"Lets see.. Qingxin grass for fever reduction, bloodroot for wound purification.." He Renxiao murmured, sitting up in bed with a medical pouch nearby as he started to put dried sprigs into a small pouch, his hands carefully sorting all the herbs into separate piles.
Sure all of this was a bit overkill.. But it was better to be safe than sorry.
The five had already packed the night before and hadn't any sleep what-so-ever, their dreams haunted and minds shaken with the thought of what they may witness within the coming weeks.
He Renxiao had already gone through this whole ordeal in his past life.. Now that he thought about it, he was pretty sure this was the same mission—minus the fact none of his other sect siblings were there..
"Xiao Shixiong!" Called Nan Feng from behind the door, calling He Renxiao back to reality. "Shizun has requested all the disciples come to see you all off!"
"Coming." He Renxiao called back.
In his past life, the Frost Pine Valley mission had been the first long term mission He Renxiao had gone on, and the only mission that his father hadn't tagged alongside him.
This mission was a major turn of events within the sect and because he had failed to see it, many people died and mistakes were made– seeds which rooted and sprouted out more danger later on for the Azure cloud sect..
After carefully packing up the sorted herbs in the medical pouch, He Renxiao changed hastily into his travel robes–simple and durable and the colors of the sect, a pale blue with a white like pure jade and raced down the hall to the courtyard with the early winter breeze filling the air.
He spotted Mo Shuyi nearby wearing a dark navy blue coat that seemed to compliment his form quite well. At only seventeen, Mo Shuyi was two years older than He Renxiao, striking and mature..
It was when he was twenty three that the downfall of the sect fell on his shoulders and caused him to turn against them. The male was tall and had his hair tied up in a neat top knot secured with a pale blue ribbon, also a signature to the sect, as well as a headband!
He Renxiao also couldn't help but notice that he also had a small braid in the front of his hair and had a dark blue bead tied at the end.
In his past life, Mo Shuyi and all his sect siblings had started wearing their hair in some kind of braid after He Renxiao started wearing his hair in a full braid and felt like he was doing too much..
Since then it had become a signature for all Gu Shi's disciples to wear their hair in braids of sorts. It was nice not being the odd one out.
The trend also died out when they became adults and He Renxiao started to wear his hair in a pony tail rather than a braid.
He Renxiao genuinely loved Mo Shuyi like a brother.. He was just so fearful of the male for what he did to him.. And there was no forgiving what he did.. He would never forgive him, in this life or next, because he hurt the lives of many innocent people.. He hurt his Shizun. He hurt many who didn't deserve it.
Mo Shuyi had been finishing up the last bit of his own preparations beneath the shade of the large willow tree in the main of the courtyard when noticed He Renxiao standing motionless at the entrance like a frightened deer.
The thought brought an involuntary smile to his lips. His precious Shidi, always earnest and careful in everything he did, appeared lost in thought again. There was something endearing about the way He Renxiao looked when he did, hands clutching his medicine pouch like his life depended on it while lost in his own thoughts.. this thought Mo Shuyi couldn't quite place it, yet he had always been that way..
Allowing himself to appreciate the scene for a moment, Mo Shuyi fixed this posture and gestured toward He Renxiao to come over with a graceful sweep of his sleeve as the morning breeze flipped through his hair.
"Xiao-Shidi," He called out. "Come here. We'll be leaving soon."
He Renxiao snapped back to reality as he heard Mo Shuyi call out to him, a faint blush coloring his cheeks at how he seemed to notice something He Renxiao didn't.. Or perhaps, couldn't.. Without directly meeting eyes with Mo Shuyi, he gave a soft bow and followed behind the older male. "I was ensuring that we had everything we needed." He said shortly.
Mo Shuyi's expression softened as he paused, observing his junior closely.. then looked at the pouch He Renxiao had in his hand. He had always admired the boy's love for herbs, though he never understood why.
"Your dedication to healing will serve well on this mission," Mo Shuyi offered, "as well as Li Yu guiding your steps along the way as she usually does—" The words had barely left his lips when he realized his mistake.
He Renxiao's face went pale, his eyes widening in shock as the pouch nearly dropped out of his hands..
Mo Shuyi's stomach dropped as the implications fell over him like a cold wave.. "Wait!" Mo Shuyi gulped, reaching out instinctively, but it was clear that the damage was already done..
He Renxiao stood frozen, his mind racing. Does he know about Li Yu? How could he possibly... The timeline didn't make sense.. He Renxiao hadn't yet had the sword.. It wasn't meant to happen for another month at the very least.. So how did Mo Shuyi know about it?..
Before either of them could address the problem at hand, the sound of footsteps echoed through the courtyard as Li Yuan entered through the main gate with the kind of purposeful stride that seemed to command attention from the very air around him.
Even though he was only one year his senior, Li Yuan already possessed the bearing of someone respected with his imposing presence and exceptional sword skills.
The contrast between the two was a great deal—stark and impossible to ignore. He Renxiao held quiet uncertainty like he was still finding his place.. Li Yuan moved with unmeasured confidence. He was the acknowledged son of the sect leader, while He Renxiao was the forgotten son just there to exist in a sea of fishes..
"Renxiao." Li Yuan acknowledged with a nod of casual authority. "Go secure the maps and talismans. Organize them before we depart."
He Renxiao found himself caught between the weight of Li Yuan's expectant gaze and the lingering shock of Mo Shuyi's inexplicable knowledge. For a long moment, he simply stared at the taller young man's imposing figure, uncertainty written across his features like calligraphy on rice paper.
Finally, he tore his gaze away and moved to gather the scattered maps and protective talismans, his movements more hurried than his usual careful precision.
Mo Shuyi cleared his throat, the sound cutting though the silence like a knife to meat as he tried to shake off the tension.. He straightened his shoulders and turned to face Li Yuan.
"Do you have your sword, Yuan?" Mo Shuyi asked as he crossed his arms, leaning on the side of the carriage with quiet impatience.
"Mhm, in my sack." Li Yuan replied in kind, gesturing with his chin towards the leather sack on his shoulder.
"Good," Mo Shuyi said, his voice carrying dry amusement,"at least you didn't forget it this time." Mo Shuyi said with a nod with honestly quite annoyed Li Yuan but he didn't say anything about it.
The comment hung in the air, and He Renxiao couldn't help but glance up from his organizing, curious despite his lingering confusion about Mo Shuyi's earlier slip.
There was clearly history between these two that he wasn't privy to, layers of familiarity and shared experiences that made him feel like an outsider looking in.
In the past, the three's relationships together had been quite.. Strained.. Mostly after the downfall of the sect, and most of the blame falling onto Mo Shuyi. Maybe this time he should try to forge a better relationship with the two..
This mission would serve as a good piler for such.. In fact, he was determined to.. Maybe he could even fix Li yuan's downfall and..
And then the last sound of footsteps echoed through the clearing.. Lan Qiang approached wearing his hair tied up in a bun. He wore a fur coat and hair crown as well as well fit robes for a master such as himself.
As he approached, He Renxiao also watched, a soft purr of warmth forming in his throat despite the overall cold weather. The male was half graceful and half striking in terms of grace
and he also carried that heavy authority, when he knew that in private the male was kind and gentle.
"Let me help with those," He Renxiao offered, moving forward to take some of the scrolls from Lan Qiang. As their fingers touched, He Renxiao couldn't help but recognize the familiar feeling of spiritual energy emanating from the older male.. It was unique and seemed to only belong to Lan Qiang..
In his past life, that energy had been a lifeline for many willing cultivators, fatal to others, and a song of affection to He Renxiao.. And of course they had disagreed a lot then about war tactics back then, in the end, his and Mo Shuyi's energy was the last he felt before everything had gone sour and black.
"We're ready to set off now." Lan Qiang announced, his voice reaching Mo Shuyi and Li Yuan. "Yes, Shizun, I'll oversee the last bit of loading, Li Yuan, please check the horses one last time. Make sure they are fed. Renxiao, double check that the medical supply is all there and that they are secure."
He Renxiao rolled his eyes at this.. He had checked over and over, and in their past life he never cared for such minorities! But regardless, He Renxiao obeyed and as did Li Yuan.
As they dispersed to their tasks, He Renxiao couldn't help but feel a strange mixture of nostalgia and dread. Everything seemed so familiar yet subtly different. Small changes were already appearing—in his previous life, Nan Feng and several other disciples had accompanied them on this mission. Now, their party was smaller, more focused.
Would these differences be enough to change the outcome? Or was fate determined to follow the same tragic path regardless of his interventions?
He pushed these thoughts aside as he carefully packed his medicinal supplies into waterproof containers. Now was not the time for doubts. Every change, no matter how small, could ripple outward in ways he couldn't predict.
After securing his herbs, He Renxiao headed toward the stables where the others were preparing the horses and carriage. As he approached, he noticed a familiar figure standing near the entrance—his father, Elder Li Chengyuan, speaking with Li Yuan.
Li Chengyuan had always been an imposing figure, no doubt in it, and father like son, also held an imposing, respect calling stature.. His robes adorned with the emblems of his high status as the sect leader and billowed in the morning breeze. Despite his fine cultivation, thin lines began to appear around his eyes.. Not from age, but from the stress of leadership.
"Father." He Renxiao greeted with a respectful bow as he approached.
He Renxiao didn't particularly hate his father.. He wasn't a bad man, he just made bad choices..
Upon hearing his son, Li Chengyuan turned toward the sound, his eyes searching for a moment before landing on his youngest son. His expression softened as they landed on him, almost like he was pitying the young boy. "Renren'er, I was just discussing your mission plans with your brother."
"I prepared the medical supplies." He Renxiao murmured quietly, suddenly feeling uncomfortable with the feeling he had intruded on their private conversation.
Li Chengyuan nodded and turned back to Li Yuan. "Remember, Yuan'er, you are representing your family on this mission. I expect you to demonstrate our status well."
Li Yuan bowed in respect for his father. "I will, father."
Li Chengyuan then turned to face He Renxiao again, his expression shifting to mild concern. "Renren'er.. Stay close to your Shizun, Shixiong or brother, alright? Your healing skills are exquisite, but your combat skills.." He paused, trying to find the right words that would hurt a little less..
He Renxiao silently blushed, flustered and bowed his head, but wished for him to finish.. He didn't get good at combat until he had his swords anyway.. All of that would change, because he was good at it now, and he still had the knowledge from his past life! "I understand, father." He said, saving him from completing the thought. "I know my limits."
Li Chengyuan sighed and reached into his pocket. Just as quickly, he seemed to transfer spiritual energy into the talisman and it shifted into a jade pendant.
"Take this protective talisman." Li Chengyuan said, reaching the pendant out to He Renxiao.
"It has a bit of my spiritual energy in it."
He Renxiao took it.. He was quiet.. He had one already, though he was sure the energy had dispersed by now.. He quietly traced the intricate designs on the pendant as he thought.. His gaze shifted back to meet Li Chengyuan's once more.
Li Chengyuan bowed to his two sons, future heirs to the sect and young masters. "Take care of your brother, Yuan'er, and come back in one piece. That's all I ask from my two sons." and just like that, Li Chengyuan took his leave.
When the sect leader was out of sight, Mo Shuyi approached with Lan Qiang in tow. "Is everything ready?" He asked
"Almost." Li Yuan said before He Renxiao could respond, coming to stand in front of the shorter male. "Just securing our bags and then we'll be out of here."
He Renxiao merely scoffed at this and turned to ready his own horse. He was too tired to fight Li Yuan at the moment and they would be leaving any moment now, there was no point in it. He just began to saddle his horse and take the stallion out of his stall.
They were all riding separately. They would all take horses, with Lan Qiang's horse carrying the wagon. It was a system set up where if one of them got tired, then they'd be able to ride on the wagon while someone else took their horse.
"There we go. The other horses should already be set up to head out. We may make it to the next town by noon." Li Yuan finally called from behind, He Renxiao making his way over to the group.
"And if someone were to have been patient, then I was going to say that I would take care of his horse." Li Yuan said pointedly as his eyes landed on He Renxiao and his horse.
"If someone didn't take too long maybe I wouldn't have done it myself." He Renxiao huffed annoyedly.
"Whatever… Just get your horses, the morning bell will ring soon and we will depart." Li Yuan said, turning his attention back to Lan Qiang and Mo Shuyi. This annoyed He Renxiao to no end. Li Yuan had always said that.. Authoritative demeanor, and he used it a lot mainly to get what he wanted. Mo Shuyi was older than him, and Lan Qiang was their Shizun! What was he doing, bossing them around like a couple of trouble-making kids?
He touched the jade talisman his father had given him, feeling the steady pulse of protective energy within. This small change from his previous life gave him hope. Perhaps other deviations would follow, creating a new path that avoided the tragedies of his past existence.
When he returned to the present, the others were already gathered. Lan Qiang was consulting a map, while Mo Shuyi was performing a final check of their talismans and spiritual tools, while Li Yuan adjusted his sword belt and the new dagger at his hip.
Everything was ready.. He Renxiao walked his horse towards the door of the stable to take one last look at the sect, which had been his home both in his past and now. He hoped that he could save the sect from its downfall..
He Renxiao cleared his throat and looked back at the others, who had already sat on their horses.
"We'll be heading to the eastern ridge rather than the west.. I heard of bandits in the area and I would rather avoid a confrontation." Lan Qiang said as he looked at Mo Shuyi.
He Renxiao tensed. In his previous life, they had indeed encountered bandits on the main road—an encounter that had delayed them by two crucial days..
"The eastern ridge is too steep, the horses will struggle and we'll be delayed by at least half a day.."
"Spirtual energy is stronger there." Mo Shuyi pointed out. "It'll allow us to maintain our cultivation while traveling."
He Renxiao nodded and swallowed his biting words quietly. "I agree with Shizun. The eastern ridge is a lot safer," And before anyone could question his bold assertiveness, He Renxiao added, "I heard tales from merchants in town about the bandits.." Which was a total lie, but no one would know that.
"Eastern ridge it is." Lan Qiang declared
And soon enough, the bell rang, and the group set off.