This Won't Happen Again

Being willing to prepare an alchemy room in advance for a guest he had never met was not something just anyone could do.

"You have an excellent elder." Yang Wudi rarely spoke so seriously.

Bing Yekong nodded without saying much. He took out herbs wrapped in Ultimate Ice from his Storage Soul Guidance Device one by one and carefully arranged them on the counter.

"Senior Yang, come take a look at these."

Yang Wudi curiously leaned closer, and then his breathing stopped.

Wrapped in Ultimate Ice on the counter were precisely the immortal herbs he had seen before at the Icefire Yin-Yang Well.

Eight-Horned Mysterious Ice Grass, Fiery Apricot Delicate Herb, Qiluo Tulip, Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, and more.

Yang Wudi's eyes widened wider and wider, his mouth falling open. He pointed at those immortal herbs, his finger trembling. "Yekong, you... you brought all of these back?"

Bing Yekong nodded. "Senior Dugu already agreed to it. Leaving these immortal herbs there without putting them to proper use would be a waste. Since Senior Yang is so skilled in alchemy, I thought it would be better to bring out their full value."

After a pause, he took out a folded sheet of paper from his Soul Guidance Device and handed it to Yang Wudi.

"This is a list I drafted based on the medicinal knowledge I've learned over the years, combined with the records in the booklet you gave me. It lists several pills I want to refine, along with the ratios of ingredients for each. I'll have to trouble Senior Yang with this."

Yang Wudi accepted the list, unfolded it, and quickly scanned its contents.

Yang Wudi fell silent for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter.

"Ha ha ha! Good lad, you've thought things through more thoroughly than even this old man! Fine, I'll take this job! You can assist me at the side, and I guarantee we'll refine you a batch of the finest pills!"

"Thank you, Senior Yang."

Bing Yekong gave him a solemn bow.

Yang Wudi waved a hand and eagerly began sorting through the immortal herbs. As he carefully unwrapped the Ultimate Ice around them, he muttered to himself about things like, "This one has just the right heat," "This one is old enough," and "This leaf can be used as a catalyst," leaving Bing Yekong both amused and helpless.

After leaving the alchemy room to Yang Wudi, Bing Yekong turned and walked out of the rear courtyard toward the courtyard where he lived with Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er.

Passing through the familiar corridor and pushing open the familiar courtyard gate, Bing Yekong had barely stepped inside when he saw a blue figure rush out of the room.

"Little Yekong!"

Shui Yue'er's voice was bright and clear, tinged with tears. She crossed the distance in a few quick strides and crashed into Bing Yekong's arms, nearly knocking him back half a step.

"Why did you take so long to come back? You said one month, but it's been nearly a month and a half! My sister and I thought something had happened to you out there!"

As Shui Yue'er spoke, she pounded his chest with her fists. She did not hit hard, but the blows came rapidly, as though she wanted to vent all the worry she had accumulated over the past month.

Bing Yekong let her hit him a few times before raising a hand to rub her head. "All right, Sister Yue'er. Didn't I come back safely? I got delayed on the road. Don't worry."

Shui Yue'er raised her head, her eyes and nose both red. She really had been crying. She pursed her lips, about to say something else, but a gentler voice interrupted her from behind.

"Yue'er, move aside."

Hearing that, Shui Yue'er instinctively shifted to the side.

Shui Bing'er stood at the doorway.

She was not wearing Tianshui Academy's uniform today, only a pale blue dress for lounging at home. Her long hair fell loosely over her shoulders, making her seem less cold and distant than usual, and more gentle.

Unlike Shui Yue'er, she did not rush over. She simply stood where she was and quietly looked at Bing Yekong.

Her clear eyes, like an icy lake, were already brimming with tears, yet she refused to let them fall.

Seeing Shui Bing'er like this, Bing Yekong's heart inexplicably clenched. He stepped forward twice until he stood before her, his voice soft. "Sister Bing'er, I'm back."

Shui Bing'er did not answer.

She simply looked at Bing Yekong for several seconds. At last, the tears in her eyes could no longer hold on and rolled down her cheeks in two clear streams.

She was clearly smiling, yet her tears would not stop falling.

"Mm."

She answered softly, then took a step forward and wrapped her arms around Bing Yekong's waist, burying her face in the hollow of his shoulder.

Her voice was muffled and nasal. "It's good that you're back."

Bing Yekong felt the fabric on his shoulder being soaked by something warm. It felt as though something were blocking his heart, leaving him stifled and unsettled.

He raised his hand and gently patted Shui Bing'er's back, once after another, in a steady rhythm.

"I'm sorry, Sister Bing'er." His voice was soft, as though he feared disturbing something. "This won't happen again. I promise."

Shui Bing'er did not speak immediately. She merely rubbed her face against his shoulder, wiping away most of her tears, before finally lifting her head.

Tear tracks still remained on her lovely face, but she forced out a smile. "It's all right. I know you have your own things to do."

Shui Bing'er reached out and smoothed the fabric on his shoulder, her movements unbelievably gentle.

"As long as you can come back safely, I'll wait however long it takes."

Behind them, Shui Yue'er pursed her lips and muttered quietly, "So you're just leaving me off to the side now, Sister..."

But her voice was so soft that only she could hear it, while the smile on her face could not be hidden at all.

Looking at the two sisters, Bing Yekong felt that the ship that had drifted for so long within his heart had finally found a harbor where it could dock.

He decided to briefly tell them about Yang Wudi and Dugu Bo, as well as some of what he had experienced during this time. He avoided the parts that had been too dangerous and spoke only of the winds and snow of the Far North, along with the Soul Ring of the Ice Jade Scorpion.

Shui Yue'er listened with rapt attention, occasionally crying out, "Wow!" and "That's amazing!" Shui Bing'er sat quietly beside him, sometimes handing him a cup of warm water and sometimes helping him straighten the hair the wind had tousled.

Outside the window, the sun gradually sank. Golden afterglow streamed through the lattice windows and fell over the three of them, stretching their shadows long, long across the room.

When dinner began, Shui Qingrou specifically had the dining table set up in the main hall and invited Yang Wudi and Dugu Bo over as well.

Dugu Bo was initially somewhat uncomfortable, since it had been a long time since he had attended such a family-style gathering. But Shui Qingrou was gracious and poised, Yang Wudi kept the conversation lively with jokes, and Bing Yekong occasionally chimed in, so the atmosphere soon warmed up.

"Speaking of which, Senior Yang." Shui Qingrou raised her wine cup and offered Yang Wudi a toast. "I heard from Yekong that you came all the way from the Star Luo Empire specifically to help him. I will remember this kindness. If any members of the Po Clan wish to come stay in the future, the Shui Family will always welcome them."