Pills in Dreams, A Conversation in Private

“A Clarity Pill is refined until it resembles glass. Once formed, it is perfectly round—and just as fragile.”

In the hall, Zhou Youzi looked at the shattered pill and shook his head gently.

“Is it still of any use?” Chen Cuo's Mother asked, hope written across her face.

“Once a pill shatters, less than a tenth of its potency remains. That may still be of some use to a cultivator, but an ordinary mortal body cannot retain its medicinal power.” Zhou Youzi glanced at Chen Cuo's Mother. “Even with an intact pill, an ordinary person can absorb only twenty or thirty percent of its effect. Unless they take one every day, they will never gain what a cultivator could. But pills are difficult to refine. No one can truly eat them like meals.”

Why not?

Chen Cuo fretted beside them. Just step aside and let me take it to my Gourd. I'll swallow pills every night. Don't believe me?

Time ticked away before his eyes. He could not turn back time, and once an hour passed, the opportunity would be wasted!

Seeing his mother's distress, Chen Cuo spoke up. "If it's useless, why not give it to me as a keepsake? I've spent these past few days racking my brains over it. I'd hate for all that effort to come to nothing."

His words drew everyone's attention.

Zhou Youzi turned to look at Chen Cuo and froze.

“What is it?” Chen Cuo noticed Zhou Youzi's surprise.

“I truly didn't expect you to accumulate a measure of Public Esteem in just five days, my lord,” Zhou Youzi said. “Even now, it's still rising!”

Chen Cuo's Mother and the others were taken aback.

Even Chen Cuo hesitated. “How can you tell, sir? Is there a trick to it?”

Public Esteem is supposed to be invisible and intangible. It sounds mystical enough, but you can actually measure it?

"If you could cultivate and set foot on the path of seeking the Dao, you would naturally know." Zhou Youzi still refused to explain.

Chen Cuo scoffed inwardly.

But Zhou Youzi's next words brought his thoughts straight back to the matter at hand.

“Now that you have that measure of Public Esteem, the pill may be shattered, but the Ink Crane is still worth a try.”

Chen Cuo was startled, then delighted. That's exactly what I want.

His mother seemed to snap awake. She studied her second son for a moment, then shook her head.

"I invited you here to deal with the pill, sir. Other matters can wait. You say the shattered pill is no longer effective. I'm ashamed that such an Immortal Opportunity was ruined by a petty servant's hand. What a regrettable waste. Is there any way to remedy it? Your ties to the Prince of Nankang's Residence run deep. Should you ever need anything, our household will do everything it can to help!"

Chen Cuo glanced at her. My mother really will throw away her dignity for her eldest son. Her words were tactful, but she was openly asking for more help. The Residence had caused the trouble, and Zhou Youzi had kindly brought them the pill. Why should he owe them a replacement?

Sure enough, Zhou Youzi shook his head. “I was given this one pill. I have no spare.”

Chen Cuo's Mother opened her mouth, but no words came out.

Chen Cuo seized the opening. "In that case, may I have the pill as a keepsake?" He returned to his request, plainly unwilling to let it go.

Zhou Youzi finally answered. "I already promised the pill to the Residence. It belongs to your household. How could I decide what to do with it?"

Taking the hint, Chen Cuo looked at Chen Cuo's Mother.

Still upset, she instinctively wanted to scold him when she caught his eye. But then she remembered that her second son had quietly gained a measure of Public Esteem in five days, as Zhou Youzi himself had confirmed. She had also heard that an essay of his was circulating. Could he truly have some ability? She gave it more thought and, after a pause, actually nodded.

Delighted, Chen Cuo stepped forward to take the pill.

"Why the rush?" Chen Cuo's Mother said. "Can't you see our guest is still here?"

Chen Cuo stopped short. He was growing anxious; barely any time remained before the hour was up.

"It's fine," Zhou Youzi said with a smile. "Take it and put it away first, my lord, then come back. I have something to discuss with you, but it would be best to wait until you're calm. Your mind is elsewhere right now. See to what you want first."

"I'll be right back!" Chen Cuo's opinion of Zhou Youzi rose at once. He had never found the man so agreeable. Seeing that Chen Cuo's Mother had no objection, he hurriedly closed the lid and turned to leave.

Chen Hai moved to follow, but Chen Cuo waved him back. "Wait here. If anything happens, come tell me."

The first part made Chen Hai's heart sink, but the second left him beaming. He trusts me! He wants me to keep watch for him!

He promptly nodded, straightened his back, and kept his eyes on the room.

Only then did Chen Cuo hurry away.

Inside, Chen Cuo's Mother called Chen He over and gave him a few instructions. He bowed and left. Then she turned to Zhou Youzi. "Sir, what do you wish to discuss with my Second Son? You said he had gained a measure of Public Esteem. Is it related to that?"

Zhou Youzi sighed before nodding. "I misjudged your family. I thought your daughter had the greater talent, but your son is exceptional too. Perhaps it is a legacy from the late prince—all his children have turned out so well..."

They had barely exchanged a few words when Chen Cuo returned, his face bright with satisfaction. The pill was already inside the Gourd. All that remained was to fall asleep and examine it in Dream Marsh.

The moment he entered, he bowed to Zhou Youzi with a beaming face. "You said you wanted to speak with me, sir. What is it?"

Instead of answering, Zhou Youzi cupped his hands toward Chen Cuo's Mother. "Please arrange a side room, madam, so I can explain everything to him."

Chen Cuo blinked.

He wants to speak to me alone?

"That wouldn't be proper." Before anyone else could speak, Chen Hai stepped forward. "My lord is too important to meet with someone alone."

Chen Cuo's Mother raised a hand to stop Chen Hai. After a moment's thought, she said, "Since you request it, sir, I'll allow it. I know your character, and I trust you."

"Thank you, madam!" Zhou Youzi cupped his hands and smiled.

Chen Cuo wondered whether Chen Cuo's Mother would have agreed so readily if it had been his favored elder brother, Chen Fangtai.

Chen Cuo's Mother turned to him. "If he wishes to speak to you alone, it must be important. Listen carefully and don't miss anything!"

"I understand, Mother." Chen Cuo knew she was hinting that he should tell her everything afterward. He reserved judgment until he knew what Zhou Youzi had to say.

At the Prince of Nankang's Residence, nothing stood in the way once Chen Cuo's Mother's order was given.

A short while later, Chen Cuo sat in a side room, alone with Daoist Half-Heart.

"You wrote an essay recently, didn't you, my lord?"

Zhou Youzi began with that question.

A little surprised, Chen Cuo nodded and gave him its title: "The Painted Skin."

Chen Cuo wondered whether Zhou Youzi wanted to ask how he had gained Public Esteem, or perhaps about the story's creation and background.

Instead, Zhou Youzi took two sheets of yellow paper from his robe and flicked them into the air. They landed against the gaps around the door and window, as though pasted there.

The next instant, vermilion lines appeared on the paper. They spread and crossed, forming intricate sigils.

Hum! Hum!

Two sounds rang out in succession. The door and window trembled, then fell completely still.

Chen Cuo's eyes widened as he watched the vermilion talismans appear out of nowhere. Then he noticed that the faint sounds from outside had vanished after the door and window shook.

He immediately grew wary.

"No need to worry, my lord. This is to keep others from overhearing." Zhou Youzi smiled faintly and sat down. "What I'm about to say must not be known to ordinary people, according to the rules of my sect. We cultivate the mind, using precepts to strengthen the Mindfield. If we break a precept lightly, our cultivation regresses. Even an accidental disclosure has consequences if we learn of it afterward. To prevent that, I've sealed this room off. I hope you understand."

Chen Cuo took a deep breath. Things have already gone this far. Surely the old Daoist won't dare cause trouble inside the Residence. He sat down too. "What exactly do you want to say?"

Zhou Youzi nodded and came straight to the point.

"Where did you obtain the cultivation method of the Incense Way?"