Yang Yao sighed and said: “Time is pressing. Vice Hall Master Xu requires you to set out immediately, so I can’t go into detail. I’ll first tell you a few things briefly. That Chen Fengxiao, although he is a medicine boy from Spring Rebirth Valley, and although he is intelligent and gifted, diligent and eager to learn, and superior to others in the cultivation and nurturing of medicinal herbs, he was still young and physically weak when he first came to the Incense Spreading Sect.”

“He was often envied and frequently bullied. Valley Master Nie only taught them knowledge about medicinal herbs, so how could he attend to everything? Thus, when he came to resent the other medicine boys of Spring Rebirth Valley, he even came to resent Spring Rebirth Valley itself. After arriving at the Incense Spreading Sect, because he had the opportunity to practice martial arts, he trained bitterly in martial skills. Perhaps he truly was good material, because he actually managed to cultivate a rather extraordinary level of martial skill, and even almost succeeded in breaking through to become an outer sect disciple.”

“Of course, if it weren’t for his impetuous temperament, and if he had waited a few more years, perhaps he really could have become an outer sect disciple. It’s just that the opportunity to be promoted to an outer sect disciple only comes once. Although it is said that his current martial skill is already stronger than that of ordinary outer sect disciples, he can only remain in Tuodan Hall.”

“And precisely because he has achieved success in martial arts, he has become somewhat unruly in Tuodan Hall. In particular, he often bullies the medicine boys from Spring Rebirth Valley. The Hall Master had intended to punish him, but seeing that he is diligent and hardworking, and that his childhood experiences were merely somewhat rough, and since Tuodan Hall rarely produces anyone outstanding in martial arts, he is actually quite a good seedling. So he was thrown onto Tianmu Peak and allowed to develop freely.”

“This Tianmu Peak belongs to our Tuodan Hall. It is different from several other peaks. For example, Sanmao Peak is purely under the jurisdiction of our Herb Division. Ah, speaking of the Herb Division, I should also explain this to you. Under Tuodan Hall there are two divisions: one is the Pill Division, which is in charge of refining pills, and the other is the Herb Division, which manages medicinal herbs. We belong to the Herb Division. You’ll naturally learn these basic things later on, so I won’t say more.”

“This Tianmu Peak can draw out earth fire from underground, so most of it is used by the Pill Division. However, the soil there is excellent, and many high-quality medicinal herbs grow there. If it were used only for pill refining, it would be a waste, so there are also many medicinal fields there. These medicinal fields are all managed by that Chen Fengxiao.”

“Since the two divisions use it together, conflicts are unavoidable. The Pill Division’s Wu Zhouxu and Chen Fengxiao are both competitive people. The two sides often have friction. Fortunately, they are all people of Tuodan Hall, so their lives are certainly not in danger. However, injuries to muscles and bones occur frequently. Among the several peaks of Tuodan Hall, it is the most restless one.”

“However, the Hall Master considered that the martial atmosphere of Tuodan Hall is not very strong, and this Tianmu Peak could be regarded as setting a good example. Perhaps in the future, one or two people capable of holding things down might emerge. Moreover, what does our Tuodan Hall have the most of? Wound medicine. What we fear least is people getting injured. So he simply turned a blind eye and let them make trouble. Normally, very few disciples are willing to go and be stationed at Tianmu Peak, so manpower there is always lacking.”

Hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua suddenly understood: “Where there are people, there is the jianghu; where there is jianghu, there is conflict. Sure enough.”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said, “It seems Vice Hall Master Xu also intends to temper me a little.”

Yang Yao said awkwardly: “It was also this old man’s momentary oversight. I forgot about Vice Hall Master Xu and thought that after returning, I would only need to meet the Hall Master. That is what caused his displeasure. It’s nothing. Worthy nephew, just go there for now. When the Hall Master returns, this old man will immediately ask him to transfer you elsewhere.”

Zhang Xiaohua cupped his hands. “Many thanks for Manager Yang’s care.”

Yang Yao waved his hand and said: “Now that we’ve returned to the Incense Spreading Sect, don’t mention the title of ‘manager’ anymore. If you feel close, call me Uncle; if not, you may simply address me by name. This old man’s given name is Yao.”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said, “How could that be appropriate? It’s better that I call you Uncle Yang.”

Yang Yao was greatly pleased and said: “Good, good. Nephew Ren, go for now. With everything, this old man will help you. In any case, I must live up to Brother Nie.”

Zhang Xiaohua felt grateful in his heart. Having connections and having none were truly two different worlds. These words would certainly not be said to other medicine boys. He quickly bowed again in thanks.

At this moment, a young disciple led over a horse and handed a waist token to Yang Yao.

Yang Yao took it, examined it carefully, then handed it to Zhang Xiaohua and said: “Ren Xiaoyao, this is the waist token of our Tuodan Hall. It proves your identity. Although our Incense Spreading Sect has always had no outsiders, there may still be some. If patrolling disciples see you, you must present this waist token for them to verify your identity. If it is lost, it will be extremely troublesome. You would need to apply to the Hall Master for another one, so you must keep it safe.”

Zhang Xiaohua reached out to take it. Without examining it closely, he carefully tucked it into his robe and said: “Please rest assured, Uncl…Elder Yang, you may be at ease. I will certainly be careful.”

Seeing that Zhang Xiaohua understood how to address him properly in front of others and knew how to conduct himself, Yang Yao said no more. He turned to that disciple and said: “Take this Ren Xiaoyao to Tianmu Peak, and be sure to tell Chen Fengxiao not to go too far. When the Hall Master returns, Ren Xiaoyao will be transferred elsewhere.”

“This…” the disciple said somewhat awkwardly: “Senior Brother, I will certainly pass along your words. But you also know that Chen Fengxiao has always only paid attention to our Hall Master. Even toward Vice Hall Master Xu, he is not very respectful. These words may not be effective—perhaps they might even produce some undesirable results.”

Yang Yao thought for a moment, glanced at Zhang Xiaohua, then nodded to the disciple and said: “You’re right. It’s better not to say anything at all. Alright, go then. Go quickly and return quickly.”

Afterward, without looking at Zhang Xiaohua, he turned and left the small courtyard.

When the disciple saw Yang Yao leave, he turned and curiously asked: “Young Brother, what relative are you to Senior Brother Yang? Why does Senior Brother treat you like this?”

Zhang Xiaohua cupped his hands and said: “There’s no relationship. I merely have some acquaintance with the Valley Master of Spring Rebirth Valley.”

“So that’s how it is,” the disciple said with a smile. “In that case, you’re rather unlucky. Senior Brother Yang has some standing before the Hall Master, but Vice Hall Master Xu doesn’t like him very much. Today, the Hall Master isn’t here, so you’re the fish in the pond that got caught in the disaster.”

Zhang Xiaohua suddenly understood—no wonder Yang Yao had looked displeased earlier.

The disciple then smiled and said: “How are you going to get there? Why didn’t Senior Brother Yang even bring you a horse? Could it be he expects you to use Qinggong to get there?”

From his tone, it was clear he absolutely did not believe Zhang Xiaohua knew any Qinggong.

Zhang Xiaohua smiled apologetically and said: “I have my own mount, so Senior Brother Yang may not have prepared one.”

The disciple didn’t pay attention to how Zhang Xiaohua addressed Yang Yao. Slapping his forehead, he said: “It seems your relationship with Valley Master Nie must be quite extraordinary. Senior Brother Yang actually allowed you to bring your mount into the valley.”

When he led Zhang Xiaohua out of the courtyard and saw the Sibu Xiang standing by the gate, the look in his eyes toward Zhang Xiaohua changed even more.

Fortunately, this disciple was not someone who liked to ask too many questions, which saved Zhang Xiaohua from having to invent a story. The disciple mounted his horse and led Zhang Xiaohua’s Sibu Xiang down Baiyue Peak.

Tianmu Peak was very far from Baiyue Peak. It was not until dusk that the two of them barely arrived. By the time they went up the mountain, it was already the hour when lamps were lit.

Likewise situated halfway up the mountain, on a stretch of open ground, countless lights shone like brilliant starlight, scattered across the night.

The disciple was familiar with the place and soon led Zhang Xiaohua to the front of a gatehouse. The gatehouse was empty, and no one could be seen standing guard. Only a jade-board-like object hung at the corner of the wall. The disciple walked up, picked up a stone rod from the ground, and lightly struck the jade board with it. With a crisp “dang” sound, the noise carried far into the quiet night sky.

Not long afterward, two figures arrived one after the other. The first was a tall and thin disciple. He glanced at them and sneered: “Oh? The Herb Division has another newcomer. Congratulations.” Without waiting for a reply, he turned and left.

Zhang Xiaohua understood that this must be a guard disciple from the Pill Division.

Sure enough, the second person, a somewhat chubby and honest-looking disciple, stepped forward and saluted. “Senior brother, what brings you here?”

The disciple who had brought Zhang Xiaohua was not polite and said: “Bai Huan, it’s been a few months since we last met. How come you’ve gotten even fatter?”

Bai Huan chuckled foolishly and did not explain. The disciple who escorted Zhang Xiaohua explained the matter and then said: “I’ll leave Ren Xiaoyao with you. I won’t go inside. Just tell Manager Chen.”

After saying this, he turned to leave. Bai Huan called after him: “Senior brother, stay and eat before you go. The food has just been prepared.”

The disciple waved his hands repeatedly. “Forget it. It’s better for me to go back and eat. I’m not fortunate enough to enjoy the meals of Tianmu Peak.”

Seeing that he could not persuade him to stay, Bai Huan cupped his hands in farewell. Zhang Xiaohua also repeatedly expressed his thanks. He knew that by the time this disciple returned to Baiyue Peak, it would likely be around midnight. The disciple, however, looked at him with even more sympathy, reached out and patted his shoulder, as if wishing him well.

After the disciple from Baiyue Peak left, Bai Huan smiled and said: “Brother Ren, please take out your waist token for me to have a look. This is the rule of our Tuodan Hall—it cannot be broken.”

Zhang Xiaohua took it out and was about to hand it to Bai Huan, but Bai Huan merely glanced at it casually and did not take it. Smiling, he said: “Alright, as long as you have one, that’s enough. I heard from senior brother that you’re from Spring Rebirth Valley and only joined Tuodan Hall this year, but looking at your age, you don’t seem that young.”

Zhang Xiaohua thought for a moment and said: “I have some old acquaintance with the Valley Master of Spring Rebirth Valley, so…”

Before Zhang Xiaohua could finish speaking, Bai Huan waved his hand and said: “Little brother, don’t mind it. I was just asking casually. Whatever your background is has nothing to do with me, not even half a copper coin’s worth. However, since you’ve come—and especially since you’ve come to Tianmu Peak—you must follow the rules of Tianmu Peak. If you follow the rules, then you’re a good brother of the Herb Division of our Tuodan Hall.”

As he spoke, his gaze drifted several times toward the bundle on the back of the Sibu Xiang.

Zhang Xiaohua sneered inwardly, though on the surface he said: “That is naturally something I understand. It’s already late today. Tomorrow I’ll have to trouble senior brother to explain the rules to me.”

Bai Huan was overjoyed and said: “Easy to say, easy to say. Let’s go. You arrived at just the right time—the evening meal has just been prepared.”

Sigh, all this plump fellow only knows is that “the evening meal has just been prepared.” Otherwise, how could he be so fat?

Bai Huan led Zhang Xiaohua through the mountain gate and then, after several twists and turns, arrived at an extremely lively courtyard. As they approached, they could already hear the noisy commotion inside. Faintly, there were even sounds of shouting and rowdy calls. Zhang Xiaohua frowned tightly and thought to himself, “This is the place where Tianmu Peak eats? How can it be so noisy? It’s even worse than Huanxi Villa!”