Chapter 27: Chapter Twenty-Seven: Heartache

"Your mother suffered from overexertion—prolonged use of Qi to fuel the stove fire damaged her heart and lungs, causing coughing, weakness, and difficulty breathing."

Mr. Feng explained the condition to Mo Hua, then continued:

"When she was first brought in, she could barely breathe. I brewed some pills to temporarily relieve her symptoms—no immediate danger, but she must be carefully nursed from now on. She must no longer use Qi to fuel the stove fire, nor continue working as a kitchen assistant in the dining hall; otherwise, her heart and lungs will eventually collapse, beyond saving."

Mo Hua listened, chilled by fear, and bowed deeply again. "I shall forever remember your kindness, Grandfather Feng!"

Mr. Feng helped Mo Hua rise, smiled faintly, and said, "Healing the dying and aiding the wounded is a Pill Master's duty—what talk of kindness? You're young, but you speak with such propriety. By the time you repay me, I'll likely already be in the ground."

Mo Hua exhaled in relief and smiled. "Grandfather Feng, your heart is as compassionate as a Pill Master's—you'll live another few hundred years!"

Mr. Feng laughed aloud. "You've always known how to speak, child."

"My mother works six hours daily in the dining hall—why did her heart and lungs suddenly suffer such severe damage?" Mo Hua asked.

Mr. Feng said, "I asked the kitchen women. This year, your mother's daily kitchen hours increased from four to six. Prolonged labor drains Qi more easily, and with overexertion, the damage naturally worsened."

"Didn't the Fire-Repelling Hairpin help?"

"You mean the hairpin your mother wears?" Mr. Feng stroked his beard and nodded.

"That hairpin does help—but it's merely an ordinary Spirit Artifact, unranked, with limited efficacy. Still, thanks to it, her condition isn't worse; even if cured, her heart and lungs would have permanent damage without it."

Mo Hua felt both relief and lingering dread, then asked about the diagnosis fee. Mr. Feng said, "The dining hall manager came by earlier. They feel guilty about your mother's condition, so they'll cover all pill expenses—you needn't worry."

Mr. Feng winked secretly at Mo Hua and whispered, "Since they're willing, I won't refuse—I'll use the finest herbs to brew the pills. I'll heal your mother, mark my words."

Mo Hua relaxed, bowed respectfully again, then asked softly, "May I see my mother?"

Mr. Feng nodded. "Go. She just took the pills and lay down—be quiet."

The side rooms of Xinglin Hall had been cleared and fitted with several beds, reserved for patients. Though simple, they were clean and tidy, lightly scented with faint incense.

When Mo Hua saw Liu Ruhua, she lay on the innermost bed, sleeping quietly, her breath light, her face pale and worn.

Mo Hua brought a small stool and sat quietly beside her, gazing at Liu Ruhua's face.

He remembered when he was born—his mother was young, gentle and beautiful, her smile radiant.

Now, without notice, ten years had passed.

For cultivators with longer lifespans, ten years meant little—some didn't change in appearance over a decade.

But his mother had grown worn; strands of white hair had appeared at her temples.

He thought of himself growing up while his parents aged unnoticed—until one day he realized they were no longer the people he remembered.

Mo Hua's heart ached, his eyes blurred.

Liu Ruhua awoke after sleeping for some time and found Mo Hua curled beside her, eyes red. She felt comforted, yet pained.

She touched Mo Hua's head. "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be training at the sect?"

Mo Hua stared silently. Liu Ruhua felt a little embarrassed. "I'm fine—don't worry about me."

"Mr. Feng said you work six hours daily in the dining hall."

"Six hours isn't much. Look at your neighbors' uncles and aunts—they do harder work. Your father hunts demons and sometimes goes days without sleep. Everyone endures this…"

Mo Hua shook his head. "Your health is poor—how can it be the same? Is the family short on Spirit Stones?"

Liu Ruhua sighed softly. "We're not short on Spirit Stones—but you're about to learn a technique, right? A mid-grade low-tier technique costs over two hundred Spirit Stones. I wanted to save more so you could choose a better one."

Mo Hua blinked. "I haven't even mentioned the technique—how did you know?"

Liu Ruhua touched his head again. "Foolish child, how could I not know? You don't speak because you're thoughtful—but your father and I must plan for you. We're only Qi Condensation cultivators—we can't give you the best, but within our means, we want to give you the best we can."

Mo Hua's nose tingled with emotion. He pulled out a storage bag.

"Mother, I can earn my own. I've already earned one hundred and eighty Spirit Stones!"

This time, it was Liu Ruhua who was stunned. She opened her mouth slightly, then said after a long pause:

"How did you earn so much…?"

Mo Hua's spirits lifted. "I draw arrays for people."

"Still at the Youyuan Shop in Beijie?"

"Yes."

Mo Hua froze. "How do you know about that too?"

Liu Ruhua smiled gently. "Your father told me. When he saw you carrying so many Spirit Stones, he suspected someone was cheating you, so he followed you to that shop, asked the manager a few questions, and found out you hadn't been tricked—it was the manager who got tricked by you. I didn't even know you had an older brother…"

Mo Hua's mouth hung open. He thought he'd hidden everything—but he'd hidden nothing. He hadn't even known his father had followed him to the Array Hall…

Liu Ruhua touched Mo Hua's face, smiling with satisfaction. "When you were little and thin, I worried you'd be bullied and couldn't make a living. Now, at such a young age, you've earned so many Spirit Stones—I'm at ease."

"But keep these Spirit Stones for yourself. Don't think they're many now—when you advance in cultivation, or take a Dao partner, or have children, you'll spend far more. Save them now, so you won't be destitute later."

Mo Hua shook his head. "Mother, I'll earn far more Spirit Stones in the future—don't worry about that. Right now, your most important task is to heal your body. Don't trouble yourself with anything else."

Liu Ruhua gazed warmly at Mo Hua, about to speak, but a cough overtook her. Mo Hua silenced her, urging her to rest well.