Nan’an City.

The White Crane Medicine Manor was closed to visitors today.

Su Muyu changed into black clothes and shouldered his signature paper umbrella as he stood in the courtyard. Bai Hehuan sat in a lounge chair, basking in the sun. “You’re about to accomplish something important for our Sister Mu. You mustn’t be careless.”

Su Muyu sighed softly. “If we’re talking about the most dangerous places in the jianghu, the Tang Manor would certainly be one of them. One moment of carelessness, and there’s no coming back.”

“The Tang Manor must be quite formidable then,” Bai Hehuan said casually.

“The Tang Manor ranks first in hidden weapons and second in poison arts throughout the land,” Su Muyu replied. “The Tang Family Castle is filled with traps—it’s like walking into a dragon’s den.”

“Oh? Then who ranks first in poison arts?” Bai Hehuan asked deliberately.

Su Muyu played along: “Why, the Wen family, of course!”

“Indeed. So as a direct descendant of the Wen family, which surpasses the Tang Manor, I’ll give you a gift for such a dangerous mission.” Bai Hehuan took out a small cyan porcelain bottle from his robes. After a moment, a small cyan snake poked its head out, curiously looking around.

Su Muyu froze. “This is…”

“Xiao Qing,” Bai Hehuan called out softly.

The cyan snake swayed its head from side to side and flicked its tongue.

“Cute, isn’t it?” Bai Hehuan mimicked the snake by sticking out his tongue.

Su Muyu shook his head helplessly. “It’s certainly cuter than Yumu’s spiders.”

“Haha, go on, go meet Master Su.” Bai Hehuan extended a finger, and the cyan snake slithered out of the bottle, coiling around his finger once before he lowered it to the ground. The snake then crawled along the bluestone slabs to Su Muyu’s feet.

Su Muyu bent down and also extended a finger in front of the snake. After a brief hesitation, the snake climbed onto his finger. Standing up, Su Muyu curiously examined the snake before him. It was entirely jade-green as if carved from a piece of jadeite.

“This is a Jadeite Snake. It comes from the Southwest. They say it likes to coil around jadeite, and gradually took on the appearance of jade itself,” Bai Hehuan explained with a smile. “Have you been to Mian City in the Southwest?”

“No,” Su Muyu shook his head.

“That’s a shame. It’s quite interesting there. One cut could make you rich, one cut could leave you poor, one cut could leave you in rags.” Bai Hehuan made a chopping motion. “There are mountains of stones there—cut them open and you might find imperial green jade or just plain white rock. Hey, since Su Changhe is so wealthy, why don’t we trick him into going there?”

Su Muyu shook his head. “Changhe is very clever. I couldn’t deceive him.”

“Well, keep this Jadeite Snake with you. If you’re poisoned by something incurable, let it bite you,” Bai Hehuan raised his eyebrows.

“It can cure poison?” Su Muyu asked, puzzled.

“No, its venom is fatal upon contact with blood,” Bai Hehuan grinned mischievously.

Su Muyu’s mouth twitched slightly, his finger stiffening as he looked at the curious little snake examining him. “Fatal upon contact?”

“Yes. But its venom is unique—it forms a special suppressive relationship with other poisons. If you’re poisoned and then bitten by the Jadeite Snake, they’ll suppress each other, ensuring you won’t die from the poison for at least ten days or so. If you’re poisoned, let it bite you, then rush back here to me for the antidote.” Bai Hehuan tossed over the porcelain bottle. “Understand?”

Su Muyu caught the bottle, and the cyan snake slithered back into it on its own. He nodded. “I understand. But how should I care for it?”

“Isn’t Sister Mu with you? Just have her toss in a few spiders each day,” Bai Hehuan replied.

“Alright.” Su Muyu put away the bottle. “Thank you, Divine Physician.”

“Su Muyu, tell me, what does it mean to reach the other shore of the Dark River?” Bai Hehuan suddenly asked.

Su Muyu froze. “Hm?”

“At first, you all thought reaching the other shore of the Dark River meant overthrowing the original Dark River families. Later, you succeeded in defeating the three former family heads and established a new Dark River. But then you discovered another hand pulling the strings behind Dark River, so you went to Tianqi City. You defeated the Shadow Sect and burned down their tower, making Dark River truly free. Yet now, you’re going to the Tang Manor to ally with them, for Dark River’s survival in the jianghu…” Bai Hehuan paused, hesitating before continuing, “It seems that legendary another shore can never truly be reached.”

Su Muyu’s expression grew solemn as he looked up at the sky, saying nothing.

“It’s like how you came to Nan’an City and seemed to find a peaceful life, yet you still can’t help but return to Dark River,” Bai Hehuan turned to leave. “You’ll have to leave eventually—either leave Nan’an City or leave Dark River.” With these words, Bai Hehuan pushed open the courtyard gate and walked out.

Su Zhe was sitting on the steps outside waiting for her. Seeing Bai Hehuan emerge, he stood up, the golden rings on his Buddhist staff jingling: “Come, daughter, let’s go buy some osmanthus cakes.”

“Father, what did you think of what I just said?” Bai Hehuan asked.

Su Zhe sighed softly. “Su Muyu understands these things better than anyone, but once someone speaks them aloud, perhaps it becomes different.”

“Ah.” Bai Hehuan shook his head. “It’s somewhat painful. I just feel that Su Muyu keeps too many thoughts bottled up inside. If I don’t say them for him, he might suffocate himself.”

“Who knows? That kid Su Changhe understands better than anyone. You can guess what Su Muyu is thinking, but you can’t guess Su Changhe’s thoughts.” Su Zhe walked ahead.

In the medicine manor, Mu Yumu slowly walked to Su Muyu’s side. “You’ve asked yourself the little Divine Physician’s questions many times, haven’t you?”

Su Muyu shook his head slightly. “I’m very clear that in this life, no matter where I go, I can never completely sever my ties with Dark River.”

“This trip to the Tang Manor, I think it will be the last. I can guess that this is what Changhe thinks too—once the Tang Manor matter is settled, you and Dark River can part ways completely.” Mu Yumu said very seriously. “This time… I should thank you as well.”

“I told you it’s impossible.” Su Muyu lightly patted Mu Yumu’s shoulder. “We’re friends forever, no—best friends forever, right? How could we have no connection?”

After speaking, Su Muyu turned and walked toward his small house. Mu Yumu remained in place, silent for a long while.

The wind gently lifted her hair, and Mu Yumu smiled, adjusting her hair: “As expected of a man I once loved—he’s truly no less impressive than Tang Lianyue.”