Mortal Dawn and Dusk, My Eternal Life - Chapter 9

Since their last embarrassing encounter at the Yuelai Inn, where they witnessed their Young Master Huang Mingyuan’s “forgetting to check the almanac” prediction come true, the Huang household now held a mix of respect and fear for the young Daoist Su, their hearts churning with uncertainty.

Ever since that day, when Huang Mingyuan fell flat on his face and then got caught in the rain, he indeed fell ill upon returning home. Although it was just a common cold that cleared up after a few doses of medicine, whenever he lay in bed with a dizzy head, Su Mingyue’s calm, detached face and her light, airy words would involuntarily surface in his mind. The more he thought about it, the more unnerved he became, feeling that the incident had a sinister undertone. He used to always say, “Confucius did not speak of strange phenomena, physical exploits, disorder, or spiritual beings,” but now he was less certain.

Huang Baiwan was even more anxious. His daughter’s illness worsened day by day; she was barely clinging to life. Although Daoist Su hadn’t agreed to help last time, her words, “It requires the right time to mature before it can be attempted,” had left him with a glimmer of hope. These past few days, he had been sending people to inquire about news near the Yuelai Inn, hoping for some turning point.

Early this morning, Butler Huang Zhong returned from outside, his face still etched with worry.

“Master,” Huang Zhong sighed as he entered the study, “The Yuelai Inn is still the same. Daoist Su remains secluded, refusing to see anyone. The plump auntie said that besides eating, Daoist Su hasn’t left her room upstairs these past few days.”

Huang Baiwan’s heart sank upon hearing this. It had been three or four days already; had the “time” not yet arrived? If they waited any longer, Yingying truly wouldn’t be able to hold on!

“No, I can’t wait any longer!” Huang Baiwan suddenly slapped the table and stood up. “Uncle Zhong, prepare the carriage! We’re going to the Yuelai Inn again! This time, no matter what, I must ask Daoist Su to help!”

He had made up his mind that even if he had to kowtow, he would bring her back.

“Father, I’ll go too!” Huang Mingyuan had appeared at the study door at some point, his face still somewhat pale, but his eyes held a more complex look than before.

Huang Baiwan glanced at his son and nodded: “Alright, you come with me. When you see Daoist Su, be respectful in your attitude, and don’t speak nonsense again!”

“Understood, Father,” Huang Mingyuan mumbled in response. He truly didn’t dare to show contempt for the unfathomable Daoist Su anymore.

So, the Huang father and son, accompanied by Butler Huang Zhong and several household guards, once again arrived at the Yuelai Inn. This time, their demeanor was far more humble than before.

As soon as Huang Baiwan entered, he cupped his hands and bowed to the plump auntie, who was settling accounts behind the counter: “Innkeeper, I, Huang, have come to bother you again. Is… is Daoist Su available today?”

The plump auntie looked up at them, a knowing smile on her face: “Old Master Huang, you’ve come at a good time. Miss Su just instructed this morning that if Old Master Huang were to come again, I should invite you upstairs for a talk.”

“Really?!” Huang Baiwan was overjoyed, scarcely believing his ears.

“Absolutely true,” the plump auntie nodded. “Miss Su is waiting in the private room on the second floor. Please, Old Master Huang.”

Huang Baiwan was so emotional he almost shed tears. He quickly said to Huang Zhong: “Uncle Zhong, quick, bring out the thank-you gift we prepared!”

Huang Zhong acknowledged, and retrieved a heavy rosewood box from the carriage.

Huang Baiwan personally held the box, and, accompanied by Huang Mingyuan and led by the plump auntie, carefully ascended to the second floor.

The private room on the second floor wasn’t large, and its furnishings were simple. Su Mingyue sat by the window, holding a cup of clear tea. The faint aroma of tea diffused through the air.

She was still dressed in a simple blue cloth gown today, but the clear, ethereal quality about her made it impossible to underestimate her.

Seeing Huang Baiwan and his son enter, she merely raised her eyelids indifferently, motioning for them to sit on the chairs opposite her.

“Daoist Su!” Huang Baiwan bowed respectfully as soon as he entered, holding the rosewood box high above his head. “I beg Daoist Su to save my humble daughter! As long as you are willing to help, I, Huang, will offer five hundred taels of silver. After the matter is concluded, there will be further substantial rewards!”

Huang Mingyuan, seeing this, hesitated for a moment, then also bent at the waist. Although he still felt a bit awkward, he put aside such feelings when he thought of his sister’s dire condition.

Su Mingyue picked up her teacup, gently blowing on the tea leaves floating on the surface, and did not immediately respond.

She was waiting for this exact effect.

It wasn’t that she was being difficult, but for certain matters, the supplicant had to understand their preciousness and difficulty before they would truly cherish and cooperate.

What’s more, her night reconnaissance of the Huang Mansion had given her a good grasp of the situation, and now was indeed the time to “give in.”

After a moment, Su Mingyue set down her teacup, her voice still clear and cold: “Old Master Huang need not be so polite. I already know a thing or two about your daughter’s situation. However, this matter is not trivial; to cure it completely is not easy.”

Huang Baiwan’s heart tightened upon hearing this. He quickly said, “Whatever Daoist commands, I, Huang, will obey without question! As long as Yingying can be saved, I will go through fire and water!”

Su Mingyue nodded, her gaze turning to Huang Mingyuan, and said lightly, “Young Master, how was your outing last time?”

Huang Mingyuan felt his face flush under her gaze. Remembering his disheveled appearance that day, he couldn’t help but lower his head and quietly said, “Thank you for your ‘concern,’ Daoist, it was… fine.”

He now dared not defy the unfathomable Daoist Su again.

The corners of Su Mingyue’s lips curved into an almost imperceptible arc, then quickly returned to their calm state.

“Alright,” she said, “Since Old Master Huang sincerely requests my help, I will make an attempt. However, I have a few conditions that you must follow precisely, without the slightest error, or all efforts will be in vain, and do not blame me for not warning you.”

“Please tell us, Daoist! Please tell us!” Huang Baiwan said repeatedly, fearing Su Mingyue would change her mind.

Su Mingyue extended three slender fingers: “First, from today until I take action, the entire Huang Mansion must fast for three days, abstaining from meat and sexual relations, and there must be no killing of any kind within the mansion. Every morning and evening, in your daughter’s room, you must burn the special calming incense I give you, three times a day, without interruption.”

As she spoke, she took out a small sachet from her sleeve and handed it to Huang Baiwan. The sachet emitted a peculiar, refreshing fragrance that brought peace to the mind upon smelling it.

“Second,” Su Mingyue continued, “You need to prepare a few items for me within three days.”

She paused, her gaze sweeping over Huang Baiwan and Huang Mingyuan, and slowly said:

“Firstly, you need three qian of blood from the comb of a rooster that has crowed for at least three years, ensuring it is fresh blood from a living rooster, and the rooster must not die after the blood is taken.”

“Secondly, you need to find a section of peach wood that has grown for over a hundred years facing the sun, and carve it into a peach wood sword one foot and three inches long, with no carvings on the blade.”

“Thirdly, retrieve one piece of your daughter’s personal clothing worn at the time of her birth, and seven strands of her hair that have fallen out within the last three years, wrapped neatly with red thread.”

“Fourthly, prepare ten catties of top-grade glutinous rice, with every grain full and without any discoloration.”

“Fifthly, prepare vermilion, yellow paper, a new brush, and new ink of the highest quality.”

As Su Mingyue spoke each item, Huang Baiwan nodded repeatedly, memorizing them all.

Although these items were somewhat strange, they didn’t seem too difficult to obtain.

Only Huang Mingyuan frowned, wondering what these things had to do with curing an illness. It sounded just like those rural shamans with their chicken blood and peach wood swords. But he dared not speak up now.

“Third,” Su Mingyue looked at Huang Baiwan, her gaze becoming somewhat serious.

“Three days from now, which will be the Jiazi day at the Zishi hour, I will personally come to the Huang Mansion. Before my arrival, you must place your daughter in the cleanest, most sunlit room in the mansion. The room, aside from the bed, must not have any superfluous items, especially mirrors, washbasins, and the like; all must be removed. At that time, apart from Old Master Huang and your son, all other people are strictly forbidden from approaching that room within a hundred paces. Those who violate this will bear the consequences.”

“Yes, yes, yes! We will certainly comply! We will certainly comply!” Huang Baiwan responded repeatedly.

The conditions Su Mingyue set, although somewhat complicated, were nothing compared to his daughter’s life.

“Alright, these are my conditions,” Su Mingyue picked up her teacup and took a sip. “You may go back and prepare. Remember, every word I have spoken, you cannot make a single mistake, otherwise, even immortals cannot save her.”

Her tone, though calm, carried an undeniable authority.

Huang Baiwan expressed his immense gratitude, carefully put away the calming incense Su Mingyue gave him, and placed the rosewood box (containing the five hundred taels of silver notes) on the table. Then, he led Huang Mingyuan and Huang Zhong, respectfully retreating.

Before leaving, Huang Mingyuan couldn’t help but look back at Su Mingyue again.

She still had that calm, detached look, as if the conversation they just had was an insignificant trifle.

A thought suddenly popped into his mind: perhaps… this girl, who looked even younger than himself, truly possessed some profound, heaven-shattering ability that was yet unknown.

After the Huang family left, the plump auntie poked her head out from downstairs, chuckling: “Miss Su, the Huang family truly spared no expense; that box must have contained a lot of silver, right?”

Su Mingyue smiled faintly, not answering.

She picked up the rosewood box from the table, weighed it in her hand, then took out a hundred-tael silver note from it, pushing the rest towards the plump auntie.

“These past few days, thank you for your care. Take this money; consider it payment for my room and board for these days.”

The plump auntie’s eyes widened in surprise upon seeing the hundred-tael silver note: “Oh my! Miss Su, this… this is too much! I can’t take it! I can’t take it!”

“It’s fine,” Su Mingyue waved her hand. “You deserve it.”

She knew that if it weren’t for the plump auntie warding off many troubles for her these past few days, she wouldn’t have had such peace.

Moreover, she would need the plump auntie’s help with some small matters for what she planned to do next.

The plump auntie couldn’t refuse any further and gratefully accepted the money. She understood in her heart that this Miss Su was no ordinary person; she had certainly met a benefactor.

Su Mingyue looked at the sky outside the window, which was gradually clearing, her eyes deep.

The Huang family’s matter was just the beginning.

The thing underground was what she truly had to face.

And she had a premonition that it would be even more troublesome than she imagined.

However, Su Mingyue had lived for so many years; what kind of storms hadn’t she seen?

She would just meet whatever came her way.