[ somehow, the color scheming of his companion escaped his notice until the sheath is up close. ] Ah! [ he smiles knowingly. ]

Your help is most appreciated. [ as he plucks the thing — root and all — as instructed. the rest of the description of the plant all fits, at least, but the color of its petals apparently affects its ripeness and potency.

once he's uprooted the single flower, he stands and twirls it between his fingers like a rotating glass showcase. ]

Well said! Could it be you have an eye for the arts, my friend? Forgive me for assuming, but I wouldn't have guessed. [ the sword, the tense line of his shoulders? he might have ventured jiang cheng was a busy-bodied soldier of some kind. ]