Fenghuang looked at her with amusement. "My name is just Fenghuang. Why do you ask?"
"Oh, it’s nothing, nothing at all." Chu Ruo breathed a sigh of relief. It would have been truly bizarre if she were actually named Lan Fenghuang. "I just happened to know someone named Lan Fenghuang once."
"Lan Fenghuang... Blue Phoenix. Hmm, that sounds quite nice. It matches my clothes well. I might consider calling myself that from now on."
Chu Ruo really wanted to ask if the people of Miaojiang were always this casual about their names, but she didn't have time to dwell on it. The two women beside her began their "interrogation."
"Lan Fenghuang? Ruo’er, just when did you find the time to meet another 'confidante'?" Bai Zhier’s voice was tinged with a hint of bitterness.
If Bai Zhier was merely sour, the person on the other side of Chu Ruo was ready to explode. "Oh? It seems my disciple is quite capable. You have 'confidantes' everywhere you go..."
"That was back in my... in the modern..."
The more she tried to explain, the darker Nan Muxue’s expression became. "No wonder it slipped out so easily. It seems you’re constantly pining for her. Chu Ruo, do you truly treat my words as wind passing through your ears?"
Chu Ruo felt like luck was simply not on her side today. She didn't even get a chance to explain before Fenghuang led them to an open clearing. Ahead of them stood a long, high flight of stairs with an uncountable number of steps. In the clearing, the three women Fenghuang had sent away earlier were waiting. Three wooden tables stood before them, each laden with items.
"Once you ascend those stairs, you will be in the true Miaojiang. But before you go, you must pass through here." As soon as Fenghuang finished speaking, the three women stepped to the tables and lifted their floor-length skirts. To the trio's surprise, they exposed their legs from the knee down. They reached into containers on the tables, grabbed clumps of a white substance, pressed them against their calves, and began rubbing them downward. Once the substance had been thoroughly worked over their skin, they placed it back into the containers.
Next, they picked up plants that looked like golden leaves and placed them into mortars. As they began pestling the herbs, an even more unsettling sight followed: the women appeared to be chewing something, which they then spat forcefully into the mortars—large globs of white saliva mixed with whatever they had been masticating. Finally, they poured wine into the mixture, stirred it, and pushed the resulting concoction forward in ox-horn cups, alongside the white clumps.
Chu Ruo seemed to realize what was happening. "You want us to... eat this?"
"Mhm," Fenghuang nodded. "This is Ciba and Golden Leaf Wine. It is how we host our guests."
Bai Zhier was the first to speak, her voice sharp. "This method of hospitality is unheard of and utterly bizarre. To swallow such an insult is impossible!"
Fenghuang didn't get angry; instead, she remained smiling. "We never invited you outsiders to come here. You came of your own accord. Isn't there a saying you people have? 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do.' If you aren't happy, you can leave. We won't stop you."
"You!"
Nan Muxue’s face was like a mask of ice. "Let’s go."
"Fine, as you wish. However," Fenghuang’s smile took on a strange, mocking edge, "don't come crawling back to beg us halfway through your journey. By then, it won't be this easy."
Nan Muxue’s fury intensified, her hand already gripping the hilt of Bingpo. "You are forcing our hand. From the very beginning, you have been playing with us. If we do not get the antidote today, everyone here—"
"I'll eat it all myself. Will that work?"
Nan Muxue and Bai Zhier turned to look at Chu Ruo simultaneously, their voices laced with exasperation. "Ruo’er!"
Chu Ruo held them back, placing a firm hand over Nan Muxue’s on the hilt of Bingpo. She smiled gently. "Be good. It’s fine." Turning back to Fenghuang, she said, "Zhier risked her life to accompany us out of friendship. Xue’er is unwell because of the Gu poison. Besides, as the only 'man' here, how can I let two ladies endure this? I will eat for them."
Fenghuang studied her again. "Aren't you a woman too?"
The trio’s expressions shifted instantly. "You..."
"No need to be nervous. Hardly anyone here understands your language, and we of Miaojiang have our own ways of seeing people." She crossed her arms and hummed thoughtfully. "Usually, when people come here, each person must eat their own portion. There is no such thing as one person substituting for another. However, this woman helped you out of loyalty; we like people like that in Miaojiang. As for the one with the bad temper next to you, she is afflicted by the Pregnancy Gu. You seem like someone who takes responsibility. Fine, I’ll make an exception this once. If you eat all three portions yourself, I’ll consider you to have passed this trial."
"Chu Ruo!" Nan Muxue glared at her fiercely. "I will not allow you to do this! You—"
"Yan’er." Chu Ruo looked into her eyes, softly calling her by that long-unused name. Nan Muxue froze. That was their secret code: when Chu Ruo called her Yan’er, it meant something serious was happening, and she needed to listen. Nan Muxue turned her head away, stubbornly adding two words: "I won't."
"We’ve been through so much together, facing life and death. Is it worth turning back over such a trivial thing? Compared to you, everything else is insignificant."
"Ruo’er," Bai Zhier sighed. "Perhaps we should go back. I’ll think of another way. There must be a way to break it eventually."
"How long would that take?" Chu Ruo waved her off. "Zhier, coming here is our only chance. I am so grateful for everything you’ve done for me, which is exactly why I won't let you suffer through this." Before either of them could react, she picked up the food from the table and began to eat.
In truth, compared to the dangers they had faced, this was nothing. It was merely an assault on one's pride and sense of shame. The forest had broken their bodies; now, the tribe sought to break their spirits. Chu Ruo was certain many would have retreated at this point—especially men, whose pride and disdain for women were ingrained in their bones in this era. But she was a modern soul; she had long since learned to be thick-skinned. As long as she could save her Little Viper, this was a small price to pay.
"The food is eaten, and the wine is drunk. Is that enough?"
"How do you feel?"
"Not bad. Just... a bit stuffed." She was indeed stuffed. Eating three portions—and they were oversized portions meant for laborers—was no small feat. The Ciba was made of glutinous rice, which sat heavy in her stomach. Combined with the wine, it was an ordeal.
The two women stopped arguing and moved to support her, one on each side, their faces full of concern. Anyone could see that Chu Ruo’s stomach was visibly bloated, distended to a painful degree. A vein throbbed on Nan Muxue’s forehead. "Ruo’er..."
"I’m fine," Chu Ruo whispered with a smile, leaning close to her ear. "If you start a fight now, I’ll have eaten all that for nothing."
Nan Muxue understood. She suppressed her rage, her only outlet being the tight grip she maintained on Chu Ruo’s arm.
"Very well, you have passed. From now on, you are our honored guests. We shall host you with our best hospitality." Fenghuang raised her hand, and the ox horn sounded again. This time the tone was different—bright and festive. The surrounding villagers began to smile and ushered them up the stairs. "There will be a bonfire tonight with singing and dancing. You are welcome to join. I have arranged a place for you to stay so you can rest."
***
"How is it? Do you feel any better?"
"Mhm." After lying down for half an hour, drinking some Hundred-Flower Honey, and taking a digestive pill from Bai Zhier, Chu Ruo felt much better. She patted her stomach. "It’s gone down. I’m fine now."
Nan Muxue stroked her face. "Chu Ruo, you absolute scoundrel."
"Mhm," Chu Ruo leaned into the jade-like hand. "Scold me all you want. Why not give me a couple of slaps while you're at it?"
"None of this is worth it."
"If it’s for you, it’s always worth it. I know you find this humiliating. You and Zhier—one is the revered Young Palace Master, the other is the descendant of the God of Medicine. You both have pride in your bones, a noble dignity. To many, this would be a soul-crushing insult. Not everyone can lower themselves like that. But to me, it’s nothing. I just grit my teeth, close my eyes, and it’s over. I’ve never been able to do much for you; this is just a very small thing. Xue’er, don't overthink it. For you, I am willing to cast everything aside."
Nan Muxue finally pulled her into an embrace, the two of them drawing strength from each other. "I only bring you trouble."
"You’ve got it backwards. Ever since I arrived at your Baihua Palace, I’ve been the one causing you trouble, haven't I? But I plan to keep being your burden. Don't even think about shaking me off."
"Ruo’er, Ruo’er..." she murmured, calling the name over and over. The person holding her responded with gentle comfort and soft kisses.
As dusk approached, Fenghuang came to their room. "Are you settling in well?"
"It’s fine. About the Pregnancy Gu..."
Fenghuang interrupted them. "The bonfire is about to start. Aren't you going to watch?"
Nan Muxue’s eyes were cold. "My patience is at its end. Will you give us the cure or not?"
"Eh," Fenghuang looked at Chu Ruo instead. "Her temper is so much worse than the woman in the next room. Why did you choose her?"
*Are you here just to gossip?*
*Whoosh!* As expected, the "Little Viper" snapped. But surprisingly, Fenghuang was no amateur; she tilted her head and easily dodged Nan Muxue’s hidden projectile. "No, other than having a pretty face, she’s quite lacking in every other department."
Chu Ruo hadn't met anyone brave enough to describe the Little Viper like that in a long time. For some reason, she felt a sudden urge to laugh, but knowing the consequences would be dire, she forced it down. She reached out to hold Nan Muxue back. "We are truly anxious about the Pregnancy Gu. I hope you can..."
Fenghuang leisurely sipped some tea. "No rush. Since you’re here, stay for a few days."
In truth, Nan Muxue was not naturally a volatile person. Usually, she was calmer and more detached than anyone. But when it involved Chu Ruo, and with the Pregnancy Gu already weighing on her mind, she was on edge. She didn't fear death; she only feared losing the person beside her. They had endured so much frustration on the journey, nearly dying in that forest, only for Chu Ruo to suffer such humiliation upon arrival. Her anger was natural. Chu Ruo, however, kept trying to soothe her. "We came all this way for the antidote."
"I know," Fenghuang said, looking at them. "The people of Miaojiang never help outsiders, nor do we ask for their help."
"Then why did you welcome us?"
"Welcoming you as guests doesn't mean I’ll help you remove the Gu." Just as they were about to snap, she added, "Removing a Gu requires a price."
"What price?"
"You’ll find out when the time comes."
"You—"
"These are the rules of Miaojiang, not my personal whim."
"How long will it take?"
"A few days. I’m doing this for your own good. You just broke through the forest; I can see your vitality is drained. Rest for a few days. Don't think that just because you've reached this village, everything is fine. I can tell you now: what you will face later is far more dangerous than that forest outside."
"So, you won't tell us what we need to do until then?"
"Mhm. But you can ask about other things."
Chu Ruo had a few questions she’d been dying to ask. "Your Gu techniques aren't supposed to be shared with outsiders, right? Then how did they leak out into the world?"
"You wanted to come into Miaojiang; there are always people in Miaojiang who want to go out. When people leave, they steal Gu. Some use them for self-defense, others sell them for money. Of course, we’ve hunted most of them down. You wouldn't want to know the consequences."
"You said you are the 'Witch Head.' What does that mean?"
"The Witch Head is the one who refines the Gu. In your terms, I suppose I am like a Sect Leader, though not exactly. The Witch Head is the protector of Miaojiang. We generally don't have contact with the outside world, though we do go out occasionally to buy supplies. People often stumble in here. Aside from those who go out for supplies, every generation's Witch Head must learn your language. Any other questions?"
"That forest... how do you move in and out of it? And how did you set so many traps?"
Fenghuang sighed with a smile. "A long time ago, the people of Miaojiang were very hospitable. But the outsiders who came here were all despicable. Some came for wealth, others for lust. They relied on their martial arts to kill countless numbers of our people. Later, the ancestors of Miaojiang spent several generations of effort to build that forest, bit by bit, just to protect us."
Nan Muxue interjected, "The people who come here... where do they go?" She hadn't seen a single outsider in the village today.
"Over the years, countless people have come here. Not a single one has left. Though, I hope you will be the exception." Fenghuang stood up to leave. "Don't you want to come out and see? A few people arrived just a few days before you."
When Chu Ruo saw several people tied to wooden frames, looking weak and haggard, she turned to Fenghuang. "What did they do?"
"On the contrary, they did nothing at all." Near the bonfire, the villagers were celebrating, their laughter and singing forming a stark contrast to the scene here. "Didn't you want to know what would have happened if you hadn't eaten those things today? You’re about to see."
Sure enough, within the time it took for an incense stick to burn, one of the men on the frames suddenly began to twitch. His face contorted in agonizing pain, and he began to retch. The others soon followed suit.
Chu Ruo looked down. He was vomiting large pools of water, but within the liquid were countless tiny, wriggling things that made her skin crawl. She crouched down to look closer and realized that the jumping creatures were actually tiny fish fry, no larger than grains of rice. She widened her eyes. "This... this is..."
"This is our Gu. If they had eaten the food, nothing would have happened. By refusing to eat, they showed contempt for Miaojiang, and so they must be punished."
"How long will they be like this?"
"Until they have nothing left to vomit. But by then, they’ll be dead." Fenghuang patted Chu Ruo’s shoulder. "Rest well these next few days. Today was only the first trial. The path ahead... won't be easy."
***
