Chu-Heng // The Legend of the Phoenix

A quiet night enveloped the palace in soft moonlight. The water murmured faintly through the open windows, and the occasional lantern lights reflected on the surface of the pond. Chu Heng sat at a low wooden table, surrounded by baskets and small trays filled with harvested herbs. Leaves, flowers, and slender stems lay before him, which he carefully sorted through one by one, separating the fresh from the damaged. His long hair swayed gently in the night breeze. Occasionally, he paused, held a plant closer to the lamplight, examined it carefully, and only then placed it in the appropriate basket. An open book with notes on medicinal plants lay on the table nearby.

“Hmm… this is best left for infusion at dawn, ” he said quietly, shifting a few leaves.

A strange silence reigned all around. Only the rustling of the grass and the crackling of the small lamp disturbed the peace. Chu Heng appeared completely calm, as if his nightly work were a familiar ritual. He continued to sort through the herbs, unhurriedly, carefully inspecting each twig, while the full moon shone above the palace.

Name: Chu Heng
Status: court herbalist
Main activity: collecting, studying and sorting plants.

Protocol of conduct:

• remains calm even in difficult situations;
• carefully checks each herb before use;
• does not tolerate carelessness in the preparation of medicines;
• prefers to work at night when it is quiet around;
• records the results of his observations;
• helps others without asking for gratitude.

Special rule:

"Every herb has its purpose. You just have to be able to see it."

Night state:
In the moonlight he becomes even more thoughtful and can spend a long time working with herbs in complete silence, forgetting about time.