Two days later.
It was already late March.
The cool spring rain fell as fine as ox hair, sprinkling the earth and adding another touch of vitality to the season.
Birds chirped cheerfully in the forest, and insects under the trees sang their own songs.
At this moment… in his small courtyard, Xu Ping’an was holding an oil-paper umbrella, not in the mood to admire the delicate spring rain.
Instead, his eyes were fixed intently on a few medicinal herbs in the yard that were about to bloom.
Yes, those herbs in the yard, after more than a year of careful cultivation, were finally about to mature.
Now, he was just waiting for the moment when the herbs’ medicinal properties would be at their peak, so he could pick them.
On the other side of the yard, a newly built fish pond already had a few small fish swimming about.
Though not big, they were lively and full of energy.
Unlike him, Pei Qingxuan had no such patience.
She held an oil-paper umbrella and ran to the fish pond, occasionally tossing in crumbs of steamed bun.
Watching the fish scramble for food at the surface, a smile appeared on her face.
She turned and glanced toward the main hall.
The window of the west room was open.
Li Yuer leaned against the window frame, holding a cup of hot tea, her gaze occasionally drifting toward him.
On the east side, the window of the room where Liu Yingying lived was also open.
She poked her head out.
This girl didn’t like the rain, but she did enjoy watching Xu Ping’an.
Zhao Pingzhi was busy wiping down the courtyard wall, working up a sweat.
The whole courtyard looked peaceful, yet brimming with the warmth of daily life.
Seeing this scene, Xu Ping’an felt deeply content.
Smiling, he continued to keep his eyes on the herbs.
Suddenly, a flower bud atop one of the herbs opened three petals. Xu Ping’an, quick-eyed and nimble, snatched it off before it fully bloomed, then placed it directly into a brocade box, sealed it, and handed it back.
“Ning’er, take this to the medicine cabinet.”
“Yes, Master.”
Ning’er took the brocade box.
Jing’er stepped forward, taking Ning’er’s place, eyes full of anticipation.
The two girls had come to help of their own accord, but thinking about it, it was surely Liu Yingying and Li Yuer who had sent them.
As for Xu Ping’an, he didn’t mind at all.
Just as he was about to continue picking flowers, he suddenly heard a rush of wind overhead.
The instant he heard it, Xu Ping’an’s brows furrowed.
At the same time, Pei Qingxuan, who had been feeding the fish, stood up abruptly, her gaze sharp as she looked toward the sky.
At that moment, two figures flew rapidly from afar, their destination none other than Xu Ping’an’s small fenced courtyard.
“Nobody is allowed to go out, understood?”
Xu Ping’an turned and spoke to the people in the courtyard.
Li Yuer’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as she looked at Xu Ping’an.
On the other side, Liu Yingying glanced enviously at the two figures flying across the sky.
As for Pei Qingxuan, she remained vigilant, and if she’d had a sword in hand, she might have acted on the spot.
Zhao Pingzhi and the two young maids were also on guard, but obediently stayed put.
The two figures landed in front of the courtyard, and two men jumped down.
One was Zhang Qian from Burning Wheel Valley, whom Xu Ping’an had met before.
The other was a stranger, but his cultivation was clearly stronger—at least at the Jindan Stage or higher.
“Qian’er, is this the place you spoke of?”
“Master, yes, this is the place. That Senior is in seclusion here, and there’s an Array Formation in the yard. I can’t see through it.”
Although the two had not entered the courtyard, their conversation could be heard clearly by everyone inside.
Strangely, even though they were right in front of the courtyard, it was as if they couldn’t see anyone inside, even though the people were only ten meters away.
The two merely glanced over the yard, then Zhang Qian’s master cupped his hands in salute.
“I am Wan Shanxin, Right Hall Elder of Burning Wheel Valley. Upon hearing from my disciple that a great Senior is in seclusion here, I have come uninvited to pay my respects.”
Xu Ping’an replied calmly, neither humble nor arrogant: “No need for formalities. My wife and I wish to avoid worldly troubles. I appreciate Burning Wheel Valley’s good intentions, but please, both of you, leave.”
At this moment, Li Yuer, Liu Yingying, Ning’er, and Jing’er all looked at Xu Ping’an in astonishment.
No matter how slow they might be, they now understood that Xu Ping’an was no ordinary man.
The two outside were only a few steps away, yet couldn’t sense anyone just meters inside the courtyard.
Li Yuer’s beautiful eyes shimmered, a hint of spring light dancing in her peach blossom gaze.
“Mister… truly not a mortal.”
Liu Yingying looked at Xu Ping’an with admiration, her eyes almost turning into hearts.
Jing’er, too, covered her mouth in awe, her face full of reverence.
Only Ning’er was slightly surprised, but didn’t react much.
As for Zhao Pingzhi, he was utterly dumbfounded, his mouth agape as if his jaw might fall off, staring at Xu Ping’an in disbelief.
He simply couldn’t believe that an ordinary physician could so easily toy with two cultivators in the palm of his hand.
Outside the courtyard, hearing Xu Ping’an’s voice, both men instinctively looked up, trying to peer inside.
But no matter how hard they looked, they couldn’t see a single person.
Wan Shanxin, the self-proclaimed elder of Burning Wheel Valley, couldn’t help but tense up, quickly lowering his head.
Even with his cultivation, he couldn’t see through the mysteries of this yard.
The person in seclusion here must have strength no less than the sect master!
“Senior, this junior was rude. I was only curious and meant no offense. Might Senior show himself?”
Xu Ping’an frowned slightly.
If not for the trouble it might cause, he would have liked to keep both men here.
It wouldn’t be difficult—just bury them in the yard as fertilizer.
A few of the herbs could use a little blood, after all.
“No need. Go back to where you came from. Don’t come to this courtyard again.”
Wan Shanxin outside the yard frowned, a hint of displeasure on his face, but he suppressed it.
He cupped his hands again.
“If that’s the case, then this junior will take his leave.”
Xu Ping’an simply glanced at the two men at the gate, then lowered his head to continue tending his herbs.
At that moment, Wan Shanxin seemed unwilling to leave just like that.
After a moment’s hesitation, he lifted his foot to step into the courtyard.
But as soon as his foot crossed the threshold—before it even touched the ground—a wave of boundless terror swept over him, as if the whole world had locked onto him as its target.
If his foot landed, in the next instant, thunder would crash down and reduce him to ash!
He instantly pulled his foot back.
The sky remained unchanged, and the terror vanished without a trace.
“Master… Master?”
Zhang Qian saw his master frozen at the gate and stepped forward in concern.
When Wan Shanxin turned around, Zhang Qian noticed his master’s eyes were full of fear, with beads of cold sweat forming on his brow.
“Master, what’s wrong?”
“Don’t say anything—let’s go!”
With that, Wan Shanxin didn’t even dare look back.
He stepped onto his Flying Sword, and before he’d even steadied himself, the sword soared into the sky.
He fled as if running for his life.