Chapter 440: Problem Resolved

“Of course. Just going from here back to Danhe City, and then returning from Danhe City to here, would take at least three or four months round-trip. I’d be spending all my time on the road with nothing to do!”

Zhang Xiaohua said with a smile.

Valley Master Nie said: “Actually, the Incense-Spreading Sect isn’t around the outskirts of Mochou City. You still have to head southwest, to a place called the South of Colorful Clouds.”

Suddenly, Zhang Xiaohua remembered something and asked: “Uncle Nie, in the martial world there’s a saying, ‘Above the Moon’—what does that mean?”

“Well,” Valley Master Nie hesitated a bit and said: “That’s a little secret about entering and leaving the Incense-Spreading Sect. I probably can’t tell you. If you get the chance, you should see it for yourself.”

“I see.” Zhang Xiaohua mused, “If I wanted to travel from here to the Incense-Spreading Sect, what route would I take?”

Nie Qianyu asked: “Brother Ren, do you just want to know whether your friend is alive or dead, or do you have to see him with your own eyes to be at ease?”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said: “Naturally, I’ll only be at ease if I see him with my own eyes. But if I can get news ahead of time, that would be best.”

Valley Master Nie understood his daughter’s meaning and frowned, saying: “Nephew Ren, you know what Little Yu means. She’s suggesting that our Spring Rebirth Valley could inquire with the Incense-Spreading Sect on your behalf, to see if your friend is there. We can deliver the message for you, but we can’t guarantee you’ll get a reply.”

Zhang Xiaohua frowned and said: “Uncle Nie, what do you mean by that?”

Valley Master Nie glanced at Elder Yue and smiled wryly, “Our Spring Rebirth Valley is just a small sect in the southern martial world. We rely on our expertise in medicine and alchemy to maintain good relations with other sects. Even with the Incense-Spreading Sect, we have some connections, but after all, they’re a super sect. 

The only place in the Incense-Spreading Sect where Spring Rebirth Valley has any real say is the Tuodan Hall. The Elder Zishen of Tuodan Hall has met me a few times, but he might not go out of his way for a small matter like this. 

As for the Piaomiao Sect, I do know a bit. It seems the wife of the Piaomiao Sect leader has her own hall in the Incense-Spreading Sect, called the Piaomiao Hall. The Piaomiao Hall is rather ostracized within the Incense-Spreading Sect. If it weren’t for the sect master protecting her disciple, life for the disciples of the Piaomiao Hall would be quite difficult.”

Zhang Xiaohua nodded and said: “I understand, Uncle. The others are all disciples born and raised within the Incense-Spreading Sect, while the Piaomiao Hall is made up of outsiders. If they weren’t subjected to humiliation, that would be strange. Asking Elder Zishen for help really wouldn’t be appropriate.”

“Moreover, even if some of the other idle disciples could help, if they aren’t discreet and word gets out, it could cause misunderstandings with the Incense-Spreading Sect. That wouldn’t be good for Spring Rebirth Valley, or for your own sect either.”

“Ah, so that’s how it is.” Zhang Xiaohua nodded slightly. “It seems it would be best if I went there myself after all.”

Hearing this, Nie Qianyu smiled again and said: “Brother Ren, you’re underestimating the Incense-Spreading Sect. Even if Father told you the exact location, without a disciple of the Incense-Spreading Sect to guide you, you still wouldn’t be able to enter!”

“Huh?” Zhang Xiaohua was surprised. “Why is that?”

“‘Above the Moon’ isn’t just an empty phrase.”

Nie Qianyu pursed her lips and smiled.

“Oh.” Zhang Xiaohua pondered secretly, “The Incense-Spreading Sect is a great sect with an immortal legacy and a history of ten thousand years. Even the Piaomiao Manor had a grand protective formation. The Incense-Spreading Sect must have one as well. The formation at Piaomiao Manor was forcibly dismantled and destroyed, but it seems the Incense-Spreading Sect’s has not been ruined. However, with the Yuan Qi of heaven and earth nearly gone, how is their formation maintained?”

Seeing Zhang Xiaohua deep in thought, Nie Qianyu grew a bit anxious. Zhang Xiaohua only wanted to know whether his brother was alive or dead, yet she couldn’t help at all. But when she saw the smile on her father’s face, she felt puzzled: “Could it be that Father already has a plan?”

Sure enough, after a moment, Valley Master Nie spoke in a low voice: “Nephew Ren, I do have an idea. I wonder if you’d like to hear it?”

Zhang Xiaohua was delighted and quickly said: “Please, Uncle Nie, go ahead.”

Valley Master Nie glanced meaningfully at Nie Qianyu and said: “The medical skills and elixirs of Spring Rebirth Valley have a bit of a reputation in the martial world. Every so often, the Incense-Spreading Sect sends people to our Spring Rebirth Valley to seek some common herbs and certain pills. Most importantly, they also select a few boys from our valley to help manage their medicinal herbs.”

“Huh?” Zhang Xiaohua was a bit surprised and asked curiously: “Why doesn’t the Incense-Spreading Sect recruit its own disciples?”

Valley Master Nie smiled and said: “Recruiting disciples and taking on menial workers are two different matters. Of course, the Incense-Spreading Sect has its own ways of accepting disciples, but those who tend to the herb fields are considered menial laborers within the sect, holding a rather low status. 

Ordinary disciples are unwilling to do such work—first, it sullies their standing, and second, it delays their cultivation. Yet, these herb fields are the very foundation of Tuodan Hall’s medicinal resources, and ordinary people can’t be trusted or are simply unqualified. So the Incense-Spreading Sect has always had a headache over finding suitable workers for the herb fields. 

Back when Spring Rebirth Valley was first established, there was already an unspoken agreement with the Incense-Spreading Sect: every so often, they come to select people, and we at Spring Rebirth Valley do our best to train some who have a basic understanding of herbs to serve the Incense-Spreading Sect.”

Zhang Xiaohua suddenly understood. No wonder those who tried to ambush Nie Qianyu didn’t dare to openly attack—Spring Rebirth Valley actually had such a relationship with the Incense-Spreading Sect. But then he became even more curious and asked: “Uncle Nie, just how large are the Incense-Spreading Sect’s herb fields? If they come to select herb boys every so often, do they regularly run short of hands?”

Valley Master Nie smiled and said: “That’s something even I don’t know. I once asked about it in passing, but the disciples of the Incense-Spreading Sect just dodged the question, so I pretended not to hear. I suppose their herb fields must be quite vast, which is why they need so many herb boys.”

Zhang Xiaohua nodded and said: “So Uncle Nie means…”

Valley Master Nie said: “Nephew, you’ve guessed right. Generally, people from Spring Rebirth Valley go to the Incense-Spreading Sect around July or August. Although you’re older, you look about fifteen or so. If we say you’re a herb boy trained by Spring Rebirth Valley, it’s still plausible. 

However, your martial arts contest for marriage is well known in the martial world and hard to hide. We’ll just say you’re my future son-in-law, wanting to further your studies at the Incense-Spreading Sect. With the relationship between Spring Rebirth Valley and Tuodan Hall, this should be acceptable.”

Nie Qianyu chimed in: “This way, it’ll also silence the gossip of those in the martial world and keep them from fixating on Spring Rebirth Valley’s marriage matters. After some time, when their memories fade, Brother Ren can make a clean break.”

Her voice grew softer and softer as she spoke.

Valley Master Nie glanced at his daughter but didn’t respond. Zhang Xiaohua, however, said: “Uncle Nie, I still feel this isn’t quite right.”

“Why?” Valley Master Nie asked in some confusion.

“This is a personal matter of mine. If I use the name of Spring Rebirth Valley, it will inevitably entangle the whole affair with Spring Rebirth Valley. If anything goes wrong in the future, it might end up implicating Spring Rebirth Valley as well.”

Valley Master Nie frowned and said: “Nephew, are you planning to go against the Incense-Spreading Sect?”

Zhang Xiaohua laughed and said: “Wouldn’t that be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot? I’m not that foolish.”

“Will your own sect get involved?”

“They won’t.”

“Then what does Spring Rebirth Valley have to worry about?” Valley Master Nie said with a broad smile. “Besides, you saved Little Yu, and you saved Spring Rebirth Valley. For me to do this small favor for you, what’s the harm?”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua stood up and bowed deeply. “Uncle Nie, I truly am most grateful.”

Valley Master Nie also stood up, helping Zhang Xiaohua to his feet with a smile. “Nephew, you’re being too polite. In front of outsiders, don’t act so distant in the future.”

Zhang Xiaohua gave a wry smile and said: “Uncle Nie, I understand. I just need some time to get used to it.”

At this moment, Elder Yue, who was standing nearby, asked: “You two fake father-in-law and son-in-law have been talking for so long, but aren’t you missing something?”

Valley Master Nie smiled and said: “Elder Yue, are you referring to Nephew Ren’s lack of knowledge about herbs?”

Elder Yue laughed: “That’s exactly it. If Nephew Ren doesn’t understand the basics of herbs, how would Tuodan Hall accept him?”

Nie Qianyu said softly: “Uncle Yue, didn’t Father already say beforehand? Brother Ren is only going to the Incense-Spreading Sect for show, not necessarily to actually know about herbs.”

“Besides, there are still a few months before the Incense-Spreading Sect comes here. Let Brother Ren study a bit in the meantime and pick up some basics. It’s not as if he’ll really be planting herbs for them.”

Nie Qianyu spoke with a hint of annoyance.

Hearing their concerns, Zhang Xiaohua said: “Regarding this, the two uncles really don’t need to worry. My own sect also has some research into herbs. Although I haven’t managed them specifically, I’ve picked up quite a bit just by being around them. If I have a few months to prepare, I think I can handle it.”

Upon hearing this, both Valley Master Nie and Nie Qianyu’s eyes lit up. Valley Master Nie casually asked a few questions, and Zhang Xiaohua answered them fluently and without hesitation. Valley Master Nie listened and nodded repeatedly in approval.

In the end, Valley Master Nie said: “I didn’t expect that, aside from your outstanding martial arts, Nephew Ren, you also have some foundation in the cultivation and refining of herbs. All that’s left is for you to study a bit more here at Spring Rebirth Valley.”

Nie Qianyu also smiled and said: “That’s right, Brother Ren. I didn’t expect you to know even more than I do. There are many details I never even noticed.”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said: “Miss Nie, you flatter me. I’ve only dabbled a little and can’t claim to be proficient. I’m far behind you all.”

Then, he turned to Valley Master Nie and said: “Uncle Nie, actually, I have another presumptuous request I’d like to discuss with you.”

Valley Master Nie said: “Nephew, you’re one of us now—speak freely.”

Zhang Xiaohua said, “Having traveled with Miss Nie to Spring Rebirth Valley, I’ve noticed she’s quite knowledgeable in medicine and pharmacology. I’m very curious and would like to study a bit myself. I wonder if Valley Master Nie could grant me this favor?”

Valley Master Nie’s eyes flashed with delight, and he felt a surge of excitement as he said: “Nephew, your words are truly unexpected. Nowadays, everyone in the martial world only thinks about improving their internal skills and practicing more exquisite techniques. Very few are interested in studying medicine and herbs. 

Even those who come to Spring Rebirth Valley are just hoping for a pill or two. I had thought you were the same, but I see I was mistaken—no, I wasn’t mistaken after all! There’s no problem with your request. Nephew Ren, I can’t promise anything else, but as for the herbs, medicinal materials, medicine, the arts of healing, and the arts of alchemy here in Spring Rebirth Valley, there is plenty to learn. If you have the energy, study as much as you like!”