Autumn Equinox.
Osmanthus flowers bloomed on both sides of Evil Qi Road.
Being beneath the Long River, unable to receive sunlight year-round, Evil Qi Road never planted living things—only strange rocks, ruins and rubble, like the Yellow Springs Road.
Someone unknown planted two rows of osmanthus trees on both sides of Evil Qi Road’s long street, deliberately nurturing them with spiritual power. In just a few months, they grew from saplings into towering trees. At the autumn equinox, they finally bloomed with golden osmanthus flowers, richly fragrant.
Just after dawn, white frost mist lingered on osmanthus branches without dispersing.
Yu Tuishan hadn’t slept all night. Propping his chin, sitting on the steps at Evil Qi Road’s entrance, he asked from time to time: “Has Ling’er returned yet?”
A nearby water mirror transmitted Yan Yue’s voice: “No.”
“So slow.” Yu Tuishan yawned. “He said he’d return very quickly.”
Yan Yue didn’t respond.
Yan Ling’s “very quickly” kept Yu Tuishan waiting most of the day.
Not until afternoon did a familiar figure appear at Evil Qi Road’s entrance.
Yu Tuishan, drowsy from yawning, suddenly stood up and hurried forward.
Yan Ling reeked of blood. A faint blood trace remained on his cheek. He impatiently wiped it away casually. Gripping his sword, his whole body displeased, beautiful eyes full of coldness. His indifferent gaze made Yu Tuishan shiver.
“What is it?” Yan Ling only wanted to rest now, speaking bluntly. “If it’s nothing major, court is dismissed.”
Yu Tuishan sidled forward like a lackey, taking Yan Ling’s blood-stained sword, grinning: “Don’t dismiss court yet. This humble one has matters to report.”
Yan Ling: “Speak.”
Yu Tuishan blinked: “Today is the autumn equinox.”
Yan Ling frowned: “So?”
Yu Tuishan choked, saying dryly: “You forgot? Today is your birthday. Shouldn’t—shouldn’t we celebrate?”
“This is your important matter?” Yan Ling said irritably. “What’s there to celebrate about that? I haven’t slept in half a month. I’m very tired.”
Yu Tuishan couldn’t empathize with others. If it were someone else, he’d definitely think “your tiredness is none of my business, I’ll celebrate anyway.” But seeing Yan Ling’s exhausted expression, after hesitating he said decisively: “Then let’s—let’s go home.”
Yan Ling hadn’t expected him to be so efficient without half a word of nonsense. But not thinking much, he nodded and followed Yu Tuishan back.
Evil Qi Road was empty today. Yu Tuishan had sealed all entrances to prevent anyone unwise from entering and harming the osmanthus trees.
Yan Ling’s expression weary, his mind blank only wanting sleep. The spiritual power in his earring’s spirit bead nearly depleted, sounds growing smaller and smaller, almost inaudible.
Yu Tuishan walked alongside him, looking at the dim spirit bead on his earring, frowning: “The poison in your body… can it be cured?”
Yan Ling vaguely heard, shaking his head: “Madam Wan says we need to gather spiritual herbs. At least a few years.”
Yu Tuishan said “oh” sullenly.
Yan Ling’s hearing had merged with the xiangwen ‘Idle Listening Sound.’ Even if Yu Tuishan forcibly extracted or completed the xiangwen, it probably couldn’t restore his ears to their original state.
The two walked forward in silence.
Yu Tuishan didn’t dare speak to disturb Yan Ling, only constantly glancing at him, probably wanting to see when he’d finally react.
But Yan Ling was too tired, never raising his head to look around.
Not until the two were about to exit the long street—Yu Tuishan already dejected enough to sprout mushrooms—did Yan Ling’s chaotic mind finally gain a thread of clarity, belatedly aware of the familiar scent that had lingered around his nose since entering Evil Qi Road.
Osmanthus fragrance.
Yan Ling finally raised his head, turning back in a daze.
The vast Evil Qi Road long street stood empty—probably when “Xi Jue” had his coming-of-age ceremony, Yu Tuishan had seen lanterns and thought the ceremony required hanging them, so he hung every single pillar on the long street completely full of lanterns.
Under candlelight reflection, towering trees on both sides of the road bloomed full of osmanthus flowers.
Fragrance filled the air.
Yan Ling froze: “Osmanthus trees?”
When could Evil Qi Road grow living trees?
Yu Tuishan, seeing he finally noticed, immediately sidled over seeking credit: “Yeah, they grew! Do you like them?”
Yan Ling’s brain couldn’t turn anymore. Unlike usual, he didn’t banter or say the opposite. He nodded lightly.
“Mm.”
Seeing him a bit happier, Yu Tuishan put his arm around his shoulders and returned with him to Evil Qi Road’s residence.
All of Evil Qi Road was filled with osmanthus fragrance. Yan Ling lay on the bed and in less than half a quarter-hour, he completely fell into deep sleep in the familiar, reassuring scent.
He slept until nightfall. Yan Ling’s entire body felt almost melted from sleep. Struggling to sit up, he was dazed for a long while before regaining consciousness.
Yu Tuishan sat on the railing outside the small courtyard, blowing tunes on tree leaves. Though the performance was difficult to describe, after Yan Ling listened carefully for a while, he realized he was blowing the melody the Xi family musicians played at the coming-of-age ceremony years ago.
Yu Tuishan probably only remembered a few notes, blowing them over and over. Even Yan Yue was so annoyed he’d hidden in the mirror.
Yan Ling put on his outer robe and walked out of the inner room on unsteady legs, saying meaningfully: “Stop blowing. It’s so noisy.”
Yu Tuishan, leaf in mouth, turned and grinned at him: “You’re finally awake. I thought you’d sleep through your twentieth birthday.”
Yan Ling walked to his side and sat on the railing with him, looking at the distant Evil Qi Road long street under the tranquil night—brightly lit yet empty.
Yan Ling drank some water. His throat finally felt better. Lazily, he said: “Why did you plant so many osmanthus trees?”
Yu Tuishan: “As your coming-of-age gift.”
Yan Ling froze.
Coming-of-age?
Only then did he belatedly realize—he was already twenty years old.
Yu Tuishan draped his arm over Yan Ling’s shoulder, boasting: “What else do you want? Your brother can get you anything, just say the word.”
Yan Ling shook his head.
Two years ago, “Xi Jue’s” coming-of-age ceremony was so tragic—how could he be in the mood for any coming-of-age gifts?
Besides, Yu Tuishan was already twenty-two and didn’t even have a courtesy name. But he didn’t care at all, happily going by his randomly chosen name. Yan Ling himself had even less desire for a coming-of-age ceremony.
“But you should start using your courtesy name now.” Yu Tuishan said. “Besides, on such a beautiful night, little Ling’er has finally grown up. How about your brother takes you to ‘indulge in romance’ at Evil Qi Road?”
Yan Ling: “…”
Yan Ling nearly rolled his eyes, casually swatting Yu Tuishan’s hand away: “Get lost. Go play by yourself.”
Yu Tuishan persistently put his paw back, grinning: “What, still pining for that little mute?”
Yan Ling glared at him, instinctively retorting: “He’s not a mute…”
After speaking, he regretfully slapped his mouth, face turning green as he wrapped his robe and prepared to leave.
Yu Tuishan laughed heartily, chasing after him: “Where are you going?”
“Medical hall.”
“That broken medical hall.” Yu Tuishan said. “I checked out that location—it’s really shabby. The whole alley barely has a few shops. Opening there will definitely lose you money.”
Yan Ling: “I’m not doing it for profit.”
“Oh, alright.” Yu Tuishan thought for a moment, then tossed a storage ring to Yan Ling. “Here, birthday gift.”
Yan Ling caught it, puzzled: “Didn’t you already give me the osmanthus trees?”
“That’s so cheap though.” Yu Tuishan said extravagantly. “Making up for all your gifts from previous years.”
Yan Ling couldn’t help laughing. He knew Yu Tuishan always had this inexplicable compensatory mentality. Not refusing, he accepted it straightforwardly.
His gaze inadvertently fell on Yu Tuishan’s waist, asking puzzled: “Where’s the sword I gave you last month?”
Yu Tuishan coughed guiltily.
To forge that sword, Yan Ling had spent a long time searching for sword stone before finally obtaining a good blade. Yu Tuishan had been very pleased at the time, carrying the sword everywhere.
Now it was gone.
Yan Ling looked at him suspiciously: “What happened?”
“It broke.” Yu Tuishan had to confess honestly. “A few days ago someone caused trouble at Evil Qi Road. I happily took the sword to stop them. Didn’t expect that after killing just two people, the sword was shattered into fragments by Tianyan spiritual power. Not even the hilt remained.”
Yan Ling: “…”
Yu Tuishan drooped miserably—if he had a tail, it would definitely be hanging down.
Yan Ling said helplessly: “It’s fine. That sword stone probably wasn’t very sturdy. Later I’ll find better material to forge you another sword.”
Yu Tuishan thought Yan Ling would scold him. He never expected to receive such a wonderful promise. Flattered, he said: “Why are you so easy to talk to today, Ling’er? Have you been possessed?”
Yan Ling looked at him expressionlessly and suddenly beat him up.
Yu Tuishan said: “That’s more like it.”
Yan Ling: “…”
But until the very end, Yan Jianlan never found sword stone that could withstand pure Tianyan spiritual power.
Yu Tuishan had no name, no courtesy name, not even a natal sword.
Coming with nothing, leaving with nothing.
Another year’s autumn equinox—August twenty-eighth.
Early in the morning, Yan Jianlan sat for a while in Evil Qi Road’s osmanthus grove before slowly returning to Yanwen Medical Hall in Helpless Alley.
Thinking carefully, over these six years, Yu Tuishan always gave Yan Jianlan piles of gifts on his birthday. Perhaps it wasn’t to compensate for those eight years of past suffering, but to make up for the decades of birthdays after his departure as well.
Though Yan Jianlan gave Yu Tuishan gifts every year, most were foods—seeing he loved eating so much, he’d search the Thirteen States for delicacies he hadn’t tried. Sometimes mountains of food—Yu Tuishan could finish them all in one night.
But looking at it now, Yan Jianlan only felt melancholy and bitterness.
Yu Tuishan couldn’t taste anything. No matter how exquisite or rare those things were, they were just unpalatable wax.
Yan Jianlan was dejected all the way.
Returning to Helpless Alley’s medical hall, before even opening the door, he heard Qin Banban’s chattering voice, endlessly noisy. Yan Yuhu also seemed to be saying something.
Yan Jianlan pushed the door open. Sweeping his gaze inside, he saw Sheng Jiao sitting there with a cold face, a plate of blackened something in front of him.
Seeing him return, Qin Banban immediately rushed over to complain: “Brother Lan, come look quickly! What kind of skill is this?”
Sheng Jiao remained silent.
Yan Jianlan’s empty heart was gradually filled. Puzzled, he walked forward to look at the thing on the table: “What is this? Charcoal-grilled tofu blocks?”
Sheng Jiao: “…”
Yan Yuhu had prepared a table full of food at another table. Seeing this, he desperately suppressed his laughter: “Shixiong, that’s osmanthus cake.”
Yan Jianlan: “…”
Yan Jianlan was shocked, saying in astonishment: “What kind of divine being could turn steamed osmanthus cake black?”
Everyone fell silent.
After asking, Yan Jianlan regretted it. Qin Banban’s pastry-making skills were excellent. Yan Yuhu, tormented by him since childhood, also knew some cooking.
—Only Sheng Jiao was left.
“Oh, not bad.” Yan Jianlan stiffly changed the subject, praising dryly: “Black—black is actually quite good. Very novel. I’ve never seen anyone’s pastries be black before.”
Sheng Jiao: “…”
Better not to praise at all.
Sect Master Sheng rarely cooked. Yan Jianlan felt he couldn’t pour cold water on it. While speaking, he picked up the “osmanthus cake” and took a bite, mumbling: “Mm, tastes very good.”
Though he said this, he didn’t even chew—swallowing it straight down.
Sheng Jiao frowned, snatching away the half-eaten piece still in Yan Jianlan’s hand, saying in a low voice: “Don’t eat it.”
But Yan Jianlan raised his arm to dodge his hand, grinning: “Sect Master Sheng made it himself—how could I not eat it?”
Saying this, he swallowed the remaining half in one gulp.
Qin Banban stared at Yan Jianlan dumbfounded: “Brother Lan, you can actually eat that?”
Yan Jianlan glanced at her, transmitting: “What grudge do you have with your master? Can’t you see I’m trying to make him happy? Don’t interrupt. Besides, aside from the appearance not being great, the taste is actually quite good.”
Over these years, Sheng Jiao had taken many disciples. Qin Banban had always been the unshakeable eldest senior sister—highest status, but also most easily tempered by Sheng Jiao.
Qin Banban could endure hardship. No matter if Sheng Jiao made her restrain spiritual power and run ten-plus rounds on ten thousand steps, she never complained once. Wind or rain, even if exhausted to collapse, she’d complete it.
Obedient as she was, Qin Banban wasn’t afraid of Sheng Jiao. She spoke carefreely and without restraint, sometimes poking right at Sheng Jiao’s sore spots.
Like now.
Qin Banban said: “If he only did this once and it turned out like this, I’d praise too. But he’s already made seven or eight pots. This time is simply leaps and bounds of progress.”
Yan Jianlan: “…”
Yan Jianlan fell silent.
Sheng Jiao had probably already heard their transmission. Silently, he put away the remaining half plate of pastries—he’d throw them out later.
In previous years, Yan Jianlan’s birthdays were celebrated at Yan Family Mountain, hosting Zhuxing Zhai friends for drinks and conversation. This year, just the four of them celebrated in Wuyin City. With Qin Banban the chatterbox, it was still lively enough.
After the four finished eating, Yan Yuhu and Qin Banban gave their gifts and left under cover of night.
Yan Jianlan had drunk some wine. The corners of his eyes reddened, he smiled as he lay on the table looking at Sheng Jiao: “Sect Master Sheng, where’s your gift?”
Sheng Jiao had only drunk tea, completely sober. Hearing this, he took out a bead from his sleeve.
Yan Jianlan drunkenly slapped the table laughing: “Why are you giving beads again? My wrists and ankles can’t fit any more!”
Though saying this, Yan Jianlan still skillfully extended his paw and waved it, letting Sheng Jiao put it on him.
Sheng Jiao pressed down his paw, leaning forward slightly closer to him, using one hand to undo his yingluo-fastened earring.
Suddenly unable to hear clearly, Yan Jianlan frowned, mumbling: “What’s wrong?”
Sheng Jiao gently brought that strange bead close to Yan Jianlan’s ear. The bead—like a coiled snake—silently extended its scaled limbs, as if coming alive. It jumped from Sheng Jiao’s fingers, climbing like a swimming dragon onto Yan Jianlan’s ear.
Yan Jianlan shivered all over from the strange sensation, desperately shaking his head: “What is it?”
Sheng Jiao half-supported the side of his face: “Don’t move.”
Yan Jianlan unconditionally trusted Sheng Jiao. He could only obediently stay still, letting that cold thing crawl all over his ear.
The “water dragon” stretched its body. Countless runes carved on it flashed—like intricate law patterns leaving a spiritual power shadow on his ear.
Yan Jianlan blinked in surprise. Without the earring, his ear gradually began hearing sounds.
Sheng Jiao: “Can you hear now?”
Yan Jianlan nodded: “Mm.”
Sheng Jiao tapped the water dragon’s brow. The transparent dragon silently coiled a few circles on Yan Jianlan’s ear, then gradually concealed its form, leaving only an osmanthus-patterned spirit bead hanging from Yan Jianlan’s snow-white earlobe with no string at all—light as willow catkins, not hurting when touching the ear.
Yan Jianlan touched the bead on his ear with no sense of presence in surprise: “This is ‘Hear All Things’? How did you do it?”
Sheng Jiao said: “Had Fu Man make it. This magical artifact isn’t like the previous one—doesn’t need to change spirit beads every few days.”
“Really?” Yan Jianlan seemed to discover something, raising an eyebrow: “Then why do I feel this magical artifact’s aura is so much like yours?”
Sheng Jiao was silent for a while before saying: “Fu Man gave the array. I carved it myself.”
Yan Jianlan knew the ‘Hear All Things’ array was very difficult to carve, saying in surprise: “How long did it take to carve?”
“Half a year.”
Yan Jianlan paused, reaching up to touch his ear. Though no earring rubbed his ear cartilage, his earlobe turned slightly red.
Half a year—had Sheng Jiao been secretly carving arrays in corners every day?
Damn, kind of cute.
Sheng Jiao never engaged in verbal romance, but in trivial details was clumsy yet earnest, striking straight at the heart.
Yan Jianlan always felt his whole life he lost every gamble—extremely unlucky. But now he felt he was already extremely fortunate.
Meeting someone he knew and loved in youth; companions who walked alongside; and family with no blood ties.
When falling into the abyss, someone pulled him back;
No matter where he was, he was valued and cared for.
The autumn equinox moon slanted west, lamplight growing dim.
All the mortal world was beautiful flowing light.
**
(advanced chapters available on kofi)
wannaberecluse On SRTT Chapter 50.1