A young child's heart
Unlike the workshop area, it is deep in the Qixia Valley.
A heavy sense of unease permeated the place, completely at odds with the hustle and bustle of the outside world.
That was the silent panic brought about by the fragility and passing of life.
Inside the warm wooden house, the charcoal fire glowed red-hot, trying its best to dispel the chill of late autumn, but it could not dispel the weakness that originated from the very source of life.
A dozen or so children huddled together under thick blankets.
Her face was as pale as paper, and her breathing was so weak it seemed like a thread about to break.
They were among the most severely damaged groups at the valley base.
Ten of the children were in particularly critical condition.
This includes Zhou Wenqing's frail and sickly grandson, Zhou Nian'an.
Even with the tonifying and nourishing medicine that Xuan Chenzi painstakingly prepared, and the constant soothing and nourishing effects of Shen Hong's pure supernatural abilities, their bodies were like wrecked ships riddled with holes. No matter how much nutrition and vital energy was injected, it was difficult to retain them. Their growth and development almost stopped, and they remained pitifully thin.
Zhou Nian'an often suffered from a low-grade fever, and her cough sounded like a broken bellows, her small body curled up.
Like a candle flame that could be extinguished at any moment.
Shen Yan is known for loving children!
These children, especially the orphans of old officials, held immense importance in his heart, and he treated them as his own.
At this moment, his brows were furrowed, and he paced restlessly in the cramped wooden house, his heavy footsteps thumping on the floor.
Looking at those tiny, barely breathing figures on the bed.
Especially Zhou Nian'an's pale, almost transparent face, it felt as if a cold boulder was pressing down on her heart, making it almost impossible to breathe.
"Medicine...superpowers...we've tried everything we could!"
Shen Yan suddenly stopped in front of Ling Zhan, his voice suppressing volcanic rage and a hint of barely perceptible panic.
His peach blossom eyes were fixed on her, as if trying to grasp at the last straw in her eyes.
"Ah Zhan! Tell me, what other options are there?! Are we just going to watch them... burn out and die?!"
He choked on the words that followed, unable to bring himself to say them.
These children are the sparks of hope, the future he promised to protect!
Looking at the anxiety in Shen Yan's eyes, Ling Zhan felt a similar heaviness in his heart, as if it were filled with lead.
She had experienced mountains of corpses and seas of blood, but never before had she felt the fragility and helplessness of life so profoundly.
She knelt down and gently stroked Zhou Nian'an's burning forehead. The child unconsciously rubbed against her cool palm.
It let out a faint whimper, like a dying young animal.
This tiny movement, like a needle, pierced her heart, which had always been as calm as still water.
"way……"
Ling Zhan's voice was a little hoarse as she frantically searched her mind for any possible chance of survival.
Suddenly, a place flashed through her consciousness like lightning—
The slumbering star core atop Qingzhou Mountain!
Shen Hong's pure supernatural power was activated there.
The little stone's ability to communicate with birds only became apparent after its return from that place...
That place contains the purest life-source energy from the universe and interstellar space, with zero absorption and transformation!
It is a sanctuary for nourishment and repair!
Just then, Xuan Chenzi, who had been silently observing and stroking his beard in deep thought, slowly spoke, his voice carrying a certainty of understanding the secrets of heaven.
This perfectly confirmed what Ling Zhan had in mind.
"Amitabha Buddha. Is what you, Madam, are thinking of... the Cloud Field Blessed Land atop Qingzhou Mountain?!"
Ling Zhan suddenly looked up, his gaze sharp as he looked at Xuan Chenzi.
"Indeed! Daoist Master, you recuperated there, so you know best!"
Xuan Chenzi stroked his long beard, his gaze distant.
It felt like I was back in the day when I was critically injured and on the verge of death, and Ling Zhan saved me.
"Back then, my foundation was completely destroyed, and my three souls and seven spirits were about to scatter. If it weren't for Lady Ling's compassion, who risked her life to bring me to that cloud field atop the mountain, where I was nourished by the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, the essence of the sun and moon, and that... strange starlight, I would have long since turned into a handful of yellow earth. That cloud field is the most beautiful and auspicious spot in the world, where the spiritual energy is far more abundant and pure than ordinary imagination. It is the best for nourishing one's origin, repairing congenital deficiencies, and reshaping vitality. This is the work of the creation of heaven and earth, which cannot be compared with medicine or human effort."
His compassionate gaze swept over the weak children on the bed. "These children have lost their innate foundation, just like I was in dire straits back then. Perhaps... only the spiritual energy of the Cloud Field can make up for their innate deficiencies, strengthen their original vitality, and turn the tide."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yan's body jolted violently, as if struck by a thunderbolt!
Cloud fields atop Qingzhou Mountain!
Of course he knows that magical place!
The origin of the Spirit Seed and Divine Cotton!
There's also Shen Hong, Xiao Shitou... all the children that Ling Zhan took there have undergone a complete transformation after returning!
He had previously thought it was just a coincidence or that the children had extraordinary potential.
Now, after hearing Xuan Chenzi reveal the profound truths of heaven and earth contained within, I was astonished to realize that the place was indeed so wondrous!
It is the true source of life!
A complex and indescribable emotion welled up inside me instantly—
A strong sense of reluctance to part, deep worry, and the arduous journey...
But even stronger is the irrepressible light of hope when you see a glimmer of hope!
He looked at Ling Zhan, his eyes filled with entrustment and pleading.
He then turned to look at the children on the bed, whose breaths were faint and who seemed about to leave at any moment.
A fleeting look of struggle crossed his face.
The mountains are high and the roads are long; I just returned from Qingzhou not long ago...
Ultimately, the fear for the children's lives overwhelmed everything else!
Shen Yan closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, his eyes were filled with a resolute determination like a rock.
He walked up to Ling Zhan, his voice low and solemn, each word carrying immense weight.
"Ah Zhan, take them! Just these ten... the weakest of them, set off immediately! We can't delay a moment longer!"
He paused, then added, his thoughts clear, "Take Hong'er and Xiao Shitou with us! Hong'er's special ability might protect the children's hearts along the way, and Xiao Shitou can communicate with birds and beasts, giving early warnings of danger. And there's Daya; she knows herbs and can take care of the children's health along the way."
His gaze turned to Xuan Chenzi, filled with deep respect and entrustment, "Daoist Master, you are familiar with the path and know the mysteries of the Cloud Field. I implore you... to accompany and protect us! The children are in your care!"
Xuan Chenzi bowed respectfully, his eyes shining brightly, and he was also delighted that this trip might allow him to comprehend the Dao of Heaven once more.
"May you enjoy boundless longevity and blessings! This humble monk feels it is my duty to do everything in my power!"
"besides……"
His disdainful gaze swept across the crowd and landed on a sturdy boy in the corner, dressed neatly in shorts and with a small apron tied around his waist, staring at him expectantly—it was Little Bull.
Ever since the child became the "head of the household," he's clung to him even more tightly.
Shen Yan's heart softened, but thinking of the faint signals from Linzhou Prefecture about the unusual demand for medicinal soap and the potential risk of an epidemic, he hardened his heart and said, "Little Bull, you go up the mountain with your mother too!"
"father!"
Upon hearing this, Little Bull immediately rushed to Shen Yan like a tiger whose tail had been stepped on. He grabbed Shen Yan's arm, tilted his head back, and his bright black eyes instantly filled with tears. His voice was trembling with sobs and extreme reluctance.
"I'm not going! I want to stay! Dad, you never eat on time! The steamed buns and soup I make for you, you'll definitely forget about them if I don't keep an eye on them! And you stay up late looking at the accounts, the charcoal fire isn't strong enough, it'll get cold at night! Dad... who will take care of you if I leave?"
He went on and on, listing out all the responsibilities he considered to be "taking care of his father," his little face turning bright red.
It was all genuine worry and reluctance.
In his heart, his father was a great hero!
But he is also a father who is "unable to take care of himself" and needs to be looked after by his little cook and page!
Shen Yan looked at the little bull's tearful appearance and listened to his childish yet extremely sincere "accusation".
My already tender heart has cracked open again, and waves of warmth and bitterness surge forth.
He crouched down, gently ruffled the little bull's spiky short hair with his large hand, and softened his voice.
“Silly boy, your father is an adult now and can take care of himself. Things are a bit unsettled here in the prefecture city right now. I’ll feel at ease if you come up the mountain with your mother. We need you more on the mountain. Go help your mother cook, and watch over your younger siblings, especially Little Stone. Make sure he doesn’t run around and stir up trouble again. Once things are settled over there, your father will bring you all back.”
He paused, looking at his son's still stubbornly pursed lips, and used his trump card, lowering his voice, "Moreover, I'm entrusting you with an important task—as the head of the family, you must look after the account book of the new workshop for me! That's the lifeblood of our family! Your mother is carrying it, and I'm afraid she'll get it wrinkled on the way. You're careful, so please keep it safe for me, okay?"
He pointed to the blue cloth-covered ledger that Daya Chen Suihe was tightly hugging next to him.
Upon hearing the words "important task," "lifeline," and "meticulous," most of the moisture in Little Bull's eyes instantly disappeared.
Her small chest subconsciously puffed out.
Taking care of Dad is important, but keeping the account book for Dad's "lifeline" is an even greater responsibility!
He looked at his father's trusting eyes, then at his mother, and then at his sickly younger brother Nian'an lying on the bed. Finally, the scales in his heart tipped.
He sniffed hard and nodded emphatically.
With a sob in his voice, he tried his best to act like a little man: "Okay! Dad, don't worry! Give me the account book! I... I'll keep it safe! You... you also have to promise me that you'll eat on time and not stay up late! Otherwise... otherwise I won't make you braised pork when I get back!"
As he spoke, he quickly pulled two still-warm meat buns wrapped in oil paper from the basket beside him and stuffed them into Chen Yan's arms. "This...this was just steamed. Keep it and have some if you get hungry!"
After doing all this, as if afraid he would change his mind, he suddenly turned around, wiped his eyes hard with his sleeve, and ran towards Ling Zhan. But no matter how you looked at his small back, it was full of grievance and reluctance.
Holding the warm bun in her arms, Shen Yan looked at that stubborn little figure from behind, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
He stood up, nodded to Ling Zhan, and everything was understood without words.
Ling Zhan was also moved by the touching scene of father and son, and gently patted Xiao Shitou's shoulder.
Without further delay, she acted swiftly and immediately began selecting her entourage.
Besides Xuan Chenzi, Chen Hong, Xiao Shitou, Daya, Xiao Manniu, and the ten weakest children, there were also two little ones who had followed Xuan Chenzi. They were now dressed as little Taoist disciples and had new names—Qingfeng and Mingyue.
When Xuan Chenzi leaves, they will accompany him, both to take care of him and to gain experience.
At the same time, considering the unusual surge in demand for medicated soap in Linzhou Prefecture, this is by no means ordinary!
Ling Zhan keenly sensed the signs that the epidemic might be about to break out.
She immediately ordered, "Ling Feng, take a squad of elite Asura Guards and come with me up the mountain! Besides escorting them, you also need to urgently transport a batch of medicinal herbs for preventing and treating the epidemic from the mountain's medicine storehouse! Honeysuckle, Isatis root, Coptis chinensis, Atractylodes lancea... pack as much as you can! Be quick!"
Ling Feng, the leader of the Asura Guard, immediately clasped his hands in a fist and accepted the order: "Yes, Madam!"
In the valley, two specially made, spacious carriages, lined with thick, soft mattresses and with excellent sealing to block the wind and cold, were ready to go.
Ling Zhan personally and carefully carried each child onto the train carriage, his movements as gentle as if they were rare treasures.
Shen Hong sat quietly among the children, radiating a gentle and pure aura that silently soothed their unease.
Daya carefully checked the various medicine pouches and emergency supplies that had been prepared.
Little Stone climbed onto the roof of the car like a nimble monkey, warily gazing at the surrounding mountains and forests.
Little Bull hugged the blue cloth ledger tightly and sat next to Daya Chen Suihe.
Her little face was tense, looking serious as if she had a heavy responsibility on her shoulders.
But his eyes would occasionally dart toward the dark figure on the cliff edge.
Xuan Chenzi, holding a whisk, stood beside the first carriage, exuding an air of otherworldly grace, his gaze calmly fixed on the direction of Qingzhou.
It was as if it were sensing the distant spiritual energy of heaven and earth.
The two young Taoist boys, Qingfeng and Mingyue, deftly inspected the saddles and shafts of the horses.
Chen Yan stood alone on the edge of the cliff.
His dark robes fluttered in the suddenly brisk mountain wind, and a bright red feather in his hair trembled violently.
Just like his restless emotions at this moment.
He watched as the convoy slowly started, its wheels rolling over the gravel, making a rumbling sound, and gradually drove into the forest path leading out of the mountains.
A pale little hand lifted a corner of the curtain in the carriage, revealing Zhou Nian'an's weak but expectant face, and the little bull struggling to peek out, waving goodbye to him with all its might.
"You must... return safely."
Shen Yan muttered to himself, but his voice was instantly swept away by the howling mountain wind and disappeared into the deep valley.
He gripped the two still-warm meat buns in his hands tightly, his gaze heavy.
He must remain in the game of chess in Linzhou.
Continue to strategize and consolidate this hard-won foundation and stability.
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