Chapter 496 — Everything Is but Fleeting Clouds

After hearing this, Lady Kong frowned slightly, then smiled and said, “Hehe, I almost forgot. Our Incense Spreading Sect’s outer disciples all walk the jianghu as though invincible—who would care about an underage disciple from some nameless minor sect? Fine then, we won’t see him. We won’t see him.”

Steward Yang secretly let out a breath of relief, then accompanied it with a flattering smile. “However, this subordinate truly does have another matter to discuss with milady.”

“Speak.”

Steward Yang could not see Lady Kong’s expression hidden behind the veil, nor did he know whether she was pleased or displeased. He could only probe cautiously: “This is milady’s first time traveling out, while for this subordinate, it will be my last. I have been acquainted with Valley Master Nie of Spring Rebirth Valley for nearly forty years. When he heard that I would no longer be coming here in the future, he was deeply saddened and insisted on keeping me for one extra day. This subordinate could not refuse his kindness, and so I came to discuss the matter with milady. I ask that you show some consideration for Valley Master Nie’s feelings—and mine as well. Moreover, since this is your first outing, Spring Rebirth Valley’s scenery is beautiful, with spring all year round…”

Before he could finish, Lady Kong raised a jade hand to stop him. “No need to say more. No matter how beautiful Spring Rebirth Valley’s scenery may be, how could it compare to our Incense Spreading Sect? Though it claims to be ‘spring all year round’, how could it possibly match us?”

Hearing this, Steward Yang’s heart tightened, and he thought to himself, Nie Shuai, Nie Shuai—this isn’t that your old brother won’t help you. Given the situation, I can only feel ashamed toward you.

Just as Steward Yang was about to speak again, he heard her continue: “This lady may be here for the first time, but that does not mean there will be no second time. Whether I see Spring Rebirth Valley or not makes little difference. However, you will not have another chance. And besides… forty years—how many forty-year spans does a person have in a lifetime? Seeing that you and Valley Master Nie share such deep ties, to have such an old friend is itself a joy in life. If I were to block you without reason, wouldn’t that be terribly ungracious? Wouldn’t your Hall Master say I was petty? Go on, go on. We depart early the day after tomorrow—do not forget.”

Steward Yang was overjoyed and bowed deeply. “Many thanks to milady for your gracious permission.”

Lady Kong waved her hand, signaling him to leave.

Watching Steward Yang stride out in high spirits, Lady Kong murmured softly: “Forty years… to have even one true confidant is enough.”

There was an indescribable loneliness in her tone.

Within the Spring Rebirth Hall, Valley Master Nie looked at Nie Qianxiu and Qiang Sheng as they hurried in, his face layered with cold indifference. Seeing this, Nie Qianxiu did not mind in the least. She stepped forward and asked: “Father, has the matter concerning Qiang Shi been taken care of?”

Valley Master Nie gave them a cold glance and did not bother to hide anything. “It’s already been settled. Your Uncle Yang has agreed to take him in as a medicine apprentice.”

At these words, both of their faces lit up with joy. “Thank you, Father, for granting this.”

Valley Master Nie nodded. “Qianxiu, Qiang Sheng—this is the first time, and also the last. You are to remember that.”

“We remember, Father. Something like this will absolutely never happen again.”

Valley Master Nie continued: “Although Qiang Shi is someone I have known since childhood, he was not raised and trained by Spring Rebirth Valley. I have already informed your Uncle Yang that if anything out of the ordinary is discovered, he is to deal with it immediately according to the Incense Spreading Sect’s rules, without considering Spring Rebirth Valley’s reaction.”

Upon hearing this, Qiang Sheng’s expression changed slightly. “Father-in-law, please rest assured. Qiang Shi is my nephew—how could I possibly push him into a pit of fire? Nothing will happen.”

“That is good. From this moment on, Qiang Shi is already a medicine boy of the Incense Spreading Sect. You are not to see him casually anymore.”

“Yes, Father. Your daughter understands.”

The husband and wife exchanged a glance, then left the Spring Rebirth Hall together.

Valley Master Nie’s expression remained somewhat cold as he watched their departing backs. His gaze flickered, though it was unclear what he was thinking. Only after their figures disappeared did he grit his teeth, as if having made some decision. He set the teacup in his hand down heavily and rose, about to stride out quickly—but halfway there, he slapped his forehead, turned back, and sat down again. By then, his expression had already relaxed.

While Valley Master Nie hesitated and wavered within the Spring Rebirth Hall, over in the pill chamber of Spring Rebirth Valley, Zhang Xiaohua remained as unhurried as ever. When he saw the envoy from the Incense Spreading Sect arrive, he knew that the time he could remain in Spring Rebirth Valley was already limited. Regardless of whether Valley Master Nie could persuade the Incense Spreading Sect to take him in as a medicine apprentice, he would have to leave Spring Rebirth Valley with them all the same.

And the only thing he had promised Spring Rebirth Valley that had yet to be fulfilled was the Scarlet Flame Pill before him.

Thus, he became all the more focused, determined to refine the pill as quickly as possible. After all, according to what Valley Master Nie had said, the Incense Spreading Sect would depart as usual early the next morning.

Unfortunately, the path of alchemy lay in steady progression—there could be no shortcuts. The jade slip clearly recorded that the Scarlet Flame Pill required thirteen days to nurture the pill embryo; not even half a day could be lacking. At least for now, within Zhang Xiaohua’s divine sense, he could faintly perceive the gradually forming pill, the Yuan Qi brewing within it, as well as specks of resplendent starlight.

All of this indicated that the Scarlet Flame Pill had not yet completed its nurturing.

As for those points of starlight, Zhang Xiaohua could only scratch his head. He had pondered for a long time yet could not determine the reason. However, the slight circulation and arrangement of those lights bore a faint resemblance to the Heavenly Dao Star Diagram he had once encountered. This was something he had discovered by chance during a previous moment of comprehending the Heavenly Dao. Thus, he vaguely sensed that this starlight brought only benefits and no harm.

After injecting several more incantation seals, Zhang Xiaohua prepared to contemplate the formula. Suddenly, his heart stirred. He released his divine sense and saw Nie Qianyu, her face showing a mixture of joy and worry, running swiftly toward the inner valley.

“Ah…” Zhang Xiaohua could not help but sigh. He rose to his feet.

Nie Qianyu ran quickly and in great haste. By the time she reached the pill chamber, she was already slightly short of breath. Seeing the entrance ahead, she stumbled, pitching forward. She could not help but cry out—but at that very moment, a familiar figure appeared at the door of the pill chamber.

It was Zhang Xiaohua, the man she saw whether her eyes were open or closed.

At that instant, peace filled Nie Qianyu’s heart, for she knew that Brother Ren would never allow her to suffer even the slightest harm, so long as it happened before his eyes.

Sure enough, as though he had already known she would fall, Zhang Xiaohua had just stepped out of the pill chamber when his speed suddenly increased. Like drifting clouds, he floated toward her, and at the very last moment before she hit the ground, he reached out with both hands and caught her.

Feeling the warmth of his hands, Nie Qianyu involuntarily closed her eyes. How she wished this moment could last forever, enduring for all eternity.

Yet as soon as Zhang Xiaohua helped her stand steady, those hands withdrew at once. His gentle voice sounded: “Little Yu’er, did that scare you? Next time, there’s no need to rush like this. I’m in the pill chamber—where could I run off to?”

“Yes, Brother Ren, you are in the pill chamber now. But what about later? Where will you be later? And where will I be able to see you then?”

With her eyes still closed, Nie Qianyu cried out silently within her heart.

Seeing that Nie Qianyu still had her eyes shut, her lashes trembling slightly, Zhang Xiaohua could not help but feel a stir in his heart. But he quickly softened his voice again: “Little Fish Nie, Little Fish Nie—were you looking for me about something?”

Nie Qianyu opened her eyes with great reluctance. She cast a resentful glance at Zhang Xiaohua, then forced a smile. “Congratulations, Brother Ren. Father has already spoken to Uncle Yang of the Incense Spreading Sect about your matter. The elder has agreed to recommend you to the Incense Spreading Sect as a medicine boy.”

Zhang Xiaohua was not surprised. He nodded and said_ “Then I must thank Uncle Nie—and you as well, Little Yu’er. I just don’t know when we’ll be setting off.”

He then glanced back at the pill chamber behind him and said with regret: “If we leave tomorrow, then this batch of Scarlet Flame Pills that’s just about to succeed will all be ruined.”

Nie Qianyu lowered her head and said softly: “Then… could Brother Ren, for the sake of the pills… choose not to go to the Incense Spreading Sect?”

Zhang Xiaohua thought for a moment, then said apologetically: “This… if it were some other matter, perhaps there would be room to discuss it. But this one—I really can’t.”

Nie Qianyu spoke again: “It’s just that… I don’t know about the future…”

Zhang Xiaohua looked up at the deep blue sky above Spring Rebirth Valley and said with a trace of melancholy: “Everything is but fleeting clouds. Better to forget each other in the jianghu than cling together in mutual misery!”

The moment those words reached her ears, how could Nie Qianyu possibly hold herself together any longer? With a loud sob, she burst into tears, covered her face, and ran off. As she grew distant, her foot slipped again. This time, Zhang Xiaohua merely had a thought—yet it was already too late to lend a hand. After falling to the ground, Nie Qianyu scrambled back up. She did not even bother to brush the dirt from her clothes, only turning back to glance at the somewhat lonely figure before the pill chamber door. Wiping away her tears, she hurried off once more.

Zhang Xiaohua’s divine sense followed Nie Qianyu for a long while. Along the way, many disciples of Spring Rebirth Valley looked at her in great surprise and quickly made way. Yet Nie Qianyu seemed utterly unaware, numb and dazed as she headed toward the peach grove. Only when Little Orange noticed her young mistress’s abnormal state and rushed out from the Peach Blossom Hermitage did Zhang Xiaohua finally withdraw his divine sense.

Gazing faintly at the drifting clouds above, Zhang Xiaohua himself could not clearly explain the taste in his heart. If he were to say that he regarded Nie Qianyu as nothing more than a little girl, with no other thoughts at all, even he would not believe it. Yet if he were to give this young girl some kind of promise, speak ambiguous words, paint beautiful but empty hopes—Zhang Xiaohua was unwilling to do that as well. He truly did not know what he ought to do.

Years might pass before he ever returned to Spring Rebirth Valley. Perhaps giving someone a sliver of hope was worse than granting them despair outright.

Was this what people called fate?

Zhang Xiaohua rubbed his nose, very much wanting to search his own heart and understand the answer.

Unfortunately, they were only boys and girls in the season of blossoms and rain—how could they possibly distinguish such feelings? Perhaps only far in the future, looking back on these dreamlike memories, would one finally realize what the true emotions had been.

But by then, how much feeling would still remain to wait? How many threads of fate would still be worth hoping for?

Nie Qianyu was escorted back to Peach Blossom Hermitage by Little Orange. Before Little Orange could say anything at all, Nie Qianyu threw herself straight onto the bed, buried her head deep into the quilts, and burst into tears—crying freely, without restraint or hesitation, as though she wanted to pour out all the emotions she had suppressed for so long. No matter how Little Orange tried to console her, no matter how she tried to comfort her, it was all utterly useless. For a moment, Little Orange panicked. After giving a few hurried instructions to the others, she turned and rushed straight toward the Spring Rebirth Hall.