Chapter Ten: The Whistle of the Partridge

Looking at Li Yang beside her, Madam He grew increasingly fond of him. Her delicate hands kept pinching his cheeks, her gaze brimming with affection and indulgence.

Li Yang, however, felt rather ill at ease. In his previous life, he was already an old man, and even in this life, his body had reached fifteen years of age—old enough to marry in any ordinary family. It was only his fair skin that made his face appear tender, as if he were merely eleven or twelve.

Despite the awkwardness, his composure far surpassed that of an average youth. Seizing the moment while Madam He was in high spirits, Li Yang feigned pitifulness and pleaded, “Madam, I have a companion living in the ruined temple. Would you allow him to come to the manor and serve as a young attendant? We’ve journeyed together these past years, and now that I’m joining the He family, I truly worry about how he might survive alone. I beg your kindness, Madam.”

“Oh, you mean that little fellow called Six? Of course, that’s no trouble at all. With this vast He estate, what’s one more mouth to feed? I’ll have Steward He fetch him shortly.” As she spoke, she resumed pinching Li Yang’s cheeks, muttering, “Such a good child, remembering his companion even at a time like this.”

Enduring the goosebumps, Li Yang played the part of a bashful youth for Madam He. Only when Jin Ling finished preparing his room and led him away did he finally escape her grasp.

“Hahaha…” Jin Ling laughed heartily at the lingering anxiety on Li Yang’s face, only calming herself after a while. “Don’t mind it. Madam is truly pitiable—she’s always wanted a child but has never been able to have one.”

She snorted coldly, her expression full of envy. “And whose fault is it that you have such a pretty face? You’re just a little beggar, yet your skin is smoother than mine. Heaven really isn’t fair.”

Li Yang rolled his eyes, unwilling to engage with such unreasonable remarks. Yet, he pondered Madam He’s situation. Medicine and alchemy have always been intertwined; Li Yang’s skills in pill-making naturally made him proficient in healing. When he touched Madam He’s hand earlier, he sensed a slight coolness, but her complexion and pulse showed no signs of illness. He resolved to find an opportunity to examine her properly in the future.

After familiarizing himself with the He manor alongside Jin Ling, Li Yang used tidying up as an excuse and returned to the ruined temple with Steward He.

“Brother Li, you’re back! The medicine is ready,” Six called out, his face flushed with excitement as he ran over.

“This is the Six you mentioned?” Steward He sized up the boy kindly.

“Yes, this is Six.” Seeing Six’s bewildered gaze directed at the steward, Li Yang explained, “Six, Madam He intends to take us in as attendants at the He manor. Let’s pack up and go together.”

“Is… is that true?” Six was stunned, only believing it when Li Yang nodded affirmatively. He rushed back into the ruined temple, his face ablaze with joy.

In these times, even adults struggled to make a living—how much harder for a child like Six? Years of hardship had worn him down, and without Li Yang’s support, he might not have survived. Now, the prospect of a stable life within the He manor filled him with overwhelming delight.

Soon, Six gathered his few ragged clothes. Li Yang collected his unused herbs, packed the prepared ointment from two large jars at the door into a ceramic pot the size of a human head, and followed Steward He toward the manor.

“Li, you can make medicine?” Steward He asked curiously, spying the ceramic pot in Li Yang’s arms.

“I know a bit—just some ointments for treating wounds,” Li Yang replied modestly, casually brushing off the steward’s inquiry.

...

A week passed in the blink of an eye. The He manor was vast—far more than ordinary. Six quickly adapted to life as a young attendant.

As for Li Yang, favored by Madam He, he found himself idle most days: practicing breathing exercises in secluded spots each morning, and venturing into the forests outside the county in the afternoons to hunt blood food for the Golden Toad and the Furious Jing Chicken, gathering herbs along the way. Every few days, he would refine some marrow-cleansing pills for these rare beasts, helping them temper their bodies.

Ah… if only a windfall would come! At this rate, it would take a lifetime to raise you two to maturity.

Li Yang sighed at the Golden Toad and Furious Jing Chicken on the ground, worry etched across his face.

Ordinary marrow-cleansing elixirs only purged impurities from a beast’s body. To accelerate their growth, special pills were required. But pill refinement demanded a proper furnace—something Li Yang could never afford.

A true pill furnace was crafted from five metals: gold, silver, copper, iron, and tin. The cost alone was daunting, not to mention the vast quantities of herbs and rare treasures needed afterward.

“Miss Hong, there seems to be someone ahead. Let’s go have a look…”

Just as Li Yang was lost in thought, voices echoed from the woods. Footsteps drew closer, and a man and woman emerged.

The man, with a stubbly beard and melancholy eyes, dressed as a Taoist and bore an air of seasoned hardship—a mature uncle, if anything. The woman wore red; she was the Lady Hong he’d encountered last time in Jing County.

At the sight of them, Li Yang knew his opportunity had arrived.

“Fellow cultivator, I am Partridge Whistle. May I ask where you practice?” Though Li Yang appeared a mere youth, the presence of the Furious Jing Chicken and Golden Toad at his side prompted Partridge Whistle to show utmost respect, clasping his hands in greeting.

“Heh… A fake Taoist of the Mountain Movers, but a true grave robber.” Li Yang responded not to the introduction, but chuckled lightly, teasing.

“From your tone, it seems you have some bias against our sect…” Partridge Whistle narrowed his eyes, his demeanor less cordial.

“No bias, really. Nobody has it easy these days. I just have a sharp tongue—don’t take offense.” Unfamiliar as they were, Li Yang explained with a grin, not wanting to jeopardize potential cooperation.

“So this must be the legendary Phoenix-blood Furious Jing Chicken. You’re truly fortunate, fellow cultivator.” Partridge Whistle, seeing Li Yang refuse to mention his own sect, did not press further. Instead, he eyed the Furious Jing Chicken with keen interest.

“Recently, the Mountain Movers and the Ridges Unloaders led by Chief Chen are exploring Bottle Mountain. Would you grant us the favor of lending the Furious Jing Chicken?” After a long appraisal, Partridge Whistle asked sincerely.

A fine, honest-looking Partridge Whistle—so much for thinking you were straightforward! The moment we meet, you try to swindle my Furious Jing Chicken…

Li Yang’s face instantly darkened, expressionless as he replied, “No one but me can command the Furious Jing Chicken. If you have the skill to make it obey, I’ll gladly lend it.”

“Are you serious?” Partridge Whistle’s eyes lit up.

Li Yang gestured invitingly, and Partridge Whistle, not one to hesitate, curled his fingers and whistled sharply. An ear-piercing sound filled the air.

Li Yang’s disdain was plain to see. The Furious Jing Chicken remained motionless, leaving Partridge Whistle embarrassed and perplexed—how could the ancestral beast-commanding call fail?

“Heh… Your skills surpass mine. I was merely showing off, it seems. If the Furious Jing Chicken obeys only you, would you be willing to lend us your aid?” Partridge Whistle forced a laugh, opening negotiations.

That was the line Li Yang had been waiting for. With his goal achieved, he replied directly, “I’ve heard of the perils of Bottle Mountain. I wouldn’t mind joining the expedition, but I want forty percent of the spoils.”

“Impossible!”

Before Partridge Whistle could speak, Lady Hong interjected indignantly.

“Then forget it. I know well the dangers of Bottle Mountain. Without my Furious Jing Chicken, your chances of success… well, I wouldn’t bet on it.” Li Yang feigned regret, turning to leave.

“Wait, fellow cultivator! Surely we can discuss terms. How about this: let’s bring you to meet Chief Chen first, then we can negotiate further.” Partridge Whistle grew anxious at Li Yang’s departure.

“That’s acceptable. Very well, you wait here. I’ll go inform my household and return shortly.” After a moment’s hesitation, Li Yang nodded. He understood that without Chen Yulou’s agreement, nothing could be settled. After all, the Ridges Unloaders initiated this venture, and with Wry Old Luo the warlord backing them, Partridge Whistle held little sway.