111: Xingu Kezhi

The summer nights in Luoxia Valley always carried the damp scent of plants and earth. Liu Shan sat on a bamboo couch in the courtyard, fanning himself with a cattail fan, watching the moonlight filter through the peach tree leaves, casting dappled silver patches on the ground. Mo Chu was coiled at his feet, the tip of its tail occasionally sweeping across the blue bricks, its golden horn sometimes flashing towards the moon, as if absorbing the clear radiance.

"Not asleep yet?" Lin Qingxue came out with a bowl of iced plum juice, placing it on the small table beside the bamboo couch. "Liu Zhi was exhausted from Alchemy today. He fell fast asleep the moment he touched the bed, with a smile still on his lips."

Liu Shan took the plum juice and drank a mouthful. The sweet and sour coolness slid down his throat, dispelling the last trace of summer heat. "Perhaps he dreamt of Dan Chen coming," he said with a smile. "These past few days, he's been constantly mentioning wanting to show Dan Chen his newly refined Heart-Clearing Pill."

Lin Qingxue sat beside him, picked up another cattail fan, and fanned herself slowly: "Dan Chen sent a letter saying he'll arrive early the day after tomorrow. He's also bringing two Junior Brothers, saying they're coming to learn Spiritual Plant cultivation." She paused, a hint of a smile in her eyes. "He specifically mentioned for you to prepare some Yunwu Tea, saying that the tea leaves from the Central Region can't compare to Luoxia Valley's."

"That's easy. I'll have Uncle Wang stir-fry more fresh tea tomorrow." Liu Shan remembered Dan Chen's appearance, clutching a teacup as if he couldn't bear to put it down, and couldn't help but smile. "What was the name of his Junior Brother? I met him once at Danwang Valley; I remember he was a quiet young man."

"His name is Shi Yan. I heard his carving skills are excellent; all the inscriptions on the Medicinal Pill bottles in Danwang Valley are carved by him," Lin Qingxue recalled the contents of the letter. "There's also a Junior Sister named Yun Xi, who isn't old but understands the habits of Spiritual Plants very well. She's coming along to identify the herbs in Luoxia Valley."

The two chatted idly. The evening breeze rustled through the peach trees, and a few frog croaks from the distant stream made the valley seem even quieter. Mo Chu yawned and snuggled closer to Liu Shan's feet, as if finding the night chilly.

The next day, as soon as it was light, Liu Zhi got up. Liu Shan heard the 'clinking and clanking' sounds coming from the Pill Chamber through the window. Pushing the door open, he saw the young man standing on a stool, on tiptoes, wiping the new copper furnace. Fine beads of sweat already dotted his forehead, but he was wiping it with exceptional care.

"Need any help?" Liu Shan leaned against the doorframe, smiling.

Liu Zhi turned his head, his nose smudged with a bit of ash, his eyes bright like two stars: "No need, Dad! I can do it myself! When Dan Chen Ge arrives and sees such a clean Pill Chamber, he'll definitely praise me!" He paused, then whispered, "I also want to ask him about improving the 'Spirit Nurturing Pill.' The last one I refined always felt like the spiritual energy wasn't pure enough..."

"It's good that you're dedicated." Liu Shan walked over and helped him wipe the patterns on the copper furnace clean. "Dan Chen isn't an outsider; feel free to ask him anything you don't understand."

In the morning, two unfamiliar figures appeared under the oldSophora japonicatree at the valley entrance. One was a young man in a blue cloth short jacket, carrying a half-worn herb basket on his back, holding a twig in his hand, squatting on the ground watching ants move their home. The other was a little girl with twin buns, wearing a water-green dress, standing on tiptoes counting theSophora japonicatree leaves, muttering to herself.

"You are..." As Liu Shan approached, the young man looked up, his eyes dark and bright, as if hiding stars.

"Junior Shi Yan greets Valley Master Liu." The young man stood up and cupped his hands, his movements meticulous, but his voice was soft, like an unseasoned bird.

The little girl also curtsied, her voice clear and crisp: "Yun Xi greets Valley Master Liu! Dan Chen Senior Brother said he'd buy some osmanthus cakes on the way and told us to come wait for him first. He'll be here right away!"

Liu Shan smiled and nodded: "Please come in quickly, it's hot outside."

After walking a few steps into the valley, they saw Dan Chen running over, panting, carrying a food box. His brocade robes were askew from the wind, and his hair was messy: "Valley Master Liu! Shi Yan! Yun Xi! I finally caught up to you!" He held up the food box, like he was presenting a treasure, "These are osmanthus cakes from 'Gui Xiang Fang,' the most famous in the Central Region. They're sweet but not greasy; I brought them especially for you!"

Liu Zhi heard the sound and rushed out of the Pill Chamber, his eyes fixed on Dan Chen: "Dan Chen Ge! You're finally here! Come see my new copper furnace!"

Dan Chen was dragged by him towards the Pill Chamber, the food box handed to Shi Yan, while he still shouted: "Slow down, slow down! My osmanthus cakes!"

Yun Xi watched their retreating figures, covering her mouth and laughing: "Young Lord is just like Senior Brother; he forgets everything once Alchemy is mentioned." She turned to Liu Shan, her eyes sparkling, "Gu Zhu, can you take me to see the Spiritual Plant field? Dan Chen Senior Brother said the biye flowers in Luoxia Valley bloom better than anywhere else, and I want to pick a leaf to make a specimen."

"I'll take you." Lin Qingxue smiled and took her hand. "I was just about to go check on the newly planted Ninglu Grass. You can help me assess its growth."

Shi Yan silently followed behind, still carrying the food box, his eyes constantly surveying the scenery in the valley. When he saw the herbs drying by the courtyard wall, he paused, seemingly recognizing them as the rare 'Moon Heart Grass.'

Liu Shan looked at these half-grown children and felt a sense of comfort. Liu Zhi's cheers came from the direction of the Pill Chamber, Yun Xi's exclamations floated from the Spiritual Plant field, and Shi Yan squatted by the Moon Heart Grass, carefully touching a leaf with his fingertip, as if greeting an old friend.

Lunch was set under theSophora japonicatree, the table laden with home-cooked dishes from the valley. Rice steamed with spiritual grains, fish wrapped in lotus leaves, and osmanthus cakes made by Uncle Wang's wife—simple yet fresh. Dan Chen ate with oil dripping from his mouth, saying indistinctly: "The food in Luoxia Valley is still the most fragrant. The restaurants in the Central Region can't make spiritual grain rice as authentic as this."

Yun Xi ate the fish in small bites, but her eyes kept glancing at Liu Zhi. Seeing him consulting Dan Chen, she couldn't help but lean closer: "Young Lord, did you add mint to this Heart-Clearing Pill? It smells so refreshing."

Liu Zhi immediately perked up and brought a Medicinal Pill bottle from the Pill Chamber: "Smell this! I added freshly picked mint. Old Mr. Zhou said it's best to eat in summer, it can calm the mind!"

Shi Yan also leaned over to smell it and said softly: "The Danlines is very even. If it could be a bit more solid, it would be considered High Grade." He pulled out a small cloth pouch from hisPregnant, inside were several carved Medicinal Pill seals. "This is for you. Stamping it on the Medicinal Pill can help spiritual energy condense."

Liu Zhi took the Medicinal Pill seal, his eyes lighting up: "This is great! It looks much better than what I pinch by hand!"

Liu Shan and Lin Qingxue watched them gathered together discussing Medicinal Pills, exchanging smiles. Dan Chen took a sip of spiritual grain wine, then suddenly remembered something and pulled out an envelope from hisPregnant: "Oh, by the way, Valley Master Liu, this is from the Dan Wang Valley Master for you. He said there are some follow-up matters regarding the Black Wind Valley incident that he needs to discuss with you."

Liu Shan took the letter, opened it, and his brows furrowed slightly. The letter stated that although Black Wind Valley was destroyed, during the cleanup of the altar, a stone tablet carved with Demon Race runes was discovered. The text on it did not match the records from the great Demon Race war a thousand years ago, seeming like some new spell. The Dan Wang Valley Master suspected that a more powerful Demon Race remnant might be secretly plotting, and asked him to pay more attention to Luoxia Valley's defenses recently.

"What's wrong?" Lin Qingxue noticed his expression.

"Nothing." Liu Shan put the letter away, smiling and shaking his head. "The Dan Wang Valley Master is concerned about our safety and wants us to set up more Formations."

Dan Chen also chimed in: "Valley Master Liu, don't worry, I brought some Formation Plates. They are all newly made by the Qi Sect, with excellent defensive capabilities. I'll help you set them up at the valley entrance."

The afternoon sun was intense, and the cicadas began to chirp loudly again. Dan Chen took Liu Zhi and Shi Yan to set up the Formation at the valley entrance, while Yun Xi followed Lin Qingxue to the Spiritual Plant field to identify herbs. Mo Chu coiled on Liu Shan's shoulder, its golden horn pointed towards the valley entrance, occasionally letting out a low hiss.

Liu Shan sat under theSophora japonicatree, watching the busy figures of the children in the distance, his hand caressing the letter. The Dan Wang Valley Master's worries were not unfounded; Demon Race remnants were like seeds buried in the soil, ready to sprout at any time.

But he was not afraid.

In the valley, there were friends who fought alongside him, children who were growing up, a determination to protect, and Mo Chu's warm companionship.

The evening breeze blew again, theSophora japonicatree leaves rustling, as if saying that as long as this peace was maintained, even the biggest storms would eventually pass.

Liu Zhi's cheers came from the valley entrance, presumably meaning the Formation was set up. Liu Shan looked up and saw the young man waving a Formation Plate at him, the sunlight falling on him like a golden edge.

He smiled, stood up, and walked towards the children.

Life was long; taking it slowly was fine.