Valley Master Brother?
Did she fall into a valley?
Recalling the mist on Wanxian Cliff and looking at the vast white expanse outside the window, Ye Ziling understood.
She chuckled, secretly pleased with herself.
She didn't die falling from the Ninth Heaven, so how could a mere cliff harm her?
Just as she was lost in thought, the entrance was already crowded with men, women, old and young, peeking into the room, their round eyes full of curiosity, followed by a hint of admiration.
"Shuanzi was right, she really is a beauty rarely seen in a thousand years!"
"They say she was fished from the river, fallen from Wanxian Cliff."
"It's a good thing we rescued her in time, otherwise if the mountain bandits had captured her, they would have ruined such a beautiful face!"
...
"The Valley Master is here, the Valley Master is here, all others make way quickly!"
Just then, everyone parted to create a passage, and a man walked forward slowly.
His black hair was half-tied with a jade crown, his expression handsome. He wore a white robe that almost brushed the ground, draped with a layer of light silk. As he walked, the silk billowed, making him seem like an immortal.
The leader was tall and slender, with only a white jade xiao hanging from his waist, exuding a gentle and refined aura.
"You are awake, miss?"
Ye Ziling stared at him for a moment, finding him somewhat familiar, yet unable to recall who he was.
Seeing the crowd address him as Valley Master, Ye Ziling lowered her gaze and respectfully thanked him, "Thank you, Valley Master, for saving my life."
The man smiled faintly upon receiving her thanks, pulled a stool to sit beside her, and adjusted his sleeves.
"May I check your pulse, miss?" the man asked, looking up at her. After a moment, he lowered his gaze again, his eyes shifting somewhat.
Perhaps it was her stunning appearance, or perhaps he was subconsciously avoiding improper observation.
Ye Ziling pushed up her sleeve, revealing her fair wrist.
"Someone, close the door."
Seeing the crowd gathered at the entrance, Ye Jinghuai instructed his subordinate to disperse them, his jade-like face still maintaining a polite smile.
As the man took her pulse, Ye Ziling felt a sense of familiarity. For some reason, she felt as if she had met him somewhere before, and an indescribable sense of closeness emanated from him.
It was as if they had known each other for a very long time.
Was it simply because he looked so gentle?
"Miss should be fine after resting for two more days," Ye Jinghuai continued to smile politely.
"By the way, miss, why did you fall off the cliff?" Ye Jinghuai's eyes held a hint of confusion, and the red mark between his brows furrowed.
"Betrayed by villains." Ye Ziling's expression was complex as she uttered only four words, her palms clenching unconsciously.
She was determined to make those people pay.
Ye Jinghuai sensed her reluctance to speak further and did not press the matter.
"What is this place?" Ye Ziling looked around, her gaze settling on Ye Jinghuai's face.
The corners of his eyes curved as he smiled politely, "Miss is fortunate. This is Peach Blossom Valley, and all who live here are former divine physicians and their descendants."
Peach Blossom Valley? Ye Ziling was perplexed; she had never heard of such a place in the mortal realm.
"Oh, may I ask for your name, miss?"
As Ye Jinghuai asked, a commotion erupted outside. A subordinate ran up breathlessly, cupping his hands and saying anxiously, "Bad news, Valley Master! The mountain bandits, using some unknown method, have actually stormed into the valley!"
Ye Jinghuai paused, then stood up, straightening his back with dignity. A flicker of ruthlessness crossed his gentle expression. "Gather all the young men in the valley, and come with me."
With that, he flicked his sleeve and led his subordinates out.
Ye Ziling vaguely felt that something serious was afoot. She got out of bed, wrapped herself in a cloak, and followed.
She saw over a hundred people, men and women, old and young, carrying hoes, their faces fierce, glaring at the more than a hundred mountain bandits wielding large sabers.
The leading bandit, carrying a great saber and with a blade of grass in his mouth, grinned carelessly, his eyes fierce. "Damn it, you haven't paid this year's protection fee. If you don't pay up, not a single one of you will leave alive!"
"What protection fee does our Peach Blossom Valley owe you? Don't make robbery sound so pleasant!"
"Exactly! Just a bunch of mountain bandits, and you want protection fees? Spoken so matter-of-factly. If you have spare time, why don't you rob the officials instead!"
The villagers of the valley raised their hoes and cheered, "Well said! Why should we pay thieves!"
The leading bandit's face contorted. He spat out the grass from his mouth, grabbed the saber on his shoulder, and pointed at the crowd, warning, "Don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit! I'll give you one more chance. Hand over the money, or don't blame me for being merciless!"
"When did I owe you any silver?" Ye Jinghuai stood before the villagers, his phoenix eyes narrowing, and asked coldly, his gentle demeanor replaced by a chilling look.
"Valley Master, is it?" the bandit asked with a smirk, looking Ye Jinghuai up and down, then scoffing, "Our Xianglong Village is a neighbor to your Peach Blossom Valley. If we didn't protect you, could your Peach Blossom Valley live so peacefully?"
Ye Jinghuai's eyes chilled. The five fingers in his sleeve clenched slightly, and he sneered.
Neighbors? These people were purely here to rob. Even if he had a thousand taels, he wouldn't let these thieves take it!
"What kind of pipe dream are you having?" he said coldly, his back as straight as a pine, his demeanor righteous and unyielding.
"Since that's the case, then I'll just take it by force! Brothers, don't waste your breath on him. Show these people what we're made of, attack!" the bandit roared, and the mountain bandits behind him charged forward, clashing with the villagers.
Ye Ziling's cold eyes narrowed. She picked up a willow branch from the ground, igniting a hazy white sword energy. In an instant, the enemy formation was a bloody mess.
Soon after, the bandit's eyes widened. He gasped, clutching his neck, and was instantly killed with a throat slit.
The willow branch in her hand was already stained red, blood dripping onto the ground.
The villagers, seeing this, looked at the beauty in the pool of blood and were astonished.
She wore the cloak casually, and as the wind blew, her thin sleeping gown underneath was faintly visible. Though her face was haggard, there was a tragic beauty about her.
Such a graceful figure, coupled with her pale complexion, they had thought her a sickly beauty, until they saw the ferocity in her eyes.
Beautiful, so beautiful!
The Sacred Physician Clan, guided by the principle of saving lives, could only devote their energy to medicine. They were forbidden to practice martial arts or concoct poisons, and were only allowed to live peacefully and save people, ensuring they did no harm to others, but this did not guarantee that others would not harm them!
Everyone marveled and stepped forward to surround Ye Ziling.
"Thank you, miss!"
"Miss's swordsmanship is exquisite. Which sect are you from?"
"What is that swordsmanship called? Can you teach me?"
...
Ye Ziling was suddenly surrounded by the crowd. She could only say softly, "It's merely crude swordsmanship."
She replied faintly, and in the faces of the crowd, she saw simplicity and kindness, like the shadows of her own people. Her lips curved slightly.
Her eyes sparkled, and she smiled, her beauty pure and unparalleled.
"The Valley Master is here, clear the way for everyone!" A subordinate held his head high, waving his hand to part the crowd as the man in white walked forward.
Ye Jinghuai saw what had happened and cupped his hands in thanks. "Miss, your great kindness is beyond repayment. If you don't mind, would you stay and join us?"
As soon as he spoke, the surrounding villagers happily chimed in.
"The peach blossom wine my family makes is delicious!" Granny Wang patted her chest, smiling from ear to ear.
"I just caught over ten jin of grass carp by the river. I'll steam it tonight, it's sure to please miss!"
"My peach blossom pastries are also quite tasty!"
...
Ye Jinghuai smiled contentedly. He looked up at Ye Ziling, realizing he had forgotten to ask for his benefactor's name. He smiled and asked, "May I ask for your name, miss?"
Ye Ziling chuckled, "My surname is also Ye. My given name is Ziling."
Upon hearing this, everyone present was startled, and the surrounding chatter ceased abruptly.
The daughter of the Saint Lord of the Sacred Physician Clan also bore the surname Ye and was named Ziling.
After that massacre, the Saint Lord's family perished at the hands of several factions, but they were fortunate enough to be rescued by someone. When they later searched for the Saint Lord, not even a bone could be found.