Chapter 3: A Maiden's Aid Brings the Cure

It was rather strange that Hua Caiyi, though acting as the guide, walked behind Chang Jingyun. It was only when they reached Gu Yuntian's residence that they stood side by side. Chang Jingyun understood this gesture—after all, they had only just met by chance, and whether they were friends or foes remained uncertain. It was only natural for her to be cautious.

Hua Caiyi motioned for Chang Jingyun to wait at the door, and she herself pushed it open and entered. At that moment, Gu Yuntian was busy sorting medicinal herbs. Hua Caiyi approached and greeted, "Master!"

A gruff voice came from behind the screen, "Caiyi, who is it that you've brought?"

"Master, this is Chang Jingyun, the head of Yufeng Villa. He has come to seek your help."

"Our sect, Fanhua Valley, has always had a rule—we do not meet with people from the Six Great Villas. Have you forgotten the teachings?"

Hua Caiyi hastily knelt and pleaded, "Master, I have not forgotten, but what the Villa Master seeks concerns many lives. I beg you to reconsider, and as for me…"

At this point, Hua Caiyi suddenly fell silent, as if something had crossed her mind.

"… I am willing to accept any punishment."

Gu Yuntian put down his work and sighed deeply, "Very well, let him in."

With composure, Hua Caiyi turned and left the room to invite Chang Jingyun inside, then departed without a word. He watched her figure fade into the distance, like a shadow slowly dissolving from his view.

As Chang Jingyun entered the room, all he could see was a blurred silhouette behind the screen.

"Senior Gu, this matter arose because of me. Please do not blame Miss Hua for it."

"The affairs of Fanhua Valley are not for outsiders to meddle in. Why should I assist someone from the Six Great Villas?"

"The long-standing grudge between the Six Great Villas and Hanzhen Sect has persisted for years. Aside from Mujian Villa, the rest of us have long set aside our enmities and no longer oppose Hanzhen Sect or Fanhua Valley. But the head of Mujian Villa, Song Yuan, is too fixated on revenge and refuses to let go of the past. Elder Song Qianfeng, from whom he descends, is also our grandmaster in lineage. Though the rest of us have severed ties with Mujian Villa, out of respect for this relationship, we cannot openly declare abandonment of revenge. Today, I ask you, Senior Gu, to set aside old grudges and save the Six Great Villas from peril. I swear by the heavens that, aside from Mujian Villa, we will never again be at odds with Hanzhen Sect or Fanhua Valley."

"So, you are the head of Yufeng Villa. Is your master Zhuge Wu?"

"Indeed, he is my teacher. May I ask what relationship you have with him, Senior?"

"There is no deep connection. I had the fortune of meeting your master once or twice. He is a man of righteousness and integrity, true to his word. I trust that a disciple of his would not disappoint. Very well, I will trust you this time. Just ensure that you keep your promise. Now, tell me the details of your situation."

Moments later, Gu Yuntian stepped out from behind the screen, dressed in simple blue cloth, his temples graying, and his forehead etched with deep wrinkles. He looked to be around fifty or sixty years old. Seeing him, Chang Jingyun felt a wave of doubt. Not long ago, he had fought with Meng Haitan, and Meng appeared to be just over thirty. How could there be such a vast age difference between these fellow disciples? This unexpected discrepancy left Chang Jingyun quite perplexed.

Sensing his gaze, Gu Yuntian impatiently asked, "Have you stared enough?"

Realizing his impoliteness, Chang Jingyun quickly cupped his hands and apologized, "Forgive my rudeness, Senior!"

"Get to the point!"

"Senior, the disciples of the Six Villas have been poisoned by the 'Thousand Crane Toxin.'"

Gu Yuntian remarked, "The Thousand Crane Toxin has long disappeared from the Central Plains. To see it reappear now is truly astonishing! There is only one way to counteract this poison."

"What method?" Chang Jingyun asked urgently.

"Fight poison with poison."

Gu Yuntian led Chang Jingyun to his alchemy room, where various herbs were neatly arranged, each labeled with names like Aconite, Ruta, Hellebore, and Arisaema.

"The Thousand Crane Toxin is crafted from thirteen different poisonous flowers and herbs, making the detoxification process somewhat complex. The victims experience rapid breathing, unbearable abdominal pain, and vomiting blood. The first step in treatment involves combining Nux Vomica, Celandine, and Corydalis to create the 'Red Fruit Pill,' which has analgesic properties but can only be given to the poisoned individuals. The second step requires the use of our sect's exclusive medicine, the 'Black Sand Vine Pill,' to alleviate their difficulty in breathing. The final and most crucial step involves stopping the vomiting of blood. For this, we need a rare medicinal ingredient called 'Greenwood Vine,' which grows in secluded mountain valleys and is difficult to find. I will send Caiyi with you, but whether you can find it or not will depend on your fate."

Upon hearing Gu Yuntian's method for detoxification, Chang Jingyun couldn't help but feel that his own past knowledge paled in comparison. Fortunately, he had kept his half-baked ideas to himself, or else he would have truly made a fool of himself before such expertise. Admirable as it was, it also reinforced how formidable Fanhua Valley truly was, not to be underestimated!

Chang Jingyun said, "Thank you, Senior. I will do my utmost to find the Greenwood Vine."

Gu Yuntian began preparing the antidote, just as he had described. He retrieved Nux Vomica, Celandine, and Corydalis from the medicine cabinet and placed them into the furnace. At that moment, a figure suddenly emerged from behind the cabinet—a man dressed in a striking red robe, his features both beautiful and handsome, with a ruddy complexion and an extraordinary grace in his movements. It was none other than Meng Haitan.

"Senior Brother, it's been quite some time, hasn't it?"

Gu Yuntian, upon seeing Meng Haitan, remained indifferent, as though the man didn't exist, and merely responded with a fleeting remark, "You're as free-spirited as ever, Junior Sister."

Meng Haitan laughed and said, "Senior Brother has become a living Bodhisattva, taking on the role of savior."

Gu Yuntian replied, "You didn't come all this way just to mock me, did you?"

Meng Haitan responded, "I've no other purpose for visiting Fanhua Valley, except to remind you that over the years, many disciples of Hanzhen Sect have perished at the hands of the Six Great Villas." As she spoke, she produced a small bottle from her robe and poured its contents into Gu Yuntian's furnace, one pill at a time.

Gu Yuntian understood Meng Haitan's intentions and made no move to stop her, but he couldn't resist asking, "Was it you who poisoned them with the Thousand Crane Toxin?"

Meng Haitan smiled, "If I said it wasn't me, would you believe it?"

Gu Yuntian said, "I care not who did it; I'm only here to provide the cure."

Meanwhile, Chang Jingyun wandered deeper into the courtyard and found Hua Caiyi sitting alone, lost in thought at the pavilion. Even as he approached, she didn't notice him. He gazed intently at the young woman before him—her face was heart-shaped, with skin as fair as snow, and a small mole near the corner of her right brow, barely visible unless closely examined. Her lips were slightly parted, her eyes bright and clear, like two crystalline mirrors. The setting sun cast its glow upon her smooth skin, highlighting her delicate beauty. Two faint dimples adorned the corners of her lips, lending her an air of playful charm. Chang Jingyun felt a stirring within, quickly averting his gaze as not to linger.

A gentle evening breeze stirred, finally alerting Hua Caiyi to his presence. She asked, "My master must have already explained the method for detoxification. Is there anything else you need my help with?"

Chang Jingyun replied, "The antidote has been prepared, but we're still missing a crucial ingredient. I'd like to trouble you to accompany me in finding it."

"What ingredient are we looking for?" Hua Caiyi inquired.

"The Greenwood Vine," said Chang Jingyun.

Thus, the two set off together in search of the herb. When they reached the foot of Mingyue Mountain, Hua Caiyi suddenly remarked, "This herb grows on the shaded side of the mountain, and it can only be harvested during the bitter cold of the night."

"It's only evening now; it seems we'll have to wait for half an hour," said Chang Jingyun.

"Indeed," Hua Caiyi agreed. She pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve, spread it over a large stone, and gracefully sat down.

Seeing this, Chang Jingyun took a seat beside her. The stone was not large—more than enough for one, but slightly cramped for two. Sitting so close, the atmosphere grew somewhat intimate, yet neither of them moved. They remained side by side until nightfall.

Before long, the night descended upon Mingyue Mountain. Chang Jingyun glanced up at the sky, noticing the large, round moon. It reminded him of the moon over Misty Peak, and he said to Hua Caiyi, "It's rare to see the moon so clearly at Misty Peak."

"Why is that?" Hua Caiyi asked curiously.

"Misty Peak is shrouded in fog year-round. Only on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, when you climb to the summit of Liyun Peak, can you witness the clear moonlight," Chang Jingyun explained.

Hua Caiyi responded with a quiet "Hmm," and said no more. Sensing her silence, Chang Jingyun continued, "Your Shishu is Meng Haitan, isn't she?"

"Yes, that's correct. Why do you ask?"

"I've met your Shishu before, and today I've also seen your master. I couldn't help but notice the vast age difference between them," Chang Jingyun said.

Hua Caiyi couldn't suppress a laugh, "You're mistaken! My master may look old, but he's only in his early forties."

"Early forties? If you hadn't told me, I would never have guessed!" Chang Jingyun exclaimed, astonished.

With the ice broken, their conversation grew increasingly lively. Hua Caiyi, now more at ease, began asking him questions, "How many fellow disciples do you have?"

"I have one younger sister, twenty years old, seven years my junior. She's getting married next month. What about you? Do you have any siblings in the sect?" Chang Jingyun asked.

Hua Caiyi sighed and shook her head. "I have no fellow disciples. My master has only ever taken me as a student. I've always envied those who have brothers and sisters in the sect. Their childhoods must have been filled with joy. Unlike me, growing up in Fanhua Valley, the only people I ever interacted with were my master and the servants."

"And what about your family?"

"I don't know. Ever since I can remember, my master has been my only family."

Seeing the melancholy in her expression, Chang Jingyun refrained from pressing further. Glancing up at the darkening sky, he suggested they continue their journey.

Half an hour later, the two arrived at the shaded side of Mingyue Mountain. The terrain was treacherous, with a single misstep threatening to send one tumbling into the valley below. Both of them tread carefully. As the night deepened, the dew grew heavier. Hua Caiyi, well aware that this was the optimal time to harvest the Greenwood Vine, quickened her pace. In her haste, however, her foot slipped, and she nearly fell into the gorge. Without hesitation, Chang Jingyun grabbed her arm, pulling her into his embrace, saving her from danger.

Hua Caiyi, still shaken, rested on a nearby rock. Her face had turned pale, and her brows were furrowed, as if suffering from a lack of energy.

"Are you feeling unwell?" Chang Jingyun asked.

Hua Caiyi shook her head, remaining silent, gripping her arm tightly. Chang Jingyun wondered if he had held her too forcefully, causing her pain. After a few moments of rest, as Chang Jingyun was about to rise, he noticed that Hua Caiyi had fallen asleep on his shoulder. He was about to wake her when his eyes caught sight of crimson stains on her sleeve. Alarmed, he gently rolled up her sleeve and was shocked to find her arm covered in countless needle marks, big and small. A wave of sorrow washed over him, and he quickly tore a strip from his own garment to carefully bandage her wounds. Then, he softly roused her from her sleep.

Hua Caiyi awoke groggily, realizing she had been leaning on his shoulder. Flustered, she quickly pulled away, only to notice the bandages on her arm, her face flushing with embarrassment.

Chang Jingyun asked, "What happened to your arm?"

Hua Caiyi replied, "According to the rules of Fanhua Valley, anyone who brings an outsider into the valley without the master's permission must be punished. The punishment is to be pricked by needles a thousand times."

It dawned on Chang Jingyun then, the fear that had flickered in her eyes earlier. He felt a pang of guilt, berating himself for being so selfish, for only thinking of finding the antidote without considering the trouble he had caused her. His heart ached as he looked at this kind and selfless woman, who was willing to endure such pain for the sake of helping him, a stranger. "Such loyalty and compassion are truly rare," he thought to himself, filled with admiration.

At that moment, something stirred within him. Hua Caiyi's every smile, every expression, had quietly found its way into his heart. He realized he had been captivated by this gentle soul.

Standing up, Chang Jingyun said, "You've been hurt; you shouldn't strain yourself any further. Rest here, and I'll go find the Greenwood Vine." Hua Caiyi nodded, watching as he disappeared into the night.

By the time the sky began to lighten, Hua Caiyi was still waiting at the rock. Two or three hours had passed, and though anxiety gnawed at her, she decided to go and search for him. Just as she stood up, she saw Chang Jingyun returning from the distance, holding a vine in his hand like a victorious hero. Hua Caiyi's face lit up with joy, knowing he had successfully found the Greenwood Vine. Together, they set off for Fanhua Valley with their prize in hand.

A day had passed, and Chang Jingyun waited anxiously outside the alchemy room. After what seemed like an eternity, Gu Yuntian finally emerged, handing him three bottles of pills. "The red bottle contains 'Red Fruit Elixir,' the yellow one 'Black Sand Huaman Pills,' and the purple one 'Softwood Water.' Administer them in this order to cure the poison. But remember, since this is a method of fighting poison with poison, these are themselves potent toxins. They can only be used to cure the Thousand Crane Poison, and for no other purpose," Gu Yuntian warned.

Thanking Gu Yuntian, Chang Jingyun quickly mounted a horse and sped back to Yufeng Manor. After five days of travel, he arrived just in time. Upon seeing his return, Duan Qinyu knew that Chang Jingyun had found the antidote. He immediately distributed the medicine among the poisoned disciples, and within half a day, their symptoms had subsided, their conditions stabilizing.

Chang Jingyun thought to himself, "This time, lives were at stake, and I didn't have the chance to properly thank Senior Gu and Miss Hua. Once this matter is settled, I must personally visit them to express my gratitude."