“Fellow Daoist, don’t toy with me.” The old man looked as if he was about to cry. “That talisman ash still carries spiritual energy—it’s clearly from a high-level talisman. Who would just casually give away such a treasure? And besides, who but a cultivator would choose to wander these mountains in this weather?”
“I was sent here by that talisman, and I don’t even know how to get back.”
“Could it be a Teleportation Talisman?” The old man’s face filled with shock, though a glimmer of hope lingered. “You… you really aren’t a cultivator?”
“I’m not!” She shook her head.
The old man immediately collapsed, the energy draining from him. Just moments ago he had been vigorous, but now he looked like a frost-bitten eggplant, utterly withered.
“Alas, it’s all fate.” He sighed deeply, despondent, and trudged back toward the tree where he had been about to hang himself. Waving his hand, he said, “Forget it, girl, just go!”
Yun Jiao didn’t linger either and turned to take the small path to the left.
“Oh, girl!” The old man suddenly called after her. “It’s best you don’t hurry down the mountain right now.” He pointed at the black mist surrounding them. “See that mist? It’s a sign that the mountain’s deadly gales are about to start. And let me warn you, the gales here cut like blades—they can topple trees that have stood for centuries. You’d best find shelter, or you’ll lose your life.”
Then, as if remembering something, he pointed to the right. “There’s a Taoist temple over there. The gales don’t reach that place. It’s the safest spot to hide.” His expression grew even heavier, his face full of despair. “That used to be my temple. But I just mistakenly ate a poisonous herb. Soon my intestines will rot away and I’ll die. I can’t go back, so I might as well end it now to avoid the pain.”
Yun Jiao paused mid-step, her hand at her side tightening. Then she suddenly turned back and walked toward him.“Why are you coming back?” The old man frowned and waved his hand. “Go, quickly! Once the wind starts you’ll—”
“How long?” Yun Jiao cut him off.
“What?” The old man blinked, not understanding.
“The poisonous herb you ate—how long ago?”
“About a quarter of an hour.”
“Do you have stomach pain? Any diarrhea, vomiting?” she pressed seriously.
“No.” He shook his head. “Just a bit nauseous. Why are you asking this? You’re not even—”
“There’s still time!” Yun Jiao snapped a branch from a nearby tree and strode straight toward him. She pushed him down to sit on a stone, raised the branch, and ordered, “Open your mouth!”
“You… what are you doing?”
“Saving you!”
“What?!”
Before he could react, Yun Jiao shoved the stick into his mouth.
His throat tickled, and a wave of nausea surged. His stomach churned violently, and the next moment he retched, vomiting until the forest rang with the sound. A foul, sour stench spread around them.
The old man crouched, vomiting for a full ten minutes until nothing more came out. Finally he slumped against the tree, utterly exhausted, panting heavily. He glared at Yun Jiao, who hadn’t even flinched. “You… you…” Was this what they called saving someone? It felt more like torture!
But Yun Jiao ignored him, instead glancing at what he had vomited. She interrupted, “The poisonous herb you mentioned… was actually a mushroom?”
“How do you know?” The old man froze, then looked at the half-chewed remains in the mess. Because of his poor teeth, some of the pieces were still intact—mushrooms. Realization dawned, and joy lit his face. “Then… I vomited it out! Does that mean I’m saved?”
“Not necessarily.” Yun Jiao mercilessly dashed his hope. “Do you have salt at your temple?”
“Yes, yes!” The old man nodded vigorously. At last, he realized—he’d stumbled upon a doctor! “The temple’s over there, come with me.”
He pulled up his pants and hurried off to the left. Yun Jiao glanced once at the belt still swinging from the tree branch, then followed him.
Bai Yu felt he had struck gold. This girl named Yun Jiao was simply extraordinary. Not only did she have miraculous medical skills—she had just saved him from deadly seven-star poisonous mushrooms—but she was also a woman of countless talents.
A torn Taoist robe—she could mend it.
Damaged Taoist scriptures—she could read them.
Broken tables and chairs—she could repair them.
A leaking roof—she could patch it.
Food for the temple—she could cook it.
From roofing and carpentry, to sewing and needlework, to music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—there seemed to be nothing she couldn’t do.
And most importantly! Her cooking skills were out of this world. Every dish she made was perfect in color, aroma, and taste! If not for the raging gales outside, the fragrance would probably have drifted for miles. Bai Yu even felt like every meal he had eaten in his life before this was wasted—compared to her food, everything else was pig slop!
Bai Yu couldn’t help but wonder—how did such a delicate-looking girl learn all of this?
Yun Jiao thought for just a moment, then replied solemnly, her face as serious as always: “Because… single dogs have infinite potential! There’s nothing we can’t do.”
Bai Yu didn’t understand what dogs had to do with anything. But seeing her casual, unassuming expression, he was deeply moved.
Look! What a humble and unpretentious child! And so, Bai Yu made a great decision. For the glory of the sect, for the inheritance of the Taoist arts, for the future of the cultivation world—this promising seedling must not be allowed to slip away.
With dedication, he believed, she would one day become the brightest star of their Qingyang branch! She would carry their legacy forward!
…And it definitely wasn’t just because he didn’t want to lose her cooking.
So, while the deadly mountain gales howled outside for days on end, Bai Yu began to subtly indoctrinate—no, persuade—her. He told her stories of the Daoist sect, its glory, its history, its honor. He tried to make her see how lucky and noble it was to become a disciple.
At first, she firmly refused. Then she listened with little interest. Then she began listening calmly. And finally, she couldn’t hold back anymore—she stood up, exhaled deeply, and passionately replied with one word—
“Get lost!”
“……”
Well, everything about this girl was great… except her cold temperament. She never had an expression.
No matter. He had time! He believed that with persistence and effort, someday Yun Jiao would understand just how glorious their—ahem—Daoist sect truly was.
(End of Chapter)