Chapter Text
Tucked into Mu Renshu’s sleeve is the long overdue book from the Qing Jing peak library. For later, he tells himself, flying down the mountain. He lands lightly just outside of the village, but he doesn’t assume his disguise.
He thought about it on the way down. Better to tell the truth first and deal with the consequences, Mu Renshu decides.
Xiang Daifu’s apothecary is located behind the Blue Orchid restaurant at the south end of town. Mu Renshu walks through the narrow alley and up the short steps to knock on Xiang Daifu’s door.
“Jinhai, about time you showed up! Come in, then, stop standing around like a lump!”
Snickering, Mu Renshu opens the door. There’s an older man sitting at the table, making notes on a sheet of paper.
“You’re not Jinahi,” Xiang Daifu says, squinting. “What do you want?”
“This Mu Renshu begs forgiveness.” Mu Renshu says, bringing his hands together in a deep bow. “This Mu has long been under a memory curse, and was recently treated by two senior healers of Qian Cao, who removed the memory block.”
“Stand up straight, boy,” Xiang Daifu barks impatiently. “What does all that have to do with me?”
“Yes, Daifu.” Mu Renshu chews his lip. “It’s just that. I woke from the curse yesterday and discovered that ten years have passed. Unfortunately, the curse contained a failsafe. When it was broken, it wiped all of my recollection of the past decade.” When Xiang Xue doesn’t respond, Mu Renshu plows on ahead. “In those ten years, this Mu was named the succeeding disciple, and in fact has been Lord of Qian Cao.”
Xiang Daifu removes his spectacles and eyes him carefully. “I’ve met Lord Mu, you know. You don’t look anything like him.”
Smiling a little, Mu Renshu says, “I shaved the mustache.”
The older man barks out a laugh. “Good for you, boy! You don’t seem like a peak lord, though. You may as well sit.”
Gratefully, Mu Renshu does so. “My friends told me that I came to you disguised. I very much wanted to apologize for the deception. I wish I could explain his thought process, but I can not.”
“No wonder Jinhai was such a good doctor.” Xiang Daifu tells him. “He was good with the river folk. I knew whatever cultivation thing he did to that other man was too powerful for a disciple.”
“Ah,” Mu Renshu says, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yes. We saved Peak Lord Shang, Daifu.”
“You need to figure out why your people don’t trust you up there, boy. Probably because you were walking around like a golem, empty inside.” Xiang Xue informs him bluntly.
Wincing a bit, Mu Renshu nods. “I agree, Xiang Daifu. Thankfully, my two closest friends are senior healers. They’ve been helping me.”
“Do you still remember how to be a doctor?” The older man demands. “We have a lot of work today.”
Mu Renshu smiles. “It’s one of the few things I do remember, actually.”
Xiang Daifu does not take him at his word, and puts him through a short verbal quiz. Mu Renshu finds that the rapid fire questions are easy to answer. He doesn’t think about his responses, just blurts them out. It’s as demanding as any exam Mu Renshu’s Hallmaster’s set up on the mountain. He tells Xiang Daifu this, and the other man snorts.
“I’m glad this old man measures up to your fancy teachers, boy,” Xiang Xue grumbles. “I hope you have comfortable shoes on. We’ll be walking a lot. After we see to some of the local farmers, we have to stop by the brothel. One of the girls there is due any moment.”
*
Mu Renshu offers to fly them both out to the farm they’re visiting, and Xiang Daifu cuffs him on the back of the head. “Boy, do you think I want to be up in the air? I’m not a bird, my feet are staying on the ground.”
He has to work hard to keep from breaking into laughter. “Yes, Daifu,” Mu Renshu tells him meekly.
True to his word, the walk out to the farm takes just under half a shichen. The day is bright and sunny, so Mu Renshu doesn’t mind too much. Besides rice, they also grow millet. There’s plenty of animals around too- especially chickens and rabbits.
They get to work.
This is a follow up visit. Xiang Daifu has been treating Yao Chen for an infected foot wound that became gangrenous. He’s already amputated several toes, and now the man is in danger of losing his forefoot.
Mu Renshu doesn’t bother telling the man that his chances of healing would be better if they did an amputation higher up. Xiang Xue is a good physician, he’s surely had that conversation already. So Mu Renshu spends time with Yao Chen, finding out how he’s coping with his limited mobility.
As to be expected, the farmer is struggling. He doesn’t say so directly, but Mu Renshu gets the feeling that this man doesn’t know what to do with himself, if he’s not actively working on the farm.
Mu Renshu kind of relates. A lot. Although he’s supposed to be sticking to mortal medicine, he can’t resist a tiny peek to see if this farmer has any spirit veins. And to his surprise, Yao Chen does! Turns out, he even has a son that’s a cultivator on An Ding peak!
“If Xiang Daifu can forgive this one,” Mu Renshu says, “There is something this one can do.”
Nodding tightly, Xiang Daifu agrees, crossing his arms over his chest. “Very well.”
Kneeling next to Yao Chen, Mu Renshu explains, “Your spirit veins are open, which means even though you’re not cultivating your own spiritual energy, they’re capable of carrying it. And that makes possible a great deal of other treatments.” With permission, Mu Renshu scans the man. The problem is immediately clear. One of the arteries supplying blood flow to the foot is partially blocked.
This could have happened via several pathways. He may have developed a deep vein clot first, and then developed a secondary infection. The problem may have stemmed from something like an infection in his heart which then showered tiny pieces of bacteria downstream which eventually blocked blood flow to the affected limb, delaying healing.
Regardless, Mu Qingfang can fix this! The certainty is just something he knows, like he knows the shape and contour of his hands. He closes his eyes, concentrating. Using his spiritual energy alone, he finds the meridians close to the blocked artery. By manipulating the flow of energy, he slowly approaches the block from two directions. He puts a temporary seal on the artery, and bisects it in the middle. It’s only then that he sends his qi into the artery itself, cleaning out the debris stuck to the innermost layer. Once that’s done, he brings the ends of the artery back together, and forms his spiritual energy into internal sutures. Well, the procedure isn’t exactly the same, but the qi does what he needs it to, sealing the artery back together.
Cautiously, he wraps his qi around the anastomosis point, reinforcing it. He then cuts it off completely from himself, leaving it on the outside of the artery proper. Used this way, the junction point should be able to heal well. As for Yao Chen’s foot wound…
Mu Renshu comes back to himself, blinking at Farmer Yao’s foot. Rising to his feet, Mu Renshu says, “How do you feel, Yao Chen?”
Beside the farmer, Xiang Xue’s brows are furrowed, and his gaze focused on the farmer’s bare foot.
Yao Chen wiggles his toes. Already the color of the skin has improved from a gray tone with dusky areas, to a nice healthy pink. “Most of the pain is gone!”
“What did you do?” Xiang Xue demands, gripping Mu Renshu’s arm.
“Well, I.” Mu Renshu shrugs helplessly. “One of the blood vessels that delivers blood to his foot was blocked. I, ah. Cleared the blockage.” He chews his lip, and looks away.
“And how exactly did you manage that feat?” Xiang Xue presses while Yao Chen’s gaze swivels back and forth.
“I bisected the artery from the inside, cleaned it out, and reattached it,” Mu Renshu explains.
Xiang Xue blinks. “That’s. Impossible.”
Sheepishly, Mu Renshu grins. “I guess Mu Qingfang isn’t a complete idiot.” Xiang Xue cuffs him on the back of the head again, and Mu Renshu laughs. “Thanking Xiang Daifu.”
He gives recommendations for wound care to Yao Chen, and provides a charged talisman that will notify Mu Renshu personally if something goes amiss with his healing.
While they walk to the next farm, Xiang Xue asks, “Did you remember how to do that before you started it?”
Mu Renshu snickers. “I just knew that I could. Once I started, I just knew. It’s weird.”
“Good grief,” Xiang Xue mutters. “You young healers these days!”
At the next farm they meet a family that specializes in growing a very specific flower which happens to be one of the most effective treatments for a certain aphrodisiac pollen. Xiang Daifu explains on the way that this group of people has been exposed to the antidote for so long that they are essentially immune to the effects of the Purple Henbane.
Fortunately, Xiang Daifu continues, An Ding peak pays them very well for the freshly picked Blood Red Heliotrope. Just the scent is enough to counter the Purple Henbane, but for best results the petals of the Blood Red Heliotrope should be flash dried, then ground into fine powder which can be ingested orally.
Interestingly, two of the three adult children working today all have open spirit veins. During the course of the conversation, Mao Dingxiang, the oldest son, shares that the Lord of An Ding peak told them that many years ago.
Turns out Shang Qinghua has been purchasing these flowers wholesale for years. He checks on all the kids, and if they have passable spirit veins and a desire to cultivate, he takes them right up the mountain!
That’s actually a great idea, Mu Renshu thinks, making a mental note.
Anyway, no one has any issues on this farm, and this visit is mostly chatting and drinking tea while the grand kids run around.
By this time, it’s early afternoon, and Xiang Daifu has them start back toward town.
“Boy, you seem a lot happier today than you did a few days ago,” the older man observes, looking straight ahead.
“Well,” Mu Renshu says, “I really can't comment on how I was a few days ago.” He furrows his brow. “Before I didn’t have my friends, and now I do.” And someone else, too, he thinks wistfully.
Xiang Daifu nods. “That makes all the difference. Enjoy them while you have them.” He huffs. “We mortals have to live each day. Boy, listen when I tell you this. Live so you have no regrets.”
Holding his tongue, Mu Renshu keeps pace at his side. He can’t remember a good chunk of his life and he definitely has regrets! Right now, at this very moment, there’s someone out there that thinks Mu Renshu just…turned away from them without a word. He regrets that more than he can say.
They return to the village at the North end, passing by some of the vendors that send more expensive items. Mu Renshu spies a display of hand fans, and the battered fan left behind in his house comes to mind. “A moment, Xiang Daifu.”
Xiang Xue sighs, but waves him to go ahead.
After a quick perusal, Mu Renshu buys a hand fan made from silk. It’s decorated with cranes in flight over a meadow of flowers. He’d love this, Mu Renshu thinks absently, and buys it without hesitation, tucking it safely up his sleeve.
It’s only when they’re closer to the brothel that Mu Renshu realises he has no idea who he just bought this for. For just a moment, he gets the impression of quiet laughter and the scent of jasmine, before the recollection drifts away from him.
Xiang Xue takes them around to the back door. They climb the four steep steps and Xiang Xue raps sharply, twice.
A young woman opens the door, and when she spies the mortal doctor, the suspicious expression falls away, replaced by a bright smile. “Xiang Daifu! And-” Her eyes meet Mu Renshu’s and then widen. “Oh, no. I’m getting Madam Cheng. Please wait here.” She closes the door abruptly.
“Do you know what that’s about, boy?” Xiang Xue demands. He grimaces. “You don’t remember, do you?”
Shaking his head, Mu Renshu replies ruefully, “Forgiveness, Xiang Daifu, I do not.”
Xiang Xue makes an impatient noise and pinches the bridge of his nose.
In a few minutes the door opens again, revealing an older woman. She’s still lovely in spite of the signs age has taken. Her sable hair is pulled back and held with combs inlaid with mother-of-pearl. She has peach blossom eyes of deep black, and her lips are painted red. When her gaze falls upon Mu Renshu, her mouth tightens. “What are you doing here, Mu Qingfang?” her tone is not welcoming in the least.
“The boy’s been cursed for the last ten years,” Xiang Xue explains before Mu Renshu can defend himself. “He doesn’t remember his own name, let alone anything he did to offend you.”
“It’s not me he offended,” the woman says harshly. “I will never forgive him for how he treated A-Jiu.”
Mu Renshu takes a step forward. “Is that his name?” The woman blinks, her brow furrowing. “Please-tell me his name?” He digs his fingernails into his hand, tense and waiting.
“You really…don’t remember?” She asks slowly.
Xiang Xue says, “Cheng Yi, we’re not doing this on the back porch, let us in for goodness sake, then you can interrogate the boy to your heart’s content.”
*
Upstairs, the brothel madam leads them down a hallway and up one more stairway that’s hidden behind a tapestry. On the third floor, she takes them to what are clearly her personal rooms.
“Please sit,” Cheng Yi says, indicating the cushions near the low tea table.
Mu Renshu settles across from Xiang Xue. The older man gives him a long look, and Mu Renshu isn’t sure what to make of that expression. It’s only a few minutes before Cheng Yu returns with the tea service on a bamboo tray.
“You pour, boy,” Xiang Daifu says. “I’m definitely older.” He smiles slyly, and even Cheng Yi’s expression softens.
“Yes, Daifu,” Mu Renshu says, and does so.
Cheng Yi sips her tea and sets it down. “Lord Mu,” she says icily, “Am I to believe that a Peak Lord of Cang Qiong, who has by all accounts been going about his daily business, was cursed? And only now just found out about it?”
Okay, put that like that, it sounds improbable. I wish you were here, Mu Renshu thinks. He folds his hands in his lap and meets Cheng Yi’s eyes directly. “Madam Cheng. I woke up yesterday in the Healing Pavilion, only to be told by my best friends that I had cut them out of my life ten years ago without a word of warning or explanation. They then informed me that instead of being a senior disciple, I was somehow the Lord of Qian Cao.”
He takes a deep breath. “We conjecture that Lord Anshan, my Shizun, overpowered me, and forcefully applied a memory curse, wiping away knowledge of whomever I was courting at the time, as well as two of my long time friends. By all accounts, the Mu Qingfang that’s been walking around with my face for the last decade, was a shell of me. And yet, he managed to achieve incredible feats of medical cultivation.”
“I want my memories back,” Mu Renshu says bluntly. “I want myself back. I want the man I left behind ten years ago.” He leans forward. “I have his ribbon. I have his tassel. I have a gift in my sleeve, for him. But I don’t know his name. I beg you, Madame. If you know who I am looking for, please.” His throat tightens, and he swallows. “Please tell me.”
“He’s telling the truth, Cheng Yi,” Xiang Xue says. “I met Lord Mu a couple days ago. This is not the same person.”
“Lord Mu-” Cheng Yi begins, and Mu Renshu waves his hand in the air tiredly.
“Just Renshu, please.” Mu Renshu says. “I don’t know who Lord Mu is.”
Frowning, Cheng Yi says, “Very well. Renshu. Does the name A-Jiu mean anything to you?”
Mu Renshu’s brow furrows. “A-Jiu,” he murmurs. “A-Jiu,” he says again, tasting the name on his lips. Snippets of his dream come back to him, that quiet laughter and warm skin. “It feels familiar,” he admits. “But it’s not triggering any memories.”
Cheng Yi exchanges glances with Xiang Xue. “Since Xiang Daifu has spoken for you, Mu Renshu, I will say this. Seek out the Lord of Qing Jing peak. He can help you find who you’re looking for.”
Hope blooms in Mu Renshu’s chest. “Thanking Madam Cheng. Xiang Daifu, I must take my leave.”
*
Outside the brothel, Mu Renshu is exquisitely aware of the tassel with its secret green threads within. He pushes Fu Xiao to full speed, turning right halfway up the mountain range toward Qing Jing peak.
A-Jiu, he thinks. I’m coming.
Mu Renshu has no idea where the Qing Jing Peak Lord’s residence is, and he swoops down close to what he thinks is the dining hall to flag down a disciple.
A startled young man in teal and white stops and gawks at Mu Renshu. “Mu Shishu?”
Okay, wow, that's weird! “Where can I find the Lord of the Peak?” Mu Renshu says urgently.
The young man’s eyes widen. “Shizun? He lives in the Bamboo House just outside the bamboo forest, not far from the Rainbow Bridge to Bai Zhan peak.” The teenager points. “That way, roughly, Mu Shishu.”
Mu Renshu takes off again. He ascends rapidly, to get a better idea of where he needs to go. High above the peak, the bamboo forest is easy to find, as is the bridge. He takes off in that direction. From overhead, he finds a walkway visible through the bamboo, and there, in the distance, is a small cottage.
He takes Fu Xiao down abruptly, nearly going tumbling from the sudden deceleration. He hastily stores his sword, and leaps up the steps and raps sharply at the door. His heart hammers in his chest, and the sound of blood rushes through his ears.
Moments later, the door opens, and then Shen Qingqiu stands there, a look of mild surprise on his face.
“Peak Lord Shen,” Mu Renshu says urgently. “I desperately need your assistance.”
Shen Qingqiu looks around quickly, eyes narrowed. “Are you all right?”
“No! Well, yes, technically, but not really, if I’m being honest.” Mu Renshu says all in a rush.
Rolling his eyes, Shen Qingqiu motions for him to come in. “What’s got you in this state, Mu Shidi? And how can this Lord possibly help?” He closes the door behind Mu Renshu, and crosses his arms over his chest.
“Years ago,” Mu Renshu says urgently, meeting Shen Qingqiu’s jade green eyes, “I was involved with a Qing Jing disciple. I can’t remember much--of anything, really. But I know that this man was important to me. He was everything to me, in fact.”
Shen Qingqiu just stares at him.
“My best guess is that I must have told Zhou Anshan that I was no longer going to provide dual cultivation as a treatment modality, and he…” Mu Renshu swallows. “I’m pretty sure he overpowered me, and forcibly applied a memory block, wiping all knowledge of this young man from my mind.” He peeks at the other man, to find that Shen Qingqiu’s back looks painfully straight.
“Shen Shixiong, I can’t remember his name, but I…I have to know. Do you know anyone whose name is Jiu?” Mu Renshu finishes, feeling a bit faint.
Shen Qingqiu’s qi roils, and he just looks at Mu Renshu blankly. Then he frowns deeply, glancing away. “This lord…is familiar with a person who was once called Jiu.”
“Is he still here?” Mu Renshu asks, desperately, going so far as to clutch Shen Qingqiu’s sleeve. “I need to explain, I need to beg his forgiveness. Shixiong, you don’t understand, I have to talk to him, he thinks I don’t love him!” His voice breaks, and Mu Renshu’s eyes fill. He wipes them hastily, impatiently running his sleeve over his face. “Please, Shixiong, tell me where to find him? I even-” He laughs, a bit hysterically. “I have something for him.” He pulls the new fan out of his sleeve and shows it to Shen Qingqiu. “Do you think…do you think he’d like this?”
Then warm hands grasp Mu Renshu’s shoulders, and he looks up to find Shen Qingqiu impossibly close. “Mu Shidi,” Shen Qingqiu says hoarsely. “Many years ago, I knew a disciple who was called Jiu. He went on a night hunt with a young man from Qian Cao, and they both suffered poisoning through a series of mishaps.”
Continuing, Shen Qingqiu says, “Jiu-er didn’t trust very easily. He grew up in poverty, fighting for everything he had.” He meets Mu Renshu’s eyes. “He allowed the young healer to treat him, and do you know what happened?”
“They fell in love?” Mu Renshu asks hesitantly.
Shen Qingqiu smiles. He brings a hand up, and cups Mu Renshu’s face with it. “They did,” he says softly. “Not only that, but Mu Renshu was able to fix Jiu-er’s faulty cultivation and help eradicate some longstanding heart demons.”
“I did?” Mu Renshu whispers. Shen Qingqiu is so handsome, and so close, that if Mu Renshu shifted just a tiny bit, they could be kissing.
Nodding seriously, Shen Qingqiu brushes his thumb across Mu Renshu’s cheek. “You did,” he confirms. “So much so that Jiu-er was able to progress to an inner disciple. Within a year, he was made the succeeding disciple of Qing Jing peak.”
Mu Renshu’s eyes widen. “A-Jiu?” Shen Qingqiu blinks slowly, nodding just once, lips curving up and watching Mu Renshu’s reaction. “You’re my A-Jiu?” Mu Renshu says again, wonderingly. He lifts both of his hands. “I want to- can I hug you?”
“A-Shu,” Shen Qingqiu says, barely above a whisper. “I’ve been waiting for you, for so long.” All at once, he wraps his arms around Mu Renshu, pulling him into the safe haven of his body.
Shen Qingqiu’s arms are tight around Mu Renshu’s body, squeezing so tight he can barely breathe, and he doesn’t care. He tucks himself into Shen Qingqiu’s body and closes his eyes in relief. “I found you,” he says. “I finally found you.” Mu Renshu closes his eyes and presses his lips against the warm jasmine scented skin of Shen Qingqiu’s neck. "He destroyed me because I wouldn’t give you up,” Mu Renshu says and feels abruptly dizzy.
Jasmine.
Mu Renshu laughs suddenly. “I used your bath oils yesterday. I found your green ribbon in my bed.” He lifts his face and notices for the first time, a large chunk of pink quartz prominently displayed on Shen Qingqiu’s shelves.
Memories hit him like a thunderclap, and Mu Renshu staggers.
*
Shen Jiu fighting a beast in the pouring rain.
Shen Jiu shouting at him, face pale and eyes wide and scared.
Shen Jiu dragging him into the Qing Jing library where they study spiritual cultivation together.
Shen Jiu riding next to him on a bony looking brown horse that spooks, unseating him and dragging him through a meadow filled with flowers.
A dingy inn, flickering candles
Hesitant kisses, exploratory touches and then
Bodies moving together, a circuit of spiritual energy, a feedback loop of nothing but intense ecstasy
Eating peaches together in the Qian Cao orchard
Shen Jiu stealing pancakes from Mu Renshu’s plate in the morning
Discovering a boulder of pink quartz while out of the sect on a flower-retrieval mission
Shen Jiu shoving him against the wall, leg between his and kissing all his thoughts away
Falling into the quiet pool on Qing Jing together and retrieving Shen Jiu’s fan from the muck at the bottom
Shen Jiu in his bed, stretched out, all long legs, pale skin and black hair
Stay with me, Mu Renshu says, weaving a few cut off blue strands of silk into a green tassel
Shizun in the front room
Shizun’s cold eyes
A demand
A refusal
Curare tipped needles and staring at the ceiling while Shizun forcefully transfuses his spiritual energy
Tears sliding down his face, filling his ears while his mind is torn apart
(stay with me)
You are Mu Qingfang, Shizun thunders, you will care for your martial siblings and above all remain on the peak
(stay with me)
Remain on
(stay)
The peak
(with)
remain
(me)
*
Mu Renshu takes a deep gasping breath, and looks around frantically. He’s sprawled on the floor, half across Shen Qingqiu’s lap. Above him, Shen Qingqiu has a palm on his chest, and one at his wrist, transfusing spiritual energy that feels so safe and familiar, Mu Renshu could weep with it.
“A-Jiu,” Mu Renshu says. He reaches up, cupping his hand around the back of Shen Qingqiu’s neck. “I remember you.” And pulls him down for a thorough, deep kiss. He doesn’t ever remember kissing being like this.
Like the world stopped spinning and everything else fell away.
Shen Qingqiu licks into his mouth, and Mu Renshu savors every bit of the experience. He keeps their mouths fused together as Shen Qingqiu gathers him more firmly into his arms, and then rises smoothly.
In moments, Shen Qingqiu lays Mu Renshu down onto his bed. “A-Shu,” he murmurs between silken kisses. “A-Shu,” he murmurs, carefully peeling back Mu Renshu’s layers. “A-Shu,” he says, before sucking hard at Mu Renshu’s neck.
“At first, every peak lord meeting, I tried talking to you,” Shen Qingqiu confesses, still so close that his lips brush against Mu Renshu’s collarbone. “I knew someone did something to you. And every time you looked toward me, you winced the smallest bit.” He runs a finger across Mu Renshu’s lower lip, before leaning in and nipping the soft flesh. “I stopped trying after six months, since it seemed to cause you pain,” Shen Qingqiu continues. “But every so often, I tried.”
Mu Renshu shoves Shen Qingqiu’s robes down his arms, urging him to lose them completely. “I’m so sorry, A-Jiu, I would never- Shizun, he-” Mu Renshu swallows. “He immobilized me, and forcefully used his spiritual energy to attack my mind. He took you from me!”
“Hush, A-Shu,” Shen Qingqiu murmurs. “That’s all over with. Zhou Anshan is gone. No one-” His voice cracks. “He can’t ever hurt you again.”
“A- Jiu,” Mu Renshu whispers, reaching up and cupping his cheek. “Let’s get our robes off. We get to have another first time together, and I want to sear this one into my memory forever.”
*
Epilogue
At the next Peak Lord meeting some ten days later, Mu Qingfang requests some time to address the other Lords.
“Ah, thank you everyone.” Mu Qingfang says quietly. “I have several things to discuss. First, I recently discovered that I’ve been under a memory block for the past nine years or so.”
Yue Qingyuan, sitting at the head of the long table, frowns. “But-”
Rolling his eyes, Shen Qingqiu says, “Yes, it happened not long before our Ascension. Yes, Mu Shidi has been a shell of himself for the entire time. Now let the man speak.”
“My own Shizun placed this memory block non-consensually,” Mu Qingfang continues. Next to him on the left, Shen Qingqiu takes his hand under the table and squeezes it. “I tell you this not for sympathy, but simple for you all to know that I am now the Qian Cao peak lord, and things are going to change. Healer Wu has graciously accepted the position of Head Disciple.”
She’s standing right behind him, and Mu Qingfang practically feels the fury just pouring from her.
“As an accomplished Healer, Wu Yanshin is entirely capable of running the peak and attending any emergencies that come up. As well, this Lord will be descending the Peak several times a week to provide medical care to communities that need it.” Mu Qingfang looks over every single one of his martial siblings. “For too long, I have remained here on this mountain, bound by Shizun’s curse to remain on the peak. No longer,” Mu Qingfang tells them sternly. “I am a physician first, and then a Peak Lord. My oath binds me to comfort the sick and heal the dying, regardless of the hardships it may present.”
With finality Mu Qingfang says, “It’s about time I started keeping it. Oh, and one more thing.” He flashes a grin, wide and bright and happy. “I’m resuming my courtship of Shen Qingqiu, and we hope to marry within the year.” He turns his head and beams at Shen Qingqiu. “I’ve kept him waiting long enough.”
-end-