Chapter 148: Lv Shan of the Shan Generation from Tianji Mountain

That day, Tong Zhihuan saw the gentleman carrying a packet of tea leaves up the mountain. The oilpaper wrapping the tea leaves was old and frayed, with many scratches. It must have been stored for a long time.

The tea fragrance was not very strong, but it smelled refreshing. It should be good tea.

Tong Zhihuan smelled the fragrance and couldn’t help saying, “This tea smells really fragrant.”

“Why not try it?” Chen Changsheng asked.

Tong Zhihuan shook his head and said, “No sir, I don’t know how to drink tea properly. I’m afraid I’ll waste it.”

Chen Changsheng pushed the tea over in Tong Zhihuan’s direction.

Tong Zhihuan paused. He glanced at the tea pushed in front of him, scratched his head, and said, “I feel embarrassed, sir.”

“Since it’s already poured out, not drinking it would be a waste,” Chen Changsheng said.

Tong Zhihuan nodded. He cupped the teacup in both hands and took a small sip.

After smacking his lips, Tong Zhihuan recalled the lingering scent in his mouth. He thought for a moment and said, “The taste is bitter at first with a sweet aftertaste. It brings a cooling sensation in the belly. It must be cold in nature and can refresh the mind and cool the heat.”

He blinked and nodded again. “Good tea.”

Chen Changsheng was a bit surprised. He looked at Tong Zhihuan and chuckled helplessly. “You really are…”

Tong Zhihuan scratched his head and said, “I only know a little about medicine. That lets me say a few things. But I truly don’t know how to drink tea properly.”

Chen Changsheng said, “There’s nothing to be shy about. You weren’t wrong. Tea has effects like refreshing the mind, cooling heat, quenching thirst, and fighting warmth. If we talk about it, it could be counted as a kind of medicine.”

“But to just call it a medicine would be too simple.”

Chen Changsheng went on, “The word for tea shows a person among plants and trees. It connects to the Great Dao naturally—peace leads to wisdom. Tea can calm the mind and help us be close to nature. Beyond that, tea leaves hold the real feelings and bonds between people. So it isn’t just the same as a simple dose of medicine.”

Tong Zhihuan nodded, seeming partly to get it. Then he asked, “Sir, you must have drunk lots of tea? What is the tea you drink like? Is it different from tea in the regular world?”

Chen Changsheng paused. He laughed and answered, “I am right here in the regular world. The tea in this cup now should be the best I’ve ever tasted.”

Tong Zhihuan felt these words weren’t entirely true. He asked, “Sir, the idea of ‘best’ in your mouth seems different from how normal people see it.”

Chen Changsheng paused. “Why do you say that?”

Tong Zhihuan asked his question, saying, “You almost never drank the wine in the Side Room. I remember it was sent by the Dragon Lord, so it must be good. But you only like the Autumn Moon Brew from the tavern down the mountain. Shouldn’t the wine in the Side Room be better?”

Chen Changsheng smiled and said, “Sometimes, you can’t use taste alone to tell if it’s good or bad. People who truly love wine and tea often don’t feel that way just because of flavor.”

Trustingly, Tong Zhihuan replied, “Sir, I still don’t quite get it.”

Chen Changsheng looked at him calmly. “It’s the feelings carried inside the wine and tea. Like that wooden talisman you wear on your neck.”

Tong Zhihuan looked down at the wooden talisman hung around his neck.

He touched it and thought about the gentleman’s words.

It was very, very hard for Tong Zhihuan to grasp ideas. Even though he knew medicine well, he often felt slow with other things. Sometimes, no matter how hard he thought, he couldn’t understand their meaning.

Yet, the moment he touched the talisman, he seemed a little bit to get it. He muttered to himself.

“Seems like… I kind of get it now…”

Just like the talisman, it was an ordinary bit of wood. But because it was gifted by Miss Tao’er, it mattered much more.

As for the gentleman, he must have drunk finer tea before.

The reason he called this one the best was probably that it was sent from a long way away by that simple, humble old man. It held kind thoughts inside.

Tong Zhihuan seemed to also grasp why the gentleman loved wine so much.

He just didn’t know whose memories and feelings were in that wine…

Were they from old friends of the gentleman?

Tong Zhihuan didn’t dare think further. He simply lowered his head to stare at the tea and ponder.

He felt that there must be a large lesson in all this.

…

The night before, a fierce gale arose. It carried the mountain’s fallen leaves right into the temple.

The early morning air by the mountain stream was thick with moisture. A light mist settled on the peaks. Seen from far off, it looked like a mountain reaching the sky.

Tao’er rose early to clear the leaves from the yard.

She swept them into a pile. Then she pushed the heap over to pile it up beside an old, withered tree.

She looked up to put away the broom.

Then, unexpectedly, she heard a cry pierce the distant mist and clouds.

“Kreee!”

Tao’er lifted her head. She saw a pale shape streak swiftly out from the clouds on wings whiter than bone.

With each spread of its wings, the snowy crane dispersed the mountain valley’s clinging mist—its call, a summons from the very sky itself.

Tao’er hadn’t been paying much mind before. But then she suddenly glimpsed a rider upon the great crane’s back.

Her brow furrowed. She looked again.

Tao’er’s gaze seemed to attract the crane’s notice above the clouds.

“Kreee!”

A keening call rang out once more.

The snowy crane, perched on the clouds, wheeled and made for the Flowing Cloud Temple.

Seeing this, Tao’er froze briefly. Then she started for the temple gate.

As the great crane drew nearer, Tao’er got a clearer look at the rider perched upon its back.

The white crane alighted beside the Flowing Cloud Temple.

On its back sat a figure who leapt down gracefully and landed surefootedly in the temple’s entryway.

The visitor wore pale blue robes tied at the waist. His dark hair was bound atop his head. Worry clouded the edges of his gaze as he searched the quiet clearing.

“A demon?” Lv Shan’s heart skipped a beat, wondering if he’d come to the wrong place.

He stiffly glanced up at the gates. The plaque above read Flowing Cloud Temple in bold strokes. He hadn’t mistaken the place.

Tao’er asked, “Who are you?”

Lv Shan started. He swiftly offered a humble salute. “This lowly disciple is Lv Shan, of the Shan Generation from Tianji Mountain. My humble presence requests Mr. Chen.”

His tone quickened. “It is vital!”

Tao’er blinked.

He sought the gentleman?

“Set yourself to wait a moment.” Tao’er shut the temple gate securely. Then she turned on her heel and strode back within.

She told the gentleman about the visitor who stood outside.

“Lv Shan? On an urgent matter?” Chen Changsheng set his book aside and rose instantly. Then he swept past her towards the temple gates.

Lv Shan fidgeted distractedly just beyond the gatehouse, pacing fretfully as he wrung his hands.

“Creak…” The door groaned softly as it swung open, and Lv Shan spun sharply.

A green-robed figure stepped into view from the darkened interior. Lv Shan paused a moment before venturing quietly, “Is it your honored self, Mr. Chen?”

Chen Changsheng inclined his head. “What brings you to seek me?”

Lv Shan visibly drew himself up at the query. “My master-uncle secretly observed the Heavenly Secrets, but suffered heaven’s retribution. Now he lies near death. He bid your aid at the Flowing Cloud Temple.”

Lv Shan’s eyes widened. “Please, save my master-uncle, sir!”

Chen Changsheng cocked his head. “Your master-uncle?” Lv Shan blurted, “Zhong Zhengyuan! Master-uncle Zhong!”

The words struck Chen Changsheng like a blow. Respects tightened within him, but he recovered in an eye’s blink. “Lead the way.”