Chapter Forty-Three: Like a Solitary Figure

Chapter Forty-Three: Like Someone

A bout between fellow disciples had come to an end.

In a flash, Song Shede appeared beside the two, laughing boisterously and offering compliments, “Brother Fan’s Falling Star Sword Technique is truly eye-opening, and Brother Linghu’s Drunken Dragon Sword Technique is formidable as well. I’ve arrived at just the right time, and have witnessed much today.”

He added, “With you brothers and Sister Xiao Man, I believe you’ll once again be able to protect the Immovable Peak.”

As his words fell, he chuckled, supplementing, “I nearly forgot—Brother Fang is here, too. Even my master holds great expectations for his future.”

His speech rose and fell with an air of sincerity, yet his demeanor was somewhat sly and his gestures exaggerated, leaving only a sense of playful jest.

Having finished, Song Shede turned to Fang Junmei, winking with a familiar, brotherly attitude.

Fang Junmei shook his head and smiled.

In truth, Fang Junmei had a certain fondness for Song Shede. When Fan Lanzhou and the others had secluded themselves for cultivation, Song Shede had given him much guidance.

After casting a brief glance at Fang Junmei, Fan Lanzhou nodded to Song Shede first, saying, “Brother Song, you flatter us. We’ll do our best.”

“Brother Fan, you’re too modest.”

Song Shede naturally continued his compliments.

Soon, Yang Xiaoman and Fang Junmei joined them, exchanging pleasantries in rare camaraderie. Together, they headed towards the mountaintop.

…

“Junmei, I heard you went out on a mission.”

Once inside the courtyard and seated, Fan Lanzhou said, “That was too risky. Before advancing to the Dust Realm, don’t leave the mountain again, especially not to places like the Ghost Desert. Some beings deep within even I fear greatly.”

His voice was stern.

Fang Junmei smiled ambiguously.

Fan Lanzhou’s eyes flashed briefly with exasperation. After coming out of seclusion, he had wandered through the Steward Mountain and quickly learned of Fang Junmei’s exploits. He mused to himself that this seemingly gentle junior was, unexpectedly, quite the troublemaker.

Judging by Fang Junmei’s cultivation progress, he would soon reach the Dust Realm, so Fan Lanzhou refrained from saying more.

“Fifth, I heard you met Gu Xijin and were punished by him.”

Linghu Jinjiao, drinking as he spoke, grinned mischievously at Fang Junmei.

“That’s true!” Fang Junmei admitted forthrightly.

“What did you think of him?”

Linghu Jinjiao’s gaze grew profound, as if his question carried hidden meaning.

Fang Junmei pondered briefly before responding, “Unfathomable, with boundless prospects. His spirit and temperament are the most perfect I’ve ever seen. If I hadn’t witnessed it myself, I wouldn’t believe such a person could exist in this world.”

A lofty evaluation, spoken with genuine admiration.

Linghu Jinjiao and the others, perhaps accustomed to such praises for Gu Xijin, showed no surprise. Song Shede, however, patted Fang Junmei’s shoulder warmly, saying, “Brother Fang, your brilliance is no less than Gu Xijin’s. Don’t belittle yourself. One day, you’ll catch up to him.”

His warmth surpassed even Linghu Jinjiao’s, as if he were a true brother. Perhaps only this fellow, who understood the properties of his master’s elixirs, recognized the vast potential hidden within Fang Junmei.

Was he currying favor in advance, or was it genuine affection? Only time would reveal the truth.

Fang Junmei nodded to him.

Fan Lanzhou and the other two observed their closeness, silently exchanging glances.

“I heard you refuse to call him Senior Brother?” Linghu Jinjiao pressed.

Fang Junmei replied calmly, “I only befriend those worthy of friendship, and I only address those worthy as Senior Brother.”

At these words, all four had a flash of keen light in their eyes, sensing a certain quality in Fang Junmei—a man of clear likes and dislikes. This trait was both admirable and problematic.

They glanced at each other, and for a moment, no one spoke, the atmosphere growing somewhat strange.

After a while, Song Shede suddenly slapped his thigh, saying, “Everyone, I forgot my master is waiting. If you have nothing else, I’ll take Brother Fang with me now.”

The others nodded.

Fang Junmei rose to leave with Song Shede.

At that moment, Fan Lanzhou said to Fang Junmei, “Junmei, if you pass today’s trial, I’ll gift you a fine sword upon your return.”

Hearing mention of a fine sword, Fang Junmei’s eyes lit up. He had been worrying about not having enough spirit stones to buy one. Grinning, he replied, “Thank you, Second Brother. For that sword, I must get through this trial today!”

His spirit soared.

The others nodded in satisfaction.

Fang Junmei and Song Shede left the courtyard, riding the clouds away.

Only Fan Lanzhou, Yang Xiaoman, and Linghu Jinjiao remained.

Yang Xiaoman gazed at the sky where Fang Junmei had flown, her eyes drifting in thought. “Second Brother, Third Brother, does our junior remind you of someone?”

“He does, very much so!” Linghu Jinjiao immediately said in a low voice. “If he were still on the mountain, he and Fifth would surely get along. As for Gu Xijin, they feel exactly the same about him.”

“No, if he were here, the two would fight to see who would defeat Gu Xijin first,” Fan Lanzhou declared, his tone certain.

The usually gentle and handsome youth grew somber again, his expression darkening with unspeakable resentment, a chill in his aura.

After speaking, he walked toward his room with hands clasped behind his back.

“You two, no shirking! If you lack spirit stones for cultivation, either practice your sword or refine your spiritual sense!”

He barked coldly.

Yang Xiaoman and Linghu Jinjiao exchanged wry glances.

…

Back to Fang Junmei, after ascending the clouds with Song Shede, they made their way to Medicine King Peak.

Arriving at the grand hall, they found Chunyu Qian already waiting, just as he had in previous encounters.

“Why are you so late?” As soon as they entered, Chunyu Qian scowled, his mood visibly worse than before.

Song Shede hurried to explain, unusually meek.

Whether Chunyu Qian listened or not, after Song Shede finished, he waved him out and closed the hall doors.

“Master Uncle, Brother Song told me you’ve been seeking a cure for my master’s strange illness these years. Has there been any progress?”

After bowing, Fang Junmei asked.

It was only natural that Chunyu Qian, the Sword Immortal of Medicine, was tasked with treating the wandering sage. Not only could he refine elixirs, but his skills in medicine were remarkable; after all, the two arts were inseparable.

“No,” Chunyu Qian replied succinctly.

Fang Junmei asked, “May I know what happened when my master was stricken?”

“It’s not time for you to know,” Chunyu Qian said. “Don’t think too much. Prepare to test the medicine. Moreover, however many years I say you must test it, that’s how many years you’ll test. No shifting the schedule, even if I’m here. As alchemists, timing is everything—once set, it never changes.”

His manner was strict and principled.

Fang Junmei nodded helplessly. Still, he offered thanks.

“This time, the elixir is called the Heartbreaker Pill. When I roamed the cultivation world, I used it to punish and outwit my adversaries.”

Chunyu Qian spoke slowly, his voice growing increasingly sinister.

Perhaps recalling past events, the old man’s eyes were filled with cold hatred.

Upon hearing this, Fang Junmei’s scalp tingled, his heart sinking, and he felt an urge to flee.

What level were Chunyu Qian’s adversaries compared to himself? Could a test of will really be fair when those cultivators had practiced for centuries? Would they be worse than him? Centuries wasted?

This was no way to test medicine!

At that moment, an invisible, mountain-like weight pressed down upon Fang Junmei, pinning him relentlessly.

“Don’t think of running!”

Chunyu Qian seemed to see through his thoughts, saying coldly, “You must face this trial. For your master’s sake, I’ve sacrificed so much cultivation and alchemy time—just for that debt, you owe me this.”

Fang Junmei smiled bitterly.

Chunyu Qian produced a pitch-black pill, its color deeper than the darkest night, yet emitting a strange fragrance.

“Open your mouth.”

He stepped to Fang Junmei, sealing his spiritual sense and power, and commanded.

Knowing escape was impossible, Fang Junmei drew a deep breath to steady himself, and opened his mouth.

Whoosh—

Chunyu Qian flicked his finger, and the black pill shot into Fang Junmei’s mouth.