Joy at Flower Ravine

At night, in Zhou Dekai's cave abode on Hundred Flowers Peak, more than a dozen graceful women danced while Mu Bai and Zhou Dekai exchanged toasts and chatted merrily.

"Brother Mu, I have a favor to ask..."

Zhou Dekai drained a cup of wine, a troubled look appearing on his face.

"You're too polite, Brother Zhou. Let me hear it."

Mu Bai had been wondering what excuse he could use to ask Zhou Dekai for help. Hearing this, he felt considerably more at ease.

"With the grand competition approaching, every faction in the sect is short of pills. When I went to the Pill Hall today, I meant not only to buy pills, but also to recruit an Alchemist or two to work for me. This was my third brother's intention as well. Who would have thought I would happen to meet you, Brother Mu, and that you would be the Pill Hall Deputy Hall Master? It truly was heaven's will..."

"Brother Zhou, though I bear the name of Alchemist, I'm merely a dabbler who cultivates both spirit and soul. My cultivation level is pitifully low, too. I could hardly catch the Third Sect Heir's discerning eye. However, I do have someone to recommend. I can guarantee the Third Sect Heir will be satisfied."

"Don't be so modest, Brother Mu. If you could recommend one or two people as well, that would be my great good fortune!"

Since Zhou Dekai had put it that way, Mu Bai took the offered slope to dismount his donkey, putting in a good word for Wang Chong and his circumstances. Zhou Dekai was delighted to hear it.

"Brother Mu, I've heard money is tight for you, yet you still look after Qing Mao's clansmen every month. It truly deserves admiration. These two thousand soul crystals are a small token of my regard..."

"Brother Zhou, I couldn't possibly..."

"Elder Qing Mao and I have been friends for many years. Allow me to thank you on his behalf. Besides, you've done me a great favor today. It's only right."

Not wanting to become too deeply involved in the struggle between Sect Heirs, Mu Bai firmly refused the two thousand soul crystals. Seeing his resolute attitude, Zhou Dekai could only give up. Yet a trace of genuine admiration for Mu Bai's character arose in his heart, and he sincerely wished to befriend him.

Through this mediation, Mu Bai also came to understand something: make good use of resources, and you, he, and I could all benefit, leaving everyone satisfied with the outcome. But profit had two edges; one should take it in moderation and use it with restraint.

"Brother Mu, I have another favor to ask..."

Zhou Dekai's troubled expression did not ease. His long sigh was like a fire burning in his heart.

"What has you so troubled, Brother Zhou?"

"Unworthy as I am, some days ago I met a woman at Flower Ravine Creek north of the sect, and I became deeply enamored of her..."

"Such good news calls for congratulations, Brother Zhou. But if it's your wedding night, even if I wished to help, there would be nothing I could do!"

"Haha, you really know how to joke, Brother Mu..." A little bashful, Zhou Dekai drank the wine in his cup and continued, "The young woman's name is Su He, and her background is terribly pitiful. To escape persecution by villains, she went into seclusion with her father at Flower Ravine Creek. Father and daughter had been living peacefully and contentedly, but recently her father contracted a strange illness, leaving him feverish and sweating profusely. It truly leaves me anxious and distraught..."

"My learning is shallow, and from your account alone, Brother Zhou, I can't determine the root of this illness. Since it weighs on your heart, I shall certainly do my utmost. If it's convenient, why don't we pay them a visit?"

"Good. That's precisely what I had in mind, Brother Mu. Sorry for the trouble."

The two immediately set down their cups of wine and flew through the night toward Flower Ravine Creek Valley north of the Spirit Taming Sect. The journey was not far. The night wind blew cold, and before they had sobered up, they could already make out Flower Ravine Creek in the darkness from afar.

Suddenly, a dark shadow darted into the vegetation beside the stream. Zhou Dekai and Mu Bai's late-night visit had disturbed some creatures fond of roaming at night.

Two thatched cottages stood beside the little stream, and a light still shone in one of them.

"Her father's illness must have flared up, making it hard to sleep so late at night. Miss Su He truly has had a difficult time..."

As Zhou Dekai spoke to Mu Bai, his heartache was plain in every word. In the moonlight, Mu Bai could see his tightly knitted brows and deep concern.

"Don't worry, Brother Zhou. Perhaps we can help ease Miss Su He's troubles."

"I'm entrusting everything to you, Brother Mu! I'm ashamed to say that although there are many Alchemists in the sect, I have no one I can trust. Though we've met only a few times, I sincerely wish to be your friend!"

"Your words reflect my own feelings, Brother Zhou. In befriending you, I shall certainly be wholly genuine and sincere!"

The moonlight was soft. Zhou Dekai, too, was a man of feeling. He immediately opened his arms and embraced Mu Bai, saying solemnly, "Thank you, brother!"

"Knock, knock..."

Zhou Dekai tapped lightly on the wooden door, his eyes filled with love and tenderness.

With a creak, the wooden door slowly opened, revealing a woman dressed in green. Her face was lovely, with a trace of weariness and tear tracks that had yet to dry.

"Miss Su, how is Uncle Su?"

"Brother Zhou, Father... he was better for a few days, but today his symptoms are worse than ever. I don't know what to do..."

As she spoke, tears spilled from her eyes, falling in glistening drops onto the flagstones, and onto Zhou Dekai's heart.

"Don't be anxious, Miss Su. This is Elder Mu from our sect's Pill Hall. His skill in refining pills and preparing medicines is remarkable. He will surely relieve Uncle Su's suffering!"

Miss Su turned her tear-filled eyes toward Mu Bai, imploring Elder Mu to cure her father's illness. Mu Bai gently helped Su He up, thinking, She truly is an exquisite beauty, so delicate and lovely that even I cannot help feeling tender pity for her. No wonder Zhou Dekai is so enamored.

"Miss Su, if it is convenient, allow me to examine your father."

"Please come in, Elder Mu. I cannot thank you enough."

Mu Bai entered the room and saw a middle-aged man lying flat on the bed. His face was waxy yellow, and sweat beaded all over him as though steaming out, soaking more than half the bedding.

Taking hold of the meridians at the middle-aged man's wrist, Mu Bai had yet to extend his divine sense when he felt a trace of agitation in the wood-aspect essence within his own body, as though it would flow along his fingers into the man's meridians. Setting aside his puzzlement, Mu Bai sent his divine sense through the man's meridians. Upon passing his liver, he felt a scorching aura roasting him, and saw that the liver was fiery red.

"Fortunately, I have not failed you. Uncle Su's illness should be caused by liver heat. Pathogenic influences have invaded the middle burner, their pent-up heat steaming the liver and gallbladder, impairing the liver's regulation and release and the spleen's transport and transformation."

"Brother Mu, is there a way to cure it completely?"

"Don't be anxious, Brother Zhou. Miss Su needn't worry either. I have my methods!"

"Please accept my thanks, Elder Mu..."

Su He bowed, and Mu Bai cupped his fists in return.

"Sorry for the trouble, Brother Mu!"

Zhou Dekai also saluted, hopeful joy in his eyes.

Mu Bai was also a man who knew how to read the situation. That very night, he returned to the Spirit Taming Sect on the pretext of refining pills, leaving Zhou Dekai to accompany the forlorn and helpless Miss Su. Throughout the night, Zhou Dekai showed the utmost tenderness, caring for Miss Su He with meticulous consideration.

Early the next morning, birds bathed in the sunlight, quietly preening their feathers and chirping now and then, their spirits full of joy and sweetness.

Su He gently opened the door and walked lightly toward the stream, carrying a wooden bucket. She was at the youthful age for marriage, like a flower bud bathed in morning dew, waiting to bloom; with a gentle tremble, its heart opened.

Once she brought back water from the stream, cooking smoke rose from the thatched cottage, warming the flowers, grasses, and birds in the valley and filling one's heart with warmth as well.

"A curtain of secluded dreams beneath the night moon, ten miles of tenderness in the spring breeze. Why must one spend one's life chasing empty power and hollow fame? Compared with that, I truly would rather remain beside this flower-lined creek with Miss Su, hand in hand for a lifetime..."

Warm sunlight spilled into Flower Ravine Creek Valley. Beds of flowering plants burst into bloom, and the stream splashed with white spray, making the valley suddenly vivid with color. Zhou Dekai carefully picked a handful of lovely flowers and, treading over dewdrops with a heart full of joy, quietly came up behind Su He.

Catching the refreshing fragrance of flowers, Su He set down her work and turned, her lovely face blooming with a smile as she threw herself into Zhou Dekai's arms in bashful delight. Zhou Dekai closed his eyes and breathed in the intoxicating floral fragrance, his whole being and his heart drunk on sweetness.

"Brother Zhou, thank you..."

"Miss Su, only when I'm with you can I feel the reality of life. The reality of simplicity and happiness!"

"Brother Zhou, as the Sect Heir of a great sect, how could you bear to put aside the ties of worldly splendor? Surely you're merely infatuated for a time with the novelty of my little valley."

"No, Miss Su. All that fighting and scheming in the sect-I truly loathe those days. I only wish to stay here in Flower Ravine Creek Valley with you for the rest of my life."

Flowers bloomed throughout Flower Ravine Creek Valley. Birds chirped joyfully, fluttering in pairs among the flowering branches in the woods, zithers in harmony, phoenixes singing together.

Zhou Dekai held Su He's warm, jade-like body tightly, lowering his head to breathe in the scent at the tips of her hair. He closed his eyes in intoxication, afraid that if he opened them, everything would prove an illusion.

"Ahem... I didn't mean to disturb you. I really have come at the wrong time."

Opening the door to find the two locked in a loving embrace, Mu Bai felt deeply awkward. Disturbing a pair of lovebirds was hardly a gentleman's conduct.

Zhou Dekai and Su He both flushed with embarrassment. Su He in particular covered her face and ran into the inner room like a startled little deer.

"Brother Mu, did you refine suitable pills?"

"Ah, I went an entire night without sleep, unlike you, Brother Zhou, with a beauty in your arms."

"You shame me. Please don't tease me, Brother Mu..."

"I can hardly congratulate you quickly enough, my friend. How is this teasing? Truly, I admire you!"

Zhou Dekai flushed all the way down to the base of his neck.

With that, Mu Bai stopped teasing Zhou Dekai and let him lead the way into the inner room.

"Uncle Su's liver is burning hot. Water must quell it, while wood is also needed to stabilize it. I used self-heal, red sage root, schisandra berries, and other ingredients to refine a medicinal pill just right for Uncle Su."

As he spoke, Mu Bai took a bottle of pills from his robes and immediately administered one to the hot, clammy man on the bed. Su He watched her father with wide, concerned eyes, her heart deeply uneasy. Mu Bai, meanwhile, pulled Zhou Dekai outside.

"Brother Zhou, do you know the true background of Miss Su's family?"

"Miss Su said they originally came from a large tribe. Persecuted amid tribal conflicts, she had no choice but to wander here with her father. I'm not very clear on the details either."

"You've pledged your life to her without knowing her well. You truly are a man of feeling, Brother Zhou!"

"As the saying goes, one meeting of golden wind and jade dew surpasses countless encounters in the mortal world. If everything must be investigated to the bottom, how would this love and affection differ from mundane worldly affairs?"

"You truly are a devoted lover, Brother Zhou. May your love be mutual, without suspicion on either side. Since matters here are settled, I'll return to the sect first and await your happy occasion..."