Rong Zheng decided to leave Peach Blossom Mountain for a while.

It was a decision made after discussing with Shi Fu Little Tao.

...

That day, they woke from the dream in the Bone-Illuminating Mirror, and in just over an hour, the sky would begin to brighten.

Tao Mian heard sounds from the next room; it was Rong Zheng getting out of bed. He didn't move, listening as her footsteps grew closer, finally stopping outside his window.

The Immortal kept his eyes closed, breathing steadily, as if in a deep sleep.

The footsteps outside moved away again, and after waiting for a while, Tao Mian quietly got up and followed.

A gentle breeze swept over the hills, and the stars shimmered in the sky. The Immortal's snow-blue robe brushed over the green grass and moss, as if the verdant color had painted his hem.

He searched the mountain for his disciple's whereabouts and soon found a hint of apricot yellow at an inconspicuous corner by the cliff.

Amidst the decaying grass and fireflies, tiny specks of light flickered.

Tao Mian focused his gaze; those glowing dots in the dark were not insects but the souls summoned by Rong Zheng.

The art of communicating with the spirits could reveal past events and summon souls back.

Rong Zheng was meeting her Shi Fu.

Her Shi Fu's soul was incomplete, and despite Rong Zheng's utmost effort, only a vague silhouette appeared before her. It could not speak, nor respond.

But even such a "shadow" was enough to fill Rong Zheng with immense satisfaction.

The Fifth Disciple of Peach Blossom Mountain was a strong woman, trained rigorously by the Floating Pavilion. She rarely cried, unless she couldn't hold it in.

Tao Mian leaned against an old tree that three people could barely encircle, counting the stars above, with the sound of his disciple's unrestrained sobbing in his ears.

Once, he too had clung to a tree, wailing loudly, and it was Liu Xue who comforted him then.

Had his Third Disciple and Fourth Disciple already reincarnated into good families?

Was the First Disciple still safe?

Was the Second Disciple happy and content?

Tao Mian held a stalk of Foxtail Grass in his hand, letting his thoughts wander.

They must all be well, they should be well.

Otherwise, why had he never seen their souls?

Rong Zheng cried for a long time, pouring out all her years of experiences, struggles, hesitations, and helplessness to her Shi Fu's soul.

She didn't want to confide too much in Tao Mian. She knew the Immortal had a kind heart and couldn't bear to see others suffer.

If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

Cry, and after crying, you can start anew.

Cry your heart out.

That night, Tao Mian stayed by her side for as long as Rong Zheng cried.

When the horizon began to brighten, Rong Zheng wiped her tears, stood up.

She smoothed out the wrinkles on her dress, dusted off the dirt, straightened her collar, redid her hair, and carefully pinned her jade hairpin.

Then she bowed respectfully, clasped her hands, and bid farewell to her Shi Fu's soul.

Tao Mian was hiding in the tree canopy at this moment, legs crossed, one hand supporting his cheek.

Seeing his disciple tidying herself up so neatly, he felt something was off.

This was the edge of a cliff, secluded, with no one around, the time and place were perfect.

He watched as the Fifth Disciple stepped towards the edge, and goosebumps rose all over Tao Mian's body. He was about to climb down the tree.

Before he could make another move, the Fifth Disciple suddenly spread her legs apart, raised both hands, cupped them around her mouth, and shouted at the rising sun—

"Sun—your—grand—father's—still—quite—beautiful!"

Little Tao Immortal, busy climbing down the tree, slipped and nearly fell.

After shouting, the Fifth Disciple felt refreshed, stood with her hands on her hips for a moment, and then turned around.

Remembering something, she turned back again.

"Hou—Yi, thank—you—for—leaving—one!"

She had just withdrawn her hands, then suddenly placed them back at her mouth.

"When are you and Chang'e—getting back together!"

She really liked to meddle in others' affairs.

And finally, one more thing.

"What exactly is the relationship between Wu Gang—and Chang'e!"

She didn't forget to gossip even at the end.

Tao Mian thought she would just chat with the sun for a bit, but the Fifth Disciple was really into it, her mouth wide open, still wanting to talk.

The Immortal finally couldn't hold back and coughed.

"Little Hua."

Rong Zheng's ears twitched, she turned around, her apricot-colored dress swirling slightly like a fish tail spreading in water, the ornaments at her waist jingling.

"Little Tao!"

She smiled brightly, her eyes still tinged with red, but the sadness was gone from her brows. Her right hand raised high, waving at Tao Mian.

In that moment, Tao Mian felt his heart and soul filled with the warm sunlight, his disciple had walked through trials, through hardships, and was reborn under the morning sun.

When they returned to the Taoist Temple, Rong Zheng said she wanted to cure the Gu Poison in her body.

"When they buried it back then, they said it was incurable, but the world is so big, what if there's a Divine Doctor with a remedy?" Rong Zheng held up a teacup, blowing on it, "I don't actually hope to completely detoxify it, just to live another year or two, two or three years would be good."

The medical skills at Peach Blossom Mountain were limited, and the Immortal had not yet met a disciple who understood medicine.

With his current level, he could treat injuries and colds. But for something as profound as detoxifying Gu Poison, it required a professional.

If he, a mediocre doctor, were to do it, the Fifth Disciple might very well only live to twenty-five, no joke.

Having been together for so long, Rong Zheng was well aware of Tao Mian's medical skills, so she planned to seek medical advice outside.

Tao Mian thought for a moment.

"If you wander around aimlessly, when will you find a clue? How about this, I'll write to Xue Han and Ah Jiu, asking them to keep an eye out for you. If they find any useful information, they'll let you know. You stay on the mountain for a while longer, and when there's news, you can set off."

"That sounds great," Rong Zheng smiled, "Little Tao, you're so thoughtful, sorry to trouble you."

"Don't suddenly get so polite, it's weirdly mushy," Tao Mian rubbed his arms, "There's no need for that between master and disciple."

About two weeks later, after an autumn rain, a letter from a friend arrived at Peach Blossom Mountain.

Ah Jiu said she knew few Divine Doctors, but could ask around through her connections, which would take some time.

However, if Rong Zheng encountered difficulties while traveling, she could always come to Xuanji Tower for help.

Xue Han, on the other hand, provided two or three names, asking Rong Zheng to visit them one by one.

Most of these Divine Doctors lived in remote areas and had eccentric temperaments. Money wouldn't work; one had to meet their various demands and have a bit of elusive fate.

Tao Mian asked for Rong Zheng's opinion, and she nodded, saying it was no problem, she would go and seek them out.

The master and disciple spent another three or four days gathering information, planning the route, and packing their bags.

Previously, when Rong Zheng traveled far, she only cared about convenience, comfort didn't matter.

But Tao Mian said she couldn't be careless.

"In the past, when I sent disciples down the mountain, they were going to accomplish great things, so I gave them swords and secret manuals... hoping they could fulfill their wishes.

Now that you're going on a journey, as your Shi Fu, I naturally have to prepare for you, I can't be biased."

"Don't worry, Little Tao, I'll definitely come back! It's just a matter of time, no need to bring so many things."

Rong Zheng didn't want him to work hard, waving her hand.

But Tao Mian shook his head solemnly.

"Even if it's not much, it's still a token."

Tao Mian packed his most treasured gold and silver for Rong Zheng, hoping she wouldn't be stingy and compromise herself while traveling.

A few bottles of good medicine, for internal and external injuries. Hopefully, they wouldn't be needed, but better safe than sorry.

Lastly, some clean clothes, all newly made. The steward of the fabric shop under Tao Mian's name had just delivered them up the mountain yesterday evening. Making clothes and embroidery took time, so the Immortal must have planned to give them to his disciple long ago, taking this opportunity.

Rong Zheng looked at the packed items, blinking away the moisture in her eyes, and put them all into her mustard seed bag.

The distant mountain road stretched endlessly, the Fifth Disciple stood at the end of the path, carrying a blue backpack, waving goodbye to the Immortal.

"Little Tao, make sure to eat well," she made a bowl shape with one hand and a scooping motion with the other, "Take good care of yourself!"

The Immortal stood under a peach tree, smiling with his eyes, his left hand gently waving outward.

Go on.

Rong Zheng adjusted the slipping backpack back onto her shoulder, turning back every few steps, until her figure disappeared at the end of the road.

Tao Mian looked down, a hen lay at his feet, squinting its eyes, also watching Rong Zheng leave.

This hen was the phoenix. It could now freely change its size, indicating its powers had fully recovered.

The Immortal felt comforted.

"Are you also... ready to leave?"