Chapter 492: Lady Peacock(Kongque)

Zhang Xiaohua heard the sound of flutes and strings by his ear and could not help but be taken aback. He had lived in Spring Rebirth Valley for several months now, and the valley had always been exceptionally quiet. It had never been this noisy before. The music was actually traveling from the outer valley into the inner valley. Almost immediately, delight rose in Zhang Xiaohua’s heart—could it be that people from the Incense Spreading Sect had arrived?

Without bothering to further examine the anomaly of the pill, he released his divine sense in an instant, sending it straight toward the outside of the valley.

He saw that the entire Spring Rebirth Valley estate had been redecorated. Although it was not decorated with lanterns and streamers like during the New Year, it was clear that great effort had been put into the preparations. At the main gate of the estate stood a group of people holding musical instruments, blowing and playing with all their might. The sound of flutes and strings was coming from there.

Valley Master Nie had changed into a brand-new set of robes. Behind him stood Nie Qianyu, Fei He, Mu Qingxuan, and others. Nie Qianrong with Yue Zhonglin, and Nie Qianxiu with Qiang Sheng, stood slightly farther back, all waiting at the entrance of the estate. Looking further down the small path, a convoy of about ten horse-drawn carriages was making its way toward Spring Rebirth Valley.

On closer inspection, there were some twenty young men in fitted outfits flanking the convoy on both sides. Each had a longsword hanging at his waist, their spirits high as they rode on horseback, guarding the procession. Especially beside a slightly larger carriage in the middle of the convoy, several people stood watch with particular caution, looking extremely dutiful.

Zhang Xiaohua frowned slightly. The curtains of the carriage were drawn shut. If he wanted to see inside, he would have to penetrate the carriage with his divine sense. But to rashly insert his divine sense into someone else’s carriage hardly seemed like the behavior of a gentleman. As he hesitated, he suddenly saw an exceptionally fair hand extend from inside the carriage, gently lifting the curtain. A graceful young woman wearing a veil over her face stepped out, raising her head to look toward the distant Spring Rebirth Valley, seemingly asking someone beside her.

At the same time, from a carriage slightly behind, a short, plump man immediately jumped down. He was dressed in the clothes of a wealthy squire. With a leap, he mounted a horse, hurried to the front, and, wearing a broad smile, explained something to the veiled woman.

This woman was likely the envoy of the Incense Spreading Sect.

Zhang Xiaohua’s divine sense lingered for a long time before the pristine white veil, yet never pierced through it. Before long, he withdrew his divine sense. In any case, they would meet soon enough. For now, the most important thing to Zhang Xiaohua was the pill before him.

Putting aside the fact that Zhang Xiaohua had already seen the visitors from the Incense Spreading Sect with his divine sense, at the entrance of the Spring Rebirth Valley estate, Valley Master Nie was wearing a look of anxious anticipation.

He had received intelligence earlier that the envoy from the Incense Spreading Sect would arrive at Spring Rebirth Valley today. Early that morning, he had carefully made preparations, following the established customs and arranging the proper welcoming ceremonies. Yet now the day was already well underway—why had the envoy still not arrived?

Just as he was pondering this, a rider came galloping in at full speed. It was one of Spring Rebirth Valley’s guards. Upon reaching the front, the man shouted: “Valley Master! The Incense Spreading Sect’s envoy has already reached the small road. They should arrive in about the time it takes for half a stick of incense to burn!”

Valley Master Nie nodded and called out to those beside him: “Prepare the ceremonial reception. Welcome the envoy.”

At once, the sound of flutes and strings swelled, even louder than before. Then Valley Master Nie said: “Everyone, follow this old man and go forward to receive the envoy.”

With that, he led the people of Spring Rebirth Valley on foot toward the small road to greet them.

By the time they reached the roadside, the carriages of the Incense Spreading Sect were already in sight.

Valley Master Nie did not continue forward. Instead, he left an open space at the front of the road and waited calmly.

When the Incense Spreading Sect’s carriages arrived, they all came to a halt. The short, plump man dressed in a wealthy man’s attire urged his horse forward from the rear. Seeing Valley Master Nie, he burst into laughter and called out: “Old Nie! It’s been years since we last met—how’s your health?”

Seeing the stout man, Valley Master Nie also broke into a smile. He hurried forward and replied: “Steward Yang, you’re well! This old man heard magpies calling early this morning and thought to himself that you must be arriving today. And sure enough, here you are at last!”

Valley Master Nie stepped forward and grasped the reins of the fine horse. Steward Yang leapt down, reached out, and clasped Valley Master Nie’s hand, just like old friends reuniting after a long separation.

Looking at the familiar face, Valley Master Nie said: “This old man can’t compare to you, Brother Yang. You live in a paradise, enjoying the life of an immortal. These past few years, I’ve benefited greatly from your care—everything has gone smoothly.”

Steward Yang laughed heartily. “Even immortals are still made of flesh and blood! Besides, I’m no immortal—just born to toil and labor. How could I compare to you, Elder Brother, monopolizing this valley of eternal spring and living so freely and at ease?”

He then lowered his voice and said: “Brother Nie, I’ve only just heard that Spring Rebirth Valley ran into some difficulties before the New Year. Why didn’t you think to inform this younger brother? The two of us have decades of friendship. Even if we only meet once every few years, when a hand needs to be extended, it should still be extended.”

Valley Master Nie raised his head and glanced at the convoy, which was gradually coming to a halt, and replied in a low voice: “I know that it isn’t easy for you to make a trip out, Brother. As long as Spring Rebirth Valley can shoulder its own burdens, it’s better to do so ourselves. If we had to trouble you at the slightest disturbance, wouldn’t this old brother lose face?”

Hearing this, Steward Yang was visibly moved. He stuck out his thumb and said: “Brother Nie truly is a fine man. No wonder our Hall Master holds you in such high regard. With bearing like this, even if I whipped my horse, I still wouldn’t be able to catch up to you.”

Valley Master Nie chuckled. “You flatter me, you flatter me.”

He then glanced again at the convoy that had already stopped and said: “However, Brother Yang, this time there truly is one difficult matter. I will need to trouble you to lend me a hand.”

“Oh?” Steward Yang was greatly surprised. “This seems to be the first time you’ve ever asked me for help. If it weren’t an extremely troublesome matter, you wouldn’t open your mouth.”

Likewise, he glanced at the halted convoy and lowered his voice. “Let’s talk about this later.”

Then he raised his voice and said, “Come, Valley Master Nie. I’ll take you to pay respects to the envoy of our Incense Spreading Sect.”

Valley Master Nie nodded. “That is exactly my intention.”

As he spoke, a disciple of Spring Rebirth Valley took charge of Steward Yang’s horse, while Valley Master Nie followed Steward Yang straight toward the carriage in the middle of the convoy.

Before they had even reached it, the veiled woman Zhang Xiaohua had seen with his divine sense lifted the curtain and stepped out, standing tall atop the carriage.

Steward Yang and Valley Master Nie hurried forward. Steward Yang introduced her, saying: “Valley Master Nie, this is the envoy for this visit—Lady Peacock, Kong, an inner disciple of our Incense Spreading Sect.”

Valley Master Nie did not dare to be negligent. He performed a deep bow and said: “This old man, Nie Shuai, Valley Master of Spring Rebirth Valley, pays his respects to Lady Kong.”

The veiled Lady Kong slightly raised her hand and said softly: “Valley Master Nie, you are too polite. Along the way, I have heard Yang Yao speak often of your affairs. Under Valley Master Nie’s stewardship, Spring Rebirth Valley has flourished day by day, presenting a refreshing new atmosphere that has truly broadened my horizons. Moreover, for a thousand years, Spring Rebirth Valley has consistently provided assistance to the Incense Spreading Sect, from which our sect has benefited greatly. Before coming, my master specifically instructed me to convey our gratitude to Spring Rebirth Valley.”

Although Lady Kong’s voice was not loud, everyone present heard it with exceptional clarity, as if she were speaking directly beside their ears. Moreover, her words carried an overwhelming sense of authority and an unquestionable dignity. Upon hearing this, Valley Master Nie immediately bowed deeply and said: “I dare not accept such praise. Lady Kong is too kind, and so is your esteemed master. To have the opportunity to serve the Incense Spreading Sect is the honor of Spring Rebirth Valley.”

Though Lady Kong spoke of gratitude, there was not the slightest trace of gratitude in her demeanor. Hearing Valley Master Nie’s reply, she appeared quite satisfied, nodded slightly, said no more, and turned back into the carriage.

Seeing this, Steward Yang laughed and said: “Very well, Valley Master Nie. Lady Kong has endured a long journey on horseback. It would be best to invite her to enter the estate early and rest. Once Spring Rebirth Valley’s affairs are settled this afternoon, we will still need to depart early tomorrow morning.”

Valley Master Nie nodded as well. “Everything has already been arranged. Lady Kong, Steward Yang—please, please proceed into the valley to rest.”

With that, the welcoming procession parted, opening a broad path down the middle. Lady Kong’s carriage did not stand on ceremony and took the lead, driving straight ahead. Steward Yang and Valley Master Nie walked alongside on foot.

The remaining carriages followed one after another, entering the estate in sequence. As for Nie Qianyu and the others, they never even caught a glimpse of the Incense Spreading Sect’s envoy. They followed the carriage carefully and returned to the estate.

Spring Rebirth Valley had been receiving envoys from the Incense Spreading Sect for hundreds, even thousands of years. All manner of protocols had long since become second nature. Even hosting Steward Yang had been done for decades already, so there was no need to go into detail.

To continue, after Steward Yang and Valley Master Nie carefully attended to Lady Kong and settled her into the pavilion specially reserved for hosting Incense Spreading Sect envoys, the two of them then walked together into the Spring Rebirth Hall.

Valley Master Nie did not dare take the seat of honor and insisted that Steward Yang sit there instead. Steward Yang waved his hands repeatedly and said: “Brother Nie, Lady Kong isn’t present right now, so this younger brother won’t stand on ceremony with you. We’ve known each other for decades—why bother with such formalities? You’re the Valley Master of Spring Rebirth Valley and should naturally play the host. I haven’t even had a taste of the Hundred Flowers Brew yet, and you’re already trying to give me the seat of honor? Elder Brother, you should take it.”

Seeing Steward Yang decline, Valley Master Nie pondered for a moment, then simply placed two chairs side by side and said with a smile: “Brother Yang, how about this instead?”

Steward Yang clapped his hands and laughed. “If that’s the case every year, Brother Nie, then next time I come, I’ll just have two chairs set out right away.”

“Fair enough. Brother Yang can be considered half a host of Spring Rebirth Valley anyway—there’s nothing more to say.”

Valley Master Nie laughed heartily.

The two of them took their seats and drank fragrant tea. Then Steward Yang said with a smile: “Valley Master Nie, friendship is friendship, but I am here on official business. It’s better to take care of public matters before private ones. Let’s complete the handover of this year’s medicine apprentices first, and then we can sit down and chat at leisure. Sigh… Spring Rebirth Valley’s Hundred Flowers Brew is truly excellent. I don’t even know if I’ll still get to drink it in the future.”

Valley Master Nie seemed a little distracted and said softly: “Brother Yang, what do you mean by that? Didn’t I already teach you the recipe for the Hundred Flowers Brew ten years ago? Could it be that you still haven’t managed to brew it?”

Steward Yang pursed his lips. “I got your recipe long ago and even had my people brew according to it. But for some reason, the wine we produce just never tastes as good as Spring Rebirth Valley’s. Isn’t that strange?”

Valley Master Nie smiled. “Then tonight, Brother Yang should drink a few extra cups. I’ve also prepared quite a bit—when you leave, you can take some with you.”

Upon hearing this, Steward Yang was overjoyed. “In that case, many thanks, Elder Brother. Oh, right—earlier you mentioned that you had some difficult matter. Should we talk about it now, or wait until after the handover of the medicine apprentices?”