RYEY – Chapter 170 Sea-Eagle Qing

The two of them hurriedly gathered some common medicinal herbs. Gradually, their backpacks were full. Just as they were about to head back, the red-headed pit viper appeared again, flicking its red tongue at Cheng Qiao.

Ye Jun’s heart tightened, and he was about to take out a silver needle, but Cheng Qiao grabbed his hand.

“Master, this red-headed pit viper is mine. It must have found something good. Let’s follow it and see.”

Ye Jun looked at Cheng Qiao in disbelief. Back when he was still the young master of the Ye family, he had seen young ladies raise rabbits and birds, and treat puppies and kittens as pets—but he had never seen anyone raise a snake as a pet.

However, considering the secrets Cheng Qiao carried, Ye Jun quickly put away the silver needle and closely followed her. Only now did he notice how effortlessly Cheng Qiao could move through the mountains.

“You’ve studied the martial arts books I had Li Huan learn, right?” Ye Jun asked, recognizing her familiar steps.

Cheng Qiao nodded quickly. She had secrets to protect, and besides using medicine as a weapon, physical ability was crucial. It was an extra skill for self-defense.

They followed the red-headed pit viper to a mountain hollow. There, a large protruding boulder stood out. The viper slithered down the edge without hesitation.

Just as Cheng Qiao was about to climb up, Ye Jun stopped her. He took a rope from his backpack. Seeing it, Cheng Qiao’s eyes widened—this was a climbing rope. Where had her master gotten it?

“This came from across the ocean. From now on, if you climb the mountains alone, come to me to get a rope.”

Cheng Qiao nodded, relieved. She had thought Ye Jun was a time-traveler too, which had startled her so much she was sweating in the cold.

Ye Jun tied one end of the rope to a large tree and the other to his waist. Slowly, he climbed the boulder, finding a foothold and making his way down.

A huge purple Lingzhi mushroom stood proudly in a depression of the boulder. The red-headed pit viper coiled around a small tree growing from the cliff, constantly flicking its tongue.

No matter how Ye Jun positioned himself, he couldn’t reach the purple Lingzhi. He could only sigh at the sight of such a valuable treasure so close yet unattainable.

Seeing Ye Jun discouraged, Cheng Qiao tied the rope to her own waist and climbed down from the path Ye Jun had taken.

Ye Jun wanted to say something, but then he remembered that although it had been risky earlier, if they hadn’t tried to grab the Lingzhi, it would have been no worse than swinging on a rope. As long as the rope was strong, there was no mortal danger.

The red-headed pit viper looked at Ye Jun climbing up again, disappointed. It wanted to eat the Lingzhi but couldn’t reach it. Yet when it saw Cheng Qiao descend, its body immediately straightened.

“Little Redhead, we agreed: if we take this Lingzhi back, you can’t eat it. Once it releases spores, there will be many small Lingzhi mushrooms. Only then can you eat.”

The red-headed pit viper nodded repeatedly, just like with the ginseng tree. It had watched the ginseng in front of it without being able to eat it, but soon, the ginseng would bear seeds, and Cheng Qiao would plant them.

Except for that ginseng tree, the others were free to eat. So hearing Cheng Qiao forbid it from eating the purple Lingzhi, it immediately agreed.

“Collect!”

Cheng Qiao concentrated her spiritual energy and willed it—and sure enough, the purple Lingzhi disappeared. The red-headed pit viper was delighted. Just as it was about to react, a sharp cry drew near.

The red-headed pit viper trembled in fear. It was still just a young snake in training, no match for the massive eagle approaching. Ye Jun, perched on the boulder, anxiously wanted to pull the rope to help Cheng Qiao.

Cheng Qiao looked up and saw a sturdy eagle with white feathers, wings spanning over two meters, approaching. It was a Sea-Eagle Qing—the very bird she had only read about in books.

The Sea-Eagle Qing was tough and cold-resistant, capable of hunting wild ducks, rabbits, deer, snakes, and other creatures. In Manchu, its name literally meant “the highest and fastest bird,” signifying its speed and bravery.

Without hesitation, Cheng Qiao stored the red-headed pit viper in her spatial pocket. She vanished in a flash, leaving only the rope—half anchored on the boulder, half disappearing.

The Sea-Eagle Qing had already spotted the viper. Seeing it trying to eat the purple Lingzhi it had guarded for years, it flew angrily toward it. Even if the viper ate the mushroom, as long as the eagle could kill it, it would be as if the eagle ate it itself.

Just as it extended its talons, the red-headed pit viper vanished, and the bipedal figure disappeared as well. Could it be above? The Sea-Eagle Qing flapped furiously, gaining height as it ascended.

Cheng Qiao panicked. Her master was above, and though skilled, he was no match for a wild Sea-Eagle Qing.

In a desperate move, Cheng Qiao appeared on the boulder and used all her spiritual energy, chanting continuously: “Collect, collect, collect…”

The eagle felt an invisible force pulling it toward the bipedal figure. Terrified, it flapped its wings harder, lifting its body higher.

Cheng Qiao’s head throbbed painfully, but seeing the eagle leave quickly, she knew her spiritual power was no match for a fierce raptor. Clearly, more well water was needed.

She entered her spatial pocket again, guzzled well water, and the intense pain gradually eased. Then she exited, grabbed the rope, and climbed up.

Ye Jun, seeing the massive eagle hovering like a helicopter, was terrified. He pressed himself down but didn’t let go of the rope, worried the eagle would snatch Cheng Qiao—thankfully, the rope was crucial.

The eagle, seemingly attacked by an invisible force, fled in panic. Could it be Cheng Qiao? Ye Jun hurried to the top of the boulder and looked down.

Below, besides the swaying rope, the space was empty. Then he saw Cheng Qiao appear, climbing the rope. He quickly backed up and pulled her up.

“Master, look.”

Seeing the enormous purple Lingzhi, Ye Jun was momentarily dumbfounded. A few seconds later, he snapped back to reality and looked around.

“Master, no one is here. This Lingzhi is valuable. I’ll cultivate it first. Once small Lingzhi sprouts, we’ll have many.”

“Cheng Qiao, tell me—who knows the secrets, no, the skills you possess?”

“Li Huan and little Cheng Li.”

Ye Jun relaxed. From what he knew of Li Huan, he was completely under Cheng Qiao’s control and would never betray her. As for little Cheng Li, he was too young.

“Quick, store it. We’ll talk after cultivation. Let’s go back.”

Ye Jun turned to leave, walking ahead to give Cheng Qiao plenty of space. Seeing this clever and thoughtful master, tears welled in Cheng Qiao’s eyes. What a wonderful teacher.