Chapter 49: The Ninefold Golden Elixir

Yan the Red Knight was so startled by the sight that his face changed color.

“Master—!” he cried out, instantly leaping to Clear Void’s side. He reached out, lifted the old man in his arms, gently turned him over to lay him supine upon the grass, then knelt before him, calling loudly, “Master, Master, what’s happened to you? Please, wake up…”

By this time, Bai Xiaoyue, Tu Xiaomeng, and Pinecone had all hurried over in a panic. They gathered around Clear Void, calling out with worry and fear.

While calling anxiously, Yan the Red Knight quickly examined his master’s face. To his surprise, though it was smeared with blood, he could find no wound. As puzzlement clouded his mind, Clear Void slowly opened his eyes, gazing kindly at Yan the Red Knight, and said in a faint, weak voice:

“Danzi, don’t… be afraid. I… though I may look… utterly wretched, my body… is not seriously harmed…”

“No, I don’t believe it!” Yan the Red Knight sobbed. “Master, you look like this and still say you’re unharmed…”

Clear Void forced a smile. “Danzi, a man… can bleed, but not weep…”

Hearing this, Yan the Red Knight grunted in assent, hastily wiping the tears from his cheeks.

At that moment, Clear Void gave an instruction:

“Danzi, quickly… go to the alchemy chamber… fetch me… one ‘Nine-Turn Golden Pill’…”

“Yes, Master.” Yan the Red Knight responded at once, rising and sprinting straight to the pill room to retrieve the ‘Nine-Turn Golden Pill.’

Clear Void coughed, then turned his gaze to Bai Xiaoyue, Tu Xiaomeng, and Pinecone, his tone gentle: “Greetings. If… I’m not mistaken, you must be Bai Xiaoyue… you are Tu Xiaomeng… and you, Pinecone… am I right?”

“Yes, yes, yes!” the three replied in unison. “Elder, you’re exactly right, it is indeed us…”

Clear Void’s face showed a trace of embarrassment; his voice faltered as he continued, “Bai Xiaoyue… Tu Xiaomeng… Pinecone, for me to appear before you in such a… sorry state is truly… a shame…”

“Not at all!” Bai Xiaoyue replied hastily. “Elder, your cultivation is profound and your mastery of the Dao is unrivaled. For you to have suffered so today must mean you faced a tremendous tribulation—though I do not know what it was, I am certain it is the sort of calamity no ordinary human could overcome…”

Clear Void gave a weak chuckle. “Ah… what an intelligent and perceptive Bai Xiaoyue! Danzi is fortunate indeed to have you as a sister. Bai Xiaoyue, I know you… cough, cough…”

Before he could finish, he was overtaken by a fit of coughing, his brows knitting in pain.

Bai Xiaoyue asked anxiously, “Elder, are you truly alright?”

She had barely spoken when Yan the Red Knight returned at a run, holding a single ‘Nine-Turn Golden Pill.’

“Master, quickly, take the Golden Pill!” he said, hurrying to Clear Void’s side. As soon as the coughing subsided, Yan immediately placed the pill in his master’s mouth.

Clear Void swallowed the medicine at once.

The four watched in tense silence as Clear Void lay there. After he took the ‘Nine-Turn Golden Pill,’ the pallor of his blood-streaked cheeks was quickly replaced by a healthy flush, and his labored breathing soon evened out.

Seeing this, Yan the Red Knight knew the pill had taken effect and that his master was out of danger. Relief washed over him. Bai Xiaoyue, Tu Xiaomeng, and Pinecone all breathed out in unison.

Yan the Red Knight asked, “Master, how do you feel now?”

“Danzi, I am well,” Clear Void replied calmly, standing up. It was clear he had greatly recovered.

Overjoyed, Yan the Red Knight exclaimed, “Really? That’s wonderful!” Then, a flush crept over his face. “Master, I invited my sister, Xiaomeng, and Pinecone here without your permission. I hope you’re not displeased…”

Clear Void laughed heartily. “Danzi, what are you saying? Bai Xiaoyue, Tu Xiaomeng, and Pinecone are all good and kind-hearted. I’m delighted to welcome them here, how could I be unhappy? But this is not the best place to talk—come, let’s all go to the parlor.”

“Thank you for your kindness, Elder!” Bai Xiaoyue replied with a smile. “Come, Xiaomeng, Pinecone.”

Tu Xiaomeng and Pinecone both agreed, following Bai Xiaoyue as they trailed after Yan the Red Knight and Clear Void toward the main hall.

Before long, they stepped into the parlor.

Bai Xiaoyue looked around. The floor was paved with blue bricks, spotlessly clean; a long table stood at the center, with six dust-free chairs arranged around it; the walls were whitewashed, and on the southern side, facing north, there hung a single, bold calligraphic character: Dao, the brushstrokes were ancient and powerful, exuding great strength. Aside from these, the room was empty.

“Ah, it’s so clean in here!” Bai Xiaoyue blurted.

Clear Void quipped, “With nothing but bare walls and empty rooms, how could it be anything but clean? Bai Xiaoyue, Tu Xiaomeng, Pinecone, please sit while I change into fresh robes, then we’ll talk.”

“Please, Elder, don’t mind us,” Bai Xiaoyue responded politely.

Clear Void proceeded to his bedchamber.

Yan the Red Knight then called, “Sister, Xiaomeng, Pinecone, make yourselves comfortable!”

The three replied and sat down.

“Silly brother, I never imagined your master would be so esteemed and so powerful in the Dao, yet so humble and approachable. He truly commands respect,” Bai Xiaoyue said with a smile.

Before Yan could reply, Tu Xiaomeng chimed in, “Isn’t that so! Brother Yan, your master is adorable!”

“Yes!” Pinecone laughed, “Brother Yan, if only I could have a master like yours, how wonderful that would be!”

“Oh, give it a rest!” Tu Xiaomeng retorted, making a face. “Pinecone, with your clumsy ways, what master would take you in?”

“Heh heh,” Pinecone laughed good-naturedly. “Xiaomeng, why do you always praise me so?”

“Hee hee…” Tu Xiaomeng couldn’t help but laugh. “Pinecone, you call that praise? My old classmate, who knew you were so witty?”

Yan the Red Knight and Bai Xiaoyue both laughed at their exchange.

Just then, Clear Void emerged from his bedchamber, dressed in a clean Daoist robe, his face freshly washed.

Yan the Red Knight was delighted and promptly said, “Master, please, sit and rest.”

“Very well!” Clear Void replied, seating himself beside Yan the Red Knight with a kindly expression. “Danzi, though you haven’t asked, I know you’re full of questions about my recent journey. Now, I shall tell you everything, just as it happened—the reasons for my departure and all that befell me. Bai Xiaoyue, Tu Xiaomeng, Pinecone, you should listen too; it may broaden your horizons…”