This afternoon, Bai Jimu was learning to identify herbs with Minister Li.
“Minister Li, is this really Poria?” Bai Jimu held a piece of herb, his face full of doubt. “Why do I remember Poria doesn’t look like this?”
Minister Li carefully adjusted his lapel and said seriously, “According to the Compendium of Materia Medica, Poria is formed by the spiritual qi of pine roots. Its color is white, its texture hard…”
“Get to the point!” Bai Jimu couldn’t help interrupting.
“It’s a potato,” Minister Li said calmly.
Bai Jimu: “…”
Ming Shu rolled around laughing on the windowsill.
One evening, a few days later, while Bai Yanzhou was studying the meteorite core in the backyard, Director Yuan appeared silently behind him.
“Imperial Preceptor Bai,” Director Yuan looked grave. “There is something I must tell you.”
Bai Yanzhou didn’t look back. “About Xiangliu?”
“More than that.” Director Yuan lowered his voice. “During the time we were controlled, we learned a secret—Xiangliu’s seal can only hold for another three months at most.”
Bai Yanzhou paused his movements. “Three months?”
“Yes.” Director Yuan nodded. “And… Xiangliu has already sent out his envoys to search for the other meteorite core fragments.”
Just then, Bai Jimu’s shout came from the front yard. “Bro! Come look! The meteorite core is reacting!”
Bai Yanzhou walked quickly to the front yard.
The meteorite core on the counter was glowing, the stars inside revolving and pointing southeast.
Ming Shu narrowed her eyes. “That direction… is the Ailao Mountains.”
Coal Ball leaped onto the windowsill, looking southeast, a trace of worry flashing in his golden pupils.
Bai Yanzhou gently stroked the meteorite core, feeling the faint resonance coming from it. “It seems we have to go meet this old friend.”
Minister Li stepped forward, adjusting his lapel. “According to ancient texts, the Ailao Mountains are filled with miasma and poisonous insects. We need to be fully prepared.”
General Chen patted his chest armor. “Don’t worry! With me here, we fear no poisonous insects or fierce beasts!”
Director Yuan counted on his fingers. “Three days from now is an auspicious day, suitable for travel.”
The meteorite core continued to emit a faint light on the counter, pointing southeast.
The atmosphere in the clinic was heavy.
Everyone understood this trip was inevitable.
Bai Yanzhou pondered for a moment, then began to arrange things methodically. “Director Yuan, you are responsible for organizing all the herbs we might need, especially antidotes and anti-miasma formulas.”
“Yes, sir!” Director Yuan responded immediately, walking quickly to the medicine cabinet to start searching.
“General Chen, go prepare the necessary equipment. Remember, we need to travel light.”
General Chen clasped his fists in acknowledgment. “This general understands!”
“Minister Li,” Bai Yanzhou looked at the old official adjusting his collar. “Consult all records regarding the Ailao Mountain seal, especially those concerning Xiangliu.”
Minister Li bowed solemnly. “This official will do his utmost.”
Bai Jimu leaned forward impatiently. “Bro, what about me?”
“You learn basic self-defense from Ming Shu.” Bai Yanzhou glanced at Ming Shu leaning by the window. “The Ailao Mountains are full of danger. You can’t rely entirely on others for protection.”
Ming Shu straightened up lazily. “Teach this dumb dog? That’ll be a chore.”
“I’m not dumb!” Bai Jimu retorted unhappily, though his tail popped out unconsciously and wagged.
A hint of a smile flashed in Bai Yanzhou’s eyes before he turned serious again. “As for the clinic…”
Before he could finish, Coal Ball suddenly jumped down from the windowsill, rubbed against Bai Yanzhou’s leg, carrying a business card in his mouth.
Bai Yanzhou took it and saw it was Lin You’s contact information.
“You really thought of everything.” Bai Yanzhou gently rubbed the top of Coal Ball’s head.
Coal Ball narrowed his eyes in enjoyment, letting out a satisfied purr.
Ming Shu raised an eyebrow at the sight. “Seems a certain cat is better at acting spoiled than a certain person.”
Bai Yanzhou coughed lightly and withdrew his hand. “Since that’s the case, let’s ask Lin You to help look after the clinic. With the three old officials assisting, there shouldn’t be any mistakes.”
Bai Jimu asked curiously, “Bro, you seem to trust that Lin You a lot?”
“He is Xuan Lin’s younger brother.” Bai Yanzhou’s tone was calm but carried an imperceptible warmth. “Although they chose different paths, he is, after all, the descendant of an old friend.”
Ming Shu keenly caught the change in Bai Yanzhou’s tone and smiled meaningfully.
Only Bai Jimu tilted his head in confusion.
Who is Xuan Lin? I think I heard Bro calling Coal Ball ‘Xuan Lin’ a couple of days ago.
For the next three days, the clinic was unusually busy.
Director Yuan directed everyone in sorting herbs.
Ming Shu prepared various potions while teaching Bai Jimu self-defense.
General Chen was busy organizing luggage.
Minister Li buried his head in books all day, occasionally looking up to provide important information.
Coal Ball stayed by Bai Yanzhou’s side, sometimes helping to pass herbs, sometimes lying quietly nearby while Bai Yanzhou studied ancient texts.
Whenever Bai Yanzhou fell into deep thought, the cat would nudge the back of his hand gently with his head at just the right moment.
“You’re certainly more thoughtful than someone I know,” Ming Shu teased once, upon seeing this.
Bai Yanzhou stroked Coal Ball’s fur, a tenderness in his eyes that he didn’t even notice himself. “He has always been very sensible.”
This sentence seemed to be about Coal Ball, but also seemed to be about an old friend.
By the evening of the third day, everything was ready.
Lin You arrived at the clinic on time.
As soon as he entered, he sighed exaggeratedly. “Teacher Bai, my brother insisted I come help watch the shop. My shooting schedule is booked until next month.”
Despite his words, he took the clinic keys from Bai Yanzhou efficiently. “But since Teacher Bai asked, I definitely had to come.”
Bai Yanzhou nodded slightly. “Thanks for your trouble. With the three old officials here, it shouldn’t be too busy.”
Lin You glanced at the three old officials who were diligently organizing herbs and laughed. “With these three seniors here, I might actually be able to slack off.”
“Also.”
Lin You clapped his hands, and a row of well-trained staff appeared behind him.
“I brought my own medical team. Teacher, you can rest assured!”
Seeing this, Bai Yanzhou felt he could leave with peace of mind.
Before leaving, Bai Yanzhou spoke to Coal Ball alone. “While I’m gone, look after the house properly.”
Coal Ball rubbed against his palm, his golden pupils full of reluctance to part.
Bai Jimu shouldered his pack and shouted excitedly, “Bro, we’re all ready!”
Ming Shu checked the final medicine box and said coolly, “Hope a certain dumb dog doesn’t drag us down.”
“I won’t!” Bai Jimu retorted immediately.
Bai Yanzhou took one last look at the clinic, his gaze lingering on Coal Ball for a moment, then turned around. “Let’s go.”
In the darkness, the group set off on their journey to the Ailao Mountains.
No one noticed Coal Ball standing on the roof of the clinic, watching their receding figures, his golden pupils flickering with complex light under the moon.