Chapter Five: The City of Jinhua

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At the foot of Red Pine Mountain, within Jinhua Prefecture.

Qingsong, clad in a gray Daoist robe, clutched a bundle tightly to his chest as he walked toward the nearby city gate.

Jinhua Prefecture was encircled by mountains on all sides, with dense forests covering the surrounding hills. Wild beasts like tigers and wolves, as well as bandits, often prowled the area, so the city walls were built exceedingly tall.

Massive stone blocks, mixed with a special glutinous rice mortar, were stacked to form the walls, making them remarkably sturdy. Though battered by centuries of wind and rain, they still stood unyielding.

The river wound around the city below, like a jade belt, separating the inside from the outside.

Qingsong gazed across the river at the towering wall, which rose like crouching tigers and coiling dragons, and felt a slight sense of relief.

It seemed luck was on his side; he had not encountered bandits from the nearby strongholds. With his martial cultivation barely having opened two meridians, he would have struggled to fend them off.

Thinking of this, he gripped his bundle more tightly and prepared to cross the bridge with the other travelers.

Suddenly, someone tapped him lightly on the shoulder.

A soft laugh sounded behind him. "Isn't this Daoist Qingsong from Red Pine Palace?"

Qingsong startled, instinctively hugging the cloth bundle to his chest, and turned to look behind him.

Standing there were a young man and a young woman.

The man had sword-like brows and bright eyes, wore a robe of pale moon-white, and carried at his waist a refined steel sword sheathed in sharkskin.

The woman, also in moon-white academy robes, had a delicate and graceful appearance. She was about Qingsong's age, but her complexion was somewhat pale.

The one who had tapped Qingsong was the young man.

"Master Zhang? What brings you here?" Qingsong asked in surprise.

Before him stood Zhang Nian-kang, senior disciple of the younger generation at Moon White Academy in Gunzhou. Months ago, he had accompanied the academy's head to Red Pine Palace to seek medicine, and it was Qingsong who received them. He recognized him at a glance.

Zhang Nian-kang also found it a coincidence. He was just about to enter the city with his junior sister, only to run into Qingsong, with whom he had previously crossed paths.

He simply intended to greet Qingsong, but was surprised by his strong reaction, which sparked some suspicion.

Soon, he noticed Qingsong's protectiveness toward the bundle in his arms.

His nose twitched, and suddenly he caught a faint, enchanting fragrance, a flicker of intrigue flashing in his eyes.

If he was not mistaken, inside Qingsong's package was a treasured medicine unique to Red Pine Palace: Moon Lotus Blossom.

His curiosity grew, though he kept his expression unchanged, offering Qingsong a cheerful smile. "Daoist Qingsong, after our last meeting, I have missed you dearly. Now that you are here in Jinhua Prefecture, allow me to show you proper hospitality!"

Qingsong was about to reply when the woman beside Zhang Nian-kang suddenly became solemn and bowed deeply to him.

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The unexpected gesture startled Qingsong.

"Miss, what are you doing? Please, rise!"

He hurried to reach out, but halfway, remembered the propriety between men and women, and halted his hand awkwardly in midair.

After her bow, the woman stood and addressed him, "Daoist Qingsong, I, Xi Yue, have not dared to forget the medicine Red Pine Palace gifted months ago. It was a lifesaving grace, so please accept my gratitude."

Her expression was earnest, her words evidently heartfelt.

Zhang Nian-kang, seeing his junior sister's pale face, felt a pang and gently supported her.

He then explained to Qingsong, "Please do not take offense, Daoist. My junior sister suffers from a rare illness. Months ago, I accompanied my master to the mountain to seek medicine, solely for her sake."

"Our return to Jinhua Prefecture serves two purposes: she wishes to personally thank Red Pine Palace for their gift, and we wish to ask if Master Songhe has returned to the sect—whether he may treat her illness."

Qingsong suddenly understood; this was the girl the elders had spoken of, afflicted with a deficiency, unlikely to live past twenty.

His gaze softened with pity. Yet, remembering the news brought by Lin You, he could not help but smile bitterly.

If that news was true, Master Songhe had already passed away—how could he possibly treat them?

The matter concerned the safety of their Daoist institution; he could not reveal it to the two before him, so he answered vaguely, "I see! But I must disappoint you. Master Songhe wanders like the clouds and has not returned for a long time."

Hearing that Master Songhe was absent from Red Pine Palace, both were visibly disheartened.

Zhang Nian-kang was silent for a while, looking at Xi Yue's pale face, and said gently, "Do not worry, junior sister. I will find a way to heal you! I have asked my father to send people across the land seeking renowned physicians. I heard that the Medicine Pavilion in Jingzhou, whose master rivals Master Songhe in skill, might hold hope. I shall depart soon, and surely obtain the medicine for you!"

Though his words were reassuring, the vast territory of Great Yu meant that the distance between Jinzhou and Jingzhou was over ten thousand miles. Even with fine steeds, a round trip would take years.

His junior sister, without a precious medicine to extend her life, could not wait that long.

Thinking of this, Zhang Nian-kang's gaze drifted involuntarily toward Qingsong's bundle.

Qingsong, hearing his words, felt a surge of compassion.

After much hesitation, he finally spoke, "Though Master Songhe has not returned, his direct disciple, whom he took outside, is now at Red Pine Palace. I cannot say for certain whether he inherited Master Songhe's medical skills."

Qingsong's words were like a ray of light in the darkness, instantly rekindling hope in their faces.

Zhang Nian-kang bowed deeply to Qingsong. "Thank you for informing us! My junior sister and I will come with generous gifts tomorrow to pay respects to this master. Whether he can heal her or not, Moon White Academy will always remember this favor!"

He then asked, "Just now, I saw you in haste, Daoist. May I ask your purpose in entering the city? My Zhang family has some influence here in Jinhua Prefecture. If you need any assistance, do not hesitate to ask!"

"Zhang family? Do you mean the Zhang family of Jinhua Prefecture?" Qingsong asked, eyes wide.

Zhang Nian-kang smiled proudly and clasped his hands. "The Prefect of Jinhua is my second uncle!"

Qingsong understood now; no wonder Zhang Nian-kang, a disciple of Moon White Academy in Gunzhou, appeared here and offered such hospitality.

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So he was a scion of the Zhang clan—indeed, a local power.

Qingsong's heart brightened. With the support of such a local magnate, finding the mysterious Mr. Jiang would be no trouble.

He no longer hesitated and briefly outlined his task of descending the mountain, avoiding sensitive details.

At last, he clasped his fists toward the two. "If you both assist me, Red Pine Palace will surely remember this kindness!"

Zhang Nian-kang smiled. "Rest assured, Daoist Qingsong—this is a simple matter! Please follow me to the Zhang residence and allow me to host you. If Mr. Jiang is still in Jinhua Prefecture, my Zhang family will find him by tomorrow at the latest!"

With Zhang Nian-kang's promise, Qingsong felt relieved.

Before leaving, Daoist Changjing had given them three days to invite Mr. Jiang to resolve Red Pine Palace's current crisis. With the Zhang family's help, it was the best possible outcome.

...

Red Pine Daoist Institute.

"Knock! Knock! Knock!"

Three knocks sounded at the door.

"Grandmaster, the abbot instructed me to deliver bedding!"

After receiving permission, Qingyangzi entered, carrying a wooden pillow and a set of fresh bedding.

Lin You saw the awkward expression on his face and said helplessly, "Friend Qingyangzi, there's no need to be so formal. In private, just call me Lin You."

Qingyangzi replied awkwardly, "But how can I? You've worshipped the ancestors and returned to the family. By seniority, you are equal to the abbot and elders—wouldn't such address be disrespectful?"

Lin You laughed, "In cultivation, while we respect our teachers and follow tradition, we must also be natural and straightforward. If we adhere rigidly to rules, friend, do you wish to become nothing more than a pedant?"

He sat casually on the couch, pointed to the other side of the pinewood table, and gestured for Qingyangzi to sit.

He then took out two small teacups, placed them on opposite ends of the table, and set the teapot atop the clay stove burning with charcoal to brew.

Qingyangzi, hearing Lin You's words, felt as if his previous notions had been overturned. He muttered repeatedly, "Natural and straightforward? Natural and straightforward!"

His eyes grew brighter, and the more he pondered those words, the deeper their meaning seemed.

Lost in thought, a sudden, exotic fragrance wafted, as if he were in the midst of a pine forest, beside a murmuring spring and stone.

A gentle chant echoed by his ear:

"Shape yourself as a crane,
Two scrolls beneath a thousand pines.
I inquire of the Way, with nothing more to say,
Clouds in the blue sky, water in the vase..."

Like immortal music drifting, free and unconstrained, Qingyangzi listened, utterly entranced.