Chapter 58: I’m Fourteen
“Chirp~”
Deep within the South Red Mountain range, in a stone cave not far from the Fire Spirit Mine rift valley, Hua Changxi was diligently refining pills.
『 First-Rank Alchemist （ High-grade Pill ）: Alchemy 101 Furnaces 101/1000 』
After refining over 100 furnaces of Mid-grade Spirit Origin Pills, the quality of the pills refined subsequently upgraded to High-grade Pills.
After storing the Mid-grade Spirit Origin Pills into the Shen Nong Cauldron, Hua Changxi continued to refine High-grade Pills.
She knew that an alchemy environment like this, where she lacked neither Spiritual Plants nor was disturbed, was not the norm, so she had to seize the opportunity to quickly improve her alchemy rank.
The Spiritual Plants she needed for alchemy were partly collected from the bottom of the West Mountain Stone Cliff previously, and a larger portion was collected around the Fire Spirit Mine.
After obtaining the Fén Jì Divine Ability, Hua Changxi’s combat power increased significantly, and she dared to explore the surroundings of the Fire Spirit Mine.
Where there are Spirit Mines, Spiritual Energy is abundant, naturally leading to no shortage of Spiritual Plants and Spiritual Fruits.
In the valleys around the Fire Spirit Mine, first-tier fire-attribute Spiritual Plants and Spiritual Fruits were everywhere, second-tier ones were not few, and there were even third-tier Spiritual Plants and Spiritual Fruits.
It took Hua Changxi over half a month to explore the surroundings, collecting a large pile of fire-attribute Spiritual Plants and Spiritual Fruits.
“Chirp~”
The rich Incense of Pills from the High-grade Pills attracted a Fire Crow.
“Whoosh~”
The Fire Lotus shot out from the air, covering and trapping the Fire Crow like a net. With a ‘boom,’ the Fire Crow was incinerated into ashes and disappeared into the sky.
Hua Changxi liked coming to the rift valley area.
Refining pills here not only meant she didn’t have to worry about being discovered by outsiders, but when she got tired from refining, she could meditate and cultivate on the spot, or descend into the rift valley to mine Fire Spirit Ore.
If she encountered Demonic Beasts, she could also practice her combat skills.
Hua Changxi was eager to quickly improve her Strength; she was very aware that this Fire Spirit Mine would not remain undiscovered forever.
Once others discovered it, the Fire Spirit Mine would either be seized by the Imperial Court or by Noble Families.
At that time, she feared she wouldn’t even have the chance to get close to this area.
What she needed to do now was to improve herself quickly before others found out.
At the end of April, all tasks at the Medicine Farm were completed, and the Laborers from the Labor Department were to return to the Medical Affairs Department.
Zhu Yu suddenly came to the Medicine Valley, saying he was looking for Hua Changxi. Hua Changxi was not at the South Mountain Great Rift Valley, so the One-armed Man met him.
That evening, when Hua Changxi returned, the One-armed Man told her about it.
“Steward Zhu was looking for me? What did he want?”
“They are returning to the Medical Affairs Department and asked if you were going back.”
This reason seemed plausible, but Hua Changxi didn’t quite believe it. She was just an insignificant Laborer, left behind by a Grandmaster. Steward Zhu didn’t need to make a special trip.
The One-armed Man looked at Hua Changxi: “Are you on good terms with Zhu Yu?”
Hua Changxi looked confused and shook her head: “I didn’t know him at all before. I haven’t spoken more than a few words to him since coming to the Medicine Farm. Master Guo, why do you ask?”
The One-armed Man: “Steward Zhu arrived in the morning and didn’t leave until the afternoon.”
For an ordinary outsider, there was no need to be so attentive.
Hua Changxi frowned: “Did he ask you what I was doing?”
The One-armed Man nodded: “I told him you went into the mountains to gather herbs.”
This was considered covering for Hua Changxi, who immediately thanked him: “Thank you, Master Guo.”
Others in the Medicine Valley might not know what she did all day, but Guo Yu definitely knew she went to South Red Mountain.
“By the way, has Elder You returned yet?”
Upon mentioning Elder You, the One-armed Man’s face showed worry.
Master had originally said he would only be gone for a few days, but now it had been almost a month, and he still hadn’t returned. She wondered if he had encountered any trouble.
If it were before, he definitely wouldn’t have worried. After all, Master was a Grandmaster, and Grandmasters were the strongest individuals with the highest Martial Force.
But now, he wasn’t so sure.
Seeing that he wasn’t speaking, Hua Changxi didn’t want to press further and parted ways with the One-armed Man.
Back at her residence, Hua Changxi thought about Zhu Yu. Besides his impressive beard, she had no other memories of him. She couldn’t figure out why he would make a special trip to inquire about her.
Yes, her intuition told her that Zhu Yu had indeed come to investigate her.
Hua Changxi then thought of Elder You and the One-armed Man. Both had noticed something unusual about her from the beginning. Had Zhu Yu also noticed it like them?
Elder You had discovered her secret using the Spiritual Plants from the cliff bottom. Zhu Yu hadn’t interacted much with her, but her displayed combat power had still caught his attention.
Coupled with the fact that she was personally asked to stay in the Medicine Valley by Grandmaster Elder You, this likely increased Zhu Yu’s curiosity, leading to today’s visit?
Regardless of why Zhu Yu noticed her, it made Hua Changxi sigh that everyone was so shrewd; any slight unusual behavior would attract their scrutiny.
Hua Changxi felt a headache coming on. She couldn’t just stagnate and limit her own development because of these watchful eyes.
Thinking of the One-armed Man who had helped cover for her, Hua Changxi’s eyes flickered.
Whether Zhu Yu believed the One-armed Man’s words or not, the One-armed Man had shielded her from some of the scrutiny.
After entering the Medical Affairs Department, she increasingly realized that fighting alone was not enough.
She was human, and humans had limitations. Often, in many situations, she could only manage one aspect while neglecting another.
It was like in the Labor Department; she focused on cultivation and alchemy, and only learned about the widespread rumors concerning her much later.
This forced her to face others’ ridicule and mockery directly, and to defend herself, she had to engage in direct conflict.
If someone had informed her in advance, she could have avoided some conflicts, thus not having to expose herself so much.
She needed someone to help her keep an eye on the areas she couldn’t manage.
Perhaps, she should cooperate with more people.
Hua Changxi thought of Elder You and the One-armed Man. These two had noticed her peculiarity early on, but instead of immediately probing with force or power, they had obtained concrete evidence and offered Spirit Stones she couldn’t refuse, before exchanging for her secret.
After she told Elder You that there was another path of cultivation besides practicing martial arts, even though he was eager to know what it was, Elder You never sought her out again, nor did he have the One-armed Man monitor her.
People who acted methodically and had principles were the kind she should associate with more.
With this thought, the next day, Hua Changxi, using the excuse that the One-armed Man had blocked Steward Zhu for her, gave him the Earthly Gang Pills that Eunuch Yu had asked her to refine.
The One-armed Man looked at Hua Changxi, sensing that her attitude was no longer as distant as before. He also remembered Elder You telling him to interact more with her, so he accepted the pill.
“Don’t worry, if anyone comes looking for you in the future and you’re not here, I’ll help cover for you.”
Seeing him so understanding, Hua Changxi smiled brightly: “Then thank you, Master Guo. I can also refine Heavenly Gang Pills used by Eighth-Rank Martial Artists. Once Master Guo advances to Eighth Rank, as long as you gather the medicinal herbs, you can come to me anytime to refine pills.”
The One-armed Man also smiled. Pills for Martial Artists above Seventh Rank were not easy to obtain, partly because the medicinal herbs were hard to find, and partly because Alchemists were rare. Knowing such an Alchemist who could refine high-grade pills was a very valuable connection.
“Alright, I won’t be polite then.”
Having reached a preliminary cooperation with the One-armed Man, Hua Changxi became increasingly at ease in her actions around the Medicine Valley in the following days.
Time quietly slipped away as Hua Changxi busied herself with cultivation and alchemy.
In the blink of an eye, it was the sixth day of June.
“Third Brother, Sixth Brother!”
Seeing Hua Sanlang and Hua Liulang appear at the entrance of the Medicine Valley, Hua Changxi was very surprised: “Why are you here?”
Hua Liulang walked up, circled Hua Changxi, and looked her over before saying with mock annoyance: “You forgot, today is your fourteenth birthday.”
“I went to the Medical Affairs Department to find Yu Hui, and Yu Hui said you were left to work in the Medicine Valley. Father and Mother were very worried, so they sent me and Third Brother to check on your situation.”
Hua Changxi of course hadn’t forgotten it was her birthday. It was precisely because she remembered that she had specifically stayed in the Medicine Valley, planning to have lunch with the One-armed Man.
This way, she could both celebrate her birthday and deepen her relationship with the One-armed Man.
It was fortunate she hadn’t left, otherwise, Third Brother and Sixth Brother would have had to wait for her all day.
Watching the siblings chat, Hua Sanlang cupped his fists and thanked Mao Yong, who was leading them: “Thank you, Steward Mao, for taking your time.”
Mao Yong smiled and waved his hand. If he hadn’t wanted to resolve his past grievances with Hua Changxi, he wouldn’t have brought these two outsiders to the Medicine Valley.
Hearing that it was Hua Changxi’s birthday, he had even prepared a gift: a pair of pearl earrings.
“Sister Changxi, my brother and I are both rough fellows. We have offended you many times before, and we hope you can forgive us.”
As Mao Yong spoke, he handed the earrings to Hua Changxi.
Hua Changxi looked at him and smiled as she accepted them: “Thank you, Steward Mao, for bringing my two brothers here.”
Seeing that Hua Changxi had accepted his gift, Mao Yong breathed a sigh of relief: “I won’t disturb your sibling reunion. I’ll head back to the Medicine Farm now.”
Hua Sanlang, Hua Liulang: “Farewell, Steward Mao.”
Before Mao Yong could get far, Hua Changxi took an arm of each brother: “Third Brother, Sixth Brother, Master Guo said he wants to celebrate my birthday with me and invited me to eat at his place for lunch. Come, I’ll take you to meet him.”
“Master Guo is a Seventh-Rank Martial Artist, and his Master, Elder You, is a Grandmaster.”
“I’m telling you, Elder You and Master Guo take especially good care of me. When you go back, tell Father and Mother not to worry about me.”
Listening to the siblings’ conversation, Mao Yong paused his steps, once again feeling fortunate that he had proactively sought to resolve his grievances with Hua Changxi.
He knew about the stone cave halfway up West Mountain. He had been a Steward for so many years and had never gone up there. The fact that Hua Changxi could go up there freely showed that her relationship with Elder You and Guo Yu was indeed very close.
After Mao Yong had walked away, Hua Changxi stopped talking about Elder You and the One-armed Man.
Hua Sanlang lightly tapped Hua Changxi’s head: “Are you on bad terms with that Steward Mao?”
Hua Changxi’s expression was indifferent: “A little bit.”
Hua Liulang’s face showed anxiety: “Did he bully you?”
Hua Changxi let out a scoff: “He doesn’t have the ability to do that.”
Hua Sanlang frowned: “Jiu Niang, you have a fiery temper. When you’re out, it’s best to restrain yourself. Not everyone is as tolerant of you as we are at home.”
Hua Changxi became a little displeased: “How am I fiery-tempered? If someone bullies me, shouldn’t I be allowed to fight back?”
“Also, has the family ever been tolerant of me?”
“Every time I wanted to do something, either this person disagreed or that person refused. If I didn’t obey Grandfather and Grandmother’s discipline, I would either be punished by not being allowed to eat or be locked in a dark room. Is that called tolerance?”
Hua Sanlang’s head ached: “Why do you insist on going against Grandfather and Grandmother?”
Hua Changxi: “I’m not going against them. I am a person, I have my own ideas. You can’t force me to live and act according to Grandfather and Grandmother’s will.”
Seeing the two start arguing again, Hua Liulang quickly separated them: “Jiu Niang, Mother made a lot of delicious food and asked us to bring it to you. Come, take us to where you live, and I’ll open it for you to see.”
Hua Changxi stopped arguing with Hua Sanlang and led the two to the room where she lived.
Seeing that Hua Changxi lived in a communal dormitory, with four male laborers living next door, Hua Sanlang and Hua Liulang were both somewhat worried.
Hua Changxi smiled upon seeing their concern: “I was personally kept here by a Grandmaster, so no one dares to cause trouble for me.”
Hua Liulang asked curiously: “What you said earlier about the Grandmaster and the Seventh-Rank Martial Artist taking good care of you, is it true?”
Hua Changxi chuckled: “Of course. I exaggerated a little just now to intimidate Steward Mao, but it’s more or less true.”
Saying this, she opened the packages her two brothers had brought and took out some food.
“Let’s go, we’re going to West Mountain for lunch.”
Hua Liulang became excited: “Are we really going to have lunch with a Grandmaster?”
Hua Changxi smiled: “The Grandmaster is not here during this period, only the Seventh-Rank Martial Artist is.”
Hua Liulang was a bit disappointed, but seeing a Seventh-Rank Martial Artist was also good. After all, the highest-ranked Martial Artist he had interacted with was his own Eldest Brother, a Sixth-Rank Martial Artist.
Hua Changxi looked at her two brothers; she couldn’t discern their Martial Arts cultivation.
It was unavoidable; they were too weak in her eyes.
It was like an elephant looking at ants; even the strongest among the ants held no weight in the elephant’s eyes.
Hua Liulang saw his sister’s scrutiny and smiled: “My Third Brother and I are both Third Rank now, and the other brothers in the family have also gradually entered the ranks of Martial Artists.”
As Hua Changxi led the two towards West Mountain, she said: “Those pills, daughters can also take them. Don’t just think about yourselves, consider the sisters in the family too.”
Upon hearing this, Hua Sanlang and Hua Liulang did not respond.
The distribution of pills at home was entirely decided by Grandfather; they had no right to comment.
Seeing their silence, Hua Changxi couldn’t help but hum. Thinking that they had traveled a long way to see her, she ultimately said nothing more.
Soon, they reached halfway up the mountain.
The One-armed Man seemed to have known that Hua Changxi’s two brothers were coming, as he had already brought out the wooden table and stools from the stone cave and set them up on the stone cliff.
Hua Changxi smiled at him: “Master Guo, my two brothers have come to celebrate my birthday with me. Let’s have lunch together.”
In the past month or two, Guo Yu and Hua Changxi had interacted more, and both had intended to strengthen their relationship, so they got along quite well.
Hua Changxi introduced her two brothers to Guo Yu. Guo Yu was quite polite, informing the brothers that they could ask him if they had any questions about practicing martial arts.
Being in close proximity to a high-ranked Martial Artist, Hua Sanlang and Hua Liulang were somewhat excited.
The four of them had a harmonious lunch, and then Hua Changxi led Hua Sanlang and Hua Liulang down the mountain.
On the way, Hua Liulang said with a chuckle: “I didn’t expect high-ranked Martial Artists to be so approachable.”
Hua Sanlang was not as carefree as his younger brother. He knew that Guo Yu was being polite to them out of consideration for Jiu Niang, so he couldn’t help but ask: “Jiu Niang, how did you become acquainted with Master Guo?”
Hua Changxi looked at him: “Third Brother, the interactions between people are all about mutual benefit.” She then smiled: “In your eyes, I climbed up to him, but in reality, perhaps he climbed up to me.”
Upon hearing this, Hua Sanlang’s eyes flickered, while Hua Liulang sheepishly scratched the back of his head. At that moment, both brothers had the same thought: Jiu Niang has quite a big mouth!
After descending the mountain, Hua Changxi took Hua Sanlang and Hua Liulang for a stroll around the Medicine Valley.
Looking at the medicinal herbs covering the mountainside, Hua Liulang repeatedly exclaimed: “No wonder you want to stay here and not leave. If I also liked medical skills, I wouldn’t leave either.”
Hua Sanlang was also somewhat impressed with his sister at this moment, willing to stay in such a remote and harsh place to improve her medical skills.
Outsiders were not allowed to stay in the Medicine Valley, so after a brief stroll, Hua Sanlang and Hua Liulang prepared to leave.
Hua Changxi: “Go back and tell Father and Mother that I am doing very well here and they don’t need to worry about me.”
Having personally seen that their sister had a close relationship with a Seventh-Rank Martial Artist, Hua Sanlang and Hua Liulang were indeed much more at ease. After some more instructions, the two brothers left.
Watching the receding figures of her two brothers, Hua Changxi suddenly mused: “I have a Spiritual Meridian, could other members of the Hua Family also have one?”
