Chapter 488 – The Family Matters of Spring Rebirth Valley

Zhang Xiaohua lowered his head as if in thought, then said solemnly: “Since that’s the case, the two Seniors may attend to your own affairs. There’s no need for you to come here again. Once I’ve successfully refined the Scarlet Flame Pill, I’ll send word to you both.”

Valley Master Nie glanced at Elder Zhang, then nodded. “That’s the only way. Nephew Zhang, you’ve worked hard. If there’s anything you need, just tell Little Yu. All the medicinal herbs within Spring Rebirth Valley are at your disposal.”

At the mention of “medicinal herbs,” Zhang Xiaohua pointed toward the jade box on the table and said, “In a moment, I’ll add the remaining herbs into the pill furnace according to their required amounts. As for the rest, I’ll first put them away. What do you two think?”

Both nodded in agreement without objection. It was something they had already discussed beforehand — Zhang Xiaohua was merely storing them away in advance.

After chatting a bit more, Valley Master Nie and Elder Zhang, with rather conflicted expressions, prepared to leave.

Noticing the slight frown that never left Valley Master Nie’s face, Zhang Xiaohua suddenly thought of the Incense Spreading Sect and asked at once, “Uncle Nie, do you know if the people from the Incense Spreading Sect should be arriving soon?”

Valley Master Nie nodded. “It should be around this time. But don’t worry, Nephew Zhang. I haven’t forgotten your matter. Everything has already been arranged. Even if the people from the Incense Spreading Sect arrive right now, this old man will hold them off no matter what — at least until the Scarlet Flame Pill has been successfully refined.”

Hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua sighed softly. “The Scarlet Flame Pill can always be refined again in the future, but the opportunity to go to the Incense Spreading Sect isn’t something I wish to delay any further. I hope Uncle Nie can understand.”

Valley Master Nie looked at Elder Zhang again and nodded. “I understand your intentions, Nephew Zhang. Just focus on your alchemy — leave everything else to this old man.”

With that, the two saluted and took their leave, leaving Zhang Xiaohua alone before the pill furnace.

Thinking back on Valley Master Nie’s expression just now, Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but shake his head. He knew that what Valley Master Nie truly cared about was still this Scarlet Flame Pill, while what he himself cared about was the chance to go to the Incense Spreading Sect. If the people of the Incense Spreading Sect were to arrive now, his own wishes and the interests of Spring Rebirth Valley would inevitably come into conflict.

Alas, he thought, I only hope the people from the Incense Spreading Sect arrive a little later.

At this moment, Zhang Xiaohua — who had once eagerly awaited their arrival — found himself wishing that time could be delayed just a little longer.

That day passed in utter calm. In the morning, Zhang Xiaohua placed the remaining few auxiliary ingredients into the pill furnace, then carefully controlled the heat of the earthly flame, slowly refining away the impurities from those latter ingredients. Nearing noon, he cast a series of intricate incantations into the furnace, watching as the hidden lights within shifted in accordance with the Five Elements — the process of nurturing the pill had officially begun.

At this stage, all that mattered was maintaining the temperature of the earth fire and keeping the furnace stable; there was nothing else of special note. Thus, apart from occasionally sending a thread of divine sense to watch over the furnace, Zhang Xiaohua continued his cultivation as usual.

In the blink of an eye, nearly ten days passed. Valley Master Nie and Elder Zhang had not appeared again, only Nie Qianyu continued to come almost every evening, seeking Zhang Xiaohua’s guidance on the Great Evolution Five Elements Formation. As her study deepened, she had by now nearly mastered the array. It had to be said that though Nie Qianyu’s aptitude in martial arts was rather limited, her talent in the Dao of Formations was extraordinary. Thus, while answering her questions, Zhang Xiaohua gradually began to teach her the fundamental principles of formations and restrictions as well.

Meanwhile, Zhang Xiaohua’s own cultivation showed remarkable progress. The Secret Formula for Concealing One’s Vital Aura from the Guiding the Spirit method, combined with his comprehension of the Heavenly Dao, was now proceeding smoothly — he had already reached the stage of Small Success. If nothing unexpected occurred, he would soon attain Large Success. When that time came, his entry into the Incense Spreading Sect would no longer draw the attention of the sect’s high-level experts. After all, Zhang Xiaohua’s purpose in going there was only to find Zhang Xiaohu, not to create any trouble for the Incense Spreading Sect.

However, Nie Qianyu’s expression had gradually grown more like that of her father, Valley Master Nie. At first, she merely frowned from time to time, but lately, even her face carried a faint shadow of worry. Zhang Xiaohua had resolved not to pry into others’ matters, but in the end, he could not help asking: “Little Fish Nie, ten days ago I already noticed Uncle Nie’s troubled look, and you too seem to have something weighing on your heart. I know this must be family business of your Spring Rebirth Valley, but if there’s anything I can help with, please don’t hesitate to tell me.”

Nie Qianyu forced a smile. “Ah, this matter… it’s hard to explain…”

But she only said that much before stopping herself, continuing with, “It’s nothing, Brother Ren. It’s purely a private matter of our Spring Rebirth Valley — there’s nothing you could help with. You’d best focus on your pill refinement. It would be ideal if you could finish before the people from the Incense Spreading Sect arrive. Otherwise, it might…”

Her final words trailed off unfinished.

Zhang Xiaohua understood that she too feared the sudden arrival of the Incense Spreading Sect envoys, which would leave him unable to explain things to Spring Rebirth Valley. He shrugged lightly and said, “Such things are in Heaven’s hands. All I can do is my best.”

“Alas,” Nie Qianyu sighed. “But there are many things in this world that simply refuse to go as one wishes.”

Zhang Xiaohua’s heart gave a sudden tremor, an uneasy feeling rising within him. He immediately asked, “Could it be that the people from the Incense Spreading Sect have already arrived?”

Nie Qianyu shot him a glare, her tone carrying a hint of reproach. “If people from the Incense Spreading Sect really had come, even if Father didn’t tell you, wouldn’t I have told you myself?”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled apologetically. “Don’t be angry, Little Fish Nie. I just got anxious for a moment.”

Nie Qianyu waved her hand lightly. “It’s fine, Brother Ren. You can rest easy. Once the people from the Incense Spreading Sect arrive — whether or not you’ve finished refining the Scarlet Flame Pill — I, oh, and Father as well, will definitely inform you. You don’t need to worry.”

Zhang Xiaohua nodded and smiled.

After a while, Nie Qianyu clearly lost the heart to continue studying, and Zhang Xiaohua didn’t keep her any longer. He escorted her to the door of the alchemy chamber.

While Zhang Xiaohua continued to sit cross-legged before the pill furnace, weaving incantations and sending them into the increasingly purified medicinal liquid, Nie Qianyu, upon leaving the chamber, did not return to Peach Blossom Nunnery. Instead, she went straight to the Huichun Hall (Hall of Spring Rebirth).

At that moment, the hall was already filled with people. At the upper seat sat Valley Master Nie, his expression calm and unreadable as he slowly sipped his tea. On his left sat two disciples — Fei He and Mu Qingxuan — both with heads lowered and postures stiff, like clay statues. On his right were his eldest daughter, Nie Qianrong, and her husband, Yue Zhonglin, who were glancing at each other awkwardly, uncertain what to say. Below them sat the second daughter, Nie Qianxiu, and her husband, Qiang Sheng — faint anger showing on their faces as they exchanged looks, their eyes occasionally darting toward Valley Master Nie at the head of the hall.

When Valley Master Nie saw Nie Qianyu enter, he was momentarily taken aback, then smiled faintly. “Little Yu, why have you come back so early today?”

Nie Qianyu looked around at everyone and replied, “Brother Ren was a little tired, so I came back early.”

After speaking, she greeted the people in the hall briefly, then casually took a seat below Mu Qingxuan.

Upon hearing Nie Qianyu’s words, the anger on Qiang Sheng’s face deepened. He shot Nie Qianxiu a meaningful glance, and she cleared her throat before saying to Valley Master Nie, “Father, that young man surnamed Ren — didn’t we agree that once he helped Spring Rebirth Valley through this crisis, he’d leave? Why has he been staying in the valley all this time? Could it be that the fellow has changed his mind, and Father simply finds it inconvenient to drive him away? If Father doesn’t wish to play the villain, then allow your daughter to speak to him directly — better to make things clear and have him leave the valley early, lest he start harboring improper thoughts.”

Valley Master Nie shook his head and said evenly, “Nephew Ren’s stay in the valley has nothing to do with your sister. There are other important matters involved. You need not concern yourself with it.”

“Nephew?” Nie Qianxiu let out a cold laugh. “Father, you even call him Nephew now? Have you truly investigated this so-called nephew’s background clearly? Letting someone of unknown origin stay here in our Spring Rebirth Valley, forming ties with our family — you’d best be careful not to fall for some scheme.”

Nie Qianyu’s face turned pale. “Second Sister, Brother Ren is a man of righteousness. He hasn’t taken advantage of Spring Rebirth Valley in any way, he only—”

Nie Qianxiu cut her off sharply. “Little Yu, don’t let yourself be charmed to the point of losing your good sense. The worst kind of men are the ones who play at restraint to provoke your affection. In their hearts they’re full of designs, yet on the surface they act indifferent — until the moment you’re caught in their net, and then their true, ugly face shows. I say that this Ren fellow is precisely such a man. Your feelings toward him are so obvious that even your Second Sister — who’s only met him a few times — can see it clearly. Do you think he doesn’t know? If he truly had no intentions toward you, then since he’s already helped our Spring Rebirth Valley, we could simply repay him with some precious pills and treasures, and let him take his leave. Why does he linger in the valley, entangling himself with you? This man must have some unspeakable motive!”

Nie Qianyu’s face went deathly white. Beside her, Yue Zhonglin opened his mouth to speak, but Nie Qianrong quickly tugged at his sleeve and shook her head. Yue Zhonglin froze, puzzled, until he noticed Nie Qianrong giving him urgent glances. Following her gaze, he saw Valley Master Nie’s expression dark as thunder, a storm brewing on his face. Realizing that a single wrong word might ignite it, Yue Zhonglin wisely held his tongue, frowning as he watched Nie Qianxiu’s performance.

At that moment, Qiang Sheng cleared his throat, cutting off Nie Qianxiu’s words. He smiled and said, “You’ve said quite a lot, but in the end, he’s merely an outsider. Little Yu is far more intelligent than any of us — she knows to be cautious. Besides, isn’t Father-in-law here as well? There’s no way such a venerable man would ever be deceived by some hypocrite.”

The word outsider was enunciated with particular clarity.

Nie Qianxiu smiled faintly in return. “My husband is right. I only fear that our family might suffer a loss — that’s why I reminded Little Yu. After all, an outsider will always be an outsider. He can’t be trusted completely.”

Then she turned to Nie Qianrong. “What do you say, Eldest Sister? Do you agree with me?”

Nie Qianrong was caught off guard and hurriedly replied, “Second Sister’s words make sense — yes, yes, they make sense. But… every matter must be judged according to its own circumstances.”

Having said that, she immediately fell silent, unwilling to say another word.

The Huichun Hall fell quiet for a time. Then Qiang Sheng once again spoke up, “Father-in-law, about that matter I mentioned last time — have you given it any thought?”