Seventeenth: The Flourishing Sweet Pear Tree, Part One
The commotion stemmed from Du Gewen's solo investigation into espionage. He, who usually returned late, hadn't come home all night without a word, which made Rong Shao uneasy. She didn't see Du Gewen again in the morning, and lost all appetite, rarely coming to He Geng Tang for breakfast.
She arrived so early that, apart from herself, only Ji Zhen, who had been staying up all night refining pills, was there. Ji Zhen had also come so early so that she wouldn't wake up hungry after falling asleep.
Seeing that Rong Shao seemed listless, Ji Zhen asked her what was wrong. After listening to Rong Shao's story, Ji Zhen, still sleep-deprived and not quite clear-headed, hadn't yet figured out how to comfort her when Ming Jin suddenly rushed into He Geng Tang, Ya Zai chattering beside her. The two of them ran to Ji Zhen's side together. After calling out "Elder Ji," Ming Jin suddenly noticed Rong Shao sitting next to Ji Zhen and was instantly rendered speechless.
"What's wrong? Say something!" Ji Zhen asked, puzzled by her behavior.
“This morning I received a message from Yu Cheng, who is Meng Sheng, the disciple of the Huicheng Sect Leader,” Ming Jin said, her voice trembling as Ji Zhen pulled her to sit beside her. “She told Ya Zai that my master is ‘hunting ghosts…in danger…in Huicheng…’.
"That's all you said, nothing else?" Rong Shao and Ming Jin were separated by Ji Zhen, but after hearing Ming Jin's words, Rong Shao stood up and pulled Ji Zhen's shoulder back.
"Ya Zai said she only received these few words, so I asked Ya Zai to pass on the message, but I haven't received a reply yet. I just went to see the sect leader, and he said he would let Master Ji go to Huicheng with me."
"I want to go too." Rong Shao spoke up before Ji Zhen could even speak.
Upon hearing this, Ji Zhen was still not fully awake, but she could understand Rong Shao's feelings. Besides, it was just a visit to Huicheng, nothing serious. So she finished her porridge in one gulp and went to Huicheng with Ming Jin and Rong Shao.
Along the way, Mingjin was still troubled, not knowing where to look for the person after arriving in Huicheng. Unexpectedly, after approaching the barrier of Huicheng, Yazai received new information.
"Find Wenzhi at Tongyang Medical Clinic; he will lead you to Elder Du."
When they arrived in the capital, it was still early. Passersby glanced back at the three women hurrying along before continuing with their own business. Shen Bai was seeing patients at Tongyang Medical Clinic that day. Just as he opened the door, he saw Ming Jin running towards him along the path. Remembering that he hadn't been able to visit her after receiving news of her injury, he quickly went out to greet her, saying, "Senior Sister Ming, it's been so long! Are you feeling better..."
"My master—" Before Shen Bai could finish speaking, Ming Jin used his wind magic to leap out of the ground and rush in front of Shen Bai, grabbing his arms, startling Shen Bai. "Elder Du of Kongyun Mountain, what happened?"
Rong Shao and Ji Zhen, who arrived later, also looked worried, which surprised and bewildered Shen Bai.
"Elder Du, no, nothing serious has happened..."
Two doctors were on duty today. Shen Bai temporarily entrusted everything to the other doctor and led the three bewildered individuals into the inner city. There was a clinic in the city, which was used to treat cultivators, and behind it was a row of buildings specifically set up for patients to recuperate.
After greeting them, Shen Bai led the three of them inside and stopped at the door of a room: "Elder Du, please rest here."
Although Shen Bai said it was nothing serious, Ming Jin was still worried. So he pushed open the door with a "shaking" sound, called out "Master", and saw Du Gewen sitting against the bed. There was another bed inside, with Ban Rui lying on it. The two of them were chatting and laughing while drinking porridge.
"Master, are you alright? Elder, are you alright too?"
"You're here so early?" Du Gewen quickly placed the bowl on the small table and pulled Mingjin to sit down first. "It was just a minor injury, but it's all healed now. You came so quickly; it's barely dawn."
Both of them had sustained some injuries, and because the magical healing would temporarily leave grayish-blue marks, there were some marks on their faces at this moment.
Seeing that they were alright, Mingjin was relieved and briefly explained the situation.
Du Gewen frowned slightly. "But Miss Meng relayed the message in front of me. It said, 'Today, while hunting ghosts, we encountered Elder Du of Kongyun Mountain and Elder Juxia. Although the two elders were in danger, their condition is no longer critical. They were taken to the capital for treatment, but they still need to rest here for a day. If Tianguang wants to visit them, he can find Wenzhi at Tongyang Medical Hall. He will guide you to Elder Du.' It seems Miss Meng wasn't feeling well, so her magic was a bit unstable. It's really not right to give you a false alarm, but we're all fine, so don't worry about it."
Dugowen listened as Ya Zai repeated what she had received. He knew the little bird had a bad temper, so he spoke up first to persuade it.
Ji Zhen's previously unclear mind was somewhat relieved by the wind along the way. After personally checking the pulses of Du Gewen and Ban Rui and confirming that they were fine, the tension dissipated, but he began to feel tired again and almost couldn't stand up. Rong Shao quickly supported him and pulled over a chair for Ji Zhen to sit down.
"What exactly happened?" Ji Zhen asked.
"Ah Qiao sought out the disciple who spread the news and discovered his name was Yu Dayou. I followed him to a mountain near Baicheng, but accidentally lost him. Not knowing what to do, I suddenly heard a commotion. I went to investigate and found that the elder was fighting a demon, but was unfortunately at a disadvantage. So I went to help him. The demon didn't want to fight for long and used a powerful fire-based demonic technique to injure both of us. Fortunately, some cultivators from the city noticed the commotion and took us here to recuperate."
"Elder, why are you there?" Ji Zhen sat on the chair near the door, Rong Shao sat on Du Gewen's bed, and Ming Jin sat on the chair at the very back of the room. "You seem to be more seriously injured. Where is Jing Yun?"
“Jingyun went out to cultivate with the other disciples these past two days. I was working on a new spell and made some progress. I wanted to find a spirit to test it on. But I was worried about being discovered by my fellow disciples, so I went a bit further away. I didn’t expect to encounter a difficult spirit. I was trying to test the spell and couldn’t handle it. Fortunately, Elder Du appeared and saved my life. Miss Meng doesn’t know anyone from Juxia, so I sent a letter back myself. But my disciple usually doesn’t get up early.”
As they were talking, Meng Sheng walked over carrying a basket containing six hot steamed buns. She knew someone had arrived when she saw Shen Bai standing at the door, but she hadn't expected so many people to be there: "Greetings, esteemed elders."
Meng Sheng is nearly five months pregnant. Although she wore loose-fitting autumn clothes today, her belly was still noticeably protruding. It was also because of her pregnancy that she felt dizzy and lightheaded today, causing fluctuations in her magical abilities and resulting in the failed message transmission.
There was only one chair in the room. When Ji Zhen saw Rong Shao arrive, he offered her his chair, saying, "You're pregnant and it's hard on you. It won't hurt for me to stand for a while."
However, Ji Zhen was in very poor condition. He felt like he was about to collapse after standing up, so he asked Shen Bai, who was standing by the door, "Wenzhi, are there any empty rooms here? I haven't slept for almost two days and I can't hold on any longer."
Upon hearing this, Shen Bai thought about the arrangements for the next two days and quickly led Ji Zhen to a side room two rooms away to rest. After thanking him, Ji Zhen closed the door and fell asleep immediately.
Du and Ban had just finished a bowl of porridge and each took two steamed buns. Rong Shao had already eaten at Kongyun Mountain, so he gave the remaining two steamed buns to Ming Jin, whose stomach was empty.
Eating only steamed buns was too dry, so Meng Sheng suggested taking Ming Jin to the kitchen to have some porridge. The three of them knew the two wanted to talk, so they didn't disturb them. Shen Bai felt it was time to go back, so after seeing them to the kitchen, he returned to his clinic.
"I'm so sorry," Ya Zi said, just as he sat down. Ya Zi flew out on its own, pulled Yi Zhi out, and kept pecking at Yi Zhi's head, questioning what the message he had received was. Meng Sheng, who had overheard what had happened while Ming Jin was eating and drinking, said apologetically, "It's all because of my lack of skill that I frightened the three of you. If I had known this would happen, I would have written a letter."
"It was just a false alarm, nothing to worry about," Mingjin said, indicating there was no need to fret. "Why didn't you tell me about your pregnancy in your previous letters? How are you feeling?"
“You were injured back then, and I didn’t want you to worry too much. I’m five months pregnant now, and apart from occasional dizziness and unpredictable spell effects, I’m fine. It’s just that since becoming pregnant, I’ve stopped going out to hunt ghosts and have been treating patients here, which is a bit boring.”
While talking, Meng Sheng took some steamed buns from the steamer and gave them to Ming Jin, then ladled a bowl of porridge from the pot. Now that spring was halfway over, the steamed buns in Huicheng were seasonal wild vegetable buns. Ming Jin ate one and found it very delicious, so she quickly ate the other one as well. Paired with a bowl of vegetable porridge, it was a truly delightful breakfast.
"These wild vegetables are delicious," Mingjin said happily.
“These past few days, there have been vendors selling these everywhere in Huicheng. We still have two large baskets of them in our kitchen. If you think they’re good, I see Elder Ji doesn’t look well and probably needs to sleep a little longer. Elder Du also needs a day of rest. Let’s go for a stroll in the streets and buy some to take back. You can leave this for now.”
“Let me do it,” Mingjin said, taking water from the water vat. “I’ll show you the new spell I just came up with: washing dishes with wind magic.”
In terms of time, it's not much faster than washing the dishes by hand.
"How did you come up with the idea of figuring out this thing?" After washing the dishes, the two of them walked outside together.
“I usually eat with everyone and don’t have to wash the dishes. But these days of illness, I’ve been alone in the courtyard, and I’ve gotten quite bored, so I’ve been thinking about using magic to do something interesting. All of you elders have your own unique magic, and if you want to become a cultivator alongside you in the future, this is also a necessary form of training.”
“I’ve recently,” Meng Sheng said, seemingly lost in thought, “also gained some insights into magic. I’ll show them to you later.”
After entering the clinic, you first see the kitchen; you have to pass through there to reach the side rooms.
Ming Jin and Meng Sheng had just reached the entrance of the kitchen and hadn't even stepped out when they heard a series of loud footsteps outside. Ming Jin, supporting Meng Sheng, craned their necks to look out and saw a cultivator dressed in a flowing robe running towards them. As he passed the kitchen door, his gaze fell on Ming Jin with a hint of confusion, but then his mind caught up with his movements, and he finally realized who she was. He seemed tired from running, so he stopped, panting, and said, "Senior Sister Ming, where is my...where is my master?"
"Jingyun, calm down. The squad leader is fine. He was just eating in the room."
Heng Buwei stood with one hand against the wall, catching his breath before following Ming Jin inside. Shen Bai had also brought Heng Buwei in, but Shen Bai couldn't run as fast as him, and by the time he caught up, Heng Buwei had already left with Ming Jin.
Meng Sheng glanced back at him, and Shen Bai made a gesture before turning back.
"Master!"
Heng Buwei made just as much noise as Ming Jin when he entered the room. He was clearly unaware of Du Gewen and Rong Shao's presence, his emotions swirling between anxiety and confusion. He walked to Ban Rui's bedside and said, "Master, are you alright? Are you free of any internal injuries? It's good that you're alright. Why did you leave your disciple and run off like that? I woke up hungry this morning, and when I woke up I heard the news of your injury. It scared me so much that my stomachache got even worse. If Uncle Zhang and the Sect Leader find out, we'll both get scolded by Uncle Zhang."
“We’ve finally gotten out, let’s not mention Zhang Sishi again,” Ban Rui said, handing Heng Buwei a steamed bun he still had left. “Did you bring your things?”
Heng Buwei stuffed the remaining buns into his mouth and took out a small scroll from his pouch.
When cultivators first create spells, they write them down. The cultivators of Kongyun Mountain prefer to inscribe them on bamboo slips, while Juxia is relatively wealthy, so they can write them on scrolls.
“Master, why don’t you wait until you’re fully recovered before thinking about it? Don’t let the illness worsen. Besides, this spell needs to be tested a lot; we can’t rush it.” After finishing the steamed bun, Heng Buwei took out his water gourd and drank some water.
“Silly disciple, go sit down,” Heng Buwei said helplessly, sitting down on the edge of the bed. He watched as Ban Rui sat cross-legged on the bed, introducing his new spell to the others in the room. “Gentlemen, this is a spell I recently developed. Its effects are different from the usual ones. I dare say that once this spell is fully developed and put into use, it will help us cultivators exorcise more evil spirits. However, only my disciple and I know about it now, so we are looking for cultivators to use this spell to see its effects. If you are interested, I will tell you everything I know.”
"What's different about this spell?" Having witnessed Banri persist in his experiment despite being attacked by the evil spirit, Dugwen felt that this person would not give up easily, so he decided to listen first.
"This technique is a newly developed metal technique that I have scoured through all the books I could find," Ban Rui said in a low voice.
Ming Jin suddenly recalled the scene when he first met Ban Rui. He never expected that Ban Rui would actually achieve something. He truly admired Ban Rui for keeping his word: "Metal cultivation is difficult. I never thought that Elder Ban could actually create another metal technique."
"Therefore, I especially need your help."
Ban Rui had encountered many setbacks in Juxia because of his practice of metal magic. If Wan Xia hadn't been willing to let him stay and give him food, he would probably have starved to death long ago. If he were to seek help in Juxia again now, and it got back to Wan Xia and Zhang Xu, it would surely cause a lot of trouble. He had originally planned to seek help outside, but he didn't know many people. Today, Du Gewen's encounter with him was an opportunity.
"I wonder what the ingenious effects of this technique are?" Rong Shao had not learned many spells, but he was quite knowledgeable about them. However, there was very little information about metal magic. Now that he heard that Ban Rui could actually create his own spells, he was very curious and quickly asked.
"This golden technique can peer into the memories of evil spirits. We can hardly get anything out of them, and even if they do say something, we are only half convinced. In that case, we can only see what they have experienced."
“If it can really be done, this technique is truly extraordinary,” Dugwen said. “If we can obtain the memories of a hundred-year-old ghost, that would be invaluable information.”
“When I fought that evil spirit yesterday, I successfully used this gold spell for a few moments and did overhear some things,” Banri said seriously. “Memory at least has sound and image, but this spell can only produce a few moments of sound, and it’s not continuous. When I used it yesterday, the surrounding environment was not good, and although I heard a few words, I can’t make out the details now.”
“Master, I think this spell is not to be underestimated. Why don’t we try learning it first?” Ming Jin saw Du Gewen’s expression and knew that he was still thinking about it, so he persuaded him first.
“You kids are just thinking about having fun,” Du Gewen said helplessly, glancing at Ming Jin and noticing that Heng Buwei and Meng Sheng, who were standing beside him, also looked on with curiosity. But he also understood the implications, so he turned to look at Ban Rui and said, “In that case, please enlighten me, Elder Ban.”
Banrui spread the scroll on his bed and began to talk to the people around him. It took him about an hour to finish: "There is still no success. Please try it when you have the opportunity."
After finishing his story, Heng Buwei felt hungry again. He rummaged through his pouch and found it empty. He asked Meng Sheng where he could get something to eat. Du Gewen still had some details to discuss with Ban Rui, Rong Shao decided to go see Ji Zhen, and Ming Jin and Meng Sheng took Heng Buwei to eat.
The head chef was in the kitchen, so Meng Sheng asked him to cook something for Heng Buwei and said, "We have four more guests at noon today, so please prepare more dishes. Jingyun, Tianguang and I will go for a walk first."
Heng Buwei told him not to worry about him and to sit at the table and wait for his food.
The clinic was located in the southern part of the inner city, surrounded by lush trees and a variety of flowers. The two walked south along a stone-paved path, talking as they went, and soon heard the sound of flowing water. To the west of the inner city were continuous mountain ranges, and a stream flowed down from the mountains, passing behind the clinic and exiting the city.
After Meng Sheng made the suggestion, the two of them decided to sit by the water for a while.
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