The Next Day

Du Bin stepped out of his small, creaky room, his eyes squinting against the early morning light. His gaze instinctively scanned the courtyard. Beyond the low stone wall, a familiar figure stood under the shade of an old plum tree.

“Senior Brother!” Du Bin called out cheerfully, brushing dust off his robe as he approached.

Hao Yu, dressed in his faded and slightly oversized work clothes, glanced up from tying a bundle of herbs. A faint smile appeared on his face as he nodded.

“Senior Brother, are you heading to the mountain today?” Du Bin asked, his tone laced with curiosity.

“Yes,” Hao Yu replied, patting the tools slung over his shoulder. “I’ll be heading up this afternoon to gather herbs. Got to restock the medicine pavilion.”

Du Bin chuckled nervously. “Good thing you’re brave. Last night’s wind was howling like an angry spirit. I didn’t dare cultivate; I was worried chaotic spiritual energy might mess with my Qi Refining.” He flopped onto the grass beneath the tree.

“By the way,” Du Bin added, glancing at Hao Yu, “did you hear any strange noises last night? Like, I don’t know… mysterious cultivators battling in the distance?”

Hao Yu froze for a brief moment, his mind flashing back to the unknown figure he’d sensed the previous night. Keeping his expression neutral, he replied, “Strange noises? Didn’t notice anything.”

Still, an unease lingered in Hao Yu’s chest. He spent the day harvesting herbs, his thoughts drifting back to the unknown presence. As the sun dipped below the horizon and the moon cast its silvery glow, the tension in his heart remained unresolved.

A new day arrived. Hao Yu stood by the wooden fence, pretending to be engrossed in the yellowed pages of an old manual. Suddenly, movement at the valley entrance caught his attention. Squinting, he saw a figure approaching. The figure was a striking woman clad in flowing white robes.

Her presence was commanding, her almond-shaped eyes sharp yet distant. She carried a sword by her side, and her cold, aloof demeanor radiated a sense of unapproachability.

“That’s an outer disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect,” Du Bin whispered to Hao Yu, having snuck up beside him. “Her name’s Zhao Qingyi. A genius, they say.”

Hao Yu’s mind raced. An outer disciple? Here? This doesn’t look like a casual visit.

Cheng Lao, walked briskly to meet Zhao Qingyi. After a brief exchange, he turned back toward the courtyard. “Disciples, gather at once!” his voice boomed.

Within moments, all the disciples, including Hao Yu, assembled in the courtyard. Zhao Qingyi scanned the group, her piercing gaze lingering momentarily on Hao Yu. He suppressed a shiver and quickly cast his Heavenly Refinement Art to mask his cultivation, lowering it to the Second Layer of the Qi Refining Realm.

“Two nights ago,” Cheng Lao began, his voice steady, “a mysterious cultivator had a breakthrough roughly five miles from the mountain. It’s suspected they might be a demonic infiltrator.”

Heavens above! A demonic infiltrator? Hao Yu’s mind screamed, but outwardly, he furrowed his brow in a perfect imitation of concern.

“Have any of you noticed anything unusual?” Zhao Qingyi asked, her voice as cool as her demeanor.

The disciples exchanged anxious glances. One of them stammered, “No, Senior Sister. Nothing unusual.”

Hao Yu seized the moment, masking his unease with a carefully crafted question. “Senior, did you catch a glimpse of this infiltrator? Any clues we can help with?”

Zhao Qingyi’s sharp eyes narrowed slightly. “It was too dark that night,” she said, her tone edged with frustration.

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Meanwhile, Hao Yu subtly activated his lifespan investigation ability to gauge Zhao Qingyi’s lifespan. The results nearly made him stumble.

[Zhao Qingyi (Foundation Establishment Realm, 6th Layer): 22/249]

What in the celestial realms! he thought with sarcasm. She’s in her twenties and already at the the Foundation Establishment Realm?

As Zhao Qingyi’s scrutiny continued, Hao Yu forced himself to remain calm, though his heart thumped in his chest like a drum. Whatever happens, I need to stay low and keep my cover. The last thing I need is for this prodigy to connect the dots.

Cheng Lao, ever the peacemaker, cleared his throat. “If anyone notices anything strange, report it immediately. For now, return to your tasks.”

Zhao Qingyi’s gaze lingered on Hao Yu for a heartbeat longer before she turned away.

Phew, Hao Yu sighed inwardly, managing to keep his expression composed. Looks like I dodged that sword for now. But with a prodigy like her sniffing around, I’d better tread carefully.

Cheng Lao said nothing further and quietly retreated to his pavilion. Once Zhao Qingyi's figure disappeared into the distance, Hao Yu and the others dispersed, each returning to their tasks.

Summer arrived in full force, and the scorching heat within the Heavenly Sword Sect seemed to distort the air itself. The sweltering sun beat down mercilessly on the land.

Hao Yu, knee-deep in his work tilling the soil, was drenched in sweat. Wisps of white vapor rose from his body as the relentless sun sapped his energy.

Despite his cultivation, he chose to stick to the strength of a Second Layer Qi Refining cultivator, keeping up the pretense of mediocrity.

"Being a hidden expert isn’t glamorous," Hao Yu muttered to himself, wiping his brow. "It’s sweaty, boring, and involves far too much dirt."

As night fell, a welcome coolness spread across the valley. Under the soft glow of the moon, Hao Yu slipped away from the medicine garden unnoticed. Three months had passed since Zhao Qingyi’s visit, and the memory of her sharp gaze had long faded from everyone’s mind.

Tonight marked the beginning of Hao Yu’s secret plan—a plan he had carefully devised to increase his cultivation in silence. Every night, he would use a year of his lifespan to power his Heavenly Refinement Art, pushing his strength forward without causing too much of a stir.

This time, the advancement caused only a minor fluctuation. The spiritual energy danced briefly in the air before calming, unnoticed by the other disciples.

The following day, with a casual air, Hao Yu approached Du Bin. "Junior Brother, how was your cultivation last night? No issues, I hope?"

Du Bin, oblivious to Hao Yu’s motives, replied with a grin. "Everything was smooth! No strange winds or disturbances at all. Why do you ask, Senior Brother?"

Hao Yu smiled faintly, relief flooding his chest. "No reason. Just checking in."

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. As winter approached, the once-lush mountain was now adorned with frost-covered leaves and icy winds. One crisp morning, Cheng Lao called out to Hao Yu from the pavilion.

"Master," Hao Yu greeted, hurrying over.

Cheng Lao stood in the courtyard, his frail form outlined against the pale winter sun. His once dark hair was now slowly turning white, his beard and eyebrows following suit. Age spots mottled his weathered face.

"Come, Hao Yu," Cheng Lao said with a warm but tired smile. "We’re going to the outer sect."

Hao Yu blinked, caught off guard. "The outer sect? Master, why?"

Cheng Lao chuckled softly, a sound both reassuring and melancholic. "Why? Don’t you wish to become the next master of the medicine garden?"

The words struck Hao Yu like a lightning bolt. His heart raced, a mixture of excitement and dread flooding his thoughts. "Master... are you all right? You’re not—" His voice caught, the unspoken fear evident in his tone.

Cheng Lao waved a hand, his gaze softening as he looked at his disciple. "Don’t overthink it, my boy. Walk with me, and I’ll explain."

Hao Yu hesitated only briefly before calling out to Du Bin and Bing Ning, instructing them to watch over the medicine garden in his absence. Then, without another word, he hurried to catch up with Cheng Lao.

The elder led the way out of the mountain and into the dense forest. Without the ability to fly on his sword, the journey would be long and arduous. Hao Yu felt a pang of sadness at the sight of his master’s slow steps but quickly masked it.

"Master, let me support you," he offered.

Cheng Lao chuckled again, shaking his head. "I’m old, not fragile. Keep your strength for yourself."

As they walked deeper into the forest, Cheng Lao's voice turned softer, yet there was an unmistakable weight to his words. He glanced at the towering trees around them, their bare branches swaying gently in the winter breeze.

"Hao Yu," Cheng Lao began, his gaze fixed ahead, "managing the medicine garden isn’t just about growing herbs or meeting quotas. It’s about understanding people and the land. Leadership isn't something you inherit—it’s something you grow into."

Hao Yu glanced at his master, noting the furrowed lines on his face and the tremble in his voice. There was something deeply personal about this conversation, something Cheng Lao had likely carried in his heart for years.

"Many think the medicine garden is just a place for cultivation herbs, a backwater responsibility that lacks glory," Cheng Lao continued. "But to the sect, it’s the lifeblood. Without herbs, without elixirs, even the most talented disciples would falter. Your role won’t just be about tending plants—it’ll be about nurturing the people under you and protecting what the garden stands for."

Hao Yu nodded. Master must see something in me to say all this, he thought, his usual wit silenced by the sincerity of Cheng Lao’s tone.

Cheng Lao paused, leaning slightly on a tree for support. "You’ll have to make tough decisions, my boy. Not everyone under your care will be diligent or loyal. Some will take advantage of your kindness; others will demand more than what’s fair. You must learn to be fair but firm. Compassionate but not blind. And most importantly—never forget to listen."

Hao Yu’s throat tightened. He could see the years of experience behind those words, the sacrifices and struggles etched into Cheng Lao’s weary frame.

"Master," Hao Yu said softly, "did you ever regret taking on this responsibility?"

Cheng Lao smiled faintly, his eyes glinting with memories. "Regret? No. But it was never easy. I’ve made mistakes—trusted the wrong people, pushed myself too hard when I should have rested. Yet, every time I see a young disciple thrive because of the garden’s bounty, every time a pill saves a life....I know it’s all worth it."

They continued walking in silence for a while, the crunch of frost beneath their feet the only sound. Hao Yu’s mind swirled with thoughts. He’d always seen the medicine garden as a place to hide, to cultivate in peace. But now, it felt like so much more—a legacy, a responsibility he wasn’t sure he was ready for.

As if reading his thoughts, Cheng Lao spoke again. "You don’t need to be perfect, Hao Yu. Just be willing to learn. The garden, the people—it’ll all test you. But if you stay true to yourself and put in the effort, you’ll grow into a leader worth following."

Hao Yu swallowed hard, the lump in his throat making it difficult to speak. "I’ll do my best, Master. I promise."