Chapter 53

Chapter 53

The three people outside the city gate each looked valiant and distinctive in their own ways, and each had their own quirks.

Sikong Yi from Danxue Mountain had a gleaming silver sword at his waist and rode a fine horse. He was quite different from the mountain guardian Bian Hong had pictured—more like a wandering swordsman, with a small cinnabar mark between his brows that added color to his handsome face.

Daochongzi from Yufa Mountain looked more like an old Taoist who had just led his disciples out of the temple to preach. He wasn't the usual white-haired, long-bearded elder, but instead had a body of iron strength. He wasn't tall, but his build was stockier than Rong Feng's.

He seemed just as skilled at preaching doctrine as at throwing punches.

The young woman from Di Mountain looked far more normal by comparison—until she casually pulled a palm-wide centipede from inside her clothes and stroked it affectionately. The hairs on Bian Hong's arms stood up, and he silently took a step back.

But regardless, the kindness of delivering medicine from a thousand li away deserved face-to-face gratitude. Yet by the time Bian Hong stepped forward to speak, it was already too late.

When he looked up, the four guardians who claimed to share the same lineage had suddenly whipped out their weapons and were brawling in a chaotic melee!

The silver sword of the Danxue Mountain man was truly dazzling—it flashed "shua shua shua," dazzling the eyes as it danced.

The old Taoist from Yufa Mountain moved with wind at his fists and feet, his inner force billowing his sleeves, like a master descending the mountain to vanquish demons.

Young as Miss Lin Yao appeared, her palm techniques were seasoned and vicious. As she moved, the bells hanging all over her body rang "ding dong dong," and from time to time, various bugs would crawl out from her clothes, each slyly raising its head to sneak-attack her opponent.

Rong Feng casually picked up a long stick from the ground and joined the fray. He was noticeably taller than the other three, with long arms and legs, and though he wielded a broken wooden stick, his movements were broad and powerful.

It was clear his strongest skill was some kind of spear or staff work.

His build was solid too—after taking a full punch from the old Taoist, he only shook his shoulder to deflect the force, and still had strength left to catch a palm strike from Miss Lin.

But just as he was about to strike the snake that had shot out from Miss Lin's wrist to help her, Rong Feng held back his strength, quickly curled his fingers, and gave the little snake a flick on the head. The little thing shook its head, all dizzy and disoriented, and tumbled back into its owner's sleeve.

So in the end, it turned into a three-on-one fight. Rong Feng's broken wooden stick was finally cut clean through by one stroke of Sikong Yi's sword, and then he was driven back a few steps by a punch from one and a palm from the other.

To be honest, the ruckus these four were making was getting a bit much—even the city garrison was peeking out to watch. Just as they were debating whether to head out and help Rong Feng, the four fighters finally stopped, as if by silent agreement.

The old Taoist spoke first, seeming quite familiar with Rong Feng's family martial tradition.

"Boy, where's your Miemang Mountain Cloud-Section Spear? What's with fighting with a broken stick?"

Rong Feng thought for a moment about what the "Cloud-Section Spear" was, then shook his head.

"My master said he still needs it for himself."

The old Taoist clicked his tongue and grumbled to Sikong Yi, who was sheathing his sword, "I always said Rong Di was unreliable—he passed on the mountain but not the spear, and claims he still has use for it. What for, to stir shit with?"

Lin Yao walked over to the old Taoist with a "ding ling ling" of bells, "You're always holed up in the mountains, so you wouldn't know—Uncle Rong seems to have been recalled. The war just ended, so it's needed now."

The old Taoist was taken aback, then bowed his head in thought and went quiet.

But after that little spar, the four of them were noticeably warmer with each other. After all, each of them was stuck guarding their own mountain—going years without meeting was par for the course.

The three were efficient—after the fight, they turned around and started unloading. Bundle after bundle of vines—a hefty amount. Maybe because the mountains had different environments, the stems and leaves were slightly different in color, but when Bian Hong drew his curved blade and sliced open a stem, the sap inside was the same.

The old physician had said that the key to curing the plague was these milky-white vine stems.

Seeing how deftly Bian Hong drew his blade, the three finally asked, "And who's this?"

Rong Feng coughed, seeming a bit uncomfortable. He glanced at Bian Hong, who was busy directing the city guards in moving the vines, and only when he saw Bian Hong had no attention to spare did he answer.

"My better half."

Hearing that, the three guardians suddenly saw Rong Feng in a new light. Guardians rarely married—most stayed single, only taking on a disciple when the time came to pass down the legacy.

This quiet, unassuming Miemang Mountain guy had gone and gotten himself a wife without a word!

Clearly, it's the quiet ones who get things done.

After the vines were unloaded and before the city folk had even reacted, the three were already taking their leave.

Bian Hong felt it was a pity. He now understood well how hard it was to guard a mountain—it was no exaggeration to say that each guardian was scattered across the far corners of the world. To meet at all was fate.

"Won't you come into town for a visit? If the city's too hectic, how about resting up on the mountain for a bit?"

Bian Hong tried to persuade them, but the three thought it over and declined—each had urgent matters of their own.

Sikong Yi cupped his hands in farewell, "Spring brings everything to life, and the mountains are vast—it's a busy season. We can't linger."

Lin Yao nodded as well, "My little sister's home alone. I'm worried sick being away—afraid the bugs might get loose and she, the silly thing, wouldn't know what to do."

Bian Hong nodded in empathy—if he went out, he too would worry about Yuan Ding and Guan Bao.

But Lin Yao studied Bian Hong for a moment, then suddenly flashed a grin and gave Rong Feng a thumbs up, "Big brother, lucky you—your wife's a real looker."

Bian Hong was startled, while Rong Feng quickly stepped forward, leading Lin Yao's camel away, "Get going now—it'll be dark soon."

This only made the young woman laugh heartily from atop her camel, "Would you look at that, brother—you're a proper henpecked husband!"

Rong Feng's ears turned a bit red, and the old Taoist chuckled to smooth things over, "We'll be off now. If you see your master someday, give him my regards. Alright, no need to see us off—take the vines back and focus on saving lives."

And so Rong Feng finally stopped at the hillside, with Bian Hong coming up beside him. Together, they cupped their hands in farewell to the three, who each went their separate ways in an instant.

"Come again when you have time—we'll roll out the welcome mat."

Sikong Yi and the old Taoist returned the gesture, while Lin Yao waved from afar, her bells jingling as she called back crisply, "Alright, will do!"

Only when their figures had vanished from sight did Rong Feng and Bian Hong turn back toward the city.

This meeting alone might be worth remembering for a lifetime. Some bonds didn't require constant company—even separated by a thousand li, sharing the same lineage, the same goal, the same duty—that was kinship enough.

A bosom friend within the four seas, a neighbor across the horizon.

When Bian Hong and Rong Feng returned to the city, it was a different scene entirely. The town was bustling with activity over the mountain of "timely rain" they'd delivered, and even the county magistrate in charge was rolling up his sleeves to help.

Everyone was overjoyed—these vines were lives, one after another. With them, all the plague-stricken villages and counties had hope.

Not just this year, but every year to come, "plague" would no longer be something that made people tremble in fear, that killed on contact, that struck down on touch.

Peace year after year—easy to say, hard to achieve. But what people did best was rise to the challenge.

Behind the lively crowd, Bian Hong and Rong Feng exchanged a glance, then quietly returned to the clinic, picked up the little bear cub they'd recently found, and silently left the town they'd briefly stopped in.

They'd done all they could—dutifully, meticulously. Now it was time to go home.

At the self-combed women's ancestral hall, two children sat listlessly beneath the withered banyan tree by the courtyard gate. The self-combed women doted on Yuan Ding and Guan Bao, and seeing them so downcast, had hung two swings from the tree so they could play while they waited.

Yuan Ding swayed on his swing, distracted, glancing toward the courtyard entrance from time to time. But he couldn't open the gate—he knew how deadly the plague was. Even now, thinking about it filled him with fear.

But Brother Xi and Big Brother were both out there, and he was worried sick. Even Guan Bao, who was usually more carefree, had lost his appetite these past few days.

The child was a bit overheated—even his nighttime bedwetting had turned yellow and split-streamed.

Just as the two brothers were feeling down in the dumps, a familiar sound of footsteps seemed to come from outside the door. Yuan Ding perked up his ears and hopped off the swing in a flash.

He often practiced martial arts with Rong Feng and seemed to be quite good at it, quick on his feet and well-coordinated. Not only did he land steadily from the swaying swing, but he dashed over to the door in a few excited strides.

But poor Guan Bao—Yuan Ding got so worked up he totally forgot about the little guy. Guan Bao was anxious too, but he was all talk, sweet-talking the aunties and sisters at the temple every day.

However, he was clumsy as all get-out, arms and legs going every which way. Forget about pulling off any moves—he couldn't even step over the threshold without tripping over his own feet.

So by the time Yuan Ding was halfway out the door, Guan Bao was still wiggling on the swing. Finally, in a panic, he flipped over and landed face-first with a "thump," eating a mouthful of dirt.

But he didn't bother crying—nobody was around to hear him anyway. He'd save his tears for later—his Brother Xi would be back soon, and he was definitely gonna cry for him. Only Brother Xi really spoiled him and Brother Yuanbao.

Oh, but now there was one more person who loved them—and loved Brother Xi too.

Outside the temple gate, Rong Feng hollered, "Anybody home?"

The second he spoke, a muffled whimpering came through the crack in the door.

Yuan Ding pressed his face to the crack, his heart breaking, but he wasn't sure if he should open the door.

At his age, he already knew a thing or two about how the world worked, especially after everything they'd been through. Yuan Ding knew they probably shouldn't open the temple gate right now—if the sickness spread, everyone inside would be done for.

"Wuwuwu, Brother Xi, Big Brother, I—I don't dare open the door. I'll climb over the wall, you gotta catch me, wuwuwu, I wanna go home with Brother Xi."

The second Bian Hong heard Yuan Ding crying through the door crack, he couldn't take it—his heart ached something fierce.

The women in the temple heard it too. They all came rushing over and found the two little brothers huddled at the crack in the door, sobbing their hearts out.

A few of the sisters hurried to open the door, but Bian Hong stopped them.

"No, better keep your distance. Even though there's medicine for the sickness now, we shouldn't put the old folks like Grandma through that. Just have them climb over the wall."

The women mulled it over and agreed—there were a lot of old folks in the temple, and their bodies might not hold up.

"Then how about we pass the kids over from this side?"

Yuan Ding, at that point, wiped his tears away in a huff and shot to his feet. "Go on back, Aunt Hong. I'm taking Guan Bao home now. Once the sickness clears up, we'll come visit y'all again."

With that, he scooped up his mud-caked little brother, backed up a few steps, and took a running start. Using the momentum, he nimbly planted his foot on the top of the wall.

Normally, with his usual skills, he could've landed fine, but today he was hauling a chubby kid, so his footing slipped and he toppled over the other side of the wall.

"Guan Bao, you're getting chubbier by the day!"

But the fall he expected never came. Instead, he and his chubby little brother got caught nice and easy in Big Brother's arms.

"Wuwu, Big Brother! I knew you'd catch me!"

Sucking up always works.

Rong Feng looked down at the two teary-eyed kids in his arms. Truth be told, after not seeing them for days, he'd missed them too.

So he gave each of them a little squeeze, then turned and carefully handed them over to Bian Hong, who came rushing up.

The two little ones clung to Bian Hong, sobbing. Guan Bao even tilted his head up to show off the chin he'd scraped when he face-planted off the swing—dirty and a little raw.

Bian Hong carefully wiped it clean and gave it a little blow. Only then was Guan Bao satisfied, snuggling into Brother Xi's arms and staying put.

Yuan Ding was over the moon that Brother Xi and Big Brother were both okay. He patted each of them in turn, and after getting a flick on the forehead from Rong Feng, he finally cracked a smile through his tears.

The moment the kid opened his mouth, Rong Feng couldn't help but laugh.

Yuan Ding's teeth were coming out all jagged and uneven, like a dog had been chewing on them.

But Yuan Ding didn't give a hoot now. He just tipped his head back and said cheerfully,

"Let's go home!"

But before he could finish, Yuan Ding suddenly froze, his eyes locked on Rong Feng's shoulder.

There, on his big brother's sturdy, broad shoulder, a furry paw was creeping over from behind.

At the same time, a little brown bear head poked out from behind the shoulder. The little critter blinked its big, round eyes, glanced at Guan Bao crying in Bian Hong's arms, then looked at Yuan Ding, who was standing next to Rong Feng with his mouth hanging open, totally dumbfounded.

Then, as if on cue, the little bear let out a couple of soft "hmm hmm" grunts.

Yuan Ding's eyes went wide, and he pointed at the little thing, stammering.

"Ah!"

"Ah—a black bear!"