Chapter 213 – Spirits Blossoming (II)

Chapter 213

Spirits Blossoming (II)

I noticed something quite peculiar as we made our way to the Greeting Hall–any patch of dirt that wasn’t a building or a rather narrow pathway between the buildings housed a different kind of herb. Their colors, shapes, and sizes made for a fun little journey, as I never really knew what to expect when we turned a corner.

“There isn’t a lot of space to grow things here,” Cao Xun explained. “Obviously. So, we mostly plant either rather rare medicinal herbs or those that require specific care to grow. For the common ones, we descend into the valley or the nearby mountains. That was actually why we were out this time–we ran out of common mint, so we went out to fetch some.”

“Oh.”

As we walked, he’d describe every herb and what it did, though, to be honest, it went into one ear and out the other. I can barely wrap my head around the things I already know about this world, and learning about alchemy?

… well, it’s tempting. But I have a feeling I’m a bit too old for it. Then again, I do have some nifty experience in pharmaceuticals and such, though just how applicable that knowledge is to this world, I’ve yet to test.

“Gu Hai, take the others to the Guest Hall and settle them in,” Cao Xun said as we came upon a rather beautiful building–it was a single-story, temple-style structure with a wide, flat entrance and gold-embossed eaves, its facade wooden though painted over with a motif of spring.

“Behave, you all,” I warned the kids. Was I worried something was going to happen?

Well, kind of.

Not to them, but by them.

“Yes, Master!”

“They respect you a great deal,” Cao Xun commented as we watched them walk away. I cringed a bit at the statement; while true, it was kind of… underselling it.

“Hm. I’ve been blessed,” I spouted randomly. “I haven’t really been part of the world of cultivation for a long while, so my manners might be…”

“Ah, no need to worry. Sect Master is… khm,” he coughed awkwardly. “He’s a free spirit.”

Oh no.

“Let’s go inside,” he said, and I followed.

The somewhat warm air cooled considerably as we crossed the threshold. An open space welcomed me, with a lot of flowers hanging off the walls and quite a few doors leading to quite a few rooms, I imagine.

“Greetings, Elder Cao!” There was one desk and one chair, atop which a young woman sat, shooting to her feet as soon as we entered and greeting the old man. He nodded back rather curtly, speaking indifferently.

“Is the Sect Master in?”

“Y-yes, he’s just arrived.”

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“Don’t let anyone else in.”

“Yes, Elder Cao!”

Wow.

Strict.

Maybe I should try being a bit more curt, too? Maybe the kids will cool off?

… nah. It’s too late. Besides, it’s not really my style. I always loathed strict teachers and professors and bosses and wanted nothing more than to stab them a few times with a very harmless but slightly painful spoon.

We went into the centermost room, with the doors parting on their own, giving way to a much smaller but also a far more beautiful room. A few kneeling pillows lay organized around a low table, the surroundings decked out with a literal jungle. It wasn’t just flowers or herbs; it was an entire ecosystem, like I wasn’t walking into a room but a nature preserve.