Changbai Mountain?
Ye Qiu was skeptical of Master Changmei’s words and asked, “Will there really be a thousand-year-old spiritual herb on Changbai Mountain?”
Master Changmei raised an eyebrow, “What, you don’t believe me?”
“Let me tell you, Changbai Mountain is the location of the Northeast Dragon Vein. If there’s no thousand-year-old spiritual herb there, then nowhere else in the world would have one.”
“Think about it, all those century-old ginsengs unearthed over the years, weren’t they all dug up in the Northeast?”
“If century-old ginsengs can be found, is a thousand-year-old spiritual herb that far-fetched?”
Ye Qiu was left speechless.
“Little brat, hurry up and prepare. We’re heading out tomorrow.”
Master Changmei said, “I’ve checked the calendar, tomorrow’s an auspicious day. Our trip to the Northeast will go smoothly.”
“Oh, and bring the Chixiao Sword. Changbai Mountain is a primeval forest, who knows what dangers we might face. Better be prepared.”
Ye Qiu asked, “Where are you headed now?”
“Just drive, I’ll get off when it’s time,” Master Changmei said, leaning back lazily in the seat.
Ye Qiu glanced at the scruffy Master Changmei, his face full of disdain, “You’re the head of a sect, can’t you pay a bit more attention to your appearance? Looking so disheveled, people might mistake you for a beggar.”
“You know nothing! The more capable someone is, the less they care about appearances. Didn’t the founder of Wudang Mountain, Master Zhang, get called the Sloppy Taoist?”
Mentioning Wudang Mountain, Master Changmei added, “Little brat, take my advice, don’t go to Wudang Mountain.”
“That old fox Chongxu is cunning as hell, full of dirty tricks. He might be setting a trap for you.”
Ye Qiu found it amusing, “I have no grudges with Wudang Mountain, past or present. Why would Master Chongxu set a trap for me?”
“Besides, Wudang is a righteous sect, they shouldn’t have any ill intentions toward me. Master Chongxu is the head of a sect with a great reputation in the martial world. He wouldn’t bother with a junior like me.”
“Old man, I know you’re jealous of him, but don’t slander him. That’s what petty people do.”
Master Changmei snapped irritably, “What did you say? Me, jealous of him?”
“Pfft!”
“That bookworm only knows how to chant scriptures and practice martial arts. He’s a dullard. What’s there to be jealous of?”
Master Changmei warned Ye Qiu again, “Wudang’s scripture pavilion hasn’t been opened for sixty years.”
“Back then, a founding marshal visited Wudang Mountain and asked to see the pavilion but was refused.”
“That marshal was a veteran of three dynasties, with immense power, yet he still couldn’t get in.”
“Later, the top leader, Old Tang, also visited Wudang and wanted to see the pavilion, but Chongxu turned him down too.”
“Think about it, if they couldn’t get in, why would Chongxu open the pavilion for you for three days?”
“There’s definitely something fishy going on.”
“Little brat, take my advice, don’t go to Wudang Mountain. You’ll only bring trouble on yourself.”
Ye Qiu hadn’t expected such a backstory, but Master Changmei’s words only piqued his curiosity further.
“Why would Master Chongxu open the scripture pavilion for me?”
“What’s his goal?”
Ye Qiu secretly decided that after finding the thousand-year-old spiritual herb, he’d visit Wudang Mountain to get to the bottom of it.
Seeing Ye Qiu lost in thought, Master Changmei said impatiently, “I’ve said my piece, listen or don’t, it’s up to you. Drive!”
Ye Qiu started the car and headed toward the city.
After a while.
Master Changmei suddenly asked, “Little brat, you’re looking for the thousand-year-old spiritual herb for that Witch God Sect’s female leader, aren’t you?”
Ye Qiu ignored him.
Master Changmei continued, “Curing the Nine Yin Severed Meridian isn’t that simple.”
Screech—
Ye Qiu slammed on the brakes, turning to Master Changmei in shock, “How do you know Su Luoying has the Nine Yin Severed Meridian?”
Master Changmei chuckled, “Have you forgotten who I am? I’m the head of Longhu Mountain. If I can’t even spot the Nine Yin Severed Meridian, what kind of leader am I?”
Damn it, this old geezer got to show off by accident.
Ye Qiu glared at Master Changmei, annoyed, “Speak properly.”
Master Changmei explained, “The first time I saw Su Luoying in Miaojiang, I knew there was something wrong with her constitution. No normal person would give off such heavy cold energy.”
“I observed her for two days and confirmed one thing.”
“She’s got feelings for you.”
Ye Qiu snapped, “Get to the point!”
Master Changmei finally got serious, saying, “After returning from Miaojiang, I went through some ancient texts preserved at Longhu Mountain. I found records about special constitutions.”
“One of them was the Nine Yin Severed Meridian.”
“Su Luoying’s condition matches the symptoms of the Nine Yin Severed Meridian exactly. Combined with your search for a thousand-year-old spiritual herb, I was certain she has it.”
Master Changmei continued, “According to the ancient texts, there are two ways to treat the Nine Yin Severed Meridian.”
“One is to use a thousand-year-old spiritual herb as a catalyst to unblock the nine clogged meridians. The other is for a man with a Nine Yang constitution to unite with a woman with the Nine Yin Severed Meridian. This not only unblocks the nine meridians but also brings great benefits to both.”
Master Changmei glanced at Ye Qiu and sighed, “It’s a pity you don’t have a Nine Yang constitution, or uniting with Su Luoying would boost your cultivation immensely.”
Isn’t that obvious?
If I had a Nine Yang constitution, would I need to search for a thousand-year-old spiritual herb?
Ye Qiu rolled his eyes, saying, “The Nine Yin Severed Meridian means she won’t live past twenty-four. Su Luoying’s body is too cold, and her condition is deteriorating. She might only have six months left, so I want to find the thousand-year-old spiritual herb as soon as possible to save her life.”
Master Changmei asked, “What if you can’t find the spiritual herb?”
Ye Qiu countered, “Didn’t you swear there’s a thousand-year-old spiritual herb on Changbai Mountain?”
“Well…” Master Changmei’s eyes darted, and he chuckled, “I meant just in case, what if we can’t find it?”
If they couldn’t find the spiritual herb, Su Luoying would be doomed.
Though Ye Qiu thought this, he said, “Man makes his own fate. I’ve always been pretty lucky. Maybe I’ll find the spiritual herb.”
Master Changmei didn’t deny this. Without luck, how could Ye Qiu have survived so many close calls? How could he have encountered the rare Nine Yin Severed Meridian?
Master Changmei said, “This trip to the Northeast will definitely yield great results.”
“Little brat, don’t worry. Even if we can’t find the spiritual herb, I’ve got a way to save Su Luoying.”
Ye Qiu immediately asked, “Old man, what’s your plan?”
