That day, Mu Bai felt troubled and did not hurry to the Pill Hall early. Instead, he pondered deeply as he walked, unknowingly approaching Qing Mao's residence.
"It's been more than half a month since I visited these widows and orphans. I've truly let down Elder Qing Mao's trust!"
Mu Bai felt that, having promised to look after Qing Mao's clanspeople, he could not simply distribute some soul crystals each month. He also needed to visit more often; offering them emotional comfort was indispensable.
"I wonder whether those two little ones have been crying again..."
Mu Bai knew the way to Qing Mao Residence as well as a seasoned driver knew the road, and arrived in no time. Before he could step through the gate, three or four women had already come out to greet him.
"Husband, I've missed you so terribly. You're finally back."
"Have you had breakfast, husband? Shall I have the kitchen prepare a bowl of Cloud-Swallow Soup?"
Although he knew the women before him were all consummate actresses, the instant they came out to greet him still gave Mu Bai a trace of the warmth of coming home.
"Aunties, I'm on my way to the Pill Hall and can't stay long. Please don't trouble yourselves."
"We haven't seen you in half a month, husband, and you've grown so much thinner. Have you settled into life in the Spirit Taming Sect?"
"Well enough. It's just that the pill-refining workload is quite heavy, and I'm having a little trouble adjusting."
"Oh, so that's it," one pretty young woman replied. "When our husband Qing Mao was here, he also received several dozen pills of various kinds every month. But now there isn't a single one left in the residence. We... we can't help you either, husband..."
"There's no need..."
Mu Bai spoke awkwardly, only to see two women emerge carrying the children, Qing Ping and Qing Dai. Their little catfish-like mouths held their thumbs, licking and sucking with relish.
Mu Bai went forward and gently stroked their downy little heads. "Hey, such good little darlings! Here, big brother has some candy pills for you."
Mu Bai took out a Soul-Nurturing Pill, broke it in half, and put one half into Qing Ping's mouth and the other into Qing Dai's. The two little ones laughed and babbled, very pleased with the candy pill's taste.
After playing with Qing Ping and Qing Dai for a while, Mu Bai had no more time to linger at Qing Mao Residence. An arduous pill-refining task still awaited him.
When he reached the Pill Hall, a crowd had gathered in the front hall, making it livelier than usual. Mu Bai drew closer and saw that one of the young men, standing tall in splendid robes, was the thirteenth Sect Heir, Zhou Dekai. Beside him stood another man, slightly older, dressed in luxurious purple robes with a brocade-and-jade belt. His face was heroic, his eyes bright, and he carried a folding fan with graceful, handsome elegance. His cultivation was even approaching the third-level peak; he could truly be called a dragon or phoenix among men.
Only after asking a nearby Pill Hall alchemist did Mu Bai learn that this was the fifth Sect Heir, Zhou Dechen. Renowned within the sect, he was one of the three Sect Heirs with the strongest chance of becoming Heir to the Sect.
The two Sect Heirs had happened to meet at the Pill Hall, both having come to purchase pills for the grand competition. They drew many alchemists, apprentice attendants, and even menial workers to watch, forming several rings at a distance. Pill Hall Master Zhu Da had also come out to greet them personally.
Mu Bai mingled with the onlookers. After exchanging some pleasantries, Zhu Da cupped his fists toward the two Sect Heirs and departed. The two Sect Heirs spoke little to each other, each accompanied by a Pill Hall steward as he selected pills. But on closer inspection, Mu Bai saw Zeng Yuan at the fifth Sect Heir Zhou Dechen's side, guiding him and accompanying him with ingratiating smiles all the way. Their relationship was evidently no ordinary one. Zhou Dekai, meanwhile, had only the few attendants he had brought himself, which looked rather awkward.
Mu Bai was just about to turn toward his own Alchemy Chamber when a clear voice rang out behind him.
"Brother Mu, I was just looking for you!"
Zhou Dekai walked slowly over with a smile.
"Brother Zhou, it's been several days, and your bearing surpasses even before..."
"Brother Mu, we took to each other at first sight, and now we both live on Hundred Flowers Peak. I've called on you for several days without finding you, and sure enough, I've run into you here today."
"I was just thinking of paying a visit to your residence, Sect Heir!"
Mu Bai stepped forward and put an arm around Zhou Dekai's shoulders. The two looked as close as brothers of many years.
Hearing the commotion around Zhou Dekai, Zhou Dechen gave a contemptuous smile and turned around.
"What elder is this?"
"A newly appointed elder of the sect, surname Mu, given name Bai. A second-level Miscellaneous Master, serving as Pill Hall Deputy Hall Master."
Zeng Yuan leaned close and spoke softly into Zhou Dechen's ear.
"I wondered what sort of elder or hall master he was. So he's just another second-level Miscellaneous Master!"
"Sect Heir, I've been in this Pill Hall for many years now..."
"There's no hurry. I'll make my own decision. Don't bother quibbling with miscellaneous practitioners!"
A trace of dejection flashed through Zeng Yuan's eyes, but he dared not show it.
An elder who was a second-level Miscellaneous Master was indeed beneath Zhou Dechen's notice. By deliberately raising his voice on "second-level Miscellaneous Master," he was clearly using Mu Bai to mock Zhu Da and express his displeasure. But Zhu Da belonged to the eldest Sect Heir Zhou Detai's faction, so he could not very well tear away all pretense of cordiality on the spot.
Zhou Dechang's words reached everyone present clearly.
Hearing those remarks, Mu Bai felt displeased but did not show it. Instead, he stepped forward and bowed. "Mu Bai pays his respects to the fifth Sect Heir! Your name has thundered in my ears. Having the good fortune to meet you today, I see you truly live up to your reputation. Both Sect Heirs are indeed of the sect's direct line; your handsome, distinguished bearing leaves us in admiration!"
Seeing Mu Bai approach and bow, Zhou Dechen nodded in acknowledgment without saying anything further, then followed Zeng Yuan's lead away.
"Brother Mu, that man is proud and arrogant. He hasn't become Heir to the Sect yet, but he's already putting on the airs of a sect master. Never mind him! Come to my residence tonight, and the two of us can drink and talk merrily!"
"Certainly. Since you've invited me, Brother Zhou, I'll be there!"
After exchanging a few more friendly words, the two went their separate ways.
The relationships within the sect are complicated. Though I'm unwilling, I have no choice but to cultivate some connections.
Mu Bai did not rush to fire up his furnace and refine pills. Once inside his Alchemy Chamber, he first pondered what had just happened.
"Hall Master Mu, would it be convenient for me to come in for a chat?"
Mu Bai looked up and saw that the visitor was Wang Chong, an alchemist of the hall and also a third-level peak pill-refining practitioner. The two ordinarily had little contact.
"Brother Wang, what guidance do you have for me?"
"I wouldn't presume to offer guidance. I was just thinking that you've only just taken office, Hall Master Mu, yet you're doing this pill-refining work yourself. I wondered whether there was anything Wang Mou could do for you."
Wang Chong did not beat around the bush, stating his purpose directly.
"I have some Soul-Returning Pills and Soul-Nurturing Pills that could spare you several days of arduous refining, Hall Master Mu."
"One should not accept rewards without merit, nor favor without virtue. How could I dare accept your kindness, Brother Wang..."
"Not so. Hall Master Mu, you're well acquainted with the thirteenth Sect Heir, so presumably you and the third Sect Heir share a friendship as devoted as Yang and Zuo's. If you could make an introduction, a few mere pills would hardly be worth mentioning!"
"You wish to follow the third Sect Heir?"
"Hall Master Mu, surely you understand. Hall Master Zhu belongs to the eldest Sect Heir, and Zeng Yuan serves the fifth Sect Heir, while the third Sect Heir is their strongest rival. A fine bird chooses its tree to roost in. Each of us chooses his own lord, making plans for the future."
Sure enough, my conversation with Zhou Dekai caught someone's attention, and he mistook me for one of the third Sect Heir's men. Unwilling as I am, I have no choice but to go along with it!
As Mu Bai thought this, he also formed a plan.
"That's easy enough. I'll act as a go-between and help bring your wish to fruition!"
"Many thanks, Elder Mu. These few pills are a humble token of my respect. Please accept them."
Overjoyed, Wang Chong bowed and presented a Soul Bag, then took his leave.
Mu Bai opened the Soul Bag. Inside were fifty pills, half Soul-Returning Pills and half Soul-Nurturing Pills.
Well, well, Wang Chong, you've calculated it so precisely. Still, this has put out the fire at my eyebrows-there are just enough to meet this month's quota. As for the introduction, I'll find an opportunity to mention it to the thirteenth Sect Heir.
Before you continue