140: Chapter 230 Yunxi Village (Part Two)

Old Master Ren's gaze fell upon the stone. At first, it was a calm scrutiny, but when he clearly saw the grayish-white base color on the cut surface, the dense cotton-like inclusions, the abrupt black and white variegation, and the few strokes that already captured the initial spirit of the sketch, his pupils contracted imperceptibly. He didn't speak immediately. Instead, he picked up a small magnifying glass from the table, leaned in closer, and carefully observed the stone's texture, the color transitions, and the places where Yu Bo had used the eyebrow pencil to "bring the work to life."

Time seemed to freeze amidst the fragrance of herbs. The clinic was so quiet that the gurgling of the stream outside the window could be heard.

After a long while, Old Master Ren put down the magnifying glass and let out a long breath. When he looked up, the way he looked at Yu Bo had changed, filled with a bit more surprise, scrutiny, and a hint of... realization?

"This stone..." Old Master Ren spoke slowly, his voice carrying a strange rhythm. "Its foundation is extremely poor, heavy with cotton and mixed colors. By common logic, it is undoubtedly scrap. But you..." He pointed at the pattern sketched with the eyebrow pencil, "you saw 'the person returning home in wind and snow.' You saw the... order and story within this chaos. This level of insight, this skill in 'Appraising Jade,' is not simple."

"You overpraise me, Elder. I just had a sudden inspiration and scribbled randomly," Yu Bo said humbly.

"A sudden inspiration? Scribbled randomly?" Old Master Ren shook his head, a mysterious smile appearing on his face. "Someone who can 'sense' 'the person returning home in wind and snow' in such 'scrap material' isn't just scribbling randomly. You've come to the right person by seeking Yang Shuming. This stone and this 'appraisal' method might truly catch his eye."

He paused, stood up, walked to the medicine cabinet, took out a palm-sized object carefully wrapped in oil paper from an inconspicuous drawer, and returned to place it on the table. "As for a guide, I am the most suitable one. I visit Yunxi Village once or twice a month; some elderly villagers need me to check their pulses and write prescriptions. That old fellow Yang Shuming is also half a patient of mine—heart trouble."

Yu Bo, along with Yin Tianxue and Tang Guo who were peeking in from the doorway, were all stunned upon hearing this. This elegant elderly doctor was actually the most suitable guide? Moreover, he seemed to have quite a friendship with Yang Shuming?

"Elder, you... will personally take us there? That's too much trouble for you!" Yu Bo said quickly.

"It's no trouble. It's on the way." Old Master Ren waved his hand and began packing the items on the table, putting the oil-paper-wrapped package into an old rattan medicine box. "I happen to be going to Yunxi Village for follow-up visits with several households. Get ready; we'll head out now. The mountain roads are difficult; we need to arrive before noon. I have to go elsewhere in the afternoon."

He moved nimbly, quickly slinging the medicine box over his shoulder and picking up a smooth bamboo staff from behind the door. "Let's go. The car can drive to 'Wangxiang Terrace.' For the rest of the way, we'll have to rely on our legs, but it's not far—only about one or two li."

Yu Bo said no more and hurried to help carry the things. The group left the clinic and got back into the car. This time, Old Master Ren sat in the passenger seat, giving clear directions: "Leave the town, turn left, and drive up along the stream."

The car started again. Under Old Master Ren's guidance, it drove onto another more hidden but seemingly better-maintained dirt road into the mountains. Old Master Ren was indeed extremely familiar with this road; he knew exactly where the potholes were, where to slow down, and where cars could pass each other. Along the way, he casually introduced the local plants and mountain topography in a calm tone, like a knowledgeable mentor, making the rugged journey feel less tedious.

"Yang Shuming's temper is strange, but his craftsmanship is truly divine," Old Master Ren said, looking at the mountain scenery flying past the window. "When he was young, his ambitions were too high; he offended people and saw through the ways of the world, which is why he hid in these mountains. He 'sealed his blade' not because his skills grew rusty, but because his heart grew cold. He felt it was difficult to find 'stones' or people in this world who could understand him and were worth him picking up his blade again. This 'the person returning home in wind and snow' of yours..." He glanced back at the backpack Yu Bo was carefully protecting by his side, "might just make that heart, which has been cold for half a lifetime, stir once more. But it's only a 'might.' The key depends on what you say and do."

Yu Bo listened intently and nodded. "I understand. I seek his guidance with sincerity and won't force the outcome."

Old Master Ren gave a hum of affirmation and said no more.

After driving for about half an hour, the car stopped at a high-altitude mountain cliff platform with a wide view. There were several smooth large stones at the edge of the platform, acting like natural observation decks. From here, one could overlook the winding mountain road they had come from and the layered mountains in the distance; the scenery was magnificent.

"We're here. This is 'Wangxiang Terrace.' Any further, and the car won't be able to pass." Old Master Ren got out of the car and stretched his legs. "The rest of the way will take about ten to twenty minutes on foot. Move around, have some water, and we'll set off after a short rest."

Yu Bo parked the car, and the three of them followed Old Master Ren out. The mountain wind was fierce, making their clothes flutter. Looking as far as the eye could see, the mountains were vast and gray, with clouds and mist flowing around the mountainsides, making one's heart feel broad and open. Tang Guo was also shaken by the magnificent scenery, temporarily forgetting her fatigue and her anxiety about the path ahead.

The group left "Wangxiang Terrace" and stepped onto the actual forest trail.

The mountain air was cool and refreshing, filled with the sounds of birds and the scent of flowers. After walking for about twenty minutes and crossing a small ridge, a quiet and peaceful little mountain village, tenderly embraced by lush green mountains, slowly unfolded before their eyes like a painting. Over a dozen wooden houses were nestled against the mountains and by the water, with curls of cooking smoke rising and the sounds of chickens and dogs echoing. A clear stream flowed through the village like a jade ribbon.

"That is Yunxi Village." Old Master Ren pointed with his bamboo staff toward the end of the village. "Yang Shuming lives in the largest courtyard at the end of the village. There's an old plum tree at the entrance and a big yellow dog. I'll deliver medicine to a few households up front first; you go on ahead yourselves. Remember, don't be afraid of that dog. It understands human nature; the more you panic, the more aggressive it gets. If Yang Shuming is willing to see you, he will naturally quiet the dog. If he isn't, don't force it; come back here and wait for me."

"Thank you, Old Master Ren!" Yu Bo thanked him solemnly once again.

Old Master Ren waved his hand, slung his medicine box on his back, and walked toward another fork in the village path. His figure soon disappeared among the wooden houses.

Yu Bo took a deep breath, looked at Yin Tianxue and Tang Guo beside him, who also looked solemn, tightened the straps of the backpack containing the stone, and stepped toward the mysterious courtyard at the end of the village, hidden by the old plum tree.