Returning to the Origin at the Cloud Peak
Deep in Kaoshan Village, Qingzhou, lies a mysterious mountain peak shrouded in mist.
The familiar scene came into view, yet it carried a deeper mission.
The massive log cabins still stand silently on the edge of the cloud field, like giants guarding the secret realm.
In the center of the neatly paved stone courtyard in front of the house, the large stone-built hearth lies silent...
The laughter and joy of the children seem to still echo in the air.
At this moment, Ling Zhan set foot on this land with even heavier hopes.
Ten children whose foundations have been damaged and who are extremely weak!
They were carefully placed on the upper floor of the wooden house, on a communal bed covered with thick hay, animal hides, and cotton quilts.
Their small faces were pale, and their breathing was weak, like ten faint flames that could be extinguished at any moment.
Zhou Nian'an huddled in the corner.
The small body would occasionally let out a suppressed, heart-wrenching cough.
Make sure the weak children are settled.
The little bull immediately got into the zone.
He put down the blue cloth ledger he had been clutching tightly the whole way and carefully tucked it under his pillow.
He quickly tied on his signature little apron and plunged into the spacious kitchen area in the corner of the cabin.
"Mother, Taoist priest, leave the children to me and Sister Suihe to take care of!"
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable sense of responsibility.
They skillfully began to count the rice, flour, cooking oil, cured meat, and dried vegetables that Ling Feng had delivered in advance.
There were also several mild and nourishing herbs that Suihe had just picked from the herb garden.
His small brows sometimes furrowed and sometimes relaxed.
He was clearly already planning his first meal for the sick in his mind.
Shen Hong immediately sat cross-legged among the children and closed his eyes.
He exuded a pure and gentle aura, like an invisible warm current, gently enveloping each weak child.
That aura carried a calming power.
This helped the children's furrowed brows relax slightly, and their rapid breathing calmed down a little.
Little Stone sat quietly by the window.
Listen intently for a moment, then gently push open the window and imitate a few clear bird calls outside.
Soon, several colorful birds with smooth feathers gracefully flew and landed on the window frame.
Tilting its little head, it curiously looked into the room and chirped melodiously.
This vibrant sound brought a lively touch to the otherwise silent room.
Suihe put down her luggage and immediately got busy.
She walked briskly towards the familiar medicinal herb garden behind the house.
She carefully selected the oldest and best-looking Ziyun ginseng.
Carefully using a small hoe, I dug it up by the roots, while simultaneously identifying other familiar herbs in the herb garden: Bletilla striata, Albizia julibrissin bark, Polygonatum sibiricum…
Her movements were swift and focused.
The young girl's figure moved swiftly through the herb garden, like a diligent sprite.
Master Xuan Chenzi held a whisk in his hand, exuding an air of otherworldly elegance.
He did not rush to examine the child.
Instead, he first took a deep breath of the clear, pure air from the mountaintop, rich in spiritual energy, and his face showed a look of intoxication and reminiscence.
He walked to the huge hearth and personally gathered firewood to start a fire.
The dry pine branches crackled, and orange-red flames rose—
It dispelled the chill from the mountaintop and brought warmth and hopeful light.
Ling Zhan finished arranging everything and glanced at this familiar place that held new hope.
Without pausing for a moment, she turned and walked towards the fertile land behind the house that had once been cultivated.
Inside the tool shed, plows, hoes, and sickles were still neatly arranged.
She shouldered the iron plow and walked towards the land that was now overgrown with wild grass, yet remained fertile.
The iron plow, propelled by her steady and powerful arms, cut deep into the fertile black soil, turning up fresh waves of mud.
Instantly, the unique fragrance of the soil mixed with the fresh scent of grass and trees wafted over.
Frostblade White Wolf and Storm Shadow Gray Wolf.
Like two swift shadows, they darted out from the woods beside the house and excitedly circled around her.
A soft, affectionate hum came from its throat.
Their bodies were more agile and powerful than when they last parted, and their eyes were sharp and full of intelligence.
However, the Frostblade White Wolf's nose suddenly twitched a few times in mid-air.
It was as if I had caught a very tempting scent.
Its sharp, icy blue eyes instantly turned toward the kitchen of the wooden house.
A short, longing groan escaped his throat.
She abandoned Ling Zhan and, with elegant and swift steps, quietly slipped towards the kitchen door.
A low growl came from behind.
A round, black bear wobbled out from behind the house.
It has grown even bigger, and its fur is jet black and glossy.
Upon seeing Ling Zhan and the familiar iron plow, its beady eyes immediately lit up.
It came running over, whimpering.
Its big head rubbed against her leg, its target clear—honey!
Ling Zhan's lips curled slightly.
He took out a specially made small bamboo tube from the leather pouch at his waist and smeared the thick, golden honey onto the plow handle.
The black ball immediately stretched out its long tongue and began to lick it with satisfaction.
Then he let out a low roar as if he had been injected with chicken blood.
It actively slips its thick neck into a specially made plow cover and pulls the plow with all its might!
It is incredibly strong, and with its addition, the speed of land reclamation has increased dramatically!
Jinbao has just returned from his inspection.
It also peeked out from the tall tree canopy, its golden fur shimmering in the sunlight.
It saw Chen Hong, Xiao Shitou, and Sui He, as well as Xiao Man Niu, and excitedly squeaked.
With a few nimble leaps, she landed lightly beside Shen Hong.
They watched with curiosity as he comforted the children.
He hopped onto the little stone's shoulder and gently touched the little bird perched on his hand with his tiny claws.
Healing, learning, and peaceful moments.
The days flowed by amidst the clouds and rosy glow of the mountaintop, regular and full of hope.
The spiritual energy is at its peak at dawn and dusk.
Ling Zhan would personally carry the weakest child, while Shen Hong and Sui He would support the ones who could walk.
We arrived at the core area deep within the Cloud Field, a place shrouded in spiritual energy.
The children were either sitting or lying down.
Guided by Shen Hong's pure supernatural ability, it greedily absorbed the purest life energy in the world.
Xuan Chenzi stood to the side.
One can either sit cross-legged in meditation to draw energy into the body to nourish oneself, or light specially made calming incense.
The wisps of smoke, carrying the effects of calming the mind and strengthening the body, blended into the spiritual energy.
Visibly, color gradually returned to the children's pale faces, and their breathing became steady and strong.
Zhou Nian'an's frequent coughs gradually decreased.
In the warm afternoon sun, children in slightly better physical condition are taken to the courtyard or the herb garden.
Xuan Chenzi became the best teacher.
He pointed to the various herbs in the herb garden and explained their medicinal properties, harvesting season, and processing methods.
Suihe listened intently, taking notes diligently in her notebook.
Xuan Chenzi even began to teach her some basic methods of observation, listening, questioning, and palpation.
He spoke to the misty mountains about the landforms, yin and yang, the five elements, celestial phenomena, and the seasons.
Shen Hong listened intently.
He was naturally intelligent and possessed extraordinary abilities, giving him a far greater understanding of the world and nature than ordinary people.
This explanation was like opening a door to a more mysterious world for him.
He often closes his eyes to sense things.
He tried to combine his special abilities with the spiritual energy of the mountain peak and the flow of the earth's veins.
Occasionally, a faint, imperceptible glow would emanate from his body.
Aside from reading, Little Stone spends his time playing happily with his "bird friends".
He can understand the birds' calls and can imitate them to issue commands.
Under his "communication".
The birds would help bring rare herb seeds or drive away pests that approached the herb garden.
Xuan Chenzi stroked his beard and smiled as he watched this scene, his eyes filled with surprise and admiration.
Besides taking care of the children, Ling Zhan continued to cultivate new land.
Black ball remains the mainstay, tirelessly motivated by honey.
The turned-up black soil was shaped into neat ridges, and cold-resistant autumn millet seeds and precious cotton seeds brought from the foot of the mountain were sown.
Suihe is responsible for tending the medicinal herb garden and a small vegetable patch.
Frostblade and Storm Shadow are loyal guardians, vigilant against any threat that might disturb this sanctuary.
Jinbao, meanwhile, hopped and skipped happily among the trees, fields, and wooden houses, making his rounds.
Picking wild fruits for the children, chasing away birds, brings endless vitality and joy.
Frostblade White Wolf, however, would always appear at the kitchen door right before mealtime, like a silent and elegant sentinel.
Its icy blue eyes were fixed intently on the busy little bull in front of the stove.
Little Bull has gotten used to this special "regular visitor".
I always make a point of setting aside a few pieces of meat that are stewed until tender and almost salt-free.
Or a small bowl of bone broth skimmed of oil, placed in a clean earthenware pot, is pushed to the doorway.
Frostblade would lower its head demurely.
They finished their food quickly and gracefully, then licked their lips.
Sometimes it would even rub its huge head against his legs.
A satisfied gurgle came from his throat.
Only then did he stroll away to continue his inspection.
Between the man and the wolf, a silent, intimate understanding developed.
Dinner time is Little Bull's time to shine.
A huge fire blazed in the hearth, dispelling the chill of the mountaintop.
A thick porridge, carefully simmered with spring water, selected cured meat, dried mushrooms, and a small amount of mild herbs provided by Suihe, is simmering in a hanging pot.
The aroma filled the entire wooden house, tempting even Coal Ball to peek out from the doorway. Even Jinbao gave up on the wild fruit and squatted by the fire pit, gazing longingly at the scene.
The children sat around the fire, sipping the fragrant and nutritious porridge meant for patients.
She had a rosy complexion and bright eyes, thanks to the soft pancakes made with limited ingredients.
Even Xuan Chenzi couldn't help but praise it.
"Little Bull Benefactor's skill in harmonizing the cauldron and nourishing the spleen and stomach is indeed a meritorious deed."
His face flushed slightly from the praise, but his movements with the porridge spoon became more steady, and his back straightened even more.
But he sighed like an adult: "I wonder if Father has eaten on time?"
After the meal, it's a quiet time for studying and exchanging ideas.
Shen Hong would take out books and teach his younger siblings more advanced knowledge.
Or share your daytime insights into the principles of nature.
Little Stone's academic genius meant that Shen Hong's scholarly knowledge was insufficient to teach him; the old Taoist priest had to personally instruct him.
Only before going to sleep could he go to his companions, especially Little Bull, and tell them the interesting stories the birds had told him about the mountains and forests.
On a clear, moonlit night, with the campfire crackling, most of the children had gone to sleep.
Xuan Chenzi poked at the charcoal fire, his voice deep and clear, like a mountain stream flowing:
"Madam, Hong'er, are you aware of the current political landscape?"
His gaze was deep. “The current emperor is the youngest son of the late emperor. Unfortunately, when the current emperor was young, the late emperor abandoned his mother and left him alone, leaving him with an unhealable psychological wound. Later, because he ascended the throne at a young age and powerful ministers controlled the government, he experienced many hardships and endured humiliation. He can be considered a benevolent ruler.”
Ling Zhan nodded.
The old Taoist priest said, "The case of deposing the crown prince back then was a witchcraft scandal that implicated many people and caused rivers of blood to flow. In his later years, the late emperor often thought about it and was filled with remorse. The edict of self-reproach was his greatest compensation and repentance."
He paused, then looked at her. "The current emperor himself was confined to the palace since childhood, without any autonomy. In his heart, he probably feels more than just fear towards those 'remnants' who were wrongfully killed back then; perhaps... there is also a trace of barely perceptible sympathy and understanding. The fact that we exiles have been released is proof of that."
She nodded again.
The old Taoist priest said, "As for the young master..."
He lowered his voice even further and glanced at the sleeping children to make sure they were safe.
"With the Crown Prince Li's case long since settled and the current emperor's position secure, his 'threat' is far greater than it was back then. He represents more of a deliberately forgotten, tragic old story from the previous dynasty. If the current emperor truly has the bearing of a great ruler, he might see it as an opportunity to... demonstrate his benevolence and even win back the hearts of some former officials? It might not be something that can't be brought into the open."
His analysis transcends the sensitivity of the aversion to one's own identity.
Instead, it is considered within the context of the current emperor's own experiences and mindset.
It offers a completely new and hopeful possibility.
"However, the problem is, the tree may wish to remain still, but the wind will not cease."
He abruptly changed the subject, his tone turning cold.
"The rise of Chenji Workshop is like a boulder thrown into a deep pool. Those 'cloud brocade cotton,' 'cloud shadow silk,' and 'black armor cloth' are not only wealth, but also national treasures! With the Ministry of War's favor and the people's support soaring, how could such momentum not terrify those petty villains who participated in the framing back then and whose hands are stained with blood? They are sitting on pins and needles, and they will definitely try every means to sow discord and frame the young master and his wife in front of His Majesty for having an army of their own and plotting treason! They might even... use the new emperor to carry out the deed of eliminating them completely!"
He pointed out the enormous crisis lurking beneath the surface of glory.
Ling Zhan listened quietly, the campfire flickering on her cool profile.
These words were like the fog that had been cleared from my vision.
This gave her a clearer understanding of the situation in the capital and potential enemies.
The little bull also sat by the fire a little further away.
While poking at the sweet potatoes simmering in the hot ashes with a twig, he listened intently.
He only vaguely understood the words "Your Majesty," "powerful minister," and "framing."
But the chilling words "cut the weeds and eliminate the roots" sent a shiver down his spine.
He instinctively looked towards the doorway—
The Frostblade White Wolf lay there quietly, the moonlight shining on its silvery-white fur, making it look as if it were covered with a layer of frost.
It seemed to sense his gaze, its icy blue eyes looking over with a quiet, protective air.
The little bull felt inexplicably calmer.
Carefully remove the roasted sweet potatoes, wrap them in leaves, and set them aside.
I'm going to give it to Frostblade and Storm Shadow on night watch later.
He will definitely protect his parents and this family in his own way!
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