Immortalis

Death Hex V

For the next seven days, both Yang Wujian and Shen Qingshi recuperated within Longevity Palace.

Just as Yang Wujian had said, being injured patients, their daily routine consisted of nothing more than eating and sleeping - they didn't even need to fetch their own meals, as Yu Qiao would deliver them directly to their rooms.

After several days, even Shen Qingshi's rabbit had grown fat, feeling like a meatball when held. Yang Wujian originally wanted to name it "Furry Egg," but Shen Qingshi refused, so they renamed it Xue Qiu.

"Now if you don't hold it, it won't even bother chewing on vegetable leaves."

Yang Wujian couldn't stand seeing Shen Qingshi spoil the rabbit like this. In just a few days, she had even rewoven its nest, and that wasn't all - she'd lined it with straw mats and chicken feathers.

He sighed helplessly: "Once we leave here, we'll have to use a small cage... I hope it doesn't get so used to this that it throws tantrums all night in a smaller cage."

"Cages are bad. I don't like cages either."

Shen Qingshi continued changing the rabbit's bedding without pause, appearing completely unfazed by his words. Just then, Gu Yun came to check their pulses. Yang Wujian sighed: "Gu Yun, you should talk some sense into her too. If she keeps feeding it like this, we'll have to rename this rabbit 'Snow Mountain'."

Gu Yun chuckled while taking his pulse: "You're one to talk. Have you forgotten? When you were young, you caught a small snake and insisted on keeping it as a pet. It turned out to be venomous and bit you, leaving you bedridden for three days. Later, when you heard Baihe had killed the snake to make snake wine, you cried for hours, demanding to fish it out of the wine jar for a proper burial."

"......"

Yang Wujian was momentarily speechless. But then he heard a sudden giggle - Shen Qingshi had actually laughed out loud, adding: "It seems you're even worse than me in that regard."

"You..."

Yang Wujian was stunned.

In all the time he'd known Shen Qingshi, this was the first time he'd seen her laugh so brightly. Whether it was due to the effects of the three Blood Cleansing Pills or not, she now appeared no different from any ordinary young woman.

"Alright, alright, your pulse is quickening."

Gu Yun's hand still rested on Yang Wujian's arm as he teased: "You're not some young lad anymore, yet you're making such a foolish face."

Yang Wujian pressed his lips together, knowing he was in the wrong, but he still felt immensely happy inside.

During these days Shen Qingshi had stayed in Longevity Palace, though she spent most of her time quietly holding her rabbit while watching Gu Yun prepare medicines or practicing sword forms, she showed no particular aversion to the Longevity Palace members. In fact, all signs indicated that Shen Qingshi wasn't putting on an act - she had genuinely severed all ties with the outside world and was peacefully staying by his side.

If things could continue like this, would Shen Qingshi eventually learn to laugh and cry like everyone else, becoming an ordinary person?

As Yang Wujian was lost in these thoughts, Gu Yun finished checking Shen Qingshi's pulse and said: "Both your injuries have mostly healed. If you wish to stay in Longevity Palace a few more days, I'll have the palace staff prepare meals for you. If you want to leave, you should get ready."

"Chasing us out already?"

Yang Wujian certainly hadn't forgotten the task Gu Yun had previously entrusted to him.

With numerous affairs occupying the palace, neither Gu Yun nor Mingshan could leave. Thus, the matter of finding Tian Ting naturally fell to him and Shen Qingshi.

Gu Yun smiled wryly: "Did you really think you could hide here forever? Wujian, don't think I don't know - that young master from White Rainbow Tower you mentioned earlier, you and Miss Shen have been worried about him, haven't you? Otherwise, why would you suddenly ask me how to treat heart ailments during your pulse reading the other day?"Yang Wujian sometimes truly suspected Gu Yun could read minds, and could only speak honestly: "The young master has lived a smooth and easy life since childhood, never experiencing any hardships or encountering any wicked people. Then suddenly, his father died, White Rainbow Tower was gone, and Shen Qingshi and I also... I'm afraid he'll be depressed for a long time this time."

"I actually think you're overthinking this matter, Wu Jian."

Gu Yun led the two to fetch the Blood Cleansing Pills and Blood Replenishing Pills. Along the way, the Longevity Palace members they encountered now treated Shen Qingshi as one of their own, occasionally even slipping her some fruit.

Gu Yun said: "Those with weak determination cannot practice martial arts, let alone become masters. You say this young tower master grew up in luxury, untouched by worldly hardships. But Wu Jian, search your conscience—if you had been forced by your own father since childhood to learn another's martial arts, and had to watch that person die tragically... how long could you have endured?"

Yang Wujian opened his mouth but couldn't speak.

Gu Yun continued: "If Zhou Huai were truly a fragile person, he should have been tormented by guilt into taking his own life long ago. But since he managed to endure back then and even mastered all those techniques, he definitely won't be seeking death now... In this aspect, you might not even compare to him."

This time, perhaps because the journey was long, Gu Yun actually stuffed a full ten bottles of Blood Replenishing Pills into Yang Wujian's hands, along with three bottles of Blood Cleansing Pills.

Yang Wujian stared in astonishment: "It's not like I'm not coming back..."

Gu Yun didn't let him argue, also pressing the formulas for both the Blood Cleansing Pills and Blood Replenishing Pills into his hands, speaking gravely: "Perhaps soon, Mingshan and I will be overwhelmed with our own troubles, having to relocate with the palace members again. When that time comes, we might not be able to look after you. If your Blood Deficiency Syndrome acts up again, it would be very troublesome... Wu Jian, you know how important what you're seeking this time is. Take care of yourself, don't make me worry."

Throughout his life, although Gu Yun had always worried about him, she rarely spoke such serious words. Yang Wujian's heart sank, and he ultimately carefully stored both the formulas and medicines.

In the following days, Mingshan had people prepare their luggage. Although Longevity Palace wasn't well-off, Mingshan still managed to gather sufficient travel funds for them, and even found time to personally forge a pair of iron rings for Yang Wujian to replace the Seventy-two Golds he had lost before.

In the blink of an eye, the day to leave Longevity Palace arrived.

Mingshan and Gu Yun summoned them to the stone hall. For the first time in years, Yang Wujian changed into men's clothing, with the pair of iron rings fastened at his waist, preparing to go out in his male form.

Gu Yun circled around him, seemingly quite satisfied with the clothes she had tailored for him, and sighed: "This should have been done long ago... Wu Jian, your skills are first-rate. Bone Shrinking only prevents you from displaying your true abilities. On this journey, remember to protect yourself well, and protect Miss Shen too. Don't make all my effort in nursing you two back to health go to waste, only for you to get injured again."

"Gu Yun, you say this every time I go out... Do you still think of me as a child?"

Though Yang Wujian spoke reluctantly, he faintly felt uneasy inside.

In the past, Gu Yun and Mingshan had never seen him off together. This time, whether because they sensed the tense situation in the martial world, even Mingshan had prepared double the usual luggage for him, as if... afraid something might happen later.

Mingshan said: "Miss Shen, I entrust Wu Jian to you. He can be impulsive at times. If you encounter any danger, you must advise him to prioritize caution."

"I understand."Shen Qingshi carried the rabbit cage on her back, having changed into the clothes prepared by Gu Yun, and said calmly, "I won't let anything happen to him."

"That's good."

Gu Yun stepped forward and hugged her: "I hope everything goes smoothly for you... I'm entrusting Wu Jian to you. He'll be happy with you."

When it was time to part, it was Yu Qiao who led them out. After walking some distance, when Yang Wujian looked back, he noticed Gu Yun and Mingshan still standing there watching him.

"They've never been like this before."

Yang Wujian grew increasingly anxious, fearing that Gu Yun and Mingshan were keeping something from him. Sending him to find Tian Ting now might just be a way to get him out of the way while they faced some impending danger alone.

Shen Qingshi naturally noticed his unease and said softly, "Worrying is useless. It's better to complete the task quickly and return."

Yang Wujian smiled wryly: "To think there would come a day when you'd be the one comforting me."

Yu Qiao, familiar with the route, soon led them back to the surface. Because Yu Qiao was still young, Gu Yun had instructed him not to venture too far. Reluctantly, Yu Qiao could only stand at the cave entrance waving goodbye, adding, "Brother, sister, you must come back often. I'll miss you."

After walking further until even Yu Qiao's figure disappeared from view, Shen Qingshi asked, "According to the location of the Aconite Kiln that Gu Yun later investigated, we need to head west for at least five days."

Back when it was decided that the two of them would go search for Tian Ting, Gu Yun had explained in detail the clues she had gathered about the Aconite Kiln over the years.

Fifteen years ago, the Aconite Kiln indeed did not exist, because it was a privately operated mine discovered only ten years ago.

Back then, after Prince Qi became the ruler of the realm, he spent three years stripping the five princes who held military power of their authority. Later, through a mix of kindness and intimidation, he hinted that the princes could exchange their military power for land, mansions, and gold. Thus, ten years ago, when the Son of Heaven bestowed large tracts of fertile land, some farmers who lost their fields began risking severe punishment to mine illegally.

The Aconite Kiln was a silver mine discovered during this period, located in the remote northwest. Since the illegal mine was shut down ten years ago, it had become largely deserted.

Mingshan had prepared horses for them, tethered nearly a mile away from the cave entrance. Since both of them were likely wanted, they couldn't take the main roads. Instead, they had to follow overgrown paths westward.

"Still worried about the Longevity Palace matter?"

Unusually, Yang Wujian had remained silent throughout the journey. Shen Qingshi knew exactly what was troubling him and asked, "Have they always been like this before? Discussing matters and only telling you afterward?"

Yang Wujian sighed: "It's because I'm the youngest and was picked up midway. I'm never as close as the other elders are with each other... But I know Gu Yun and Mingshan mean no harm. It's not that they don't trust me—they just want to protect me as much as possible."

Yang Wujian had mentioned many times how he was picked up as a child, but Shen Qingshi had never inquired about the details. After hesitating for a moment, she finally asked, "Speaking of which, why did you become separated from your family?"

"Family?"Yang Wujian sneered coldly: "When I was young, my family couldn't afford food. My parents gave me away to others, probably thinking I could live a better life. Who would have thought that person immediately took out a knife, saying they were going to kill me and eat my flesh... I struggled desperately to break free, ran terrified into the streets and nearly starved to death. When I was at my last breath, Gu Yun found me, carried me back to Longevity Palace, and fed me some vegetable porridge. That's how I survived."

Even after all these years, when speaking of that time, Yang Wujian could still clearly remember the cold glint of the blade... His teeth unconsciously ground together with a grating sound.

Given this, no wonder Yang Wujian had saved her.

Shen Qingshi thought, being treated as food on a plate or becoming a Flesh Conduit in a furnace were essentially the same thing - their fates at that time were beyond their own control.

Seeing Yang Wujian's unpleasant expression, Shen Qingshi remained silent, unsure how to comfort him. After much thought, during a break in their journey, she took the round, plump Xue Qiu from the rabbit cage and forcibly stuffed it into Yang Wujian's hands.

"...?"

Yang Wujian was momentarily stunned, looking at the rabbit then at her, not understanding Shen Qingshi's intention. Shen Qingshi then said with complete seriousness: "I noticed earlier that its fur is very soft... exceptionally soft. Petting it will make you feel better."

"..."

Yang Wujian realized Shen Qingshi was actually trying to comfort him. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry as he held the restless rabbit in his arms and said: "You're too easily pleased if a rabbit can cheer you up... Speaking of which, what did Zhaoming Division used to reward you with? Don't tell me Cao Zhao would casually give you some trinket to dismiss you?"

Shen Qingshi thought seriously this time and said: "Back then... I only wanted to become a centurion."

"Why? Did you want more salary?"

"Salary was useless to me. I wanted promotion because that would mean more people would spar with me during martial arts training at Zhaoming Division. In the palace, I could only fight these people, and as I said last time, only when fighting others do I feel I'm not just a piece of stone."

Shen Qingshi's words left Yang Wujian speechless. After a long pause, he asked: "What about now?"

"Now?"

Shen Qingshi seemed momentarily confused, then she actually smiled lightly and took Xue Qiu back from Yang Wujian's shoulder where the rabbit had climbed.

"If you're done petting it, return the rabbit to me."