The Loveliest Time of Spring

The wind blew outside the window, and birdsong drifted into the room.

Chu Tianshu lay flat on the bed, wearing only a pair of trousers and a gauze wrapped around his upper body. He turned to his right and squinted at the window.

It was quite bright; it must be almost noon.

After returning home in the middle of the night, he wrapped himself in medicine, calmed himself down, and soon fell into a deep sleep, dreaming of fighting with those messy beasts as usual.

The funny thing is, there was a big, bald bird in my dream last night.

He looked like a vulture, with large wings and long legs, and was no less tall than Chu Tianshu.

Although it can't fly, its wings and claws are incredibly powerful.

Chu Tianshu sat up in bed and looked at the phoenix-winged gilded halberd placed on the floor.

"Hey, that bird in my dream, isn't that a manifestation of your evil nature?"

Chu Tianshu sat cross-legged beside the weapon, his left hand forming a sword shape with his fingers together, palm facing upward, placed in front of his lower abdomen, while his right hand also formed a sword incantation, drawing four vertical and five horizontal lines in the air.

"Your moans in your sleep were truly awful. Let me recite a spell for you instead."

He pointed to the spot where he had drawn his hand, and there seemed to be a semi-transparent line left in the air, faint and indistinct, hanging there without dissipating.

Since cultivating the Weapon Soul, the "Lesser Yang Blood River Chariot" has guided Yin and Yang, Chu Tianshu's own Mind Power quality has also been enhanced.

Originally, when his Mind Power left his body, without the support of the Sanqi Divine Sword, it could only manifest as an invisible and intangible impact.

Now, even after his Mind Power leave his body, they can still temporarily form these lines that are visible to the naked eye.

Nine lines, Zongheng and intersecting, slowly sink down and press down on the phoenix-winged gilded halberd.

This evil soldier, over nine feet long, was like a python that had been playing dead, suddenly branded with a hot iron, its head and tail trembling.

Chu Tianshu ignored it and continued carving.

Eight Zongheng diagrams fell from the front and back, completely suppressing the long and ferocious evil weapon from head to toe, scorching it until wisps of blue smoke appeared.

That wisp of smoke was a mixture of Mind Power and evil energy, harmless and neutral, rising into the air and dissipating.

As the evil aura faded, the inner Weapon Soul weakened further.

About fifteen minutes later, the Phoenix Wing Blade emitted a buzzing sound and then completely dimmed.

[Phoenix-winged gilded halberd: A famous general in golden armor, who was once Zongheng, but unfortunately encountered an unparalleled tyrant and died tragically with hatred and resentment. His soldiers were exiled and turned into evil spirits.]

Characteristics: Mount Tai and Goose Feather, control over one's own weight, overflowing with evil energy, turbulent currents that lock the soul.

"They really can control their own weight!"

Chu Tianshu felt a little envious.

Unfortunately, the properties of the Evil Spirit materials, after being used to deduce cultivation techniques, differed from their original nature.

Even with this method of deduction, one may not necessarily be able to develop the ability to control the weight of objects.

However, Chu Tianshu still made his decision.

They will definitely use this Evil Spirit material as the main characteristic in the mixing process.

He got up, dressed, washed himself with water from the kettle, and then went out carrying his phoenix-winged gilded halberd.

Intending to look for Blind Cheng, but seeing no one in the courtyard, Chu Tianshu headed towards the kitchen without hesitation.

Blind Cheng was in the courtyard next to the kitchen, gently tapping a wine jar.

Judging from the sound, those wine jars were all filled with something; I wonder what they were trying to distinguish by sound.

"You're up?"

Blind Cheng laughed, "Perfect timing, lunch will be ready soon."

Chu Tianshu leaned the phoenix-winged gilded halberd against the wall and patted the long pole.

"I've already destroyed the Weapon Soul inside, but this material is extremely tough. Let's melt it down and forge a sword."

Chu Tianshu said, "Your sword is made of mediocre material and is covered in scratches. It's time to retire it and give your Wind-Listening Saber a new home."

The Blind Cheng raised his scabbard and tapped the long pole.

"You and Old Zheng really think alike."

Chu Tianshu: "Hmm?"

"He was busy all night, and when he came back in the morning, he brought back six rings."

Blind Cheng said, "Duan Zhong's ring, it's said, although the Weapon Soul has dissipated, the material is excellent. It was distributed to everyone to be fused into their weapons, also as a keepsake. Because you were still asleep at the time, I didn't send it to you."

Chu Tianshu laughed, "Six rings don't weigh much, but mine weighs four hundred jin!"

"I'll make you a knife, and there will still be plenty left over. Consider the rest as an advance gift for you and Lady Wenjing."

The Lady Wenjing peeked halfway out from the courtyard gate, her eyebrows and eyes charming, her voice melodious.

"Physician Chu. Come and try the new dishes I've learned."

Of course, the meal wasn't eaten in the kitchen; everyone helped carry the dishes to a side hall.

There was a long table and many folding chairs in the side hall, which was suggested by Chu Tianshu.

At this time, although there were already furniture such as high tables, stone benches, folding chairs, and small chairs, people were still more familiar with eating by kneeling or sitting cross-legged on soft cushions.

Chu Tianshu rearranged the furnishings in the side hall, and after everyone gathered there a few times, they all thought it looked good.

By this time, everyone present was already quite familiar with this kind of large-table gathering.

Chu Tianshu glanced around and found that almost everyone in the Wen Family Restaurant was present.

The table was steaming hot, and the aroma filled the air.

Besides the dishes I'd always eaten at the Wen Family Restaurant, there were a few other dishes on the table this time that were the signature dishes of the Zheng family's head chef.

Lady Wenjing has learned the tricks of the trade recently.

Stir-fried green beans and bracken, steamed mutton with rice flour, and braised venison in an earthenware pot.

The venison slices were wide and long, but not too thick.

A large piece is gathered on the chopsticks, dipped into the small condiment dish, and it has a slightly salty and savory taste at first, becoming more and more fragrant with each chew.

It's all lean meat, but it's not dry at all.

Chu Tianshu nodded to himself and ate heartily.

"Physician Chu, you said last time that you wanted to eat these pancakes after a fight. I don't know exactly when you had the fight, but I made some every day. Today I made a few, and I accidentally pressed them too thin, but they turned out quite delicious. Try them."

Lady Wenjing pointed to a stack of cakes on the table.

Huangqiao sesame seed cakes are originally not much bigger than chess pieces. They are crispy on the outside but somewhat soft on the inside.

These sesame seed cakes were pressed too thin, and after baking, they were crispy inside and out.

Chu Tianshu took a bite and suddenly remembered that in his hometown, when he was a child, there were often vendors selling these kinds of flatbreads. They would pack them in large stacks in transparent plastic bags, with the openings tied with gold wire.

"It's delicious too."

He praised it repeatedly, thinking to himself, "It's only been a few days, and they've already come up with this new idea."

The techniques for making sesame seed cakes are mostly the same.

Although Chu Tianshu had only explained Huangqiao sesame cakes to Lady Wenjing in detail, if things continued like this, Lady Wenjing might be able to develop various other types of cakes on her own.

Unfortunately, Chu Tianshu had absolutely no experience in making cakes.

Otherwise, he suddenly wondered if his Lady Wenjing could make a cake in this era.

"I heard this morning that the battle outside the city has taken place, and the Righteous King was defeated, along with many of his accomplices."

Lady Wenjing knows a lot of things, but she only talks about things that others in the restaurant also know.

"You all heard it last time, the people causing trouble in our restaurant might be backed by Righteous King."

"Now that Righteous King has fallen, our restaurant should be able to reopen."

Lady Wenjing hands and said, "I'll find someone to repair the restaurant in the next couple of days."

"The Third Month Festival is a lively affair that lasts for several days. If we open for business, we might be able to catch the tail end of the Third Month Festival."

The people in the restaurant were delighted to hear this.

Although they had food and lodging here, they were still living under someone else's roof, and without any income of their own, they felt uneasy.

With the restaurant reopening, everyone could make money again, and the news immediately became a hot topic.

Dao Baishu held his small wine cup, smiling, but his gaze lingered on Chu Tianshu and Blind Cheng.

He thought Chu Tianshu was Inner Guard, Blind Cheng had an extra injury on his leg last night, which was quite obvious.

But most importantly... Dao Baishu also mingled with the crowd at the foot of Emerald Rock Slope in the middle of the night.

He was a storyteller who loved to gather material. Although he was terrified of Hai Donglai, the head of the Inner Guard, he emboldened by the presence of others and mingled at the back of the crowd.

The person who killed Duan Zhong came and went so quickly that no one saw his face clearly.

But the distance between the hilltop and the descent is much closer than the sound that once drifted from above the Righteous King.

Dao Baishu heard that sound in the middle of the night, and now the more he thinks about it, the more familiar it seems.

Chu Tianshu noticed his gaze and glanced at him with a hint of confusion.

Dao Baishu quickly ducked his head and raised his wine glass.

Chu Tianshu also picked up his wine glass, clinked glasses with him across the glass, and drank it all in one gulp.

"Gentlemen, I'm preparing to leave in the next few days. It's been a fortunate gathering for us all, so let me use this drink to bid you farewell."

Chu Tianshu stood up, poured himself another cup, and gestured to the others.

The crowd was slightly taken aback, but quickly stood up without being too surprised.

For those in the restaurant business, customers coming and going is a normal occurrence.

Chu Tianshu raised his glass and said, "First, I wish your restaurant booming business, making a fortune every day, and everyone making big money."

Lady Wenjing led the group, saying, "Then we also Physician Chu all the best and that his medical reputation will spread far and wide."

Blind Cheng had simply raised his glass in agreement, but upon hearing those four words, he couldn't help but smile.

medical...

Brother Chu, may your fame spread far and wide!

He believed that Chu Tianshu would one day become famous far and wide, but whether that fame would come from medicine was another matter.

Everyone clinked glasses together.

The heat in the hall gradually dissipated.

As lunch drew to a close, Chu Tianshu had already left the side hall.

Dao Baishu was still sipping his wine, staring at Chu Tianshu's position, his eyes darting around.

Auntie Mo was already preparing to clear the dishes when she saw him like this, so she couldn't help but pat him on the shoulder. "Old man Dao, what are you thinking about now?"

Someone nearby laughed, "He's probably making up stories in his head again."

"Hmph, try not to listen to me then."

Dao Baishu feigned arrogance, but was actually quite anxious. After thinking for a while, he decided to share his feelings with someone, so he went up to Auntie Mo.

"Auntie Mo, I know you're a steady person, but there are some secrets I can let you know first."

Auntie Mo asked alertly, "What?"

Dao Baishu said reservedly, "Do you believe that Hai Donglai, the commander of the Inner Guard, is actually a good person?"

Auntie Mo frowned. "Why do you say that? Aren't you very afraid of the Inner Guard?"

"Seeing is believing, hearing is deceiving."

Dao Baishu said solemnly, "From what I've seen and heard, I know that many reputations are just rumors."

Auntie Mo asked in surprise, "Who did you see?"

Dao Baishu was extremely solemn, his voice lowered as if he were sharing a huge secret.

"Did you know that Physician Chu... is actually Hai Donglai!"

Auntie Mo's expression at that moment was incredibly peculiar.

Dao Baishu laughed and said, "Don't tell anyone. When I officially tell this story in the future, it will definitely be a completely different story, with some twists and turns."

"You're the only one left who can hear the truth."

Auntie Mo began to suspect that she might have been kicked out of the Inner Guard because some of the information she had relayed before came from this old man.

Chu Tianshu was unaware that even after he stopped pretending, he still used Hai Donglai's name for a while.

He was in the Locust Tree Courtyard, receiving the map that Hai Donglai brought him.

"Did you just draw this?"

"Good."

Hai Donglai, "Didn't you say you wanted to see those evil soldiers within three days?"

"Ordinary maps are for carriages and horses; with our strength, we don't need to travel those roads."

"It took me about seven hours to travel from Chang'an to Nanzhao, partly because I was on a faster pace, and partly because I took a different route."

Chu Tianshu examined the map carefully.

It's obvious that they've had formal training in drawing; the iconic hills and rivers are clearly marked.

Many routes simply follow the riverbank directly.

"Given my current physical condition, I can't get back to Chang'an so quickly. Besides, Guan Changling died here, and Zheng Hui and I still have many things to take care of, as well as contacting Wei Gao."

Hai Donglai took out a piece of paper and a jade pendant.

"Here's the route map. These two items are tokens. When you get to Chang'an, ask about my residence."

"The jade pendant is for the gatekeeper, and the seal on the paper is for the steward."

Chu Tianshu nodded. "Only seven hours? Okay, then I won't rush off today, I'll set off tomorrow."

Hai Donglai asked, "Is there anything else you need here?"

"It was a small thing."

Chu Tianshu looked at the big locust tree and laughed, "Don't worry about that. When you have time, practice that Palm Thunder technique more."

"While your original Strength-Tempering Method was effective, it was too brutal. If you can master the Palm Thunder technique, it will strengthen your internal organs, improve your qi and blood circulation, filter toxins, and prolong your life, greatly alleviating your condition."

Hai Donglai said nothing more and left, holding his umbrella.

The deaths of Duan Zhong and Guan Changling did indeed give him much to discuss with the delegation and Zheng Hui.

Zheng Hui was even busier. After returning in the morning, he didn't rest for long before going to the palace again.

Yimouxun has made up his mind to take this opportunity to purge the loyalists of the Righteous King Yi's faction.

They also expressed their intention to have in-depth discussions with the delegation and join hands with the Great Tang to attack Tubo.

Fortunately, although Zheng Hui was injured, he still had the foundation of the Blood Refinement Weapon Method, so he wouldn't be unable to hold on because of these things.

But when he returned to his residence late at night after working until late, he still felt completely enveloped by exhaustion.

He drank a cup of tea in his study, but was too tired to sleep. He then strolled out with his butler.

"That is..."

When Zheng Hui looked up, he paused slightly, and stepped into the courtyard with some confusion.

Several small windmills were glued onto the thick branches of the big locust tree.

Legend has it that Jiang Taigong created the windmill, which was called the Eight Trigrams Wind Wheel.

However, these four-leaf windmills, made of bamboo strips, bamboo sticks, and paper, are mostly toys for children.

Peddlers often tucked these items behind their collars to attract children.

Zheng Hui looked closely and saw that all the windmills were a bluish-green color.

At the center of the windmill, what appeared to be a silver needle used to hold the paper in place was actually bent and deformed.

At first glance, the deformed needle-like threads resemble tiny silver characters branded on the very center of the windmill.

The soldiers marched forward in formation.

Numerous windmills, nine words.

What is going on?

Zheng Hui couldn't help but smile. "Using these windmills to impersonate tree leaves?"

The steward said, "These windmills were all made by Physician Chu himself."

He said, "Running water never stagnates, and a frequently used door hinge never rusts. The yin energy here is pure, and the locust tree has a long life force, yet it cannot sprout new branches and buds because the former has passed away and the latter has not continued, causing the stream to break."

"These windmills can make up for the missing years and allow this tree to sprout new buds."

The essence of the Nine-Syllable Mantra lies in emphasizing "flow".

Using silver needles and windmills to represent the movement of wind, these windmills, though not magical implements, seem to possess magical effects.

Zheng Hui moved closer to the tree, his gaze fixed on a branch.

He walked all the way to the tree to make sure he wasn't mistaken.

At the knots of the branch, a few new green shoots have indeed sprouted.

These windmills were stuck on for only an afternoon.

Zheng Hui at the patch of greenery, gently breathing in the night breeze, and laughed out loud.

"By the way, it's March now, still springtime! And in Nanzhao, it's spring all year round!"

He seemed to already see the seasonal changes of the old locust tree.

Tonight, the windmills fill the trees; tomorrow, they will be lush with leaves and blooming flowers.

(End of this chapter)