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.
Su Yue thought that since they were leaving tomorrow, she should make some preparations. She had her secret space, so she didn't need to worry about anything, but how could she conceal it from others? She glanced at the overly excited Xuan Little Four beside her. This junior brother might be simple-minded, but if strange and mysterious things kept appearing around him, even he would become suspicious, right? Well, she would take it one step at a time.
"Little Five, I'll go find Aunty Chen now and ask her to prepare some long-lasting food for our journey. You hurry back and pack your things. We're leaving tomorrow, and you can't be stubborn this time."
Xuan Little Four was afraid that his little junior sister would change her mind. If she really refused to leave the mountain, the Master would probably not force her, and then he wouldn't be able to go either.
Su Yue glanced at him. "Yeah, I'll go get the things Master asked for first." She turned and headed into the forest with a basket on her back.
"Hey, do you need me to help you? Those things are quite heavy, and I don't even know where you gather those fruits and vegetables from. They just taste better than the ones bought outside, so I might as well learn the route while I'm at it."
"No need, I'll be back soon. You go prepare the food, Big Fourth Brother, or we'll be hungry on the road tomorrow."
The young girl left without turning back.
"Right, right, can't delay leaving the mountain tomorrow," the simple-minded Xuan Little Four hummed as he walked towards the kitchen.
In the forest, a girl and a wolf gazed at each other. "It's too dangerous for you to come with me. You're so big that if someone sees you, it could be dangerous. And I won't be gone for long, I'll definitely return soon."
Big White: No, I won't let you go alone. I won't feel at ease.
"But Big Fourth Brother will be there."
Big White: That idiot will only slow you down.
Su Yue: '.......'
Big White: I'll stay in your secret space. As long as I don't come out, no one will see me.
"What about your wolf tribe?"
Big White: Don't worry about that, my younger brother can handle things now.
"Alright then, but you have to promise me to stay in the space."
The young girl compromised.
Big White: I promise.
The next morning.
"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.
