Chapter 22: Northern Region

Chapter 22: Chapter 22: Northern Region

After following Elder Jingyan, Sui Sui was led into a small room connected to the Herb Distribution Hall. The room was lined with rows of wooden shelves, each neatly filled with jade bottles containing pills of various grades and effects.

Several thick ledgers were stacked on a long table beside an inkstone and brushes, while a crystal the size of a human head sat quietly on a pedestal nearby. Unfortunately, the crystal was completely dim, with several faint cracks spreading across its surface.

Only after they entered did Elder Jingyan explain the situation.

Normally, the recording crystal was responsible for documenting every transaction within the Spirit Herb Garden. Whenever an alchemy disciple came to collect their allocation of medicinal herbs, receive sect-issued pills, or submit newly refined pills, the crystal would automatically record their identity and the details of the transaction.

Unfortunately, it had malfunctioned earlier that day, and a replacement could not be delivered in time, leaving Elder Jingyan with no choice but to record everything manually.

To make matters worse, the disciple who usually assisted him was away on an errand. Elder Jingyan had originally intended to visit the Mission Hall and post a commission for temporary assistance, but before he could leave, he happened to witness the disturbance outside the Spirit Herb Garden.

Since Sui Sui appeared to have nothing pressing to do, the elder simply brought him over to help.

The work itself was not particularly difficult, though it demanded patience and meticulous attention. Throughout the day, Sui Sui remained seated beside Elder Jingyan, carefully recording the names of disciples, the medicinal herbs they collected, the pills they received, and the pills they submitted after refinement.

His handwriting was neat, his calculations rarely went wrong, and before long, Elder Jingyan had stopped checking every entry he wrote.

As they worked, Sui Sui gradually learned more about the Spirit Herb Garden. It turned out that the entire place was usually managed by only two people—Elder Jingyan and his sole disciple, Ji Ling.

Elder Jingyan disliked dealing with unnecessary social interactions and preferred a quiet environment, so unless Ji Ling happened to be away, he rarely sought help from anyone else.

After learning this, Sui Sui became even more careful with his words. Aside from answering questions or confirming records when necessary, he quietly focused on his work, speaking only when spoken lest he accidentally disturb the elder.

Fortunately, by the time the Shēn Period (4:00–6:00 p.m.) arrived, Ji Ling finally returned from his errand. With another pair of experienced hands helping to organize the records and distribute medicinal herbs, the remaining work was completed much more quickly.

By the time the evening sky was painted with shades of orange and crimson, the last disciple had left, and Elder Jingyan prepared to close the Spirit Herb Garden for the day.

"You’ve all worked hard today," Elder Jingyan said as he slowly stroked his beard. His gaze lingered on Sui Sui for a moment, and the appreciation in his eyes was impossible to miss.

Compared to the disciples who constantly tried to flatter him or spoke endlessly in hopes of earning his favor, this quiet young man had simply lowered his head and worked diligently from beginning to end. Elder Jingyan had always preferred people who let their actions speak louder than their words.

"A-Ji," Elder Jingyan called, turning toward his disciple. "Accompany this little disciple Sui to the Mission Hall and help him register today’s contribution points."

Ji Ling immediately nodded. "Yes, Master."

After giving the instruction, Elder Jingyan looked back at Sui Sui.

"If you’re willing," he said unhurriedly, "you may continue helping here for the next few days. We are rather short-handed at the moment, and the recording crystal has yet to be repaired. Since you have proven yourself capable, this old man sees no reason to look for someone else."

Hearing those words, Sui Sui’s eyes brightened ever so slightly.

He had been wondering how he was going to earn contribution points beginning tomorrow so that he could exchange them for cultivation resources. Since Elder Jingyan had personally offered him an opportunity, there was naturally no reason to refuse.

"Many thanks, Elder." Sui Sui respectfully cupped his fists in salute. "This disciple is willing."

A trace of satisfaction flashed across Elder Jingyan’s face before he gave a small nod, signaling that the matter was settled.

Afterward, Ji Ling accompanied Sui Sui to the Mission Hall to register the contribution points he had earned for the day’s work and record his name as a temporary assistant at the Spirit Herb Garden until the recording crystal was repaired.

By the time they finished, the sun had almost completely disappeared beyond the mountains. Since they were heading in the same direction, Ji Ling naturally offered to walk Sui Sui back to the probationary disciples’ quarters.

Along the way, Ji Ling and Sui Sui gradually got to know each other better. Ji Ling was an alchemist just like his master. Sui Sui noticed that he had a pair of gentle peach blossom eyes and an easygoing smile that naturally put people at ease, giving him the air of the kind senior brother next door who was patient, approachable, and easy to get along with.

"It is nice that we can welcome a new person to the Herb Garden. Usually, it’s only Master and me, so it has been getting a little boring," Ji Ling said with a smile. His tone was warm and genuine, showing that he was truly happy to have another person around.

"Really? Has no one else had the guts to stay?" Sui Sui asked curiously. Thinking back to Elder Jingyan’s stern expression, he wondered if the elder was really that difficult to work with.

"There have been a few," Ji Ling replied with a helpless smile. "But the Master is especially strict about a lot of things, and most disciples end up getting scolded until they cry."

Sui Sui let out a small "Oh" in understanding. Personally, he didn’t think Elder Jingyan was that strict; the elder was simply very meticulous and expected others to follow his instructions carefully.

Fortunately, Sui Sui had listened attentively throughout the day, otherwise he probably would have been scolded as well.

By the time they reached the door to Sui Sui’s room, the sky had already darkened. The two stopped outside the entrance and bid each other farewell before returning to their own residences.

"Goodbye, Senior Brother Ji. See you tomorrow," Sui Sui said, waving at him.

Ji Ling returned the wave with a light smile. "See you tomorrow, Junior Brother Sui."

When Sui Sui pushed open the door to his room, he wasn’t the least bit surprised to find Yizhou already sitting inside as though it were his own residence. The latter casually looked up from his seat, showing not the slightest hint of guilt for entering someone else’s room without permission.

"Can you stop doing this? What if someone sees you here?" Sui Sui asked with a frown as he closed the door behind him. Although his tone carried a trace of helplessness, he had already grown somewhat accustomed to Yizhou’s habit of appearing out of nowhere.

"What?" Yizhou raised an eyebrow. "Don’t want other people to see me? Or is it that you don’t want your ’Senior Brother’ to see?"

His voice carried an inexplicable hint of displeasure, causing Sui Sui to stare at him in confusion.

What is this man thinking now? How is this even related to Senior Brother Ji?

"What do you even mean?" Sui Sui asked, completely baffled. "That was Senior Brother Ji Ling from the Herb Garden. Don’t you know him? I recently became a temporary worker there, so I’ll be spending quite a bit of time with him. It’s only natural that we get along."

Hearing the explanation did little to improve Yizhou’s mood.

"You’ll be spending every day with him?" he asked, his brows knitting together almost imperceptibly. "How many hours?"

Sui Sui thought about it for a moment before answering honestly.

"Based on the schedule Elder Jingyan gave me, probably around eight hours a day." He blinked at Yizhou curiously. "Why?"

The moment those words left his mouth, Yizhou’s expression darkened even further.

Seeing the obvious change in his mood, Sui Sui couldn’t help wondering which unfortunate person had managed to provoke him this time. Since Yizhou showed no intention of explaining himself, however, Sui Sui wisely chose not to ask any further.

Instead, acting as the diligent blood bank he had become, Sui Sui walked over on his own before Yizhou could even say a word. He calmly removed the outer layers of his robes one by one before climbing onto Yizhou’s lap in the position they had become accustomed to, his back facing the other as he tilted his head to expose the side of his neck.

"Alright," Sui Sui said matter-of-factly. "You can start now."

Yizhou clicked his tongue softly. For some reason, the sight before him only made him feel even more irritated.

What was this? Was Sui Sui trying to hurry him along so he could send him away as quickly as possible?

"I don’t like this position," Yizhou said without changing his expression. "Come and face me."

Sui Sui turned his head in surprise. "What? But we’ve always done it like this before. Why does it matter which position you drink from?"

"After comparing them," Yizhou replied without the slightest embarrassment, "I think yesterday’s position is better. It’s more convenient."

Sui Sui looked at him skeptically.

He couldn’t understand Yizhou’s reasoning at all, but since it wasn’t exactly an unreasonable hard request, he didn’t bother arguing. The sooner this was over, the sooner he could finally rest after an exhausting day.

He shifted around until they were facing one another before glancing up.

"Like this?" Yizhou gave a quiet hum in response.

Satisfied, Sui Sui tilted his head once more. A familiar warmth brushed against the side of his neck before he felt the slight sting he had already grown used to. The room gradually fell silent, leaving only the faint rustling of clothing and the soft breeze drifting in through the half-open window.

Several minutes later, Yizhou finally withdrew and gently licked away the trace of blood left behind before releasing him.

"Done?" Sui Sui immediately asked as he straightened his clothes. "Then you should go. I’m exhausted today and want to sleep early."

Instead of leaving, Yizhou merely looked at him.

"Why are you in such a hurry to chase me out today?" he asked, sounding faintly dissatisfied. "I still have a few things I want to tell you."

Sui Sui blinked before looking at him curiously. "Oh? What is it?"

"I wanted to tell you that I might not be able to visit you for the next few days." Yizhou’s tone was much calmer than before as he leaned back slightly in the bed. "My master has ordered me to make a trip to the Northern Region to retrieve something."

Sui Sui’s movements paused for a moment.

"The Northern Region?" he repeated, a trace of surprise flashing across his eyes.

Yizhou gave a small nod. "Mn. It shouldn’t take too long, but I won’t be in the sect during that time."

Hearing those words, Sui Sui unconsciously lowered his gaze in thought.

The Northern Region...

He immediately recalled a plot from the original novel that had taken place there.