Chapter 268: Banquet

Chapter 268 Feast

In the original setting, the Mad Pharmacist was a mere plot device. His sole purpose was to help Xiao Wu reconstruct his Art and repair his meridians. Once his role was fulfilled, he was meant to vanish.

The scriptwriter gave him a rather careless exit: "Palace Lord Xie Chunshan suffers from an ailment that requires a rare herb to cure, which grows in the frozen tundra of the far north. Thus, the Mad Pharmacist was dispatched to gather it. He never returned—whether he fled the Demon Palace or perished in the northern lands remains unknown."

As for what exactly the "ailment" of Palace Lord Xie Chunshan was, the scriptwriter couldn't be bothered to flesh it out, leaving it as a throwaway line in NPC dialogue.

In short, it was merely a forced way to write off the Mad Pharmacist.

Xie Shu couldn't be bothered about Xie Chunshan's "ailment." Once he finished the grand plot of the immortal and demon conflict, he would return to the modern era. The grudges and grievances within Wuwang Palace would no longer concern him.

He just felt a subtle unease.

With the Pharmacist identity retired, he would only have the role of Lord Wuwang left. And Lord Wuwang and Lord Pingwu were sworn opposites—counterweights on a scale that could never balance. From this point onward, they would stand on completely opposing sides. Xie Shu had no reason or excuse to interfere in Xiao Wu's life again.

He would no longer bring Xiao Wu porridge, wash his hair, or pick out bath beans and incense for him. They would become estranged, fated foes—the kind who wished nothing more than to pierce each other’s hearts.

But Xie Shu had always been rational. He quickly suppressed the disquiet in his chest.

Before Xiao Wu's eyes fully recovered, the "Mad Pharmacist" had to leave the palace.

Before his departure, he would bid Xiao Wu farewell.

Xie Shu couldn't say goodbye to Xiao Wu as Xie Chunshan, so the "Mad Pharmacist's" farewell would also be "Xie Shu's" last calm conversation with the most perfect creation in his hands.

Thus, on this day, Xie Shu suddenly laid out a spread of wine and dishes in the courtyard.

Xiao Wu's senses were sharp. Fearing that he might detect the Mad Pharmacist's true identity, Xie Shu had not placed him in the main hall of Wuwang Palace but instead chose a secluded residence in the back mountains.

The residence had its own courtyard, where three wild pear trees stood. It was early spring, and petals drifted through the air, filling it with a delicate fragrance. Beneath the pear trees was a stone table, surrounded by four unevenly placed stone stools.

The table was laden with all kinds of desserts and snacks, as well as rich dishes rare in the Demon Palace—such as "squirrel-shaped mandarin fish" and "sweet and sour pork ribs"—all ordered according to Xiao Wu's tastes.

After this farewell, Xiao Wu's cultivation would be restored, and he would once again be the Immortal Lord who subsisted on wind and dew, abstaining from earthly grains. Lord Pingwu had long since forsaken mortal food, and worldly flavors would likely never touch his lips again.

But Xie Shu thought Xiao Wu might enjoy them, so he wanted to give him a taste.

The food in the Demon Palace was inedible, so the dishes were bought from a restaurant at the foot of the mountain. Xue Sui stood guard in the tavern, watching the chef toss the wok with fiery flair. Once the steaming dishes were packed into food containers, he mustered his energy and bounded all the way from the foot of the mountain to Wuwang Palace. By the time he delivered them to the courtyard, the temperature was just right for eating.

The courtyard was small, and the aroma of squirrel-shaped mandarin fish wafted through the air. Xiao Wu felt his way out of the room and stopped under the eaves, facing the direction of the stone table.

Xie Shu nodded first. "Immortal Lord."

Xiao Wu's eyes had improved slightly—he could now see blurred splotches of color. However, his newly recovered vision was fragile and couldn't tolerate bright light. During the day, Xie Shu bound his eyes with a silk ribbon to shield them.

Xiao Wu had initially ignored Xie Shu, but as time passed and his cultivation gradually returned, the two could finally speak civilly. "Pharmacist?"

Lord Pingwu had never been one to be needlessly harsh. Even if the person before him was Xie Chunshan, if the other spoke kindly, washed his hair, and applied medicine, no matter how gloomy Xiao Wu felt, he couldn't bring himself to say anything harsh.

Xie Shu smiled. "Come, Immortal Lord. Tonight's meal will be in the courtyard."

The courtyard was no more than thirty feet wide, and Xiao Wu had long since familiarized himself with its layout. Even without sight, he could accurately find the stone table. He stepped forward and took a seat on the stone stool, where a pair of chopsticks was pressed into his hand.

Xie Shu took his wrist and guided his hand to tap the plate in front of him. "Squirrel-shaped mandarin fish—sweet and sour."

He shifted direction. "Donkey-hide gelatin and black-bone chicken soup—delicate and savory."

"Blanched cabbage in clear broth, mild and sweet."

"..."

After introducing each dish, Xie Shu pressed a bowl into Xiao Wu's hands: "Immortal Lord, do taste them."

Xiao Wu gripped the chopsticks but didn't eat, his brow twitching slightly as he asked, "Pharmacist, what's the occasion today?"

This feast was not like the Pharmacist.

Xie Shu replied, "Today, I've come to say goodbye."

Xiao Wu's chopsticks froze completely: "Oh?"

Xie Shu continued, "The Palace Lord is ill and sending me to the far north."

He smiled faintly. "As you know, to survive in this Demon Palace, one must obey the Palace Lord's orders. Since he's commanded it, I'll be leaving soon. That's why I came to inform you."

Xiao Wu turned toward him, his eyes veiled by white cloth, his expression unreadable, his frown tightening.

He asked, "Is that so?"

"That's right," Xie Shu answered, then added, "Your condition has stabilized, Immortal Lord. Keep practicing the Art and you'll fully recover. I don't need to stay."

Xiao Wu pressed further, "What illness?"

Xie Shu hesitated: "?"

Xiao Wu clarified, "You said the Palace Lord is ill. What illness does he have?"

Xie Shu: "..."

Mentally, he queried 66: "66? What illness does Xie Chunshan have?"

66 sounded even more bewildered: "Huh? What illness? I don't know?"

After all, the Mad Pharmacist was just a minor NPC with barely any lines. As for Xie Chunshan's illness—just a plot device to write off this character. Who cared what it was?

The writers hadn't even fleshed it out. Why was Xiao Wu stuck on this? Flustered, he hedged and made something up: "Head pains. When they flare up, he doesn't recognize anyone. Needs medicine from the far north."

Xiao Wu: "Is it severe?"

Xie Shu lied casually: "Severe. Otherwise he wouldn't send someone thousands of miles for herbs."

Xiao Wu: "What medicine?"

"..."

Changing tack, he teased, "Why does the Immortal Lord care? Surely you're not thinking of gathering herbs for Xie Chunshan?"

Given Lord Pingwu's temperament, he couldn't take such jokes and would deny it immediately.

Xiao Wu pressed his lips together: "...Of course not."

True to form, he let it drop. After a pause, he suddenly said, "Pharmacist, as Xie Chunshan's subordinate, do you realize that by teaching me this Art, you're ensuring I'll kill him one day?"

Xie Shu propped his chin on one hand, sipped his wine, and replied idly, "He deserves it."

Xiao Wu lowered his gaze and fell silent.

Xie Shu tapped the fish dish before him. "Immortal Lord, do try this. It's sweet and sour, absolutely delicious."

Xiao Wu took a bite of fish. Soon, he took two more pieces, clearly liking it.

Xie Shu had always been accurate in guessing his preferences.

Xie Shu's lips curved into a faint smile as he watched Xiao Wu hesitate with his chopsticks, as if unsure whether to keep eating.

Sect rules were strict—no more than three bites of a single dish. Even disciples who still needed to eat were forbidden from indulging in gluttony, as restraining desires was essential to keeping one's Daoist heart pure.

Xie Shu said, "Go ahead. There’s no one else here. I ordered this specially for you—why not eat your fill if you like it?"

Xiao Wu bit his lip, suddenly realizing, "That’s right."

He was no longer in the Shangling Sect. There was no master to discipline his every move. The only one beside him now was Xie Chunshan, who had seen everything. During the days when Xiao Wu couldn’t move, Xie Chunshan had moved him around like furniture, even wiping his sweat. What did a few extra bites matter?

So he truly threw caution to the wind and continued polishing off the fish.

Xie Shu watched him dine.

He had opened a rare bottle of the Demon Palace’s newly brewed Peach Blossom Wine. The wine was sweet with a mellow finish, leaving a warm afterglow that made one pleasantly buzzed. Sip by sip, he observed Xiao Wu picking the fish clean, bite by bite.

Xiao Wu rarely initiated conversation with the Pharmacist, but this time, after putting down his chopsticks, he finally looked up after a long moment and asked, "Pharmacist… when are you leaving?"

Xie Shu smiled. "Today."

Waiting risked complications. Since farewells had been made, it was best for the Mad Pharmacist to vanish sooner rather than later.

With the meal finished and the table a mess, Xie Shu collected the wine cup, which still held a last drop. He chuckled, "After today, who knows when we’ll see each other again? Would the Immortal Lord share a final drink with me?"

As he spoke, he chuckled to himself, thinking, *In truth, we’ll never meet again.*

Buzzed and speaking casually, Xie Shu didn’t expect an answer—Xiao Wu was aloof by nature, and cultivators avoided wine, women, money, and temper. But before he could pour the last drop for himself, Xiao Wu said, "Alright."

Xie Shu froze.

Xiao Wu tilted his head and repeated stiffly, "Alright."

Lord Pingwu had never drunk alcohol before, and Xie Shu had no idea of his tolerance. So he poured only a shallow sip, just enough to fill the bottom of the celadon cup. The clear wine shimmered, reflecting the pear blossoms above, until a single petal drifted down and landed in the cup.

Xiao Wu covered his face with his sleeve and knocked it back.

Then he coughed violently.

No matter how mild Peach Blossom Wine was, it was still liquor. For someone unaccustomed to drinking, gulping it straight was bound to choke them.

What should've been a refined delicacy was drunk by Xiao Wu like it was punishment.

Xie Shu laughed softly, shaking his head. He too covered his face with his sleeve and drained his cup. Though Xiao Wu couldn’t see, he flipped the empty cup in the traditional toast gesture.

The meal lasted from sunset until the moon rose in the east and stars began to appear.

Xie Shu set the wine cup back on the table. "Immortal Lord, I’ll take my leave now."

Xiao Wu’s expression remained indifferent. "Mm."

Xie Shu waited a moment, but Xiao Wu didn’t say "goodbye" or "safe travels."

Back when Song Xiaoyu had left, Xiao Wu had been clearly upset.

Xie Shu sighed to himself about the gulf between immortals and demons, confirming Lord Pingwu truly did prefer innocent youths. He clasped his hands in salute and turned to leave.

Passing the pear blossom tree, stepping over the threshold, and strolling along the courtyard's quiet corridor, he vanished at the path's end, unaware that Xiao Wu remained seated on the stone bench until the stars faded and the morning sun rose.

His fingers, hidden within his wide sleeves, tightened slightly, nails digging slightly into his palms.

Xiao Wu was well aware that the Pharmacist was Xie Chunshan and that his departure was merely an excuse.

He wondered—if the Pharmacist's identity was gone, would Xie Chunshan ever appear as he had these past days again?

Would he go back to being that cold, heartless Xie Chunshan—cruel, vicious, and merciless, treating lives like bugs to be squashed? Would he watch Xiao Wu's futile struggles with amusement, as he had at Hundred-Step Pavilion?

Xiao Wu knew Xie Chunshan was untrustworthy, unworthy of longing, and that even the Pharmacist's kindness shouldn't be taken seriously.

But knowing was one thing; acting on it was another.

Xie Chunshan was so terrible, yet the Pharmacist had been so kind.

And so that night, Xiao Wu sat motionless in the courtyard for hours, like carved jade, letting dew soak his robes and pear blossoms gather on his shoulders like snow.

*

With the Pharmacist gone, Xie Shu had several months to himself.

In the original story, Xiao Wu was half-dead, and Xie Chunshan, unusually quiet, secluded himself in brief cultivation. Xie Shu, relishing the quiet, spent his time in the palace studying cultivation manuals and sword techniques, occasionally disguising himself to spar with wandering cultivators in preparation for the Immortal-Demon Grand Tournament.

His talent was high, his cultivation strong, and with Xiao Wu—once the foremost immortal of the realm—as his initial guide, his progress was smooth. One day, encountering Xue Sui on patrol, Xie Shu gave the envoy a meaningful glance, twirling his fingers, suddenly sure he could wipe the floor with Xue Sui.

Finally, the Wuwang Palace Lord wasn't just for show. If Xue Sui or Wu Buke dared betray him, Xie Shu could smack them so deep into the mountains they'd never be found.

Truly a cause for celebration.

Xue Sui, for some reason, got goosebumps. He hastily saluted the Palace Lord and bolted like a scared rabbit.

Xie Shu even curiously asked System 66 whether cultivation techniques would work in the modern world. His modern body was weak—half an invalid, with failing heart and lungs, a regular in the ICU kept alive only by modern medicine. If he could still cultivate after returning, his problems would be solved.

System 66, a greenhorn system on its first visit to the cultivation world, was even more lost than Xie Shu. "66 doesn't know either," it admitted.

Xie Shu: "...Never mind. Go play."

During this time, Xiao Wu's power kept growing. Though still no match for Xie Chunshan, in a few more days, he could make his graceful escape from Hundred-Step Pavilion and fly beyond Wuwang Palace, triggering the next arc.

Before Xiao Wu's escape, Xie Chunshan had one last scheme.

On the Palace Lord's command, Xue Sui gritted his teeth and knocked on Xiao Wu's door.

Xiao Wu's eyes had long healed, but to conceal it, he used magic to simulate a white film, pretending he was still blind.

His cultivation now surpassed Xue Sui's. At the sound of the knock, he turned his dark, tea-brown eyes—cold as winter water—toward the visitor, making Xue Sui's hair stand on end with just a glance.

Lord Pingwu said coolly, "What business does the Envoy have? Speak."

Xue Sui: "..."

He was the Demon Palace's envoy, and Xiao Wu was the prisoner—yet he couldn't help feeling like the one at a disadvantage.

To save face, Xue Sui stiffened his posture and said arrogantly, "Immortal Lord, our Palace Lord requests your presence. Come with me."

Xiao Wu didn't move. "For what purpose?"

With anyone else, Xue Sui would have dragged them to the main hall by force. But facing Xiao Wu, he didn't dare. Haltingly, he said, "The Palace Lord... is drinking and feasting in the hall. He finds today's entertainers weren't graceful enough and... invites the Immortal Lord to..."

Xiao Wu: "For what?"

Xue Sui gritted his teeth: "Immortal Lord is requested to play the guqin, pour tea, perform a sword dance, and entertain Palace Lord!"

Author's Note:

Xie Shu (reading the plot): "There's still a humiliation scene left. Well, bring it on."

Xiao Wu (smiling): "Oh?"