Chapter 019: Turning Point

Tang Prefecture, Apricot Blossom Village.

The apricots had long since flowered; young green fruits had grown to the size of ox eyes, and the delicate, tender hue of the leaves had faded, giving way to a dense, flourishing verdure on every tree. Trees grew everywhere, and every household cherished the groves; Apricot Blossom Village boasted the most apricot trees of all, draping the village in an endless, tranquil green. Trees thrived, the air was fresh, and the population sparse—here was a place untouched by the world, a veritable paradise.

It was mid-May in the mortal realm, the season of flourishing life. The Central Plains already felt the first stirrings of summer’s heat, but this was not a warmth that brought comfort; instead, it carried undertones of anxiety and dread.

Natural disasters and pestilence had plagued the region for a month now. Countless souls had perished outside Tang Prefecture’s city walls, suffusing the land with a heavy, suffocating silence.

Lotus Seed, carried by the wind, arrived with Feng Nuan and took up temporary residence in Apricot Blossom Village. She had barely paused to rest before she was eager to begin her task.

Feng Xing, seeing her agitation, settled Feng Nuan and then stepped outside with Lotus Seed to speak.

“Miss, do you intend to begin treating the sick right away?”

“Yes, the matter is urgent—there’s no time to lose!”

“Indeed, the illness is tormenting the people, and time is precious.” He hesitated, then voiced his concern, “But if we act immediately, won’t it be too abrupt? If we intervene without preparation and our efforts spread like wildfire, it might draw unwanted attention and suspicion.”

Lotus Seed nodded. “What do you suggest, General?”

“In my humble opinion, if we wish to dispel rumors and preserve our reputation, a gentle approach is better than a sudden one. If you were to enter Tang Prefecture as a traveling healer, making a show of investigating before conducting any trials, it would be easier for people to accept.”

“So you advise me to take on a false identity, to make our remedies appear naturally among the people?”

“Exactly. The imperial court is watching this closely and has issued explicit decrees. No physician or apothecary in the Central Plains dares to intervene lightly, so you must pay careful attention to your identity and methods.”

Lotus Seed’s expression softened, her eyes warm as she smiled. “Thank you for your guidance! It seems the imperial court of Beihua is far from enlightened—the lives of the common folk are less dear to them than their own desires.”

Feng Xing gave a gentle laugh. “Not so—it’s just that the Empress Dowager holds power in the regency, and a woman’s perspective can be partial. The Emperor cares for his people and sends his sister, Princess Lianghua, daily to tend the sick and distribute grain, but he cannot gainsay his mother.”

“Oh? Then the rumors among the people must be true. If so, I will do as you advise. But if I pretend to be a healer from the Western Sea Manor, who knows what consequences that might bring?”

“The affairs of the martial world and the court are usually separate. Even if news reaches the Western Sea Manor, it will take some time. Moreover, treating this plague will only enhance the Manor’s reputation—it’s a mutually beneficial arrangement.”

Lotus Seed glanced at Feng Xing, her heart suddenly unsettled. She quickly looked away, taking two deep breaths before she noticed his curious gaze. Composing herself, she smiled and said, “Very well, I will follow your plan.”

With heavy thoughts, Xue Ze wandered absentmindedly to the secret Ice Pool of Tianshan.

At the border between the Western Spring Palace and the Bamboo Grove, at the foot of the snowy mountains, lay a vast, mysterious pool fed by melted snow—the Ice Pool. Though it shared the same hidden realm as the Warm Pool, it was even more pure and unique.

Disciples of Tianshan ranked Heavenly Official or above could come here to heal and cultivate, for the waters of the Ice Pool possessed mystical properties akin to the medicinal springs of the Western Sea Manor. While the Manor’s springs healed with the power of earthly medicine, the Ice Pool was imbued with the magic of the immortal realm.

But Xue Ze had not come to cultivate nor to admire the beauty of the Ice Pool—she had come for Lotus Seed.

Lotus Seed had been at Tianshan for some time, yet her attire still had not blended with the mountain’s hues. Xue Ze wished to gather lotus blossoms from the Ice Pool to make a robe for Lotus Seed.

Although she had not attained the rank of Heavenly Official, she was the favored disciple of the Venerable Qiangui, and so dared to come alone.

Mist floated above the pool, and even from afar the chill could be felt—this biting cold was beloved by all who dwelt on Tianshan.

After walking a stretch of stone path, Xue Ze arrived at the pool’s edge.

By the shore grew green water grasses; further out, patches of red duckweed, and at the center, lotus flowers scattered across the water. Mist curled above, and the lotuses appeared and vanished on the surface, lending them an air of mysterious beauty.

Gazing at the varied lotuses, Xue Ze felt a surge of joy. Amid the water and leaves, one milky-white blossom, luminous as the moon, caught her eye.

“So radiant, white as the bright moon—a Moon Lotus! It would make a perfect ceremonial robe!” Xue Ze exclaimed.

The ceremonial robe was worn by Tianshan disciples for formal occasions, symbolizing their status and marking them with lifelong honor. Ordinary attire could vary in color and style, but the robe was always pure white, though each disciple’s fabric and embroidery were unique.

Just as Xue Ze reached for the Moon Lotus, she saw someone approaching.

“Junior Sister, what a coincidence!”

Recognizing the speaker, Xue Ze offered a slight bow. “Senior Sister Bai Yu, it has been a long time.”

Bai Yu smiled and joined Xue Ze, both gazing at the Moon Lotus. “So you fancy that blossom, Junior Sister?”

“Yes, I mean to use it to make a ceremonial robe for Lotus Seed,” Xue Ze replied, stepping back warily—she was uneasy around Bai Yu and feared reproach for trespassing in the secret realm.

“Oh? Lotus Seed—I’ve heard of her, though we haven’t met. She must be a beauty, if you’re so devoted.”

Xue Ze smiled faintly. “No matter how lovely Lotus Seed is, she cannot compare to you, Senior Sister.”

Bai Yu’s gentle smile softened her eyes, the hint of displeasure fading. “Is that so? You care for her so deeply, surely you’ve taught her much. Otherwise, how could she take on such a task alone?”

“Truthfully, I’m not worthy—I possess little talent and have done nothing to guide her. You flatter me, Senior Sister.”

“How strange.” Bai Yu summoned a carrier pigeon and handed it to Xue Ze. “You’re too trusting, Junior Sister. How can you let a newcomer like Lotus Seed face the complexities of Tang Prefecture alone?”

Puzzled, Xue Ze took the pigeon and immediately understood Lotus Seed’s situation. “Senior Sister, Lotus Seed is well for now—what do you mean?”

Bai Yu’s smile was enigmatic. “Safe for the moment doesn’t mean free from trouble. The matter involves the imperial court, martial factions, and other interested parties. Is sending Lotus Seed merely a test by your Senior Brother? Or is it just thoughtlessness?”

“Senior Brother is always prudent—he must have his reasons.”

“Well, he is your Senior Brother—you trust him, and that’s natural. But I heard Ji Lin has gone down the mountain as well? What does that mean?”

“Second Senior Brother went to assist Lotus Seed—we were worried about her lack of experience, lest she make mistakes.”

Bai Yu nodded with a teasing grin. “Then why did he take so many weapons and tools? Planning for a battle, perhaps?”

Xue Ze felt a twinge of unease but refused to speculate on her Senior Brother’s intentions. She trusted him implicitly. Still, Bai Yu’s words left her concerned for Lotus Seed.

“Thank you for the warning, Senior Sister. I’ll take my leave now.”

Bai Yu smiled gently. “No matter. Go ahead—I’ll pick the Moon Lotus for you and give it to your Senior Brother.”

“Thank you for your trouble, Senior Sister.” Xue Ze smiled, thinking, ‘She didn’t scold me but offered help instead. Clearly, the camaraderie among Tianshan disciples remains unchanged. That dream was just my overthinking.’

Bai Yu’s gentle smile flickered with a trace of triumph. ‘So you’re beautiful—so what? You want to compete with me as soon as you return? Why should you win? Besides your looks, what do you have?’

By the time Ji Lin arrived in Tang Prefecture, he had heard from the locals that there was hope the plague could be cured.

After much inquiry, Ji Lin finally learned the details. With an uneasy heart, he sought out Lotus Seed.

At a relay station not far from Apricot Blossom Village, Lotus Seed greeted Ji Lin with delight.

“Senior Brother, what brings you here?”

“If I hadn’t come, who knows what trouble you might have caused!”

Lotus Seed was startled by his stern expression, her heart filling with doubt and worry. “Did I do something wrong, Senior Brother? Please tell me.”

Before Ji Lin could answer, a girl in green strode in, singing to herself, her eyes bright. She slapped Ji Lin on the shoulder, then laughed at him with pride.

“Well, well, Senior Brother, you’ve got the nerve to lecture Lotus Seed?”

Ji Lin jumped, stepping aside and straightening his clothes, glaring at Ling’er. “Miss Qu, what are you doing here? I’m talking with Lotus Seed—please don’t interrupt.”

Ling’er pouted, sidling up to Lotus Seed and toying with her hair. “You care so much for Lotus Seed? Then why did I get here faster than you?”

“That’s exactly it!” Ji Lin turned to Lotus Seed, adopting a serious tone. “Lotus Seed, haven’t I told you not to use magic carelessly in the mortal world? Though you’ve shed your Lanhua Pavilion identity, you’re now a disciple of Tianshan. The traces of your spells are obvious—they can’t go unnoticed.”

Lotus Seed began to reply but Ling’er cut in.

“Oh please, Master He, don’t be ridiculous. I tracked Feng Xing here, and only guessed Lotus Seed was here midway through. It wasn’t her spellwork that led me!”

Seeing Ji Lin’s anger, Lotus Seed bowed her head. “I’m sorry, Senior Brother. I won’t do it again.”

Ling’er stopped her, speaking bluntly. “Don’t grovel. Haven’t your merits outweighed your faults? Such a small mistake is nothing compared to your achievements.”

“What are you two talking about?” Ji Lin looked between Lotus Seed and Ling’er. “Did you scheme all this together? Are you proud of it?”

Ling’er shot Ji Lin a smug look. “What do you think?”

“Please don’t be angry, Senior Brother! I took General Feng Xing and Ling’er’s advice and am posing as a healer from the Western Sea Manor—it’s a perfect cover.”

Ji Lin was taken aback. “Really? The Beihua court may be fooled, but what about the Western Sea Manor? Inventing a wandering healer’s identity isn’t just complicated, the consequences are unpredictable. If they come to challenge you, what then?”

Lotus Seed quickly replied, “Your concerns are valid, Senior Brother, but we believe this will benefit the Western Sea Manor—they’re unlikely to interfere or make trouble.”

“That may be reasonable, but nothing is certain. We shouldn’t entangle too many parties, especially not in such a reckless fashion. What if they don’t play by the rules?”

“Have you forgotten Yu Qixian? He’s the son of the Western Sea Manor’s Lord!” Ling’er reminded Ji Lin. “And have you forgotten my own skills?”

Ji Lin eyed her with suspicion. “Have you already arranged everything?”

“Clever boy!” Ling’er laughed. “I’ve done you a little favor. I even resolved my old grudge with Lotus Seed because of it!”

Lotus Seed smiled gently at Ji Lin. “Senior Brother, Ling’er has already negotiated with the Western Sea Manor. Our healer’s identity is secure! We’re building our reputation now, and soon enough, we’ll complete the task.”