The direction they were heading was precisely the opposite of where Bai Ge'er and the others had left.
As they ventured further, the surroundings became increasingly desolate.
Initially, there were sparse houses nearby, but as they pressed on, nothing could be seen.
Only two things remained visible: towering mountains and white snow.
Could it be that the Medicine Emperor Valley was located within the mountains?
The old man didn't turn his head but knew the confusion of Shen Xiao Yan and the others. He spoke as they walked, "Does Ah Xie still recognize this place?"
Yi Zhi Xie had been observing the scenery along the way. Hearing the old man's question, he shook his head in annoyance, "By rights, my memory isn't bad, but this path is not the one I took to Medicine Emperor Valley before. Could it be that I remembered it wrong?"
The old man shook his head, his expression turning somewhat pained, "It's not that you remembered it wrong, but the path to Medicine Emperor Valley was not this one before."
"The path you took before was used for entry and exit since Medicine Emperor Valley was established. However, after the incident a hundred years ago, that path was no longer used. Instead, the Wang family opened this new path."
"Because of this, many who wished to seek medical treatment or medicine at Medicine Emperor Valley could only return empty-handed as they couldn't find the way. After nearly a century like this, one can imagine how many have died because of it. While this cannot be entirely blamed on Medicine Emperor Valley, it does bear some responsibility."
"Because of this, many harbor deep resentment towards Medicine Emperor Valley. Your maternal grandfather, the hardship he has endured all these years, one can only imagine."
Listening to the old man, Shen Xiao Yan and the others felt a sense of melancholy.
Among them, Yi Zhi Xie felt it the most intensely.
He had believed that he and his mother would never be able to return to Medicine Emperor Valley to see his grandfather again, and this was already a great punishment. Yet, who knew that the Wang family would still not be satisfied, going so far as to do such things, merely to trouble his grandfather and tarnish his reputation.
One could imagine that if this continued, the reputation of Medicine Emperor Valley would only worsen, and in the end, all the responsibility would be pushed onto his grandfather.
At that time, what awaited his grandfather's family was self-evident.
Although all this was due to the Wang family's greed, without that incident a hundred years ago, the Wang family would not have acted so quickly, nor would the process have been so easy.
Everything was still because of them.
Yi Zhi Xie's heart was filled with a myriad of emotions, his throat feeling choked, preventing him from speaking.
Na Mu Zhong, having been with him for hundreds of years, could understand his thoughts with just a glance.
Seeing him take all the blame upon himself, she felt both heartache and anger.
"Yi Zhi Xie, if you are a man, you should not wallow in self-pity like this. Should you not think about how to resolve your grandfather's predicament? What is the use of merely blaming yourself?"
Hearing Na Mu Zhong suddenly flare up, Yi Zhi Xie was also taken aback.
But after carefully pondering her words, he realized he had been stuck in a rut.
Seeing the shame on Yi Zhi Xie's face, Shen Xiao Yan smiled and said, "Those who are in the thick of it are blind, while outsiders see clearly. You don't need to be too harsh on him."
Na Mu Zhong naturally understood this, but she couldn't watch Yi Zhi Xie continue to blame himself, nor could she patiently wait for him to figure it out on his own.
Because the enemy was too cunning and treacherous, they didn't have much time. Therefore, she had to use the quickest method to make Yi Zhi Xie see reason.
Fortunately, her outburst had had an effect.
Didn't Yi Zhi Xie's face turn red and his neck swell with shame?
The old man watched their interactions, a stream of warmth flowing through his heart.
When had it been that they, those people, had interacted like this?
It was a pity that time passed so quickly, and before he knew it, so much time had elapsed.
What was even more unexpected was that people changed even faster than time. He thought they were still the same as before, but he didn't realize that some people had long since changed beyond recognition.
Yi Zhi Xie suddenly thought of something and looked at the old man apologetically, asking, "I've never asked for Senior's name, I wonder if Senior is..."
Shen Xiao Yan and the others were speechless upon hearing Yi Zhi Xie.
They had always thought that Yi Zhi Xie and the old man had a close relationship. Otherwise, when they first walked out of the house, they would have heard Yi Zhi Xie say that the old man had transmitted a message to him, telling him to find a place to hide for now and that he would find them after he dealt with Bai Ge'er and the others.
Yet now, Yi Zhi Xie said he didn't know the old man's name.
Then why had they seemed so familiar earlier?
Could it be that Yi Zhi Xie simply thought the old man looked kind?
Or had Yi Zhi Xie's intelligence dropped so low that he found everyone he met to be very likable and trustworthy?
Shen Xiao Yan put her hand to her forehead, she really didn't want to think about it further.
She truly didn't want to admit that Yi Zhi Xie's intelligence had become negative.
Yi Zhi Xie dared not look at Shen Xiao Yan and the others at this moment; he had genuinely forgotten!
The old man chuckled, "You all don't need to be nervous. I am no one special. I am just a gatekeeper guarding the house, waiting for those seeking medical treatment and medicine to arrive."
Shen Xiao Yan rolled her eyes at this statement.
Was he trying to fool a ghost?
Just then, the old man spoke again, "I grew up with the Valley Master and played quite well together. The Valley Master has been unable to take care of himself all these years, let alone me. Therefore, he gave me a position that is both leisurely and allows me to protect myself."
Shen Xiao Yan nodded. This explanation was more believable.
Although she still didn't fully believe the old man's words, she believed about seven or eight parts.
At this moment, Yi Zhi Xie asked, "Are you Elder Mu?"
Elder Mu?
Who was that?
Shen Xiao Yan and the others were all confused.
Even Na Mu Zhong, who had come to Medicine Emperor Valley with Yi Zhi Xie before, was now stunned and bewildered.
How did she not know that Medicine Emperor Valley had an Elder Mu?
Yi Zhi Xie explained, "Elder Mu and my maternal grandfather were childhood friends, growing up together. They were also renowned for their medical skills, on par with my maternal grandfather in terms of medicinal knowledge. Their bond was extraordinary. However, Elder Mu enjoyed traveling the world, so he was often away from Medicine Emperor Valley, and many people had never heard his name."
"Then how do you know?" Na Mu Zhong asked curiously.
"I heard my maternal grandfather mention him inadvertently. Because he cared for Elder Mu so much, he kept him in his heart. I never expected to meet the real person one day."
Yi Zhi Xie spoke with some emotion, indicating that what he said was the truth.
Elder Mu was clearly surprised, "I didn't expect that old fellow to have mentioned me to you."
Yi Zhi Xie smiled gently and said, "Elder Mu, what are you saying? You and my maternal grandfather had such a good relationship, how could my maternal grandfather not mention you?"
Elder Mu's face immediately lit up with a smile, but he said, "Hmph, that old fellow, he probably wishes he never had to see me again!"
Despite saying this, anyone could hear the joy in his tone.
As they spoke, they had already walked into a canyon.
Upon entering the valley, Shen Xiao Yan felt her vision become somewhat blurry.
This was not due to any problem with her eyes, but rather that the canyon was not only filled with snow but also shrouded in mist. It would be strange if they could see clearly.
The group followed Elder Mu forward. Although they kept walking, because the scenery they could vaguely see remained the same, it made them feel as if they were actually treading in place.
After another hour of walking, Elder Mu finally stopped and said, "We've arrived."
The group immediately looked forward. They saw that the dense fog ahead had already dispersed, revealing a scene of vibrant colors, a stark contrast to the ice and snow they had just passed through. It was like two different worlds.
Shen Xiao Yan and the others widened their eyes, completely unable to comprehend why it was like this.
Finally, Yi Zhi Xie reacted first, exclaiming, "When I came to Medicine Emperor Valley before, I saw this very scene. At that time, I thought it was just the right season. Looking back now, it wasn't like that."
Elder Mu smiled and nodded, "You are correct. Medicine Emperor Valley is like this all year round and is unaffected by the outside world."
Shen Xiao Yan pondered for a moment and understood. This must be due to some marvelous characteristic, similar to her spatial artifact.
Because the temperature in her space was moderate, it was very suitable for the growth of medicinal herbs.
It was likely that Medicine Emperor Valley was special for the same reason.
After all, as Medicine Emperor Valley, its demand for medicinal herbs must have been many times greater than hers.
As they were speaking, they saw two youths in flowing white robes emerge from the lush greenery not far ahead.
Both youths had fair and smooth skin, and their faces were exquisite. Coupled with their white robes, they appeared as if they were unstained by any worldly dust, like celestial beings who had descended to the mortal realm.
Shen Xiao Yan marveled, could it be that everyone in Medicine Emperor Valley was so ethereal?
As she was thinking, the two youths walked up.
They extended their hands, clasped them into fists, and bowed respectfully to Elder Mu, saying, "Greetings, Elder Mu."
Elder Mu nodded and then pointed to Shen Xiao Yan, saying, "This is the daughter of the Hall Master of Chang Qiu Hall, who has come to Medicine Emperor Valley to see the Valley Master. Lead the way."
The two youths showed surprise and turned to look at Shen Xiao Yan.
However, after looking for a long time, they couldn't discern the cause or effect.
The reason was simple: these two youths were too young. Even if they were from Medicine Emperor Valley, they wouldn't have met the Hall Master of Chang Qiu Hall.
Therefore, they couldn't be sure if Elder Mu's words were true.
But if they refused to let Shen Xiao Yan and the others in, and it turned out to be true, wouldn't they have made a mistake?
As the two youths hesitated, a soft and charming female voice was heard, "Even if you look for another day, you won't discern the cause or effect. Why not bring us in? Once we see the Valley Master, you will naturally know the truth."
The two youths looked at each other and felt that what was said made perfect sense.
The woman speaking was, of course, Shen Xiao Yan.
Just as the two youths were about to agree to lead them to see the Valley Master, they suddenly changed their minds and said, "We will take you to see Elder Wang Yuan first."
With that, they turned to leave.