Chapter 441: The Artifact Refining Sect 

Zhang Xiaohua originally thought that his request might be somewhat unreasonable and that Valley Master Nie might not agree. Unexpectedly, the outcome was quite the opposite.

Seeing Zhang Xiaohua’s expression, Valley Master Nie smiled and said: “Nephew Ren, please don’t take offense. This old man is just a little excited. It’s been so many years since someone as skilled in martial arts as you has asked to learn the medical arts and pharmacology of our Spring Rebirth Valley. Even my two sons-in-law only ever ask for a few pills.”

After speaking, he glanced at Elder Yue and said: “Zhonglin is not bad, but he is obsessed with cultivating internal strength and cannot take charge of our Spring Rebirth Valley.”

Elder Yue chuckled: “Everyone has their own fate; it cannot be forced.”

Upon hearing this, Nie Qianyu’s face flushed red once again.

Valley Master Nie said meaningfully: “Medical skills can not only save oneself, but also heal others. If you can master them, the benefits are endless.”

Hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua was even more delighted. He had only seen Nie Qianyu prescribing medicine in a small, nameless town and had felt envious, wishing to learn the mysteries behind it. What he had just said was merely to learn more about the cultivation of medicinal herbs, to lay a good foundation for his own pill refining. 

But now, from Valley Master Nie’s words, it seemed that the medical arts of Spring Rebirth Valley could also be passed on to him. This was truly a buy-one-get-one-free deal, and it seemed they were more than happy to give it to him.

Valley Master Nie sighed for a moment, then said, “However, Spring Rebirth Valley has existed for a thousand years, and its accumulated knowledge is as vast as the sea. Even in a few months, you may only glimpse a drop in the ocean. If you are truly interested, you should first focus on what you find most intriguing. When you return from the Incense-Spreading Sect, you can study the rest one by one. What do you think?”

Zhang Xiaohua found it a bit strange and thought to himself: “If I leave the Incense-Spreading Sect, why would I return to Spring Rebirth Valley?”

Nevertheless, Zhang Xiaohua still bowed and said: “Thank you for your guidance, Uncle Nie. I understand.”

Valley Master Nie continued: “The valley’s library, medicinal fields, and pharmacy—Little Yu is familiar with them all. Let her accompany you. If there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask her. If she can’t answer, then come find me.”

Nie Qianyu felt a sweet happiness in her heart, secretly praising her father’s arrangement.

At this point, everything had been settled. Valley Master Nie glanced at the sky outside and smiled: “Nephew Ren, you are the guest of honor today. The outer hall has prepared a banquet, and it must have already begun by now. You should at least make an appearance.”

Zhang Xiaohua quickly waved his hands: “Valley Master Nie, you must be mistaken. I’ve just turned fourteen and am still underage. As for the banquet, I’d better not attend.”

Valley Master Nie was momentarily stunned, then burst out laughing: “Very well, since you prefer peace and quiet, I won’t force you. Come, Brother Yue, we still have to go out and entertain our guests. These friends from the martial world have supported us for many days—if we don’t let them drink to their heart’s content, they’ll say Spring Rebirth Valley is stingy.”

Elder Yue also stood up, “I was thinking the same. Let’s go.”

The two were about to leave when Zhang Xiaohua asked: “Um… Uncle Nie, where will I be staying? Surely it won’t be this Peach Blossom Hermitage?”

Valley Master Nie and Elder Yue exchanged glances and both laughed heartily.

Valley Master Nie said: “Even if you wanted to stay here tonight, I wouldn’t allow it.”

Nie Qianyu called out shyly, “Father~”

Valley Master Nie looked at his daughter with affection, then said to Zhang Xiaohua: “For anything you need in the valley, just ask Little Yu. I won’t interfere.”

Nie Qianyu said softly: “There’s a small pavilion next to the Peach Blossom Hermitage. It’s already been tidied up—Brother Ren can move in anytime.”

Zhang Xiaohua replied awkwardly, “Alright, alright.”

Valley Master Nie and Elder Yue left the room with smiles.

Now, only the two of them remained in the exquisite hall.

By now, the night had deepened. The wind gently lifted the curtains in the hall, and the candlelight flickered. For a moment, neither of them spoke, and the silence was palpable.

After a while, Nie Qianyu spoke softly: “Brother Ren, about today, I truly must thank you.”

Zhang Xiaohua thought for a moment and said: “No need to be so polite, Little Fish Nie. You’ve already said that enough times today—let’s not bring it up again in the future. Besides, your father has helped me greatly as well. Should I keep mentioning it all the time? If we keep thanking each other like this, will it ever end?”

“Pfft.” Nie Qianyu couldn’t help but laugh, her expression returning to how it was on the road that morning.

In an instant, the atmosphere in the entire hall became much more relaxed. Zhang Xiaohua then said: “Little Fish Nie, four or five months can be considered both long and short. Although I know a little about medicinal herbs, if we don’t want others to notice any flaws, or if we want to make things proper and aboveboard, it’s best we start preparing early.”

Nie Qianyu nodded: “Brother Ren, you’re absolutely right. Wait here a moment—I have some basic books right here. I’ll bring you a few to look over first. If there’s anything you don’t understand, we can discuss it together. How does that sound?”

Zhang Xiaohua was overjoyed. “I’ll follow your instructions.”

“Wait here, I’ll be right back.” With that, Nie Qianyu got up and left the small hall.

Seeing that she had gone out, Zhang Xiaohua closed his eyes and sat in the chair, pondering to himself: “The matter of the Incense-Spreading Sect is settled, and it’s turned out better than I expected. Before, I only wanted to find out the location of the Incense-Spreading Sect, planning to sneak in alone to search for Second Brother’s whereabouts. But from what Valley Master Nie said earlier, the Incense-Spreading Sect is protected by formations, and it’s extremely difficult to break in. 

My little sword might be able to break through the restrictions, but a super sect like that surely has peerless experts. If I were discovered, it would be extremely dangerous. Now things are much better—I have a legitimate reason to enter, so there’s no need to risk my life. Of course, this is exactly what I wanted. Sigh, Valley Master Nie even hopes I’ll gradually deepen my ties with Spring Rebirth Valley. 

Judging by his character, he’s an upright and honorable man, and it would be great to associate with him more. But… he’s even offering his daughter to me, which is a bit awkward. Still… Little Fish Nie is actually quite nice…”

“My own pill refining skills hit a bottleneck back on the deserted island. I haven’t had the right pill formulas or herbs to practice with, so there are many pills I’ve never actually refined. Now, things are different. Since Spring Rebirth Valley also has Fasting Pills, they must have other pill recipes as well. I might as well study more—within a few months, I should be able to become proficient.”

“And then there’s the art of medicine and healing, a truly fascinating discipline. Since I have the chance to learn it, I should take a good look. Even if I can’t master it all, I should at least try to get a solid foundation.”

“Also, Spring Rebirth Valley has a heritage stretching back thousands of years. Surely there must be some interesting things here as well? If I have the time, I should explore a bit. If I can help Spring Rebirth Valley uncover something that’s long been lost, it would be a fitting way to repay them for teaching me.”

Just as he was thinking this, he heard a series of heavy footsteps—“thump, thump, thump”—coming from the doorway.

Zhang Xiaohua frowned: “Little Fish Nie, when did you get so heavy?”

He looked up and saw a man a head taller than himself, built like an iron tower, striding into the room. The man glanced around before fixing his gaze on Zhang Xiaohua. Seeing the unfriendly look in the man’s eyes, Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but frown and thought, “Who is this?”

Before Zhang Xiaohua could speak, the man walked right up to him, sized him up from all angles, then grinned and said: “You don’t have three heads or six arms, so why are you so formidable?”

Hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua understood a little. He cupped his hands and said: “I am Ren Xiaoyao. May I ask if you are looking for me or for Miss Nie?”

The man also cupped his hands in greeting: “I’m here for you. I am Lu Meng of the Artifact Refining Sect.”

Zhang Xiaohua was surprised: “I don’t believe I know Brother Lu. What business do you have with me?”

Lu Meng shouted: “Of course I have business with you! Who would come looking for you if there wasn’t?”

Zhang Xiaohua gave a wry smile. “Then I ask Brother Lu for your guidance?”

“What guidance? Don’t act so polite. I heard you won against quite a few people on the stage today. I’m not convinced, so I want to spar with you. Little Yu is the little junior sister of several of our sects—there’s no way we’d let her be promised to someone just like that.”

Zhang Xiaohua tilted his head and smiled. “Then why didn’t Brother Lu go up on the stage?”

“Why would I go up there? It’s not like I want to be the live-in son-in-law of Spring Rebirth Valley. And another thing—how could you use the excuse of not attending the banquet? Don’t you know all the disciples from our sects are waiting for you? If it weren’t for the sect master…”

At this point, he seemed to realize he’d said too much and quickly corrected himself: “If the sect master hadn’t disagreed, I would’ve brought my weapon over already.”

Zhang Xiaohua was taken aback. Valley Master Nie had only just left, probably just arrived at the banquet hall, and this brute had already come knocking—wasn’t that a bit too fast?

As this thought flashed through his mind, he released his divine sense. Sure enough, not far from the small building, under a peach tree, someone was sneakily peeking this way. By the light of the newly risen moon, Zhang Xiaohua could see clearly: it was none other than Qiang Sheng, the second son-in-law of Spring Rebirth Valley, who had been following him from the stage to the manor!

“Spring Rebirth Valley doesn’t seem to be any kind of Peach Blossom Spring,” Zhang Xiaohua thought to himself.

Still, how should he deal with this brute who had come looking for trouble? Defeating him wouldn’t be difficult, but surely more would come after him. He still had important matters to attend to—who had the patience to get caught up in their internal squabbles?

“Hey, kid, what are you thinking about?” Lu Meng called out. “Don’t get any funny ideas. I know you’re clever—you made everyone dizzy on the stage today.”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled. “I was just thinking, since the Artifact Refining Sect and Spring Rebirth Valley are so close, if we spar and someone gets hurt by accident, wouldn’t that damage our friendship?”

“Ha!” Lu Meng exclaimed in surprise. “You’re actually quite considerate—just what I was thinking! I know your martial arts are impressive and you beat a lot of people on the stage, but I’m not here to compete in moves with you!”

Now it was Zhang Xiaohua’s turn to be surprised. “If we’re not sparring, then what do you want? Surely not a drinking contest—if so, I’ll admit defeat right now.”

Lu Meng burst out laughing. “You’re certainly no match for me in drinking, but today I’ve come to test your strength! I want you to know that there are heroes in our Yuli Alliance, too!”

Hearing this, a strange expression appeared on Zhang Xiaohua’s face.