“Master? What should we do with her?”
Who? What do you mean, what should you do with who?
“Shall we kill her?”
Kill whom? Me? No! I still need to become an immortal—please, have mercy!
“She was able to awaken Long Yi, and she carries the aura of Long Er. Keeping her around might be useful.”
Yes, yes, I’m useful! I’m very useful! Please spare me… Uh, wait, what’s Long Yi and Long Er?
With her head pounding, Bai Shuo struggled to open her eyes, barely managing to see a blurry figure standing against the light. She reached out toward it, but before she could make out the person’s face, she sank back into darkness.
In a guesthouse in Wei City, Fu Ling slowly opened her eyes as a voice sounded beside her.
“You’re awake?”
Her gaze turned icy, and a flower with sharp thorns materialized from her palm, aiming for the forehead of the man in front of the bed. Chong Zhao’s eyes reflected the flower’s fierce beauty, and he was unable to move. But as Fu Ling took in his face, memories of the previous night’s firelight flashed in her mind. She quickly withdrew the flower, and a backlash of her powers made her cough up blood.
“You… you…” Chong Zhao’s face turned pale as he pointed at Fu Ling in fear. “Demon… demon… help…!” Before he could finish shouting, Fu Ling cast a demon’s spell to silence him.
Fu Ling looked at her shoulder, which had been carefully bandaged. Her expression softened slightly.
“Just a mere mortal… Since you saved me, I’ll spare your life.”
The flower bud in her palm floated over to Chong Zhao and emitted a red mist under his terrified gaze, clouding his mind. As the flower returned to her hand, Fu Ling leaned forward, coughing, her lips stained with blood.
As Chong Zhao’s gaze cleared, he saw Fu Ling awake and hurried to support her. “Miss, you’re awake?”
He seemed to have no memory of what had just happened.
Fu Ling nodded curtly and attempted to get up. “Thank you for saving me. I’ll take my leave.”
“Miss, please wait!” Chong Zhao stepped back respectfully. “No need to hurry. Last night, the innkeeper’s wife was the one who bandaged your wounds; I assure you, I meant no offense. The doctor said your injuries are severe, and you need rest. I found an ancient ginseng root, which should help you recover.”
As he spoke, he offered a steaming bowl of ginseng soup. Though somewhat overly earnest, his eyes held nothing but sincere concern.
Fu Ling, who had grown up enduring scorn in the Immortal Realm and had dedicated herself to cold, ruthless training in the Cold Spring Palace, had never been cared for by anyone. Though this young mortal was annoying and talkative, his kindness unexpectedly warmed her heart, stirring a small feeling of compassion within her.
She lowered her gaze, accepted the ginseng soup, and took a sip. “Thank you.” Then, looking up, she asked coldly, “What do you want in return? Speak plainly.”
Chong Zhao paused, then smiled. “Miss, you misunderstand. Saving a life is a noble deed. Our meeting last night was fate…”
“Speak clearly,” Fu Ling interrupted him, glaring.
Chong Zhao, ever straightforward, didn’t seem fazed by a demon’s glare. “I’ve already informed the innkeeper. You may stay here until you’re fully healed.”
“No need. I’ll leave tomorrow. Now, go.”
“But…” Chong Zhao hesitated, noticing her growing impatience.
“Say it quickly if you have something to say,” Fu Ling huffed.
“Miss, did you happen to see my younger sister on the road last night?” Chong Zhao said as he quickly pulled a portrait from his sleeve. It was a likeness of Bai Shuo. “My sister likes to dress as a boy, so she may have appeared as a young lad. Did you by any chance…”
“No.” Fu Ling shot him a dismissive glance and interrupted him coldly.
Chong Zhao’s hope was dashed, but he pressed on, “Then, may I ask what caused you to collapse from such serious injuries?”
Fu Ling’s eyes narrowed, her gaze turning icy, but Chong Zhao continued, “Did you encounter some evildoers? I’ve heard of occasional bandit sightings near Mount Mu Xiao.”
Fu Ling’s expression softened slightly, and she nodded. “As for what happened last night, I’d rather not speak of it.”
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