Chapter 10: Even A Smell On Pill Cauldron Peak Is Fragrant
Bidding goodbye to Zhou Lulu, Lu Yang made his way to Pill Cauldron Peak. Just as he arrived at the foot of the mountain, a strong medicinal fragrance assaulted his nostrils.
“As expected of Pill Cauldron Peak; even the air is filled with fragrance. The paradise and celestial lands from the legends may not even compare to this.”
Lu Yang couldn’t help but inhale a few more breaths. His body felt as light as a feather, as if he was about to metamorphize and ascend to an immortal.
“Junior Brother, don’t breathe in!” someone hollered from a distance. Upon noticing that Lu Yang even took in a few more breaths, he became even more frantic.
“Junior Brother, quickly use the Turtle Breathing Technique, oh wait, you seem to be a mortal, quickly cover your nose then. I slipped up while crafting medicine, and this poisonous scent was emitted…”
Lu Yang couldn't hear anything else he said after that. “What kind of place is this? Even a smell is poisonous…” Lu Yang murmured as he stood up wobbly. He felt as if the world was spinning around him. Before long, everything went black, and he collapsed to the ground.
What just transpired proved that a scent’s fragrance has no relation to its toxicity.
By the time Lu Yang regained consciousness, he saw a large face blocking his sight, startling him until he was fully awake.
The person sheepishly laughed. “Junior Brother Lu, you’re awake. It doesn’t hurt anymore, right?”
The jade pendant had helped him recognize Lu Yang’s identity.
Lu Yang blinked his eyes, unable to ignore the soreness all over his body, as if he had been rolled into a ball of dough and then flattened with a rolling pin.
Taking in his surroundings, he found himself in a pill concoction room. The intensity of the medicinal scent was even stronger than that outdoors. In the middle of the room lay a gigantic furnace for concocting pills, surrounded by shelves filled with bundles of medicinal herbs and white porcelain bottles which likely contained successfully concocted pills.
Strewn on the floor were diagrams of pill concoction methods and white mice locked in cages. Those unfamiliar with this place would struggle to even find a spot to step on.
There was only one bed in this room—the one Lu Yang was lying on.
“I’m Wu Ming. Sorry, Junior Brother. As I was ruminating over a problem when I was concocting pills, I got a little distracted and didn’t control the fire well, so I ended up concocting a poison instead.” Wu Ming proudly added on, “That said, you don’t have to worry. Although I often accidentally turn pills into poison, I’ve never killed anyone.”
…Now I’m even more worried.
Lu Yang got up painfully and shifted himself to the corner of the bed so that he could be more comfortable leaning against the wall.
Feeling his head itch, he touched the back of it, pausing for a moment before asking, “If I only inhaled poisonous air, why is the back of my head wrapped in bandages?”
Wu Ming awkwardly explained, “I got a little distracted when carrying you, so your head hit the ground. But you don’t have to worry, as long as you’re alive, you can be healed at our Pill Cauldron Peak!
“The pills I have are too potent and unsuitable for your consumption. Look, when you were unconscious, I specially concocted pills that even mortals can ingest.” Wu Ming passed two pills to Lu Yang just like he was offering a treasure.
The pills were golden with three rings around them, what Lu Yang knew as “pill marks”—a sign of near-perfection.
Lu Yang still didn’t dare to eat it.
I came to Pill Cauldron Peak only wanting to request for a few Fasting Pills, but before I could even do anything, I’m already lying in bed with my head wrapped in bandages.
If I eat something else, I’m afraid that even the King of Hell would praise me for my recklessness.
“It’s not poisonous, really,” Wu Ming assured him repeatedly.
Seeing Lu Yang’s evident lack of trust, Wu Ming found a little white mouse to demonstrate.
The little white mouse seemed to know that its death was imminent. When Wu Ming picked it up, it was still squeaking incessantly as it bid farewell to its wife and children.
After ingesting the pill, the little white mouse fell to the ground and stopped breathing. Its family cried plaintively, as if they could already see a similar fate.
Lu Yang, "..."
Wu Ming, "..."
Wu Ming quickly explained, “An accident, that was just an accident. The little white mouse has a small body, so even just a teeny bit of poison could kill it. But it’s definitely different for humans. I know what went wrong. Wait a moment, I’ll concoct a new batch for you.”
Lu Yang hurriedly diverted Wu Ming’s attention. “Senior Brother, you said that you got distracted because you were thinking about a problem. What problem is that?”
Lu Yang’s tactic worked, and Wu Ming pondered about his explanation. “The full name of pills is medicinal pills, and the pivotal concept lies in the word ‘medicinal’, which naturally means that it can treat people. However, Fasting Pills are not for the ill, so why are they also considered as medicinal pills?
“If Fasting Pills are considered medicinal pills, then medicinal pills are not just for curing illnesses; they can also be used as sustenance.
“But if Fasting Pills aren’t considered medicinal pills, then what should Fasting Pills be considered as?”
Lu Yang felt that no one could come up with such a question unless they took their brain out and roasted it in the pill concoction furnace for three days and three nights.
Wu Ming took out a handful of colorful jelly beans. “Speaking of Fasting Pills, the only thing that mortals can eat is Fasting Pills; there are all sorts of flavors—strawberry, apple, and watermelon. Do you want some? There’s no poison.”
Recalling how the King of Hell was eagerly waiting for himself, Lu Yang didn’t accept Wu Ming’s gift. Many people on Pill Cauldron Peak practice concocting pills. No matter who they are, it’ll at least be safer than with Senior Brother Wu Ming.
“Junior Brother, remember to look for me whenever you need pills; it’s free of charge.” Wu Ming enthusiastically waved goodbye to Lu Yang.
The latter only hastened his limping pace.
~~~
The next day, upon hearing about Lu Yang’s misfortune, Seventh Elder of the Pill Cauldron Peak sent Lu Yang authentic pills that could truly cure a mortal and a gourd of Fasting Pills.
Lu Yang recovered completely.
~~~
In the upcoming month, Lu Yang led a fulfilling life, revolving around the scripture library, Impartation Peak, and his cave abode. He zealously absorbed cultivation knowledge he had never encountered before just like a traveler in the desert finally discovering a clear spring.
After one month, everyone successfully became disciples of the various elders. Meng Jingzhou was under Third Elder, Man Gu was under Fourth Elder, Li Haoran with the Fire Spirit Root was under Fifth Elder, and Tao Yaoye with the Metamorphic Celestial Physique was under Sixth Elder.
This came as surprising news to Lu Yang. He had thought that Man Gu would join Meng Jingzhou to become Third Elder’s disciple because Third Elder was renowned in the cultivation world for being a physique cultivator no one would dare to engage in hand-to-hand combat with. With the blood of the Ancient Barbarian Tribe flowing within him, Man Gu would be best suited to receive the guidance of Third Elder.
On the other hand, Fourth Elder was a Confucian cultivator well-versed in scholarly knowledge rather than brute strength, so he didn’t know why Man Gu had chosen Fourth Elder as his master.
Fifth Elder specialized in crafting weapons, which made him suitable for Li Haoran considering his Fire Spirit Root.
Lu Yang had never met Sixth Elder, but he heard that she was a captivating beauty who possessed a Celestial Physique similar to Tao Yaoye’s.
However, Man Gu’s choice was not the most glaring. In fact, it was Lu Yang; the latter would be a disciple of the mysterious sect leader.
Having heard that the sect leader was leading a carefree life and hadn’t taken in a disciple for more than a hundred years, the disciples were bewildered. They didn’t understand why the sect leader would want to have Lu Yang as his disciple despite still being in seclusion.
Under everyone’s envious gazes, Lu Yang followed Yun Zhi to Heaven Gate’s Peak, where the sect leader was.
Rakumon's ThoughtsRakumon's Corner
Confucianism? Daoism? Buddhism?
You may be wondering why there is Confucianism here when everyone is supposed to be about the "Dao."
Well, to offer my two cents, although "Dao" is often associated with "Daoism," it can also be more broadly understood as "the Way." (Okay, I know I kinda just literally translated that x_x) If it helps, you can understand that each of the three main teachings in China has their own "Dao" or path or way they are seeking or adhere to.
As time passed by, the three main teachings, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism, would have intermingled with one another and become integrated with this coalescence of Chinese culture. In fact, there is a particular book which title sums up how they come together: Buddhism cultivates one's heart and mind, Daoism cultivates one way of life, and Confucianism cultivates one for achievement. This is why you see Daoism and Buddhism more prevalent in novels, whereas Confucianism is more prominent in the court and governance.
The reason many xianxia novels focus on Daoism is because it was originally derived as a "fantasy" version of Daoism.
Not the expert here, but I suppose that's how we can roughly wrap our heads around it for now. If you have anything else you'd like to share, please feel free to discuss in the comments! :3
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