BDSMST -Chapter 120 Preparations for the Journey to Medicine King Valley

The fireworks on New Year’s Eve pushed the festive atmosphere in Woniu Village to its peak. But after the celebration ended, an even more important and challenging task was placed on the agenda.

When spring arrived, they would venture deep into Wolong Mountain to search for Medicine King Valley.

On the eighth day of the first lunar month, the top leaders of Woniu Village held an official meeting. Only three people attended: Jiang Suisui, Gu Yan, and Bai Yutang. The meeting took place in Gu Yan’s study.

On the wall of the study hung a huge topographic map of Wolong Mountain, hand-drawn by Gu Yan himself. The map carefully marked the mountains, rivers, valleys, and all known routes.

“According to the guidance of the Medicine King Token and the records in the Bai family’s ancient texts, the entrance to Medicine King Valley should be in this area.”

Bai Yutang pointed to a region on the map deep within the mountains—an unexplored zone labeled “Forest of Mist.” His finger traced a circle around it.

“This region has extremely complex terrain and is covered in dense fog all year round,” Gu Yan said seriously. “Even local hunters rarely dare to enter it. And according to the scouts’ reports, there are signs of large wild beasts active in the mountains. We can’t afford to be careless on this expedition.”

After some discussion, the three quickly determined their respective responsibilities.

Bai Yutang, acting as the “Chief of Intelligence and Documentation,” would provide all informational support. He had already compiled every legend, ancient text, and fragmentary map related to Medicine King Valley that the Bai family had collected over hundreds of years. Among them was even a damaged copy of the “Mozi’s Lost Manuscripts,” said to imitate the mechanical techniques once used in Medicine King Valley.

Gu Yan would serve as the overall commander and security chief of the expedition. He personally selected ten of the most elite members from the guard team. These men were either battle-hardened veterans or experienced hunters, each one agile and strong-willed. The team leader would still be Wei Ziqian.

Gu Yan also prepared a large amount of equipment for the mission: climbing ropes, iron grappling claws, machetes for clearing paths, entrenching shovels, bows and crossbows for defense, and short blades. Every piece of gear was arranged according to the highest standards of military field operations.

As for Jiang Suisui, her role was both the “key” to the mission and its logistical support.

On the surface, she prepared a large supply of medicines, dried rations, and water-purification pills. Secretly, however, she opened a special storage area inside her Spirit Spring space, where she stored vast quantities of Spirit Spring water, along with various detoxification pills and healing ointments specially made from the medicinal herbs grown in that space. She knew that in critical moments, these items could save lives.

Everything was ready.

Only one final—and most troublesome—problem remained: the composition of the expedition team.

“I must go.”

Bai Yutang was the first to state his position.

“I’m familiar with all the texts and maps. Only with me there can we interpret the ancient symbols and information on site.”

“Wei Ziqian and I must lead the team,” Gu Yan added, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Jiang Suisui glanced at them both and said calmly, “I am the master of the Spirit Spring. Without me, even if you find the place, you won’t be able to enter.”

These three were the core members—there was no dispute about that.

The problem lay with two other people.

“I’m going too!”

The study door was suddenly pushed open as Gu Xuan and Bai Ling’er burst in, holding hands.

“Don’t be ridiculous!” Gu Yan’s face darkened instantly. “This isn’t a picnic. Do you have any idea how dangerous the mountains are?”

“We know!” Gu Xuan straightened his small chest and fearlessly met his father’s stern gaze. “But we can help too!”

“That’s right!” Bai Ling’er lifted a rolled blueprint in her hand. “The Bai family’s ancient texts say the entrance to Medicine King Valley is filled with all kinds of lost mechanical traps. I’ve already thoroughly studied this Mozi’s Lost Manuscripts. Only I can dismantle those mechanisms! Without me, you won’t even be able to move forward!”

Gu Xuan also raised the object in his hand. It was an intricate device made of gears and springs.

“This is something Ling’er and I just made,” he said proudly. “It can fire a grappling hook attached to a rope. No matter how high the cliff is, we can climb it!”

The two children spoke one after another, trying their best to prove their value.

Jiang Suisui watched them, her heart wavering slightly.

She knew the children were not entirely wrong—especially Bai Ling’er’s knowledge of mechanical traps, which could be almost indispensable when exploring such an ancient hidden realm.

However, Gu Yan’s attitude was unusually firm.

“No. I will never risk my son’s life.”

His gaze swept toward Bai Yutang. “Master Bai, keep your niece under control.”

But Bai Yutang showed a troubled expression. Spreading his hands, he said with a wry smile:

“Marquis, you may not know this. Ling’er is the most talented of this generation in our family. Even the elders of the clan admit that her mastery of mechanical arts surpasses theirs. To be honest, if she doesn’t join this expedition, our chances of success will decrease by at least fifty percent.”

He had unexpectedly taken the children’s side.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the study became tense and deadlocked.

In the end, it was Jiang Suisui who broke the silence.

She walked to Gu Yan’s side and gently tugged at his sleeve.

“Gu Yan, perhaps we can try another way,” she said softly. “They can go—but only if we set three strict conditions.”

Gu Yan looked at his wife, then at the two children whose faces were filled with anticipation. In the end, his heart softened.

With a stern expression, he said to Gu Xuan and Bai Ling’er:

“If you want to go, you must agree to three conditions.”

“Say them, Father! We agree to everything!” Gu Xuan nodded eagerly.

“First: once we enter the mountains, you two must stay beside me—or beside the guard I designate—at all times. You are not allowed to leave even a single step.”

“Okay!”

“Second: during the entire expedition, you only have the right to make suggestions, not decisions. Every action must follow my orders. If I say stop, you stop. If I say retreat, you retreat. No objections.”

“…Alright.” Gu Xuan and Bai Ling’er exchanged a glance. Though somewhat reluctant, they still agreed.

“Third,” Gu Yan said, his gaze becoming particularly sharp, “if we encounter danger beyond our control, I will immediately send someone to escort you two back to Woniu Village by force. That is the bottom line. There is no room for negotiation.”

“We agree!”

And so, the final roster of the expedition team was settled.

Over the next month, Gu Yan put this temporary team through devilishly intense training. Even Jiang Suisui and Bai Yutang were required to complete a certain amount of physical training every day.

Gu Xuan and Bai Ling’er received special attention.

Every morning before dawn they had to wake up to practice stance training, run long distances, and learn various wilderness survival skills. The two children complained endlessly, but they gritted their teeth and persevered.

Meanwhile, the affairs of the village were entrusted entirely to the Old Marquis and Uncle Fu.

Jiang Suisui also carefully wrote down detailed manuals on greenhouse farming and the cultivation techniques of the new crops, handing them to several of the most reliable stewards.

Everything proceeded in an orderly manner.

On the night before their departure, Gu Yan called Gu Xuan into his room.

He placed a dagger into his son’s hands.

The dagger was slightly smaller than the one Gu Yan himself used, but in terms of material and sharpness it was just as good. The handle was engraved with the character “Xuan.”

“This is my gift to you,” Gu Yan said in his usual steady voice. “Remember—once we enter the mountains, you are no longer just my son. You are also a member of the team. Protect yourself, and protect Sister Ling’er.”

Gu Xuan gripped the heavy dagger and nodded firmly.

“Yes, Father!”