Chapter One: First Encounter in the Forest

“Hey, have you heard of the male fox spirit?”
“What’s the matter, did you see him? Tell me quickly.”

Amidst the fragrant aroma of tea in the teahouse, a young man sat by the window, seemingly out of place in the lively and bustling environment. Dressed in a plain blue robe, he appeared gentle and graceful, his willow-shaped brows arching over bright, soulful eyes. Beside his eye was a tear mole, red as fresh blood. His dark hair cascaded like clear water, loosely tied with a bamboo-green ribbon, making his exquisite features even more strikingly enchanting.

The conversation from the neighboring table reached Su Yaochen’s ears word for word. His elegant brows drew together ever so slightly. It seemed he had to be more careful next time. Su Yaochen mused silently; ever since he could remember, his spiritual power always became blocked on the night of the full moon, causing him pain as if his heart were being torn apart. Now, he could barely maintain even his most basic form.

Having gathered the information he needed, Su Yaochen rose, paid for his tea, and left the teahouse. He walked through the busy streets, turned a few corners, and soon the noise faded away. Before long, even the street vendors had disappeared. Raising his eyes, he saw an ordinary house—neither lavish nor shabby. Few people passed by, and this was the place he had lived since childhood.

Just as he entered, a handsome young man approached briskly. He looked to be about twenty, his long black hair falling loosely over a straight back. His brows were like distant mountains, and beneath his thick lashes, his peach blossom eyes were filled with worry. Even his thin lips were pressed together in concern. The sunlight shone on his porcelain-white face, revealing nothing but anxiety.

“Where have you been? Yesterday was the full moon…”

“I know…” The worried words were gently interrupted by a warm voice. “Sorry, brother,” Su Yaochen said, then smiled softly at Lin Fan, gentle as spring wind.

Lin Fan scrutinized Su Yaochen from head to toe. Confirming he was unharmed, Lin Fan sighed almost inaudibly, “Ah, as long as you’re fine.” Helpless yet doting, Lin Fan cast a reproachful glance at Su Yaochen. He had never been able to refuse his younger brother, ever since their father brought him home… Ah, well, who can truly explain matters of the heart?

“Do you know about the Yunlin Flower?” Su Yaochen suddenly asked.

Lin Fan paused, then replied, “That flower… is nothing good. Father will be back soon, I’ll go meet him. Don’t think too much, or you’ll be scolded again.” As he spoke, he walked out, but his evasive manner did not escape Su Yaochen’s notice, and their conversation came to a halt.

The Yunlin Flower could relieve heart pain and was beneficial for cultivation, commonly found deep in the forests beside Lingfeng Mountain, as Su Yaochen had learned from folk remedies.

However, judging by his brother’s attitude today, the flower likely had other uses. Regardless, tonight he had to investigate, Su Yaochen resolved silently. The heart-wrenching pain that had plagued him for years had never been cured, but perhaps luck would favor him tonight. He did not realize the gears of fate had begun to mesh and turn.

As the sun set behind the western hills, night fell upon the land. Amidst the bustling street, a white-robed youth moved swiftly, eventually stopping before an apothecary—none other than Lin Fan.

The apothecary, situated on the edge of the busy market, seemed out of place, unusually quiet. A stone-blue plaque marked it as the Hall of Benevolence. Though few people were inside, the peacefulness was welcome. A wooden table stood along the right wall, with a middle-aged man seated before it.

“Father, Yaochen… wants to find the Yunlin Flower.”

Lin Zehai was taken aback, glanced around, then spoke to Lin Fan in a hushed, ambiguous voice, “Shh, follow me.”

Lin Zehai led Lin Fan through the back door into a verdant garden. Upon entering, one felt an immediate sense of ease; invisible spiritual energy lingered around each medicinal plant, never dissipating.

They halted at the far end of the garden. Lin Zehai waved his hand in the air, and the stone wall before them gradually faded, dissolving like ink in water, revealing a rounded stone cave.

“I know what you want to ask. Let's talk inside…”

Meanwhile, Su Yaochen, clad in his blue robe, left home and, under the moonlight, arrived at the foot of Lingfeng Mountain, at the Forest of Forgetting Sorrow.

It was said that in ancient times, this forest was home to a powerful immortal, but now… Su Yaochen couldn’t help but scoff inwardly. Under the night’s shroud, the Forest of Forgetting Sorrow was even more eerie than usual. Occasionally, pale moonlight filtered through thick branches, and somewhere nearby, the cries of crows echoed, abrupt and ghostly, like infants wailing above the forest.

Rustling, rustling—

Su Yaochen stepped on the fallen leaves as he entered the forest.

His brother had warned him that the flower was dangerous, but even so, he had to try his luck. The flower was said to grow in damp, dark places, but Su Yaochen searched every corner of the ponds and still found no sign of the blue blossom. Disappointed, he wandered to another bend, his hopes dashed.

“Dark and damp, damp…” he murmured to himself, “Of course!” It didn’t have to be a pond; caves fit the bill just as well!

He immediately began searching for nearby caves and, at last, found a faint blue glow in a shadowy cavern.

“Is this the Yunlin Flower?” Su Yaochen hurried into the cave. The strange, ghostly blue orchid seemed to draw in his very soul. With slender, pale hands, he plucked the flower and channeled his spiritual power to refine it, praying it would ease his heart’s affliction.

“Ugh, mm!” Su Yaochen pressed his lips tight, stifling a cry of pain.

What was happening? Wasn’t it supposed to relieve heart pain? He clutched at his chest through the fabric, unable to ignore the agony that felt like thousands of ants gnawing at his heart. Losing his balance, he stumbled against the stone wall, his body curling up uncontrollably.

Sweat beads the size of peas rolled down his brow, making his already pale skin even more ashen, his beautiful brows furrowed tightly together.

Rustling, rustling—

Su Yaochen stared warily toward the cave entrance. “Who’s there?”

A pair of clean but worn shoes suddenly appeared at the mouth of the cave…