Just past Chen hour (7-9 AM), Wen Yinyue left the cave, carrying an empty cloth bag.
The wound on her wrist had not healed. The bandage she made from her skirt yesterday had loosened, and blood had seeped through, leaving a dark stain on the light brown cloth. Her moon-white silk dress, already torn to her knees, had new rips from brushing against thorns in the forest. Her exposed calves were smeared with dirt and grass.
The cloth strips tied around her embroidered shoes had worn thinner. Walking on the stone path, she could feel the worn spots pressing painfully against her feet.
“Today, I’ll go deeper into the forest. Maybe I can find a safer place.”
She touched her belly and whispered to her child. The memory of the bear attack yesterday still lingered. The strong smell of blood and the sharp claws made her realize the cave could no longer be a permanent safe place — it protected against wind and rain, but had no natural defenses. If another wild animal or enemy appeared, she and her child would have nowhere to run.
She followed the path she had made over the past few days, deeper into the forest. Morning dew wet her skirt hem, chilling her legs. The forest was quiet, filled only with bird songs and the rustling of leaves. Sometimes she could hear the distant sound of a stream.
She walked carefully, constantly scanning the plants around her — looking for new herbs while also watching for danger.
After about an hour, she squatted to examine a plant that looked like Hemostatic Herb when she suddenly heard a soft rustling from the bushes ahead.
Wen Yinyue froze, instinctively reaching for her waist — but it was empty, with only half of her silver belt left. She gripped her wooden spade tightly and watched the bushes.
The bushes moved, and a snow-white spotted deer stepped out. It was small, like a young deer, with blood on its left hind leg. It limped forward, occasionally nibbling at grass, its eyes alert.
“So, it’s an injured fawn,” Wen Yinyue breathed a sigh of relief and lowered her spade.
She looked at the wound — not deep, likely scratched by a hunter’s arrow or a wild animal’s claw. The bleeding had stopped, but it still affected the deer’s movement.
What concerned her was that the fawn wasn’t moving to a safer, lower area. Instead, it headed deeper into the forest, to higher ground, as if searching for something.
“The fawn is hurt but moving deeper… maybe there are healing herbs or a safer place ahead?” Wen Yinyue thought.
In modern times, she had followed her master tracking injured animals. Animals often instinctively sought healing herbs or hidden shelters. The fawn’s behavior caught her interest.
She quietly followed at a safe distance — close enough to see, but not so close as to scare it. The fawn didn’t seem to notice her, limping forward, sometimes stopping to lick its wound before continuing.
After following it for about half an hour, a loud “rumble” came from ahead, like heavy objects hitting something, mixed with moisture in the air. Wen Yinyue quickened her pace, following the fawn around dense bushes — and froze at what she saw.
A waterfall poured down from a cliff dozens of meters high, hitting rocks below and sending up a mist. The sunlight created a faint rainbow in the spray.
Green vines grew around the waterfall, hanging like curtains that partially hid the cliff. The fawn walked along stone steps beside the waterfall, moving slowly toward the hidden area behind the vines.
“Behind the waterfall… could there be something?” Wen Yinyue’s curiosity peaked.
She reached the waterfall, feeling the cool mist on her face and inhaling deeply. The refreshing air seemed to wash away some of her fatigue.
She stepped carefully on the slippery stones, following the fawn, and pushed aside the hanging vines. Behind them, she discovered a cave entrance about the height of a person!
The entrance was completely hidden by vines. Without the fawn leading the way, she would never have found it even if she reached the waterfall.
Wen Yinyue hesitated — the cave was dark and unknown, but thinking of the possible bear behind her and the need for a safe place for her child, she clenched her teeth and entered.
Inside, the cave was dark, with only a little light coming from the entrance, just enough to see the ground. The floor was flat, like it had been walked on many times. There was no musty smell; instead, a faint earthy scent lingered. She slowed her pace, feeling the smooth cave walls with her hands — as if they had been washed by water.
After about ten steps, a faint light and warm air reached her, carried by the wind.
She quickened her pace toward the light. When she stepped out of the cave, the view took her breath away.
It was a small valley surrounded by mountains. Though small, it looked carefully formed — the cliffs were steep, with only the cave as an entrance.
Tall trees filled the valley, their dense leaves letting sunlight through in dappled patterns. The ground was covered with colorful wildflowers — some she knew, like violet ground-ivy and dandelions, and others she had never seen. The air smelled fresh and floral.
In the center was a round pool, with white mist rising from it. Approaching it, she realized the water was warm — a natural hot spring!
She reached the edge and touched the water. It was the perfect temperature, neither cold nor hot. The mist carried a faint sulfur smell, the unique scent of a hot spring.
Walking along the spring, she noticed a few herbs growing in cracks between the stones — herbs she had only read about in the Wen Family Medical Toxin Record.
There was “Ice Skin Grass,” with pale blue leaves like a thin layer of ice, sparkling in sunlight. It cleared heat and detoxified the body, very effective against the “Qianji Yin” toxin, and extremely rare.
On a nearby slope grew a few “Blood Ginseng” plants. Their dark red roots spiraled above the soil. Blood Ginseng nourished blood and energy, perfect for pregnant women and strengthening fetal energy.
“Ice Skin Grass… Blood Ginseng… and a natural hot spring…”
Wen Yinyue knelt, touching the Ice Skin Grass. Its cool leaves sent a shiver through her fingertips. Her voice trembled. “This… this place is made for me!”
She stood and looked around the valley — the cliffs were steep, with only one cave entrance, easy to defend. Even if enemies came, they would have difficulty finding it.
The valley had a hot spring for clean water and healing, rare herbs to suppress toxins and nourish fetal energy, dense trees for building, and enough space to grow herbs or train.
This wasn’t an ordinary valley — it was a hidden paradise!
Wen Yinyue stood in the center, arms outstretched, feeling the warm sun, fresh air, and mist from the spring. All her tension, fatigue, and worry vanished. She laughed, a light, carefree sound echoing through the valley.
“Child, do you hear that?”
She touched her belly, eyes full of tenderness. “We found a home — safe and warm. From now on, we’ll live here. I will train, gather enough herbs, protect you, and wait until you are safely born.”
This was not only a safe place for them but also the foundation for her future. With this hidden, resource-rich valley, she could safely train the Nine Heavens Profound Spirit Technique, grow stronger, and one day seek revenge for the original owner, fighting for true freedom for herself and her child.
“Now, it’s time to build a real home.” Wen Yinyue decided.
She went to the edge of the valley and selected several medium-sized trees. Using her spade and stones, she slowly chopped them down. Progress was slow without an axe, but she didn’t rush. Every cut felt like laying a foundation for the future.
She planned to build a simple wooden house with tree trunks for the frame, leaves and vines for the roof, and dry grass for bedding. The area by the hot spring could be used to plant herbs, including Ice Skin Grass and Blood Ginseng for easy harvesting. The cave could store herbs and supplies and serve as an emergency shelter.
By noon, she had cut several tree trunks and rested against a tree. Sitting by the hot spring with her feet in the warm water, her fatigue gradually faded.
Looking around the valley, her eyes were full of anticipation.
“Wait, Liu family, Wen Wanru… and that unknown young master,” Wen Yinyue whispered.