Chapter Forty-Seven: Seeking Help

Yuan Feixue called out to Shi Qi and Su Xiaomu.

“Hmm?” Shi Qi turned back. “What is it? Thinking of giving me some interest?”

Yuan Feixue seemed to ponder deeply, as if making an important decision. With a serious expression, she said to Shi Qi, “Brother Shi, may I ask a favor of you?”

Shi Qi laughed. “I’ve never heard of this before. You kidnapped Su Xiaomu to threaten me into coming here, then used me to deal with the two from Green Mountain Sect, and now you want me to do you a favor? Do I look like I run a charity?”

Yuan Feixue replied, “No, it’s not like that. I thought you were a good person, Brother Shi, so I wanted to ask for your help. I can compensate you.”

Shi Qi said, “No, no, I’m not exactly a good person. But now you’ve piqued my curiosity. What could be so urgent that you’d seek help from outsiders? Does it… have to do with that bottle of medicine?”

Yuan Feixue nodded. “It does. Brother Shi, let’s talk in the city.”

Shi Qi considered for a moment, then turned to Su Xiaomu. “Come on, let’s go eat!”

Su Xiaomu cheered, “Yay!”

The three returned to Yongzhou City, requested a private room at an inn, and entered together.

Once seated, Shi Qi sipped his tea and asked, “Alright, what’s the matter?”

Yuan Feixue began, “Brother Shi, you know of the Green Mountain Sect, don’t you?”

Shi Qi replied, “That’s the sect of the Golden Wheel brothers, Wang Yi and Wang Er, who intercepted us earlier.”

“Exactly. But do you know the origins of the Green Mountain Sect?” Yuan Feixue pressed.

“I’m not from Yongzhou, so I’m not too familiar,” Shi Qi admitted.

Yuan Feixue explained, “Yongzhou is vast. Within its bounds, besides the largest sect, the Heavenly Origin Sect, there are many medium and small sects, ranging from a few dozen to several hundred members.”

“Green Mountain Sect is one of these smaller sects. It hasn’t been around long. Its founder, Master Falling Wood, was upright and kind, leading his disciples to do only righteous deeds. So, though the sect was small, it earned a good reputation in Yongzhou.”

At that moment, the waiter entered carrying dishes and wine, setting them on the table.

Su Xiaomu’s eyes sparkled as she grabbed a rib and began gnawing. Shi Qi picked up his chopsticks and put a piece of meat in his mouth, glancing at Yuan Feixue. “Aren’t you going to have some?”

Yuan Feixue waved her hand. “I’ll pass. I’ve already begun fasting. With your high cultivation, why not abstain as well? Mortal food clouds the mind and hinders the absorption of spiritual energy.”

Shi Qi replied, “Come on, cultivation isn’t about punishing one’s palate. Leaving the world’s delicacies untouched is just wasteful. So, does this Green Mountain Sect story relate to your matter?”

Yuan Feixue nodded. “It does. Please, continue eating as you listen.”

“Several hundred years ago, when Master Falling Wood approached his end, he passed the position of sect leader to a disciple named Yi Zhen. Yi Zhen, the eldest disciple, closely resembled his master in character and righteousness, so Master Falling Wood trusted him with the sect.”

“But this decision displeased his other disciple, Yi Zhen’s junior, Peng Zu. Though the second disciple, Peng Zu was more talented and stronger than Yi Zhen. He’d long coveted the position, believing his skills alone should earn him the leadership.”

“However, Peng Zu’s temperament was unstable. For all his talent, his methods were ruthless—contrary to Master Falling Wood’s wishes, which the master often warned him about.”

“After Master Falling Wood’s passing, Yi Zhen became sect leader, but a month later, he mysteriously vanished. The sect searched for a year, but not a trace was found. In the end, they had to elect a new leader. Peng Zu, of course, took the helm, ruling to this day.”

Shi Qi nodded. “So, Yi Zhen’s disappearance—does it have anything to do with Peng Zu?”

Yuan Feixue replied, “Undoubtedly. Many in the sect suspected as much. Everyone knew Peng Zu’s ambition. But there was no evidence, and Peng Zu was the strongest in the sect—no one dared challenge him. Gradually, Green Mountain Sect changed. Its disciples grew domineering and violent, nothing like the righteous group from Master Falling Wood’s time.”

Shi Qi said, “Indeed, the actions of Wang Yi and Wang Er rubbed me the wrong way. But how does this relate to your bottle of medicine?”

Yuan Feixue took a porcelain vial from her robe and placed it on the table. “My master is none other than the long-missing Yi Zhen.”

Shi Qi was startled. “Yi Zhen is still alive?”

Yuan Feixue nodded. “Yes, my master lives.”

Shi Qi asked, “Then what happened back then?”

Yuan Feixue replied, “After becoming sect leader, my master sought to honor Master Falling Wood’s legacy and strengthen the sect. To do so, he entered secluded cultivation. For the first ten days, all was well. But on the eleventh day, at the critical moment, Peng Zu somehow infiltrated the chamber and ambushed my master. Caught off guard, my master was gravely wounded. The disruption in his cultivation caused his energy to spiral out of control. Only by using a precious safeguard left by Master Falling Wood did he escape the sect and Peng Zu’s pursuit.”

Shi Qi asked, “That must have been years ago. Why hasn’t your master returned for revenge?”

Yuan Feixue answered, “It’s been ten years. He wants revenge, but after his injuries and the loss of control, his meridians were shattered, and most of his cultivation lost.”

“When I was seven, I fell off a cliff, but luckily landed on a branch and survived. Climbing down, I stumbled upon a cave—my master’s hiding place. From then on, I stayed by his side, learning the arts of cultivation. Though his body was ruined, he devoted himself to teaching me everything he knew. He never said it, but I could see his life’s goal was revenge and reclaiming the Green Mountain Sect.”

“Last year, when I reached the Golden Core stage, my master finally told me about a secret elixir hidden in a secluded part of the Green Mountain Sect’s rear mountain. This elixir, left by Master Falling Wood, could bring one back from the brink of death. Master Falling Wood once said he could live another hundred years with it, but chose not to, knowing he’d never reach the threshold of true mastery in that time. He left it for my master as a last resort.”

Shi Qi thought to himself: Even a master like Falling Wood never reached the threshold of true cultivation—this path is truly arduous.

Yuan Feixue continued, “So I trained in stealth, and finally, while Peng Zu was in seclusion, I sneaked into the rear mountain and retrieved the medicine. But my skills were too low, and I was discovered. That’s when Wang Yi and Wang Er began chasing me, and in my panic, I ran into you and lost the medicine. Desperate, I resorted to drastic measures. Speaking of which…”

Yuan Feixue glanced at Su Xiaomu, who was still gnawing on a pig’s trotter.

Yuan Feixue stood, bowed to Shi Qi and Su Xiaomu, and said, “Forgive me for kidnapping your sister. I had no other choice. I sincerely apologize to you both.”

Su Xiaomu looked up, licked the grease from her lips, and asked Shi Qi, “Big brother, what’s this lady doing?”

Shi Qi smiled. “Nothing, just keep eating.”

He turned to Yuan Feixue. “Once this girl starts eating, she hears nothing else. Don’t worry about her. I can see you mean no harm, so let’s not mention it again. Please, go on.”

Yuan Feixue sat down again. “From Yongzhou City to my master’s hiding place is still several days’ journey. I’m worried something else might happen on the road. Brother Shi, your strength is extraordinary. Unless a Nascent Soul master appears, you could handle anything. So I humbly beg you to accompany me. Though I have little treasure or spirit jade, I promise to grant you one request when all is done. I will do whatever you ask, with no complaint.”

Shi Qi took a sip of wine, lost in thought.

Yuan Feixue waited quietly, not daring to interrupt.

After a while, Shi Qi downed his wine and said to Yuan Feixue, “Once Xiaomu finishes eating, I’ll take you somewhere. Then we’ll talk.”

“Somewhere?” Yuan Feixue was surprised. “Does that mean you’ll help me or not?”

Shi Qi grinned mysteriously. “You’ll know when we get there. Now, let’s eat.”

Su Xiaomu agreed, “Yes! Let’s eat!”

After a while, Su Xiaomu let out a satisfied burp, wiped her greasy mouth, and looked utterly content.

The table was in utter disarray, every dish empty—Su Xiaomu had devoured it all.

“Let’s go!” Shi Qi patted Su Xiaomu’s head, stood, and beckoned to Yuan Feixue.

Yuan Feixue hesitated, astonished by Su Xiaomu’s appetite, but quickly got up and followed Shi Qi out of the inn.

They wandered through Yongzhou City, Yuan Feixue trailing behind. Shi Qi bought two sticks of candied hawthorn for Su Xiaomu, then turned a few corners and stopped.

“We’re here,” Shi Qi announced.

Yuan Feixue looked up to see a grand and imposing gate. Above it hung a plaque with two bold characters:

“Alliance of Humanity.”