In response to the Master's daily bed-hopping, Yue Wu Huan tried various strategies...
First, he coaxed Song Qing Shi back into wearing more standard attire, tightly wrapped. Secondly, when Song Qing Shi rolled over in his sleep, he'd quickly extend his right hand to act as a pillow, or turn his back to minimize contact. Lastly, he would use the "Lock Emotion" technique to suppress his desires and manage to maintain a semblance of normality.
Although Yue Wu Huan found it difficult to sleep, he never considered driving Song Qing Shi away or adding another bed. He thought Song Qing Shi's habit of clinging to him in sleep resembled the illusions too closely, giving him a sweet but misguided sense of being loved, a suffering he preferred to endure.
Song Qing Shi, however, believed that there was nothing inappropriate about two men sharing a bed innocently. He had experience sleeping with male relatives during elementary school summers and had even bunked with a senior student in a double bed due to a hotel mix-up. Though he was inexplicably kicked to the couch the next day, he was well-versed in sleeping beside men and saw no issue.
He intended to prove to Yue Wu Huan that a good man would never take advantage of someone in their sleep, hoping this would dispel Yue Wu Huan's mistrust of men.
Yue Wu Huan gradually adapted to sleeping beside him, albeit with the newly-formed habit of taking morning showers...
Doubting whether he smelled, Song Qing Shi also increased his bathing frequency and even added some fragrant substances to the bathwater, aiming to smell as pleasant as possible to appease his roommate's sensitive nose.
About ten days later, the messenger bird from Ye Yu Pavilion that Song Qing Shi had been waiting for finally arrived.
After reading the jade message, he pondered for a long while before seeking out Yue Wu Huan. He hesitated before saying, "Ye Lin sent me a message. I have some previously ordered goods that I need to collect in person and will need to be away for a few days. Could you please look after my lab mice? They're currently in their breeding season, and I don't trust leaving them to the caretakers..."
"If the Master needs to leave, it must be for something important," Yue Wu Huan immediately understood the implication of his words. "I'll take care of myself and use the 'Lock Emotion' to control my condition while taking my medicine on time. You won't have to worry about me. If anything arises, I'll notify you promptly using a messenger bird."
Song Qing Shi breathed a slight sigh of relief. He chose a few seasoned and Foundation Stage medicinal servants to look after Yue Wu Huan. He then activated all the poison formations in the Valley of the Medicine King to ward off intruders. Taking a cue from Yue Wu Huan, he also left behind a life token to keep tabs on his own well-being, sparing him sleepless nights of worry.
...
Nan Chuan: a land enshrouded by misty mountains and Ruo Xu Peak.
Landing his celestial beast, Song Qing Shi surveyed the area. Though surrounded by misty mountains, cascading streams, and waterfalls, with clouds and fog painting a picturesque landscape that seemed somewhat heavenly, he noted that within a thousand-mile radius there were no sect towns or settlements—only a few mundane villages. This indicated a lack of spiritual veins and hidden realms, as well as scarce valuable flora and fauna; it was a forsaken place in the celestial world.
Truly a one-in-a-million kind of place...
Anger swelled in Song Qing Shi's heart, his expression turning icy.
A letter from Ye Lin informed him that Xie Que had retreated to his own sect—a place called Yan Shan Men, and also where Yue Wu Huan had grown up. These children from the mundane world had been deceived into living in this forsaken land, believing it to be a paradise. They had no contact with the outside world, practiced the lowest-level cultivation methods, and were educated in entirely incorrect knowledge—all under the influence of Xie Que's brainwashing.
Platitudes about cultivators needing to maintain their appearance, their posture, how Yan Shan Men should embrace Dao through music, the necessity of caring for one's hands, and how their master loved them so much he couldn't bear to see them hurt—a string of lies.
Xie Que was a master at lying, a seamless actor.
Yue Wu Huan had once had the opportunity to meet his original self, but even he had not detected Xie Que's true nature, missing a golden opportunity.
Although no one blamed him, Song Qing Shi felt every incident involving his original self as if it were his own. Every recollection filled him with regret, wishing that his System Teacher could have transported him back to that moment to slap some sense into this foolish alchemist—a good, hard slap!
Yue Wu Huan, however, was indifferent, saying that if even he hadn't seen through it, how could he blame his master for kindly detoxifying and saving him?
"There were actually multiple opportunities for me to discover the truth," Yue Wu Huan mused about the past, somewhat puzzled. "Yet, inexplicably, I missed them all. It's as if fate arranged these incredible coincidences, as if it were predestined for me to face this calamity."
In any case, it was all Xie Que's fault!
Song Qing Shi waved his hand, using his spiritual energy to control dozens of dragonflies and butterflies. He imbued them with his spiritual sense to serve as his eyes, scouting for Xie Que's whereabouts.
This was a trick he had learned from An Long, back when the latter was still a Foundation Stage cultivator. An Long had tried to use this method to control snakes and scare people in the bathroom. After getting caught, he had handed over this self-created technique. Song Qing Shi had modified it slightly, and found it quite useful.
As he journeyed, he continued to control the insects. Countless butterflies and dragonflies flew toward Yan Shan Men.
Taking in the full view of Yan Shan Men, he saw about a dozen courtyards with white walls and green tiles. There were numerous flowering trees outside the courtyards, along with chickens, ducks, and geese taken care of by mortal servants. Several cute-looking dogs lazily sunned themselves under the trees. These seemingly ordinary dogs were actually spiritual hounds, specialized in tracking and likely used to prevent slaves from escaping.
Song Qing Shi concealed his aura and sat on a tree outside the courtyard, observing the interior of each house through the eyes of countless insects. Yan Shan Men housed about twenty children, ranging from ages six to seventeen or eighteen. They were all dressed in neat azure robes, resembling the typical disciples of ordinary sects. Each of them was remarkably attractive, full of vitality and glowing with good health.
The disciples got along exceedingly well. A sunny-looking teenager of around sixteen or seventeen was helping a newly-inducted child with stretching, emphasizing the importance of flexibility in body cultivation. Under a flowering tree, a twelve or thirteen-year-old girl was teaching another girl of the same age but more naïve-looking. The girl couldn't memorize her lessons, prompting her friend to lightly knock her on the head in frustration. The naïve girl pouted with teary eyes, and her friend immediately lost her temper... In the kitchen, an eight or nine-year-old handsome boy was sneakily trying to steal a bun.
Everyone seemed happy and content, as if they were in a utopia, free from any suffering.
Unbeknownst to them, they were blissfully awaiting the opening of the gates of hell.
Song Qingshi found himself lost in thought…
Finally, Xie Que appeared. He caught the young boy who had been stealing food and brought him back to the study for some instruction.
Instantly, Song Qingshi dispatched a butterfly to cling tightly to the window of the study.
Inside the study, a frail-looking young girl was transcribing text. Each stroke of her calligraphy was as elegant as a green pine or verdant bamboo, demonstrating remarkable artistic flair. Xie Que hauled the thieving boy into the study and handed him over to the girl, instructing her to make him copy texts as punishment. The young girl graciously complied, taking him under her wing to teach him calligraphy.
Xie Que sighed, "You restless monkey, can't you be more like your Senior Brother Wuhuan? When he was your age, he could already write elegantly and had memorized all the books in our collection."
"Every day you compare me to Senior Brother Wuhuan and praise how good he is," the boy retorted defiantly. "He's been practicing in prestigious sects for years and hasn't come back to see Master. So much for loyalty!"
Song Qingshi paused for a moment to scrutinize the boy. His facial features were striking, somewhat resembling Yue Wuhuan. However, unlike Yue Wuhuan's phoenix eyes, his were large and almond-shaped. His demeanor was also different; instead of Wuhuan's elegance, he had the untamed spirit of a wild cat.
The young girl tapped his head lightly and reprimanded, "Don't talk nonsense."
"Yes, yes, yes, my fault. I forgot you and Wuhuan are different," Xie Que observed him for a moment and then chuckled, "Minghong, you're the most conscientious one here. You're destined for greatness."
Minghong, the boy, modestly lowered his head, "I was just a street beggar before Master took me in. Thanks to his care, I am who I am today. I love Master the most and will not let him down."
Xie Que patted his head and praised, "Then I'll look forward to that."
Master was compassionate; the disciple, filial. Harmony reigned.
Song Qingshi could bear it no longer. Wishing to avoid involving innocent parties, he summoned his life-essence magical tools—two lotus flowers, one formed by red mystic fire and the other by dark underworld fire, blossomed in his palm. With a gentle upward thrust of his palm, the mystic fire lotus ascended high, rapidly enlarging to envelop the entire study in a fiery barrier. Then, step by step, Song Qingshi entered the study, holding the dark underworld fire lotus.
Seeing this, Xie Que was horrified and stepped back repeatedly. Upon recognizing the visitor, he trembled and forced a smile, "Immortal King of Medicine, to what do we owe the honor? I have been eternally grateful for your antidotal grace since we parted ways at Medicine King Valley over a decade ago. What brings you here? If it's within my power, consider it done…"
Sensing that the situation was turning dire, the young girl quickly pulled Minghong behind her.
The dark underworld fire lotus unfolded; a few sparks of venomous fire twined around Xie Que's face. Accompanied by screams, they rapidly corroded his flesh down to the bone.
Song Qingshi coldly said, "You don't need this face."
Xie Que rolled on the ground in agony. He had been evading the pursuit of the Songhe Sect, only recently reaching a settlement agreement with them. They settled the issue when Jin Feiran developed genuine feelings for Baizi Hao. Elder He, who was known for his promiscuity, already had several illegitimate children. Jin Feng Manor paid Songhe Sect a significant compensation, promising good treatment for Baizi Hao and eased their anger.
Busy with so many things, he hadn't paid much attention to minor matters.
While Yue Wuhuan had been his most prized possession, that was a decade ago. Now, he was merely a plaything worn from use, unworthy of attention. Although he heard that Yue Wuhuan had been made a human medicine by Medicine King Valley, he didn't really care. His only regret was that despite acquiring many new beauties, he couldn't find another like Yue Wuhuan.
The Medicine King Immortal Master has arrived with an imposing air; it seems he's been swayed by Yue Wu Huan's sweet talk and is here to settle a score.
That child was clever and cunning even back in the day. It took considerable effort on my part to keep the truth from being discovered, and now...
Writhing in agony, Xie Que lay on the ground feigning submission, while his mind raced to formulate some form of excuse.
"Evil man! Don't harm my Master!" Ming Hong, unable to restrain himself any longer, pushed past the young girl blocking his way. With tears in his eyes, he rushed forward and lunged at Song Qing Shi, biting down on his leg as hard as he could. His teeth couldn't even puncture the robe, and he let out a protective whimper like a loyal puppy.
Song Qing Shi lowered his head, closely observing the child clamped onto his leg and those angry eyes.
The young girl screamed in fear, "Ming Hong! Come back!"
Stepping back, Xie Que tried to placate the situation with a forced smile, "Immortal Master, you misunderstand. I too cherish Wu Huan. Back then, it was the Jin Feng Manor that forced my hand..."
Ming Hong, red-eyed and oblivious to his surroundings, kept on biting and kicking, attempting to use his meager strength to entangle the man before him so his Master could escape.
The face before him began to merge with the face in his memories...
"Hong'er loves Master the most; I won't disappoint you."
"Wu Huan loves Master the most; I don't want to bring shame to him."
Slowly lifting his head, Song Qing Shi whispered, "Back then, Wu Huan was just like this as well..."