Chapter Thirty-Four: The Grand Assembly of Medical Arts

The Pine Source Festival of Jinzhou traces its origins to the tale of the Daoist Immortal Songhe, who single-handedly saved an entire city. Thus, this grandmaster became regarded as a living legend. Every year at this time, renowned physicians from across the land gather here, commencing a grand event dedicated to the art of medicine by Lake Jici.

As the host, Chisong Daoist Temple—being the sect from which Songhe Daoist hails—naturally bears the brunt of responsibility. Not only must they organize the festival, but they also serve as the main challenge for the assembled physicians and healers. Yet, with Songhe Daoist wandering the world and the previous generation's medical grandmaster having passed away, Chisong Daoist Temple has suffered crushing defeats year after year, losing much of its precious medicines.

Recently, Liu Xiyue had overheard her father mention that this year's festival would be unlike any other; even the Governor of Jinzhou would attend in person. Not only would a new leader in the medical arts be chosen, but rumor had it that the governor had prepared a priceless medical treasure as the victor’s reward. This Pine Source Festival would surely be unprecedented in its grandeur.

Liu Xiyue thought that with such a grand event, perhaps Songhe Daoist himself would hear of it and return to Chisong Daoist Temple. Unexpectedly, after hearing her out, Lin You simply shook his head and said plainly, “My master has already passed to immortality and will not be attending this festival.”

“What!” Liu Xiyue cried out in shock. The passing of such a grandmaster would be enough to make the entire martial world of Yu tremble threefold—yet she had learned of it so suddenly? She found it hard to believe, especially as Songhe Daoist was famed for his longevity, the most senior and unfathomable among all the great masters. How could he have passed so quietly?

Seeing her astonishment, Lin You did not elaborate further, nor did he bother to lie or conceal the news of Songhe Daoist’s passing. Songhe Daoist had spent his life wandering the world and healing countless people; even among the other seven grandmasters, over half owed him a great debt. Thus, even with his passing, his reputation remained a talisman—anyone contemplating an attack on Chisong Daoist Temple would have to think twice. Moreover, now that the temple grounds had become a spiritual land, Lin You feared no grandmaster within its bounds; there was no need for further secrecy.

Stunned by the revelation, Liu Xiyue remained lost in thought as they walked back to the Daoist temple. Many halls and pavilions had been damaged by the recent shifts in the earth’s veins, but fortunately, enough intact buildings remained for temporary shelter.

Standing before the True Immortal Hall, Elder Yujing surveyed the ruinous scene with a shake of his head. Though the main halls stood unscathed, the guest quarters were nearly all destroyed, with the few remaining on the verge of collapse.

The thought that the temple would soon host physicians from all over gave Elder Yujing a headache. As he hesitated, Lin You and Liu Xiyue returned from the foot of the mountain. Seeing the devastation, Lin You was taken aback and, for once, looked slightly embarrassed. During the earth’s upheaval, he had been wholly absorbed by the matter of the spiritual spring and had not considered the fate of the halls. Looking at it now, if the tremors had been any worse, the disciples might have been forced to camp in the open.

Elder Yujing approached with a wry smile, saying, “Junior brother, it seems we’ll all have to make do in the main hall tonight.” The guest quarters were now too dangerous to inhabit.

Lin You apologized, “I’m sorry, senior brother. I hadn’t expected the disturbance to be so great.”

Elder Yujing waved his hand dismissively. “There’s no need for apologies among family! Besides, it’s a fair trade—a few ruined buildings for a spiritual spring. That’s a blessing! I’ll be laughing in my dreams tonight.” Though he didn’t yet know the spring’s full value, he was certain it was no ordinary thing—a treasure to strengthen their sect. He would gladly have traded the entire temple for it!

Soon, Elder Yujing noticed the absent look on Liu Xiyue’s face and asked, “Miss Liu, is something the matter?”

Lin You explained what had just transpired. After hearing of Songhe Daoist’s passing, Elder Yujing sighed deeply, placing no blame on Lin You. Though the matter was secret, it could not be hidden forever. “Perhaps it’s for the best,” he said with a bitter smile, “We can’t lean on our grand-uncle’s name forever. Now that the three of us have all reached the rank of grandmaster, it’s our turn to shield the temple from wind and rain.”

Liu Xiyue, now returned to her senses, felt a pang of guilt. She stepped forward resolutely. “Rest assured, Daoist, I will never breathe a word of this. I swear before Heaven—if I break this oath, may I be pierced by ten thousand arrows.”

Lin You chuckled and shook his head. “There’s no need for such vows, Miss Liu. The truth will come out in time, whether we conceal it or not. Our Chisong Daoist Temple is not afraid of outsiders. Should anyone covet our temple, I have my sword, and they are welcome to test its edge.”

As he spoke, his demeanor shifted from gentle humility to one of piercing sharpness, as if he could cleave through anything. Even the faintest trace of this sword intent was enough to leave the others breathless, as if not facing a man, but a divine sword.

Elder Yujing’s eyes widened. He realized that he had never truly seen through this junior brother. Not only could he bring the dead to life and stir the earth’s veins, but now he revealed a supreme mastery of the sword. Though the sword intent vanished in an instant, even with his own grandmaster cultivation, Yujing felt a mortal threat. If Lin You wished to kill him, a single stroke would suffice.

Yet, instead of jealousy, Elder Yujing felt only joy, and his worries for the temple melted away. Heaven, it seemed, still smiled upon Chisong Daoist Temple. Though their grand-uncle had passed, he had left them an even more brilliant disciple—a sign that their ancestors watched over them. Beaming, Elder Yujing began planning to offer extra incense in thanks.

Once Lin You had withdrawn his presence, he returned to his previous gentle and polished manner. Glancing at the ruined guest quarters and the darkening sky, he said to Liu Xiyue, “It seems there’s no way for you to stay here these next few nights.”

Liu Xiyue hesitated, then said, “Daoist Yuchen, I was just thinking of returning to Moonwhite Academy. I’ll come visit again when the festival begins.” She had made up her mind: after bidding her brothers farewell tonight, she would hurry back to Moonwhite Academy and ask her father to support Chisong Daoist Temple during the festival. Her father was well-connected and on good terms with both the Governor of Jinzhou and Lord Carefree, Guo Yi. If Lord Carefree were to intercede, surely the great physicians and healers would not dare make things too difficult for the temple.

With her plan set, Liu Xiyue took her leave. Lin You nodded, then added, “Your Senior Brother Zhang’s uncle is not to be trusted. Be wary of him.”

Liu Xiyue was startled, but then nodded. “I will, thank you.”

Though she replied in earnest, she was not overly concerned. This Uncle Zhang had once been a friend of her father’s in their youth. Though he had changed somewhat, she doubted he would turn against her.