Chapter Forty-One: Turning Point

Standing at the edge of the cliff, Bu Gu said, “You wish to save them, but relying solely on yourself—even if you recover completely—would hardly fulfill your hopes.”

Su He’s heart sank. “Why? Is it because I’ve taken too long and missed my chance?”

“No. It’s because you cannot match them. The royal bird tribe is born with mastery over the wind. Your abilities are inferior; you cannot break their wind barrier. If you set foot on Royal Island, you’ll die once more. And I will not save you a second time.”

Seeing the bewilderment in Su He’s eyes, Bu Gu continued, “To stumble in the same place once is excusable. To do so twice is a personal failing. One who blindly acts without understanding their own limits deserves death.”

Su He was silent. Though Bu Gu’s words stung, he could not deny their truth.

After a long pause, Su He spoke, “Your advice is precious, and I am grateful. Since you are willing to guide me, why not show me a clear path?”

Bu Gu glanced back, scrutinizing Su He. “I have no precious advice—just a few unpleasant truths. If you wish to heed them, do so. If not, let them drift away like the wind.”

“Every word you say is thoughtful, a medicine I sorely need. I have no other recourse; please lend me your aid.” As he spoke, his anxiety drove him to attempt a bow, but he could not move.

The man before him gave no direct answer, instead musing, “Do you know why Lion Island and Royal Island are bitter rivals, yet neither can destroy the other?”

Su He paused, calming himself. “Please enlighten me.”

“Because the royal birds cannot leave the three-hundred-mile radius around their island, while Lion Island thrives on its unique spiritual energy, making breakthroughs swift. Yet we cannot access Royal Island.”

“And why is that?”

“The sea beneath Royal Island is called Tenghai. It is filled with countless red serpents—wingless yet able to fly, legless yet able to walk, their bodies crimson and their venom fierce. The royal birds are their natural enemies, feeding on their young. To protect their kind from extinction, the first red serpent king struck a pact with the royal king, becoming Royal Island’s guardian. Their venom nourishes the island. Ordinary immortals may visit unharmed; they become prey before the venom can act. But those from Lion Island cannot set foot there. When we meet the serpents, their venom alters our spiritual energy, turning harmony into conflict. Thus, both sides have suffered losses for years, but neither can eradicate the other.”

“Then my friends… are in grave danger?”

“Your concern shows your spirit is not wholly broken. Saving someone requires the right time, place, and ability. If your heart is true, you must not despair. You can wait, but your friends cannot. Unless fate favors them with a miracle.”

“I understand. Yet, since I am on Lion Island now, does that mean I cannot save them in the future?”

Bu Gu saw through his thoughts. “You’ve been here only a short while and cannot cultivate yet—just breathing, really. This won’t affect your future efforts to reach the island. Of course, if you delay your recovery…”

“I see. Thank you for your guidance. I know what must be done now.” Blaming fate is but self-deception.

Seeing Su He’s resolve return, Bu Gu nodded with satisfaction. The youth was teachable after all. It was worth risking his life to drag him from the serpent’s jaws.

“Come, the old man’s medicine should be ready by now.”

Su He nodded, letting the sea wind buffet him, saying nothing more.

The journey back seemed far longer than the way there. The two walked in silence.

Que Yunzi glanced up, seeing Su He’s mind had cleared. He stood, dusted off his clothes, and set aside the mortar. “Well, it seems you’ve figured things out. Come, your medicine’s cooled—go inside and drink it.”

“Forgive me for causing laughter,” Su He said.

“No need for formalities. Getting better is the real priority. Else your two friends will truly be lost.” Que Yunzi led them inside.

He’d even removed his own threshold for Bu Gu to wheel Su He in and out…

Su He looked at the bowl of medicine and recalled how the two elders had fed him spoonful by spoonful before, blushing in embarrassment.

Awkwardly, he said, “Senior Que, let me do it myself this time.”

Que Yunzi eyed the bowl and spoon, puzzled. “Do it yourself? Can you move?”

“…I—I can drink it all in one go, no need for the spoon.”

“Oh~” Que Yunzi finally understood. The young these days were thin-skinned.

A thick skin is needed to avoid suffering.

He abandoned the spoon, tilting the bowl for Su He to drink directly.

The medicine nearly choked Su He with its bitterness—not only bitter, but also fishy from the ocean gold’s blood used as a catalyst.

Que Yunzi enjoyed the sight, handing him a cup of water to wash it down.

Truthfully, he’d nearly gagged himself while brewing it…

He turned away, holding back laughter, then said solemnly, “Let me check your pulse.”

Bu Gu wanted to shake his head—his old friend was always so unruly.

He poured himself a glass of water and sat quietly, his eyes darkening slightly…

Su He asked, “How am I, Senior?”

Que Yunzi released his hand, sat beside Bu Gu, propped a foot on his chair, and scratched his messy hair.

He pondered, “You know, the human body has meridians—main and collateral. The main twelve, and fifteen collaterals with the spleen, conception, and governor, totaling twenty-seven. Right now, because you’ve been troubled, the medicine cannot work fully. Of the twenty-seven, only half are clear; the others are blocked.”

“How long until I recover?”

“When you feel energy flow like a spring, as day follows night, ceaselessly—that’ll mean you’ve regained your abilities.” Speaking of which—I’m dying of thirst, give me some water.

Bu Gu clicked his tongue and glared, the old rascal.

He did as asked, rising to pour a cup.

Que Yunzi watched him slam the cup down, chuckling. “Thanks.”

He mused slyly, “Water quenches thirst, but its taste… is bland.”

“No,” Bu Gu replied curtly.

“Come now, old friend. I’ve worked hard these days. If not merit, at least effort. My mouth’s gone dry as a desert. Besides, this is merit! You’re stifling a hero.”

Bu Gu shot him a look, nearly spitting out his water, wiping his mouth with his sleeve, amused and annoyed. “Ah, so now you’re a hero.”

“Hehehe…”

“You, Su He, rest well after drinking the medicine. I’ll share a cup with this old rascal.” With a flick of his sleeve, Su He was sent flying to bed.

He turned to Que Yunzi. “Shall we?”

“Alright, alright, let’s go.”

Su He watched them leave, gazing blankly at the doorway, wondering how Hua Yin and Yu Qingchen were faring.

Royal Island

Since the Third Prince left that day, he had not disturbed A Xiao, nor had the White Heron boy visited Jianxi Terrace.

Word was the Third Prince had sent him away on business.

A Xiao thus enjoyed peace, but also solitude. No one came, neither in wind nor rain, to gaze from afar.

She sat by the window, cradling the little shoes, watching day turn to night. No tears in her eyes, but her whole being melted into loneliness.

Hua Yin and Yu Qingchen exchanged glances. Yu Qingchen was nudged forward to speak with her—waiting endlessly accomplished nothing.

Their reasoning: women understand women; there’s always common ground.

Yu Qingchen, resigned, sat beside A Xiao, poured herself a cup of tea, and wrote two words on the table with the tea.

“Do you know him?”

A Xiao looked up, panic flashing in her eyes. The little shoes slipped from her hands unnoticed as she clutched the table, stood abruptly, retreated several steps, and pressed her hand to her heart. “I don’t know him.”

Yu Qingchen rose, picked up the shoes, dusted them, and handed them back. “These are beautifully made.”

“Thank you.” She snatched them, stuffed them in her sleeve, and fled the room.

Witnessing this, Yu Qingchen was now nearly certain of her identity.

Hua Yin stepped from behind the partition, peering outside with Yu Qingchen. “What did you say to her? She seemed frightened.”

“See for yourself.”

She gestured to the tea table.

“So she really is…” Hua Yin glanced at the table and was startled.

Could it be that the woman Unfettered Daoist had spent his life yearning for had just appeared before them?

“Nine times out of ten,” Yu Qingchen nodded.

“Why pretend not to know—and run away? If someone recognizes Unfettered Daoist, shouldn’t she be glad?”

Or had her affections changed?

Yu Qingchen looked at his expression and laughed. “What are you thinking? Her flight proves she still loves our master. She just doesn’t know how to face his name now, given her ties to the Third Prince.”

As a woman herself, she could empathize with their master’s wife.

“Yes, that makes sense.” So she’s a rare and passionate woman. But then, is this not a painful triangle?

No—a duo and a bird.

He scratched his head and wandered inward, thinking what a mess this all was.

Yu Qingchen glanced out the door and followed Hua Yin. They were guests hiding out, lingering at the front risked discovery.

Since their master’s wife intended to help, her kindness must not be wasted.

Once she calmed, they should be able to speak openly.

Meanwhile, outside the window, a nameless little bird took wing, flying toward Lingyun Cave.

The Third Prince, hearing the news, hurried to Jianxi Terrace, hiding in the void, watching a silhouette among the flowers.

A Xiao, after all these years, am I still no match for him? No matter how hard I try, I cannot warm your heart?

If I had a human form, would you look at me differently?

“Your Highness, shall I…?” The White Heron boy suddenly appeared at his side.

The Third Prince’s gaze hardened. “No. Guard all entrances to Lingyun Cave—let not even a mosquito through. If any do, kill them. Also, assign a few reliable men to protect Madam, but don’t let them be discovered. If you fail, I’ll have your head.”

“Yes, I’ll see to it at once.” The boy withdrew.

A Xiao, I told you, as long as you stay by my side, I’ll grant you anything—except letting you go…

With that, the Third Prince returned to Lingyun Cave.

In the flower garden, A Xiao placed the little shoes on her lap, her fingers gently caressing them.

Her lips trembled as she murmured, “No tears… Mother saw your father’s name…”