Qing Song of the Medicine Garden, Lu Lian of the Buyun Society

When Yu Ci and his companion arrived at the main courtyard of the Evergreen Gate, Mr. Qingsong was receiving guests in the medicine garden behind it. With Gu Zhi leading the way, the two strode straight in without anyone stopping them.

Huayan City was one of the few underground cities where farming was possible. Though the Evergreen Gate's medicine garden was not large, disciples of the sect—and even Mr. Qingsong himself—tended it with meticulous care. Various medicinal herbs were planted together in deliberate arrangements, making the sight quite pleasing to the eye.

Only, the garden's medicinal fragrance was overpowering. For a cultivator like Yu Ci, whose sense of smell was especially keen, staying inside was rather taxing.

From afar, Yu Ci saw Mr. Qingsong seated in a pavilion with another man. He still bore that relaxed, unhurried air, but his cheekbones protruded more sharply than before, making him seem thinner than when Yu Ci had last seen him.

The man opposite him sat on a stone stool, more than half a head shorter than Mr. Qingsong. He was stocky and solidly built, with sallow skin, like a farmer who had just returned from turning over the fields, giving off an honest and simple impression. He held a cup of tea in both hands and slurped at it. The atmosphere was generally rather quiet.

Yu Ci and his companion's arrival broke that atmosphere. Mr. Qingsong swept his gaze their way, then rose with a smile. The man opposite him froze for a moment before setting down his teacup and standing as well.

While they were still two or three zhang away, Gu Zhi was already loudly introducing Yu Ci. "Come, come, Brother Jiu Yan. This is my senior brother, the master of the Evergreen Gate, Mr. Qingsong. And this is the