Seven days after the purple miasma vanished, Tingjiang Town felt reborn.
Dawn painted the river with shimmering light, the water so clear you could see straight to the bottom. Along the banks, the Spirit Vexongrass flourished, its leaves a vibrant, healthy green, no longer marred by spectral faces. The very air hummed with a strange, clean energy, as if the entire world had been cleansed.
Cai Qingluan stood before the Fulong Pawnshop, gazing towards the distant silhouette of River Heart Island. Her Miao Dao, scoured clean of bloodstains, gleamed bright and new at her waist. Even the ancient script on its spine seemed different – no longer cryptic, but sharp, clear. The words it carried weren't about a curse, but an ancient tale of sacrifice and redemption.
"Is it really over?" she murmured to herself.
"Not yet."
Hong Jiu's voice came from behind her. The scar on his throat had faded significantly, the metallic rasp in his voice softened, almost normal, capable of easy conversation now.
"There's one final step," he said, a determined light burning in his eyes.
Zhang Feidie joined them, the butterfly tattoo on her shoulder breathtakingly lifelike, shimmering with iridescent light in the morning sun. It was no longer a mark of affliction, but a badge of blessing, proof of the united bloodlines.
"The bamboo scrolls mentioned one last place," she said, her voice clear and steady. "The true source of the Ming Dynasty Alchemy Furnace."
They exchanged smiles, a shared resolve reflected in their eyes. After everything they had endured, they were no longer just an accountant, a handyman, and an apothecary. They were witnesses to fate, participants in history.
Deep within River Heart Island lay a stretch of untouched primeval forest. Towering trees formed a dense canopy, blocking out the sun, while tangled vines created a natural, almost impenetrable barrier.
They followed a path nearly invisible to the untrained eye, a secret trail known only to the Stele Guardians, worn into the earth by generations of silent footsteps.
"According to the scrolls, the true source of the Ming alchemy furnace lies in the heart of this jungle," Hong Jiu explained as they walked. "An ancient furnace, the very place where the miasma plague began three hundred years ago... and the place where we must end this completely."
The path narrowed, eventually disappearing into a thick wall of tangled bushes. Hong Jiu paused, retrieving the three pieces of the chiwen jade pendant. He carefully fitted them together, forming the complete dragon-fish shape.
"This is the final key," he stated, placing the assembled pendant onto what looked like an ordinary moss-covered rock.
Instantly, golden lines flared across the rock's surface, forming a complex pattern that perfectly matched the engravings on the jade. With a soft click, the rock slid smoothly aside, revealing a dark, gaping entrance.
"We're here." Hong Jiu took a deep breath, lit a fresh torch, and stepped resolutely into the darkness.
The air inside was heavy and damp, carrying a strange metallic tang, like rust and sulfur. The tunnel sloped steeply downwards. After descending for perhaps a hundred paces, it suddenly opened into a colossal subterranean cavern.
Dominating the center stood a massive Alchemy Furnace, easily three times the size of the one in the Refinery Cave. Its bronze surface was ancient, covered in intricate patterns and runes. But what immediately drew their eyes was the poem carved into the furnace wall:
"A thousand years refining life, yet death the丹 (dan/pill) becomes.
Sulfur, mercury, sand turn plague, one drop poisons the autumns.
If asked from whence the miasma came, mine-taint in river's the root.
Let this body be warning's call, shun gain that bears no fruit."
"This is..." Cai Qingluan stared, reading the stark verse.
"The final testament of the Ming Alchemists," Hong Jiu confirmed grimly. "Legend says, during the Chongzhen Emperor's reign, the court sent alchemists here seeking the elixir of immortality. They established a secret base, mining vast amounts of sulfur and mercury to refine their pills."
"But the waste materials from the refinement... they dumped it directly into the Tingjiang River, causing catastrophic pollution," Zhang Feidie finished, the healer in her instantly grasping the core issue. "Over time, the pollutants accumulated on the riverbed... creating the source of the miasma."
"Worse than that," Hong Jiu pointed to another section of text etched into the furnace wall. "During their experiments, the alchemists accidentally mixed a special ingredient—Spirit Vexongrass—with the mercury sand and sulfur. It created an unprecedented toxin. A poison that not only contaminated the water but could also affect the human mind, causing hallucinations and madness."
"So that was the Miasma Mother's true origin!" Cai Qingluan finally understood. "Not some Miao shamaness... but an alchemical disaster!"
Hong Jiu nodded gravely. "Yes. By the time the alchemists realized their catastrophic mistake, it was too late. The poison had spread throughout the entire Tingjiang basin, causing widespread death. In the end, they decided to use themselves as bait, drawing the miasma poison into their own bodies... then sealing it, through special means, within this very furnace."
"But the seal wasn't perfect," Zhang Feidie murmured. "Every hundred years, it weakened, needing reinforcement."
"And every three hundred years," Hong Jiu added, "it threatened to break completely, requiring the one with the combined bloodline to appear and perform the final purification. That's why the three of us were brought together in this era, to fight side-by-side."
Silence fell as they contemplated the sheer scale of the three-hundred-year plan. Their ancestors, ordinary people forgotten by history, had devised such an intricate, desperate mechanism, all for the hope that one day, someone could finally solve the problem they had created.
"So, what do we need to do now?" Cai Qingluan finally broke the silence. "The furnace in the Refinery Cave was purified, the Miasma Mother's influence sealed... the river water is clear. What else is left?"
Hong Jiu pointed towards the base of the colossal furnace. "According to the bamboo scrolls, there's one last mechanism hidden beneath this furnace. The final key to resolving everything."
He approached the furnace, carefully examining its base. He found three small, distinct indentations, each a different shape – one matching the outline of a Miao Dao, another the shape of the Stele Guardian's seal, and the third, the shape of a butterfly.
"Symbols of the Three Families," Hong Jiu stated. "We need to place the corresponding items into these slots to activate the final mechanism."
Without hesitation, Cai Qingluan unslung her Miao Dao, carefully fitting it into the first indentation. Hong Jiu produced the Stele Guardian's seal from his robes, placing it into the second. Finally, Zhang Feidie gently touched the butterfly tattoo on her shoulder. A single, shimmering scale of iridescent powder detached itself, floating down into the third slot.
The moment the last piece settled, the entire furnace blazed with golden light. The massive structure began to rotate slowly, emitting a low, resonant hum. They stepped back cautiously, uncertain what would happen next.
The furnace rotated to a specific point and stopped. Then, with a deep groan, its base slid open, revealing a cavernous opening leading down into darkness. A powerful current of air rushed out – not miasma, but a pale yellow gas, carrying the faint, clean scent of sulfur.
"This is..." Cai Qingluan stared, astonished.
"The Detoxifying Sulfur Gas," Hong Jiu explained, his voice filled with awe. "The scrolls mentioned it. Sealed beneath the true furnace is a vast reservoir of this gas – the accumulated antidote from three hundred years. Once released, it will completely neutralize any lingering miasma traces throughout the entire Tingjiang watershed."
The yellow gas billowed out, quickly filling the cavern. Strangely, it wasn't unpleasant. Instead, they felt an invigorating coolness, a sense of profound clarity and ease spreading through them.
"It's purifying the residual poison within us!" Zhang Feidie exclaimed, feeling the last vestiges of unease wash away. "I feel... lighter than I ever have before!"
Cai Qingluan felt it too. The decades-long dependence on sulfur, the strange craving that had haunted her bloodline, was fading, replaced by a sense of calm she'd never known.
The change in Hong Jiu was the most dramatic. The scar on his throat visibly faded almost to nothing, his voice losing the last trace of its metallic rasp. "I... I can speak normally!"
They looked at each other, relief and joy dawning in their eyes, erupting into shared laughter.
But amidst the celebration, Hong Jiu's expression suddenly turned serious. "The sulfur gas is building pressure. Soon it will breach this cavern and flood the entire Tingjiang valley. Before that happens, we must leave. Otherwise, the sheer concentration could harm us."
He pointed towards the entrance tunnel. "Go! Quickly! I'll stay behind!"
Cai Qingluan and Zhang Feidie started towards the exit, but halfway there, Zhang Feidie stopped abruptly, turning back to face Hong Jiu. "You're not staying to cover our retreat. You're staying... to remain here, aren't you?"
A complex emotion crossed Hong Jiu's face. "The Stele Guardian's final duty... is to ensure the complete release of the Detoxifying Gas. Someone needs to stay behind... to manually control the furnace vents."
"Then we stay together!" Cai Qingluan declared fiercely.
Hong Jiu shook his head sadly. "No. The gas purifies miasma, but in this concentration, it's still dangerous. My body, infused with the Mercury Sand, can withstand it for a time. Yours cannot. Besides," his gaze met theirs, steady and resolute, "someone must carry the truth out. Tell the world what happened here these past three hundred years. Ensure history doesn't repeat itself."
"But you'll die!" Zhang Feidie cried.
Hong Jiu smiled gently. "A Guardian's fate was never longevity. It was protection. My father died protecting Tingjiang. Now... it's my turn."
There was no fear in his eyes, only peace and acceptance. "Go. Tell the world the truth. Tell them the terrible cost of polluting nature. Tell them of the sacrifices our ancestors made to fix their mistakes."
Tears streamed down their faces, but they nodded, knowing his decision was final.
"We will remember you," Cai Qingluan said, her voice thick with emotion. "We will remember everyone who sacrificed for Tingjiang."
"Your story will be told," Zhang Feidie added softly. "Your sacrifice will never be forgotten."
Hong Jiu smiled one last time, waving them away. "Go. A new era is beginning."
Cai Qingluan and Zhang Feidie took one last look at him, then turned and ran towards the tunnel exit. As they burst out into the jungle sunlight, a deafening roar echoed from behind them. The entire underground cavern collapsed.
Like a colossal geyser, the Detoxifying Sulfur Gas erupted from the ground, shooting towards the heavens in a spectacular pillar of yellow light. It pierced the clouds, spreading out to form a vast, shimmering golden canopy that covered the entire Tingjiang valley.
From this ethereal cloud, countless tiny golden particles rained down. Wherever they landed, life renewed. Withered plants burst into bloom, the polluted earth regained its fertility, and the very air hummed with an unprecedented freshness.
And in the heart of River Heart Island, the sulfur gas mingled with the moisture in the air, creating myriad points of cool phosphorescent light – foxfire – dancing like swarms of fireflies. This wasn't ordinary flame, but a symbol of life, nature's blessing upon the healed land.
Standing on the riverbank, Cai Qingluan and Zhang Feidie watched the breathtaking spectacle, tears streaming down their faces, mingling hope with sorrow.
"It's over. It's really over," Cai Qingluan whispered.
"No," Zhang Feidie corrected gently, the butterfly tattoo on her shoulder glowing softly in the golden light. "It's a new beginning. Our mission... has only just begun."
One month later, Tingjiang Town was transformed.
The last traces of the miasma were gone. The river ran crystal clear, teeming with fish. The plants along the banks thrived. Miraculously, even those who had suffered the long-term effects of the miasma were recovering. Old Man Yang the boatman, and many others like him, found the calcification in their eyes slowly reversing, their sight gradually returning.
A new sign hung above the entrance to the Fulong Pawnshop: "Three Families' Shrine." The building had been converted into a small museum, displaying artifacts related to the miasma and the three families' history – the corrupted Miasma Mother Diagram, the three chiwen jade pendants, and fragments of text recovered from the collapsed cavern.
Cai Qingluan stood before the museum, watching the steady stream of visitors, her heart full. She was no longer just an accountant bound by ledgers, but the curator of the Three Families' Shrine, tasked with sharing their forgotten story with the world.
"Sister Cai!" Zhang Feidie's voice called out.
Cai Qingluan turned to see her friend approaching quickly, holding a pot of Spirit Vexongrass. This plant was unique; faint, intricate patterns were visible on its leaves – tiny, shimmering characters.
"Look! New words have appeared on the Spirit Vexongrass!" Zhang Feidie exclaimed excitedly.
Since the purification, Zhang Feidie had discovered the Spirit Vexongrass now acted as a living chronicle – whenever a significant event occurred, relevant text would naturally manifest on its leaves, like nature's own diary.
Cai Qingluan leaned closer, reading the clear script: "Sulfur Gas purifies Tingjiang, Miasma Poison banished forevermore. Stele Guardian Hong Jiu sacrifices self, achieves eternal merit. Three Bloodlines Unite, the Spirit Vexel Gambit is complete."
"Spirit Vexel Gambit..." Cai Qingluan murmured the unfamiliar term. "Is that what our ancestors called this plan?"
"Not a 'gambit' in the sense of a risky bet, but 'wisdom'," Zhang Feidie explained softly. "Linglong (玲珑), the plant's name, means exquisite and beautiful, implying wisdom and foresight. Our ancestors used their wisdom and foresight to devise this three-hundred-year plan, all for the hope that one day, the miasma problem could be solved completely."
Cai Qingluan nodded thoughtfully. "So, it wasn't a curse, but redemption. Not fate, but choice."
"Exactly," Zhang Feidie smiled, the butterfly tattoo on her shoulder gleaming in the sun. "Our ancestors chose sacrifice to protect the future. And we... chose to inherit their will, to see their mission through."
Just then, a small boy ran up, gazing curiously at the butterfly tattoo. "Wow, sister! Your butterfly is so pretty! Can it fly?"
Zhang Feidie knelt, smiling warmly at the child. "Of course, it can fly. It flew through three hundred years of time, carried away all the pain and curses, and left only hope and blessings behind."
The boy nodded, not fully understanding, then skipped away happily.
Cai Qingluan watched him go, a soft smile on her face. "This is the meaning of everything we did, isn't it? So the next generation can grow up in a world free from the miasma."
Zhang Feidie nodded, her eyes firm with resolve. "But our mission isn't over yet. Hong Jiu's sacrifice is a heavy reminder of the cost of pollution. We must pass on this lesson, prevent history from repeating."
"What's your plan?" Cai Qingluan asked.
"I'm going to share the cultivation method for Spirit Vexongrass far and wide," Zhang Feidie declared. "It doesn't just purify miasma; it can cleanse other pollutants too. If every household grows a pot, it won't just beautify their homes, it will help monitor the health of our air and water."
"That's a wonderful idea," Cai Qingluan agreed. "And I have a plan too. I want to write down the story of the Three Families' Shrine, let more people know this history. Not just the dangers of the miasma, but the wisdom and sacrifice of our ancestors."
They smiled at each other, united in purpose and hope.
At that moment, a gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the Spirit Vexongrass. The butterfly tattoo on Zhang Feidie's shoulder seemed to flicker, as if about to take flight. The leaves of the plant whispered in the wind, a soft, sibilant sound, like secret words being spoken.
"Did you hear that?" Zhang Feidie asked suddenly, tilting her head.
Cai Qingluan nodded slowly. She had heard something – not just the wind, but a strange, ethereal melody, like a call from ages past.
Following the sound, they looked towards River Heart Island. From all directions, countless rainbow butterflies were converging, forming a magnificent arc of color across the sky. And at the rainbow's end, a hazy figure shimmered, waving towards them.
"It's Hong Jiu!" Zhang Feidie cried out. "He's not dead!"
Cai Qingluan squinted, focusing on the figure. It resembled Hong Jiu, yet felt different – ethereal, more spirit than flesh.
"Perhaps not his body," Cai Qingluan whispered, understanding dawning, "but his spirit. The Guardian's duty is done. His soul... is free."
The figure waved one last time, then dissolved into motes of light, merging into the rainbow. The rainbow itself slowly faded, scattering into countless tiny points of light that drifted down over the entire Tingjiang valley.
"He's free," Zhang Feidie smiled through tears. "We're all free."
Cai Qingluan nodded, a profound sense of peace settling over her. The three-hundred-year curse was finally, truly, completely broken. Their story, however, would live on, passed down through generations, a legend of wisdom, sacrifice, and redemption.
On the leaves of the Spirit Vexongrass, new words appeared, sharp and clear: "The Spirit Vexel Gambit is won, Miasma Poison forever undone. Three Bloodlines joined as one, Guarding Tingjiang for ages to run."
It was an ending. And a beginning.
The story of Tingjiang continues.
And in the distant future, when people ask why the Tingjiang River flows so clear, why the Spirit Vexongrass grows so lushly on its banks, why rainbow butterflies dance over the water each year, they will be told a story:
Of how, long, long ago, three ordinary people, driven by love for their home, made extraordinary sacrifices, completing a grand design that spanned three centuries. Their names may fade with time, but their spirit will forever be etched into every drop of Tingjiang water, every leaf, every butterfly's wing.
This was the story of the Miasma Mother Diagram – a legend of curse and redemption, fate and choice, sacrifice and rebirth.