Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Su Yue had always known that her biological brother was in the Imperial Palace, her maternal grandparents' family was in the border region, and as for that cheapskate father, forget it.

Her third senior brother had sent her poison recently, and she had been studying it day and night without rest, because she knew that her third senior brother's only friend was the young general from the Mansion of the Zhenguo General, Su Yu. If she was not mistaken, Su Yu should be her cousin, though she didn't know which of her uncles was his father. So, subconsciously, Su Yue still cared about these relatives she had never met, even though they might not even know of her existence.

Now, should she go?

"Your paternal grandmother has been in poor health for years, remember to be filial to your mother when you grow up..."

Recalling that gentle, beautiful woman, even the cold-hearted Su Yue couldn't help but feel a pang in her heart.

Master Xuanji looked at his absentminded young disciple and cleared his throat before saying, "Fate is predestined, and many things cannot be avoided. Little Five, you have been exceptionally gifted since childhood, different from ordinary people. You may already know many things in your heart, but I, as your master, should not worry too much."

The old man paused, then continued, "But over the years, I've seen that apart from your obsession with medicine and poisons, you show no interest in anything else. I know that if I don't bring it up, you would be content to die in these mountains."

Su Yue: "Isn't that fine? Herbs and poisons are so lovely. And I'm not avoiding anything, I just can't be bothered to care about all those people and their complicated relationships. Just thinking about it gives me a headache."

"But you're still young. You've inherited all my skills, and it would be such a waste to stay in these mountains. So this time, I'm taking charge, and you and Little Four will set off tomorrow."

Xuan Little Four jumped up three feet in excitement. Wonderful!

"Where to?" Su Yue asked.

"The border region, your third senior brother is there, and he needs you," Master Xuanji said meaningfully as he looked at her.

Actually, when Su Yue had first come to the White Cloud Temple, the old man had already sent his eldest disciple Ouyang Xu to investigate her background. Even if the details weren't certain, it was close enough.

Su Yue's expression darkened slightly. This old man definitely knew the truth.

"Understood, Master." Su Yue nodded and turned to leave.

"Oh, and before you go, remember to fetch more spring water for me, and pack some long-lasting fruits and vegetables. The ones you prepare are always better than outside." The old man squinted his eyes playfully.

Su Yue: '...Old fox...'

"Yes..."

Xuan Little Four left the room with Su Yue, and Master Xuanji immediately opened his eyes, gazing meaningfully at the girl's departing figure with a smile. His precious disciple's belongings were all treasures, and he couldn't let others take them for cheap. He had to ask for more.

"Master, we're leaving now." Xuan Little Four and Su Yue, dressed in men's clothing, knelt before Master Xuanji and kowtowed three times.

Master Xuanji looked reluctant. "Alright, alright, get up. Be careful once you leave the mountain. With your skills, no one should be able to harm you. But the human heart is treacherous, and you two have lived in the mountains all your lives. Be careful not to offend anyone when you go down the mountain."

He wiped away a tear from the corner of his eye, then continued, "Especially you, Little Four. You're simple-minded by nature. Follow your junior sister when you go down the mountain and listen to her, understand?"

Xuan Little Four burst into tears, wailing, "Master, Master, I won't go then. I'll stay and keep you company. You're so old, how will you manage without us?"

Master Xuanji's mouth twitched. "What nonsense. Once you're gone, I'll just continue my seclusion. Why would I need your company? I'm not eighty years old yet."

Su Yue and Xuan Little Four: 'But you're seventy-four this year, Master. You seem to have forgotten.'

"Alright, I'll be here. You can come back whenever you want. This old man won't run away." The old man's voice was tinged with sadness.

"Master, don't worry. We'll be careful. Besides, we're heading straight to Xuancheng City in the border region. It won't take more than a few days, and we'll be able to meet our third senior brother there," Su Yue said, her eyes filled with reluctance.

Seeing his rarely emotional young disciples, Master Xuanji felt reassured. He took out a black-edged silk pouch embroidered with a red lotus from his robe. "This is a treasure passed down from my master's ancestor. Inside is a small secret space. It's not big, but you can store quite a few things in it."

He looked at the bundles his junior disciples were carrying, especially the idiotic Xuan Little Four's - was he trying to move the entire kitchen?

"A secret space, are there really such magical treasures in this world?" Xuan Little Four asked in wonder.

"I don't know if there's a second one like this in the world. In all my years of traveling, I've never seen anything like it, so it's extremely precious. Little Five, you take it."

Su Yue's eyes flickered. Master was doing this to... A wave of tenderness washed over her, her eyes growing hot. He was trying to cover for her.

"Little Five, take it quickly," Xuan Little Four urged excitedly.

Su Yue took the pouch, her voice muffled. "Thank you, Master." Master Xuanji patted her head.

"Alright, hurry and leave the mountain. I need to begin my seclusion."

"Master, I've left the spring water, fruits, and vegetables in the cave behind the mountain. And these pill bottles..." Su Yue took out two bottles from her sleeve, actually retrieving them from her secret space. "These are bone-cleansing pills I've practiced making according to the incomplete formula from the Library Pavilion. I just finished them, and I'm not sure of their effects. Please test them."

"Soul Cleansing Pill!" Master Xuanji exclaimed excitedly. He understood this disciple - he knew it was definitely not something of unknown effect as she claimed. This was surely achieved before being presented to the old master. This was the legendary elixir, unheard of for hundreds of years!

"Good, good, good!" Master Xuanji was so excited that he didn't know what to say anymore.