Chapter Eight: The Agony of Shattered Jade

I truly fell ill, feverish and weak. My body burned with heat, yet I shivered with cold. My head throbbed and my chest felt stifling, as if a thousand armies were charging and shouting inside my mind. In a haze, someone lifted me up, offering warm water to drink, but my throat was so swollen and sore that not a drop would go down. After a while, they tried again, and the water had cooled considerably, soothing me as I drank.

I forced my eyelids open—my eyes were sore and swollen, tears welling up, blurring my vision. When the tears finally fell, a face gradually became clear: it was Bai Hao. My heart felt greatly comforted—so he hadn’t gone to seek death after all—and I closed my eyes, lying back down. Bai Hao touched my forehead and placed a cool towel upon it. When it grew warm, he replaced it with another.

In my fevered stupor, I drifted back to sleep and dreamed of Bai Hao standing amidst swirling snow on a cliff. Terrified, I rushed to him, shouting, “Don’t jump!” But he paid no heed. I pleaded, “Don’t! Falling to your death is agonizing!” He replied, “I’m not afraid! It’s nothing!” and leapt off. I desperately grabbed his arm, but ended up falling with him.

Suddenly, my heart lurched, and I awoke with a start, only to realize I was lying on the inn’s bed. It was already dawn. Bai Hao sat beside me, and I was clinging tightly to his arm!

He looked at me, his expression still indifferent. Embarrassed, I quickly released him.

“Thank you for tending to me, Immortal Friend,” I said, struggling to sit up and wanting to get out of bed to thank him properly, only to feel sore and weak all over.

“You don’t need to get up.”

He reached out to check my pulse, then pulled out a small white bottle from his sleeve and handed it to me—a finely crafted jade vial, simple and elegant, the jade smooth and milky white. I shook it; inside were several pills.

“How many should I take? One, two, or all of them?” I wondered.

“One,” Bai Hao replied, expressionless.

“Oh,” I answered, thinking, so he can diagnose illnesses too—truly a talent unrecognized.

I opened the vial, poured a pill into my mouth. Its fragrance was overwhelming, but as I tried to swallow, I realized I hadn’t fetched any water. Anxiously searching, Bai Hao was already handing me a cup. I gratefully took it and gulped down the pill, pain shooting through my throat.

“Did you bathe in the Shattered Jade Spring at Kunlun Xu?” Bai Hao asked.

“Yes, I soaked in a hot spring. I don’t know its name,” I replied.

“You’ve absorbed the intense energy of Shattered Jade Spring and caught a chill. Take one pill at the hour of the Dragon and the hour of the Dog each day, for three days,” Bai Hao said calmly, then turned to leave.

“Why is he so determined to die?” I fretted.

“Wait, don’t go—I have something to tell you…” In desperation, I decided to pique his interest with the ‘cloud and rain in the cave’ incident. To save him, let it be, Celestial Lord Yunxiao, you’ll have to bear the blame for now!

“What is it?” Bai Hao paused and turned back.

Bracing myself, I recounted the cave incident. “Three days ago, I stumbled upon Celestial Lord Yunxiao and a fairy engaged in certain intimate matters in a cave… Perhaps he’s not as noble as you think.”

“You saw this?” Bai Hao’s expression was calm.

My face flushed, and I stammered, “I… I didn’t see… I overheard by accident.”

“Why say it was Celestial Lord Yunxiao?” Bai Hao asked.

“He claimed it himself. The fairy said she wanted to return to Yuqing Realm with him, but he said it was inconvenient and that they’d secretly meet for a few more days.” I tried to make it sound more dignified.

Bai Hao said nothing, his face dark as water.

Suddenly, I realized—oh no! If I put the blame on his idol Yunxiao, and he’s crushed by disappointment, might he go seeking death again?

Just as regret struck, Bai Hao left the room.

“Don’t go… If it’s a fraud impersonating Yunxiao, tarnishing the Celestial Lord’s reputation, since you know of it, you must investigate thoroughly!” I hastily gave him a ‘reason to live.’

“Oh. Your porridge is ready. We’ll talk later,” Bai Hao replied as he walked out.

Watching him leave, I felt awkward—it turned out he’d gone to fetch porridge…

Soon, Bai Hao brought in a bowl of fragrant porridge. I hadn’t eaten much in two days; the smell made my mouth water.

I took the warm bowl and sniffed—it was my favorite, snow pear porridge! There could be no greater delicacy in the world. I took a big bite, savoring the taste…

I paused, feeling a sharp pain in my throat, and stopped spooning.

“What’s wrong?” Bai Hao asked.

Unable to speak, I waved my hand, forcing myself to swallow the porridge.

“Sore throat?”

I nodded.

“Open your mouth,” Bai Hao said gently.

I drank some water, managed to swallow a bit, and opened my mouth for him to examine.

Bai Hao appeared thoughtful for a moment. “It’s nothing serious. Was your throat ever injured?”

“No… Oh, once a fish bone stabbed me, but I got it out,” I said weakly.

“Hmm, eat slowly. The energy of Shattered Jade Spring is too intense,” Bai Hao said.

Sure enough, after a few more bites, the pain subsided. “Did you cook this porridge yourself? Doesn’t the inn serve food?” I asked.

“This isn’t an inn.”

“Then what is it?”

“A medical hall.”

“Oh, right—he was brought to the medical hall after his suicide attempt,” I recalled.

“Are there no attendants at the medical hall?” I wondered.

“It’s an extraordinary time; they’re very busy,” Bai Hao said, seeming quite understanding of the staff, not at all dissatisfied with their care.

“Oh,” I chuckled, hastily clasping my hands. “Thank you, Immortal Friend! Your porridge is delicious.”

Bai Hao smiled faintly and asked, “Where is the cave you mentioned?”

“I got lost, don’t know the way. Outside the cave, there’s a big rock and three pine trees.”

“Did they say anything else?”

“The fairy said… after three months, she’d take her child to Yuqing Realm to find Celestial Lord Yunxiao,” I said, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Bai Hao sighed helplessly.

“Don’t be too disappointed,” I consoled him.

“Disappointed?” Bai Hao was puzzled.

“Even if it’s really Yunxiao, four thousand years of unwavering love is remarkable. Love is love, though it’s a bit unsavory—Celestial Lords aren’t made of stone, right?” I preemptively consoled him, lest he couldn’t accept it if it were true.

“That’s not Yunxiao,” Bai Hao declared.

“How can you be sure?”

Bai Hao said calmly, “Just because he says he is? If I claim to be him, would you believe me?”

I nearly burst out laughing, porridge in my mouth. “No! I’m three thousand years old; are you four thousand?”

“Yes,” Bai Hao answered.

“Well, you make sense. Can’t trust one person’s word. That male immortal looked older than us, probably over ten thousand years old, with thick brows and heroic features, tall and robust. But to claim he’s an eighty-thousand-year-old Celestial Lord is far-fetched. He must have impersonated Yunxiao to frame him, ruin his reputation—perhaps there’s some plot,” I said, watching Bai Hao’s reaction.

Since Bai Hao was convinced that the robust immortal was not Yunxiao, I threw out a conspiracy theory to spark his interest—maybe he’d stop thinking of death.

Bai Hao pondered and asked, “Are there any other unusual happenings in town?”

“Yes, girls dressing as men to seek apprenticeships, extortionists…”

“You encountered extortion?” Bai Hao’s eyes flashed with concern.

“Yes, I did! His name is Bai Xi—quite similar to yours—strikingly handsome, a male madam, extremely annoying,” I said, growing angry at the memory.

Bai Hao smiled slightly. “A male madam? How did you figure that out?”

“He extorted me—if I didn’t pay protection, he’d force me into a brothel. Am I not even more unfortunate than you?” Maybe comparing misfortunes would help him feel better.

“You paid him?”

“Yes, I couldn’t fight him. I couldn’t sell myself, could I? That would be unacceptable,” I pouted.

“Oh, he delights in teasing people. Don’t take his words seriously,” Bai Hao said.

“So my money was wasted?” Hearing him, it sounded like I’d been tricked, not extorted.

“The money is a small matter, but I fear he…” Bai Hao trailed off.

“You know him?” I asked.

“Yes,” Bai Hao replied softly.

“He’s teased you too?” I pressed.

“He won’t stop until he’s caused me trouble,” Bai Hao said, a hint of helplessness in his tone.

“So you’ve been bullied by him too! His immortal arts are formidable! He didn’t do anything too bad, did he?” I suddenly wondered if Bai Hao’s suicide attempt was due to disappointment and Bai Xi’s added torment.

“No. Are there many girls dressing as men?” Bai Hao asked.

“Plenty.” Seeing his growing interest in the town’s affairs, I perked up.

“Oh, I’ll go see in a bit,” Bai Hao said, unhurried.

At the mention of going out to watch the excitement, I couldn’t sit still. “Let’s go now.”

“No rush, rest a while first.”

Bai Hao tidied the dishes. I thought, for someone so elegant, talented, mature, and meticulous, to be rejected by Yuqing Realm—what kind of disciple does Celestial Lord Yunxiao want? Just how disappointed was Bai Hao to attempt suicide? And what kind of bullying did that male madam inflict? Did he swindle all his money, force him into selling himself, leaving him with no way out…

Resting on the bed for half an hour, my spirit gradually revived. Unable to sit still, I left the room and went to the courtyard, where several ancient pear trees grew. Beneath them was a swing. Curious, I went over and started swinging, faintly hearing someone outside giving instructions.

I hadn’t caught the earlier words, only heard, “The Celestial Lord is displeased; be sure to handle this properly!”

Idly swinging, I wondered, “Which Celestial Lord is displeased, and about what?”

Soon, Bai Hao pushed open the courtyard gate and entered, his steps calm and serene… It seemed I had seen him move like this somewhere before… I stared at him from the swing, stunned.

“Feeling better? Enough energy to play?” Bai Hao asked.

“Ah? Yes!” I jumped off the swing in a hurry. “Your pills are so effective. The porridge is invigorating, too!”

Bai Hao smiled faintly. “Good. Then let’s go.”

“Huh?” I stared at him.

“Let’s take a stroll,” he said, not even looking at me as he walked out of the courtyard.

“Oh.” For a moment, I thought he was about to throw me out.

With Bai Hao, I reached the entrance of the medical hall and encountered an immortal. His appearance was dignified, his stature towering, movements exuding both the power of a soaring eagle and the grace of a dragon.

“Good morning, Immortal Friends!” He greeted us, hands clasped, striding out the door.

“I think Celestial Lord Yunxiao could accept him as a disciple,” I remarked, watching him leave.

“Why?” Bai Hao asked.

“Just a feeling. He’s extraordinary. But he’s not nearly as impressive as you; Yuqing Realm should accept you, too!” I encouraged Bai Hao.

Bai Hao smiled.

Seeing his smile growing more frequent, I felt bold enough to say, “If they don’t accept you, try elsewhere—aren’t all immortal mountains places of cultivation? Why insist on Yunxiao?”

“Oh, you seem to have some complaints about Celestial Lord Yunxiao,” Bai Hao said.

I nodded, “Yes. So many aspiring disciples, and he only accepts one every ten thousand years, picking the best and leaving the rest, equally talented, without hope. He should open a branch of Yuqing Realm, like this medical hall—have his top disciples guide the others in cultivation, then choose the best among them as formal disciples, or let them be recommended by the nine sovereigns. Give those who rank highly but weren’t chosen by a Celestial Lord a second chance.”

Bai Hao listened intently, hands behind his back, and nodded, “That makes sense.”

“And he discriminates against women!” I added indignantly.

“Yuqing Realm only accepts those with the talents of generals; women are ill-suited for the battlefield,” Bai Hao said.

“Political marriages and honey-trap schemes are all executed by women,” I argued.

“That requires sacrificing a woman’s lifelong happiness, even her life. If you were a woman, would you be willing? If the enemy spread rumors on the battlefield and your beloved misunderstood you, would you accept it?” Bai Hao countered.

“I… Of course not…” His question left me speechless.

Then I remembered Wulan, who disguised herself as a man to learn archery and seek apprenticeship, and pressed my point, “That’s why he should teach women how to protect themselves and be independent. Many female immortals sincerely wish to improve—not for ulterior motives.”

“In peril, precautions are never enough,” Bai Hao’s gaze was as cold as ice.