Chapter 330: Ginseng's Wrath, the Transformation of the Deep Mountains

At the entrance of Jiuli Village, a lively scene unfolded. All the villagers who had heard of Lu Qing’s return had rushed out from the village.

"Surely it’s A Qing and the others!"

"Months apart—A Qing seems changed somehow."

"Xiao Yan has grown too!"

"What kind of horses are those? Why do they have long horns on their heads?"

"Who’s that young lady? So strikingly beautiful!"

"In all the surrounding ten li and eight xiang, we've never seen a woman as lovely as her!"

The villagers buzzed with chatter, some marveling at Lu Qing’s transformation, others curious about the two Dragon Blood Stallions, and even more astonished by Hu Ze Zhi’s appearance.

Amid the commotion, Lu Qing approached Zhang Da Ye.

"Zhang Ye Ye, I’m back."

"Safe return is all that matters. Safe return is all that matters." Zhang Da Ye’s eyes glistened, his body trembling slightly with emotion.

"Did you encounter any danger on your journey?"

"No, not at all. With Master watching over us, and us not stirring up trouble, how could there be danger?" Lu Qing chuckled.

Beside him, Old Doctor remained silent—then, after a brief pause, smiled faintly.

Zhang Da Ye, however, took it seriously. He bowed deeply to Old Doctor.

"Thank you, Old Doctor, for looking after A Qing and Xiao Yan. If not for your care, A Qing, so young and fiery, might have caused all sorts of trouble."

Old Doctor hesitated, then laughed. "Zhang Lao Zhang, you’re jesting. In truth, it was A Qing and Xiao Yan who looked after me day and night. I did nothing but eat and rest."

"That’s the duty of a disciple. That’s the duty of a disciple."

"Zhang Ye Ye, let’s go inside the village." Lu Qing saw Zhang Da Ye about to keep thanking, so he quickly urged.

"Ah, yes! How forgetful of me. You’ve traveled for so long—of course you’re exhausted. Let’s rest first." Zhang Da Ye slapped his forehead.

"I’ll go take down the Red Rope."

Lu Qing walked to the Sign Tree and gently untied the three red ropes he had tied there upon departure. After months of wind and rain, the ropes had faded to white—but Lu Qing still placed them carefully beneath a stone slab.

The villagers watched, smiling.

Back at home, Lu Qing found the yard spotless, the house immaculate. It looked cleaner than when they had left—no dust, no sign of abandonment.

He knew: Zhang Da Ye and the others must have been coming every day to clean.

"A Qing, you’ve just returned. I’m sure there’s nothing ready to eat. I’ll have Uncle Zhang send over some food later." Zhang Da Ye glanced around.

Before Lu Qing could reply, a sudden commotion broke from outside.

"A Qing! I’m here on Ma Ye’s orders, bearing gifts for you!"

Lu Qing stepped out and saw Xiao Tian—long absent—standing in the courtyard with several men, each carrying a load on their shoulders.

"Xiao Tian, you came from the Big Market?"

"Yes. I just received Ma Ye’s pigeon message, and only now learned you’ve returned. He asked me to bring daily necessities—food, medicine, things for you and Chen Laodaifu." Xiao Tian bowed respectfully.

"Ma Ye’s thoughtful indeed. Please, bring them in."

Xiao Tian and his men carried in a full load—rice, flour, meat, vegetables, fruits, even toiletries and cleaning supplies.

"Lu Xiao Langjun, if anything’s missing, let me know. I’ll send more right away."

"No need. This is more than enough. Thank you, Xiao Tian." Lu Qing glanced over the goods and nodded in approval.

"Then I won’t delay further. I’ll take my leave." Xiao Tian bowed once more and departed with his men.

Lu Qing watched them go, shaking his head.

Xiao Tian seemed much more reserved now.

He wondered what Ma Ye had written in that letter.

"Zhang Ye Ye, I’ve got everything I need now. No need to go through trouble for me." Lu Qing turned with a smile.

Zhang Da Ye chuckled. "Still, your reputation is strong. Just arrived, and already gifts pour in."

He’d seen Xiao Tian often these past two years—regularly bringing supplies. But he hadn’t expected him to be so swift.

Lu Qing had barely returned, and Xiao Tian was already here.

"By the way, Zhang Ye Ye, I just got back today, so I haven’t prepared anything. I can’t host everyone for dinner yet. Please tell the villagers I’ll throw a feast in a couple of days—ten tables or so—to celebrate properly."

"Of course. You have guests—don’t let me intrude. Go greet them." Zhang Da Ye didn’t protest. He knew money meant nothing to Lu Qing.

Once the villagers had left, Lu Qing turned to Hu Ze Zhi and his daughter.

"The villagers were so eager to welcome me and Xiao Yan. I hope I didn’t embarrass you with the noise."

"Not at all! The people here are so simple and kind—rare indeed. It’s our fortune to find shelter here." Hu Lao San said quickly.

"Before returning, I already informed Wei Lao Qian Bei. You two may stay at the Wei Family’s secondary residence. Plenty of empty rooms, and servants to look after it—no trouble at all."

"Thank you, Lu Gongzi. We’re deeply grateful."

Lu Qing led them to the Wei Family’s secondary courtyard and settled them in. Only then did he head to the Half Mountain Small Courtyard.

He intended to clean and tidy up his Master’s house.

But when he arrived, he was surprised.

The courtyard was already immaculate—neat, clean, untouched by dust.

He wondered: had the villagers done it? Or was it Wei Shanhai’s people, who often came to harvest Plum Blossom Tea, who had been maintaining it?

"A Qing, come here."

Old Doctor’s voice came from behind the house.

"What is it, Master?" Lu Qing walked around and froze.

Before him stood a small, lush garden, fenced in with bamboo, glowing with vibrant green life—the very Medicinal Field they had once cleared.

"This Medicinal Field…" Lu Qing stepped closer, stunned.

The medicinal herbs inside were thriving—so vigorous, so full of vitality, they looked like they’d grown for ten years.

Their spiritual potency was immense—ready for use.

Even more astonishing was the aura of earth energy—thick, dense, as if all the surrounding land’s qi was flowing into this one spot.

And beneath the soil—something powerful, ancient, pulsing with life.

"That Thousand-Year Ginseng… it didn’t run away?"

Lu Qing recognized the source of the life force instantly.

It was the very Ginseng he had captured months ago—now sentient, entrusted to the field by Old Doctor to help regulate its qi.

When they left for Zhong Zhou, Lu Qing had assumed it would flee the moment they were gone.

Yet here it was—still here, dutifully tending the field.

Sensing movement, the life force beneath the soil stirred.

Slowly, a few leaves began to rise.

Lu Qing couldn’t help but smile. "You’re bold, aren’t you? Don’t you fear being caught again?"

The leaves instantly snapped back underground.

But then, the Ginseng sensed something—perhaps the Master’s presence.

It shot back up, emerging fully from the soil. Its plump, bulbous body rose like a living mound, its top leaves stretching out like arms, trembling with agitation—clearly furious.

"Is this little thing… smarter now?" Lu Qing was surprised. Could it be due to Qi Lu Fu Su’s influence?

"Alright, alright—I know I broke my promise. Here’s my compensation." Old Doctor raised his hands in apology.

From his sleeve, he pulled out a jade bottle and dripped a single drop of milky-white liquid onto the Ginseng’s surface.

The liquid sank in. The Ginseng stiffened—then, with a sharp suck, absorbed it completely.

Its leaves quivered, trembling with pleasure.

Then, without another word, it vanished—sinking back into the earth, utterly absorbed in the healing fluid.

No longer angry.

"Master," Lu Qing laughed, "you really went all out—gave it a full drop of Dipulse Spiritual Fluid."

"Since it stayed, it must accept this place. And look at how well it’s maintained the field. A little reward is only fair."

Old Doctor had made a pact with the Ginseng when first cultivating the field: in exchange for daily qi regulation, he would give it a drop of diluted Dipulse Spiritual Fluid every three days.

The journey to Zhong Zhou had broken that promise.

But the Ginseng had stayed.

"Since it chose to remain," Lu Qing said seriously, "I’ve decided to study Array Techniques for a while. I want to see if I can use arrays to gather earth qi and spiritual energy, creating a true spiritual herb garden."

This idea had been in his mind for a long time.

With the Tian Di Bian Hua—the great transformation of the world—and the spreading influence of Qi Lu Fu Su, even the legendary spirit beasts and sacred herbs of ancient times might soon reappear.

But that pace was too slow for Lu Qing.

He wanted to act now—create spiritual herbs early, securing a head start.

"Excellent," Old Doctor said, his eyes bright. "With the world changing so rapidly, diseases may evolve in unpredictable ways. If we can grow spiritual herbs, we won’t be helpless when facing deadly illnesses."

The old doctor, ever the healer, had long worried about the consequences of this transformation.

Lu Qing’s plan was the perfect solution.

"Also, Master," Lu Qing added, "tomorrow I plan to enter the mountains. I want to check how the Deep Mountains have changed. In the meantime, please look after Xiao Yan and Xiao Li."

"Go ahead. Be careful." Old Doctor nodded solemnly.

He understood his disciple’s concern.

Their journey to Zhong Zhou had brought great opportunities—but also grave dangers.

Xuan Kong Shan was now an outright enemy.

And though Sheng Shan prided itself on fairness, even its Third Holy Lord—humiliated before so many masters—might harbor resentment.

Otherwise, why would Sheng Shan have ordered Tian Ji Lou Zhu Lou to invite Lu Qing to the mountain after their defeat?

Then there was the mysterious sorcerer Lu Qing had nearly killed—still a threat.

And the possible remnants of Qi Jia—another unknown danger.

They’d returned at incredible speed, riding Yufeng Vehicles.

But their path was still traceable.

Someone with the will could find Jiuli Village.

Caution was essential.

"I’ll be careful," Lu Qing assured him.

The next day, Lu Qing took Xiao Yan, first to pay respects at his parents’ graves, then brought her and Xiao Li to the Half Mountain Small Courtyard.

Afterward, he set off alone into the Ten Million Great Mountain.

Along the way, he carefully sensed the mountain’s changes.

Using both Spirit Soul Sensing and his abilities, he confirmed: the Deep Mountains had undergone profound transformation.

First, the plants.

They grew thicker, stronger—especially the wood-based life force.

Any cultivator of wood qi or spirit force would find their cultivation accelerated here.

Second, the animals.

The wildlife had changed drastically—especially the venomous insects and snakes.

Their temperaments were far more aggressive.

Their venom—more potent than ever.

A single bite could kill an ordinary person instantly.

Even a Hou Tian Jing warrior, if poisoned, wouldn’t survive long without immediate treatment.

"Defenses for the village must begin soon," Lu Qing thought, his expression darkening.

For him, the mountain’s dangers were nothing.

But for the villagers—these creatures were deadly.

Unaware he’d walked so far, Lu Qing arrived at a familiar place.

"The valley hasn’t changed much."

He smiled, looking at the dazzling, flower-filled valley ahead.

His true purpose for this journey wasn’t just to assess the mountain’s state.

It was to check the Jade Transformation Cave Chamber.

Now, it seemed, the cave had changed little.

He paused briefly at Li Weitian’s tomb, paying his respects.

Then, crossing the waterfall, he entered the mountain’s inner core.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end