Chapter 179: Cloud Mountain (Part One)

Early in the morning, although they lived in different places, everyone woke up at the same time. The first task was to help Elder Xian water all the herbs, pull out those needed for use, wash them clean, and place them in baskets to be taken to the kitchen.

Each person had their assigned duties, working efficiently and quickly completing all the household chores. With someone watching over the home, they could now set out without worries. Dressed comfortably and having packed their belongings, they gathered the necessary tools and loaded everything onto the vehicle.

By the time Xiao Qi was ready, she called her uncle to inform him of their safe departure. She refrained from calling her mother to avoid being nagged and restricted from wandering freely.

Before heading to Yunshan, Mo Lan personally administered medicine to Old Master Mo during breakfast, carefully washing his face, hands, and feet. After reminding the servants to take good care of Mo Fan and the elder, and handing over all necessary instructions, she took the front passenger seat beside An Feng.

Qian Yin and Elder Xian exchanged words in the back, reviewing many pictures of the herbs to be collected this time. Liu Fei and Xiao Qi happily followed behind in the vehicle, this being their second outing with the group. Though Xiao Qi had been injured on the first trip, it did not diminish their yearning for the outside world.

Mo Lan reached out, requesting some of the pictures. Qian Yin casually handed over two or three. After all, this trip to Yunshan was not only to find the Sacred Heart Orchid; such a rare and perilous journey must yield useful discoveries—they could not afford to waste the opportunity.

He Ding Orchid, Vermilion Grass, Huwei Flower, Golden Bright Grass, Pig Silk Leaf, White Lingzhi, Cold Withered Vine Branch, Yangshun Willow—all are prized herbs that could not be gathered in the nearby deep mountains. Elder Xian had long wished to venture into the cold, dangerous reaches of Yunshan, but his frail health had held him back.

Qian Yin realized she did not recognize a single herb. Faced with such bizarre plants, she dared not touch them, fearing they might be poisonous. These herbs were treasures now, with price lists below the images. Astonishingly, some cost tens of thousands per pound.

“Elder Xian, are these prices set by you or others?” An Feng, still driving, glanced at Mo Lan and then at the prices displayed. His heart raced—the He Ding Orchid was priced at one hundred thousand per pound.

“Of course, these prices are determined by those in the medicinal field. Though these plants seem insignificant, they can actually prolong life. Countless people risk their lives to find even a few of these herbs, and hardly ever find a whole pound,” Elder Xian sighed deeply, revealing his profound knowledge. Had he been younger, he would have surely pursued them.

Qian Yin and Mo Lan nodded in agreement. In this era, almost nothing was inexpensive except perhaps water. Spring water from any mountain was affordable, and though it was beneficial for health, its price never soared.

An Feng clicked his tongue in amazement. His uncle was fond of wine and knowledgeable about it; even an ordinary bottle stored at home could sell for tens of thousands. Such was the insight that set the leaders of various fields apart.

The journey from the An residence to Yunshan took two days just in travel time. Unlike previous trips filled with leisure and sightseeing, this time they traveled earnestly. Though the scenery was beautiful, each harbored a strong wish to return swiftly to the Mo family.

The deeper into Yunshan they ventured, the denser the trees and the more abundant the herbs. The paved road ended at the mountain foot, where a small village of humble farmers lived. They often ascended the mountain to gather herbs. Passing by, a few carried baskets brimming with fresh, thriving herbs.

Elder Xian’s eyes nearly glued to them, reluctant to look away, but Mo Lan stopped him. She smiled awkwardly at the farmers, apologizing, “Sorry, our elder studies medicinal herbs. Perhaps your herbs are just too excellent, which is why he’s so captivated. Please don’t be afraid.”

The villagers said little, evidently wary of strangers, and quickly departed. Before leaving, they glanced curiously at Mo Lan’s group, puzzled by their attire.

Qian Yin smiled quietly, remarking on Elder Xian’s unchanging habit of lighting up at the sight of fine herbs, as if he wanted to devour them.

“Elder Xian, don’t be anxious. Let’s buy some water and food before heading up. Many better herbs await on the mountain, so don’t worry and be patient,” Mo Lan said, somewhat helpless but unwilling to reprimand the elder, instead offering reassurance. She then inquired about the road conditions and purchased water and snacks.

Since some villagers were still wary, they split up to ask around. Eventually, an elderly couple informed them about the mountain’s conditions. According to them, wolves and many snakes inhabited the area—medicinal snakes that lived beside different herbs. These snakes fed specifically on those plants, with each herb influencing the snake’s medicinal properties.

“You shouldn’t go up the mountain. Even though this is a tourist area, if anything happens after you show your permit, we bear some responsibility,” the couple earnestly advised, but no one listened.

“Thank you very much for your concern, but we must go,” Mo Lan replied, then packed their things and assigned tools before parking the vehicle in the village.

Elder Xian carried two hooked knives and a herb basket, wearing a straw hat—truly resembling an experienced mountain herbalist. Seeing him thus, those behind suppressed smiles.

Each hoisted their belongings and slowly ascended the steep incline, using the hooked knives to grip soil and stone for support, inching upward step by step.

Elder Xian was accustomed to such terrain and led the way. An Feng wanted to lead but was repeatedly refused by Elder Xian, who warned of dense undergrowth and unseen dangers like snakes and insects ahead.

The younger ones followed behind, frequently looking down at the picture guide, searching carefully. Yet, even before entering the depths of Yunshan, they recognized none of the prized herbs and found none of what they sought.

Elder Xian dared not gather other herbs recklessly. If many desired herbs awaited deep within Yunshan, it would be wasteful to collect others now. As long as the herbs remained unpicked, they could return to harvest them another time.

The deeper they climbed, the more arduous the journey, with steeper slopes and increasing danger. Hidden from their view, a narrow path had long reached the heart of Yunshan but was concealed by dense foliage.