Chapter 106: A Dilemma
Page 1 of 3
At the sudden mention of the Undying Ash, Yi Qingchen stood stunned for a moment.
Only after quite some time did she recall hearing her father mention it once when she was a child. As the years accumulated, the matter had gradually faded from her memory.
But was it not said that this object—
Bufeng nodded. That was precisely why he had said that although a way existed, bringing it to fruition would be difficult.
The Undying Ash was the supreme treasure of the Healer’s Gate, and it had never once been lent to outsiders.
Let alone borrowing it—how many people had carried the wounded to the Healer’s Gate, begging Jin Hushang to save them, only to carry them back again exactly as they had come?
“Is there truly no other way?” Yi Qingchen’s eyes widened, brimming with desolation and heartbreak.
“Alas… Let your martial uncle think of something else.”
Que Yunzi said, “Think of what? I say the two of us should cast aside our old pride and beg him once. Jin Hushang can’t refuse to see us, can he?”
Though difficult, as long as they could meet him and speak face-to-face, there would be hope. Whatever happened, it was better than sitting here worrying helplessly, was it not?
Even if Jin Hushang made things difficult, they could still consider his demands.
One of the seven days had already passed. And now it was nearly noon; before long, another day would be gone.
The time left to Suhe was like sand clenched in one’s palm. The harder one tried to hold on to it, the faster it slipped away.
Bufeng knew there was no other choice. For now, they could only try this. Rising to his feet, he said, “Little Qingchen, take good care of him. We’ll be back shortly.”
Yi Qingchen nodded and saw the two elders out of the room. Then she returned to Suhe’s bedside and gazed at him in silence.
If she could, she would bend down and embrace him, letting her tears leave their traces upon him, branding him with the scent that belonged to her.
Unfortunately, her identity did not permit such a thing. Neither did her pride.
With that thought, she rose, fetched a basin of water, and began wiping Suhe’s body bit by bit.
From his forehead to his brows and eyes, then down to the corners of his mouth.
She took his hand next and wiped each finger carefully and tenderly. She thought that this was probably the closest they had been to each other in a very long time.
Bufeng and Que Yunzi rode upon auspicious clouds, racing all the way to the skies above the Healer’s Gate. Jin Hushang, who was lounging in the Wintergreen Residence, suddenly said to First Moon at the entrance, “Go and receive our distinguished guests.”
“Yes.”
Having received the order, First Moon immediately rose into the clouds. In a short while, he reached the two men in midair.
“Honored guests, please follow me.”
“Our thanks.”
The two exchanged a glance before following him.
After descending to the Wintergreen Residence, First Moon led them into the main hall.
Jin Hushang was true to his name, bearing the appearance of a merchant, yet possessing an extraordinary air of refinement and geniality. Anyone who saw him could not help but lower their guard and feel an instinctive fondness for him.
“First Moon, serve the tea.”
He rose, exchanged formal greetings with the two men, and invited them to sit.
Then he placed a hand upon the armrest and lowered himself into his chair, teasing, “Bufeng, instead of enjoying family happiness at your sect, what brings you to my humble abode? Could it be that you resented my failure to come personally last time and have come to demand an explanation?”
No sooner had he finished speaking than First Moon entered with the tea. Jin Hushang gestured for him to serve the guests first.
First Moon understood and placed the tea before them.
“Please enjoy it at your leisure.”
He then carried the remaining cup to Jin Hushang.
Jin Hushang accepted it and said, “Go play outside.”
“Yes.”
“Brother Jin still cares for his disciples as much as ever,” Bufeng said with a sigh after taking a sip of tea.
“Not at all.” Jin Hushang glanced toward First Moon’s retreating figure. Only after First Moon had disappeared did he continue, “It is rare for the two of you to visit. May I ask your purpose?”
Bufeng pushed his teacup toward the center of the table and remained silent for several breaths before saying, “To be frank, we have come to ask your help with something. I hope you will not refuse us.”
Jin Hushang lowered his eyes, closed the lid of his cup, and set it aside.
“Oh? What matter could possibly require both Brother Bufeng and the Divine Healer of Restoration to come together?”
The instant he heard this, Bufeng knew their prospects were bleak.
Yet this was Suhe’s only remaining hope—one of only two, at any rate. He could not retreat now.
Que Yunzi put on a frivolous grin and said with a laugh, “Why else would we come to see you? Naturally, it is to save someone. Who does not know that your Healer’s Gate possesses an abundance of rare medicines and treasures?”
Page 2 of 3
“Ha! The Divine Healer is as entertaining as ever. Our sect has little more than mountain flowers and wild herbs. Since when did they become treasures? Do not flatter me so.”
Jin Hushang waved a hand with a laugh. “I am frightened.”
As he spoke, he turned sideways, took up his teacup, and idly rolled it between his palms.
At this, Que Yunzi and Bufeng exchanged a glance. Jin Hushang was impervious to both persuasion and pressure. What were they to do?
Jin Hushang pretended not to notice. Instead, he changed the subject.
“Whatever medicinal ingredient the two of you require, you may as well speak plainly. Is it thousand-year dragon brain, or ten-thousand-year phoenix liver? Such things are difficult to obtain, but as long as either of you asks, Hushang would never refuse.”
Que Yunzi smiled. “Dragon brain and phoenix liver are precious treasures. How could we deprive someone else of what they cherish? We merely wish to borrow one thing from you. We will return it as soon as we are finished, and we shall not delay you in the slightest. What do you say?”
“Is that so?”
Jin Hushang’s eyes shifted slightly, and a low laugh escaped him.
“If you require a medicinal ingredient, the Healer’s Gate will naturally do everything in its power. But if you wish to borrow an object, forgive your younger brother for being discourteous.”
“Now, now, let us speak calmly. Do not reject us so quickly. At least hear whom we are trying to save.”
Bufeng joined in. “That’s right, little brother. Be generous this once and save him.”
Jin Hushang, however, called toward the entrance, “First Moon, see our honored guests out.”
With that, he strode straight out of the Wintergreen Residence, moving so swiftly that only a smoky afterimage remained.
Que Yunzi asked, “What do we do now?”
“Alas…”
“Gentlemen, please.”
First Moon stood at the doorway and politely, respectfully invited them to leave.
The two men were figures of influence throughout the Realm of Desire and Heaven. Wherever they went, people treated them with deference. When had they ever humbled themselves to beg anyone for help, only to be rejected so utterly?
Neither said another word. Together, they departed the Healer’s Gate.
They had barely left when the Old Fisher of Fishing Creek arrived at the Wintergreen Residence on business.
“First Moon, is the sect master here?”
“Elder Fishing Creek, what business brings you to the sect master?”
“There is something I must discuss with him. Is he here?”
As he spoke, he headed toward the main hall.
First Path threw down the medicinal hoe in his hand and said angrily, “Here? How could he be? Two tactless old men came earlier, pestering the sect master to borrow something. He is in a foul mood now.”
The Old Fisher of Fishing Creek immediately stiffened.
“Borrow something? What did they want to borrow? Who were they?”
“Two old fellows.”
First Moon grew angrier as he spoke and even spat onto the ground.
“Old fellows?”
“Exactly. One called himself some Divine Healer of Restoration—I have never even heard of him. And the other is supposedly a sect master, yet he has no shame at all.”
Borrowing? That was no borrowing. It was outright robbery.
Shameless. Utterly shameless.
“Was one of them wearing a bird’s-nest hairstyle, while the other had pale, sightless eyes?”
“That’s right. A disheveled wretch and a blind man swaggering about as though they were important. They actually dared to open their mouths and demand to borrow something. They clearly have no idea how vast the heavens and earth are.
“Our Healer’s Gate travels the world practicing medicine. How many people have we saved? How many come begging us for aid? They are as numerous as carp crossing a river—too many to count.
“Who would dare speak to us of borrowing? Hey? Hey… I haven’t finished yet. Elder Fishing Creek, where are you going?”
First Moon had been speaking with growing enthusiasm, only to discover that the Old Fisher of Fishing Creek had somehow already walked out of the Wintergreen Residence.
He muttered angrily for a few more moments, then picked up the medicinal hoe from the ground and resumed loosening the soil around the rare herbs and flowers.
The Old Fisher of Fishing Creek returned to Golden Crow Stream and paced back and forth alone inside a pavilion.
When Nianwen saw him, he hurriedly instructed everyone not to disturb him. Then he took the tea and pastries from a servant and entered the pavilion.
“Master, have something to eat.”
“Set them there. Have you learned anything about what I asked you to investigate?”
The Old Fisher of Fishing Creek did not even raise his head as he refused the food.
“Master, this disciple asked around. Someone saw the sect master heading toward Barren Longevity Peak.”
Nianwen arranged the tea and pastries on the table, then turned back to look at his master in confusion.
“Barren Longevity Peak? Hmph. He certainly knows how to choose a place.”
“Master?”
“It is nothing. Stay here. I will return shortly.”
With that, he transformed into a wisp of blue smoke and drifted into the clouds. A gust of wind carried him to the foot of Barren Longevity Peak in an instant.
Page 3 of 3
The Old Fisher of Fishing Creek abandoned his spell and proceeded on foot. By the time he reached the mountainside, he indeed found Jin Hushang beside the lake, idly playing the qin.
“Sect master.”
Jin Hushang did not answer. He continued to pluck the melody with his eyes closed. Only when the song had ended did he open his eyes, still savoring the lingering music.
“Elder Fishing Creek, what brings you here?”
He picked up a neatly folded cloth from beside him and personally wiped the qin strings. When he had finished, he hooked one finger around a string and plucked it lightly.
He tilted his head and listened for a moment before setting down the cloth and murmuring, “It seems even a qin grows like a person when left unplayed for too long.”
“What?”
“Oh, there is…”
Jin Hushang continued testing the instrument.
“Something you wished to discuss?”
At his words, the Old Fisher of Fishing Creek made no attempt to conceal his purpose and spoke plainly.
“There is indeed an important matter.”
“Hmm?”
“I heard that Bufeng and Que Yunzi came to ask you to lend them something. Is that true?”
Jin Hushang’s fingers paused briefly, though his expression remained mild.
“Little First Moon does love meddling in other people’s affairs.”
“Then it is true?”
The Old Fisher of Fishing Creek stepped forward, his aggressive intent unmistakable.
“So what if it is?”
“Have you forgotten the sect’s rule that its supreme treasures may not be lent to outsiders?”
“I have not forgotten. But why are you saying this, Elder? Are you suggesting that I have no right to control this object? Or do you have some other opinion?”
The Old Fisher of Fishing Creek’s imposing air abruptly receded. He immediately bowed and saluted.
“I would not dare. This old man merely wished to remind the sect master not to be deceived by honeyed words. Yet I wonder—what sort of sacred personage could possibly compel Bufeng and Que Yunzi to intervene personally?”
Jin Hushang plucked the qin strings, letting his fingers slide gently across them, and listened with tranquil delight.
“There are rumors that Willow Heart Studio has been destroyed, the Goddess Hall reduced to ruins, and Baili Suhe—the central figure in the affair—was struck by a palm from beyond the heavens. No one knows whether he lives or dies.”
“Then all the more reason not to agree,” the Old Fisher of Fishing Creek said indignantly.
“Why?”
“He killed countless disciples of my Golden Crow Stream. And at the enthronement ceremony, the Endless Life Gate showed our sect nothing but contempt. Our old grudges and fresh enmity remain unresolved. How could we possibly aid a criminal?”
In the past, many disciples had died fighting over the Human Emperor Stone, leaving only Nianwen alive. At the grand ceremony, even a dignified elder of their sect had been subjected to endless humiliation by the Endless Life Gate.
Their hatred and resentment had never been settled. Yet now those people had the audacity to covet the Healer’s Gate’s supreme treasure as well.
It was too much.
Jin Hushang raised a brow and nodded faintly.
“Then, in your opinion, what should I do?”
The Old Fisher of Fishing Creek replied through clenched teeth, “Naturally, do nothing.”
If Heaven itself wished to claim Baili Suhe, then no one could be blamed. What was the Endless Life Gate, after all? What was Que Yunzi?
“So Elder Fishing Creek wants me to stand by and watch the fire from across the river?” Jin Hushang sneered. “What an excellent scheme. You wish to use my hand to settle your personal grudge, while dressing a petty act in the righteousness of grand principle.”
“Then what? Does the sect master intend to abandon the life of one of his own disciples?”
After a pause, he continued, “Or are the disciples of Golden Crow Stream not members of the Healer’s Gate? Are they not entitled to the protection of the sect?”
“Hahahaha, Elder Fishing Creek, why become so angry? Have I said anything of the sort? I wonder how you arrived at such a conclusion.”
He smiled faintly.
“Or did First Moon fail to tell you that I had already refused them?”
“This…” The Old Fisher of Fishing Creek hesitated. “Though that may be so, this old man feared that the sect master, being too concerned with appearances, might yield in the end out of sentiment.”
As he spoke, he stole a glance at Jin Hushang’s reaction.
Whatever happened, he could hardly admit that he had come solely to settle a personal grudge.
His face grew slightly flushed, and he turned away awkwardly.
“That is why I came to remind you. I hope the sect master will not take offense.”
“And now, Elder, are you satisfied?”
Jin Hushang lowered his eyes, his expression filled with genial warmth.
There was not the slightest trace of anger or displeasure in him. Yet the Old Fisher of Fishing Creek shuddered. The words he had intended to say turned several times in his throat before drifting down, unsaid.
He cupped his hands and glanced furtively at Jin Hushang.
“The sect master’s judgment naturally reassures me. I still have important matters to attend to, so I shall not trouble you further.
“Farewell.”