A ray of morning light streamed into the Crane Rain Medicine Manor.
Bai Hehuai pushed open her door and stepped out, stretching lazily. Standing in the courtyard, she took a deep breath of the crisp autumn morning air and suddenly felt in high spirits, even beginning to practice a set of martial arts.
Xiao Chaoyan, hearing the commotion, came out and watched in confusion. "Master, what are you doing?"
"First the tiger, then the deer, followed by the bear, the ape, and finally the bird. This is the Five Animal Play passed down from Medicine King Valley," Bai Hehuai explained as she moved through the forms. "Pay close attention. Practicing this regularly strengthens the body and extends life by a hundred years."
Xiao Chaoyan scratched her head. "But these movements look a bit silly..."
"It's meant to imitate the five animals—did you think it was a dance?" Bai Hehuai feigned annoyance.
Just then, the side doors opened, and Su Muyu and the others emerged, dressed in traveling attire. The paper umbrella Su Muyu had set aside for so long was once again slung across his back.
"You're leaving," Bai Hehuai said, ending her practice.
Su Muyu nodded. "We are."
Su Changhe smiled. "This trip is for negotiations, not fighting. It won't take long. No need to worry, Little Divine Physician."
"Go on, then. Maybe you'll settle down there, and I'll receive an invitation from Sister Mu to celebrate your wedding," Bai Hehuai replied.
Mu Yumo leaped lightly to Bai Hehuai's side and ruffled her hair. "We’ll take your blessings!" With that, she vaulted over the wall and disappeared.
Su Changhe chuckled. "Farewell, Little Divine Physician—though I know you'd rather not see me." He then followed suit and departed.
"Be careful on the road," Bai Hehuai said, her gaze lingering on Su Muyu, who stood alone.
"Take care of yourself in Nan'an City as well, Miracle Healer," Su Muyu replied with a slight bow.
"Mm," Bai Hehuai responded softly.
Without another word, Su Muyu leaped away.
The jingling of golden rings announced Su Zhe's presence beside Bai Hehuai. "Another parting."
"But they never ask if I want to come along. It's as if, in their hearts, I was never part of their group to begin with," Bai Hehuai murmured, a hint of sadness in her voice.
"Silly child, you were never meant to be with them. They are Dark River," Su Zhe sighed. "Though in your hearts, you’ve all come to regard each other as friends, they are still Dark River—an existence that remains at odds with this world."
Bai Hehuai lowered her head in silence.
"It’s not that they don’t consider you a friend. They simply don’t want danger to fall upon you when it comes for them. So don’t be sad," Su Zhe comforted.
The group sped swiftly along the road.
Su Muyu asked, "Yesterday, I caught the scent of blood on you. Are there enemies of ours in Nan'an City?"
"Yes, remnants of the Flying Tiger General's forces. Ever since we left Sihuai City, someone has been tracking us. I eliminated them yesterday and redirected the trail elsewhere. Nan'an is safe for now. Besides, with Uncle Zhe there, they won’t gain any advantage," Su Changhe replied.
"What about the Tang Sect?" Su Muyu pressed. "Have arrangements been made to approach them?""Qingyang and Xuewei have gone ahead," Su Changhe replied. "By my calculations, they should be arriving at the Tang Sect soon."
"Who did you arrange from the Tang Sect as our liaison?" Su Muyu asked.
"Tang Linghuang," Su Changhe smiled.
"Tang Linghuang?" Su Muyu frowned slightly.
"He was once considered equal to the Wen Family's Wen Hujiu. But while Wen Hujiu has succeeded as family head, Old Master Tang shows no intention of stepping down. For Tang Linghuang, his current position in the Tang Sect is... awkward." Su Changhe rubbed the ring on his finger. "So he's quite willing to gain an ally like Dark River."
Meanwhile, on the mountains outside Jin City, a Daoist-robed man leisurely riding a donkey came to a slow stop at the cliff's edge. Gazing down at the splendid city below, he smiled. "Jin City. A fine place."
"Mount Qingcheng is nearby. Don't you want to visit that Daoist you admire so much?" A girl in purple robes made as if to slap the donkey's rear.
"Don't! If it bolts forward, I'll go right over the edge!" the Daoist cried in alarm.
These two were none other than Mu Qingyang, current head of the Mu Family, and Mu Xuewei, whose entire body was filled with exotic poisons. Xuewei withdrew her hand: "Just joking. If I slapped it, it would collapse foaming at the mouth—no chance of charging forward with you."
"I'm the family head now—show some respect, won't you?" Qingyang complained.
"Well? Are we going to Mount Qingcheng or not? Once we start our real business, there won't be another chance," Xuewei asked.
After a moment's thought, Qingyang finally shook his head. "Better not. 'The Mu Family head pays respects at Mount Qingcheng'—sounds rather alarming."
"So the Mu Family head is this young?" A black-clad, masked figure appeared behind them.
Qingyang tossed a Peach Blossom Coin in his hand without turning. "Seems we're too late for Mount Qingcheng. Our friends from the Tang Sect have arrived."
"Not friends yet," Xuewei said as she turned.
The black-robed figure waved his sleeve. "Who can say?" A golden card shot from his sleeve toward Xuewei. Her eyes widened in momentary shock. A Peach Wood Sword flashed past her, shattering the card to pieces.
"A King of Hell Summons—is this how the Tang Sect greets guests?" Qingyang said sternly.
With another wave of the black-robed man's hand, over a dozen masked figures emerged from the woods.
Xuewei said coldly, "This is Tang Sect territory. Do Tang Sect members need to hide their faces when meeting people?"
Qingyang lightly brushed his fingers along the Peach Wood Sword. "Where is Tang Linghuang?"
"Why assume I'm not Tang Linghuang?" the black-robed man laughed.
Qingyang snorted. "If you were Tang Linghuang, this Peach Wood Sword in my hand would have turned to dust already."
"So you're saying I'm inferior to him?" the man said quietly.
"Xuewei!" Qingyang called sharply.
Xuewei flung her sleeve, scattering powder that instantly became a smoke screen enveloping the group before them.
"Daring to use poison before the Tang Sect—how laughable," the black-robed man scoffed. But as he spoke, his companions began collapsing to the ground one after another."Ridiculous?" Mu Qingyang took out a Yellow Talisman and lightly brushed it across his Peach Wood Sword, causing the entire blade to burst into flames. "Our Mu Family has studied esoteric arts for years. When it comes to poison, we're truly no less skilled than your Tang Sect!"
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