The morning light was faint.
Chen Yang stood in the courtyard, gazing at the home where he had lived for over twenty years.
The roses he had planted by the fence were in full bloom, and a few early bees buzzed around, unwilling to leave the cluster of crimson flowers.
"Have you made up your mind?" Zhao Yanran's voice came from behind him.
Chen Yang turned around to see her standing alone at the door. The three senior brothers were nowhere to be seen, likely unwilling to come out from inside the house.
"I'm going up the mountain with you," Chen Yang said calmly.
Zhao Yanran's eyes immediately lit up with joy. She quickly stepped forward and grabbed his arm, "Really? That's great! Chen Yang, I won't let you regret this decision."
At that moment, the three senior brothers strolled out from inside.
Senior Brother Yang snorted coldly, "Junior Sister Zhao, don't forget his status. A mortal with no foundation, being allowed to serve as a servant at Greenwood Gate is already a great blessing."
"Senior Brother Yang is right," Zhao Yanran quickly released Chen Yang's arm, speaking respectfully, "But please, for my sake, look after him a bit more."
Senior Brother Lin glanced at Chen Yang, a faint mocking smile playing at the corners of his mouth, "Naturally, it's getting late, we should set off."
Chen Yang had nothing much to pack, only bringing two sets of coarse clothes, wrapped in a cloth, and carried in his hand.
He took one last look at the small courtyard, locked the wooden door, and placed the key under a stone brick in front of the door.
The four were already waiting outside the courtyard.
Senior Brother Yang took a small wooden boat carving from his sleeve and tossed it into the air. The small boat grew with the wind, transforming into a flying vessel that could hold five or six people, hovering three feet above the ground, emitting a faint green light.
"Get on," Senior Brother Yang leaped onto the flying vessel first, extending a hand to pull Zhao Yanran up as well.
Senior Brother Lin followed closely, landing lightly on the vessel.
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Senior Brother Li looked back at Chen Yang impatiently, "What are you standing there for? Do you expect us to invite you?"
Chen Yang tried to leap onto the vessel like they did, but unfamiliar with the method, he nearly fell. Fortunately, Zhao Yanran caught him in time.
The three senior brothers all showed expressions of disdain at this sight.
***
The flying vessel rose into the air, and Chen Yang staggered, quickly grabbing the vessel's side.
The wind howled past his ears, and the village below grew smaller and smaller, the rice fields turning into patches of green and yellow, with rivers winding like silver ribbons.
This was his first time overlooking the place he had lived for over twenty years, and also his first time truly leaving this land.
Zhao Yanran quietly moved beside him, whispering, "Greenwood Gate is a renowned cultivation sect in the Eastern Region, with strict rules. Since you're new, remember to be cautious and don't offend the sect's disciples."
Chen Yang nodded, his gaze still fixed on the rapidly passing mountains and rivers below.
***
After flying for about two hours, a majestic mountain range appeared ahead, with peaks towering and shrouded in mist.
The flying vessel headed towards the tallest peak, and as they drew closer, they could see large buildings halfway up the mountain, with flying eaves and painted beams, exuding grandeur.
The flying vessel landed smoothly in the square in front of the main gate.
Disciples guarding the gate had already come forward to greet them respectfully, "Senior Brother Yang, Senior Brother Lin, Senior Brother Li, Senior Sister Zhao have returned."
Chen Yang followed the four off the flying vessel, looking up to see a grand archway with the words "Greenwood Gate" written in bold characters, glistening faintly in the sunlight.
Behind the archway was a long stone staircase, winding upwards, with no end in sight.
The air was filled with a strange, refreshing fragrance that invigorated the senses when inhaled.
"Junior Brother Li, take him to the Servant Office to report," Senior Brother Yang instructed, not even glancing at Chen Yang, but speaking much more gently to Zhao Yanran, "Junior Sister Zhao, let's return to Jade Bamboo Peak first. Master must be waiting."
Zhao Yanran hesitated, glancing at Chen Yang, wanting to say something but stopping.
Senior Brother Lin chuckled, "Rest assured, Junior Sister Zhao, Junior Brother Li will take good care of your... acquaintance."
The word "acquaintance" was said with particular emphasis.
Only then did Zhao Yanran nod, quickly walking up to Chen Yang, taking out a warm white jade token from her bosom and pressing it into his hand, whispering, "Keep this safe. If you encounter trouble in the sect, show this token, and others will know you're under my care."
The jade token felt warm to the touch, intricately carved with cloud patterns and the character "Yan."
Before Chen Yang could respond, Senior Brother Li impatiently urged, "Let's go, the Servant Office is to the west, and it's a bit of a walk."
Zhao Yanran was surrounded by the two senior brothers as they headed down a small path to the east, frequently looking back at Chen Yang.
Senior Brother Yang's arm casually rested on her waist, his posture intimate and possessive.
Chen Yang clenched the jade token tightly, his nails digging into his palm.
"What are you looking at?" Senior Brother Li said coldly, "Junior Sister Zhao is now a disciple of the Elder at Jade Bamboo Peak, and also the Dao Companion of Senior Brother Yang and Senior Brother Lin. She's not someone a mortal like you can covet. Keep up!"
Chen Yang silently put away the jade token and followed Senior Brother Li's steps.
***
They walked along a stone path to the west, passing several courtyards. Occasionally, disciples in blue robes passed by, all greeting Senior Brother Li respectfully, while casting curious or disdainful glances at Chen Yang.
The further west they went, the simpler the buildings became, and the refreshing fragrance in the air gradually gave way to various mixed smells—smoke, herbs, and even livestock.
Eventually, they arrived at a spacious but cluttered courtyard, where several servants in gray short robes were busy, some chopping wood, others carrying water, and some drying herbs.
A chubby middle-aged man quickly approached, his face full of smiles, "Senior Brother Li, what brings you here? Any instructions?"
Senior Brother Li pointed at Chen Yang, "A new servant, find him a task."
The chubby man sized up Chen Yang, nodding and bowing, "Sure, sure, the Herb Garden happens to need an extra hand."
Senior Brother Li nodded in satisfaction, turning to Chen Yang with an arrogant tone, "Junior Sister Zhao is kind-hearted, finding you a way to make a living. You better behave yourself and don't cause her any trouble."
With that, he flicked his sleeves and left.
Once Senior Brother Li was gone, the chubby man immediately straightened his back, looking at Chen Yang with a sideways glance, "New here? What's your name? What did you do before?"
"Chen Yang, a farmer," Chen Yang replied briefly.
"Hmph, another one who got in through connections," the chubby man sneered, "My surname is Wang, I'm the steward here at the Servant Office. The rules here are simple: obey and work hard, no slacking, no wandering, and definitely no offending the immortal masters. Otherwise—"
He made a throat-slitting gesture.
Chen Yang nodded silently.
Steward Wang beckoned a young boy over, "Little Douzi, take him to the south wing to settle in, then report to the Herb Garden."
The boy named Little Douzi was about fifteen or sixteen, small and clever, leading Chen Yang towards a row of low houses, curiously sizing him up, "Did you really get in through connections? Whose connections?"
Chen Yang didn't answer, instead asking, "What do you do in the Herb Garden?"
"Take care of the immortal herbs and spiritual medicines, it's the hardest work," Little Douzi pouted, "But it's better than carrying water and chopping wood, at least you can get a bit of spiritual energy."
After settling his simple belongings, Chen Yang followed Little Douzi to the Herb Garden.
As they passed a small path, they suddenly saw three familiar figures in the distance—Senior Brothers Yang, Lin, and Li, accompanied by Zhao Yanran.
They seemed to be about to enter a delicate little building, with Senior Brother Yang's arm around Zhao Yanran's waist, whispering something in her ear.
Zhao Yanran blushed and nodded gently.
At that moment, Senior Brother Li's voice drifted over with the wind, "...continue detoxifying you tonight, the Love Curse is no small matter, it requires three sessions of spiritual energy harmonization each month to be completely eradicated..."
Senior Brother Lin laughed, "Rest assured, Junior Sister Zhao, we will do our utmost to help you completely detoxify."
Senior Brother Yang gently lifted Zhao Yanran's chin, speaking affectionately, "After tonight, you'll have no worries for the rest of the month and can focus on your cultivation."
Zhao Yanran shyly nodded, allowing Senior Brother Yang to plant a light kiss on her forehead.
Chen Yang abruptly stopped, his fists clenched tightly, nails digging deep into his palms, drawing blood.
Little Douzi followed his gaze and suddenly understood, "Oh, you're looking at Senior Sister Zhao? She's quite the figure in the sect, not only gifted but also a Dao Companion to three inner sect elites, supposedly due to some detoxification need... Tsk tsk, such fortune, truly enviable."
The four of them entered the small building together, the door closing gently, shutting out the outside world.
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan