuan tidied the messy hair on his head, cast a few cleansing spells on his robes, and ensured he looked properly attired as befitted the Medicine King Immortal. Then, with great enthusiasm, he urged Song Qingshi to meet the guest in the flower hall, while secretly sending a Blood King Vine to follow behind and observe the situation.

Grumbling, Song Qingshi arrived at the flower hall and adopted the expression he wore when his experiments were interrupted—perched rigidly in the grand chair, his fingers tapping impatiently on the table, hoping to convey that he had no patience for nonsense.

The Scarlet Cloud Sect disciple led the envoy from Golden Phoenix Manor into the flower hall.

When Song Qingshi got a good look at the visitor, he was slightly taken aback.

In his heart, Yue Wuhuan would always be the most beautiful man in the world. Yet, this youth, Bai Zihao, had left a deep impression on him—like a clear, bright moon. Though not stunning in any particular way, his presence was captivating. Now, Bai Zihao’s features had grown even more refined, and there was a subtle sensuality about him, like a flower tended and groomed, then arranged in a vase for others to admire.

Though still beautiful, he showed no resentment toward his life...

Jin Feiren truly loved him. From a slave to the manor lord’s cultivation partner—it was a dramatic elevation, the envy of many in the immortal realm.

Yet Song Qingshi sensed something was amiss, a discomfort he couldn’t quite place.

Knowing Song Qingshi disliked beating around the bush, Bai Zihao performed a respectful bow and made his request directly: "I’ve heard Medicine King Immortal obtained the spirit pearl of a ten-thousand-year-old Water Demon. Golden Phoenix Manor wishes to request one. Might you be willing to part with it?"

Aside from being used to make Azure Water Pills, the Water Spirit Pearl could also treat and suppress fire-attribute injuries with extraordinary effectiveness.

Bai Zihao had a water-attribute spiritual root, yet he hadn't requested Azure Water Pills but the Water Spirit Pearl itself. Clearly, this wasn’t for himself—it was for that scum, Jin Feiren.

Song Qingshi was furious inside but couldn’t find the words to curse. In the end, he simply stormed out in a swirl of robes.

Bai Zihao, familiar with Song Qingshi’s unpredictable nature, didn’t expect to obtain the Water Spirit Pearl immediately. After bidding farewell, he stayed in a nearby town, planning to gradually wear down Song Qingshi over the next few days. With his good looks, pleasant demeanor, and generous spending, he quickly won over several gullible Scarlet Cloud Sect disciples, who leaked information to him and arranged "chance encounters" with Song Qingshi.

Song Qingshi took his responsibilities toward patients seriously—he wouldn’t leave until he confirmed their condition was stable and in recovery.

Immortal Lord Yan Yuan wasn’t a particularly talented cultivator. His lifespan was already long, his constitution poor, and he suffered from various old ailments, so his condition was unstable. Out of gratitude for Yan Yuan’s unreserved teachings on mentorship, Song Qingshi decided to stay a few more days to ensure his recovery before leaving.

Now, thanks to Bai Zihao’s persistent visits, he was tempted to leave early...

Song Qingshi complained to Yue Wuhuan, "That bastard Jin Feiren must know by now that you’re my disciple, right? How does he still have the gall to ask me for the Water Spirit Pearl? Wuhuan, don’t worry—I’d never give it to him! No matter how much he begs..."

Yue Wuhuan suddenly spoke up, "Give it to him."

Song Qingshi choked on his breath, nearly suffocating again. He quickly grabbed his kind little angel, adopting the stance of a loyal minister advising a foolish ruler, and pleaded desperately, "Wuhuan, don’t repay cruelty with kindness!"

"That’s not what I meant," Yue Wuhuan hurriedly explained, realizing the misunderstanding. "Jin Feiren deliberately sent Bai Zihao to ask for the Water Spirit Pearl. Bai Zihao... shares the same origins as I once did. Not only is there no enmity between us, but there’s even some camaraderie. He’s a kind-hearted person who once pleaded for me and brought me medicine. I bear him no ill will."

Song Qingshi was stunned for a moment. "But... he’s asking for Jin Feiren."

"If he returns without the Water Spirit Pearl, he’ll definitely be punished," Yue Wuhuan said coldly. "Jin Feiren has many cruel and creative ways to discipline people, and he shows no mercy regardless of who it is. Master, you must have noticed the scars on Bai Zihao’s neck and wrists, right? If you probe with Divine Sense, you’d find even more on his body. So he has no choice but to ask—he doesn’t dare refuse. Otherwise, he’d suffer terribly upon returning."

Song Qingshi didn’t understand. "But Jin Feiren loves him, doesn’t he? Aren’t they about to become cultivation partners?"

Shouldn’t a cultivation partner be cherished and protected, spared from even the slightest grievance?

Yue Wuhuan smiled. "Jin Feiren’s ‘love’ is like this—when he likes someone, it’s like this; when he doesn’t, it’s like me."

The only difference was whether one person abused you or many did.

Song Qingshi understood—and was thoroughly disgusted by the beast. He didn’t know what to say, feeling slightly nauseous.

"There’s no need to hold it against him. He’s just a pitiful person with no control over his fate," Yue Wuhuan said, his expression showing just the right amount of pity as he spoke of Bai Zihao, though his analysis remained coldly rational. "The injuries from the Blazing Flame Secret Realm can be treated even without the Water Spirit Pearl—it’s just more troublesome and painful. Jin Feiren sent Bai Zihao, who has ties to me, with lavish gifts to ask for medicine. It’s also a gesture of goodwill. Since we’re not yet in a position to oppose Golden Phoenix Manor, it’s better to accept their generosity and respond in kind to avoid deepening misunderstandings..."

It wasn’t unheard of for slaves sent by Golden Phoenix Manor to gain favor and rise in status. Mortal-born as they were, no matter how much they struggled, they couldn’t cause much trouble. Medicine King Valley, keeping to itself, wasn’t worth paying attention to. But Yue Wuhuan’s actions over the years had been too conspicuous to ignore.

Though he had restrained himself from touching anything related to Golden Phoenix Manor for his master’s safety, Jin Feiren had still grown suspicious of Medicine King Valley. This request for medicine was likely also a test of Song Qingshi’s attitude.

If handled poorly, the consequences would be endless.

Song Qingshi calmed down and understood the reasoning, but he still couldn’t accept it...

His unwillingness fueled his determination.

"After this trip, halt all the drug experiments I originally planned," Song Qingshi said, taking a deep breath. He decided to temporarily set aside his personal interests to focus on something more important. "I’ve studied Nie's Poison Classic before. The Flower Vulture Poison and Black Death Butterfly both have great potential for improvement. I want to develop a poison capable of killing a Soul Formation Cultivator. Help me..."

He would study toxicology thoroughly—to kill Jin Feiren and avenge Yue Wuhuan!

"Alright, I’ll help. Let’s purchase some Venomous Serpent Grass while we’re in South Sea City," Yue Wuhuan said, poking Song Qingshi’s puffed-up cheeks playfully. "Master, don’t be angry. This isn’t worth dwelling on. I’ll deliver the Water Spirit Pearl to him for you. After all, we were once acquainted. After so many years apart, I’d like to catch up with him."

Golden Phoenix Manor was far less important than Medicine King Valley, and hatred paled in comparison to their current goals.

There were things he wanted to ask that foolish boy.

......

Song Qingshi was a hundred percent distrustful of Golden Phoenix Manor. Though Bai Zihao seemed harmless, the people accompanying him included many powerful bodyguards. Yue Wuhuan said Jin Feiren had likely arranged it deliberately—none of the disgusting figures from before were present—but what if there were stragglers?

He insisted on staying by Yue Wuhuan’s side for protection, refusing to leave no matter what.

Yue Wuhuan couldn't persuade him otherwise, so he had him wait in town.

Bai Zihao was staying in the same courtyard they had stayed at recently, so it wasn’t hard to find.

Song Qingshi sat on a nearby tree, using his Divine Sense to keep tabs on Yue Wuhuan's safety while gazing absently at the clouds above. Before long, the noise of everyday life pulled him back.

As the sun set in the evening, villagers who had worked all day began returning home, chatting and laughing. A young cowherd sang love songs, teasing a girl returning from picking lotuses, only to get hit with lotus flowers as she laughed. Two village women quarreled by the river, hurling crude insults, yet inexplicably made up shortly after.

Song Qingshi secretly memorized a few curse words, thinking they might come in handy for scolding the Alaskan Malamute in the future.

On the field ridge, a farmer walked happily with a wild deer slung over his shoulder, enthusiastically inviting his friends, “I found this game at the foot of the mountain. Bring some good wine and dishes tonight—let's drink till we drop!” His friends cheered excitedly, reaching out to touch the plump deer.

Song Qingshi glanced at the deer and froze.

He immediately leaped down from the tree, rushed over, snatched the deer away, and summoned the Red Lotus Mystic Fire in his palm, turning it to ash.

The farmer stared at him as if seeing a ghost.

Song Qingshi stuttered, “This… can’t be eaten, can’t be touched…”

Before he could finish, the farmer bolted in terror.

Song Qingshi quickly grabbed the farmer and summoned the Nether Flame, letting it circle around him twice before releasing him.

The farmer, scared out of his mind, sobbed and kept bowing. “Spare me, Immortal Master!”

Song Qingshi felt anxious, his words stuck in his chest, unsure how to explain. He went over it in his head again and again, organizing his thoughts and working out what to say. But by the time he was ready to speak clearly, the farmer had already fled far away, and all the villagers nearby had scattered.

“The deer… died from eating poisonous grass. Its fur and meat are highly toxic…”

“I… just wanted to detoxify you…”

“Don’t be afraid, I won’t hurt you…”

Song Qingshi stood dazedly by the roadside, speaking words no one could hear to the deserted road.

He stood there for a long, long time, thinking for a long, long time. Then, he released his Divine Sense, directing swarms of insects to locate the patch of familiar toxic weeds at the foot of the mountain and get rid of them. Afterward, he inspected the surrounding area…

Finally, he returned to the tree and quietly gazed at the clouds above.

The clouds were truly beautiful.

He missed Yue Wuhuan a little… and felt kind of sad.